Little Smo had no interest in hearing the Foreman's ridiculous excuses. He led him to the open ground among the buildings and, in front of all the miners, slipped a rope around his neck and hoisted him up inch by inch.
The tightening hemp rope silenced the Foreman's incoherent pleas and curses. His legs kicked and his hands flailed in the air, his face growing redder and redder...
It went on for dozens of seconds before his struggles finally stopped. Urine and feces dripped from his trouser legs.
Little Smo raised his head and looked over the silent crowd. "You're free! No one will enslave you anymore!"
"Long live freedom!"
Jeremy threw up his hands.
"Long live freedom!"
The members of the Blade of Freedom shouted along with him.
"Long live freedom!"
The miners' cheers echoed through the Mountain valley.
They lifted Little Smo into the air, celebrating the end of their shackles.
Lame Bob stood at the edge of the celebration, watching with quiet satisfaction. "You did well," he murmured. "Couldn't have done better..."
Once the miners finally set him down, Little Smo wasted no time. "It isn't over. The guards ran. If they reach Ize Bay, we'll be in trouble."
They had a chance of catching the other guards, but there was no way they could catch the Mage...
Their only hope was that the Blade of Freedom had not been exposed. They still had time to prepare or leave.
Whatever the case, Little Smo had the miners strip off the guards' clothes and put them on, then sent them after the fugitives to try their luck.
"Your voice..."
When Little Smo returned to Lame Bob's side, Lame Bob asked about it with concern.
"I was sick for a while. This is better. People find what I say