We decide to go down from Lucky first, just in case anything happens in the cave.
I, Ivan, and Lucky, in that order, hurry forward, trying to make as little noise as possible.
"Ivan, if anything happens, Lucky will protect you. You don't have to worry."
Ivan nods silently. It's okay. He seems much calmer than at first.
As we continue through the cave, more yelling is heard from the back.
"If you continue to be stubborn, I will kill each and every one of you!
My grandmother is in danger!"
Ivan mutters to no one in particular.
He seems to be holding back the urge to run out at any moment.
I wanted to surprise him, but I couldn't say that I was aware of Ivan's feelings.
Besides, from the signs, it seems that there are not that many soldiers here.
This way, we don't have to surprise them. We're getting close now.
We're not going quietly. Lucky.
--Yes, sir.
I hurried to the spot where the dragon had been sealed, just in time to see the sword being raised above Margret's head. As it turns out, if I had gone slower, I might not have made it in time.
Stop!
"Grandma!"
There was Margret, the stunned mayor on his knees, and the knight who had noticed us.
Margret was already bleeding from a cut somewhere on her body.
The knight looked at me with a big smile on his face and swung his sword down on Margret's head.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't. We were getting along fine with the Suiju nation. We were trying to grow together, how could this happen ......?"