They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 338: Someone Betrayed Us... But Who?

“Are we really just going to stand here and let him betray us like that?” Karen asked, her voice

sharp, angry.

The others didn’t respond. The weight of the situation was too much for words.

The guard led John through the dim halls of the castle, his footsteps echoing off the cold stone floor.

Tension hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to break. After a short wait at the grand entrance,

the doors to the throne room creaked open.

“Your Highness,” the guard announced with a bow, “this prisoner claims to have valuable

information.”

King Eglon sat lazily on his golden throne, drumming his fingers on the armrest. His eyes sharpened

with interest. “I see,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with threat. “So, how useful is this little

secret of yours? And what do you want in return?”

John stood tall, hiding the guilt storming inside him. He locked eyes with the king for a few seconds,

then answered steadily, “I know about a much bigger plan. One that none of your spies and

cameras have caught. Bigger than just this rescue mission, something that could ruin you if it

succeeds.”

King Eglon leaned forward, intrigued. “Go on.”

“1 want freedom,” John said firmly. “Mine... and the others’. All of us.”

King Eglon burst into a laugh, low and mocking. “Freedom?” He shook his head, smiling coldly.

“You're asking for too much. What, you expectto leave my dear brother and his family alive so

they can be used as banners to rally rebellion?”

He rose from his throne and took a few slow steps toward John. “At best, | can spare you, the girl,

and the other boy. But the royals? Their blood threatens my crown.”

He narrowed his eyes. “That’s the deal. Take it or walk back to your cell. If this so called ‘big plan’

of yours turns out to be as useless as your friends’ bravery, then you'll all rot together. Except the

prince and princess of course.”

John’s throat tightened. He knew this was a devil's bargain, but the devil was listening. And the

others didn’t know what he was planning next...

John gritted his teeth. “Deal. I'm good with that.”

King Eglon’s smile widened. “Good.”

But John wasn’t finished. “How do | know you'll keep your end of the bargain?”

Eglon raised an eyebrow, amused. “I am a king. Kings usually keep their word.”

John scoffed. “I doubt you're that kind of king. | need something more... tangible.”

“Well,” Eglon said, his tone turning icy, “even if | signed a contract in blood, | could still break it. This is about

trust, dear boy. You either take the risk or walk away.”

A long silence passed.

John exhaled slowly. “Fine.”

Eglon waved his hand. “Speak.”

John stepped forward, lowering his voice as if spilling a great secret. “There's a bigger plan. We were sent ahead

to get your guard down. While we kept your attention, dozens of soldiers were to be smuggled into Purlit. Once

inside, they'll blend into the city, waiting for the right moment. The goal... is to observe, strike, and overthrow

you.”

King Eglon’s smile faded.

The words hit him like a stone. He didn’t show it, but they made his skin prickle. Could it be true? It was too

similar to something he had already heard.

His mind flashed back to Abuchi’s earlier warning, he had said something almost identical. But when Eglon

countered with proof that only five people had entered the kingdom, Abuchi had gone quiet.

Now, hearing the sstory again, his suspicions deepened.

Was it a bluff? Or... was something being hidden under his nose?

King Eglon’s mind wandered briefly as John finished his so called revelation. He leaned back slightly, his fingers

tapping the armrest of the throne in a lazy rhythm. He was remembering.

Back in the prison, when Abuchi had spoken with false confidence, almost boasting of an incoming army, Eglon

had challenged him. He had called his bluff.

And Abuchi... hadn't fought back.

He had gone quiet. Defeated. Almost like someone who had lost the only hope he was clinging to.

That memory whispered to him now like a warning bell.

Strange, King Eglon thought, If there really was an army, why didn’t Abuchi double down? Why didn’t he threaten

again?

This new “big plan” John was selling felt like a recycled lie. A last ditch effort to survive. And Eglon didn’t buy it.

Suddenly, he chuckled. Soft at first. Then louder.

“Oh, you poor little fool,” he said, standing up from the throne with exaggerated grace. “You

thought you could lie toand walk out of here as a hero.”

John’s jaw tightened. “But | gave you valuable information—"

“Did you?” Eglon’s smile turned icy. “Or did you just repeat what your friend already toldin the

dungeon?”

He stepped closer. The guards by the walls tensed, ready to move at a gesture.

“You must think I’m stupid. Gullible. Easy to fool.” He bent slightly, lowering his face to John’s level.

His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “Letfix that illusion.”

He turned sharply and walked back toward the throne.

John’s heartbeat roared in his ears. The way King Eglon was speaking... the certainty that he wasn’t

telling the truth.... it meant only one thing. Someone in their group had betrayed them, someone

who knew something far more valuable. Their entire plan. But who? Who among them would dare?

He tried to stay calm, but a cold sweat broke across his back.

“I'll wait,” he told himself, clenching his fists tightly behind his back. “I'll wait and see who it is.”

King Eglon, still wearing that maddening grin, turned to one of the guards beside him and said

smoothly, “Bring her in.”

Ten minutes passed like an eternity.

Then the throne room doors creaked open.

Footsteps echoed down the marble floor.

John turned slowly, his breath hitching as he looked toward the entrance.