𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟖: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

I punched and knocked out two soldiers I encountered along the way and arrived at a building with an underground dungeon.

It was a pitch-black stone tower, and I believed Cid was somewhere in the underground dungeon.

If not, I’ll just have to keep searching. Anyway, I planned to destroy this tower and thoroughly check the cells.

“One, two, three, hiyah!”

――BOOOOM!!

I infused magic power into my right fist and forcefully punched a hole in the wall.

Then, as I descended the stairs there, I saw a group of unsavory individuals who were captured.

The iron bars were covered in blood and dirt, and the air was damp and filled with a strong odor.

“Pardon the intrusion.”

I courteously curtsied, and the prisoners looked at me in astonishment.

I’m sorry for disturbing your peace, everyone.

The prisoners were frightened because my right hand was enveloped in flickering flames. But these were magical flames, not real fire, so they didn’t emit any heat.

“If you value your lives, keep this a secret. . .”

I put my finger to my lips, and they repeatedly shook their heads up and down.

Well, considering how I just caused such a commotion, it’s probably impossible to keep it a secret.

Now, where is Cid?

I looked around all the cells, but he wasn’t there.

I heard the footsteps of the jailer running, so I hid and waited for them to pass.

“What?! Is it a prisoner escape?!”

“Count the number of prisoners! Check the cells!!”

Oh, it seems like they think there was an escape.

Well, that’s understandable. Normally, people don’t willingly enter prison.

“Cid? Where are you?”

Having reached the deepest part of the basement, I struggled in the unexpectedly spacious prison. 

The sound of pursuers’ footsteps only increased, and I began to realize that it was quite bad.

And then, as I ran with the sound of my heels clacking, I encountered a burly jailer.

――BAM!

“Eek. . .!”

The impact of the collision made me hit the wall, and when I opened my eyes slightly, I was being glared at by a tremendously menacing jailer.

Wait, this person seems more like a criminal?!

“Who are you?”

Uh-oh. I’ve been caught.

Should I defeat him?

But unless it’s a surprise attack, I won’t be able to land a hit. While my strength can be enhanced with magic power, my physical abilities are that of an ordinary girl.

Can I win against this burly person who’s about two meters tall. . .?

My vision swims in agitation.

I have to escape.

But it seems like he won’t let me go that easily.

“Eek!”

He grabbed my arm and pressed my body against the wall.

“Stay still! How did you get in here?”

Um, through the wall. I can’t exactly say I broke in, can I?

The arm twisted against my back hurts.

As I tightly closed my eyes and grimaced, a familiar voice echoed in the underground dungeon.

“Don’t touch the lady.”

“Huh?”

――THUD!!

With a dull sound, the arm that was holding me suddenly let go.

The man who had captured me was sent flying into the wall by Cid’s kick. He was already unconscious.

“Cid!”

“What are you doing, Miss! Ah, are you okay?! Are you hurt anywhere?!”

“I’m fine! I’m sorry!”

I jumped into Cid’s arms with all my strength. He wrapped his arm around my neck and held me firmly. His hand on my back gently supported me. 

“This is unacceptable. Engaging in such destructive activities! What if something happened. . .! And what is Dimitri-sama doing?!”

“Huh? That guy? I threw him.”

“You threw him?!”

“Well. . .”

As I explained with an upward glance, Cid glared at me with half-closed eyes.

He came running because he was worried, and yet he reacts like this?!

“I couldn’t forgive him, so. . .”

“Well. . .”

Letting out a deep sigh, Cid scratched his head with his right hand.

“Dimitri-sama is on our side. I negotiated with him.”

“Huh?!”

“Anyway, let’s get out of here. I’ll cover up everything.”

Cid’s actions from that point were swift.

He held me sideways, created a hole in the ceiling, and we climbed out to the surface. Then he sealed the hole and ran to the back of the tower.

I was just being carried and couldn’t do anything but freeze in place.

My light blue hair swayed in the sea breeze, and tears welled up at the familiar scent of Cid, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Ah, I’m glad he’s alive.

We meet again.

While I was immersed in my emotions, Cid quickly sealed the destroyed wall with magic and used illusion magic to guide the approaching soldiers toward the forest.

“The prisoners have escaped!”

“Chase them! Chase them!”

It seems like they’re going to pretend that there was a prison break.

Oh, it looks like some of them actually did escape.

Cid created multiple holes in another wall, making it appear as if they had escaped from there as well.

His methods were brilliant, and I almost asked, “Have you done something like this before?” but I decided not to ask for now. 

“Now, let’s go to Dimitri-sama’s room.”

“Dimitri-sama’s?!”

“Yes. It’s a safe zone.”

While still holding me sideways, Cid increased his speed and ran.

Along the roof and railing, we swiftly ascended to the fourth floor.

I was so impressed by how agile he was.  

Finally, he set me down on the balcony, and swept the hem of my dress with his hand while casting a purification spell.

Could it be that the smell of the dungeon clung to me. . .?

I glanced at Cid, and he smiled at me.

“That dress suits you.”

“Huh? Oh. . .”

Before I could respond, he took my right hand and kissed the back of it.

“Ah!”

He then held my hand and smoothly guided me into the room, without saying a word. 

Here is Dimitri-sama’s private room. 

Earlier, Dimitri-sama, who I had thrown, was inside the room as if we had an appointment. 

He sat on the sofa and greeted me with a bitter expression. 

“I’m sorry about earlier.” 

“Ahahaha. . . I apologize for that.”

Well, I did throw him. It’s understandable that he’s a little unhappy. 

“I apologize for that. I let my emotions get the better of me.”

“I’ll accept your apology. We don’t have much time, so let’s get to the point. . .please sit.” 

We were urged by Dimitri-sama to sit on the long chair facing of him.

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