Escape

“Boom!”

The window let out a terrifying sound, like a city gate struck by a battering ram.

Along with it came a violent tremor, as if the wall would collapse at any moment.

But this was no siege weapon.

It was Luna’s fist.

A punch infused with immense inner force.

Ailian was startled by the shock.

The faint scraping sound she had been making was already risky enough.

But this loud noise—there was no way the priests hadn’t heard it.

She quickly hid the chisel under her bedboard.

“What… was that…”

Ailian muttered in fear.

On the window—

A cloaked head hung upside down.

Only a pair of rose-red eyes were visible.

Like the Hanged Man from tarot cards.

Terrifying.

Ailian locked eyes with it and felt deeply uncomfortable.

That gaze—

Like she was prey.

She instinctively looked away.

But something felt wrong.

Was that sound caused by this person?

She looked up again.

Gone.

Then suddenly—

There again.

But upright this time.

Because of the window’s height, she could only see part of the face.

Ailian recalled a monster from novels—

A human-spider.

A being that could climb cliffs like a ghost.

She blinked.

Gone again.

She rubbed her eyes.

Was she hallucinating?

“BANG!!!”

The wall exploded open.

Ailian was blasted backward into the iron bars.

“Ugh…”

Luckily she landed on her backside.

Only minor cuts from debris.

The wall… was tougher than expected.

Luna’s punch, at eighty percent strength, hadn’t broken it.

So she adjusted her position, swung, and kicked—

Breaking it open.

“Intruder!!!”

The two priests at the door finally reacted.

“You go call reinforcements! Get the red clergy too!”

Meanwhile—

Alex and his six companions exchanged looks.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

Something felt wrong.

“What happened?” Alex asked.

“Sir! Someone is breaking prisoners out! Please assist!”

The priest drew a willow wand.

“… ”

The seven men realized—

They weren’t the only ones here for a prison break.

“Shing—”

Alex drew his saber and spun it smoothly.

The others followed—

Blades, staffs, daggers.

“You’re not clergy?!”

The priest finally realized.

“You know too much.”

One of Alex’s men knocked him out.

They took his keys.

“How interesting… someone else had the same idea.”

Alex said coldly.

“Though… a bit too violent.”

They covered their faces and moved quickly through the corridors.

The source of the noise was close.

“BANG!!!”

Right ahead.

The cell was filled with smoke.

A girl’s coughing could be heard.

“Open it.”

The door unlocked.

Through the haze—

Alex saw Ailian.

And another figure.

Facing each other.

She hadn’t been taken yet.

The smoke cleared.

“Who are you?!” Alex shouted.

“No comment!” Luna snapped.

Her voice muffled under the cloak.

Green eyes met crimson ones.

The small cell filled with killing intent.

“Lian, I’m Alex. Come with me.”

“Ailian, I’m Luna. Come with me.”

They spoke at the same time.

But—

They weren’t talking about the same person.

“She’s not Ailian.”

“She’s not Lian.”

They said in unison.

Ailian stood between them.

Their gazes burned like fire—

Yet made her feel cold.

“Come with me…”

Luna removed her cloak.

Her beast ears popped out.

Her maple-red hair flowed freely.

“You are… who?”

Ailian was surprised.

She didn’t recognize her.

But…

She felt something familiar.

A comforting scent.

Lavender.

“??!”

Luna was stunned.

This scent—

It couldn’t be wrong.

Ailian…

“How can you not recognize me…?”

“Familiar… but I can’t remember…”

Ailian’s head began to ache.

“I must know you… I’ve forgotten too much… whenever I try to remember, it hurts…”

“Regardless, Lian—you must come with me.”

Alex removed his disguise.

Revealing a proud, lion-like face.

“…!”

Ailian froze.

Her brother.

So Eugene was right…

It was all staged…

Seeing his black church uniform—

Her heart sank.

They had betrayed her again.

“Trying to trick me again?”

Tears filled her eyes as she glared at him.

“I…?”

Clang—

She threw the chisel at him.

It missed, hitting the door.

“Get out!”

She screamed, tears streaming down.

“Listen to me!”

Thud—

Luna caught Ailian.

She had fainted from weakness.

“You should leave.”

Luna said coldly.

Alex stood frozen.

“…Alex, right?” Luna asked softly.

“… ”

“Take care of yourself.”

She had expected this.

Just not like this.

He had hurt her again.

She secured Ailian and prepared to descend.

“No… you can’t take her…”

Alex burst out with golden aura.

A Great Swordsman.

He was ready to fight.

“You’re strong.”

Luna said.

Second stage Great Swordsman.

Almost a Sword Saint.

But—

“Boom—”

Red aura erupted.

Sword Saint.

“Want to fight?”

She smiled faintly.

But in her eyes—

He was already broken.

“… ”

He didn’t move.

He just watched.

As she descended with Ailian.

And left.