By the time I climbed upstairs, what I saw was as expected, chaos.

R-run n hide!! They got swords!!

No, we gotta escape, ya dingus!! Its now or never!!

The numerous prisoners in the courtyard where shoving over one another.

I was caught up by the wave of feet and trampled.

And splendidly at that. Very mob.

Boof!? Agaagagaaaaa!!

Oh, this kind of reminds me of newscasts where they report people dying in mosh pits and such.

I wouldnt though.

Urgh!! Elgh!! Buffo!!

I was kicked around like a soccer ball and spat blood everywhere.

And once the storm passed, I lay there like a piece of driftwood.

Hwah!? C-Cid!? What happened!?

While I was sated of my mobly desires, Clara came and shook me awake.

Ugh, my head

Oh, thank goodness youre alive. Im so sorry, you got swept up again because of our

She propped me up against an unpopulated wall.

Dont fret, Ill come back for you soon. For now, I have to complete my duty.

She then stood up and turned her eyes towards the courtyard.

She was watching the Royalists, her people, holding weapons and fighting the camp guards.

Show no mercy!! Were getting out of here!!

Move your feet, time is of the essence!!

Swinging their swords, they cut down their captors.

And it wasnt only those of the Royalist Faction that were fighting there. Even the rabble, who didnt belong to any faction, were taking the opportunity to give the guards a piece of their fists.

Fuck! Whered they get those weapons!!

This isnt looking good, call in reinforcements!!

Clearly outnumbered, the guards were quickly losing ground.

To the eye, it seemed that the Royalists had the upper hand in this field.

However, I was sensing a large number of people approaching from outside the walls. Most likely, reinforcements for the guards. Some of them were magiswords too.

Magiswords are going to snuff out this riot instantly.

All the camp prisoners had mana sealing collars, after all.

A magisword against an ordinary civilian is like pitting an adult against a child. The child being the certain loser.

Good. Were pushing them back!!

Now, lets get the OWL and we can!

And then, mere moments before they had overpowered the guards the gates to the outside opened.

Revealing armed reinforcements charged with suppressing them.

Halt!! Drop your weapons and surrender!!

Ha? Reinforcements!? Why now!

This is bad. We didnt expect them so soon

Yeah, I also felt like they got here a bit too fast. But now that its happened, the tables were all but turned.

No We should have more time still. So why

Claras face was that of frustration.

Looks like she also didnt expect to be stopped at this point.

In trained movements, the newly arrived guards encircled the premises.

W-were innocent!

The factionless who had been going with the flow, all gave up instantly.

T-thats right, we werent planning to

And they were so lively just minutes before.

Anyway, only the Royalists still looked like they had some fight in them. Their faces were grim one and all, but nevertheless kept a hold on their weapons.

Final warning, drop your weapons.

Said a man who seemed to be the head guard.

The Royalists still wanted to fight, but they had no chance.

Sorry Cid. I need to go.

Clara whispered to me. Then she stood up, firmed her resolve, and stepped forward as the Royalist leader.

And it ended just like that or so it should have. Making sure no one was watching, I made my own preparations.

Everyone, thats enough

Standing in front of her loyal retainers, Clara spoke.

And thats when I, erasing my presence, used super speed and took on Shadows voice.

Seems the fight is over.

Shadows voice resounded from everywhere.

Huh? What was that!?

Whos there!? Show yourself!!

I can hear him but from where!?

With my presence completely concealed, no one here should see me.

Do you not have a duty to fulfil?

This is exactly what I wanted to do.

The moment when all hope seems lost, a voice from the shadows makes its entrance!

What is going on? Is that the OWL?

No, that isnt OWL.

Just find him! Hes got to be close!

The rabble are going into a slow panic. Nice.

Know that your sister still fights. So long as you dont falter, surely you will reunite

Eh, my sister? Wait, who are you!?

I replied with power in my voice.

My name is Shadow I lurk in the shadows, hunting the shadows

Youre shadow!? The one who appeared at the God of War Festival?

Shadow!? The man said to have defeated Beatrix, that Shadow?

T-theres no way! Why the hell would Shadow be here!?

Shadow being here means, isnt Shadow Garden allied with the royals?

Yes, YES, hype it up!

If you lack power, let me loosen your shackles.

I said, launching the many pieces of slime I prepared underground, and breaking every single mana sealer at once.

T-the collar

B-but how, its completely destroyed

So its true, he really is Shadow why? No, this is our chance!

As the hundreds of collars broke and fell, I said some final words.

Struggle, fight. Grasp your fate with your own two hands

I then let off explosive mana, dying the courtyard a brilliant purple.