Chapter 68: Escape
"Well then, it seems you have no intention of serving this household."
"...I'm sorry, truly. Perhaps someday in the future, I might rely on your kindness again. But... since I've been reincarnated into this world, I still don't know much about it. So, I want to go to various places first, see and learn about many things..."
Sebastian seemed genuinely disappointed, making it hard for me to bring up this topic. I've rarely been missed by others before, so it felt like I had finally found a place where I belonged.
However, after agonizing over it all night and coming to a conclusion, thanks to the time I've spent thinking about how to convey this, I feel like I managed to say it better than any previous interviews I've been in.
Carrena, in what might be my own excessive self-awareness, seemed a bit lonely. She brushed it off with a cheerful tone, saying, "But you'll join the escort squad to the royal capital, won't you? I went there only once as a child, so I'm looking forward to it."
Indeed, half of the territorial soldiers were to accompany to the capital. I was going along for the journey. Since I had the chance, I wanted to see the heart of this world and country, then decide how I should proceed.
As Zagu and Bata debated the arrangements for the journey to the capital and as it came to the point of departure the next morning, the soldiers were notified.
Caraina would be escorted to the royal capital. Leading this escort would be Sebastian, who insisted, "It's a highlight of this lifetime." Alongside him were Knight Igri, adventurer Berisha, and monk Baron in leadership positions. From the labyrinth subjugation team, Cecily, Larouque, and Beth would be accompanying me.
Gryeon strongly asserted his place in the remaining group, stating that Zagu was needed to keep things in order. He seemed concerned about Baron Douras' movements and the troublemakers under his influence, worried they might stir up something along the borders.
Beth, although initially hoping to stay behind with Mandjani and Leda, unusually insisted on going to the capital and joined the escort. Apparently, visiting the bookstores in the capital had been a lifelong dream of hers, and she felt it was happening a bit too soon.
Nevertheless, it seemed that she would have no rest once she returned to Scutari, as she would be pushing ahead with magic to develop the area before the rainy season. Tough times ahead.
With this lineup confirmed, our top-secret mission was also set to be carried out today.
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In the early afternoon, I rode Toriuma through the gates of Douras.
Since I was currently a freelance adventurer, there would be no suspicion if I said I was heading to the Adventurer's Guild.
Amidst the bustling market, I met up with Beth and Larouque, who had entered the city ahead of me.
If asked about their purpose, they were ostensibly shopping for the upcoming journey to the capital tomorrow. Gryeon was stationed outside the city for a different role.
Larouque had already infiltrated the workshop and coordinated with Northe and old Bono. Impressive.
"It's almost time for the afternoon water-fetching."
Heading toward the back alleys of the workshop district, Beth cast a weak barrier to avoid drawing attention.
We didn't have to wait long.
With the sound of dragging a metal ball and carrying a large wooden bucket on a balance pole just like last time, Northe appeared.
Beth dispelled the barrier and called out to him.
He seemed a little surprised by our sudden appearance, but apart from Beth, we were all familiar faces. Lena was also in her life-sized, strong warrior mode. The five of us quickly fetched water, placing the buckets in front of the back entrance.
"Then, Bono will carry them in, and he will buy us some time until it's safe for me to be absent..."
Upon returning, I sensed someone's presence and waited within Beth's barrier, concealing everyone's forms for a while.
Was it a bad idea to leave the acorn behind? However, luckily, they were just ordinary passersby who didn't pay us any attention as they went by.
After confirming that the crowd had cleared, I quickly organized Beth and Nort into a party formation.
"I'm counting on you from here, LaRouque. The gatekeeper I saw earlier only had a basic distinguishing skill."
To verify this, I entered the gate at the last possible moment.
"Sure, I'll make sure to check before passing. You do the same."
In an instant, Lina transformed into a witch-like version of Beth and hurriedly left with Greon.
Seeing Nort's surprise, I conveyed, "I'll explain later," and signaled Beth.
"Then, let's go... engraved in our hearts, to the land we should return to, 'Return.'"
Enveloped in a faint light, the scenery around us began to waver.
And there, in the shadows of the trees outside the waiting castle, stood Greon.
"Greon-sama..."
"Nort, I'm glad."
Greon hugged the girl, who was too small to reach his chest.
"Extend your leg."
He then took out a tool from Truuma's back. It was a hefty pair of gold shears. Inserting a blade between the slender ankle and the slave anklet, he exerted all his strength.
Though the gold ring was designed to be difficult to remove, it snapped and fell to the ground with a dull sound, succumbing to the Lv.13 warrior's might.
"Th-thank you very much."
Nort shed tears, which Greon comforted.
"LaRouque and the others, are they okay?"
"Using Beth's identification card, they should be able to pass through, and if there's a problem, we can communicate through telepathy with Lina..."
Right, I had given Lina Beth's identification card earlier.
The crux of this plan was for Lina, disguised as Beth, to leave the city gate with Greon and then return. This way, even if Zdenko reported the slave escape to the authorities, the first suspect would be the magician who entered and left the city normally.
If there were detailed records, it would be evident that I entered but didn't exit. However, in a city with a population of 50,000, it was unlikely that the movements of a commonplace freelance adventurer like myself would come under scrutiny from the Adventurer's Guild.
Still feeling a bit nervous, I stored the broken gold ring and iron ball in my item box.
Since Nort had never ridden Truuma before and Beth was light, they both rode together. We set off toward Suctari, considering the possibility of emergencies and the fact that the speed would be slower with two riders.
Before long, I received telepathic communication from Lina, confirming that they had safely left the city gate.
"Is it alright?"
Greon asked Nort, once again seeking his resolve. With a determined gaze that belied her youthful appearance, Nort answered Greon.
"Yes, I'm going to the capital. Just being rescued like this is enough of a thanks, and I can't cause any more trouble for you and your wife, Greon-sama."
Wait, his wife?
"W-well, not exactly my wife..."
Greon seemed flustered.
"But, LaRouque-sama waited patiently for you to be freed, Greon-sama. I heard that she waited for a long time."
Seriously? Huh, I hadn't thought about it... come to think of it, LaRouque is 25, so being single in this world is probably unusual.
Surprisingly romantic. Beth seems a bit surprised by this too, or maybe she's drooling?
All eyes are fixed on her, and Greon is blushing furiously.
"May the 'real' couples be cursed!"