We had run out of time, so we quickly carried out the plan with unwavering resolve. When Deniz aimed the grappling hook at the top of the wall, the hook firmly embedded itself. Deniz was held on to by Cairo. i did the same and Deniz and I switched the second last switch at the same time and we both were flung into the air, being pulled towards the wall.

We were being dragged by the grappling hook at an absolutely insane rate. We felt as though we were catapulted into the air, flying high above the wall. As we were launched, Marco's hold on me started to loosen and he started to escape.

We fell through the air, making a jarring impact as we hit a group of trees. I fell to the ground and landed in a tangle of bushes. I rolled and tumbled down the slope as a result of the steep, uneven terrain, as leaves and branches whipped past me.

I eventually stopped next to a road after what seemed like an eternity. I had to force myself to get up and assess the situation despite my back hurting from the difficult descent. Marco had also reached the road, but because of his tangle in the tree branches, he had taken the majority of the blow. As I approached him, hoping he wasn't seriously hurt, I heard loud footsteps, a no of them coming to our side, from the other side of the red-colored road.

Fear overcame me as the fully armored soldiers, who were at least 30 strong, closed in from the opposite side of the road. I shook Marco frantically in an attempt to wake him, but he didn't move. My back ached, and I realized that in this state, I couldn't outrun the approaching soldiers.

I had no choice but to reach out to the mysterious third person in my mind and plead with them to help us. The soldiers' intentions were obvious as they drew closer, and time was running out.

As a last resort, I finally called upon the power of perucolysis. I raised both of my hands in front of me, gathered all the strength and energy I had, and formed a powerful ball of energy that erupted with intensity. As the aura around me grew stronger, my body was put under extreme stress. My face twisted with effort, veins protruding, and my eyes started to bleed once more.

This time, I was exerting more effort than usual and utilizing previously untapped reserves. It was a last-ditch wager and a battle for our lives. With all the strength I could muster, I was ready to unleash the energy toward the approaching soldiers. But it was not necessary I realized, A short-fire arrow flying above me landed on the red-coloured road.

As soon as the fiery arrow made contact with the red road, it erupted into a raging blaze and an audible explosion, as if an inferno had been set loose. The 20 soldiers were being attacked by the scorching flames with terrible speed. They were taken off guard, and without time to react, they were consumed by the flames. Horrific screams reverberated through the air as their bodies served as fuel for the fire.

In their haste to flee the oncoming blaze, some of the soldiers fled into the forest, their flaming bodies illuminating. However, the fire was unforgiving, and as it engulfed them, their agonizing cries filled the air. Several of them were quickly consumed by the ruthless fire and lay motionless.

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In the midst of the mayhem, a soldier who was burning to death charged straight at me while screaming in agony. He seemed determined to fall along with me. A second arrow, however, struck him before he could make contact, sending him reeling backward. When the fire finally overpowered him, his cries were muffled and he collapsed.

I turned to look at the conflagration's aftermath when I caught sight of a striking figure perched on a tree ledge. With a crossbow in her hand and clothing that blended in perfectly with the surroundings, it was a young girl. Her jacket complemented how she looked, and her sapphire blue, piercing eyes were fixed on me.

I experienced déjà vu, a feeling of recognition with a long-ago memory. It was the same kind of stare that I had experienced on Maro's ship, one that will always be etched in my memory. It was similar to Wilhelm's!

The girl jumped off the ledge My heart raced as the girl approached with the matchlock trained on me. The girl's gaze remained fixed on me, and for a moment, the silence was almost unbearable. Then, with a subtle relaxation of her stance, she spoke, her voice still tinged with suspicion.

"Start speaking or else, your head will be divided," She said in a cold tone

In a shaky voice, I began to explain our predicament, "We just escaped from the guards. My friend is severely injured, and we're in desperate need of help. We mean no harm; we only seek refuge and safety."

The tension in the air was palpable as she shot past me, and the bullets whizzed by my head, and struck the ground. y heart pounded, and I held my breath. . Although she lowered the matchlock, she maintained her unwavering expression.

After a brief pause, she simultaneously fired both matchlocks into the air, producing an audible roar. She carefully tucked the matchlocks inside her jacket as I puzzledly observed.

Although she was still cold, she added with a frustrated tone, "When I asked you to talk, you should've told me about you being an esper."

My mind was working overtime to process this realization as I blinked in shock. She was an esper as well, I felt her using perucolysis

I spoke up right away, saying, "I'm an esper, but I can only use perucolysis."

"So, do I" she said while searching for something around.

She finally picks up a locket from the ground. The girl's expression softened as she put the locket away, showing that she was ready to start a conversation. After that, she returned to me and asked, "Who are you? What's the story, then?

I inhaled deeply before saying, "I'm from Ringsheer Island. I was able to get away from the recruiting there. We're all attempting to avoid capture and locate safety, and my friends are nearby."

"I see," she replied calmly. "Soon, my allies will arrive here too. They might be able to provide you with assistance. Until then, tell me, what's your name?"

"It's Aries," I responded.

"Ah," she said with a knowing nod. "I see, The name's Norah."