''Please... Let me make it in time. I can''t lose her...'' Johan thought as he dodged a few low branches from a tree.


    ''I''ll be there soon, Tayna. I promise you that I will save you.''


    Johan kept running and his heart started pounding as he thought about Tayna''s beautiful smile. He couldn''t bear the thought of never seeing her again as his anger started taking hold. He thought it was going to be a bad thing to let his emotions run wild. That was until he felt his mana flowing throughout his body. That''s when it clicked, Johan''s mana was in perfect harmony with his mind and body.


    ''Shadow Self... Please! Work! I''ll give anything to save her. So work dammit!'' Johan concentrated on his mana and chanted the incantation.


    The familiar sound of his mana came ringing in his ears. He remembered hearing the same thing when he successfully cast Shadow Self that one time by accident.


    ''But what''s the plan, Master Johan?'' The Illusion asked again.


    "Shut up! You''re my bargaining chip!... If things work out the way I want them to then I might show pity upon you and let you go free once this is all over. So, don''t talk..."


    "You''re not worth my time. And if you speak again," Remy pulled the blade tighter against her skin, "Then I will slit your fucking throat and watch you bleed out," Remy whispered in a threatening tone.


    Tayna whimpered as she stood there trying not to move while the blade was slightly cutting her skin. She had to comply with this man''s demands or she will never get the chance to see Johan again.


    ''Damn bastard took long enough... Now, it''s time to kill a noble and get out of here,'' Remy thought as he saw Johan coming out of the bushes and into the clearing. He looked around and saw Tayna being held at knifepoint.


    Remy smiled at how easy everything was going. But this could be a ploy to let his guard down. He needed to make sure this idiot didn''t try to do anything funny. Nothing was more annoying than someone thinking they were a hero and trying to be smart. Luckily for Remy, this fool was mana-less and even if he did try to do something, he could easily handle him.


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    watched Johan standing there defenseless


    "Huh?" Remy was confused as the nobleman disappeared right before him. While he was in his stupor the real Johan was able to flank Remy from his right side. Johan didn''t waste any time as he swiftly sliced off Remy''s arm, which held the knife.


    The Rogue screamed out in pain and let go of Tayna, "AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!"


    "I wish I could torture you more for bringing my wife into this, but she needs my attention more than me getting my revenge. So I''ll do you this favor if you tell me why you tried to kill me and kidnap my wife... Maybe I''ll let you live if the information is good enough... Although, I''ll need a little bit of assurance," Johan said as he lifted up Remy with his sword still stabbed in his chest.


    ve bought heBut now that the danger was gone, she was crying uncontrollably.


    as the rain continued to fall.


    ''It''s over...'' Johan thought before he looked over to his wife and saw the bloodied rope still wrapped around her wrists. He rushed over and began untying the binds.


    It took a moment before Tayna kissed him back. It felt so good to feel his warm body against hers in the cold rain.


    Percy was curious, "What is your theory?"


    "Sorry, your Highness. My thoughts are running wild. I need to confirm a few things first before I can say for certain," Johan explained, "If I may ask, how is the General faring? Were there any casualties on our end?"


    Quinus turned to Rya as she began to speak.


    "General Douglas and his men are fine. They cleared the road, and I''m taking care of the rest of the stragglers," Rya said while her eyes were closed.


    She did this so she could see through the eyes of all her golems. It also made it easier to take direct control of one of them if needed.


    "She''s an amazing mage. I''ve never seen someone with such high magic affinity and control. It''s like she doesn''t even need to chant the spells, and yet her magical attacks are more powerful than the average spell," Johan muttered to himself.


    "Thank you, Milady," Johan said as he turned to leave.