Knights and Magic Wand

The following days continued to pass without hope or incident.

In the midst, captives were still being dragged out one after another by mercenaries and sold to various buyers, the number of people in Leon's cage gradually decreasing, and he knew that sooner or later it would be his turn.

Just as Leon was listlessly scratching the sixth tally on the ground, he noticed two mercenaries approaching his cage, babbling incomprehensibly, one looking ecstatic, the other as if he'd lost his parents.

(Uria Language) "...this one, this one, and this one... just these three, I won't take any more, hurry up and open the cage, I still have to get back before the city gates close at night," said the Kantadar mercenary with a joyful face, pointing at three youths huddled together in the cage.

(Uria Language) "The price of these three slaves is enough to clear our debts, remember not to fucking bother me at camp again, I'm done gambling with you for life," complained the mercenary who opened the cage, pushing the door open with annoyance.

Although Leon couldn't understand the dialogue between the two foreign mercenaries, he could tell from their gestures and the rough commands he'd heard many times that they were ordering him and a few others to come out.

As he stood up, Leon glanced at Lokhak and Azeryan, who had also been pointed out.

Seeing Lokhak's hateful and menacing gaze, Leon's heart skipped a beat, fearing that the guy would impulsively act out as soon as they got out, and quickly slowed his pace to whisper a reminder beside Lokhak, "This isn't the time, rash actions will get us all killed."

Lokhak knitted his brows and didn't reply, but he finally nodded.

(Uria Language) "God damn it, what the hell are you babbling about, shut your mouth and hurry up!" The Kantadar mercenary who opened the door obviously couldn't understand the Seryan language, and he impatiently yanked Leon out.

Leon meekly did not resist, allowing the mercenary to attach another iron chain to his shackles. He, Azeryan, and Lokhak were successively chained to their own shackles, forming a line.

(Uria Language) "Keep up!"

The mercenary, delighted with the easy acquisition of three slaves, took the keys to the shackles from another and then shoved Leon, who was in front, causing him to stumble, and cursed to signal the group to follow the camp road.

Right now, Leon had neither the strength nor the mood to resist such humiliation; he could only press on to quicken his pace and avoid a few kicks.

They passed between the barracks and through a series of guarded camp gates.

The path they took caused Leon's eyes to widen involuntarily, and soon, against all expectations, they were led out of the tightly guarded mercenary camp.

The chain-linked procession proceeded along a muddy trail, far from being called a road, surrounded by open fields with woods in the distance. Leon trod with difficulty, his bare feet sinking into the ground, paying no heed to the pain in his feet as surprise and joy surged in his heart.

He didn't know where the mercenary beside him intended to take them, but he realized this was the opportunity he had been waiting for!

Away from the camp guarded by mercenaries, the only things restraining their freedom now were that single Soldier and the shackles on everyone's hands.

Leon's heart pounded frantically, and he glanced sideways at Lokhak behind him, who also had a flicker of desire to act in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath to calm his rationale, he turned his head and continued on, quickly sizing up the Kantadar mercenary who was escorting the group with peripheral glances.

The mercenary wore a helmet with a nose-guard and chain armor fitted with iron plates; an Armed Sword hung at one side of his waist, a dagger on the other, and a Round Shield on his back.

Looking at the mercenary's weapons and armor, Leon gradually calmed down. With the mercenary fully armed, the three of them, unarmed, would find it difficult to pose a threat, even if their hands were free.

Moreover, whether it was himself, Lokhak, or Azeryan, they had all been weakened by long starvation and imprisonment. Under such conditions, three unarmed youths rashly confronting a mercenary would be nothing short of suicide.

What about simply running into the wilderness?

That was also unfeasible.

Leon glanced down at the iron chain linking them together, an item designed to prevent slaves from escaping. The chain binding the three captives was not long; trying to run would easily cause them to fall in a heap.

Besides, how could three starving youths outrun a mercenary? Even if they didn't trip, they'd easily be caught by the mercenary, who would unsheathe his sword and thrust it through their hearts.

Was he to give up?

Yet having finally gotten the opportunity to leave the cage, far from the camp filled with soldiers, to possibly break into the woods after a brief run and regain freedom in this deserted field—if they missed this God-given chance, what if the destination they were being taken to was even more tightly guarded?

In the midst of his troubled contemplation, taking advantage of the moment they rounded a small hill, Leon stole another covert glance at Lokhak behind him.

Their eyes met, and he could feel the other's rage growing harder to contain, as if only waiting for a signal to act together. That youth, enduring his hatred, would without hesitation turn and pounce at the mercenary even while his hands were shackled.

Leon's gaze moved past Lokhak to land on Azeryan at the end of the line. The fair-skinned youth was also discreetly observing the mercenary escorting them. He immediately noticed Leon's covert glance and, meeting Leon's eyes, gave a subtle, firm blink.