Kent, Bobby, Prim, and Emily spent their time in the carriage, not knowing their destination, as they were blindfolded, bound with rope, and thrown into the back of the vehicle.
“We’ve arrived. Get out,” a deep male voice said. Before they knew it, someone had pulled them out of the carriage. They were then thrown into a room and their restraints were removed.
“You are valuable hostages. Stay put here,” said one of the men who had unbound Kent and the others. The men left, leaving guards behind.
“Is this a dungeon?” Bobby asked, surveying their surroundings.
“It appears so,” Kent agreed.
It was dark, illuminated only by a single candle placed outside the cell. In the dim light, they could see two guards sitting in chairs outside the cell. However, the guards seemed unconcerned about outside threats, and since Kent and the others were unarmed and unable to resist, they watched over them while drinking.
“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault,” Prim said apologetically.
“Prim, do you have any idea why this happened?” Kent asked.
“No, but considering the various businesses I’m involved in, it’s possible a competitor is jealous, or, if I may say so myself, I have a good amount of money at home, so it could be for financial gain,” Prim replied thoughtfully.
“Hey, you guys are being too loud. Be quiet!” one of the guards shouted at them angrily. Kent and the others continued their conversation, being mindful of their volume.
“Emily, do you know our current location?” Kent asked.
“Yes, it seems to be an empty store on the outskirts of the commercial district,” Emily replied instantly.
“How do you know that?” Bobby and Prim exclaimed in surprise. They had been blindfolded and had no idea where they were being taken. Of course, Kent didn’t know either, but he was certain they were within the city, as Emily’s current state indicated she was still able to maintain her being within the city.
“Well, there are various reasons, but right now, I think escaping from here is the priority,” Kent stated.
“Agreed,” Bobby and Prim chimed in.
“First, we need to contact the outside to inform them of our situation…” Kent began.
“Who will you contact?” Emily inquired.
“Hmm… I think Rachel would be the most effective,” Kent pondered, considering who would be the best person to enlist for help. When he thought about who he could most trust and who would act efficiently, Rachel came to mind first. Using a telephone might alert the guards. Email was an option, but while they could send a message, the recipient had no way to reply except by phone, which would get them stuck.
“Understood. I’ll handle the guards, so Master, please make the contact. Bobby and Prim, we’ll try to escape now, so please come with me,” Emily said.
“Eh? We can get out?” Bobby asked.
“Kent, who exactly is Emily?” Prim wondered.
“Well, that’s a story for after we escape,” Kent replied.
With their immediate plan decided, they decided to take action.
“Alright, I’ll take care of the guards quickly,” Emily said.
“Don’t kill them,” Kent warned.
“Understood,” Emily replied.
As Emily’s body glowed, she was suddenly outside the cell.
“What!” Bobby and Prim exclaimed in shock. Though she appeared voluptuous now, Emily’s true form was a small fairy. With her size, she could pass through the gaps in the cell bars to get outside, which she did in an instant.
“How did you get out there?” the guards asked, surprised.
“Damn, he’s sweet!”
The two guards, surprised, immediately entered combat stance. However, they had been drinking and Emily’s combat prowess was more than enough to handle them. Both were knocked unconscious with a single blow.
“Master, this is taken care of. Contact Rachel,” Emily announced.
“Understood,” Kent replied.
Kent immediately took out his terminal and called Rachel.
“…She’s not picking up…”
The call seemed to be going through, but she wasn’t answering. Just as he was about to give up and hang up, Rachel answered.
“Oh, Older brother… *pant pant*. What’s wrong, calling so suddenly?”
“Sorry. Were you busy?”
“N-no, not really. …I’m on the phone right now… Huh? It’s from Older brother?”
Rachel sounded out of breath, her breathing slightly ragged.
“K-Kent, is that you? It’s unusual for you to call.” Rachel seemed to be with someone. By the sound of her voice, it was Caro.
“Is Caro there?”
“Yes. What do you need?”
“Actually…”
Kent explained the situation to Rachel.
“I understand. I’ll consult with everyone and then we’ll start our action, so please wait a moment,” Rachel said.
“Kent, please stay safe,” Caro added, and the call ended.
“What was that?” Prim asked.
“Hey, Kent, what was that? It sounded like you were talking to yourself, who were you talking to?” Bobby questioned.
Prim and Bobby, who had witnessed the exchange, couldn’t hide their surprise at Emily’s actions and Kent’s behavior.
“Well, there are various circumstances, but I’ve made contact with the outside, so I think help will arrive soon,” Kent explained.
“Yes. Let’s say the guards got drunk and wait patiently until help arrives,” Emily suggested.
“Understood,” Bobby and Prim agreed.
“It seems like there’s nothing else we can do for now,” Kent concluded.
Kent and Emily’s words left Prim and Bobby with no choice but to agree.
“Master, they’re here,” Emily said after some time had passed and the commotion outside grew louder. At the same time, Kent’s terminal displayed an incoming call from Rachel.
“Hello?”
“Ah? Older brother? I’m here to help, so please wait a moment.”
It seemed their help had arrived.
“Then let’s begin our action as well,” Emily said, and with a spinning kick, she struck the bars of the cage, which flew open, allowing them to get out.
“Whoa,” Bobby exclaimed.
“That’s not something a human can do, is it?” Prim added.
The two could only stare in amazement at the sight.
“When did you escape! The hostages are gone!” The man who found them as they climbed the stairs leading to the ground floor shouted, calling for his companions.
“Damn it, the outside is surrounded and in chaos, and now the hostages have escaped too! You guys, whoever’s free, go secure the hostages!” the leader-like man ordered, and several men rushed towards Kent and the others.
“Too late!” Emily declared.
“Ghhkk!”
“Gahh!”
With no enemies behind them, Emily positioned herself in front of Kent and the others, capable of both attacking and protecting them. She easily defeated the approaching men with her bare hands.
“What is that woman?” the surprised leader-like man muttered. At that same moment, an assault began from the outside.
“Whoa, isn’t that too many?” Kent was surprised by the number of people who had stormed in. Elnet was the first to breach the entrance, followed by the Duke’s family guards and a group clad in golden armor.
“Why are the Royal Guards here!” the men inside the building exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the group in golden armor. Overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and force, they were quickly subdued, and the men who had abducted Kent and the others were apprehended.
“Kent. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, thanks. By the way, who are these people in golden armor?”
Kent recognized some of the Duke’s family guards, but he didn’t know who the armored group was and asked Elnet.
“These people? They are actually the Royal Guard, directly under the King. I was honestly surprised when they joined us,” Elnet explained.
“Older brother, you’re alive?” Rachel appeared from behind Elnet, looking relieved.
“Kent, are you alright?” Caro also asked, a look of relief on her face.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you both,” Kent replied.
Caro gently spoke to Prim. “Prim, are you injured?”
“Caro… I don’t know what to say about the trouble I’ve caused…” Prim seemed apologetic for the inconvenience she had caused.
“Hey, Rachel,” Kent said.
“Yes, Older brother?”
“I heard the Royal Guard joined. How did you call them?”
“Oh, about that. I actually don’t know. I was just telling everyone that Older brother had been captured, and then they joined the rescue operation. I wonder why?” Rachel seemed puzzled as well.
With the incident temporarily resolved, Kent and the others exited the building. A large crowd of onlookers had gathered due to the commotion, including people involved with Marie’s Bakery, such as Marie and Catherine.
