Volume 2 Chapter 39 Escape From The Imperial Capital
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Are you ready?” Klock asked, glancing at Suzette.
”No problems,” she replied calmly.
They walked side by side, quietly checking each other one last time. Then they moved straight ahead, reaching the pier for the first time in a day. This would be the last time they saw that place. Since there was no reason to treasure it, they just ignored the view.
Evening was coming. They had packed their things and left the abandoned church where they had stayed. Today was the day they left the Imperial Capital. Their supplies were okay, stamina decent, and no injuries slowed them down. They were ready.
After the fight with Elna, their chances of escaping were small. They had to stop hesitating and rush out now.
”There are a lot of soldiers,” Klock whispered.
The town was just as they expected. Yesterday’s fight with Elna had left a mess. They had left her and escaped. They came because of an alarm. If they didn’t return soon, people would search for them. After a day, the guards were even more alert.
”No problems. Everyone’s tense,” Suzette said.
Elna was the Beast Kingdom’s princess. Her being involved shocked the Empire. Suzette had told Klock that Elna was there on an exchange program, and the Empire’s prince was in the Beast Kingdom. Even if it was called a study program, Elna was treated like an honored guest. If the Beast Kingdom got angry, the Empire would be in deep trouble.
Still, the low-level soldiers didn’t fully understand the danger yet.
”Whoa, I’m nervous,” Klock muttered. “If we get caught, it won’t just be execution. This is bad.”
”Don’t say dumb stuff with that scary face,” Suzette said, linking her arm with his like a couple. “If people think I’m stupid for walking with you, what will I do?”
She always scolded him like that. Even though they were actually dating now, her sharp tongue felt worse than before.
”What’s your problem? Stop looking annoyed,” Suzette continued. “We’re a couple, and we didn’t do anything wrong. So act like someone who only saves their dirty thoughts for their lover.”
”What kind of face is that?” Klock asked.
They entered the busy pier area. Around them were inns and weapon shops for adventurers. Martial law meant many people were out, and every shop was busy. Some magic shops stood out. A hooded man was drawing ice spirals in the air, putting on a magic show.
”What’s that?” Klock asked.
”It’s a performance,” Suzette answered. “Sometimes shops do this to get people interested in their magic. Most magicians don’t know much beyond what they use.”
Klock understood.
Magic was a skill. Many preferred mastering a few spells perfectly instead of trying all types. Some were good with fire but bad with water magic. Most focused on one thing after learning it. After all, magic cost money.
He looked at his hands.
He had once learned fire magic. In the end, he could only make weak sparks, but he could start a fire. Maybe he wasn’t good with fire magic, and other types could be different—if he got the chance.
”In your case, you have no talent for magic,” Suzette said flatly. “Don’t waste money. Buy useful tools instead.”
He had just pictured a better future, but she knocked him back down.
Useless, useless, useless. That was true. His magic power was almost zero, so no other magic would work either. What annoyed him was hearing this from his own girlfriend.
”The dock’s in sight,” Suzette said.
Their destination came into view—a dock. If they walked normally, they could enter. But soldiers lined the path, inspecting people. There was even a checkpoint. Normally, they couldn’t get through.
”Behind that building,” Klock said.
They slipped to the back of a nearby building. Not sneaking in, just out of sight. Quickly, they prepared.
Once hidden, they dropped their bags and pulled out two hooded cloaks. They put them on, took out their weapons, and Suzette summoned her magic.
”—Accelerate,” she whispered.
Klock felt a strange power flow through him. The magic helped them move faster and hit stronger. It was useful, but weak compared to Suzette’s power. Magic that did many things usually wasn’t strong, and this was no different.
”We’re ready,” Suzette said.
”Alright,” Klock nodded. “Goal: board a small ship, lose any pursuers. If they chase, shake them off. If not, try to block them with another ship. If boarding’s hard or the chase is too close, split and run. If all else fails, meet at the portal outside the city.”
After Suzette nodded, Klock remembered the feeling from before and kicked off the wall, leaping onto the roof.
Suzette followed him up quickly. All set. Time to act.
”Let’s go,” Klock said.
They ran toward the checkpoint and jumped from the roof’s edge.
Wow, this is amazing in daylight, Klock thought. Is this magic?
A jump far beyond human ability, soaring nearly ten meters high. Despite the danger, they enjoyed it. They landed and sprinted at full speed.
”Hey! You there!” a soldier shouted.
His voice caught everyone’s attention. The soldiers and people nearby turned to look.
Sorry, but we’re no show for you, Klock thought.
They leapt over the checkpoint openly. After landing and running, they heard similar sounds behind them. Suzette handled it easily.
The real chase had begun.
They left the main road, stepped on a wooden crate, and jumped back onto a building. Disappearing from sight was the best way to lose pursuers.
They had broken through quickly, but voices chased them. Still, they had a gap, and the calls felt distant now.
Every shout made Klock tense. But it was fine. If they kept moving, they could lose them.
Suddenly, a loud boom came from the west.
”Whoa?!” Klock said.
”Huh?!” Suzette echoed.
A huge dust cloud rose, proving an explosion had happened.
An accident? Or a sign from above?
”…That magic power…” Suzette murmured.
”What’s wrong?” Klock asked.
”Nothing. Let’s move,” she said, shaking it off.
Now was not the time for mistakes. With Elna’s surprise attack still fresh, they couldn’t relax.
”Hey, look! There’s a big wooden ship to the east! Check beside it!” Klock called back.
It looked like a merchant ship. Next to it was a medium-sized vessel—not too small for ocean travel, but easy to handle.
”Can we make it?” Suzette asked.
”We can,” Klock said firmly.
No problems then. They went east, crossed roofs, dropped down from crates, crossed streets, and jumped onto the quay’s boarding area.
Only Suzette was behind him. No pursuers in sight—they must have lost their trail.
”We won,” Klock said.
”Not yet,” Suzette warned. “Don’t let your guard down until we’re on board.”
He felt her caution. If any soldiers saw them now, it was over.
The medium-sized sailboat had three masts and looked high-class. The Empire must have left it there just for escapes like theirs.
Seeing no one nearby, they quickly boarded. People nearby gave suspicious looks. Two black-hooded runners? It was clear they were escaping criminals.
”Alright, raise the anchor!” Klock ordered.
”Lower that sail,” Suzette said, already untangling ropes.
She must have known boats well. Without hesitation, she started loosening the ropes holding the sails.
Klock searched for the right rope and began to untie it, getting frustrated by the work.
”Vento!” Suzette called.
The wind picked up just as the sails weren’t fully down. The boat began moving, pulling away from the shore fast.
Yes! This is it! Klock waved his hands excitedly and finished lowering the sails.
”—Alright, this is our win,” he said.
”Almost,” Suzette said carefully. “Watch the sky. They have magicians.”
Her words hit him hard. The enemy came from a top magic country. They weren’t safe while the others were close enough to fly.
Still no peace. Klock just wanted this nightmare to end.
Suzette kept one hand raised, eyes scanning the harbor. Klock looked up too, but saw no sign of danger.
The boat moved farther from the shore. No ships followed. The distance grew until people on land were tiny dots.
They had escaped.
Just then, his sleeve was pulled sharply.
”Huh?” Klock turned.
Suzette was close, but someone else was there—someone who shouldn’t be.
”—Adelina?” he breathed.
The former slave he had left behind was standing there.
Notes:
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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