Might
...You can really get me out?

If the person before his eyes could get him out of here- even if it wasn't a human being, then it was good in some way.

When Might said that, the suspicious shadow gave him a weak smile that caused him to worry.

Person who is not a person
...By all means. Come out.

Without touching the prison bars with either hand, the door was opened with just a word. When he walked out to look, the sword Might always used was placed at the entrance.

Might
This is... my...??? It definitely is, but I must have dropped it when I fell off the cliff...

While he was stunned, the shadow disappeared, unnoticed.

Might
...That? ...What was that guy.

Even though his body still hadn't recovered from the numbness, he couldn't stay another minute in this place. Confused how his favorite sword got here, he lowered it to his waist. The weight of the sword felt calming.

Hurriedly he left the prison and rushed down the corridor at a fast pace towards the darkness of the night.

On the way,

Who... was coming?!

A figure came from the other side. All of Might's muscles felt like cold hands were gently brushing them. Panicking, he dove behind cover.

But, it seemed the other party didn't notice. Calmly, he passed by Might without any sign of trouble. Perhaps it was a student devoted to his research late at night. When Might was relieved, he used his legs to quickly leave the Training School behind.

Fritz
Haa, haa. Wer, Prince Werne...

Werne
Be persistent! Keep up the pace, Frizt.

Fritz
N, no, but...

The young man named Fritz followed after him, short of breath. He was quite like a child eagerly chasing after his lost mother. That he was sapped of his physical strength was told quite clearly through his gasps. He seemed weak, and yet that was an appealing part of him.

Werne
I can let you go. If you're going to be a hindrance.

The boy who coldly declared this was the only son of Allgreen Kingom's King, Sergei Claudius, and the first successor to the throne, Werne Claudius. Although he hadn't grown out of his childish looks yet, growing up he had an elegant appearance and intelligent eyes, hiding the sparkle of the future wise ruler he was expected to be. However, right now his speech and conduct were nothing but a lump of selfishness...

Fritz
I, I'm worried, Prince Werne. If you slip out of the royal palace whenever you feel like it, I get scolded... Let's go back early and study arithmetic.

He eagerly tried to persuade Werne, wiping his sweat with a handkerchief. He was in charge of Werne's education. However, he would always show off his selfishness as a prince, and he wouldn't be able to teach him more than a little. The prince was always carelessly settling his affairs with force. After all, he could use his position as a defense.

Today, the instant Werne went towards his desk he threw up his arithmetic textbook and slipped out of the castle. Fritz was in a position where he had to watch over him, but he couldn't detain him, so he ran after the prince reluctantly and they both ended up in town.

The town was overwhelmed with people in the daytime. The pleasant booths of fruits and berries of various colors lining the street; the vivid colors of fabric set up in stores; the meat of animals dangling at the butcher shop; stores with rare sculptures from the south... People going back and forth of all skin colors and garments, no two people were the same. This was Allgreen's capital, its name was known all over the country. Many people came expressly to sightsee. It was completely revived from the previous great war, and there wasn't a scratch to be seen anywhere under the brightness.

As he strolled around the streets of stores and houses, Werne was looking around at his surroundings with deep interest.

Fritz
Prince Weerne. We'll end up in the afterlife, if we don't return...

Werne
It's fine if no one finds out... Oi, Fritz. Don't go and tattle to Father.

Fritz
Ah, but... Prince Werne.

Werne
Be good, Fritz.

With an intense look, he glared at Fritz.

Fritz
Uuh...

Werne
And... stop calling me prince, prince all over town!

He thrust an index finger at Fritz as he snapped sharply.

Fritz
Why don't you listen to anything I say... *tohoho. Really, why did you have to become this type of person...
*tohoho is a sigh

It was obvious the prince didn't hear at first. He bit the handkerchief he'd been using to wipe sweat, muttering sorrowfully to someone that wasn't in their company.

Werne
...Did you say something?

It seems he came in earshot at just the right moment. Werne, who was walking about 5 steps ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around.

Fritz
N, no. B, b, by all means I didn't!

He swung both hands and his neck simultaneously humming, frantically covering. When the whites of his eyes were turned slightly, Werne turned around again and briskly walked away.

And as he did that,

Werne
Uwah!

As soon as he raised his voice, Werne's body was drawn into the shade of a building.

Fritz
...?! Hua! Prince Werne?!

He was horrified, confused, and he broke into a run (going as quickly as he possibly could).

Two hoodlums were in the shade of the building. One was holding Werne's arms behind his back.

Hooligan A
Oh, seems like you're the prince.

Werne
You insolent man! Release me!

He shook loose from the hooligan's arms, and frantically tried to escape. But, the man held the boy's delicate body firmly.

Fritz
Ah, ah, you! Release Prince Werne!

Finally finding the way, he said that in a shrill and nervous voice.

Hooligan B
As I thought, he's a prince big brother.

The man holding his arms behind his back laughed coarsely.

Hooligan A
Well, if you want my little brother there to return the prince, bring plenty of ransom.

The large man being called 'big brother' said to Fritz.

Fritz
Ra, ransom?!

Hooligan A
Oh yeah. If you want him to be returned safely, you'll bring it.

Werne
Fritz, you idiot! If you weren't yelling "prince, "prince" this wouldn't have happened!

He glared at Fritz, struggling in the man's arms. It was a good place to have an outburst of anger. If you were to go back, the real cause was when the Werne selfishly slipped out of the royal palace. But, he couldn't care about that situation right now.

Fritz
(Wha, wha... What should I do...)

Might finally felt fatigued and slowed down. He kept walking through the night to keep away from the training school. Before he noticed, he was in town. The training school was far away on the other side.

Might
I'll be ok if I've come this far.

Even though he didn't consciously come to town, when he considered it, it might be convenient to disappear among the people... and if his pursuer was to appear, speaking of that. Just as he took a rest, a hungry feeling welled up inside of him.

Might
My stomach, feels empty... which reminds me... I haven't had anything to eat...

Since he got injured yesterday afternoon... already he'd spent a whole day without putting anything in his mouth. Even if that wasn't true, his injuries were recovering, his physical strength was exhausted, and being tormented by Hector was exhausting, too... he was able to carry himself until now. His eyes changed as he became aware of his surroundings.

Might
...What should I eat.

At that time he searched for a meal as he passed the street stands.

Might
Nn...? What's this noise...?

Several men were having trouble in the shade of the building. Glancing at the downtown area, the best of breeds weren't brought up here, and the boy looked out of place as he was being seized by two ruffians. It seemed the boy's companion was off to the side. The youth's mind was flustered.

Hooligan A
Hey, take him quickly!

One of the ruffians hissed and knocked down the man who seemed weak.

The man fell into Might and tumbled out of the shade of the building as he was watching.

Fritz
Wah!

Might
Are, are you ok?

Although his voice was confused, the words didn't seem to reach the timid man's ear. But, he noticed the sword on Might's hip,

Fritz
Ah, even though I don't know who you are, the prince, please help Prince Werne~!

He hung onto both of Might's arms, begging him with tears in his eyes.

Might
Ow, ow... Don't, don't hang on so tightly...

The man held onto him with all his power, to the degree that Might would surely get a bruise. But, if the boy the ruffians had seized was truly a prince, he was confused since they wouldn't just let him have his way. If he wasn't mistaken, they probably would attach a high price to him.

Werne
Fritz you moroooon! Why are you asking him~! He's probably with these hoodlums!

...Not only his dress, but the arrogance of his attitude was the same level of the royal family. That sort of attitude didn't beg people for things. It seemed like he wasn't fully aware of the situation he was in.

Although this unintentionally discouraged Might, the weak man frantically pleaded with him again.

Fritz
I beg of you~. Please lend us a hand.

Lend a hand.

I don't want to cause a ruckus.