POV'S ARCEUS PENDRAGON.

—What's that smell? Is it the smell of defeat?!

Announced Reinhardt, opening the bedroom door.

—Yes, yes. Close the door when you come in.

I replied without bothering to turn around, focused on organizing the mess on my bed. I wanted to use the free time to put everything in order when Reinhardt joined me.

—The children are more fun than you.

Reinhardt clicked his tongue.

—Are you already packing your things?

—That's right, this is my last night here.

I had been waiting for this moment for a long time. While continuing to arrange my belongings around the bed, I let out another deep sigh, probably the tenth of the day.

—Aren't you going to ask about Cassie?

Reinhardt raised an eyebrow, studying my reaction.

—She'll be fine.

My face hardened for a moment at the painful memory, but I shook my head to push those thoughts away.

—I'm here to discuss our plan with you, Arceus.

—Fine, what do you want to talk about?

—Susan is formidable, she's been watching me this whole time.

He sighed with evident weariness.

After we deactivated the artifact, Susan had somehow found out about our plans. On the other hand, Emilia only had eyes for Cassie, who was currently still unconscious in bed.

It was a situation we could use to our advantage. If Susan focused on us two, she wouldn't pay attention to what was happening around her.

—I can't let my guard down for even a second. Although none of us made a single move, she never stopped watching us.

Reinhardt continued.

—I've left the measures that need to be taken to the children, like gathering supplies.

The supplies were essential for our survival. We needed to be prepared for any situation once we were outside.

—How's their progress?

—They've completed all the preparations. We'll be ready to leave at any moment.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Explained Reinhardt, gesturing with his hands.

—That's amazing!

My eyebrows rose in surprise.

I was genuinely impressed.

The preparation that Reinhardt had put into this was admirable. It was a good plan. He wasn't the best for nothing, his skills were definitely on another level.

Being realistic, if we wanted to take the majority with us, we needed them to be aware of the situation and even help us with the preparations. It was an advantage that the caretakers didn't pay attention to any of them. This was one of the few weaknesses we could exploit.

The children were scared at first, but Cassie always maintained faith that they could do it and it seemed she was right.

—They still have no idea of our true plan.

Muttered Reinhardt, rubbing his neck with a weary smile.

Our procedure was simple: pretend we had given up while continuing to plan internally. It was crucial to keep our true intentions hidden. Like a predator that hides its claws and teeth, we had to hide our plans and goals. We couldn't allow any of them to detect the slightest signal.

—That's very good, but why don't you learn to fight like me? You know, so you can defend yourself better.

—First of all, you never learned to fight. And unlike someone —his eyes fixed on me—, I don't have the reflexes of a primitive carnivore. If I had to say, my reflexes are somewhere between those of a sloth and a turtle. That's why I'm a mage, don't you remember?

I couldn't help but laugh at his comparison.

—True, you're absolutely right.

I admitted.

—Hey... Arceus. I've been wondering but... what do you plan to do to get Cassie out?

Asked my friend, his expression turning serious.

It was a problem that had been eating away at me. We all knew that Emilia spent every moment of the day watching Cassie.

—I don't know... I'll figure something out.

I replied, lowering my gaze.

—To be brief, we're screwed if any of them stop us.

Reinhardt was right.

Nobody could escape from them, unless we found a way to completely distract them. The success of the plan depended on the three of us. Without any of us, everything would fall apart. From the beginning, the odds were against us. Everything we had achieved so far was only possible because we worked together.

—In any case, who will carry Cassie?

Asked Reinhardt with a mocking smile, trying to lighten the mood.

—I will. Your mission is to gather all the children and open the scroll.

—I figured as much.

He chuckled.

—Ultimately, what about the little ones?

—You already know what I think about that.

I replied, frowning seriously.

—In the end it's not possible, is it?

Reinhardt's sad smile reflected the weight he felt on his conscience. We didn't have the resources or time needed to take all the children in a single escape. The operation had to be quick and efficient; taking the youngest ones, especially the babies, would only slow us down and put everyone in danger.

The escape not only required strategy but also physical and mental endurance. Nobody knew what awaited us in the outside world or the dangers we would have to face. It was evident that the youngest ones wouldn't be able to endure the journey and the stress of the escape, which would increase the risk of them getting hurt in such an unknown environment.

—Hey, you still haven't told me the requirements to activate the scroll. I suppose Cassie explained it to you, right?

I asked, looking at him intently.

—Don't worry, the only requirement is that everyone must be holding hands forming a circle while the spell activates.

He replied, shrugging.

This seemingly insignificant detail was crucial: anyone outside the circle would be excluded from the spell's radius and wouldn't be teleported.

—If everything goes well... Where will you activate the scroll?

Reinhardt pondered for a moment.

Activating it inside the house wasn't wise. Any of the caretakers could discover us, not to mention that the children slept in separate dormitories. Our goal was to take as many children as possible, as long as they could fend for themselves.

—Outside, in the playground —he finally responded.

—Good, not a bad place.

I licked my lips, feeling the adrenaline beginning to run through my veins.

So... Let the game begin.