When Jack engaged in combat with Aqualina to buy some time, his teammate, following Jack’s meticulous orders, discreetly manoeuvred through the area.
He carefully placed an artifact in a location, ensuring it was hidden from sight. After completing this crucial task, the teammate returned to Jack, signalling that everything was set and ready.
Then, with a calculated move, Jack utilized his puppet to end Aqualina’s life.
But why would he come here if he was planning to use the puppets in the end?
The answer was simple yet chilling: fear.
Yes, fear… but Not of Aqualina herself, but of someone far more formidable…. the person who had raised and trained her.
This person was none other than Empress Marisandra Naiadia.
Jack’s plan was executed with precision. He had to make sure no one suspected his true intentions. The last time, he had been caught by the Principal’s watchful eyes, so he needed to devise a flawless strategy. A plan so perfect that no one, not even the Empress, would doubt him.
First, he had to ensure a convincing confrontation with Aqualina.
He needed to appear genuinely scared, making it seem like he was fleeing from her. Although he hadn’t anticipated the intervention of an unknown ally aiding her, this unexpected twist only served to bolster the narrative that he was running away because he couldn’t stand against them.
This ruse would make him the least likely suspect in everyone’s eyes.
Now, Jack’s focus was on returning to the stadium. He needed to be there so that even if the Empress decided to get involved, she wouldn’t suspect him immediately.
Meanwhile…
“What’s happening?” the Principal asked with a deep frown, noticing once again that the video footage had been cut off.
She was beginning to suspect that Aether might be responsible for this interference, as he was present both times the footage was disrupted. She glanced at Delphine, wondering if she might be secretly aiding him. However, upon seeing Delphine’s genuine concern, the Principal frowned deeper, thinking, ‘Is someone else behind this?’
She then turned to the person seated beside her and asked, “What do you think about this situation?”
A stunning woman with purple hair and small, sweet lips responded coldly, “If anything happens to my daughter… I will kill everyone there,” as a frigid chill permeated the air around her.
The Principal sighed, attempting to offer some reassurance with a smile, “Don’t worry. With our advanced technology, there is no way they could die there.”
“They better not!”
Back at the doom…
Aether glanced up at the sky, which suddenly turned black for a moment before returning to its normal state.
He felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and he noticed that Aqualina appeared similarly affected. She mumbled in a horrified voice, “T-There is no arcane energy…”
“Hmm?” Aether frowned, attempting to conjure fire, but only a weak spark appeared as if something were cut off!
“What’s going on—”
“What do we have here?”
Suddenly, several figures materialized out of nowhere.
Aether and Aqualina frowned, staring at the 25 people who had appeared out of thin air and were now looking directly at them.
“Who are you?” Aether demanded, his voice filled with suspicion.
However, the newcomers paid no heed to his question. They began conversing among themselves.
“What’s this place? I thought we were in the hotel room a few minutes ago.”
“I don’t know. The client only instructed us to kill anyone we see.”
“So, it’s two of them?”
“Looks like it.”
The 25 individuals smirked at Aether and Aqualina, their intentions clear.
These newcomers were bandits who had struck a lucrative deal the previous day with a mysterious hooded figure. They didn’t care who the client was, as they had already received a substantial advance payment.
When they arrived at the designated hotel and walked through the door, they were bewildered to find themselves in an entirely different place, as if they had stepped through a magical portal.
Initially shocked, they relaxed upon seeing the same hooded figure who had hired them. The hooded person pointed them in the direction of Aether and Aqualina.
“Wait, is that hooded figure on our side or what?” someone asked, frowning.
Seeing Aether’s hooded figure, everyone else frowned and wondered whether he was supposed to be an ally or a target.
Aether glanced at the group, sensing they weren’t particularly strong. He could easily overpower them if he had access to his Arcane powers, but now both he and Aqualina were reduced to mere humans.
“What the hell? I can’t use my magic!” someone shouted within the group.
Hearing this, everyone tried to use their own magic, but to no avail.
Their frustration grew, and they turned towards Aether for answers, but before they could speak…
“Where are they?”
Both Aether and Aqualina had vanished from sight.
At that moment, another hooded figure appeared—it was none other than Jack Sparrow’s puppet.
Recognizing the hooded figure, the bandits shouted and demanded an explanation for the lack of arcane energy. However, their questions were cut short.
‘Sclk!’
The puppet killed one of the bandits with a swift motion, speaking with murderous intent, “Go and kill the two of them, or you won’t live to see the next day.”
“WHA–”
‘Sclk!’
Thud’
“Go… Now!!”
Immediately, the 23 bandits scattered, frantically searching for Aether and Aqualina.
As they dispersed, the puppet clicked its tongue in irritation, thinking, ‘I don’t understand why Master takes such painstaking steps… The situation was already in our favour. I could kill them without needing these worthless scum!’
Even the puppet couldn’t comprehend why Jack Sparrow went to such lengths just to kill a girl.
However, for Jack Sparrow, it was all part of a flawless plan to avoid suspicion.
No matter how one looked at the situation if Aqualina died, it would appear to be the work of the bandits who had entered the arena. But how did it come to this?
That’s where Kaelen fit into his plan. To Jack, Kaelen was merely a pawn. When a pawn fulfilled his role, even if he failed, Jack decided to eliminate him.
This is why Jack’s remaining teammate was from Kaelen’s tribe, making Kaelen the prime suspect when he disappeared while up to something and even more Kaelen’s failed attempt against Aria who would surely tell the truth… so, Yeah, Kaelen was fucked up!
And why would Jack need to block the arcane energy?
Because Aqualina Naiadia was the daughter of Empress Marisandra Naiadia, a woman who had built her power from nothing.
Jack needed to handle Aqualina carefully and break her spirit.
Everything went according to his plan.
While the bandits were set to kill Aqualina, the Empress would likely kill Kaelen.
It was a perfect scenario: killing two birds with one stone.
… However,
‘FUCK, YEAH!!’ Aether screamed inwardly as he gently held Aqualina’s hip. Aqualina, wincing in pain, placed her hand on Aether and they walked inside a hidden cave beneath a cliff, near Aqualina’s base.
“P-Princess, are you okay?” Aether asked, his face showing concern.
“I-I am fine…” Aqualina sighed as she sat down. The cave was a concealed with stone she sceured before just in case she couldn’t handle the fights, providing them temporary safety.
“I feel so weak, Aether,” Aqualina mumbled. The absence of arcane energy had made her body feel heavy and lethargic.
“I-Is that so…” Aether muttered, his voice pained, but inwardly he rejoiced, ‘Whoever you are… thank you… really thank you. You created a perfect scenario for me to seduce her… Otherwise, I would have had to follow my hazardous plan.’
Aether felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards the unknown orchestrator of these events, for giving him this golden opportunity.
If Jack knew his biggest plan which he worked his ass off…. was merely used to seduce a girl…. He might attempt suicide!