Chapter 533: Escape 1
It was the third day of our imprisonment. I was allowed to eat three simple meals a day and I was allowed to use magic to muffle the sound and smell of my bowel movements. The poor Brian Luo, who was unable to use such magic, had to take care of himself as he defecated, using a table as a blindfold because the corridor of the prison was completely unobstructed by latticework. He was taking care of himself as he defecated.
“A hero can break out of jail by force in a matter of seconds even if he is empty-handed. I’m not going to go out of my way to make Brian Luo hide by magic, let alone you with your baggage”
Then, I was pushed back.
“No, it’s okay. ……I’m sorry, it’s just unsightly”
“We’re both here for each other……”
Some kind of strange sympathy gathered around Brian Luo and from there I was able to talk with him a little more intimately. Or rather, there was nothing to do but chat. No way I’m going to start having sex in jail just because I’m bored. ……Is what I used to do when I was locked up in the barrier prison.
“What’s going on in the country outside? Are there still clean, magnificent buildings like royal palaces as far as the eye can see?”
“Not as far as……well, it’s quite possible for a rich man to have one of those”
“Anzeros-san’s family home was larger than this royal palace, wasn’t it?”
“This Anzeros is ……?
“Emm, she is one of Andy’s female slaves like us……”
“She’s a colleague. A colleague. She’s a Trot person like me and she’s a 10-man captain in the Celesta army”
“……Trot and Celesta are two different countries, right? Why such a complicated affiliation……?”
“Well, it’s a long story, but……I have extra time, so I can tell you. Trot and Celesta have been at war with each other many times……”
Mainly me and Apple talk to Brian through the bars and occasionally Tetes joins us. Neia is often asleep, perhaps disheartened by the king’s easy death.
I wondered if those days would continue and just as I was thinking that my limbs would soon be atrophied, I heard a voice saying.
“Nn……?”
Shario suddenly looked back at the iron door she was standing against. We stopped chatting, too and it seemed that there was a knock at the door.
“Shario, you’re up”
“Leyla. Why? I don’t think there’s any need for a replacement”
“The Presbyterians protested. I am personally indebted to the Elders. I’m not willing to fight them if push comes to shove”
“…….Tsk. You’re useless
“Your way of speaking has become much more human-like”
“……Hmph”
Shario glares at Leyla and leaves.
“……What do you mean by human-like? She looks like a human”
When I asked her a question out of curiosity, Leyla let out a sigh.
“A dragon is something that basically has no expectations of how others work”
……Ah, she means like a 「Human」 who uses subordinates to act in an organized manner?
“So what do you mean by protest? Now that Rainer has the upper hand, it’s not right for the dragons to protest……”
“You are being unjustly imprisoned. If Rainer-sama were to forcibly remove you by any means other than those approved by the dragons, then his qualifications as a dragon rider would be called into question……”
“……There is such a thing as admitting or not admitting?”
“Of course. The reason why dragons don’t touch them is because they respect the dragon riders. If you don’t have the qualifications to be a dragon rider and just ignore the pact, Rainer-sama is just someone who is close to an evil dragon. That’s no problem.In that case, we will not hesitate to act with force to rescue Andy Smithson, whose legitimacy is recognized, or to avenge him”
“……Are you really that invested in this?”
There is widespread distrust of Rainer-sama. However, there is a presumption that Rainer-sama is also acting according to Queen Starna’s will. Today, even if we openly discuss his qualifications, we will not destroy Rainer-sama. It won’t reach that point”
“……That’s troublesome”
“Absolutely
Leyla speaks as if she’s taking our side.
“So, are we going to get out of here?”
I inquired, as the conversation took a turn for the worse. But Leyla shakes her head.
“As for you guys, there is no movement. As I think Reiner-sama said, you are cards in Kalwin’s hand as a nation to use in diplomacy. I suppose we’ll have to wait for the rest of the outside world to reach this valley first”
“I doubt it will work out that way, though”
“…………”
Leyla’s eyes go down, as if she’s done talking.
———————————–
After another half day or so, Richard Grans and Beatrice Tresia visited the prison.
“Brian-san. And Neia-san”
“How unsightly, Neia Grans”
In contrast to Richard’s pained look at Brian and Neia, Beatrice looked down at the lifeless Neia and felt a little sorry for her.
“Beatrice”
“You won’t always look so big to me, Brian. I’m the captain of the hero squad now”
“……Hero squad, captain?”
She kind of wants to brag about her rise to the top. ……I thought about saying something to her, wondering if this girl had any thoughts about the political upheaval, but it seems like she hasn’t been a hero for a long time, so I guess it’s no wonder she doesn’t have any thoughts. I don’t think she has any feelings for King Jeddha anyway.
“It was formed yesterday. ……All three hundred hero candidates from the training center were certified as heroes and we, as their captains, will prepare for the future defense of the country……”
“Three hundred people……?”
Neia looks surprised.
“I thought the training center could only accommodate at most ten percent of that number……”
“After you left, the training center was expanded at the suggestion of Princess Stana. It was decided that with more demon meat for food, which Rainer gets through the use of dragons, it would be possible to operate”
Brian tells us quietly.
“But……however much talent we’ve found, we’re going to send them into battle? Most of them haven’t even been in training for a year……”
“We’re going to train them. If we have that many, no matter how many monsters there are, we won’t lose. Thanks to Rainer-sama”
Contrary to Beatrice’s pride, Richard’s expression is blank.
“I……it hasn’t even been a year since I became a hero. I’m doing my best on my own. And Rainer……he’s scary”
“There’s no way the heroes would seriously fight each other, so it’s fine”
“……I just can’t fight. Beatrice, can you even think of challenging Rainer if you don’t like what you see?”
“……That is”
“His presence with his dragons is too overwhelming. But with that much power……no, let’s not.”
Richard bit his lip lightly and interrupted the topic himself.
“Right, Neia-san. I want you to tell me something. This flash sword has the power to kill even a devil……”
Richard lifted up the flash sword hanging from his waist (which had been confiscated before we entered the prison, along with other potential weapons). Come to think of it, he’s already the rightful heir. Then, the iron door swooshed open, even though Leyla didn’t open it.
“?”
“Excuse me”
Leyla was suddenly hit with a bang and flew down the corridor to the back wall. Unable to avoid it, Richard was caught up in the attack and flew with her. Beatrice, who barely escaped being hit due to her small stature, took the flash sword that was lying on the floor and readied it.
“Who is it!?”
“Huh!!”
Without answering who it was, the figure jumped in and kicked Beatrice as well, kicking the bars of the prison with tremendous force and breaking them without stopping.
“I’m here to help you, Smithson-sama. While you still can”
“Ray! Why are you doing this……?”
“There is no point in persuading people from within anymore. From now on, it will be a waste of time”
Rey reaches out his hand.
“Let’s go, everyone……Brian, you’re going too!”
“E, Even so, we can’t get out of here unless you do something about the prison……”
While I was moping around trying to get Brian out, Beatrice got up. She seemed to be able to guard against Ray’s kick.
“Wait, you guys……””
As she stood up, she took out her bracelet, fitted it and gripped the flash sword again, staring down at us. Tetes stepped forward to take Beatrice’s place in Ray’s place, who was trying to break the bars of the prison.
“Haa, I feel liberated. ……Emm, could you give me that back?”
“……Dont underestimate me!”
Beatrice jumps at him. However, Tetes remained unarmed and challenged Beatrice head on……no. Different. Tetes is not there……!!
“Got it……!!?”
The flash sword hits the stone floor with a clang. Tetes is behind her. It’s standard illusionary magic.
“I get annoyed when kids like you get carried away♪”
Saying in a cheerful tone, she mercilessly swung her elbow at Beatrice’s cheek as she turned around and continued by slamming her to the ground with an arching kakato drop. ……Oh, she’s a girl, so go easy on her……I’m not in a position to say, but isn’t that too gruesome?
“Yes, Neia-san. Let’s take it”
“……Flash sword”
Neia takes the flash sword, which slides to the ground and then, as if to rouse herself, she hits the butt of the hilt against her own head, her expression tightening.
“……Let’s go”