"F-Fishing?" Sho's face instantly went pale. He recalled how his heart had raced the few times he'd secretly observed the path, and a wave of belated fear washed over him. "How do you know?"
"Intuition, and observation." Shane let go of him, his gaze sweeping over every uncertain face. "That path is too 'perfect.' Unnaturally perfect. The guards' line of sight always happens to miss it, and the gaps during shift changes look carefully calculated."
"Then... what should we do?" Millianna's voice trembled as she subconsciously moved closer to Erza.
Shane didn't answer directly. Instead, he shifted the topic. "Tonight is highly likely when the new supply ship docks."
This sentence instantly grabbed everyone's attention. Jellal's eyes sharpened. "You mean..."
"When the ship docks, they'll need manpower to unload supplies, so the guards will be scattered. That's also our best chance to get a ship and leave this island." Shane lowered his voice. "My plan is to strike tomorrow morning, right when the overseers blow the whistle to herd us to work, at the moment when their guard is relatively down."
"Strike?" Wally licked his cracked lips, both nervous and excited.
"Yes." Shane's gaze was sharp. "They'll have just woken up, their minds still groggy. We, having rested all night, will be at our physical and mental peak for the day. We must seize this opportunity to take control of the prison block immediately."
"Then, we'll split into two teams."
He crouched down and quickly drew a simple diagram on the ground with his finger.
"Team One, led by Jellal. You have enough reputation here, and you know the situation well. Wally, Sho, Millianna, you go with him." Shane called their names one by one.
"Your mission is to stay in the rear, rescue the other slaves as quickly as possible, and organize the manpower."
Jellal nodded solemnly. Wally and Sho clenched their fists. Although Millianna was scared, her eyes gradually became firm.
"Team Two," Shane turned his gaze to Simon and Erza. "You two haven't been here long, so you're in the best physical condition. You'll come with me to lead a portion of people to break through the front, create chaos, and attract the attention of the main guards and Magic Troops, creating time and space for the rear."
He paused, his voice calm to the point of ruthlessness. "This will be very dangerous. If you're unwilling, you can stay in the rear."
Before the two could answer, Jellal immediately objected, grabbing Shane's arm.
"That's too risky! Ordinary people can't deal with Mages! That's suicide! We should concentrate all the slaves' strength and rush out together!"
"This is the most logical division of labor and the method with the highest success rate." Shane gently shook him off, his tone unwavering.
"The more fire we draw, the safer your rear will be, and the more people you can save. Once you liberate the prison block, we'll regroup, and everyone will break out toward the coast together. That is the best plan."
"I have no problem with it." Simon's answer was brief and forceful. His mind was filled only with finding his sister as soon as possible.
Erza, however, was a bit confused. The impression Shane had given her these past few days wasn't that of a reckless person.
This plan was too idealistic; the bait team was practically on a suicide mission. She didn't believe he would formulate a plan that was purely throwing away lives.
But after a brief thought, she nodded. "I have no problem either."
She chose to believe in Shane.
Jellal frowned deeply. Shane was a rare friend, and he was genuinely worried, wanting to try and persuade him.
"The mission to draw fire is crazy. You have almost zero chance of winning against Magic Troops. I know you've gotten stronger, but..."
"Yeah, Shane!" Sho was anxious too. "Let's all move together!"
"No, the rear needs time."
Shane shook his head. Rushing out together might indeed be safer, but a larger group meant a larger target, and he couldn't look after everyone.
Thinking this, seeing the worried gazes of his partners, he knew that without a reasonable explanation, he couldn't put them at ease. Since he planned to use this intel to boost morale later anyway, he might as well explain it now.
Shane was silent for a moment, then slowly stood up. His calm gaze swept over his companions. He took a deep breath, and his voice rose, unmasked.
"The risk does exist. But some things must be done by someone."
He paused slightly, then declared frankly, "Regarding the Magic Troops, you don't need to worry. The reason I dare to take on this mission is because..."
"The Mage who appeared and disappeared before... was me."
---
---
Shane's gentle voice traveled clearly throughout the entire cell. For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.
"Ehh—?!"
After a brief dead silence, exclamations exploded from all directions, almost lifting the roof. Everyone hurriedly covered their mouths, their eyes full of disbelief.
"You... you're not joking, right?" Sho's chestnut hair stood on end in shock, and he unconsciously took a step back.
"Amazing." Erza's mouth parted slightly, her red hair swaying gently. She had guessed Shane was hiding a method, but she hadn't expected it to be this.
Even the always steady Jellal was stunned, holding his forehead and muttering, "Wait, let me process this..."
Not just them—the other slaves around were also rooted to the spot by this sentence.
"He... what did he say?"
"M-Mage? Among us... there's a Mage?"
"For real?"
Some people subconsciously rubbed their ears, suspecting they were hallucinating from long-term fatigue.
Whispers spread like ripples among the prisoners. Every tired, desperate, or numb face showed varying degrees of shock.
To respond to this unease, a dark golden light suddenly flashed in Shane's hand, and the holy Noble Phantasm appeared abruptly.
The bow was crimson, glowing faintly as if life flowed through it, emitting a peaceful aura that calmed the mind.
Shane calmly held it in his hand, displaying it for everyone to see.
In this moment, no one doubted anymore. All gazes—suspicious, excited, incredulous—were firmly locked onto Shane.
Shane didn't shy away. Revealing his identity now was intended to rally everyone's strength.
He explained the plan he had just agreed upon with the others to everyone, step by step.
As he spoke, pair after pair of numb eyes lit up one by one. They exchanged glances, their gazes converging on Shane as if looking at the only light in the darkness.
"So? Does anyone have any questions? While we still have time, ask away."
"Let's do it!"
"We'll listen to you!"
"Get us out of here!"
Suppressed but firm responses came from every corner.
No one said they didn't want to participate or asked what would happen if they failed. They had long had enough of this life.
"Good. Then rest well and wait for tomorrow..." Shane looked at those eyes burning with fire and nodded.
He said no more, recalled the Noble Phantasm, and sat back in the corner alone to rest his mind.
But everyone clearly felt a formless killing intent permeating the entire cell.
That night, no one truly slept.