Dodging incoming attacks, Orano and Caitrin raced through the corridors, their hearts pounding in their chests. After what felt like an eternity, they reached the exit. However, their escape was blocked by barricades and a swarm of soldiers. The news of their escape had spread like wildfire, and the castle was now surrounded.
"What are we going to do?" Caitrin gasped, her voice filled with panic. "They've blocked our way!"
Orano, his eyes scanning the scene, pulled an explosive potion from his bag. "I have a plan," he said, his voice steady. "Just keep running."
As they approached the barricades, Orano shook the potion, then hurled it towards the obstruction. The soldiers, realizing the danger, shouted warnings and retreated from the road. The potion exploded with a deafening blast, shattering the barricades into splinters.
Seizing the opportunity, Orano and Caitrin leaped onto a large piece of debris, landing on the road below. They ran as fast as their legs could carry them, their escape seemingly secured.
Meanwhile, Runo and Lydia, who were in other parts of the castle, heard the announcement. "Attention all troops! Orano Tatsumi and his accomplice have escaped from the dungeon! All troops who see them will report to headquarters. The criminals must be captured as soon as possible!"
Gathering their belongings, Runo and Lydia rushed out of the castle, their hearts filled with both fear and relief for them.
Orano and Caitrin navigated the city streets with a desperate urgency, leaping over obstacles and dodging the ever-closer pursuit of the soldiers.
As they ran, Caitrin glanced back, her heart pounding in her chest. "Where are we going?" she shouted, her voice barely audible over the din of their escape. "We need to find a way out of here, or we'll be in serious trouble!"
Orano knew they had to act quickly, but despite his frantic search, he saw no immediate escape. He considered changing their plan, but then his eyes caught sight of a ship departing from the port. Turning to Caitrin, he said, "We're going to use that ship. It's our only chance to get away."
Just as Orano formulated his plan, Lydia and Runo caught up to them. Runo, without hesitation, hurled his sword at one of the hanging weights, attempting to bring it down upon them. However, Orano and Caitrin managed to evade the falling weight.
"That was close," Caitrin gasped, her face pale with fear.
Runo sprinted towards his sword, embedded in the wall, retrieved it, and continued his pursuit. The distance between them narrowed with each passing moment, and Runo finally shouted, "Stop where you are! Your actions against the Earl are unforgivable! You will be punished for your crimes! Surrender!"
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Caitrin's gaze darted nervously to Orano. "They're catching up to us!" she cried. "We need to do something!"
"We'll lose them!" Orano shouted, his voice filled with determination. "Just a little longer! Just a little-"
Before he could finish, a figure leaped from a nearby rooftop, landing on the street beside them. The figure was upside down, his gaze locked onto Orano as he continued his acrobatic movement towards the right.
The figure, a young man with piercing red eyes and short white hair, landed gracefully on the street. His mouth held a red-black card, and a sword was slung across his back. Dressed in a black T-shirt and pants, he appeared to be nearly six feet tall and in his late teens.
Orano and Caitrin stared at him, their minds momentarily frozen. But as if time had resumed its flow, a series of explosions erupted from the shops on the left street. Even the soldiers, caught off guard, were forced to retreat.
Runo, his voice filled with urgency, shouted, "Squad Two, follow me! We're capturing that criminal now! We can't let another one escape!"
Turning to Lydia, he ordered, "Take Squad One and apprehend these two criminals. I'll return with reinforcements once I've caught the other one."
Lydia nodded, her determination unwavering as she continued to pursue Orano and Caitrin. Runo, accompanied by his soldiers, veered right, following the other criminal into the next street.
After a frantic chase through the city, they reached the port entrance, where two ships were docked. One of the ships was preparing to depart. As they rushed towards the vessel, an unexpected event unfolded. Lydia, with a swift movement, severed the rope holding a heavy weight above the road, blocking her own soldiers' path.
"I'm sorry," she shouted, her voice filled with a mix of determination and regret. "I'm doing this alone. You go and help Runo!"
The soldiers, bewildered by her sudden action, hesitated before obeying her command. They turned and left to assist Runo.
Lydia was now alone, but her pursuit of Orano and Caitrin grew more relentless with each passing moment.
Caitrin, her voice filled with confusion, shouted back, "First she stopped her own soldiers, and now she's coming after us? What is she planning?"
Orano, too, was troubled by Lydia's behavior. From the beginning, he had sensed something different about her, something that didn't quite fit.
Orano muttered to himself as he ran, "She definitely has something on her mind. We need to lose her now."
Turning to Caitrin, he said, "Ignore her. Let's focus on reaching the ship."
"Okay," Caitrin replied, following his lead.
Their conversation spurred them to run faster, their goal to catch up to the departing ship. As they drew closer, Caitrin grabbed onto the hanging fishnets and began to climb. Orano followed, pulling himself onto the board.
The ship was about to leave the port, making it increasingly difficult for Lydia to catch up. However, just as the ship was about to pull away, she shouted, "Mr. Tatsumi! Take me with you!"
Orano and Caitrin exchanged confused glances. Lydia's sudden plea was unexpected and perplexing.
"I know what I did to you before," Lydia continued, her voice filled with sincerity. "I know you don't trust me. But I can't make amends now. Please give me a chance to explain. I'll tell you everything you want to know. Just trust me."
Her eyes, filled with pleading, met theirs.
Orano and Caitrin looked at each other, their minds racing. They had to make a decision before the ship left.
As Lydia's strength began to wane, Orano extended his hand towards her. "Hurry!" he shouted. "We haven't got much time."
Her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected such a gesture from him. Without hesitation, she ran towards him, leaped from the edge of the port, and grabbed his outstretched hand. With a concerted effort, Orano pulled her aboard the ship.
As the ship finally set sail, all three of them were now together, their fates intertwined.