A sudden swarm of attackers threw the execution ground into chaos.
The first cloaked figure to reach the gallows leaped onto the platform, snapped the jailer's neck, and broke Little Smo's manacles. At the sight of those thick, brown hands, Little Smo cried out in delight, "Mr. Howler!? You brought people to save us?"
"Them? Don't know them."
Howler broke Lame Bob's manacles too and helped him up.
The unfamiliar attackers fought alongside the City Guard, the Knights, and the Mage Corps, but more soldiers were rushing in from afar. They surrounded the execution ground. There was no way out.
"Find a way to escape."
Howler could hold back no longer. He jumped down from the Hanging gallows and charged the City Guard with a battle cry.
Little Smo picked up the jailer's Short Flail and scanned the chaotic execution ground. No one was paying attention to them anymore. The Blade of Freedom was everywhere.
Bang!
A Mage with an arrow in his chest fell from the sky and crashed down a few meters from Little Smo. Little Smo froze for only a moment before lunging over and wrapping the Short Flail's chain around the Mage's neck.
"Do as I say!"
"I—"
Afraid the Mage might try something, Little Smo pulled the chain tight. "Either you die at the hands of a lowly farmer's son like me, or you do as I say!"
"Can... can you stop the bleeding first? I don't want to die..."
"It's just a scratch. You won't die! Do as I say!" Little Smo sprayed blood onto the Mage's face as he spoke.
Facing a threat to his life for the first time, the Mage could neither keep calm nor worry about cleanliness. On the verge of tears, he said, "Then tell me what you want