Night came, darkness embraced the earth as though wishing to swallow until the city lights chased it away.
Alex's group had chosen this hour to infiltrate the city. Eri would lunch a few fireballs in the form of arrows while Eris would do the same thing; she would shoot wind arrows instead. When the two arrows collide, it will create a beautiful firework that momentarily draws the guards' attention; the trio under Alex's vanishing bullet would sneak into the city. They could have chosen to fly above the city wall, but they would be most exposed; even under the vanishing bullet effect, it was unsure if others on the ground could not notice them therefore, the option of sneaking in through the door was the most dangerous one, at the moment the door was being opened to let carriages past through, this provided the best chance.
Alex exchanged glances with the girls, and they understood what needed to be done immediately. Eri acted by shooting two flame arrows. Eris waited for one second before also shooting; the arrows combined before exploding.
Fii! Boom!
''What is that?"
The guards were startled; they hurriedly looked into the sky, wondering if it was an enemy's attack; all of them looked, even a few people in the city also looked.
The diversion was perfect; Alex, Eri, and Eris sneaked in passed through the carriages nimbly as cats; before entering the city, they immediately found a dark alley and waited.
''Hum?"
''What is it?" A guard asked his companion after noticing he was frowning.
''I just felt like someone just passed me."
''Relax, you must be overthinking. I don't know what they are doing, but these fireworks look beautiful. Maybe our King will come back tomorrow.''
''Maybe.'' The other guard replied, clearly not in the mood like the other guard. His instinct was telling him that the fireworks had nothing to do with their city; someone outside must have intentionally done that; he searched for any presence nearby but found nothing. He could only sigh and focus on guarding the entrance.
'Maybe I'm overthinking.' He thought.
••••
Meanwhile, Leon and Leonardo, who had no idea that someone had just infiltrated the city, leaned against the cold wall. Except for stone beds and a dirty bathroom, there was nothing else in this prison.
''Shit! I want to eat a burger.''
Leonardo's voice suddenly echoed through the prison. Leon frowned but said nothing; although he didn't know what burger meant, he was sure that it was some kind of food. To think this man would think of food in a situation like this. How irresponsible.
''What? What with that fac? If you have something to sa,y say it. Worse I'll kill you.'' Leonardo glared at Leon after he noticed the weird look on his face.
Leon ignored him and continued to think of a plan to escape. He wouldn't put his hope on that fox because he knew how playful she could be. If she knew he was caught, she wouldn't immediately rescue him; she would first play with him before rescuing him. Beside, she must be enjoying herself, she wouldn't have his time, so he better find a solution on his own.
Just as Leonardo was about tease Leon to kill time, they heard the sound of someone knocking on the cell's door.
''Maggots, you have a visitor.'' One of the guards outside shouted.
''She is here,'' Leonardo mumbled excitedly while Leon sighed, ready to watch a good show.
The guards opened the door bowed to the visitor before living. The respect in their eyes couldn't be hidden; after all, the other party is the future wife of their prince.
Kuina strolled into the prison, but upon entering, she couldn't help but cover her nose with one of her tails, frowning in disgust.
Leonardo's eyes shone upon seeing that it was the fox, they hadn't seen each other in a while, but her beauty had increased yet again. She had become mature.
''It's good to see you-''
Before Leonardo could finish what he wanted to say, Kuina bypassed him, not taking his taking his hand, and stopped before Leon, who didn't stand up. He was still sitting, but his head was held high as he stared into Kuina's eyes.
For a moment the two said nothing, just staring at each other before Kuina chuckled.
''Oh! My! You look pathetic.'' She teased.
''Thank you for the compliment. You look gorgeous as usual.'' Leon responded calmly.
''Good, I want you to say it.'' Kuina didn't bit around the bush.
Leon sighed; now that it came to this, he didn't really have the choice. Gritting his teeth, he announced.
''I lost, please help me.''
Kuina smiled sweetly; it was as if she had taken the sweetest honey. Seeing Leon admit defeat and asking for her help brought her immense joy; it was almost intoxicating; she wished for more situations like this to happen, she would obtain easy victory; who said easy victory is not sweet? It is delightful; it gives you a feeling of joy.
Leonardo just stood there dumbfounded, not understanding what was happening.
Kuina ignored him and took out a notepad and inscribed something on it. The notepad looked extremely old. Upon seeing the old notepad, Leon sighed; he had something similar; they used it to record their victory against each other.
''With this, it makes 205-198, I'm right?" Kuina asked, and Leon nodded with a pained face.
If previously he did not understand what was going on, from what they said right now, Leonardo finally understood.
''You must be fucking kidding me.''
Kuina ignored him and closed her notepad, and stored it away.
''Guard!" She shouted, and a guard came running in; he immediately kneeled.
''Your order, mistress.'' The guard said without lifting his head.
''I will bring this one with me. He is robust; he will be good at doing physical labor.''
''As you wish, mistress.'' The guard nodded, Leon's face darkened, but he said nothing.
''What about me?" Leonardo asked, seeing that things were going as he expected.
Kuina only gave him a passing glance before leaving with Leon.