“The first clan head was quoted as saying that the members of the cat-people race were supreme existences.”
Chiome repeated the first clan head’s words and out of that auditory hallucination I came up with “The best of all animal-eared people! Cat ears are the strongest!”
After driving away the hallucination I asked about something that had started to bother me.
“Was the first head a cat person as well?”
“No, the first had been human. The first was a spy for the Leburan empire and when he saw the mistreatment of the cat people in the empire he protected them and eventually made them his subordinates. That is how the present Blade Heart Clan was founded.”
“Hoo, so you didn’t remain part of the empire?”
“Correct. The first generation were excellent spies and they accumulated so many achievements that people started to fear the first head’s power. As his exploits grew, the first head was targeted for assassination many times, yet he was able to skillfully overcome all the attempts.”
Chiome eyes narrowed as she continued to tell the story.
It’s inevitable that a person with great power would be the target of fear. Moreover, as a human surrounded by cat people instead of other humans, he would be meet with even greater suspicions and alienation.
“After that, the Emperor fell from power and the struggle for the throne began, so the first head went into hiding as the various factions fought it out. A large-scale civil war soon broke out and the first head used the confusion to lead the clan out of the empire.”
If I’m not mistaken, the Leburan Empires were large countries to the north of Rhoden. Could the reason that the Empire is divided even to this day be the result of the first head’s actions……?
When her story was finished Ariane spoke up.
“Chiome-chan these cells are full of People of the Plains and Mountains.”
It was as she said, the passage we were now in was lined with cells full of people with various figures.
There were cat people like Chiome, wolf-eared people, and people with long rabbit ears that were a little similar to elven ears.
Since the People of the Plains and Mountains lack the high magic-power of the elves, they weren’t bound with the magic eating collars.
Instead, every single one of them was chained to the wall with shackles and fetters made of heavy iron in order to restrict the movements of their high-spec bodies.
After a cursory glance of the cells, I could only internally sigh at the number of people that had to be freed.
When I stepped forward to help, everyone looked upon me with wariness before retreating as far back as they could in the cell.
Again, it was an understandable reaction because anyone would be wary of a duo wearing strange masks and black and gray cloaks respectively.
Some of the cells had young children inside them that started to cry when they saw us. Several scowling young men even stood in front of the children in an attempt to protect them.
We somehow have assumed the role of the villains.
It was at this moment that a group of bodyguards and slave traders suddenly appeared from somewhere deeper inside the building, running towards our current position.
“I am Chiome of the Blade Heart Clan and I’ve come to help you! Listen to Arc-dono’s instructions when they are given!”
Chiome told the people in the cell that as she brandished her dagger and charged at the approaching group.
The people in the cells suddenly stirred at Chiome’s statement.
“Hey, did you just say the Jin Shin Clan?!”
“Is that true?! Who are those weird people?!”
I saw the caution in their eyes turn into a small ray of hope. The Blade Heart Clan was apparently well known.
While Chiome rushed the bodyguards and slave dealers, I began to do my part of this raid.
First, let’s destroy these cells.
I went about distorting the iron bars of the cells with my bare hands to make a traversable opening. I bent the bars to the point where the opening was the large enough that even I could pass through it.
Those watching in the cell gasped in surprise and admiration.
Next, would be the removal of the shackles and fetters, but I didn’t find a set of keys to unlock them like with the humans.
Since there was no other option, I drew my sword from under my cloak to cut the chains, and everyone obviously shrank back when I held up my sword.
“I need to cut the chains of the strongest people first.”
My voice was muffled by the mask and that caused the people to hesitate.
“Kyun!”
Suddenly Ponta popped up from beneath my cloak in front of everybody.
Before the raid, Ponta had been planted atop my head as usual, but in combination with the mask she would’ve attracted even more attention, and that’s why she had been wrapped around my neck until now.