The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
The battle was quick.
And there were no wasted movements and no sound.
Thanks to that, we were able to take them down without anyone calling for reinforcements.
Honestly, I wanted to watch the situation a little longer... but now we can't be picky. Let's move immediately.
"Everyone, keep watch of the surroundings."
In the meantime I moved to the front of the cell and inspected the lock.
"Um... it's a simple type of lock. There aren't any traps set on it, so... alright, I can do this."
"Ah — who are you...?"
The people imprisoned inside peered out nervously and asked. There are demons who look no different from humans, so they probably couldn't tell whether we were friend or foe.
I smiled to put them at ease.
"Don't worry — we're on your side."
"My name is Yuki Van Rollreeze... the first prince. I've come to rescue you."
"Ooh!?"
Yuki's title carried enormous weight.
Those who had been suspicious a moment ago immediately brightened when they realized he could help.
I'm glad Yuki was with us. I had hesitated to put the first prince into a dangerous infiltration... without a title like his, I wouldn't have been able to reassure them.
"Is that really so?"
"Mm. Rain is spoken of as a young hero, isn't he?"
Sora and Luna said that as if they had guessed what I was thinking. The prisoners apparently heard the conversation, and murmured again.
"The hero...? Could it be the hero of Horizon?"
"And I heard he also saved the kingdom in its time of crisis..."
"I've heard a story that he even saved Krios."
The prisoners cheered up even more.
"Uh..."
"Heh. Rain is famous, huh."
"I'm not seeking it out, though... well, if it's useful now, then fine."
In any case, I set about picking the lock.
It was easy.
The mechanism was simple and without traps.
So brute force would work.
"Material Creation"
I created gunpowder and set it on the lock.
After telling everyone to move back, I ignited it.
With a dull boom, the key fell to the ground.
"Alright, it's open."
"You're safe now."
"Ah... I never thought I'd get to leave this place alive."
I guided the prisoners out. Fortunately, few of them were badly injured.
However...
For some reason, there were more women than men.
Maybe it was just coincidence, or maybe...
"Um, excuse me!"
The last person stepped out of the cell and looked at us desperately.
"I know I'm not in any position to make demands when you've saved us... and I understand we need to run now... I do get that, but—"
"Calm down. If there's something you want to say, I'll listen properly."
"Y-yes."
She took a deep breath to steady herself, then spoke again.
"Please! Please, can you save my younger sisters...!?"
"Your sisters?"
"I have three younger sisters, but it seems they were taken somewhere else... I know we should escape right away, I understand that, but I can't leave them behind! Please, I beg you!!!"
The woman pleaded through tears and bowed her head deeply.
Yuki and I exchanged glances. Then, without saying a word, we both smiled.
"Alright. I'm an adventurer. So I'll take on that request."
"And I'm royalty. There's no way I'd ever abandon my people."
"Ahh... thank you, thank you so much!!!"
The woman wept again, bowing her head over and over. That’s how much her sisters must mean to her.
I don’t have family anymore… but I do have precious companions. So I felt like I could understand her feelings.
"Yuki."
"Hm?"
"Let’s save them, no matter what."
"Yeah."
Yuki seemed to feel the same. Behind his smile, I could see the fire of determination burning.
"Rain, young master. Come here for a sec."
Gray, who had apparently overheard everything, beckoned us over. From his bitter expression, I had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to say.
"That lady’s pitiable, sure. But this is too risky. We’ve already rescued this many people — we should retreat first. Then, if there’s room to spare, we can try again. That’d be the smartest move, if you ask me."
"Yeah, I think you’re right, Gray."
"Then—"
"But I’m royalty."
Yuki declared firmly.
"Precisely because I’m royalty, I can never abandon the people, no matter what."
"Tch..."
"You might think it’s just silly pride. Or just me showing off. But I take pride in being royal. I want to be the kind of royalty that anyone can look up to. That’s why... I’m going."
"Ahh..."
Gray looked extremely troubled, as though he knew Yuki’s personality all too well. Once he got like this, there was no stopping him.
He turned his gaze toward me as if asking for backup.
"Sorry, but I’m with Yuki on this one."
"Rain too...?"
"I’m no great hero — just an adventurer. I can’t say something grand like I’ll save the whole world... But if someone is crying right in front of me, I can reach out to them. I can be their strength. And I want to help."
"Why’s that?"
"You don’t need a reason to help someone, do you?"
"..."
"That’s my answer."
For a moment, Gray’s eyes widened.
"...Haaaah. You two are just too in sync. You’ve barely known each other and you’re already on the same wavelength. Now I’m the one who looks like the bad guy for arguing."
"Then..."
"Alright, alright. I’ll make up my mind too."
It was decided.
Not just the people here, but also the sisters who were taken elsewhere — we were going to save them too.
TL Note- With Great power comes Great.....
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