Seeker 299

Test

Chapter 299. Escape Drama

"Escaping prison! They're escaping!"

"Lulu-sama has fled!? How in the world did she manage that!?"

"The adventurers we caught earlier too! It must be Nasser's doing!"

"That scoundrel, what's he thinking...! Damn it, search! They must still be nearby!"

Palace guards hurriedly scurried around the palace grounds.

We, hiding in the camel shed, waited for the guards to move away and dashed into the palace courtyard.

Present here are a total of 4 individuals—myself, Yuzuki, the miniature Griffin, Queen Lulu, and the palace guard Nasser.

A guard, who was guarding the gate, spotted us.

The guard was about to shout in surprise when—

"Mmmph!? Mmmmuuuuu!?"

"Sorry, just taking a little nap."

Kazane approached from a blind spot, muffling the guard's voice, and incapacitating him with a dagger, rendering the gatekeeper unconscious.

Released by Kazane, the guard collapsed with a thud.

I rushed over and applied healing magic to the fallen guard.

"They're at the gate!"

"Damn it, don't let them escape!"

Guards from afar rushed towards us.

Palace guards began to appear one after another in the courtyard, increasing their numbers.

"Darn, they caught on too quickly. Let's skedaddle."

"Talking about skedaddling makes us sound like villains."

"We did escape prison, so technically, we are the criminals for now."

Nasser, Tsukiyuki, and Queen Lulu expressed their thoughts as we exited the palace gates and dashed into the town.

Kazane, the Griffin, and I followed suit.

We wanted to escape as quietly as possible, but it seemed we were discovered just as the cells were found empty.

However, engaging in a prolonged chase seemed troublesome.

Perhaps a little deterrence would be wise.

"Yuzuki, hit them with one shot!"

"Got it! —Blaze of Annihilation, incinerate them, [Explosion]!"

Following my command, Tsukiyuki paused, then after a few seconds of concentration, unleashed magic.

"They're casting magic at us!"

"Ignore it! One hit won't—agh!"

"Agh!"

Explosive magic erupted near the gate, blowing away several guards who were attempting to pass through.

The fallen guards lay motionless on the ground in tatters.

Sorry about that. Since they're not dead, they should get healed by reinforcements.

"Well done, Yuzuki."

"Hehe, well, with our magic, it's a piece of cake."

"Kupi, Kupi♪"

"What... what power was that...? What's going on with you guys?"

Patting the bewildered Nasser's back, we resumed our escape.

From there, it was relatively easy.

After some time, successfully evading the pursuing guards, we breathed a sigh of relief in an alleyway.

"Damn it, where did they go!"

"Search! Comb through the entire town!"

As the voices of the pursuers echoed from a distance, the five of us walked quietly down the narrow alley.

Leading the way was Princess Lulu.

"Lulu-sama, where are you heading?"

"To Rashad's house. My father instructed me to visit the old man in his final moments."

"Rashad, that shady old man?"

Such a conversation ensued between Nasser and Princess Lulu.

Then, after a while—

"Wait. Someone's coming from ahead. Just one person."

Kazane halted us all.

She immediately activated her [Stealth] skill and hid in a nearby shadow.

After a short wait, a young boy appeared ahead on the road.

With a tanned complexion typical of desert folk, he seemed to be around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Facing our cautious group, the boy offered a cheerful smile.

"Lulu-sama, I've been waiting for you. Rashad-sama is expecting you. Please come with me."

It was Queen Lulu who showed a surprised expression.

"Why...? There's no way you could know that I would visit Rashad at this very moment."

"Rashad-sama knows everything. Sometimes these things happen. People guided by destiny come. I don't really get it, though."

"And who are you?"

"I'm Rashad-sama's caretaker. Please rest assured, I'm not your enemy, Lulu-sama. Please follow me."

Saying so, the boy gestured for Lulu to enter and led her inside.

Observing this, Kazane whispered to me.

"It might get crowded if we all go in. Shouldn't Queen Lulu go alone to hear what they have to say?"

"Right. Some discussions might be better kept away from outsiders."

With that in mind, we considered refraining from entering.

But—

"You too, destined heroes. Come on in."

A voice came from inside the house.

Kazane, Yuzuki, and I exchanged glances.

That's when we decided to go in after all.