Chapter 077

After thinking for a while he decided to confide Victor on the Sword of Dominance in his possession, and his guess that the Knife of Dominance was with Richard, and that the elders had pit them against each other to prevent them from cooperating and opening the red box.

Considering that they would reach Backlund in 5 days if everything went well, their resentment towards each other or the possible resentment towards the elders wouldn't matter as they probably had outlived their usefulness.

After listing to what Frederick had to say, Victor too agreed that their lives were at risk, and that they needed to do something about it and they agreed to temporarily work together.

They had two options. They could either overpower Clyde and snatch the box, open it, and then decide what to do next after they saw what the box held, but it was very difficult, as they did not have the complete confidence to overpower Clyde who was not only a Sequence higher, but also had a mystical item, let alone the fact that Richard could support him.

The second option, was to ensure that no one opened the box. The fact that the Sword of Dominance and the Knife of Judgement were sent along with the red box indicated that the box could not be opened without the two artefacts. Hence, if they got rid of the two artefacts, even if the box reached its destination, it would be useless, and the danger they sensed would not be able to take place.

Thus, after discussing with Victor, Frederick hatched a plan that would disallow the holy artefacts from reaching Backlund. He wanted the Knife of Judgement to not reach Backlund, and preferably he would be the only one who knows its location, so that he could come back and get it if need be, while the Sword of Dominance would remain with him,

as he was unwilling to give it up, but he wouldn't go to Backlund. Only Clyde with the unopenable red box was allowed to reach Backlund.

Coupled with all the resentment he felt towards Richard from the matters before they came out of the secret realm, he hatched a violent plan.

He understood that there were plenty of pirates in the sea, some of them in the current location they were sailing through. The crew of the boat had all turned off all lights, so that it would be impossible for pirate ships to spot them in the night. After daybreak, they would be much closer to the navy stationed in Pritz Harbour, and thus were safe from harm.

Frederick and Victor decided to each stand at one end of the ship, and use their Pyromaniac Powers to make globes of fire near the bottom of the ships to attract pirates. When pirates attacked, they could take advantage of the chaos to execute their plan.

Unfortunately, their plan worked too well. They did not just attract any random pirates, instead they attracted the Admiral of Hell, Ludwell. Alvin knew they were in trouble when the sailors of the cargo ship fearfully yelled the name of the Balck Tulip, which was famous for not taking prisoners. Immediately improvising, the two of them ran to Richard and Clyde, and after a brief discussion they made a plan. It was decided that Clyde would hold off Ludwell, while Richard and Frederick would hold off his subordinates. Victor would prepare a small lifeboat, and when he gave a signal that he was ready, the 3 of them would rush towards the boat. Then, the four of them would take turns using their flames as propulsion to quickly escape. And in the same way, they would quickly travel towards Pritz Harbour. In the morning, they would sneak abroad a fishing boat using the Self Mirror, and then continue on their journey to Backlund.

Frederick followed the plan, and engaged two of the subordinate of Ludwell, and held them off, but he was paying attention to Richard. Seeing him go all out, Frederick suppressed his Provoker powers, and fought less intently, slowly withdrawing.

Sure enough, Richard started being besieged by more and more people, and was soon a little injured.

Frederick withdrew to a part of the boat where he was sure Clyde and even Victor couldn't see him, and called for Pyro-Formation.

Pyro-Formation was a formation that multiple Pyromaniacs could use to boost their collective combat power, a method supposedly developed by the Red Angel. Since there was not a whole lot of things to back in the small realm, almost everyone was well versed in the Pyro-Formation.

Richard, who was heavily being suppressed, sprinted towards Frederick, and established the formation with him. They fought together, holding their own for a while. While fighting, Frederik caught sight of the Knife of Judgement on Richard's person, so he was even more determined to go ahead with his plan.

After a while, a spiral fire arrow was fired into the sky from the back of the boat. This was a signal that Victor had prepared everything needed for their escape. A boat, some food and water, some maps and navigation tools, and someone who knew how to use those things, a dead weight they could get rid weight after they managed to find a fishing boat.

Frederick and Richard focused their power to make a flaming pathway to the back of the boat, pushing all people out of the way, despite having to suffer some injuries.

As soon as the pathway was complete, Richard took the initiative to break the formation and rush through the pathway.

Frederick, who had been waiting for an opportunity, activated the Sword of Dominance, and stabbed Richard in the chest who instantly died.

Not willing to have the Knife of Judgement on him, in case Clyde or maybe even Victor suspected him, he tossed the corpse of Richard into the sea, and rushed through the pathway, figuring he could retrieve it as soon as he got some diving mystical item, considering that he knew the location.

Frederick reached the boat which was already in the water, with Victor and a dazed man who was hypnotised by Victor using the Mirror of Self.

As soon as he got on board, Clyde came gliding over. He asked, "Where is Richard?"

"I don't know. He was right behind me" Frederick replied.

After seeing the numerous Beyoders who were now charging towards the boat, Clyde yelled, "Go! Go!"

Frederick and Victor immediately shot a stream of flames backwards, which launched their boat forward and into the horizon.