NOVEL NEXT chapter 9
9. Weren’t we having a strategy meeting?
Before long, a guard came to the punishment cell and took a prisoner away. Among those mostly collapsed, only Gora and I were alert, and the guard looked at us as if we were madmen while leading us out of our cell.
I was returned to my cage, and the guard went back to his rounds. Then, Gora’s daughter across the solitary cell said with a grin,
“Hey! How have you been? But still, it’s the first day and you’re already heading to the punishment cell? I’ve never seen that before! Haha! You really made me laugh!”
He chuckles to himself, reminiscing.
After a good laugh, he turns to me, eager to hear the answer to last night’s question.
“So, what about joining us? We don’t have much time, so I’d appreciate a conclusion right away.”
As I heard from Gora, if tomorrow is the day of the operation, it’s understandable that there’s no time to waste.
I tell him that I met Gora in the punishment cell today.
“I met Gora in the punishment cell today.”
Upon hearing this, Gora’s daughter looks shocked and exclaims,
“You made it out okay? When Dad’s in the punishment cell, he’s in a terrible mood. If you try to talk to him, he’ll probably knock you out!”
I recall what happened today and reply,
“Yeah, I thought I was going to die.”
As I say this, Gora’s daughter looks at me and starts to speak.
“Since you mentioned Dad’s name, does that mean you’re joining us?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard about the operation.”
I confirm and explain that I learned various things from Gora.
“I see, but Dad’s a bit rough around the edges, so I’ll make sure to relay everything properly.”
With her chest puffed out, Gora’s daughter begins to explain.
“First, after lunch tomorrow, our resistance will start a riot to draw the guards’ attention. If we start a riot, the other prisoners will likely join in, so it’ll get pretty chaotic.”
I nod along, listening intently.
“And when the chaos erupts, the Guild will come out. My dad and I will handle the Guild.”
Hearing this, I ask,
“You’re not just relying on Gora; you’re going to fight too?”
She responds, a bit sulky,
“Of course! I can hold my own! And by the way, my name is Ayla! Don’t go calling me like a stranger!”
I take note of her name, Ayla.
“Got it, Ayla. So while you and Gora are keeping the Guild busy, I’ll cut off what’s likely the source of magical power in Room One, right?”
I break down what I’ve heard to clarify.
“That’s right! If your plan succeeds, then the rest of us—me, Dad, and all the resistance members—will escape in a big breakout!”
I see, it’s a rather straightforward plan, but if it works, it could deal a significant blow and make the escape possible.
I ponder for a moment before asking,
“What happens after the operation succeeds and we break out?”
Aira responds to my question,
“Well, we’ll make a run for it to the kind-hearted Holy Land beyond the border.”
I see, the Holy Land, huh? Not a bad idea.
I’ve already set my sights on the next destination.
Noticing that the night has deepened, Aira pauses the conversation.
“Well, it’s about time to wrap up the strategy meeting.”
With that, she slips under the covers with practiced ease and falls asleep.
Seeing this, I too drift off in a similar manner.
I wake up in the morning to a tremendous noise.
The guards are running around, and Aira is nowhere to be found.
One of the guards is shouting loudly,
“Riots! It’s a riot! The culprit is Gora from Cell 2, the ‘Strong Arm’!”
The operation has already begun!?