A few minutes passed as the friends idled in the cell. Finally, the familiar footsteps returned. The sleazy guard appeared in front of the cell, staring inside with his ugly grin.
"So? I told you, you won't be laughing for long. Did you consider my offer? Surely you don't want to rot in this cell, do you? Hehe!"
The friends leaned against the wall and closed their eyes. No one reacted to the guard's provocation. The latter frowned and took out a dagger, knocking against the iron bars.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! What, do you think by remaining silent you're are taking the upper hand? What a joke! You know what? No food for you! There you go! Happy now?!"
The friends' faces twitched, but this was all the reaction they showed. The guard was unhappy. He snorted and turned away.
Instantly there was movement in the cell. The guard's figure hadn't even left their vision yet when Liam arrived in front of the metal bars, a familiar fishing rod in his hands. The others watched, their eyes shining, somewhat amused. It had been a while since they last saw Liam take out Gabe's First Fishing Rod.
Liam gripped the familiar rough wood in his hands. He had to be fast. If the guard made it too far, it would be difficult to find the right angle. He swung the fishing rod over his shoulder and through the gap between the metal bars. The line unfurled, chasing after the leaving guard. Everyone's heart tightened. The hood reached the guard and… landed on the key!
"Nice one!"
"Yes!"
The friends cheered immediately. Liam didn't hesitate to flick his wrist. The key separated from the guard's belt and came flying towards Liam's open palm.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
The guard abruptly turned around, his expression frantic. With wide eyes he watched the key land in Liam's hand. Liam grinned. He caught the key, put the fishing rod away, and instantly inserted the key into the lock. With a light push the door flung wide open.
"Hehe!"
"Finally!"
Before the guard could call for reinforcements, the friends stepped out of the cell. A peculiar feeling emerged. They realized that their weapons and mana were usable again.
Suddenly the guard froze in place. Four pairs of eyes stared at him, brimming with coldness, sending a chill down his very bones. Liam and his friends stood in one line, blocking the corridor, crossing their arms before their chest. They were just short of taking out baseball bats to complete the image of a clichéd gangster squad.
"Get him!"
"Ahh! Help!"
The guard took out a long sword, crying for help, as the friends pounced on him. On both ends of the corridor there were two guards blocking a door. Noticing the commotion they instantly rushed to help. But before they could arrive their colleague was already beaten black and blue, close to dying. Laim didn't hold back, unleashing all his skills on the man.
For a moment the guards stopped in their tracks, their minds filled with fear. There was some hope in their hearts that someone might notice the commotion and send reinforcements. However, the guards could only delay for a second. They had their duty to fulfil. Therefore, they eventually approached the prisoners from two sides.
There was no surprise in the battle. Liam and his friends wiped the floor with the group of guards. Balm looked down on the first guard and gave his body a good kick.
"I hope you stay dead!"
"Alright, it's just an NPC.", said Silver Blade. She wouldn't hold a grudge against an NPC. The guard was simply following programmed behaviour. Just move on.
The friends gripped their weapons tightly, enduring the tense atmosphere, expecting reinforcements to arrive any second now. Footsteps. A rumble as if dozens of guards were mobilized. The ceiling trembled.
"Get ready, they will be here any second now!"
The commotion continued. The friends nervously swayed their weapons. However, as the seconds passed the noise actually quieted slightly. The doors remained closed. Where… were the reinforcements?
"What's going on? No one's coming?", whispered Balm.
"Looks like it…", answered Silver Blade.
Frowns formed on everyone's faces. Liam and his friends waited a few more seconds but nothing happened. The guards seemingly didn't care about them.
"Should we… leave?"
Finally, Balm became impatient. The others were puzzled. They lowered their weapons, looking towards the end of the corridor.
"It seems they won't come."
"Let us continue our quest. We mustn't let down the guardian's trust."
"Alright."
Ultimately the group accepted the situation. They put away their weapons and checked their journals. The quest had updated, tasking the four heroes to find information about Canter Jourtale.
"Investigate Canter? How? Is there anything to investigate here?"
Balm was somewhat puzzled as she looked around the prison. Suddenly an excited voice answered her:
"Heroes! Heroes! I can tell you something! Here, please just let me out! I will help you!"
The friends looked towards the source of the noise. It came from the neighbouring cell where an older man desperately clung to the metal bars, staring at the friends as if they were a beacon of hope.
Balm immediately felt pity. She asked Liam to give her the keys, approached the cell, and opened the door. The older man stumbled out and fell to his knees, unable to believe that he had actually made it out
"Finally! Hahaha! After more than four months I can finally escape this hellhole! Thank you, heroes! Thank you!"
The friends watched the man as tears ran down his cheeks. However, he managed to compose himself quickly. Silver Blade took the chance to ask a question:
"You said you could help us, didn't you? Can you tell us what you know?"
"Yes, of course! If it helps you bring this villain to justice, I am willing to do whatever it takes!"
"What villain?"
"Master Jourtale! You need to know, I had been the steward for Lady Essenour's mansion. However, about half a year ago Canter Jourtale arrived. I knew from the first moment on that he had nothing good in mind. But the lady was absolutely smitten by him. At this point Lady Essenour presented evidence for Duke Remmy's crimes and thus took over the throne. But I never saw the lady gather any evidence. Certainty, this was Jourtale's doing."
The old man balled his fists and took a deep breath. One could feel the hatred in his voice as he continued:
"Afterwards, Lady Essenour moved into the castle. I wished to follow her but the lady left me behind, telling me to take good care of Jourtale. Yes, you heard it right. Jourtale moved into the lady's manor. He became her advisor, or rather manipulator. I witnessed first-hand how Jourtale managed to gain more and more power. He took control over a part go the city guards and even reached his hands towards the Gale Army. It all went so much faster than expected. When I realised how influential he had become and wanted to do something against it, the guards grabbed me and threw me into prison."
"Haa, at this point all the manor guards have been replaced. There is no one familiar left. No one I could ask for help. If it weren't for you, I don't know how long I could have survived."
The old steward looked around, his gaze reminiscent. The friends found it strange. Suddenly Balm realised something:
"Wait, mister, are you saying we are currently in the lady's manor? This isn't the city's prison?"
"Oh no. The city's prison is still under scrutiny from other nobles. However, the manor is entirely controlled by Jourtale. Much more convenient for him. During my time here I understood that people mentioning him will end up here, although I never quite found out why…"
Balm's eyes lit up as the pieces of the puzzle were coming together. Cantar was a fugitive, wary of arousing the Southern Light Kingdom's attention. However, with his cunning he might actually be able to gain full control over such a small place like the Duchy of Galebend. And once he did so, the Southern Light Kingdom might not dare to go to war over a single criminal. Even if Canter appeared openly, others might not bother to do anything to him.
"Really a cunning villain!", exclaimed the young healer.
The old steward nodded vehemently, pleading:
"Heroes, I overheard what you told the guard earlier. You are here to investigate the villain on behalf of a guardian? This helps me lift my doubts. Please, heroes, you need to apprehend Canter Jourtale. This man is a scourge for our duchy and especially for my precious lady! Please, tell me whatever you need. I will help you!"
The friends pondered for a moment before Silver Blade addressed the old steward.
"Thank you. You are very brave, mister. We might indeed need your help. As the steward of this manor, you certainly know every little detail. Perhaps you can show us a path to avoid the guards?"
Immediately the older man's eyes lit up and even his back straightened somewhat. He proudly said:
"Definitely! No one knows this place better than me. Follow me, heroes! I guarantee you, I will get you to safety!"