Extra's Perfect Ending

Chapter 122: For freedom

Theia nodded, immediately moving to the storage racks, throwing open crates and handing out whatever weapons she could find—swords, daggers, and even crude maces. The prisoners grabbed whatever they could, some wielding their new weapons with shaky hands, but their faces showed renewed determination.

"Listen up! We may have been discovered, but this isn’t over! It’s only over when you give up!" Hilda shouted, her voice echoing through the warehouse.

The skinny man spoke up, his voice shaky but resolute. "Yes, a chance is more than we ever had before!"

"Then let’s make it count," Hilda said, her voice steady and commanding. "Follow my lead, and we’ll get out of here."

The prisoners nodded, gripping their weapons tighter. They had come this far, and they were prepared to fight for their freedom.

"For freedom!" Hilda yelled to rally the people, sensing that some were losing morale after being discovered.

"For freedom!" they yelled back, spirit in their voices.

"How many were injured?" Hilda asked as they moved.

"Few were hurt, but none dead," the skinny man replied, panting as he caught up with the group. "The knights... were still merciful, but I doubt that will last forever."

Hilda rounded the corner and came upon the commotion. Two knights were suppressing five of the prisoners, not killing them but injuring them enough to subdue them. Blood stained the ground as the five tried to crawl away. One knight knocked out a prisoner and prepared to finish the others.

Hilda acted quickly, throwing a knife with a swift motion aimed at the nearest knight.

Ting!

The knife struck one of the knight’s helmets, leaving a dent. The knight staggered, momentarily dazed by the impact. His attention turned to Hilda, raising his shield and sword, recognizing that she was not one of the prisoners—her hooded clothing was cleaner and free of blood.

The knight lunged at Hilda, thrusting his sword with the intent to incapacitate her. Hilda used her agility, moving swiftly in her flexible clothing to dodge the attack and counter with a quick strike of her own.

Her knife found the gap between the knight’s armor plates, slipping through the chinks rather than clashing against the metal. They exchanged blows in rapid succession, neither gaining a clear advantage. The knight’s armor provided substantial protection in direct combat, while Hilda relied on speed and precision.

The situation changed when the second knight recovered from his daze, shaking off the numbness. As he regained his senses, he saw Hilda locked in combat with his comrade. Instinct took over, and he charged toward her, brandishing his sword.

Hilda, noticing the second knight’s approach, quickly sidestepped the first knight’s swing. She narrowly avoided the second knight’s thrust but knew she was at a disadvantage against both.

However, the prisoners spring a surprise. Armed with newfound weapons, they charge at the knights. One of the prisoners tackles a knight with his frail body. The knight could have easily shaken him off if it weren’t for a second man who rushed in, bringing the knight down and limiting his movement.

Another knight tries to intervene, but he receives the same treatment. The prisoners continue piling on, further restricting their movement. Hilda finally catches her breath. Fighting without her mystic powers puts her at a significant disadvantage, but using them could leave traces, a deviation that others could use to track her.

She needs to avoid being tracked here. Moving swiftly around the two knights, she uses the flat of her blade to knock them out, as she did with the others.

As soon as the knights fall unconscious, the crowd begins dancing, celebrating their first victory. However, Hilda knows better than to celebrate too soon. The noise of the skirmish has caused a lot of commotion. If the mansion’s defenses were worth anything, they would be responding immediately.

And she was right. A new group of knights arrives quickly after hearing the noise. Armed with swords, their leader barks orders:

"Move in and capture them! If they resist, kill them!"

The knights move in unison, following their commander into the fray. From the outside, it looks as though the knights are on the losing side, given their smaller numbers. But one must remember these knights are rigorously trained professionals, having spent most of their lives honing their combat skills.

A band of malnourished prisoners is hardly a match for them. Hilda knows she must speed up the plan.

"Get the injured and run for the gates!"

She shouts to the remaining prisoners. Those who still have strength are left to scramble to their feet, hoisting others onto their shoulders. Hilda and Theia help carry one of the injured to safety.

They were never meant to win this fight, so the best way out is to avoid it altogether.

The knights catch up to some, but most of the prisoners manage to stay ahead, as the knights are busy dealing with those left behind.

Hilda wants to help, but it’s too much — she’s not so delusional to think she could hold off an entire squad by herself without using her powers.

They run with all their remaining strength, passing by the mansion’s servants, who quickly step aside. As loyal as they are to Ulla, they’re not willing to risk injury for the mansion owner. Besides, most of them dislike Ulla anyway.

Before long, the group reaches the main gates. They started with over fifty people, now, only about thirty are still running. Theia swears that once they’re free, she’ll bring this up and demand justice for all the slaves.

Hopefully, the city and the church won’t ignore such a disturbance. Hilda races along the stone road leading to the main gate. The fence is just ahead, with two guards stationed at it. Despite the chaos, the guards don’t move, knowing that abandoning their posts would weaken their defense.

But Hilda spots something else beyond the guards at the gate. She also sees a group of priests. Wearing white like they always do and as shining as ever even in the dark of night.