Avoid The Lead, No Matter What!

40. Death

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"It's a trap!"

Taze leapt to his feet. "We must follow them!" He commanded. "High Mage Daius and his team are walking into an ambush!"

"Hmph. And why should we listen to you?" Grand Mage Patiel countered, his creepy, overly friendly smile never wavering. "For all we know, you might be leading us into a trap yourself."

Taze's eyes narrowed in annoyance, one fine brow arching in challenge. "As Grand Mages, what trap could I possibly lead you into?"

"He's right, brother," Grand Mage Pariel interjected, stepping between the two. "We don't have time for petty squabbles. I can sense a strange boundary in that direction too. Let's go! If we teleport, we can reach them before it's too late."

Without another word, they hurried out of the tent, teleporting across significant distances.

At first, Grand Mage Pariel offered to bring Taze along, as teleportation was a rare skill among elves, though it was quite common among fairies.

Usually, elves on expeditions traveled with a skilled teleportation mage who could draw up a magic circle for quick movement, but their designated teleporter was currently with the other combat mages.

Fortunately, both Grand Mages had teleportation as an innate magic, but Taze had learned it through Dr. Sylvadeen's theories, so he declined Grand Mage Pariel's offer and followed them on his own.

Grand Mage Pariel would indicate a spot ahead, and they would appear there, but it was clear that both Grand Mages were slowing down for Taze, as he had to teleport twice to keep up.

"Crown Prince Tazeus, I'm impressed you can even teleport!" Grand Mage Pariel remarked when they finally reached the edge of the strange boundary. "Most elves don't possess this ability naturally!"

Taze offered a modest smile. "It's not worth much praise. I've only learned it a little."

The old elf had supported Taze from the day of the summoning, offering comforting words and vowing to find proof of his innocence, and as they paused before the boundary, he leaned closer to whisper to Taze.

"I can't excuse my twin brother's actions... nor can I openly oppose him. But I vow to protect you unless there's undeniable proof of your guilt."

"Thank you, Grand Mage Pariel. Your support means a great deal to me." Taze replied solemnly.

A short distance away, Grand Mage Patiel sent them the same unsettling smile, and Taze hesitated, about to say more, but held his tongue. Pariel noticed and leaned in again.

"If there's something on your mind, speak now... You may not get another chance."

Taze hesitated, then spoke quietly. "Doesn't something seem off about Grand Mage Patiel? The last time he smiled this much was when he played with me as a child."

Grand Mage Pariel's brows furrowed, and he lowered his voice further. "I've noticed. We are twins, after all... But hush. We can't alert the enemy just yet."

Taze gave a small nod and stepped forward, casting a tracing spell that penetrated the boundary, searching for its source. Meanwhile, Grand Mage Patiel appeared to be casting his own spell, supposedly trying to dismantle the boundary.

As they worked, Pariel set up a larger protective boundary to prevent any enemies from escaping and to safeguard the innocent from falling into the trap.

He had just finished his spell when Taze caught sight of a sudden movement from Patiel. In an instant, Taze teleported in front of Pariel, casting a hasty barrier spell that blocked Patiel's dagger.

Grand Mage Patiel gasped, stunned that his attack had been blocked, and the shockwave from the impact knocked the dagger from his hand.

The weapon, surrounded by a powerful aura, clattered to the ground, and Patiel shot Taze a surprised look... No one on Taze's supposed level should have been able to stop it!

A shocked Grand Mage Pariel turned to face the scene, his eyes darting from the fallen dagger to the shimmering barrier that had saved his life.

"Crown Prince Tazeus! You saved my life! That barrier was incredibly powerful! How did you become so strong?"

"It's my duty," Taze replied, his gaze never leaving Patiel. "But be cautious. That man... he's not your twin!"

A sudden, sharp 'Tchk!' sound echoed in the air, and Taze stiffened as a dagger plunged into his back.

"I know he's not my twin," Pariel murmured coldly as he twisted the dagger deeper. "The original plan was to let him kill you while you tried to protect me, but you just had to be stronger than we anticipated."

"H- how did you-?" Taze tried to speak, but the pain was overwhelming, and blood rose in his throat, spilling out as he struggled.

"'Brother,' you should see the disbelief on his face!" Patiel mocked, offering a taunting bow. "My dear Crown Prince, we apologize for deceiving you!"

Taze collapsed to his knees, his heart slowing as he glared up at Patiel. "You deliberately acted strangely... so I'd focus on you!"

"Exactly." Pariel stepped forward, joining his 'twin,' who bowed to him with respect.

"Master, congratulations on your victory!" Patiel said, grinning wickedly as Pariel's attention remained fixed on Taze.

"You see," Pariel continued, "we orchestrated the attack on Aedian, knowing you'd come here. Even if the King hadn't thought of sending us with you, I would have requested leave to follow you. But he made things easier by sending both of us!"

"And you set up this boundary as a trap for me," Taze rasped. "High Mage Daius isn't even coming here, is he? You showed me a false vision of the creature rampaging in the orb."

"Correct!" Patiel beamed. "We temporarily replaced the original orb so you'd see this location and come here. I pretended to attack my Master, knowing you'd step in to protect him!"

He let out a short, cruel laugh. "But enough talk. Just die already! You've become too powerful to leave alive!"

"The source of this boundary is a rare plant," Pariel added, picking up Patiel's fallen dagger. "We'll tell King Vien that you set up the boundary and escaped, forcing us to pursue you here and duel. Of course, we were left with no choice but to kill you to protect the people of Aedian."

With that, Pariel plunged the dagger straight through Taze's heart. "Not that it matters, since you won't be around to hear it."

And as Taze's startling green eyes turned a dull grey, he fell forward, lifeless.

"Goodbye, Crown Prince Tazeus," Pariel said, his voice cold and final.

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Over miles, in the shadowy throne room, Vitav smiled at the sight.

"It appears I win in this life as well, my dear little brother..."

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