Explosions could be heard all over the place. And every time there was an explosion, the cell shook.

“Arghh! Who are you?”

“Take them!”

“Ahhh!”

The soldiers’ cries and yells could be heard by Vivian. And it was coming closer and closer. “Can you tell me what’s going on?” She shuddered even more.

The hooded girl smiled as she glanced at her. “An ally is on their way,” the hooded girl replied. “However, this is just too extravagant and showy. I have advised them to do things more subtly.” The hooded girl continued to mumble.. Vivian gazed down into the underground’s deserted, black corridors. The light from the torches was dwindling. Until…

“Ahhhhhh!” A guard was hurled at them and fell just in front of their cell.

“Ah!” Vivian shrieked. But everything got shrouded with silence which made Vivian gulped.

“They’re here.” The hooded girl beside her spoke. Suddenly they could hear footsteps approaching.

“Milady, we’re here,” Two cloaked figures emerged from the hall’s darkness. They came to a halt in front of the cell.

“You arrived sooner than planned.”

“We can’t wait any longer since the diversion is already in motion…and…and…wahhhhh! I can’t bear the thought of how much Milady is suffering now within this dreadful jail!” The shorter, hooded individual with a feminine voice began to weep.

“Dorris… Stop being too loud, or we’ll be discovered,” said the taller one, who spoke in a masculine voice. He knelt down in front of the knocked-out guard.

‘Discover? Isn’t the entire dungeon aware that you’re both already present?’ Vivian wondered as she observed the spectacle unfolding in front of her.

The taller one took something from the sleeping guard. “All right, got the keys,” he exclaimed. He unlocked the cell right away.

“Let’s depart immediately before the reinforcements arrive.” The hooded girl spoke.

But before they could leave the jail, someone grabbed the hooded girl’s dress straps. When she turned back, she saw the other girls who had been imprisoned beside her.

“Please! Let us come with you.” In a pleading tone, they said.

The hooded girl stroked their heads and smiled. “Don’t worry. We intend to get you all out of here as soon as possible.”

When the girls heard her statement, their hearts were filled with joy. “Are we-are we finally getting out of here?”

“Yes,” the hooded girl responded, her voice gleeful. “It is, after all, part of our deal.” She went on to say.

‘What part of the deal?’ They wanted to inquire, but they simply kept it to themselves. The most important thing was that they will eventually be freed.

“The teleportation array has already been completed.” Dorris, the second hooded girl, had spoken. Outside the prison, they noticed a large circle with various characters glowing on the ground.

“Good…” The hooded girl approached the others. “If you enter inside that magical circle, it will lead you out of the dungeon.”

The girls, one by one, heeded what the hooded girl instructed and walked on the magical arrangement. When they were all there, the hooded girl turned to face the final girl who wasn’t moving an inch to occupy her spot.

‘Teleportation?’ Vivian took a glance at them. This unexpected turn of events caught her off guard. ‘Creating a teleportation array is a difficult feat. Even if she was still a child, her parents, who were both magical scholars before they died in a bandit raid, taught her a great deal about magic.’

“Is something that matters?” The hooded girl asked with worry in her voice.

“Can you tell me who you are?” Vivian blurted out something startling. The three hooded figures turned to face her.

“Of course, Milady is the youngest daughter of…” Dorris was elbowed before she could complete her sentence by the mysterious hooded girl.

“Idiot.” The cloaked male shook his head.

“Ah! That’s correct! I forgot this is a discreet mission. I sincerely apologize to milady.” Dorris bowed her head.

“Don’t worry about it.” The hooded girl approached Vivian and lowered herself to her level.

“Those are Dorris and Rein.” The hooded girl gestured to the other two, who were simply waving at Vivian. “They are my dependable companions and helpers. I, for one,” She moved her body closer to Vivian’s ears. “My name is Malaya, and I shall become the world’s greatest voyager.”

“Gre-greatest voyager?” Vivian glanced at her, perplexed.

“Yes…but let’s keep it our little secret for now,” Malaya whispered as she rose up. She extended her right hand to Vivian.

“Let’s get started. Isn’t there someone waiting for you? Your brother? He’s probably worrying sick about you right now.”

Vivian moved her hands gently towards Malaya. “Yes.” When she could hold her hands, Malaya drew Vivian to the other girls to the magical array.

The array began to glow vibrantly. A strong gust of winds surrounded them. Malaya then motioned to the females with her hands. “This array would take you to Sulkira Village. Everyone, take care!”

“Take care!” Dorris waved at them.

“Thank you so much!” The girls cried with joy.

“Are we ever going to see each other again?” Vivian screamed at them.

“As long as the world keeps revolving, we might see each other someday,” Malaya said.

“Yes!” Vivian gave them a sincere smile before they vanished.

The dungeons were once again dark, only weak lights from the torches on the walls kept illuminating them.

“That kid appeared to like you,” Rein spoke up.

“She’s a nice kid, that girl,” Malaya remarked, her face filled with nostalgia as she gazed at the arrangement.

“But honestly, you continued doing things that made people nervous.” Rein sighed and said.

‘That’s correct! Reprimand our lady even more!’ Dorris yelled in her head.

“But since I’m not harmed, everything is still ok. Let us now proceed to the Marquess’ residence. Our shipbuilder is probably already doing havoc there.” Malaya asserted.

“Stop!” The reinforcements had already come. They were pointing their spears towards the three. But it was too late to apprehend them. On their feet, another array was created.

“Stop them!” The knights simply grasped the air, and the three disappeared into nothingness.