As the guard was tongue-tied, Jake took the chance to examine all the royals that were watching him like he was the focus of a show.

He didn't find out who he searched for. So, he asked, "Where is she?"

His words were directed to Prince Roan--well, he was not a prince anymore.

However, Roan knew who Jake was referring to, "Cheyenne is in the same state as you. She is recuperating."

"How many days has it been?" said Jake.

Based on the words of Roan, he had probably unconscious for a while. It was understandable as the scale of his fight with Cheyenne touched the border of [Realm-3]. It was destructive to the point that Cheyenne's transformation granted her the power of a new [Realm-3] warrior.

'Transformation, eh,' mused Jake

To be honest, he had not yet digested everything that happened in the fight. He needed time alone to process.

Despite that, he knew clearly that he had lost.

He had lost to his peer. Whatever power Cheyenne used, it was still her power.

"Heh," burping out a chuckle, Jake confused those who were watching him sternly.

However, the outcome of the battle did not dent Jake's mind. The young man had long known of people who could rival him in power.

He didn't care a bit of a loss. It was not the first time he had lost a battle.

Also, there were other things he was more worried about.

For instance, what would become of him now? Would he be a prisoner? Judging by the looks on his captors' faces, he seemed to be heading down that path.

"It's been a week since you blacked out," answered Roan after deliberating on it.

'A week....Now, I see why the healer said she saved my life,' thought Jake.

Anyone that was unconscious for more than a week was basically on the periphery of life and death.

In Jake's case, he was already at death's door and about to enter it when he was pulled back by the healer.

So, this basically means he had almost killed himself while fighting!.

He examined the looks on everyone's face, trying to determine his fate.

"How did you know about the underground system," questioned Conan, after going through a lot of thinking.

"It wasn't exactly hidden. That might even be the trick; it was hidden in plain sight," smiled Jake.

He remained courteous as he fully explained, "After a chance upon with two masked men, I found a closed underground channel. Ultimately, following my guess and the maps in the library, I found one of the actual tunnel entrances."

The king, Conan, softly muttered, "...masked men…..."

He frowned as he interjected, "Did you know about the invasion?"

"The invasion..... Yeah, I knew about it. Well, not exactly. I just had a guess based on my observations," smiled Jake as he confessed.

There was no need to hide his actions as now that he thought of it, he was too invaluable to be eliminated.

Moreover, it was better to act cordial for now.

"Are you saying that you had prior knowledge of the invasion and didn't deem it fit to inform us?" challenged Caspian.

As he continued conversing with Jake, he found himself triggered.

Jake shot back, "I didn't want to be the boy who cried wolf. Also, I'm sure that you had your guesses too. If I can encounter the masked me, I see no problem why you can't chance upon them."

"What are you implying?" Conan trod carefully.

"Nothing. I am not wrong to leave," Jake hissed.

He continued, "I have free reins to do anything as long as it isn't forbidden. Escaping was my decision and before you ask, yes, I didn't try to save anyone. In my defense, the situation was too dangerous for me to act."

He looked at them and went on, "Ask me what you really want to ask?"

Listening to this, Conan continued, "Why did you not save a few people? With your strength, you could have achieved that. I have seen your combat strength before."

Jake sighed as he was getting annoyed.

Nevertheless, he still explained, "I have said it before. They weren't my responsibility. I wasn't obliged to put my life on the line for them. In fact, it was your job. I'm just a commoner who rose from the outskirts of a low-level city. You, on the other hand---"

"Shut up!" Conan calmly shouted before Jake could say further. His aura exuded from him and threatened Jake.

He tried to show Jake, who was in control, and warned him not to steal the tempo of the conversation.

Caspian, still silent, nodded at his brother.

He propped his hand on his chin and asked the most important question, "Are you in league with those behind the organization?"

Despite knowing the answer, he still had to ask as he never can tell if there was a traitor among them.

"Necro? I'm not a member. However, I met the sub-head once. I believe you have also met him. He spared my life to let me witness the glory of Necro. Looking at you downcast faces, I'm already witnessing it," teased Jake.

His words were the last straw for the guards who punched him in the guts for his disrespect.

Spitting out blood, Jake smiled, "It's funny. You look so beaten, so aggravated. All of you risked your life to save them, yet you failed. It makes you wish you were like me, isn't it? You had to watch as your loved ones died, as your family got buried in the zombie army, am I right?"

Watching their reactions, Jake got their ticking spots and continued, "Hahaha. No, I'm wrong. You didn't watch. You ignored your families' status and focused on those that still ended up dying. What a sad life? Now, you regret it. You are probably wishing you had chosen to escape as any resistance was bound to lead to failure."

Jake's nimble left eye found it funny that, with just his words, he could make them tongue-riddled, "Worst of all, I bet that you eventually turned a blind eye to those who were still alive."

Finishing his words, Jake teased, "Hahaha, don't be like that. You don't need to transfer your aggression to me. After all, it wasn't me that failed woe-- "

Before he could complete it, a punch hit his head and he got knocked out.

It seemed that Jake didn't know how to behave cordially after all…..