In the alley, just as Prince Tales took a deep breath, preparing to step forward and show off his heroism by saving Srimani, Shilai grabbed him.
"Wait. There are three of them. What are you planning to do? Stab them in the butt with your little sword?"
Tales patted his dagger and raised an eyebrow.
"Improvise."
Fine. He really hadn't thought this one through.
"Improvise?"
Miss Cavendish wore a sarcastic expression. "Is that so? That's certainly reassuring."
The three swordsmen drew closer and closer to Srimani. Pressed against the wall, he limped desperately away.
Tales sighed.
"If they take him away... they'll kill him. We have to do something!"
Shilai hesitated.
"Fine. Watch this."
Tales was startled. He grabbed Shilai as she prepared to step out.
"Wait. What can you do? What are you planning to do? Perform magic for them?"
Shilai instinctively pulled away her gloved hand. At his words, her eyes shifted.
"Adapt to the circumstances."
Adapt to the circumstances...
Tales laughed despite himself.
"Wow. That sounds just as reassuring."
At that moment, something unexpected happened at the other end of the alley.
"Woohoo! Brothers, happy festival!"
The three swordsmen's expressions changed, and they turned back warily.
"Happy!"
"Awesome!"
"Keep drinking!"
"Drain Emerald City dry!"
"Just like fucking a woman dry!"
A commotion approached. The alley's exit was filled with indistinct figures and noisy revelry, accompanied by the chorus of a large group singing:
"Lalala-li-la, lalala-lo-la, proud sailors drift afar!"
"Send those pirates trembling in fear!"
"Knock the shipmaster off his ship!"
"Keep all the wealth and jewels for ourselves!"
"Lalala-li-la, lalala-lo-la..."
The ugly singing drew closer. A large group of men in short shirts, each carrying a wine bottle, staggered arm in arm into the alley. The sour stench of alcohol filled the air wherever they went.