Chapter 490

The posthouse bookkeeper was actually imprisoned here by Curtis.

Athena and Xander both gasped. This old fox really regarded himself as the king in his territory.

The man coughed violently, his voice panting badly. “Quick, save me, and I will definitely reward you handsomely.”

Xander said in a deep voice, “Step back.”

When the man saw him pick up the long saber and aim it at the lock, he quickly stepped aside.

The long saber struck heavily against the lock, and with a clatter, the lock fell to the ground.

The iron gate was opened, and a disheveled man in tattered clothes staggered out.

Barely clinging to life, he collapsed to the floor, gasping his thanks. “Who… who are you?”

Xander drew out a command token and held it up for him to see.

When the man recognized it, overwhelming joy filled his eyes. “The Prince Regent? You… you are really the Prince Regent?”

“The court sent me to Aeridon to establish a trading post. If you have proof of Curtis’s crimes, give it to me,” Xander said evenly.

The man stared at him as if seeing a savior.

He crawled forward and knelt, tears streaming down his face. “My lord, please save the people of Aeridon. Curtis has not only illegally mined iron ore, but has also been privately minting copper coins.”

He added, “He plunders the common folk, treats them as less than beasts, and even sells innocent people off as slaves. I have evidence of his crimes.”

As he spoke, he began to pant heavily. Athena quickly took out her water bag and let him drink a few mouthfuls.

He felt much better after drinking the water.

Gathering his strength, he continued, “I… I hid the ledger in the rockery in the garden…”

Blood spilled from his lips as he spoke, but his eyes were full of relief, full of joy. “I thought I was going to die here, but heaven has not forsaken me, allowing me to meet Your Highness.”

No wonder the ledgers had been missing. They had been hidden by this man.

The iron door at the end of the secret passage was banging loudly. Clearly, Curtis would not stop until he found them.

“Can you still walk?” Athena put a pill into the man’s mouth.

The pill invigorated him instantly.

He nodded to Athena. “Yes, I can.”

“Hurry,” Athena said to him, “Go forward. Find a place to hide after leaving the secret passage.”

She knew there was an underground river at the end of this passage. It wasn’t stagnant water. It led outside. As long as they followed it, they should be able to swim out.

If Curtis realized they hadn’t come out, he would destroy the tunnel, burying them alive.

Xander grabbed Athena’s hand and leapt into the river.

The water was icy cold, seeping into their bones the instant they entered.

Athena fought to endure it, but as the chill seeped deeper, her lips turned blue.

Xander sensed something was wrong and pulled her into his arms.

The path ahead was blocked. They could only escape by diving underwater.

“Hold me tight,” Xander whispered to Athena.

At the same time, the secret passage began to shake. It was like an earthquake, and even the water in the underground river began to surge.

Athena paused, saying, “That old fox is trying to bury us alive here.”

Xander held her tighter, sealed the map in a waterproof cloth, and took a deep breath before diving underwater.

It was pitch black. They could only swim forward by feel.

Athena could sense boulders crashing down behind them, some smashing alarmingly close to her hands and feet.

Suddenly, her body sank sharply.

Xander let out a muffled groan, but his grip on her only tightened.

After what felt like an eternity, light appeared ahead. Relief washed over Athena. They had found the exit.

With a splash, the two of them broke the surface.

Athena sucked in lungfuls of fresh air, panting desperately.

Overjoyed, she turned to Xander, but his face was pale and his lips had lost their color.

“Are you hurt?” Athena asked nervously.

Xander shook his head. “No.”

He carried her to shore, climbing up with the help of a willow tree.

The two were drenched, and the cold wind made them feel as cold as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.

“Quick, find the ledger.” Xander pushed Athena away, turning in the opposite direction.

Athena knew his intention. He was going to draw the pursuers away.

Time was short, and Athena couldn’t afford to overthink it. She nodded gently to Xander. “Be careful.”

Then, she left without looking back.

Xander watched her leave with a gratified smile. Then, he drew the long sword from his waist and ran towards the pursuers.

During her time in the manor, Athena had familiarized herself with its layout.

Avoiding the guards with practiced ease, she made her way to the rockery in the garden.

She went inside, found the location, reached out, and indeed felt a black book. It was the Curtis Manor’s ledger.

Overjoyed, she secured the book and turned to find Xander, but a voice called out behind her. “Elijah.”

Turning her head, she saw Frieda carrying a small bundle on her back. She ran towards her with a happy face.

“Elijah, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for a long time.” She tugged at Athena’s wet robe, seeing that she was covered in water.

She couldn’t help but be stunned. “What happened to you?”

Athena was a little anxious, wondering whether to kill Frieda or knock her unconscious.

“Elijah, come with me.” Frieda smiled at Athena and patted the bundle behind her. “I brought enough money for us to live on for the rest of our lives.”

Frieda’s eyes were shining, and she didn’t naturally notice the killing intent in Athena’s eyes.

Frieda said, “I want to leave this man-eating manor and live somewhere no one knows me.”

Perhaps because she was finally escaping this cage, Frieda’s voice was extremely light. “Elijah, I like you. Are you willing to come with me?”

The shouts of killing in the palace shook the sky, and there was fire everywhere.

Athena’s throat moved, and she asked her, “The Prince Regent came to Aeridon to arrest your father. Do you really care nothing for his fate?”

Frienda said, “He never treated me as his daughter. I’m like a commodity, a bargaining chip for him to use. Once I lose my value, the outcome will be a hundred times more miserable. So why should I care whether he lives or dies?”

Speaking of this, she snorted coldly. “Only those fools would follow him blindly. Let me tell you. The Prince Regent came to Acridon this time to wipe out the Blumenfeld family. I refuse to sit here and wait for death.”

Athena couldn’t help but be shocked. She thought Frieda was simple-minded, but this girl saw things more clearly than anyone.

Frieda grabbed her hand. “Come with me. It will be too late if we delay any longer.”

However, it was too late.

Numerous guards surrounded them, shouting, “They’re over there! Quick, don’t let them escape!”

Frieda’s eyes turned cold as she cursed under her breath. “This is such a pain.”

She stepped forward, shielding Athena behind her, and said, “Open your eyes wide and see who I am. Get out of my way.”