CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 258: THE OLD MAN WANTS TO SEE HIS GRANDSON

"How long are we going to be locked up?"

"Why are we imprisoned? We haven’t committed any crime!"

"Let us out, we are noble members of the Augustus family!"

In the dim depths of the dungeon, only a few Moonlight Stones embedded at the top of the cell provided faint illumination, while the air was filled with the scent of dampness and rust.

Though the cell was relatively clean, for these royal family members accustomed to a life of luxury, it was no different from a cesspool — at least, that’s what they thought.

Born into wealth and accustomed to power, they naturally possessed a strong sense of entitlement, which made them fearless. Even in the dungeon, they dared to openly curse the guards watching over them.

However, the guards soon received orders and withdrew from the dungeon one by one. In the dungeon specially reserved for the Augustus family, it suddenly became empty, with no one guarding it.

"Does this imply we can leave now?"

Seeing the empty corridor outside the cell, several Transcendents of the Augustus family looked at each other, but soon someone boldly exclaimed,

"Are we supposed to escape like fugitives? Ha! How did those fairies capture us? They should take us out the same way, or I won’t leave!"

"Exactly, they dared to capture us like criminals, this is a contempt for the dignity of the Augustus family!"

"Even the Holy Dragon cannot treat us like this, let alone a bunch of half-breed fairies."

Just as these Augustus family members were boiling with emotion, angry and indignant, from outside the palace gate came the sound of metal colliding densely, and the noise near the cell door lessened significantly as everyone turned toward the passage leading to the ground.

In the gaze of countless eyes, a white cloak embroidered with golden dragon patterns came into view, and beneath the flowing cloak were one after another warriors dressed in silver-white armor, with long swords hanging from their waists.

"Paladins!"

A loud and sharp voice rang out, filled with unconcealed panic and fear.

"What do you intend to do?"

As the Paladins approached, even the normally arrogant royal family members couldn’t help but panic; these powerful people, normally lording over others, feared the Paladins the most because the Paladins truly dared to strike.

"Honorable members of Augustus, do not be anxious, we are just here for a shift change, this is nothing but a regular job handover, so please remain calm!"

The middle-aged Paladin leader, seeing these usually lofty dignitaries flustered, forced an awkward smile on his rugged face and soothingly reassured them.

However, it was clear that his explanation did not sit well with the royal family, for as the Paladins gradually entered, the dim underground palace gradually became brighter.

"Do we look like fools to be tricked at will? Since when do Paladins guard dungeons?"

"That is because of your esteemed status. Mere ordinary guards would be unsuitable for your dignity, so by the order of the Holy Dragon Lord, we are responsible for guarding you to ensure your safety."

The Paladin leader, who had just been in an audience with the Holy Dragon and received his mission, worked hard to keep his expression in check, lest his laughter become too presumptuous, for that would be unbecoming of the Dawn Shield.

"We don’t need your protection, nor do we need you to ensure our safety, we want to see the Holy Dragon."

"That’s right, we want to meet the Holy Dragon."

"Let us out, how can the noble Augustus be imprisoned in a dungeon? We haven’t committed any crimes, and even if we have, you have no authority to deal with us!"

Seeing how approachable the Paladins seemed, the royalty who had been frightened by the Paladins earlier began to clamor again.

"Please calm down, I understand your needs, and we will soon release you from here one by one, please line up first."

"Why do we have to line up?"

Someone quickly questioned.

"We need to verify your identities to prevent anyone from impersonating the royal family."

The seemingly reasonable and legitimate explanation quieted down the clamor significantly.

"Ten people per group, please line up."

Under the Paladin’s command and arrangement, despite feeling extremely dissatisfied and impatient, the Augustus members could only comply, for none of them wanted to anger the Paladins, let alone a whole group of them.

When the first group of royals were brought out from the dungeon, upon seeing the Paladins in front of them, brewing a spell in their hands, they were visibly flustered, though some caught on quickly.

"Wait, what are you..."

Identify Evil

As one of the Paladins’ signature spells manifested, a blood-red ominous radiance rose concurrently, revealing the heinous acts committed in their lifetime.

Without exception, the first batch of royals all carried the blood glow symbolizing evil and the dim, murky shade representing their heavy sins, and the Paladins escorting them pounced like wolves and tigers.

"What are you doing? We are the royal family!"

"Release us, are you rebelling?"

As the shackles closed in, all the royals shouted, but clearly their struggle and resistance were in vain, quickly drowned out under the Paladins’ violent suppression.

Against evil, Paladins never held back any courtesy; once the blood glow was revealed, no identity would stop them.