"Jellal, we've successfully captured Erza."
"Oh? Well done. Did anyone spot you?"
"No. She came back with us willingly."
"Excellent. Haha, Erza really is a foolish, good-hearted woman. Lock her up, then, and prepare for tomorrow's ritual."
"Yes."
After Simon ended his call with Jellal, he signaled with his eyes for the others to "escort" Erza to the prison. Just then, everyone heard Aibo's telepathic message:
[You don't need to hide anymore. I've secretly modified all the Surveillance Magic Circles below the fifteenth floor except the ones in the prison area. Jellal can't see what you're doing now, so go ahead and start rescuing people.]
"Uh..."
Sho's mouth twitched. They had just been discussing how to exchange secret signals without arousing suspicion, and now their biggest headache had been resolved in an instant. Was this what it felt like to have a powerhouse backing them?
"Wow! Little Aibo is amazing! I'm all fired up!"
Millianna blinked her slit-pupiled cat eyes, feeling as though the formidable Aibo was about to win her over as a fan.
"In that case, let's split up. Wally, go back upstairs and cover for us. Sho and I will hide everyone in the cards and get them out. Millianna... stay in the prison with Erza for a bit, and then we'll wait for Aibo's instructions?"
After assigning their tasks, Simon felt a little strange too. What he had expected to be a very serious undertaking had suddenly become easy, leaving him somewhat at a loss.
Erza shook her head. "I'll help you rescue everyone too. We still have four hours before dawn. With me joining in, we should have enough time to finish before sunrise."
"But what about the prison?"
"Sho, give me one of the Guga Cards. I'll teach you how to use them."
Erza