I tried to open the gate by taking advantage of the chaos, but I was quickly caught.
Watching the gate recede, I sighed. It’s no use. With such a small opening, my companions far away wouldn’t notice, and they’d just re-bolt the lock immediately.
Just as the guards were about to close the gate again, the door creaked inward slightly. Sparks flew in with a hot wind from the gap. At the same time, guards rushed back from a small door attached to the side of the wall.
When fire is being used, it’s probably Elana’s magic. I thought that while being restrained. If she’s perceptive, she’ll notice the door opening.
Soon after, the sound of the ground shaking could be heard. It grew louder and closer. The guards holding my arms also looked up, scanning the surroundings with a strange expression.
“The gate’s about to be broken through! Run!”
At the cry of one person, everyone present scattered from the gate like spiders’ legs. People outside also rushed back inside the wall, one after another.
“Hey, where are you going? Come back here, you cowards!”
A man who looked like an officer with a magnificent beard desperately tried to stop them, but everyone passed him by. Soon, with a loud noise, a herd of Centaurs, with Kinnara riding them, kicked down the gate and burst in.
In the front, a middle-aged woman, who had offered her cooperation before, charged forward, shaking the ground. She was literally shaking the ground. The surrounding guards were unable to stand, bouncing up as if they were sand grains dropped on a drum. At first glance, it looked like an earthquake, but the shaking was only in that spot, and I was perfectly fine.
I looked around for Sharin’s figure. I wondered if she was okay after saving me.
“Sharin, where are you? Are you okay?”
I desperately tried to call out, but my voice was drowned out by the din and the dust. Then, from amidst the throng of people, Sharin contorted herself and appeared.
“Arisugawa, are you alright?”
As I was about to say, “Are you alright yourself?”, Yola ran up with her shield.
“Now, let’s help them while we have the chance. Please guide us.”
We took advantage of the chaos and headed for the hut where the prisoners were being held. I was sure it had been locked from the outside with a bolt before. However, it was now securely sealed with thick chains and locks.
“Damn, do we need a key?”
I pulled with all my might, but it didn’t budge at all. Should I find a key among all these people? Or should I destroy the door? All the explosives had burned up, and the hut’s windows were carefully boarded up from the outside.
Yola kicked it with all her strength, but it still looked like it wouldn’t break.
“What? What do you mean, we came all this way…”
I couldn’t say anything to her, her face pale.
