The Flower Is Finished

After making sure they had all gotten out, we finally moved together to leave. But before that, some of them were injured, so I told those who were still healthy to help and support the wounded. However, some people did not agree with that, and it would only slow our movement.

"I hope you can help one another," I said to them, and they immediately nodded.

"Just leave them. They will only slow us down," said one of the officials whose name I did not know. He looked at me lazily. I frowned when he said that. Wasn't he supposed to care about the people? I thought, remembering his face with annoyance.

"You are an official chosen by the people. Then why don't you want to help the people who are suffering?" Shasha asked. After she said that, the official immediately fell silent.

"Is there a healer here who can treat the wounded?" I asked. Several people stepped forward and raised their hands.

I approached them and examined them one by one. There were differences in height, but they could support each other. The Elf clan was well known for its extraordinary medical knowledge, so I needed to gather those who understood medicine.

"Do you have medicine or something that can be used in an emergency?" I asked. They answered with nods. Fear was still clearly visible in their eyes.

Shasha gently tapped my shoulder and then stepped forward to speak with them.

"Let me talk to them."

For about ten minutes she spoke to them, and they agreed, even nodding their heads.

I remained silent, watching what Shasha said. After everything was settled, Shasha approached me.

"Xanders, they agreed. They will tell the others to stay together and help each other."

I nodded and smiled faintly when I saw Shasha, who looked perfect in my eyes.

"Xanders, are you listening to me?" She waved her hand in front of my face. I suddenly came back to my senses and smiled faintly.

"I'm listening," I said while turning my face away and scratching my head even though it didn't itch.

"So what is your plan?" she asked.

I sighed heavily.

"We have to find Farel, and my uncle and aunt."

"Farel?"

"You came here with Farel?" she asked in disbelief. I nodded.

"Why did you let him come here?

Into danger?"

She rubbed her forehead and looked away.

"It was the king's order and his own decision," I said honestly.

"Oh my God… how is he?

Where is he now?"

I shrugged.

"At first I was looking for Farel, but I found him instead." I pointed to the small boy sitting on the floor. "He told me there were people in the underground room."

"You know him?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"No. He was injured earlier, so I carried him. I didn't expect him to tell me there were people here."

Shasha pressed her lips together.

"Then what about them?" she asked again.

"Maybe we should find a way out first and then come back?" I said, because there seemed to be no other choice. But Shasha suddenly tried to hit my head.

"We won't be able to come back!"

My eyes widened.

"Why?"

"Don't you feel something strange right now?"

I fell silent. I had indeed been hearing the sound of flowing water for some time, but I had not thought much about it because my mind was focused on Farel.

"There is a trap after we leave this place."

I was shocked when I heard that.

"How do you know?" I asked in confusion.

"There is a traitor among us," Shasha whispered. She leaned close and spoke softly near my ear, making my ears turn red.

I could feel my body temperature rising and my blood heating up when she leaned so close.

"You know who it is?" I asked.

I glanced at my necklace. It was not pulsing, which meant they were probably not demons, but people cooperating with demons.

"Hmmm."

My plan suddenly fell apart. I could no longer search for Farel after leading these people out.

"Hey! Are you going to stay here?" Suddenly a middle-aged man shouted at us.

"We've been waiting for a long time. What are you talking about?"

Shasha and I looked at each other before approaching them.

They stared at me one by one.

"So what is your plan to free us from here?" the man asked challengingly.

"Are you an official?" I asked directly.

He hesitated and looked confused.

"I… why are you asking whether I'm an official or not?" he asked back. Some people began whispering to him.

"Didn't you say earlier that you were an official here?"

"Yes, I heard you say you were an official with a high position."

"Why are you lying and not admitting it?"

"Silence!" he shouted loudly as several people cornered him.

"If I'm an official, will you give me money?" he asked arrogantly.

I exhaled slowly.

"Your money is not worth their lives."

He fell silent.

"So why did you ask that?" he asked.

I looked around at the people staring at us.

"If you are an official, you must know the way out of here, right?" I asked.

He stuttered when I said that.

"Why don't you help us get out?"

I bit my lip, unsure how to answer him.

"You want to get out, don't you?" I asked.

He nodded without hesitation.

"I will entrust them to you."

"Shasha, I trust you. You can lead them all out of here."

I turned to Shasha, and she looked shocked.

"What about you and Farel?" she asked anxiously.

I smiled faintly.

"We will search for my uncle and aunt."

"Xanders, think carefully…" she said, disagreeing with my plan.

But there was no other choice.

How could I abandon Farel, who was searching for his parents?

"But that's dangerous," Shasha said.

"I'll go with you!"

Suddenly a teenage boy stepped forward and raised his hand.

"No. You must go with them," I refused.

He shook his head.

"I have to go with you."

"Yes, let him go with you," Shasha interrupted.

"You know him, Shasha?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Yes, I know him."

I nodded and agreed to let him come with me to search for Farel.

"Can I come too?" another teenager asked.

Shasha immediately cut me off.

"I don't think that's necessary."

"Why can he go but I can't?" the girl protested.

"We don't know what will happen later," Shasha explained.

"Then I'll go with him too," she insisted.

"If something happens, can you take responsibility for yourself?" I asked.

She hesitated.

"I can protect myself," she said loudly.

"You're still a child. You don't need to follow me," I said.

After all the plans were arranged, we decided to split up there.

"Can I go with you?" the same teenage girl asked again.

I glanced at Shasha, who was busy organizing the group.

"I don't want to carry a burden in my life," I said bluntly.

She stared at me in disbelief.

"You really consider me a burden?"

I nodded.

"If something happens, who will take responsibility?"

She fell silent.

"But you have the ancient fire. Why don't you help me? Save me?"

Her words made me want to hit her head, but I held back because she was still a teenage girl who spoke without thinking.

"Just go with them," Alex said to her.

"I wasn't talking to you," she snapped.

Alex rolled his eyes lazily.

"I don't have the energy to carry someone else with me," I said and walked toward Shasha, who was still organizing the escape plan.

The girl stomped away angrily.

"I think the rumors about you are true," she muttered.

I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't care," I replied indifferently.

Before leaving, I informed Shasha that the situation outside was relatively safe, so they could leave for now.

I also told them that several soldiers had already died, though some might still remain. I warned them to carry useful items to defend themselves in case they were captured again, because I suspected this was part of a trap prepared by the enemy after they finished taking hostages.