Alif returned to the cell with a relaxed gait, a faint look of satisfaction tracing his features. It was hard to tell if he was pleased simply because he'd managed to relieve himself, or because he had finally tasted freedom, however briefly.
As the iron bars screeched, Icam looked up instantly.
"So? How was it?" he asked hopefully.
Alif gave a thumbs up.
"Smooth sailing!" Alifsaid cheerily. He then patted his own chest. "My private parts are in perfect health! Hydration levels are optimal! Everything flowed perfectly!"
Icam instinctively covered his face.
"Oi! Not that!"
Alif blinked, confused.
"What else is there to talk about?"
"The security!" Icam hissed. "Is it tight or not?!"
Alif fell silent. His gaze shifted to the cell walls, then to the ceiling, and finally back to Icam. If I'm honest and say the security isn't tight, Icam will definitely blow a fuse…
"The security…" Alif swallowed hard. "It's… tight!"
"Ah, damn it!" Icam yanked at his own hair. "How are we supposed to escape?!"
"Oh, so we're escaping?" Alif chimed in nonchalantly. "Actually, there are some gaps in the guard rotation."
Icam froze. "Huh? Then why did you just say it was tight?!"
Alif gave a stiff grin. "Yeah… hehe… I was just afraid you'd get mad at me."
"Curse you, Alif!"
Icam immediately began pacing back and forth. "I have to think of a way for us to get out of here!"
"Oh sure, go ahead," Alif said, sitting comfortably in the corner of the cell.
"WWWWAAAAAAA—!"
The next morning, they were still held in the same place. Iyas was fast asleep, Alif looked a bit gloomy, and Icam? He was likely still brainstorming his master plan.
"Waaa—"
"Hey!" Alif interrupted.
"Huh?" Icam stopped. "Yeah?"
"So? Have you found it yet?" Alif asked, waiting for Icam's answer.
"I told you, I haven't found the ticket yet!"
"Not that," Alif sighed. "Your idea."
"Oh."
Icam went silent for a moment. "Oh right! I just remembered!" He scratched his head.
"Last night, I forgot that I was supposed to be looking for a way to escape."
"Useless," Alif muttered.
Before Icam could retaliate, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed.
Icam tensed up. "Did you hear that?!"
"Yeah," Alif pricked up his ears. "But what kind of sound is it?"
"Those are footsteps!"
The shadow of a man appeared behind the bars.
"Hey!" the voice sounded casual. "I heard stories about you lot. Your stupidity was truly entertaining last night!"
Alif stood up immediately. "Fine then, pay up."
"Impudent!" barked a guard, drawing his sword.
"Sheathe your sword," the man said calmly.
Icam narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?" He pointed at the bars. "No credit allowed."
"I'm just interested in…" The man paused, then gave a lopsided smile. "—how the one over there can sleep so soundly in a place like this."
"Who?" Icam turned around. "Me?"
"Your friend."
In the corner of the cell, Iyas was snoring away.
"Zzzzz…"
"Oi! Wake up!" Icam gave him a light kick. "School's starting!"
"AHH?!" Iyas bolted upright. "I thought today was Friday!" He rubbed his eyes. "Man… what time is it…"
The man frowned. "How can you sleep on a place like this?"
"I have experience being a vagabond, brother."
Alif suddenly chimed in.
"Pratogo chi phisma beregla! Katyusha pereday, privet!"
"What the heck are you saying?!" Said Kirios.
"Rasvetali iabloni i grushi! Papoplyi tumaniy nad rekoi!"
"Oi, shut up!" Icam snapped.
"Ok…" Alif immediately sat down properly.
"Hmph!" the man snorted. "Commoners truly deserve a wretched place like this."
"Thank you," Alif replied sincerely.
"Forget it," the man said quickly. "I want you to join my syndicate."
"Seriously, Sir?!" the guard asked, shocked.
"Who is the decision-maker here?" Kirios asked sternly.
"You are, Sir…" the guard admitted, bowing slightly toward Kirios.
Icam crossed his arms. "Your party?"
"Yes!" Kirios puffed out his chest. "It is an honor for you guys to fight alongside a descendant of heroes like me!"
"Oh, really?" Icam gave a thin smile. "I've heard hero stories from Hely. Does the resolve of your ancestors actually run in your veins too?"
"Hah?!" Kirios took offense. "Are you doubting me?!"
"I'm not doubting," Icam replied flatly. "But are you the only descendant of a hero?"
"Maybe Hero Alastair had a hobby of havi
ng only one child," Iyas interjected. "The tradition continues to this day."
"For what?" Alif asked, curious. "
Isn't there a saying: 'many children, many blessings'?"
"Later there would be a struggle for the throne, family gaps—" Iyas explained.
"Oh…" Alif nodded. "That makes sense…"
"Are you joining or not?!" Kirios barked.
"Nope. Too lazy," Iyas answered casually.
"How dare you refuse!"
"Hey, Icam," Iyas turned. "I think he's a moron."
Kirios's eyes widened for a moment. "What?"
"He doesn't understand friendly negotiation. Two parties must agree, it shouldn't be forced."
"Any rule that opposes me is considered stupid!" Kirios insisted.
"That's fine, Sir," Iyas smiled. "I'm used to being called stupid."
"I'm so proud," Alif said, touched.
"You absolute fools!" Kirios exhaled. "Last offer. Do you want to join?"
"Join what?" Iyas asked.
"The party of a hero like me!"
"Cool!" Iyas's eyes sparkled. "Icam! Alif! Let's join!"
"I don't mind…" Alif shrugged.
"I'm different," Icam said. "I do mind, I wouldn't–"
"Everyone agrees! Let's go!!" Iyas shouted enthusiastically, completely ignoring Icam.
"Did you change your minds or what?!"
Kirios chuckled. "Whatever… hihihihihi!"
And so—without knowing what tasks awaited them, or what dangers lurked in the shadows—Icam, Iyas, and Alif officially joined Kirios's party.
It wasn't because of a plan. It wasn't because of honor. It was just because… well, that's just how they were.
The cell gate opened with a heavy thud.
"Come out, there are many tasks waiting for you to do," Kirios said shortly.
"Huh?" Alif looked around. "We're really leaving?"
Iyas looked up for no reason and muttered, "Are you in a good mood?"
"Hah! For now," Kirios replied. "I don't like talking with bars between us."
Icam stepped out first, wary. "This isn't a trap, is it?"
"If I wanted to trap you," Kirios glanced at them briefly, "you wouldn't have woken up this morning."
Iyas nodded in satisfaction. "Wow, such honesty. I like it."
They were led out of the prison toward the city streets. The sun was already low, and only then did they truly see their surroundings. The city wasn't a slum, but it wasn't magnificent either. Stone buildings stood in neat rows, small markets were noisy with the cries of traders, and regional flags fluttered in several corners—though their colors were faded, as if they hadn't been replaced in a long time.
"What city is this?" Alif whispered.
"Heh! The locals who aren't friendly to me!" Kirios answered with a nod.
"What's up with this blue-eyed blondie?" Icam whispered to Iyas, who only stared back at Icam with a bored expression.
A few moments later, they stopped in front of a high-fenced villa. It wasn't as big as a palace, but it was clearly more luxurious than the surrounding houses.
"Your place?" Icam asked.
"My villa, of course. Impressive, isn't it?" Kirios nodded proudly.
"Psh, I should have more than this," Kirios complained.
"Should have?" Alif repeated.
Kirios smiled thinly.
"The local land rulers have a different opinion on how much privilege a 'descendant of a hero' should have."
"Ungrateful brutes!"
"Ohhh," Iyas nodded understandingly. "So it's a political conflict."
"No," Kirios denied quickly. "It's jealousy, the fact that I am more noble than those useless people!"
Icam glanced at the villa, then back to Kirios. "And where do we fit in?"
Kirios looked at them one by one, his blue pupils narrowing.
"In the part where I prove that I am still worthy of holding that great name."
Alif raised his hand. "Sorry, can I ask something?"
"What?"
"Is this job dangerous?" Alif asked seriously.
Kirios chuckled. "If it weren't dangerous, I wouldn't need you."
"See, this is why I was reluctant to agree—" Icam muttered to himself, closing his eyes and lecturing the air while Kirios and the others left him behind.
Iyas grinned widely. "Wow. Honest again. I like him even more."
Icam took a long breath. "—I've had a bad feeling since the prison." He then opened his eyes, seeing his friends walking away.
Icam rushed to catch up, rambling, "Hey! Wait for me!"
Somewhere inside the warehouse of Kirios's Villa.
"What about Hely? We left him behind...." Alif said, sounding a little worried.
Icam looked up, raising one eyebrow gallantly. "He's just a tool, why worry about him? He was a victim of my manipulation! Hahahahha!!" he suddenly laughed.
"I don't know," Iyas chimed in, his gaze lazy and indifferent.
Icam was still busy knitting together a strange plan. "And then... and then... uhhh next... That hero descendant guy! What was his name again, I forgot... the blond one with hair down to his chin...."
END