> Lenkas Pov
I sat alone in my chamber, the weight of the recent events bearing down on me like a heavy shroud.
My role as Chief Guardian had always come with its share of responsibilities and challenges, but the incompetence displayed by my subordinates had left me seething with anger and frustration.
The suspicion that a wizard was somehow involved in the audacious escape of the prisoners gnawed at my mind.
"Why would a wizard bother to assist worthless and insignificant prisoners in their escape?" I couldn't fathom the reasoning behind such a peculiar alliance.
As Eldis, the elderly guard, left to retrieve the list of prisoners and related information, I turned my attention to a glass of wine resting on the nearby table. Its rich crimson hue seemed to mock the chaos that had unfolded under my watch.
"I hope I won't receive a severe punishment for this debacle," I muttered to myself, my thoughts drifting to the potential consequences of our failure.
My calm demeanor wavered, giving way to a sense of impending doom.
My focus shifted abruptly as I noticed a young guard who had fallen asleep on duty.
The sight of his laxity, especially in these trying times, ignited a fiery anger within me.
Without hesitation, I rose from my seat and marched toward the slumbering guard.
My hand moved swiftly, delivering a powerful slap that reverberated through the room.
"Slap!"
The young guardian jolted awake, his eyes wide with surprise and remorse as he faced the consequences of his negligence.
But I was not inclined to show mercy.
I berated the young guard vehemently, making it clear that his actions had dire repercussions.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on my words, and yet, he remained silent, his face flushed with humiliation, and blood trickling from his bitten lip.
My patience wore thin, and I closed my eyes slightly, massaging my temples as I grappled with the anger and frustration that coursed through me.
I could not afford such incompetence, not in a situation as dire as this.
With a voice as cold as steel, I issued a harsh punishment, my resolve unwavering.
"Go to your room and await further instructions," I commanded, my words cutting through the room like a blade.
"You will face a severe punishment for your negligence. Fifteen guards lost their lives because of your actions, and over thirty working prisoners had to be executed to quell the chaos. Not to mention those who managed to escape."
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The young guard, his cheeks reddened with humiliation and his mouth bloodied, made a hasty exit, his footsteps echoing down the corridor as he left to face the consequences of his actions.
Alone in my chamber once more, I turned my gaze to the window, contemplating the peculiar involvement of a wizard in the prisoners' escape.
"A wizard is aiding simple prisoners in their escape,"
I mused, my mind racing to understand the motivations behind this unexpected alliance.
I knew that having a wizard involved in such a situation could potentially change the course of events and influence the consequences I would face.
With a sigh of resignation, I settled back into my chair, prepared to face whatever challenges and revelations the coming days might bring.
The shadows of uncertainty loomed large, and I was determined to navigate this tumultuous path with the cunning and strength befitting a Chief Guardian.
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> Marsil Pov
After a two-hour search, I finally located a stream. I knelt to cleanse myself and then moved to another spot to drink a mouthful of water.
"I was thirsty."
Upon finishing my drink, I wiped my mouth with my hand and scrutinized the water before me.
"Catching fish shouldn't be too difficult."
In the past, I had been something of a wanderer, and my constant exploration of magical phenomena had bestowed me with knowledge and practical experience in various areas.
Catching fish and satisfying my hunger in the forest posed little challenge for me.
I gathered branches and stone fragments from my vicinity, along with dry grass, realizing I would need it to start a fire.
"This should suffice for now."
I honed a stone and affixed it to the tip of a short tree branch using the collected grass. In short order, I fashioned a simple spear.
"Now I simply need to be patient and wait."
I waited for a while, clutching my improvised spear, and intently focused on the water's surface and current.
"Take a deep breath and wait," I coached myself, refusing to lose my focus.
After a few minutes, an average-sized, unremarkable-looking fish swam past me. I made no move, allowing the fish to pass unscathed.
A few minutes later, another medium-sized fish glided by. This time, I readied myself, muscles tensed. As the fish swam past, my gaze sharpened, and I swiftly thrust my spear.
"Plup !!"
I retracted the spear from the water, a broad smile gracing my face.
"Well done, Marsil. Seems you still have a trick or two up your sleeve.
While my modest achievement brought me joy, I couldn't ignore the gnawing in my stomach. Simultaneously, I couldn't quell my worry about Eval's fate.
Though I had spent only three months in neighboring cells with Eval, it had been sufficient to cultivate a bond between us.
Our connection wasn't profoundly strong, but it played a significant role in my preparedness and eventual escape to freedom.
"I recall that Linda, Eval's daughter, resides in Blueleaf Town in the South. To rebuild my life, I should at least ascertain Linda's well-being—whether she's safe or whether she needs assistance.
Feeling a sense of indebtedness, I wished to repay Eval. And since I couldn't do so for Eval himself, I aimed to do it for Eval's daughter.
As far as I remember, Blueleaf Town lay about a two-week trek from my current location, within Whiterock Forest.
The journey would be challenging, but it paled in comparison to the inhuman treatment I'd endured in the mining prison.
After consuming the fish, I cleaned my hands and face.
Physically, I was frail. I can feel that with ease.
"My present appearance matters little. With time, everything will fall into place,"
I assured myself, preparing to collect my belongings for my departure from the forest.
I resolved to make the most of the four to five hours before nightfall to navigate my way out of Whiterock Forest and farther from Whiterock City.
"The incident at the mining prison had profound consequences. They won't relinquish this matter easily. I can't afford to lose my newfound freedom so swiftly," I reasoned.
After cleansing my hands and face, I inspected my reflection in the water.
I observed that my beard had grown considerably, my green eyes shone brightly, and my hair had also become long and disheveled.
I picked up a walking stick and set off through the forest, seeking a path out.