Chapter 18: Royal Blood Strain II

All our eyes turned to our teacher, who stood worried but resolute in the doorway. There was something different in her gaze, something that made her seem stronger than before.

"Sensei... you know?" Takeshi asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Ms. Nakamura nodded, stepping into the room. "Yes, I heard your conversation. And I agree, this place is no longer safe. If you're going to leave, I want to come with you. As your teacher, it's my responsibility to ensure your safety."

We all fell silent for a moment, contemplating her words. Ms. Nakamura's presence provided a sense of security, as if a weight had been lifted off our shoulders.

"Sensei, do you really want to come with us?" Yumi asked, her eyes brightening.

"Yes, Yumi. I can't let you face danger alone. I'll help in any way I can," Ms. Nakamura replied firmly.

"Alright, Sensei. If you know and are certain, then you can come with us," I said decisively.

She nodded quickly, a bit surprised by my sudden shift to a more bold and decisive demeanor.

"Alright, here's the plan. First," I began, pulling several items from the bag I carried. A few walkie-talkies emerged from the bag, catching everyone's attention. These communication devices seemed out of place in this technologically backward world.

They all looked surprised, and I quickly explained their functionality. "These are walkie-talkies. We can use them to communicate. Even though this world lacks advanced technology, these devices use one-way radio/electromagnetic waves, so no additional equipment is needed to make them work."

I handed one walkie-talkie to each person. "Each person will get one device. Only mine can send audio to yours, while yours can only listen. That's enough to keep us in communication without drawing attention."

They all nodded, starting to grasp how the devices worked. Their faces looked more confident and assured.

"Next, we need to create a distraction to divert attention and some surprising maneuvers to cause confusion among the guards," I continued, mapping out the strategy in detail on the table.

This escape operation cost me around 5,000 credit points to purchase the necessary equipment. My savings after completing several dungeon missions a few days ago were substantial, and the mission that yielded the most credit points was when we defeated a Drake.

Previously, I had 12,670 credit points, but with the preparation for this operation, I only had 7,670 left. The items in the shop were very expensive, so I had to use them wisely, focusing only on what was absolutely necessary. After ensuring all communication devices were distributed properly, I pulled out a few other equally surprising items.

"Let's proceed to the next step," I said, revealing several small explosive devices. Their eyes widened in shock at the sight of them.

"Are these... explosives?" Hiroshi asked, his voice trembling.

"Yes, but don't worry. These are devices set to create small explosions just enough to cause chaos without causing significant damage or injury. The goal is to create a distraction," I explained.

They swallowed hard, still hesitant but eventually accepting the devices with trembling hands. "Alright, place them at the marked spots on this map. Make sure no one sees you," I commanded firmly.

Yumi nodded slowly, trying to steady herself. "I understand. We need to be careful."

"Exactly," Takeshi replied, his face serious. "We don't have any other choice."

They moved out, following the instructions with utmost caution. Every step was taken carefully, every glance around was wary. Fear and courage mingled within them, but for the success of this mission, they were ready to face anything.

Once all preparations were complete, I gathered them back at the rendezvous point. "Alright, everyone. It's showtime!" I called out with a spirited voice.

They all nodded, their faces now showing solid determination. That night, under the shadows of a palace full of intrigue and danger, we prepared to make our escape to freedom. Our eyes met, reflecting trust and conviction.

...

I returned to Prince Philip, who was standing on the balcony. The night breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of roses from the palace gardens. As I approached, I noticed the prince was with a tall man with a prominent scar over his left eye, covered by a leather eye patch. He looked like a pirate character from fiction on Earth.

"Ah, you're here, Johan," Prince Philip greeted warmly, his smile easing some of the tension in the air.

I nodded slightly, stepping closer carefully while eyeing the tall man next to him, who was staring at me sharply. His face was stern and weathered, as if he had been through many battles.

"So, you're the one who claims that Princess Rosaria is staging a rebellion tonight?" His voice was deep and authoritative, making me flinch a bit.

"Relax, Gord," said Prince Philip, glancing at the man. "Johan has evidence to back his claim."

Gord seemed unmoved by the prince's words. "Even so, you can't trust the words of a kid like him so easily!" he snapped, his tone firm and challenging.

"I understand," Prince Philip replied patiently. "Johan, show Gord the proof you have."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before reaching into my pocket and pulling out the recording device. Carefully, I activated it, and the recorded conversation began to play. Princess Rosaria's familiar voice echoed in the air, clearly outlining the rebellion plan.

Gord listened intently, his face growing serious as the words flowed. "This... this really is Princess Rosaria's voice," he murmured, his eyes widening in shock.

Philip nodded, his face a mix of concern and resolve. "Now you understand, Gord. Johan has given us the proof we needed."

Gord turned his gaze to me, his expression slightly softer but still wary. "Alright, young man. I'll trust you this time. But remember, one small mistake, and everything could fall apart."

I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility grow heavier on my shoulders. "I understand, Gord. I won't let you down."

Prince Philip patted Gord's shoulder, signaling him to stay calm. "We need to move quickly and carefully. Johan, I trust you to coordinate this escape. We'll ensure our loyal supporters are ready at the rendezvous point."

I looked at them both with confidence. "Alright, Prince Philip. Let's do this."

Then, the escape operation began with three hours left on the clock. Time was moving fast, and every second counted in this mission. I quickly moved to assign tasks to my friends through the walkie-talkie.