Author's note: Unexpected wording Error.

I screwed up the wording on Wires.
The wires are basically metallic tentacles.
But very thin that calling it wires sounds better in my head.
Which are in actual fact tiny robotic tentacles.

// Escalation // part 3.

As soon as Castel caught the princess.
She noticed something.
A set of long metal tendril like wire attached to the princess as it began to pull her.

It was then Castel decided to dig her sword on the cement In-between her and the wires as she used her weapon to tie the rest of the wire, like a rope around it.

She stood to see what was happening.
Then she saw it.

Baster was hanging unto the wire that wrapped around the princess while being dragged by a few wires of the mechanical bird on around his body as the rest weakly tried to pull him.
Its tug on him wasn't on the level, he was being torn apart but simply enough to keep the mechanical bird and himself afloat in an odd tug of war with him in the center.

Meanwhile, the mechanical bird was bound by the tendril-like wires wrapping the princess.
As it continues to pull her in.

She then noticed what Baster did.
The tendril-like wires were stuck inside the flying machine.

Rendering it unable to escape or flee.
While Baster was hanging unto the wire the moment he threw the princess.
It was the only thing keeping him from falling as he held unto the wire with his life on the line while being pulled down by the tendril-like wires of the enemy.

"I told you.
I won't let you bastards get away," he said while smiling.

"You...
WHAT DID YOU DO!?" the enemy shouted as he smirked answering his question.

"I sneaked around then found you hanging.
Then clogged a part of your machine with the crap you wrapped the princess around in.

Looks like I hit the jackpot though.
That was the part of your machine that managed these thin metallic tentacle wires right?"

He clogs a part of the machine's ability to effectively pull back the wires.
This left it in a state of malfunction.

This was Baster's gamble.
If the wires will tear him apart or not.

He believed it to be heavily damaged enough that it shouldn't be able to pull him.
While praying inside his mind.

(PLEASE, OH GOD,
PLEASE WORK!
I DONT WANNA DIE HERE!.)

And within short moments while they talked.
It then begun to crackle and burn as the tug on Baster had completely ceased.

"You Sneaky Little BRAT!"

"You can only blame yourself for what happened, you idiot.
I was right behind you the moment the battle started between those two.

Since you were busy controlling the drones like a toy,
Probably observing the fight.
I found an interesting part of your machine.
So I decided to exploit it.

Not like you guys are being fair with these nasty little turrets and drones you have lying around the place.

Am I right?"

He then had a wide grin on his face.
With the wires no longer pulling him.
From his waist, he pulled out his pistol.

It was a perfect angle to shoot him.
As his enemy trembled and froze as he saw it.

However...
His hand shaking on the gun on his hand.
-Baster was hesitating and the enemy didn't fail to notice it-

"HAH!? YOUR STILL GREEN AREn'T you!?" He mocked him.

"Then you wouldn't expect this would you!?"

Pulling out a button that controlled the explosive, he pressed it without hesitation.
*Puchi*

But nothing happened.

Baster's heart was beating with intensity.
The pilot startled him.
When he pressed the button.

"Phew...
Looks like Castel's men did their work.

You freaking scared me, you idiot!?"

Baster grinned bluffing the turmoil inside his mind.
Then the enemy did the most unexpected thing.

"You...
Who...
WHO in the realm are YOUUUU!?"

Anger and insanity burned in his eyes while glaring at Baster.
He controlled a part of his machine as a minigun aimed at him as it began to Whrrr.

Baster then said.
"Just a brat." He replied.

Feeling a rush of terror and frustration.
He was now left with no choice.

Giving Baster the reason to pull the trigger.
 
*Bang*

As the pellet made a direct hit on his head.
The battle between him and the pilot of the mechanical bird ended.

His fierce glare vanished in his eyes as the wires on Baster's body slid away from him.
The minigun fired in the sky without having the chance to even reach him as its aim went sideways into the road as it jammed.

The large bird-like machine slowly then fell then was dragged below the building of the academy causing a crash as it hit the ground.

Baster himself was now dangling in mid-air, extremely terrified of his situation.
As he clung for his life.

Thankfully the movement settled as the machine was no longer moving.

Castel, on the other hand, had predicted what would happen.
She was keeping the sword on the cemented floors of the roof to prevent it from slipping and dragging the princess.

She was injured and was no longer able to help.
Using any Long range ark-seals in her arsenal would only put Baster's life at risk.
He left the fight to Baster.

Then...
She heard the crash as the floor rumbled.

When the wires stopped moving,
She stood and checked her sword on the ground.
When it was safe and no longer budging from their fight.

She returned to check on Baster who was now dangling in mid-air as he held unto the wire.

Breathing a sigh of relief for his safety.

Meanwhile for Baster.

"Haah...
Haa...
That was freaking close."

As he too breathed a sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, both his arms were aching from stress.
He didn't have enough strength to pull himself up.

 (Shit my legs and arms are getting numb.
I don't like this height...

But still...
That was the first time.
I killed a person.

My hand can't stop shaking.)

It was undoubtedly shaking...
Without realizing the gun on his hand was no longer there.

It fell from his hand the moment he fired it.
As he felt sick from ending a person's life.

(Talie and Tori were right.
Knowledge truly is a curse...)

For the very first time, he deeply understood and experienced it.

...

...

...

Baster was finally safe.
With the help of her men, he was pulled inside the building.
He was now on the ground resting with Castel, preparing for a lot of questions along with many complaints.
She swiftly then asked him.

"Didn't I tell you to stay put!"

Of course, she scolded him.

"Sorry...
I'm not that good, at listening to orders.
I'm a student after all not a soldier." he grinned and jests at her.

But his words only served to piss Castel off as she sent out a barrage of complaints in his ears.

The shaking hands I felt have slowly subsided.
Thanks to her presence.

(It was a difficult decision.
But, if I didn't pull the trigger.
He would have shredded me with that weapon.)

After a while...
Castel calmed down.

"Hah...
You're ridiculous!
Do you even understand how insane that stunt you pulled just now!"

(I know how insane it was...
But someone had to do it.)

She was very angry with her face showing a mixed emotion of worry and amazement.

"I know...
And I won't do it again."

I rested on the ground extremely exhausted.
I felt like I lost a large chunk of my lifespan.
Looks like my gamble was on the spot.

(It was scary and dangerously close...)
Both my arm ached and my head felt so light-headed.
Relief gushed all over me as It was finally over.
But then she asked.

"Tell me, how did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"The wires, I expected you to be torn apart by that thing.
It was able to pull a human after all."

"Oh? that's easy." I replied.

"I saw a part of the machine behind it that spun like crazy.
During the time, the machine pulled the old man.

So I used the wires wrapped around the princess.
Before escaping with the princess and throwing her to you.

I wasn't sure if it would work...

So I did my best to cause as much damage as I can without thinking too much.

I only had like 20seconds before the magic wore off.
Everything was pure instincts after that...

I never imagined it would work so well though...
My heart was beating like crazy ya know!
Agh, I don't want to think about that situation anymore!

Just let me go home!?
I don't want to remember that scene.

My legs feel like jelly now."

(I'm tired...
Never did I imagine I would be in such a spot.)

"I... can't believe you.
You betted your life on instinct alone!?"

She was sighing completely speechless to what I have done.
Well, it's not hard to imagine.

Her words then became gentle as I felt warm water fell from my face.

"I have a lot of words to complain about...
But...

I'm glad that you're safe."

(Didn't you complained enough.) I retorted but then I saw it.

She was crying a bit while saying those words,
Then I noticed there was cut and was partially bleeding from her body.

(She's wounded.
But, she seems to care more about my situation than herself.
Seriously, why doesn't this woman have a husband yet? Dang it!) were my honest thoughts.

But then she hugged my head as her two large bosoms graced me with its softness.
I would enjoy it if it wasn't SUFFOCATING ME TO DEATH!

*HMPHM!!!!?*

"Oh sorry..."

"Puhaaah." as I gathered my breath.
I saw a blushing face on her as she then pulled out a bandage and began to perform first aid.

(Was what I did that amazing?
Still, she managed to beat a boss where she was supposed to lose.

Guess my advice to her pulled through...)

...

...

...

And so...
The battle ended.
The corpse of the pilot was found with a metal pellet on his head.

The flying one manned machine is now under investigation and understudy.

But there was one problem.
The sniper got away somehow.

The Pilot probably dropped him unknowingly, before my shot landed on my head.
What a gall for him to call me sneaky.

As for me.

Well...
I found Miss Annie Lent.

She isn't the princess and merely a book worm of the academy.

She later explained herself.
As a problem child of the academy that didn't want to join the military part of the academy.
But because of this, they were forced to perform drastic measures and force her into our journey as a learning experience.

Ugh, and here I thought everything was over...
She isn't a part of the cast, so I know nothing absolutely about her.

When I asked her why she still participated.
The reason why surprised me.

"Ancient architecture.
I wish to see it." She said.

What an odd motivation I thought.
She then added.

"There are buried treasures deep in the fallen ruins of some floating island infested by monsters.
I wish to join in those parts of exploration.

There are many mysteries regarding why they fell."

I then said to her.

"Then...
Nelly would like to have you then.
She's the mechanic and most studious of the group.

Both of you literally have the same interests."

But while observing her, she was observing me with intensity.

"Hmm...
Intriguing.
Looking at those bandages on you.
And the reeking smell of the sewers just like the people who rescued us.

I can guess...
You also participated in our rescue?"

"I never intended to...
But you were caught up in it.

So I had no choice.
And do I really reek like that?"

She nodded while pinching her nose.
My sense of smell must have dulled.

"So tell me...
If I wasn't caught...
You would have ignored it."

"I'll admit it.
Yeah, I would...
A mission, after all, should only be performed based on what you accepted.
Going even further than that is just pure idiocy."

(But I never expected such a ridiculous story event to suddenly unfold.
I nearly lost my life just now, Why is this happening to me!)

While my inner monologue screamed for help.
She continued.

"Quite honest of you.
I don't hate it.

But...
The fact is...
You still came for our aid, despite the circumstances.
So I am grateful for your help."

She moved her hand with a handshake as I accepted it.
With a gentle and surprisingly cute smile,
behind those glasses, beautiful Amethyst eyes shined inside of it.

She then politely said.

"I'll be on my way then...
I still have some of my things to set up in my home.
So I can't idle myself.

Let's continue this conversation back in the ship."

I nodded to her and responded.

"Take care."

I waved my hand towards her,
She wasn't too flashy nor too grandiose in looks like the others.
Quite a normal lass with glasses that is polite.

It was a breath of fresh air for me.

Still...
While this was happening I informed Lotte about the result of the task given to me.

"Good work!
I heard you rescued a damsel in distress.
I never thought of you as a prince in a fairy tale though!?"

"Stop joking around!?
I'm never doing something like that again!"
(Give me a break!, I only lent a hand to rescue my target.
But never imagined things to escalate like that!?)

"Well, not everyone is on the ship yet.
So feel free to slack off there."

"No way!
I'm going back to the ship!

If I stay any longer here,
I don't know what kind of bullshit is going to happen next."

But before I stood to leave.
Someone grabbed my shoulders and asked.

"We need to talk in private."

It was Castel...
After moving to a more secluded area.

She gazed at the yellow sky.

Time was now 3:00pm.

"I wanted to ask you...
Did you know about who you rescued?"

(Who I rescued? Ah...
That's right, I just remembered.
It was never mentioned that the princess existed.
Until later in the game when the king confessed about her.

Since princes in this kingdom usually inherit the throne.
The King of this nation selfishly hid his daughter away from politics.

But after she was kidnapped, he was desperately searching for her.
Turning to the protagonist for help.)

When I realized this.
I swiftly nodded to Castel and pretended to be dumb.
Sweat was falling down my cheeks as I realized that if I said yes.
Things might get dicey.

"I see...
Then you should know by now.
That the person you rescued is the Princess of Havel.

The Daughter of the king of this nation."

"Eeeh? and so?" I replied to her words.

But then she gave me a wry smile.

"Why aren't you surprised?"

I can't tell what my face is showing right now.
But I'm showing the best poker-face smile I ever have...

"Why would I be?
I don't really care about the royal family and their dealings.

They are the jerks responsible for giving us an insane amount of debt after all!
My siblings and I just want to get out of this rock, as swiftly as possible and live elsewhere."

(It was an honest answer straight from my heart.) Baster thought.

*While Baster said those words.*
The princess clutched her chest as things became awkward for her.

Castel on the otherhand had a frozen expression unable to follow up.
The person who wanted to speak to Baster was the Princess herself.

But after he said such words.
The situation became awkward as Castel was now aware that Baster held no form of love regarding his own kingdom.

"I see...
Do you hate Havel?" Castel asked.

"Hell yes I do!?" Baster shouted his heart.

Then barraged a series of his frustration towards it.

"This stupid nation full of NOBLE Pricks!?
Sent a freaking army of nobleships went their way to sink us!
How could I not hate this shitty place!

Now I need to push my ass to save the people who lived like them!
What a ridiculous situation!
I want to leave this place as quickly as possible and finally rest in Lotte's ship as quicklly as I can!
This job have given me enough headache already as I couldn't even imagine in one day already.

Like seriously, Holy shit!?

Curse these noble pricks who just sits in their chair eating happily like there is nothing wrong in the world!

WHILE I HAVE TO FIGHT FOR MY LIFE IN A FOREST FOR A SPAN OF TWO WHOLE DAMN YEARS!
JUST TO KEEP MY FAMILY AFLOAT.

SO YES!

I HATE THIS PLACE IN THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!"

*Huff* *Huff* *Huff*

Baster was panting.
Castel expression froze.

"Are... are you finished?" Castel asked.

"Yes...  and thank you.
I waited for quite a long time for someone to ask that question.

So i can finally express myself.

But after this mission.
I can finally leave this place with Lotte.

Hopefully we don't return after we retrieve our adventurer permit and live my life elsewhere."

Castel could only give a wry smile to his words.
As she nods unable to explain the situation to him.

"Is there anything else you would like to ask?" Baster asked him but Castel shook her head.

Baster bowed to her and left with a gleeful smile on his face.

Meanwhile...
Castel then checked on the princess hiding around the corner.
She saw her frozen stiff, with a pale expression.

Castel could only sigh at that point.

Delivery Mission: Successful.

//Escalation -Part 3- End. //

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