“Whoa…” [Ryner]

Ryner stared at the charred corpses of the nobles with his sleepy expression. They were turned to a crisp with their bones blackened by the elves’ fire. Tenneb’s body was wholly unrecognizable since his meat and fat that formed his round figure were burned away. Only a dark skeleton with its mouth open was there.

“… This is horrible.” [Ryner]

Ryner muttered as he remembered the sight of the nobles’ burning, writhing and screaming silhouettes that were engulfed in flames.

“There’s no need for such a blatant lie.” [Elf]

One of the elves that had burned the men to death refuted his claim. The other women gathered their sights on him. They all had a serious expression on their faces, though the silent rage hidden behind their green eyes was now gone after they had finally gotten revenge.

“That’s not what you really think.” [Elf]

“Well, I guess I do think it smells a bit like that barbecue I went to last time, but it’s still nasty to look at.” [Ryner]

“Again, why are you lying?” [Elf]

“Maybe it’s him making a joke?” [Elf]

“Not exactly funny, even if we were roasting pigs wearing clothes.” [Elf]

“Maybe that’s just how he is?” [Elf]

“No, that’s how people show sensitivity.” [Elf]

“But the disparity is just mindboggling.” [Elf]

The seven elven women started talking in a low voice among themselves before they turned their sights on the human and tilted their heads in unison.

“You don’t actually feel anything watching those corpses.” [Elf]

One of the elven women said on behalf of everyone else. Ever so slightly, Ryner’s eyes narrowed for a moment. He examined all of these blonde-haired elves that were staring at him rather quizzically, watching his reaction.

“What’s with you all talking like you can read my mind?” [Ryner]

But, instead of pursuing the matter further, he walked along the wall and went deeper in the room.

“Revenge’s done. The seven of you need to get out of here. Well, eight, if you count this kid. Someone get those shackles off her.” [Ryner]

He went pass the newly bought slave, who was still restrained by magic shackles and pointed at her with his thumb while taking a swig from the bottle of wine in his other hand. Right after, he spit out the dark red liquid.

“What are you doing?” [Elf]

One of the elves asked him while some of her companions hurriedly went to the girl. They apologized to her in their language and politely asked for forgiveness.

“What’s it look like? I’m puking blood. Okay, stop staring at me like that. I’m spitting out the wine.” [Ryner]

“Again. Why?” [Elf]

“Because I don’t want to get drunk.” [Ryner]

“… No, really, what are you doing?” [Elf]

“It’s for my getup. We need to cover our tracks and whatnot. This is the best I can come up with on short notice.” [Ryner]

Ryner shrugged his shoulders and kicked the wall of bricks. A hole was easily opened up as if the bricks weren’t cemented in place. The entrance was big enough for a person to pass through and led to a dark tunnel that was recently made, not a wall of dirt and rocks.

“It’ll take a while, but this tunnel will lead you out of town. Make sure you collapse it after you reach the exit.” [Ryner]

Ryner said as he lightly tapped the wall twice with his fist, drank some more wine and spit it out again after swishing it around in his mouth.

“Can you guarantee that it’ll get us out?” [Elf]

Two elves came before the hole, ignoring their savior’s vulgar behavior. They examined their way out with serious expressions, but their eyes sparkled at the prospect of finally escaping.

“Hey, you saw me enter through there a second ago. Besides, I spent a lot of time and effort to dig this secretly. I constantly had to make sure that soldiers or some pretty boy didn’t see me. Don’t you dare doubt my homemade escape route.” [Ryner]

The eyes of the eighth elf who didn’t know about the plan were wide opened when she saw the hidden exit. Her brethren didn’t look shock and seemed to have already known about that secret entrance. Before she could ask about the tunnel, her shackles were taken off and she rubbed her thin wrists as she absentmindedly formed words of thanks. However, these words quickly died in her throat the moment she cast her gaze on the unknown human that was, for some reason, on their side.

Her eyes widened so much that it looked like they would pop out of their sockets. Her body turned stiff and fear distorted her beautiful face. But, that frightened expression only lasted for a few seconds before it suddenly crumbled. It was as if a huge discovery hit her in the face. Large tears were shed from her emerald green eyes and her lips quivered as she tried to hold in her sobs.

The seven elves, who noticed her strange behavior, all stared at her, stunned. They were baffled and panicking because, out of nowhere, the eighth elf was crying. They asked her what was wrong and if she was hurt, but no answer came at all. Instead, the girl kept her tear-filled gaze on the human that was curiously watching her.

Breaking out of the encirclement of the worried and panicking elves, the girl walked over to Ryner with slow and unsteady steps. Seeing her approach the man that rescued them from slavery, the seven former slaves all seemed to have understood what was going on and stopped fretting over the elven maiden. Although they were still worried, they silently watched her with keen interest.

The elven girl, who was now the center of attention, stopped right in front of Ryner and stared at his face from her lower height.

“It’s…” [Elven maiden]

Mixed with sobbing, words spoken in the humankind language leaked out from her mouth.

“It’s alright…” [Elven maiden]

The young girl that looked like she was in her late teens reached her trembling hands out.

“It’s alright… It’s alright…” [Elven maiden]

She gently held Ryner’s face while repeating the same thing over and over again in a sobbing, gentle voice.

“You… Safe… Here…” [Elven maiden]

“… No, I’m not.” [Ryner]

Ryner grabbed one of her wrists and slowly pulled her hand away from his face. His expression remained impassively sleepy.

“We’re not safe here. We’re in the middle of enemy territory, remember? Oi, the seven frozen kids over there.” [Ryner]

“W-we’re not kids.” [Elf]

He turned his sleepy gaze to the seven elves that were watching him and the elven maiden with a stunned expression. They broke out of their stupor when he addressed them.

“Whatever. You need to leave. As planned, wait for me in the forest, near the tree I marked. I’ll bring some horses over after I’m done here.” [Ryner]

Ryner went into the hole, leaving the crying elf who wanted to say something, but couldn’t. Then, he pulled out a pod of steel and black glass that could fit an adult from the dark tunnel.

“I buried something very important near that tree, so if you get found and have to fight, make sure you don’t blow up the ground.” [Ryner]

He didn’t give the former slaves any time to be surprised at the sight of the weird pod and urged them to escape through the tunnel. All eight looked like they wanted to say something, but held it in. They couldn’t keep chatting the day away. So, one by one, they entered the tunnel. The woman leading the line had a ball of light floating in front of her to illuminate the path. The elven maiden, who was sobbing and wiping away her tears, had to be escorted because of her fragile mental state.

“Are you alright?” [Elf]

The elf at the back, before entering the tunnel, stopped and asked Ryner.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” [Ryner]

“You seem disturbed.” [Elf]

“No, not really. Now get going.” [Ryner]

Ryner took a mouthful of wine, swished it around and spit it out like mouthwash.

“Oh and tell that kid not to stare at others like they’re a pitiful brat. It makes for a weird first impression.” [Ryner]

“… I’ll pass it along.” [Elf]

After nodding her head, the elven woman entered the tunnel and followed after her brethren.

“Then, guess I’ll clean up.” [Ryner]

Once Ryner was alone, he placed the bricks back in place to cover the hole in the wall. Afterwards, he took out a brush as well as a can of red paint from his pocket dimension and left a message on the floor next to the nobles’ corpses.

Then, he pulled out a blue uniform like the ones Tenneb’s soldiers wore. It belonged to one of the triplets that he had killed and buried in the small forested area. It was a bit baggy, but fortunately, it barely fitted him. He wore it and spilled some wine to leave a few obvious stains. Afterwards, he took out a makeup kit and gave himself a darker complexion, a bit of blush and a large scar on his right cheek. Lastly, he put a red wig on his head and a black eyepatch over his right eye.

Now that his disguise was complete, Ryner pressed a switch on the pod and the dark glass became transparent, revealing its content. Floating in a green liquid was Bern, the A rank captain that had been captured and interrogated. He was in a drug-induced coma with an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth as well as several IV drips in his arms and legs that were injecting nutrients into his bloodstream.

Ryner opened the pod and fished Bern out of the solution. The man had become thinner after being sustained on nutrients for a few days. However, he was alive and breathing. Ryner gently patted his stomach before stuffing a portable speaker in his clothes.

Then, he put the pod in his pocket dimension as well as the magic shackles that were left on the floor and dragged the unconscious Bern out of the secret room.

All that was left in that place were the furniture, a hole in the wall and the pile of burnt corpses.

“Governor! Sir!” [Soldier]

“What?” [Isecke]

Isecke glared at the soldier that rudely barged into his office while he was in the middle of reading some documents at his desk.

“We found Bern! The captain’s back!” [Soldier]

“What?!” [Isecke]

His irritation gave way to shock and delight as he abruptly rose from his chair. The soldier standing behind him also had a similar expression.

“He’s still alive?!” [Isecke]

“Yes, sir! He was found and brought here, but…” [Soldier]

Before Isecke could ask the soldier why he was making a troubled expression, the reason rudely barged in.

“SHUUUP~!” [Ryner]

Ryner in disguise greeted them in a loud and slurred voice that was slightly higher pitched than normal. His steps were unsteady and slung over his left shoulder was the unconscious Bern. Behind him were two men in uniforms that had tried to restrain him from barging in the room.

“… Who’s this?” [Isecke]

The governor asked after unfreezing from his stunned state and the first soldier that came in awkwardly explained.

“He’s the guy that found Bern. We, uhh, we don’t know how, when or where, but he had the captain over his shoulder and was drunkenly yelling it to everyone in the mansion. He insisted on meeting you himself, but as you can see, he’s not in the best of shape.” [Soldier]

“What are you talking aboooout~? I’m fi, fiiiine~.” [Ryner]

He was clearly not fine. Anyone could tell from his drunken state, his slightly red face and the red stains of wine on his uniform.

“I’ve never seen you before. Soldier, what’s your name?” [Isecke]

“Whaaaat~? You don-hic! You don’t know me~? I’ve been working here for fif, fifty years~!” [Ryner]

“You’re obviously too young to be over fifty!” [Isecke]

Isecke felt like he was getting a headache. He didn’t know who the red-haired drunk was at all and it was obvious that he wasn’t about to get any answers from him in that state. So, he tried asking one of the other soldiers in his office.

“Do you know him?” [Isecke]

“No. This is my first time meeting him. Didn’t know we had him in our army.” [Soldier]

“Huuuuh~? You don’t know me too!? Even though we’re marriiiied~?” [Ryner]

“What!? Like hell we are!! I lost my virginity to a woman! Not my freedom! And I’m not gonna lose it to a goddamn man!” [Soldier]

“Seriously~? Daaaaaammnn, then who’s ugly mug did I marry~?” [Ryner]

“Get your face away from me! Ugh! You smell like booze!” [Soldier]

“… We need to reconsider our standards when hiring.” [Isecke]

Isecke, watching the drunken man harass one of his soldiers by breathing in his face, rubbed the bridge of his nose and swept back his black hair. It seemed like identifying him would come later, though it shouldn’t be too hard. Not many red-headed soldiers had an eyepatch and a large scar on his cheek.

“Oh oh! I aaallmost forgot~!” [Ryner]

Ryner unsteadily walked towards the desk and plopped Bern down on it, in front of the governor. This snapped Isecke out of his thoughts as he confirmed that the A rank captain was unharmed and breathing, though his clothes were wet for some reason.

“I’m the one that, hic, that found him~, so, so… Oh yeah! So, give me a reward~.” [Ryner]

“Is that why you barged in here? To bring Bern to me personally and get a reward?” [Isecke]

“Yeeaah~. Truth is, I haven’t drank in a while, so I really, really need, moneeey~. It’s fine to pay me in booze too~.” [Ryner]

“Get out.” [Isecke]

“Huuuuuh~? What about my booze money~?” [Ryner]

The skinny governor bluntly said and waved his hand. The three soldiers that showed up along with the red-haired drunk began to drag him out of his office, not heeding his grumbling. Isecke would deal with that drunken idiot later. Right now, what mattered was that Bern, an A class magic user, was back. They had, essentially, gotten back a valuable asset. This already made up for the losses of soldiers that they had suffered a few days ago by the hands of that black-haired man.

If Isecke reported this to Earl Tenneb, then he would most likely get rewarded for bringing such good news. The earl was generous to those who pleased him. That was why he was willing to share his collection with his friends, who were all nobles that basically sucked up to him. Only those on his side would get his favor. Even the emperor couldn’t have a taste of the fine products since he didn’t support the fat aristocrat and had refused to grant him a higher title.

“(Earl Tenneb’s in his secret room with the other nobles, so I’ll have to wait for now. Once I report this to him, he’ll give me gold in his good mood. Or maybe, he’ll let me have some fun with those gorgeous elves… My first elf… With big breasts and plump t-thighs… Hehe… Hehehe…)” [Isecke]

“You got your soldier back. Good for you.” [???]

While Isecke was lost in his fantasies, an unknown and deep voice suddenly spoke up. It attracted everyone’s attention and they all looked around the room, but the speaker couldn’t be found. The soldiers that were at the door and Ryner who was being dragged out also stopped and searched the office with their eyes.

“Here. I placed a little something on this popular guy so I can talk to you.” [???]

Instantly, everyone looked at Bern who was on the desk. The voice was originating from him. Isecke stepped away and the soldier beside him began searching the A rank captain. After a while, he found in his clothes a circular and metallic object that fitted in his palm. It had a silver color with some sort of hard, black mesh at the center.

It was a speaker.

“I’m going to get right down to it. My name’s Mindo. Mindo Buzzness. Your enemy.” [Mindo]

“… Are you the black-haired man that has a red dog?” [Isecke]

The skinny governor tried asking as he committed the name Mindo Buzzness to memory. Everyone intently watched him and the speaker that the soldier beside him was holding.

“The black-haired man you’re looking for is dead. Bern killed him after he broke free.” [Mindo]

“Killed? Bern did? Then you’re an accomplice?” [Isecke]

“Your damned soldier killed my friend. So, I’m going to kill you all.” [Mindo]

The air in the room froze when everyone heard his declaration of war. After a few seconds, Isecke snatched the unknown device from his subordinate’s hand and brought it to his mouth.

“Listen. I don’t know who you are, but if that guy with the dog is dead. Then, good. Your ‘friend’ deserved it.” [Isecke]

He spoke in a low voice that had both arrogance and anger. Mindo didn’t reply, so he continued talking.

“He dared go against our army. Against the army of Earl Tenneb, a noble of the great empire of Stornith. Death was the obvious punishment. Next will be you, your family and your friend’s family.” [Isecke]

The governor that loyally served Tenneb declared as he shot a look at the soldiers. They would hunt down whoever he was speaking to and make an example out of him. Isecke wasn’t scared of Mindo just because he was after his life. After all, he was in the mansion that housed the earl’s personal army stationed in Jadistro and he had command over them.

“Know that Earl Tenneb will never let you escape. No matter where you go, we’ll hunt you to the end of the world. Our army will be relentless in your pursuit. Anyone that dares shelter or help you in any way will be tortured to death. And if, by some chance, you manage to evade us, then the Stornith empire will mobilize its forces under the command of the emperor himself. Shaming a noble is the same as courting death. When we catch you, I’ll personally make sure that you’re hanged after breaking all your limbs. The same fate awaits the men in your family and the women will be sold as slaves, forced to serve their buyers night after n-.” [Isecke]

“If you’re still next to Bern, then you’re really dumb.” [Mindo]

Mindo’s deep voice interrupted Isecke’s confident speech.

“Why do you think I let an A rank enemy go?” [Mindo]

The skinny governor opened his mouth to talk, but no word came out. Bern had been captured for several days and was found, unconscious, but alive. Moreover, he didn’t escape on his own, but was allowed to escape.

“Uggh…” [Bern]

As if to prove the bad feeling Isecke was getting, Bern groaned in pain as his consciousness returned.

“Urgh… Argh… Arggghh…! AAGGHH! GAAAHHHH!!!” [Bern]

The groans turned into screams of agony as the A rank magic user violently tossed about on the desk and tore the front of his clothes off, revealing his torso. The soldier next to Isecke tried to hold him down while calling out the captain’s name. The other four near the door winced back and watched in shock.

“By the way, I heard that Bern was really popular with the ladies and always got some action. I’m jealous.” [Mindo]

Mindo’s deep and laidback voice could still clearly be heard despite Bern’s loud screams. It was a sudden change in topic that didn’t seem to have anything to do with the death threats from earlier.

“AAAGYAAAHH!!!” [Bern]

“Governor!” [Soldier]

Still, to Isecke, it sounded ominous. Cold sweat flowed down his back. Moreover, when the soldier that served as his aide and bodyguard called him, the skinny governor noticed it and shivered in fear. On the thrashing captain’s abdomen, there was a large scar as well as a weird lump.

It was as if something rectangular was forced under his skin.

“It makes me feel like telling him to go explode.” [Mindo]

“AAAAAAAAARR-!!!” [Bern]

Isecke watched Bern’s screaming figure before his view was covered by a red mist. Then, everything went dark.

BOOM

The A rank magic user suddenly blew up. His burnt remains covered the devastated room. The desk and chair turned into splinters and debris. The glass of the window shattered from the explosive force. Two ruined corpses could still be identified despite their sorry and visceral states. One was the soldier that had tried to hold Bern down while the other was Isecke.

“*Cough cough* Ack… What… The… Hell…” [Soldier]

Besides the deceased, there were survivors. Having stayed away from the epicenter of the blast, the three soldiers at the door picked themselves off the floor and shakily stood up. Their ears were still ringing and their visions were a bit shaky. They gazed at the destroyed office while remembering the outrageous scene they just saw.

Their captain blew up.

He suddenly blew up as he screamed like a madman and ripped his clothes off. That sight was burned in the survivors’ minds. There were no spell, no curse and no weapon that could cause a person to explode like that. But, someone horrifyingly overturned that common sense right in front of them. Out of the three survivors, someone’ legs were trembling while another’s teeth were clattering. They had just seen something out of a nightmare, but it was only just beginning.

“Kyurck…!” [Soldier]

Hearing a strange sound similar to a dying chicken, two soldiers turned their heads to their left only to see their comrade’s bloody chest pierced by a spear from behind.