Chapter 357 (Self Edited) The Place of Waking Up

When Aina came to her senses, her vision was filled with darkness.

For a moment, she blinked, unable to comprehend the situation. But then, she quickly recalled her last memory. A reflexive sigh escaped.

Hmm, did you notice? (Sheila)

Immediately after that, Aina heard a voice, and that was when she finally recognized someone other than herself in this place. She turned her gaze while being surprised with her goofiness for not noticing this until she was approached. Then, she squinted at the scene in her field of vision.

She knew from the voice that it was Sheila, but her figure was in chains with her hands raised above her head. It was definitely a situation that should be called a prisoner.

Is this a prison? (Aina)

Maybe so. (Sheila)

When did you wake up? (Aina)

I was just a little while ago. So, I dont know the details. (Sheila)

I see. Well, I can pretty much predict whats going to happen. (Aina)

Yes. (Sheila)

As she talked with Sheila, her vague memories gradually became clearer.

To sum it up, Aina and Sheila were defeated by that man. Well, it wasnt surprising, considering the situation.

My arms hurt, and Im in the same condition as you. Besides, the shackles are tightly fitted. (Aina)

While grasping the situation, she reflected on the previous battle she just had.

No could it be called a battle? This was because Aina and Sheila were only unilaterally beaten.

In the first place, they couldnt even attack. It wasnt that they were sunk in front of an overwhelming attack. In a way, it was earlier than that.

Just as they were about to start the battle, Cecilia collapsed on the spot first. Aina wondered what the heck had happened to her that she hadnt even felt any signs of an attack, but soon, she would have no time to worry about Cecilia. For some reason, she suddenly felt intensely sleepy.

It was certainly late at night, but there was no way she was going to feel sleepy when she was about to fight a battle. In other words, it was clearly the work of the enemy but even knowing that, there was no way to resist.

Sheila had fallen to the ground next, and there was nothing Aina could do about it, even though she had caught sight of her out of the corner of her eye. Without releasing a single bit of magic, Aina also felt her entire body relaxed.

When I realized, I was here. Even so, it was a bit surprising. (Aina)

Yes, I thought they were going to kill us. (Sheila)

Yeah. But in reality, we are just captured like this, and theres no evidence of anything done. (Sheila)

There wasnt a single hint of pain or even a wound on their body. They had fallen asleep due to what she thought was an enemy attack and had been brought here.

Anyhow

Sheila, where is your weapon? (Aina)

As I expected, its not with me. (Sheila)

Well, he cant be so careless as not to take it away, right? And mine is (Aina)

When she focused a little, she noticed that the flow of mana was blocked. This made it impossible for her to use magic.

It might be possible to just let it explode, but if she did that in this situation, it would probably tear her body to pieces. There was no point in doing it.

It seems impossible to break this apart Sheila? (Aina)

I cant do it. (Sheila)

Right. But you never know what he will do to you if you dont (Aina)

Normally, she would think Soma would do something about it, but she couldnt always say that this time. Whenever he was sent away, it was unlikely he would be harmed, but there was a chance that he wouldnt be able to come back soon enough.

In fact, there was already a precedent for this. She couldnt say that a situation like the one that brought them from the Holy City to the royal capital of the Empire wouldnt happen again.

Besides, she couldnt keep relying on Soma forever. In fact, if he was in such a situation, she should help him.

Yes, this wasnt a pinch. One the contrary, it was an opportunity. It was an opportunity to repay the debt to Soma that had acc.u.mulated.

Leaving this matter aside, Im worried about whats going on with Cecilia. (Aina)

If shes not here, then maybe, that guy is doing something. (Sheila)

When Aina thought about what she had seen along the way, nothing good came to mind. And if they were going to abandon Cecilia, they wouldnt have come here in the first place.

Well, she was surprised when Soma suddenly woke her up in the middle of the night and told that Cecilia wasnt there and that she had probably been taken to the castle. No, it was still better than being told how to get into the castle.

He told her that he didnt expect that they could sneak in from the ground, so they could go from the sky, which was too unexpected. However, by using Ainas magic and applying attack magic, they were able to come to the castle. However, it would have been possible only in the middle of the night. Anyhow, she should make sure to help him to the end.

But in the end, the question was how to get out of here (Aina)

Just a bit more. (Sheila)

Eh? Whats a bit more (Aina)

Just as she was about to say it, a dull sound echoed through the place.

It was the sound of something falling to the ground, and when she looked in the direction of the sound, she saw a chain lying on the ground that had been cut in half. Unless Aina was mistaken, the chain looked like the one that had bound Sheilas arm and connected to the wall, but shortly after it became clear that she wasnt mistaken. Sheilas eyes widened as a dull thud sounded once more, and she slowly rose to her feet.

Of course, her arms werent chained, nor were they shackled. The shackles that were supposed to be in place were lying in pieces at her feet, as were the chains.

Eh? Sheila, I thought you said you didnt have any weapons (Aina)

Thats why I did this. (Sheila)

As soon as Sheila said it, her arm was shaken.

In her hands, he didnt have the sword that she always held, but the chains that bound Ainas hands were easily cut through. Sheilas arm swung once more before the slashed chain fell to the ground, and this time, Ainas shackles fell apart and rolled.

Her cheeks unintentionally pulled.

How can you slash like this with your bare hands? (Aina)

Soma told me that without a weapon, its no problem to use your hand as a sword, so I practiced. Its the first time Ive succeeded though. (Sheila)

Thats not something you can practice and then pull off on the sport. Goodness, you guys are really weird (Aina)

Well, since Soma could do it, I could do it as well. Thats it. However, I actually cheated a little bit. (Sheila)

Cheated? (Aina)

Yes. Maybe, its because I had a sword, my mana wasnt hindered. (Sheila)

Oh does it mean you use mana too? Come to think of it, I definitely felt a little bit of mana. (Aina)

The reason why she was somewhat surprised by this situation was because she had heard that Aina suddenly became able to use magic one day, but she had almost never seen her use magic before. When she told her about it, it was about the only time she saw her use it as evidence.

Although Sheila had never specifically said why Well, it was usually because she was thinking about Soma. Maybe, he felt guilty because he was the only one who could use it. And yet, Sheila used it here, either because Soma wasnt there, or because it was indeed not the time to be concerned about it.

With that in mind, this was a matter between Sheila and Soma. Aina thought that she shouldnt say anything else, so she continued to say something different.

But the mana I felt was really only a bit, and it didnt make much difference. Even if you did borrow some of the mana, there are only a handful of people who can do it on their own (Aina)

And as she let out a sigh, Aina suddenly remembered what Soma had said to her before.

One of the handful was Aina.

So, if youre willing to do it, and you think you can do it, then, theres nothing you cant do, huh (Aina)

Aina? (Sheila)

No, its nothing. Lets just go for now. (Aina)

Sure. But where to? (Sheila)

Well. If we look hard enough, well find where were looking. (Aina)

Aina, youre starting to sound similar to Soma. (Sheila)

Aah surely, thats a line he would say. Well, weve been together for quite sometime. It happens. (Aina)

As expected, isnt it? (Sheila)

Anyhow, their first priority for now was to find Cecilia.

With Sheila easily slicing through the iron bars with her bare hands, they left the prison.