“Is there something that is worrying you? I’m sure the oracle would not have volunteered herself if she did not know what she was doing” Suna offered her words quite nervously.

Actually, Suna has no idea how to interact with the Oracle’s companion. Her crush on the oracle did not make things any easier for her and she might be reading too much into things here but the Oracle and her companion seems to be involved romantically.

At least they fought like an old married couple. Suna was not the greatest source of reliable identification since she hardly saw married couples interact.

“Shhh! Don’t call her by her title in the open. Call her Maria. And I know she can take care of herself but I still feel worried especially since her chains can take a toll on her life force” Nao spoke and then realized that she might have spoken too much.

Nao calculated the chances of being able to silence Suna if she tried to betray them.

Not that Nao thought they would get betrayed by Suna. The girl was too simple-minded and a little taken with Maria to betray them outright.

But Nao had thought the same of Howl and looked how that one turned out to be. It was just better not to make more changes and to have a backup ready in case it was needed.

“O-Oh. Is that so? Then, are you sure it’s alright to let the orac-I mean, Maria go like that? Won’t it cause a lot of problems for us?” Suna asked in a worried tone.

“We won’t be able to stop Maria from doing this on her own so there is no point in trying. We can only play our part and finish up the deactivation as soon as possible” Nao hated the helplessness that seeped into her tone.

There was only Maria that could reduce her to this pathetic self of hers and make her feel guilty for making the right decision.

She should not be feeling guilty for the things she had hidden from Maria. It had been her master’s idea not to tell the Oracle’s fragile soul about the darkness that lurked beneath this world. Nao had agreed at that time, believing the Oracle to be a fragile soul as well.

And she had been a meek and timid soul when Nao first met her. Nao had not liked the weakling, even thought of her as useless at that time.

But somewhere, things had changed. The oracle had changed and it was for the better. The change had felt gradual but Nao could remember a certain point it had all exploded and it felt like when those eyes stared at Nao, they see her and not an illusion of her being created.

Maybe that was when Nao had learned to care as well.

“So, what’s the plan. What route are we taking?” Suna asked with a bounce in her steps.

Nao understood Suna’s hesitation but was also aware enough to know her limitations. Nao could not do this without help.

“Maria likely went south where the guard is thin. It would create disorder and the guards would be confused about what they should be doing. We will use that opportunity to make our way through. We can also blend in” Nao looked at the pair of guards she had bared.

Their armour could fit the pair and allow them easy access. Nao looked at the uniform with disdain on her face but accepted her lack of choice.

“Wear this and follow me” Nao pushed the armour toward Suna and half-expected her to complain about the treatment. It was a pleasant surprise to not get any complaint from Suna’s side as the other female collected the armour.

The armour was just bearable enough to not make Suna complain. When they joined the other guards, they were not any more recognizable than the other servants. It made it easy to move along.

“Hurry. Everyone, head toward the south gates. We are under attack and we cannot contain the attacker” it started with a whisper but soon ignited into a fire.

The guards had started to panic with their lack of magic and the introduction of a new threat in their midst. It would not be long before they had to start heading southward.

“Let’s go. This is our opportunity” Nao whispered and moved along with the panicking masses. She made sure she had a tight enough grip on Suna’s arm to be able to drag her along.

They broke off from the group and ran straight into an abandoned hallway.

“Are you sure it’s here?” Suna asked with doubt. Nao chose to walk instead of answering. It left Suna no choice but to follow after her.

There was a beeping noise coming from not far away and Nao knew it had to be the magic suppressing machine. Nothing else made that disgusting noise except that machine. Nao hated that noise ever since the first time she had heard it a long time ago.

“Be careful and maintain your distance. We don’t want it exploding on us” Nao warned as she scouted for enemies.

The corridor was relatively empty and the few soldiers around held themselves in a relaxed position and spaced out. They would be easy to take out before they could coordinate an attack back.

“Wait, you were not joking? It’s a bomb? What are we going to do?” Nao realized her mistake once she felt Suna panicking behind her.

She should have just lied and said that the bomb was harmless. At least she would not have a panicked partner in her hand.

“I don’t think we are in any situation to be joking around in. But relax. The bomb would go off as long as we are careful not to jolt it. I have no intention of dying here” Nao’s voice held enough convention to finally calm Suna down.

Nao felt grateful for having gotten such a simple partner. Suna seemed to be taking her words at face value. So, Nao did not find it in her to tell her that the odds of them not activating the bomb were rather slim.

Nao moved like a snake and took out the guards before they became aware of her existence. Suna helped to take out the guards as well.

No matter how trained these guards were, they were no match for the pair when combined with the element of surprise.

“Now, let’s see what we are working with here” Nao opened the storage door with caution. The room only held one item inside when it came into focus.

“There it is” Nao whispered as she took the machine in.