"Last moment, huh." Noel muttered and said, "I guess I can say it's been a while, right? Kirika, so I should say Miss Loetzel?"
"How—" Kirika was stunned, staring at the wall as if 'looking' at Noel.
Even Lokhar was stupefied and asked, "Loetzel? A family name? You're a noble?"
"I have just realized it not long ago. I guess, you are the girl that I met almost a decade ago."
"A decade ago? You still get to know that person?" Lokhar became even dumbfounded. However, it wasn't over because Kirika was going to drop bombs after bombs.
"I have changed so much because of you, Noel. Did you remember what you told me back then?"
"Yeah, I remember. It was as simple as changing yourself."
"Those words meant a world to me back then. I started training my body and changing for the better until I became . And before long, those people who looked at me with contempt had to flock around me."
"I'm glad that you have found what you're looking for. Though, I don't understand why you're hiding your identity and sneak into the Demon Banner Army."
"I wanted to repay you. To be honest, when I first came here and saw you, I wondered whether you actually wanted to live or not. If you wanted to live, I was planning to become your comrade and help you through the missions. At least, I wanted to give you the best start for you to reclaim your life. If you didn't want to live, I wanted to change you to restart your life."
"Wanted? You didn't plan to do it anymore?"
"What can I do?" Kirika leaned on the wall with a sad smile. "You're clearly wanting to live, a great one at that. I wanted to help you by becoming your pair, but Anna Stargaze is there. I can't be compared to her."
Noel fell silent for a moment. "Are you going to return then? Ah, never mind that question. Just forget about it."
Kirika was confused for a moment while Lokhar snorted. "You don't have to mind me, you bastard. This is the last group missions we have, so even if she leaves, it won't affect me in any way. Though, the real question is whether she can leave this place or not. Our body has been drugged, so we can't even use our Spiritual Energy. And my condition is ."
"Lokhar, you…" Kirika looked at Lokhar with a sad expression. Although it'd been only a few months, Lokhar had been her pair this whole time. There were a lot of memories they had created together. At the very least, Kirika had considered him as a friend and comrade.
"Still, it's surprising that you go all the way here to repay me like that." Noel interrupted because Kirika's repayment was far too big, considering all the things he said back then was just Noel being himself.
"My Loetzel Family has a tradition to repay everyone ten folds. If someone gives you a coin, you pay back ten coins. Of course, it also worked the other way around. If someone beat you once, you'll beat them to death… So, your words changed my life, then I should help you get the best start to reclaim what's yours."
Noel closed his eyes for a moment and smiled. "Then, you have to survive from this. Since we're in here, we can fake Kirika's death so that she can go back to the Greenwood Kingdom. What do you think, Lokhar?"
"I have no objection. It won't affect me in any way. Besides, we're still trapped here, you have to think on how to leave this place first before thinking about that."
"Haha, indeed. Let's think about it then. You must have been trying to find the escape route this whole time."
"Nothing works though." Lokhar sighed.
"You two… Why are you helping me?"
"Well, now that I have realized your family's tradition. I'm saying this… You're already useless to me, Kirika. I don't need you anymore." Lokhar snorted. He precisely said all those words so that Kirika thought it he hated her instead of helping her. This way, Kirika didn't need to consider repaying him.
Meanwhile, Noel said, "You've gone all the way here for me, so I can't afford to have you die. It's as simple as that."
"You two…" Kirika was speechless. She could feel their kindness. Despite wanting to help, she only received the help this whole time.
Lokhar, on the other hand, believed that Kirika had helped him enough for the repayment. After all, he could achieve this point was due to her ability. So, there was no need for her to give something back.
"If that's the case, then we'll have to leave this place." Noel smiled.
"Do you think you can do that?"
"Who knows. I have to think a bit. You said he'll come every few hours, right? I just have to think of something before that."
"You sure you can do that? We have been trying to find a way, but it feels like he knows everything." Lokhar was disappointed because he failed all his attempts so far.
"Knows everything, huh." Noel paused for a moment, then asked, "How is your injury, Lokhar? Do you think you can walk or run?"
"I should be able to walk, but I'm afraid my legs won't allow me to run."
"I see. That's good enough. Kirika will help you too as the one who will protect you during the run."
"Are you going to sacrifice yourself, Noel?"
"I haven't formulated my plan yet, but that's the best scenario in my mind. We're going to escape from this hell." Noel smirked.
"How? That guy was a Spirit Wielder and we couldn't even use our Spiritual Energy."
"That's what I'm thinking right now. Just pray that I can find a solution within a few hours." Noel snorted and fell silent as if he was in deep thought.
Kirika and Lokhar were staring at each other across their cell, not understanding how Noel worked. But it was clear that he was determined to leave here. So, they had no other choice than believe him.