Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 179 Dragging Rhys

[Although the reports we have are still a blur, the reports that we are getting in now is that a bombing has happened…]

[3 Bombs were set off in the Underworld Trade Center, resulting in thousands…]

[One of the people believed to have been killed is the Secretary to the President…]

[There have been a series of terrorist attack—]

[Reports are coming in that a new up-and-coming guild is responsible…]

[The guild master of Wilder's Harem, Rhys Wilder, is a Lowborn that…]

[The guild, known as Wilder's Harem, has posted live on the internet that they were responsible for…]

[...A terrorist organization—]

[Rhys Wilder is a terrorist.]

[We are the Wilder's Harem, and we are responsible for the bombings that have happened in the Underworld Trade Center. We have grown tired of being oppressed, silenced, and—]

"This is bullshit!"

The entire world was busy as they all watched and listened to the news of the horrific bombing that had happened in Amerka. Most of them were also watching a video where someone supposedly from the Wilder's Harem admitted and laid claim to all these horrific crimes…

…and Lina and the members of the Royal Family were watching it too in the King's study.

"So, everyone can just wear a mask and say they're from our guild!"

A hint of smoke was currently whispering in the room as Lina completely destroyed the large TV, throwing the remote at it as her rage resounded through everyone's ears.

"How can they just take Rhys like that!?" Lina then turned to look at the King, who was still reading on the news through one of his grandchildren's tablets, "Couldn't you have done something to stop it!?"

"Linette!" Lance could not help but raise his voice, "You will speak to the King with respect and—"

"Enough," the King let out a small groan as carefully placed the tablet on his desk as he looked Lina in the eyes, "Master Rhys is not under arrest, he is just being detained for questioning."

"Come on, do you really believe that?" Lina scoffed as she once again pointed at the TV.

"I can see that you destroyed my telly, I quite liked that. It was a gift from Victoria's ex-boyfriend. Say what you want about Nihon, but their technology is far more advanced than the rest of the world," Queen Charlotte casually took a sip of her tea even with all the chaos brewing around her, "And Linette, dear — why don't you take a seat and relax? Prancing around like an ape does not—"

"I will not relax!"

"Okay," Queen Charlotte just shrugged as she looked at her husband.

"You don't know how much they just want to get rid of Rhys," Lina gritted her teeth, "In fact, the government just probably set this entire thing up."

"...You mean they bombed their own people?" Vicky, who was just trying to let everything she had been hearing sink into her brain, also joined in on the conversation, "I tend to disagree with you, Linette, but from what I have heard and what I have been hearing, I think the Amerkans truly are capable of doing something like that."

"Yes!" Lina pointed at Vicky, "I mean, seriously? How could they think something like this would happen when Rhys was here the entire time?"

"If what you say is true, and I am not saying it is…" Agatha had her tongue slightly sticking on her upper lip as she also read on the news, "...Then this is the best time to do something like this, frame Rhys. He's not there."

"That's stupid as hell," Lina raised her voice; her accent, slowly showing itself.

"Well…" Daniel, Agatha's oldest son, let out a small hum. Unlike the others who were either looking at the news or watching it, he was fixated on one of Rhys's topless photos, "...It is sort of his fault as well, letting his members wear a simple mask that is easily replicated. I would put intricate markings and gems on it."

"You—"

"But what do I know…" Daniel let out a slightly humming chuckle as he tapped Rhys's face on the photo, "...The only thing I know is that if I were this lovely man's sweetheart, I would already be on a jet and going back to Amerka."

"She can't leave," Lance shook his head, "If she leaves for Amerka, then as a member of Rhys's guild, a supposed terrorist organization, her diplomatic immunity as part of the royal family will not be able to help her."

Lina did not really say anything anymore and just stared at Daniel and her uncle, but after a few seconds, she just ran and left the King's study.

"I'm… I'm going with you!"

"Victoria!"

Vicky also rushed out from the study, causing Prince Lance and Annabeth to follow her. But before they could even take 3 steps, however, Agatha blocked their path,

"What are you doing, Sister?"

"I'll go with her," Agatha softly chuckled.

"But—"

"Shush," Agatha covered Lance's lips with her finger, "I'll make sure your daughter's going home in one piece, don't worry."

"That…" Lance could really only blink as Agatha followed Lina and his daughter out of the study,

"...I'm even more worried now that you're coming with them."

***

"Mr. Wilder, I am not going to read you your rights as I am sure you know it already considering your… history."

Rhys had not even stepped foot on the plane back to Amerka, and yet the familiar tone of disdain was already welcoming him back as the International Intelligence Agency handed him back to Amerkan authorities.

If it wasn't for the harsh wind blowing on the airstrip, Rhys could probably even hear someone laughing within their breaths.

"Thanks, we'll handle it from here."

"The suspect is not resisting," one of the people from the IIA said while placing his hand on Rhys's shoulder, "And I expect he will be in the same condition we handed him to you once he lands on Amerka."

"We'll handle it from here," the Amerkan only scoffed as he grabbed Rhys's arm, which was cuffed to his waist and dragged him away, lightly pushing him to the stairs of the plane, "And can't you see? This Lowborn's getting all the VIP treatment using our taxes. Private jet, and even women on board."

"...Women?" Rhys could not help but let out a tiny whisper as he glanced at the man. He then slowly made his way up to the plane — and as soon as he entered, he was received by a hug.

"Rhys!"

Rhys couldn't really see who it was, but from how heavy and soft they felt on his chest… he was sure it was—

"Kat?" Rhys leaned away as he looked at Katarina's face.

"Recruit."

"...Ayesha?" Rhys then blinked a couple of times as he turned to look at Ayesha, who was just casually sitting on one of the seats with her feet up, "Why… are you here?"

"What do you mean 'why are we here'...?" Katarina could not help but look Rhys in the eyes, "Aren't you here to pick us up for—wait, why are you in handcuffs?"

And as Ayesha also noticed that Rhys was bound, she stood up from the seat, "What… is going on here?"

"I'm… under suspicion of being a terrorist," Rhys seemed visibly confused, "Wait, why would I be picking the two of you up? I thought you were here to pick me up."

"Terrorist… what?" Katarina then turned to look at the men behind Rhys, obviously asking for answers. The men, however, just quickly avoided her and Ayesha's eyes as the plane of the door closed, "We…

…we were caught trying to cross the border to Enkland."

"What…?" Rhys could really only stare at Katarina, who was slightly avoiding his eyes in guilt.

"Who knew they tightened up the security?" Ayesha awkwardly chuckled, "But… did you just say you're under suspicion of being a terrorist... again? When did that happen?"

"Not only him, but all of you are. Well, I am too."

"What the—since when were you here!?" The plane almost bounced as Ayesha stepped back in surprise as Maria suddenly appeared behind her.

"From the start," Maria shrugged, "I secretly followed the two of you when you started your adventure in the Underworld. I have to say, there is irony watching someone of Latin, and Native descent being arrested for illegally crossing the border, even if you're Amerkan citizens by birth."

"You were following us the entire time? Wait… what's all this talk about terrorism?"

"Basically, someone bombed the Underworld Trade Center — and someone wearing a Wilder's Harem mask and someone saying they are from Wilder's Harem admitted to the act," Maria just casually shrugged her shoulders as she sat down on one of the large seats, "I figured I'm also a suspect and they are also going to search for me since I'm part of the government, so… might as well make it easier for them and get it over with."

"Wait, no one is watching Wilder's Harem right now!?" Katarina let out a loud gasp as she looked at Rhys, "What…

…what are the chances it really is them, Rhys?"

"Whether it is them or not doesn't matter," Maria added as she let out a sigh, "It's not looking good for him or any of us, really. One of the people who were killed in the blast was Secretary Karen, who had been open in her dislike for Rhys. By all accounts…

…that's a motive. And knowing a lot more people at the top dislike Rhys…

…They are going to pin this down on him hard, no matter what."