Endrick was silent for a moment.
Staring intently at God Mervous' face.
"Did you mean what you said, Kayrus? Leaving? Hm... I mean escape? We're running away from this place?"
The man in front of God Mervous also seemed to be asking God Mervous the same question again, trying to make sure that what he had heard earlier was not a mistake.
"I'm serious, Endrick. Aren't you tired of all this? Don't you want to smell freedom?" God Mervous urged the man to comply.
Not without reason, God Mervous simply felt sorry for the man. Working round the clock without pay, being forced and constantly tortured made God Mervous also want the man who cared for him to breathe the air of freedom.
"I just have my doubts. They might find us quickly. Besides, there are guards in every corner of this place. We have no chance of escape," Endrick replied matter-of-factly.
"I can handle all that. As long as you know which way we can go, which exit, I'll guarantee those guards won't be able to catch the two of us," God Mervous said reassuringly.
The gaze that bound Endrick's eyes made the man in front of him look locked up, not knowing what to say.
"You're my friend, aren't you? Aren't you tired of all this? I know, you want to be free of it too. So, let's go together. Let's get out of this wretched place."
God Mervous continued to try to suggest the thoughts of the man.
Because God Mervous was also sure, the man must know about the ins and outs of their place.
Endrick must have heard of places that might be able to lead them to freedom.
Thus, God Mervous continued to persuade him relentlessly.
"There is an air of freedom that we can enjoy up ahead. We just need to band together to support each other and then get out of this place together. Come with me. Come on, Endrick," God Mervous invited, extending his hand.
God Mervous' reassuring gaze locked on Endrick's and the man could only nod his head.
"Alright. I will come along with you, Kayrus."
Finally, after much thought, the decision came out of Endrick's mouth.
With a triumphant smile, God Mervous then pulled Endrick's hand to help him stand up.
"Come with me. Let me show you our safe place. Soon the guards will return to enslave the others, we must find a special place if we do not want to be caught by them."
Apparently, it could be seen by God Mervous that the man might have previously planned to escape.
It was all too obvious how the man knew of places everywhere that were safe. It seemed like Endrick was also looking for information to get away from that place of torment.
"Did you ever plan to escape?" asked God Mervous with a lopsided smile.
Currently, the two of them entered in a bush that managed to keep the two of them covered. No one would be suspicious about their presence in the bushes close to the two big, fat trees.
"No, I'm not. I'm not as desperate as you are, Kayrus."
"But you know everything. You know where we should go and what we should do. It's impossible for someone who has no intention of leaving to know that much detail."
God Mervous flashed a lopsided smile that Endrick could no longer mask.
"I'm tired too. I want to leave. But, in the end I can only come back. I'm too scared to face everything alone."
God Mervous smiled triumphantly, his gaze on the man would never miss.
The man then raised his hand, patting Endrick lightly on the shoulder.
"There is no need to be afraid. You will be strong when you see things as challenges instead of obstacles." God Mervous looked at the man.
"Don't be weak because those people will bring you down even more. You must be strong for them to be defeated. You are already immune to torture, facing them is no big deal."
Endrick nodded his head in agreement with his friend's words.
"Then, which way should we go? I don't see any way out here at all."
God Mervous, who was already impatient to leave, kept turning his head left and right. For a moment, Endrick was silent, trying to retrieve his memories.
[I heard that the cave over there can show a way out of this place. It's just that the dark and steep place makes anyone afraid to go there. Some say there are many guards there. If there are guards, it's obvious that the place can show the way out."]
The memory of when he accidentally eavesdropped on the other slaves while not being watched by the guards flashed through Endrick's mind.
"I know. Follow me."
Endrick walked silently, letting the shrubbery that injured his hand go without complaint.
Until finally, he stopped his footsteps when he found a cave not far from their current bush hideout.
"Look at that." Endrick pointed with his chin.
"Over there. I've heard it said that there's a way out, hence the many guards there."
God Mervous looked at the two guards in front of the cave door.
"Let me take care of everything."
God Mervous raised his long sleeve until it was in line with his elbow.
"But, Kayrus. You.." Endrick said and then fell silent. "He even left right away without hearing the end of what I said."
Meanwhile, God Mervous was now walking without hesitation towards the two guards. Although he had no strength, God Mervous felt very confident that he could finish off the two guards.
"Hey, slave! Give me passage or you will face my wrath."
God Mervous came with a challenge. The 2 guards with their shields and guard equipment then turned to look at God Mervous, smiling as if they were underestimating God Mervous who came empty-handed.
"You will die for daring to threaten us."
Bugh! Bugh!
With the power he had and some of the powerless warfare knowledge he possessed, God Mervous knocked out the two guards in no time.
He looked smugly at Endrick.
"You're so good."
God Mervous looked even more arrogant.
"Let's go before anyone sees this."
He and Endrick entered the cave cautiously. There were many dangers waiting for them in there.
Fortunately, the guards inside the cave were not gathered. There was only one person after another who was encountered and immediately subverted by God Mervous.
"Look out!" Endrick screeched, pulling his friend away.
A medium-sized rock that collapsed almost hit God Mervous, fortunately Endrick was alert and immediately helped his friend.
The dangers kept coming as if to test their seriousness. By taking care of each other, Endrick and God Mervous made it through the rampant danger.
Long enough to sneak around in the darkness of the cave, the two men finally found a bright light that signaled the end of the cave.
"Finally. Our freedom is now in front of our eyes."
Endrick looked excited, this was the first time he had ever felt so happy.
However, like being flown as high as possible in the sky and then dropped in a short period of time, the hope of freedom was instantly dashed.
Instead of freedom, the end of the cave brought them to a lake.
Endrick was really confused at the moment, because as the man remembered, according to the information he had gotten this cave could lead them to freedom instead of being trapped like this.
"Shit! This is all a trap, Endrick. You've been fooled. Now we're stuck here. I'm sure those guards have already reported us."
God Mervous chuckled in annoyance. How could he not think of this possibility beforehand.
"There's no escape here, Endrick. We've been set up. We've fallen into their trap."
Endrick felt guilty. It was all because of him that they ended up like this. "It's my fault, Kayrus. I apologize to you. I had no idea it would end up like this."
A long sigh ended God Mervous' irritation. Everything had happened, there was nothing to regret.
Until shortly, a light dazzled Endrick and God Mervous' eyes, as they closed their gaze.
"You fools, you deserve to be slaves."
A commander came riding in on a horse, the shiny shield apparently the one that had managed to dazzle the two's vision earlier.
"You two should be punished. King Libradon will surely be pleased with this potential sacrifice."
Both of them were stunned. Especially, Endrick who now rounded his eyes sharply.
Faintly, Endrick's small murmur could be heard with his face full of fear. "King Libradon?"