"After you've finished burning the letter, get ready to depart, Harford," Prince Baldwin's voice held a sense of purpose as he issued his command.
With a nod, Harford took care of the task, ensuring that any trace of the invitation's existence was eradicated.
Once the flames had consumed the paper, he set about making the necessary arrangements for their departure.
Baldwin and Harford exited the palace grounds discreetly, choosing an unassuming carriage that blended in with the surroundings.
The vehicle set off towards the north direction. However, as time passed, the carriage's direction shifted, veering off the main road onto a less-travelled path.
The change in route was deliberate.
The carriage carried them further away from human settlements and into the quieter, less frequented areas.
The prince and his butler remained vigilant, the landscape outside the carriage windows transforming as they journeyed.
Eventually, as the carriage continued its journey, a run-down shack came into view.
Set against the backdrop of a towering mountain, the shack appeared inconspicuous, a humble structure blending seamlessly with the rugged landscape of its secluded surroundings.
Known only to a select few, this was a secret place that existed far from the knowledge of the outside world.
As the door swung open, revealing a stairway leading downwards, Prince Baldwin and Harford exchanged a knowing glance.
The decision to descend was made without hesitation.
The air grew cooler as they descended, carrying with it a subtle hint of dampness.
The soft glow of lanterns bathed the space in a dim, yet revealing light, casting elongated shadows that danced across the walls.
This was where experiments of the utmost significance unfolded, far removed from anyone's scrutiny.
Workbenches lined the area, holding an array of tools, evidence of productive activity.
Shelves displayed a mix of recognizable items and intriguing objects, evoking curiosity about their purpose.
Intricate patterns and diagrams adorned the walls, hinting at the meticulous work done there.
The interior arrangement was functional and organized with distinct areas suggesting different activities.
As they moved deeper into the facility, a figure emerged from the depths, the researcher they had come to meet.
"Your Highness, we have been expecting you," the researcher greeted with a mixture of respect and acknowledgement.
"How's the experiment going?" Prince Baldwin inquired. The researcher's response hinted at the significance of their work, conducted far from the world's awareness.
Words flowed out of his mouth. "'We have tested it extensively on a wide range of individuals, from children to the elderly. Our findings indicate that even a drop of this magical liquid is too substantial for the human body to handle. Allow me to demonstrate its effects to you if you will."
"Go ahead," Prince Baldwin nodded, granting permission for the demonstration to proceed.
The researcher, a figure of authority in this hidden laboratory gave a subtle gesture, prompting a subordinate to step forward with a new sample.
The subject of the experiment was led forward—a full-grown man, blinded and bound by chains that clinked with each unsteady step.
His posture carried a weight of apprehension, his movements cautious as if navigating an unfamiliar path.
"Please, I don't understand... What's happening?" the blindfolded man's voice quivered, desperation evident in his tone as he stumbled forward, guided only by the chains that bound him.
"Someone, help me! I didn't do anything wrong!" he pleaded, his words gaining intensity as fear and confusion gripped him tighter.
Despite his sightless state, his head darted left and right in a desperate attempt to comprehend the unfamiliar surroundings he found himself in.
As the man's mutterings for mercy continued, his voice trembled with a mixture of anxiety and hope of finding empathy in the unfamiliar faces around him.
His head turned left and right, his unseeing eyes searching for any clue about the situation he was in.
His mutterings of desperation hung in the air, falling on deaf ears as those around him remained unmoved by his pleas.
Among the spectators, Prince Baldwin and Harford observed the scene from the other side of the room. Their curiosity mingled with a sense of intensity as they watched the unfolding demonstration.
"You might want to take a step back, Your Highness," the researcher advised the prince. His tone is a blend of caution and formality.
Baldwin and Harford heeded the suggestion, stepping back slightly as instructed.
The researcher's gaze shifted toward his asistant, his expression communicating a silent command.
With a nod of understanding, the assistant took a step forward, his actions a precursor to the impending demonstration.
A vial containing a deep red liquid was opened, its contents catching the glint of the lantern light.
With utmost precision, a single drop of the crimson fluid was carefully administered into the man's mouth.
Gulp—
The man, compelled to ingest the enigmatic substance, knelt as his eyes widened in apprehension.
A tense silence enveloped the room, as the onlookers held their breath, waiting for the impending revelation.
For a moment, the man remained motionless, as if the drop had been innocuous.
But after a few minutes, the stillness didn't last long as a sudden urgency gripped the scene.
The researcher's assistant quickly exited the room.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation.
The man's body began to twitch, the movements initially subtle before growing more pronounced.
Time seemed to slow as his distress escalated.
A guttural sound escaped his lips.
An agonized utterance that signalled the commencement of an ordeal.
Arrgghh!!—
The scream burst forth, shattering the prior silence. The man's face contorted with anguish, his eyes wide with terror as his body battled an unseen force.
The unfortunate man's sensations were tormenting.
He felt the searing burn of his veins, the sizzle of his flesh, and an indescribable sensation of his bones fluctuating between shrinking and expanding at an unbearable pace.
Each passing second was an eternity of agony, his consciousness consumed by the fiery torment within.
Finally, unable to endure the onslaught any longer, the man collapsed to the floor.
His body writhed with violent convulsions before...
Boom!!—
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