Volume 7 Chapter 39 Ridge's Escape Plan
As Ridge emerged from the hazy state induced by the truth serum, she saw Alkei pacing back and forth in front of her, clearly irritated.
"I can't believe they would resort to such drastic measures. This could expose our location. ... Are we going to move again? But, moving that thing..."
Ridge gathered a lot of information from these words alone.
One. Wade and the others had devised a plan to locate the Oath camp's headquarters. This plan was clearly causing significant disruption to the Oath camp.
Two. The Oath camp was working on a separate attack plan. This plan was difficult to execute.
This was completely separate from Ridge's situation. This meant that Ridge was now a low priority for the Oath camp.
Therefore, this was the perfect time to slip away unnoticed and escape.
Moreover, if she could escape now, she could bring this information back with her.
"...So, it seems I didn't say anything today~desuwa."
Ridge continued to gloat as usual, albeit with a body enveloped in fatigue. She did so subtly, avoiding drawing too much attention.
Alkei returned Ridge's gaze and said, "Yes, that's right," in a dismissive tone. It was clear that Ridge was no longer of interest. She then packed up her tools and left the room.
Once Alkei was gone, Ridge nodded to herself.
"...I'll seek Terin-sama's cooperation."
She pondered for a while, trying to come up with a realistic and compelling excuse to appeal to Terin's sympathy.
The idea that the interrogation had gone too far came to mind. Terin was a kind-hearted person, so it was not unreasonable to assume that she might let Ridge escape on her own if she saw that Ridge had been excessively tortured.
With that in mind, Ridge relaxed her entire body.
She opened her mouth slightly and let the drool flow freely. She also felt an urge to urinate, but she made no attempt to resist, allowing it to flow freely.
The discomfort of her wet clothes. The drool dripping down her arms. But Ridge remained relaxed, as if she had lost all bodily functions. It was as if the truth serum had finally broken her.
"R-Ridge-chan...? It's time for dinner, y-you know...? R-Ridge-chan...? A-Are you okay?"
Terin gasped at the sight of Ridge. She shook Ridge's body and called out her name desperately.
"Ridge-chan...! No, no, no! Stay strong! Oh, this is bad. Alkei-san, you...!"
Ridge pretended to come to her senses, mumbling, "Wha, what...? "
Terin's expression immediately brightened, proving that she was a kind person.
"Ridge-chan...! I'm so glad you're okay. I was worried about you."
"Terin, san...? U-Um...? ."
Ridge continued her act. Terin's relief turned back into anxiety as she spoke to Ridge again.
"Are you okay, Ridge-chan? Do you recognize me? What did Alkei-san do to you?"
"I-I, I will n-never, never tell."
"Ridge-chan...?"
Shaking her head weakly, Ridge pleaded,
"N-Never. I won't cause any more trouble. I won't, I w-won't...! ."
"...!"
Drooling, without a shred of shame or dignity, Ridge only insisted on not revealing any information that could cause trouble. She acted as if she didn't recognize Terin as Terin.
Terin's heart was moved by this sight, and her lips tightened. The tremor from Terin's hand, which was gripping Ridge, was transmitted.
Terin said,
"Ridge-chan... you shouldn't be here."
―――It was over.
Terin took out a key from her pocket. It was a different key from the handcuffs that would restrain Ridge. It was very simple in design. The lock would not open if it were used normally.
However, strange symbols were engraved on it. It was Rune. Terin rubbed the runes with her thumb to make them glow and inserted them into the keyhole.
"'Universal Key'."
The keyhole glows. And with a click, The key turns. The lock on Ridge's cell clicks open.
"...!"
"Ridge-chan, please wait. I'm here to break you out. To a safe place. I promise."
Muttering "Universal Key," Terin removes the other lock on Ridge's cell. Ridge is free, but she continues her act, collapsing limply in front of Terin's relaxed body.
――Or rather, her body, once drained of strength, is unable to regain it.
"Oh, that's dangerous. Well, let's go."
Terin hoists Ridge onto her back. Just being carried, Ridge's breath hitches, not part of her act. She wonders if being in an environment where she couldn't move properly for days had weakened her this much.
"Ridge-chan, can you put your arms around my neck? That's it, that's it. Good job. Now, we're going to sneak out of here quietly. Be quiet, okay?"
Terin exits the interrogation room. Ridge is speechless at Terin's matter-of-fact gait. What if they're found?
They enter a room that looks like a living room. Luckily, no one is there. Terin takes a coat hanging on the edge of the room. On closer inspection, the coat is engraved with runes.
"'Invisibility Cloak'."
Terin says as she traces the runes, and the coat turns transparent. She wraps herself and Ridge in it.
At that moment, Alkei comes out of another room. Ridge can't help but flinch. But Alkei doesn't seem to notice.
"What should I do? I'm really at a loss..."
Alkei sits down, looking troubled about something else. Terin slips past behind her. They're really invisible, Ridge realizes, awestruck by Terin's abilities.
"Don't be afraid.... Don't worry, Ridge-chan. You can do it when you put your mind to it."
Terin calmly opens and closes the front door. Alkei doesn't even notice the door opening and closing.
Terin continues down a deserted alleyway. The escape of the 2 invisible people has begun.
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