『Byzan Fortress, Underground Prison.』
Within the dimly-lit underground prison, stone walls rose high overhead, covered in the dirt and grime of ages.
The heavy clank of metal echoed from the boots of the Byzan guards, their armor reflecting the faint light of the flickering torches burning in sconces along the walls.
As they walked the narrow, winding corridors, the sound of their footfalls mingled with the low groans and shuffling of the rows of prisoners huddled within their tiny cells.
Iron bars held them in place, with only a small, grated window set high in the wall to allow for any semblance of natural light or fresh air.
The guards moved with the wary precision of those used to danger, their eyes roving constantly to ensure no one attempted to escape their grasp.
With heavy keys jangling at their belts, they checked each cell in turn, ensuring that all the prisoners were present and accounted for.
Though it was not a pleasant place to be, the underground prison was an effective one, built with all the traps and safeguards that medieval architecture could provide.
And for those who found themselves locked within its walls, there was little hope of escape.
"(And here I am in the middle of it all, how wonderful)" (Archibald)
Archibald lay still on one of the rough, creaking beds in the dark, dank underground prison, his eyes closed.
"We've been here about nine or ten hours," he groaned, exhaling deeply. "But I feel like it's been weeks."
Lamperogue, seated on the edge of his own bed in the dimly-lit cell, remained silent, deep in meditation.
Their wrists were bound with chains, anchored to the walls of the cell, allowing them to move only about seven feet in any direction.
The iron bars of the cell were well out of reach and the cell was designed to prevent prisoners from making their escape.
Finally, Lamperogue finished meditating.
"It's almost time," he murmured.
Archibald perked up at this, a faint glimmer of hope crossing his face.
"Are we ready to break out of this place?" (Archibald)
Lamperogue nodded, his expression stoic.
"That's the plan." (Lamperogue)
Archibald grinned.
"I knew Rolo's idea of infiltrating the Byzan Army was a good one." (Archibald)
Lamperogue said nothing for a beat.
"But it's also risky. If we're caught before we can completely execute the plan, we're dead." (Archibald)
Archibald's grin faltered.
"I don't know why you're worrying so much," he scoffed.
Lamperogue looked at him steadily.
"I don't worry. I state facts and face reality."
Archibald rolled his eyes.
Lamperogue was always so reserved and calm, it was unnerving at times.
Regardless, Archibald knew the great Byzan Army was a formidable foe and infiltrating them would be no small feat.
But hey, he was in this up until the bitter end.
「Quick Recap:
Rolo took the initiative to penetrate the Byzan forces before they had the chance to attack.
They all knew Undine wouldn't survive too long if they waited.
And the appearance of Rumiaʼs party opened the perfect opportunity for things to get in gear.
For a good reason, Larc had some doubts about the plan.
He feared that they may be walking into certain death.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Rolo?" Larc asked anxiously.
Rolo was firm in his response. "We don't have any other choice," he replied. "This is the only way we can infiltrate the Byzan Army."
Archibald and Lamperogue were the premier choice for the infiltration.
For two reasons actually:
One. Unlike Rolo, Larc, Fatima and Felinela, the significant figures in the Byzan Army hadn't seen them.
Two. They weren't female nor were they into their twenties, so the army would most likely recruit them and turn them to weapons for the army.
Had they been female then they'd be turned to the army's play things.
If they were men, they'd be killed as men would be seen as a potential disturbance or threat.
Before the sudden silence of the spy they'd sent into Byzan territory.
They were sent an architectural layout of the Byzan Fortress.
That was the only thing they'd received.
Still, it was more than enough for Rolo to turn it to an advantage.
...
Archibald and Lamperogue walked into the Byzan Army's territory, which lay south of the Great Forest, with a plan to get deliberately caught.
As they got closer to Byzan territory, Archibald and Lamperogue discussed the plan nervously.
"Just remember," Lamperogue emphasized, "we have to get caught. Act like we're just two innocent wandering brothers."
"I know," Archibald replied. "But it's easier said than done."
As they walked into the Byzan Army's camp, they made sure act like wanderers.
Their attire classified them as poverty-stricken adolescents.
They were eventually spotted by the guards and apprehended.
They were taken to the underground prison beneath the Byzan Fortress, where they were chained to the walls of a dark and damp cell.
"We have to wait for our moment," Lamperogue whispered to Archibald. "We can't make any hasty decisions."
Their plan was to use the [Inventory Box] to conceal their weapons and break out of the prison.
But as they waited, tensions began to rise. "What if we never get out of here?" Archibald asked.
Lamperogue remained calm. "We will get out," he assured him. "We just have to be patient and wait for nightfall."」
As Archibald and Lamperogue examined the manacles that bound their wrists, Archibald spoke up. "It's about time we got out of here," he said with a determined expression.
Lamperogue nodded in agreement, "We can't waste any more time in this place."
With a swift movement, he drew two shortswords out of thin air.
Lamperogue didn't have an [Inventory Box], so he used Rumiaʼs instead.
Archibald drew out his go-to weapon, <
The metal ring was still attached to their wrists.
However, they would need to deal with that later.
Lamperogue quickly made a swing of his shortsword to cleave through the chain, causing the sounds of metal clashing to resound.
"We're free," exclaimed Archibald, excitement evident in his voice.
Lamperogue quickly scolded him, "Don't be so loud! We don't want to get caught."
Archibald argued, "The guards are most likely sleeping. We need to act fast."
But Lamperogue, ever cautious, replied, "We can never be too sure. Keep your voice down."
Archibald approached the cell, holding onto the iron bars. "We don't have time to waste," he said.
Lamperogue rolled his eyes and called him an idiot, "I never waste time, and I won't start now."
Archibald grinned, "Things are getting good."
The two boys studied the layout of the Byzan Fortress for an entire day.
"This place is heavily guarded, each floor is protected by layers of guards and fortified walls, making it hard for intruders like us to move around freely." (Lamperogue)
Archibald nodded.
"We'll have to fight our way through most of the guards, but it won't be too hard since they're not that strong." (Archibald)
Archibald turned to face the cell and took a sword stance.
But Lamperogue interrupted, "Wait, don't hit the cell. It'll make too much noise and alert the guards."
Archibald sighed in frustration, "This is taking too long. We need to figure something out fast."
Lamperogue was quietly ruminating when Archibald had an ingenious idea.
"(Since we're in the underground prison, it's the perfect place to test out that Azure-ranked [Sword Saint Art], should've used it a some time ago. It sucks sometimes not being able to use magic spells)" (Archibald)
Archibald focused and closed his eyes.
He placed a foot forward, and in that moment, the entire area turned black and white.
Archibald gained [Seismic Vision], which allowed him to use the vibrations of the earth to get the rhythm of his surroundings.
From this, he could hear the heartbeats of the people in the prison and even measure their blood flow.
He turned to Lamperogue and said, "We're clear to move. I know who's sleeping and who isn't."
Lamperogue was surprised, "How did you do that?"
"It's a secret," replied Archibald with a grin.
Expectedly, Lamperogue didn't press for any more information.