The Prison Break

"So you're the crook named Carlos? I have business with you." Lancell spoke. His voice expressionless as his face.

Carlos who had his head lowered the entire time, raised his head as he revealed a grumpy face despite his youth, and spoke in a rough tone.

"And who're you?" He asked with an unfriendly tone.

Lancell replied in kind. "Lancell. And I want your skills."

"No." Carlos declined. From his tone, he doesn't seem to be an easy guy to convince.

"Listen up. I don't care about your circumstances, but I just want you to forge me a sheath. A sheath worthy of a Divine Weapon." Lancell stated.

Carlos' brow raised as he then asked. "You're a Hero?"

The question made even the guard who brought him here, flinch as Heroes were a minority among the Paths. The Guidance Tomes for heroes were strictly controlled by the Holy Kingdom of Elysion, and no one could be a Hero without their permission.

However...

"Nope. Me and my friend are rogues." ...Lancell denied what could have brought him honour and instead chose what could bring him loathing.

Heroes not acknowledged by Elysion, and/or punished but manages to keep their cultivation, were called Rogue Heroes.

They were existences that had gone 'astray' the Heroic Path, and Elysion referred to them as heretics.

However, Carlos was pleasantly surprised by the revelation as he tried to confirm.

"If you're a rogue, prove it."

Lancell smiled, and materialized Arkenvalle as he then sliced the prison bars into many pieces. The guard beside him was already shocked, but he couldn't do anything. And even if he does, he would have died instantly.

"Does releasing a criminal count?" Lancell asked.

Carlos smiled, as he then spoke. "Fine. I'll at least hear you out."

And so, they left the prison together. In plain sight.

◇◇◇

The two of them went into Arthur's house as Lancell didn't know of anywhere else to go, while Carlos was still wanted and couldn't go back to his lodging.

As they walked, they engaged in a conversation as to alleviate boredom.

"So? Who told you about me?" Carlos asked.

"Not telling. But at least I don't mean any harm." Lancell reassure as he shrugged.

"Do you think I'll help someone who won't even tell me how he knew me?" Carlos spoke with wariness in his voice.

"Well, you're fairly famous after all. And you didn't change your name either. The guards probably knew who you are and was planning to make you a factory of Magic Equipment." Lancell explained vaguely.

"Yeah. They offered me gold and fame. Heh! Bullshit."

Lancell scoffed as only idiots would do as they said. Perhaps they would only pamper him in the first week, but the requests would soon become more and more absurd as time passes until Carlos became a complete slave.

"Well, at least you're not an idiot." Lancell joked.

"If I was, I would've been captured by now."

The two walked as they conversed about unimportant things, and finally, they reached Arthur's house.

◇◇◇

"Oh! It's Carlos the crook. You look like you're doing pretty well, huh?" Arthur greeted the moment she saw Carlos.

The two of them had actually met before this, and it wasn't just once either. So at least they were acquaintances. However...

"When were you this friendly?" Carlos asked as the Arthur she knew had vulgar mouth that practically cursed every being she saw.

"Oh come on! People sometimes grow out of habit too!" Arthur made a random excuse as she knew Carlos couldn't really care about whatever she'd say. At least not for now.

Arthur then looked at Lancell and asked. "So? What's he doing here?"

Lancell averted his eyes as he explained what happened.

"Well, I looked for him in the market, but I couldn't find him. Then I found out he was in prison, so I bust him out. Now he can't go back." He elaborated.

Carlos' brows twitched as he listened to his very brief explanation. He talked casually as it he had just picked up a cat by the roadside.

Well, he wasn't a cat but a person who was picked up from prison though.

However, Arthur's brows suddenly shot up as she began to panic. She then warned.

"You what?! Shit! I heard there was a Hero visiting this District soon! Did you conceal your tracks?!"

Arthur asked with urgency, but before anyone could answer...

BOOOM!!

...a powerful blast suddenly blew away the front doors as a voice shouted from outside.

"Carlos!! I've finally found you, heretic! Surrender yourself now!!"

Well...it was some deep shit.

◇◇◇

Meanwhile in the Royal Palace...

A princess sat on the veranda of her room as she sipped tea as she then muttered.

"Now then. Will the Hero I called finally arrive today? I really hope he could guide those two in the Heroic Path. Try as they might, they can't hide the fact that they wielded Divine Weapons. Hehe."

She giggled as she spoke. The then took another sip as she was genuinely enjoying her tea, while occasionally asking Prim for more in case in ran out.

"I wonder if this surprise would make them happy? I really hope it does. After all, one have to help their friends. Right, Prim?"

"You're absolutely right, Your Highness. So please make sure they help you on whatever mess you make in the future." The maid, Prim, stated in an expressionless tone.

And so, Aria's day continued, without knowing that the Hero she called for, was guiding her 'friends' in a manner she hadn't completely expected.