“The preparations are already done, all that’s left to do is to give the order. If I send the message to our friends now, the collaborators inside the castle will move as well. Sil, could you guide Arc to the secret entrance by the time operation starts?”
“Yes!”
When Labatt addressed him, Sil replied straight away.
Ariane, Ponta and I will just have to kill time for now.
When we returned downtown, the lights in the stores were still on. People were eating and drinking liquor and a few women outside the brothels propositioned me along the way
Hoban was brighter and more bustling than other cities I’ve been. It took advantage of it’s position as a stopover point for the trading route between the Rinburuto Archdukedom and Rhoden’s royal capital, and because of that the elf-made, magical crystal lamps were everywhere
There were lively shops everywhere and a few stalls had kebab-like meals set out on large leaves for sale. Before we headed back to the shack, we bought a few of them for Shea and Sil, together with a dish called chana which looked like salted and boiled chick peas that were tightly packed within some wrapping
“Hmm, which way to Sil’s home……”
On the way back from buying dinner, we lost our way looking around the labyrinthine slum.
“This way, Arc”
Ariane started to walk ahead of me with Ponta in her arms.
Elves have the ability to navigate the forest without getting lost, and apparently they could even find their way through a city.
I, who always got lost in Japan’s Umeda Dungeon¹, couldn’t help but be a little envious.
“This has gotten rather complicated…… is there a way for us to get into the castle without using the secret passage?”
While Ariane led the way, she asked that question.
“Ariane-dono, I think that you are partially responsible for their current situation.”
“Th-That’s! ……I’m already aware of that……”
She responded to my little tease a little frazzled.
“This time, the feudal lord will be dealt with by the rebellion, so our objective hasn’t changed.”
“Well……, as long as we can help my brethren imprisoned in the castle. This is a one-time thing.
I heard her determined words as we finally reached Sil’s shack.
When we entered, Sil and Shea were eating what appeared to be small dried beans.
Ariane encouraged the two to eat the meal we had bought for them a while ago.
Sil was reluctant at first, but when we said that it was necessary that his sister eat properly for her recovery, the two began to stuff their faces with great relish.
Meat and beans might not be the most nutritious meal, but it was be better than just the water and dry beans they had before.
“Why aren’t you eating Mr.Knight?”
Shea looked puzzled while she stuffed her mouth with food, her cute gesture was like that of a hamster.
“I had a treat at the shop some time ago. So you should eat without reserve.”
“Yes!”
I stroked Shea’s head as I told her that lie.
I had to avoid removing my helmet in public as much as possible, and while I was trusting these kids, I couldn’t recklessly frighten them.
While Ariane bought a bit of the chana to her mouth, our eyes met for a brief moment but she said nothing.
Somehow she understood what I was doing.
However, without bothering to say anything, Ariane took a look around the neighborhood before using her earth and fire spirit magic to create a wall around the shack to keep the draft out from where the kids slept.