A difference of goals
“We should change places first.”
The room where our things is nearby. I rushed all of them towards it. I used the keys from the guy that Sylvia killed and entered.
“Here is the first step. Blanche and Sylvia, make sure to collect whatever is useful in all the rooms around us. Return to the others and make everyone else help. Your priorities would be bottles of alcohol.”
I give them the keys as Sylvia stares at me.
“You two will be with me. We have someone that you have to meet.”
I look at Lyn and she understands as she nods to me.
“Wait, mistress. I must go with you.”
“No. This is the best option. Do not worry. I will be back. I am not the one who wants to fight.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get your things twisted. I’m the one who’s gonna do something. Your mistress will be back with ya after I get there.”
“Now, we do not have time. Go and do what I told you to do.”
Blanche immediately went into action. It took Sylvia a few more moments before she relented. I saw Lyn grab her sword but I stopped her.
“No. Use this one instead.”
I hand her my weapon. The one she used against the prince.
“You sure?”
“Yes. I am not giving it to you. Make sure to bring it back or I will collect it.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.”
“Good. Let us move.”
Lyn, Melanie, and I moved together. I knew where the office was. Hopefully, he is there.
“We are almost there. You, I will initiate contact. The important word is ‘key’. Once I mention ii, you will try to attack me. Do you understand?”
“Huh? Why?”
“He thinks that I am on his side. So, this will allow you to surprise him. Do make sure to not hit me.”
“Hmph. I won’t, for now.”
“Melanie, you should hide. Make sure that no one can see you. If the man I will speak to drops his keys, make sure to acquire them.”
Melanie hides within my shadow. We made sure that Lyn does not see it.
“Huh? Where did she go?”
“I told her to hide.”
“Huh. K.”
“I will be going now. Make sure to follow the plan.”
“Whatever.”
I was at the hallway by his office. There were some bandits running from there. It seems that they have their orders. When the number of bandits decrease, I approach.
“Milady, it is dangerous. We are being attacked.”
“I know. Free me from this right now.”
I show the magic sealing device.
“Of course.”
The man grabs his keys as he holds a specific one.
“Is that the key for the device?”
I raise my voice slightly.
“Yes. This ke-“
Before he could finish his sentence, Lyn reveals herself.
“So, you are working with them! Die! You motherfucking bastard!”
Lyn rushes to attack us. I make sure to grab the keys as the man hides me behind his back. He meets Lyn’s weapon with his own.
“You’re the one that knocked me out! Perfect, I’ll kill you first!”
Lyn pushes the man further into the corridor. I eventually lose sight of them as Lyn pushes him away. I take the key to the office and remove it from the set of keys. We return to the others first.
“Mis-“
Sylvia tries to call out but Blanche stops her. I see that everyone is moving around. I signal for both of them to come near.
“We are currently not using our names to protect our identity. Do not use any of them, do you understand?”
Sylvia nods as Blanche lets her go.
“Where is she?”
“Do not worry about her. She is currently fighting someone. Let her escape on her own.”
I walk back towards the majority and call out to all of them.
“Go and free them from the magic sealing device.”
I hand Blanche the key as she goes around.
“It is time. All of you now have two paths ahead of you. You can wait here until the rescue arrives or you can try to break free. Is there anyone who wants to stay here and wait?”
I look around at everyone and no one answers.
“Good choice. Gather everything you can. Then, make sure to prepare yourselves. Also, if anyone asks. I was not here.”
All of them looked confused.
“If anyone of you reveal that I was here, I will find you and kill you.”
They looked even more confused.
“I am not hearing any agreements. Do you all understand!?”
“Yes!”
They all agreed even though they looked confused. There is no way for me to ensure their silence. So, I shall not think about it any further. If any of them were to snitch, it will be something that I will handle in the future.
“Good. Make sure to return wait here once you are all done.”
Everyone stays in place as Blanche frees them. Every person freed then goes around to get items that could be useful leaving me to be with Sylvia.
“Do you remember how you arrived here?”
“Yes, mis-“
Sylvia stops herself.
“Good. Then, I want you two to accompany them to the rescue party.
“Huh? Wait, you are not going to be with us?”
“No. I told everyone earlier, I was not here. I plan to leave by myself.”
“Let me go with you.”
“No. The prince knows you are here.”
“But what about her?”
Sylvia looks at my shadow and I knew who she was referring to.
“Was she seen?”
I see Sylvia look bitter. My guess was correct. Melanie also hid herself from the prince and the others.
“No.”
“Then, she is not an issue. You are. The prince knows you are here. If you disappear, it confirms my involvement. I do not want my involvement to be known.”
“But I-“
“No. This is an order. Do you understand?”
Sylvia nods and she does not speak anymore. After a while, all of them have gathered.
“This is something you can use.”
I break off the top half of a bottle of alcohol. Put in a ripped part of the blanket. Light the blanket on fire and then throw it inside a room. Some of them looked scared but they got used to it quick. Blanche and Sylvia led them to the rescue as I and Melanie within my shadow went my own way. However, I hear footsteps following me. I turn around and see who I expected.
“Child.”