I groaned, leading the swarm of children away.
Once I had gotten out of my cell, we found some keys hanging at the end of the hall on a hook.
So, the natural next step seemed to be opening all of the cells.
Now I had what must have been two hundred kids following me.
A lot were even older than me but were still following my lead.
Moreover, when we found the exit, a ceiling hatch, the moment I opened it up I saw fighting.
It seemed all the guards who were supposed to be watching us had been called away and were fighting people who were trying to get inside.
So now, I was leading everyone the opposite direction.
The only good thing was I found not only my bag and rapiers, but Kat’s bag too.
It made me worried that she didn’t have her wand on her, but at least I could give it to her when I saw her again.
“Rey…” A tug on my sleeve.
I looked down at Ren, and he pointed up.
We had been traveling through these underground tunnels for a while now.
I looked where he pointed and saw the hatch.
I patted his head.
“Good catch Ken.
We can get out this way.” Now how to get the latch… I looked around and spotted a hook, which was probably used to to open it up.
One of the older kids helped, hooking the ring, and pulling it down.
A set of stairs unfolded, offering an easy way up.
I drew my swords.
“I’ll go first.
Everyone, be careful.” I gently pushed Ken back and went up the stairs first.
There wasn’t another hatch.
Instead, I pushed on the boards, and they moved easily.
Once I pushed them aside, I took a look around the room.
Um… some kind of storage facility?
And more cells of course.
But when I saw a shadow splash against the far wall, I ducked down.
“That wench has nothing on us.
She can demand entry all she wants, but without a warrant she isn’t getting in.” Two shadows.
One was clearly outlined by the lantern, and the other stayed in the shadows.
“It is still prudent to move the inventory.
And there’s nothing here that will make its way back to me I assume?” The shadow bowed to the other.
“Of course not Prince Ricardo.
I personally guarantee it.” “Then take care of it.
I have to go, but I’ll be back after the auction this weekend for my cut of the profits.” That shadow moved back.
Away.
The other shadow followed him.
“Please, allow me to escort you out…” Their footsteps faded.
Once I was sure they were gone, I climbed up.
“Okay, it’s safe.
There are more kids trapped here too.
Search for the keys to let them out.” My followers were already pouring up the staircase.
“Big bwoder!” Ken ran over to a cell immediately, and an older boy reached out and hugged him through the bars.
My heart tugged at me a little.
I wonder if Jay is still mad at me.
I shook the thought of my own older brother off.
Someone must have found the keys because the cell doors were opening now.
I snuck towards the second door on the right.
Not the one the figures left through, on the left.
I peeked out.
Was this… a stage?
It was dark.
I watched for movement, but didn’t see any, and crept through, motioning for the others to follow me.
“Stay quiet.” I slunk around the side of the stage, and found the audience seating was dark too, no one there.
This place was incredibly fancy… I reached the doors of the theatre hall and opened it a sliver.
Light!
Natural light!
It came through the doors at the other end of the room.
Which was filled with guards.
A lady was yelling loudly.
“How dare you impede me!
I am the Saintess!
The church has heard about your wrongdoings, and that you are keeping children here!
You will release them immediately!” Another voice answered her.
It was the same man who was talking earlier.
“Saintess Aliana, this is a high-end auction house.
As I told you before, if you want to find children you should go to a nursery school.
Now, please leave before I am forced to call the knights on you.” “No!
I have a received an oracle, and this is precisely where I need to be, right now!
Children!
Children, if you can hear me, cry for help!” Huh?
I opened the door a little more.
How did she know we were here?
A gasp.
My eyes sought out the source of the sound, and I spotted a knight.
We locked eyes.
“Sir—” I flung open the door.
“CHARGE!
EVERYONE SCREAM FOR HELP!” I raised my swords up as they all began screaming and shouting for help.
The knights closest to me were just starting to react, drawing their own swords.
I plunged forward, my heart hammering in my chest.
Just like pract—Whoa!
I had to duck under a blade that aimed for my neck.
Come on!
Parry!
I thrust forward, taking advantage of the opening, just as Bella taught me.
My sword plunged into his chest, and red began streaming down his shirt.
No time to think.
I pulled the rapier out, and the wound bled even more as he collapsed.
But I didn’t have any time to check if he was alive as the next stepped forward, bringing his sword down in an overhead strike.
Dodge!
Too heavy to block!
I spun to the side and slashed after his sword came down into empty air.
More red.
I braced myself for the third person, but they never came.
Every other knight in the hall had either dropped or was struggling to breathe.
Instead, a familiar nun was in front of me, giving me a soft smile as paladins streamed into the building.
“You did very well young one.
I promise to take it from here.” I stepped forward, pleading.
“Forget about me.
A young girl, with blonde hair and gray eyes was kidnapped by Count Solace!
We have to go and rescue her—” “Rey!” I was suddenly bowled over by three hundred pounds of female muscle.
Tanned skin with numerous scars, with long messy gray hair.
I knew her anywhere.
“Lupa?” My mind scrambled, wondering how she could be here.
She nodded, still squeezing me tight.
“Don’t worry Rey!
Ark the Magician went to take care of Solace.
I promise you, Kat will be safe with him there.” She finally let go, and I was able to breathe again.
Both because she was no longer crushing my lungs, but also that Kat was okay.
An S-rank was going to help her.
“Still, I need to get to her as quickly as possible!
She might—” I pat on my head.
I looked up at the nun, who was still kindly smiling.
“Rest assured, Ark will take care of your dearest friend.
For now, we need to get all of you back to the church.
There is a very worried couple and party there who alerted the authorities that the two of you were missing.
The countess is there too, she’s the one who organized this operation.
Seeing you will help set everyone at ease.” “But Kat—” Akari came around.
“We’ve secured the books, and they are damning.
I have Rhina calling Ark now, to have him proceed with the arrest.” The nun nodded.
“Thank you Akari.
Rey, I promise you Ark will bring Kat to the church.
He might even make it there before us.” Oh.
I turned back to the kids, several paladins comforting them and grouping them up.
And nodded.
“Okay.
B-But if Kat isn’t there, we have to go and find her, okay?” The nun smiled.
“Okay.
Now, let’s get moving.” “Here.” A warm mug of milk was offered in front of me.
I looked up at Bella, and she had to others in her other hand.
I took it, my hands leaving the comfort of the blanket.
“Thank you.” “No trouble honey.
We’re just glad you’re okay.” She gave the other to Angie, who sat on my right, and sat on my left.
I looked up at the laypeople rushing around the church.
Most of the pews were empty, but the laypeople were preparing food, clothing, talking to town officials.
From what I understood, they were preparing to rescue the people caught by the trafficking ring.
Children were their main victims, but some adults were captured too.
Angie curled an arm around my shoulders protectively.
“I’m sure Rey is alright.
He’s a spitfire that one.” Yeah.
Rey was strong.
I knew that.
I was just… anxious.
That maybe an accident happened.
Or that he faced someone stronger.
Or that—The doors of the church were opened, and the steps of a bunch of people, coupled with chatter.
I twisted my head and began desperately scanning the crowd.
My eyes found Rey almost immediately.
He was in the front, his head and eyes searching the church.
When our eyes locked, he rushed forward.
“Kat!” He broke away from the group and ran up to the row I was in before running to me.
“Kat are you okay!?” I looked him up and down before answering.
No injuries.
That was good… “I have a cut on my foot.
But that’s it.” One of the priests had already stitched it up.
I also had a pair of crutches, because he told me to stay off of it for two weeks.
“A cut?
That bastard!
Is Count Solace here?
I’ll cut him good so he can suffer too…” Rey grumbled.
Bella rolled her eyes.
“Hello to you too Rey.
We’re here too you know?
Here, sit down.” She shuffled to the side, and Rey hesitated a moment before sitting.
“Sorry.
Hi Bella, hi Angie.
I heard the two of you were worried about us.” Bella nodded.
“When the two of you didn’t show, we were certainly concerned.
We checked the southern plaza first since I figured that was the plaza you were most likely to be in.
That’s when we found the Jolly Fools, who were also very concerned you never came back last night.
So together, we went to the southern adventurer’s guild to look for you.
Someone mentioned seeing you being carried into a black carriage, and we reported it to the guard.
The guard checked with a countess, who pulled some strings and planned a manhunt for both of you.
Thank goodness you two were found in time.
I hate to think what could have happened…” Bella trailed off, looking a little haunted.
“Big bwoder Rey!” Huh?
Two boys were suddenly in front of us.
One was around Rey’s age, and the other was about five or six.
The older one bowed his head to Rey.
“Hey, you’re the one who helped Ken escape right?
And reunited us.
I wanted to thank you, for taking care of him and rescuing us.” Rey’s eyes widened and he shook his head.
“Oh, it’s nothing.
I mean, I had to rescue myself anyway.
I figured I might as well try to get everyone else out too.” “Rey, you rescued all these kids?” That was incredible.
Like something a hero would actually do.
He froze.
And his cheeks reddened.
He turned and rubbed the back of his head bashfully.
“Uh… well you know.
We were all down there.
The keys were easy to find.
It only made sense…” The little one mimed punching.
“He took wem down!
Slash slash!
He foughd against adults!” Holy… his first real fight, and it sounded like he was incredible.
If only I could say the same thing for myself.
All I did was panic and cut myself on glass… “That’s amazing Rey.” His blush deepened.
“I mean… it was pretty cool.
But I only took down two guys.
The rest was all the nun and the paladins.” Bella cleared her throat.
“Do you mind introducing us to your friends Rey?” “Uh sure.
The little one is Ken.
The big one is his older brother and he’s… I’m sorry, I don’t think I ever got your name?” Rey looked up at the older one, who smiled.
“Ben.
Our parents weren’t really imaginative…” Bella slid down again, making room for them both.
“Well, sit down so we can chat.
The two of you have parents?
They must be worried sick about you…” Ben’s face fell, even as he and Ken sat.
“Um… No.
I don’t think they are.
They… They sold us to the traffickers.
We weren’t kidnapped.” Bella gasped.
“What!?
But… I… I’m so sorry…” Her eyes filled with pity before she shook her head.
“Then, it sounds like you’re in the market for new parents, yes?” “I… huh?” Ben looked are her, confused.
“Me and my wife, Angie, she’s next to Kat on the other side of Rey there, we’re looking to adopt.
That’s why we’re here in the capital.
Normally, we run a dungeon farm to the southeast, in a little town called Denton.
Would you and your brother be interested?” Ben’s eyes widened.
“Uh… Yes!
Very interested!
Um… I don’t know my letters.
Or much math…” Bella smiled.
“We do have a school in Denton.
Let’s just get to know each other a little better.
Do you like animals?” Ken through his hands in the air.
“Duckies!” They seemed to be getting along well.
I had a good feeling that Angie and Bella were going to end up taking Ben and Ken home.
I looked around the room again.
The victims were getting treatment, bowls of stew, comfort from the volunteers.
And officials were going around and noting everyone down, probably to help them reunite with their families.
I looked back down, into my milk, comforted.
People like Count Solace existed.
Horrible people.
Killers.
I’m sure a lot of children were sold before this trafficking ring was stopped.
Children who will probably never find their way back home.
But these children will.
People like the countess existed.
Like the magician Ark.
Good people, who try and stop them.
I wanted… to be like them when I grew up.
Someone who helps children return home.
I let out a relieved sigh, finally feeling safe again, and leaned onto Rey.
He looked down at me, concerned.
“Is something wrong Kat?” I shook my head.
“No.
Not right now.
Rey?” “Yeah?” “When we grow up, let’s be heroes.
Like Ark, and the countess.” He took that in, before nodding.
“Sure Kat.
We’ll be just like them when we grow up.” I closed my eyes, just enjoying the heat of his shoulder against my cheek.
Someday.
Someday, I’ll help people too…