Rise of The Holy-Realm Rebel

Time passed on the camp as we continued to work our bodies searching for Solarite. Contrary to expectations, more pieces of that crystal were found. Although they were significantly smaller in size.

As a matter of fact over three months since my achievement, all the Solarite recovered from that pit could not be compared to one-fifth of my find. In consequence, there was hardly any belief that we'd find more. We continued to dig out of compulsion.

My overall status on the camp remained the same for most of the time. Many of those men barely spoke to me, and only a few ever did. I could count all the men from my quarters I had spoken to.

That detail served me well, however. I could continue my search for other escape, meanwhile, blending in.

Nevertheless, keeping my optimism was far more difficult than seeking ways to escape.

It was far easier said than done. My situation remained bleak. Only on the strength of hope did I manage to continue. Still, many days saw me down and utterly disinterested. Yet strangely, Nura managed to leave a significant dent in that mood every time we spoke at length.

Speaking of which, it quickly became a pattern for us to meet at the fountain every few nights. It remained a secret between us and even the other females, but that relationship couldn't stay a secret.

Once in a while pairs would leave the hall for whatever reason and see us chatting.

Of course, those guys spread the news, and a general dislike for me bubbled up in their chests. I cared less about them still. And my demeanor showed it.

Soon the season of rain came, forcing us slaves to work in the mud for the majority of that time frame. Thankfully, I had access to private baths. Nothing fancy, but enough for the others to loath me with all their being.

Once in a while, the empire's soldiers would bring me along on hunts, though they weren't allowed to take me out too frequently. As such, I utilized those few hours outside the camp well.

In truth, this was my only way of learning ways to escape, and the knowledge I gained greatly helped.

I learned of the various locations around the camp, and they fleshed out my growing plan. At some point, I realized that all I needed was a solid chance, and I'd at least know my way for a bit.

Unfortunately, I could never get such chances during hunting. I was never given a weapon and was merely assigned to carry things. Of course, I did this as diligently as I could to earn another chance outside. This worked far more than I expected.

I was indeed the most privileged slave in the entire camp and even got the attention of the other females.

A couple of them approached me with their intentions clear in how they looked at me. Working in the pit had forced my physical prowess to jump. I was far more capable than when I awoke.

Prolonged exposure to the sun's radiance had tanned my skin, adding to my overall appeal.

I turned down their offers because it frankly never concerned me. The lady who had gotten pregnant had also been taken out of the camp when it was discovered that one of the soldiers had been responsible.

At the very least, the proof of fatherhood led back to the unlucky fellow. Sub-general Ivon had made sure to make a public show of him before he was sent to another camp to serve the main punishment for his actions, causing the buzz of sexual fantasies to further die down due to caution.

All these remained confusing to me, however, since during my time it was a norm for such to occur. Unfortunately, the lady always took the brunt of the event. I had never understood why, though. The man was as much to blame as the lady.

I finally had to attribute that civil treatment to Ivon's personality. He indeed was a reasonable man.

Before we knew it, the sixth month of our becoming slaves passed. We were still too new not to count. A week of collective sadness had ensued when someone announced that truth.

I heaved a deep sigh as I walked down the path returning to the camp. Today had been another unsuccessful day of violent digging.

We returned in the usual groups, and the only person who bothered to stay close to me was my partner whose name I learned was Jeshar.

Today had been sunny. The rainy season had come to an end, after all.

Quickly we arrived at our quarters and in about an hour everyone had washed themselves and were preparing to be served their nightly rations.

The ladies had brought out the giant pots they served from and a few other preparations were at hand.

I sat on an idle bench, waiting. By this point, the others had also gathered around equally waiting.

Unfortunately, our wait would be cut short by the abrupt emergence of a flaming streak that formed an arc in the sky before slamming into the castle above us.

My eyes had well caught the event, and we all could only look in silent astonishment.

"What in sols name—!!"

BOOOM!!!

A brilliant burst of orange light followed by a blast of searing heat, and a bang of tremendous intensity, shook us out of our stunned daze, as its shockwaves caused everything to be thrown into disarray.

The singular streak had contained more than we imagined, and we ran around seeking cover, as large portions of the castle came crashing down!

The ground trembled violently beneath my feet when the first chunks of the castle came in contact with the ground. Everything shook.

I ducked and shoved, seeking safety myself. Flaming bits rained down upon us, and thanks to the blast a cloud of dust and soot hovered above the ground, reducing visibility.

I could hear the horrid cries of men who had not been lucky enough to escape the falling rocks, and my chest began to thump, reminding me of the battlefield months prior.

Still, as though that were not enough, the unignorable sound of roaring echoed in the night sky, forcing the lot of us to cast our gazes on the sky again.

My face paled as I counted not one, but seven flaming streaks arcing toward the hill! Some missed their mark and landed right in our midst!

In a mere instant utter chaos spread out in all directions, as the cool evening breeze was violently swept away by the heat of those scalding flames, lighting up the scenery with its orange radiance.

I heard the roars of several men on fire, and their writhing figures as I stood still, now uncertain of where to go.

If I drew closer to the castle the building would crush me. If I stepped into the light I would be in danger of being lit ablaze by those fiery attacks.

"The walls!" Someone roared suddenly, and I found my gaze landing on the east side of the stone wall that encamped around us--stopping us from leaving. There was now a hole in that defense and several men dashed towards it without hesitation.

Unfortunately, in quick response to that turn of events, soldiers met such individuals with their blades. Several men were cut down in an instant, their blood staining the ground… Still!

A group banded together wittingly and dashed forward. Two of them suffered the cut of a sword, but the remaining five overpowered the guards and crossed the wall into safety.

My heart leaped at that sight even if pity reached my mind when a flaming ball landed on their figures right after they stepped out of the wall.

Horrid cries ensued.

The trees outside were set ablaze, further tinting that scenery with an orange light.

Still… a sense of hope I had never experienced since I stepped into that chaotic world gushed into my chest as a series of calculations appeared in my mind.

Everyone was running even if they seemed to lack direction. Many dashed into the shelters while some attempted the hole in the wall, only to either be put down by determined soldiers or actually escape into the forest.

I chose escaping and I knew bloody well nothing would stop me.

Firstly, however, I needed something.

Finally, my feet moved as I dashed towards a certain building; small In size, attached to the west side of the wall where the gate stood.

It was here our digging tools were kept. And although we were usually not allowed near it. To my delight, I found it had been left unguarded.

And of course, it was. In less than a minute, the castle had nearly fallen completely.

My figure weaved through the running men around as I arrived before the building in no time. It was locked. Thankfully a wooden door was all that enclosed it.

With conviction gushing through my chest, I rammed my right foot into it a first, second, and third time. On the fifth time, the door gave in and I stepped in. My heart nearly ruptured from excitement.

"HEY!" A voice roared from behind me, however. A cold shiver traveled up my spine and back instantly. I had momentarily lost the bit of awareness I kept on my environment.

I turned to face the fellow. I recognized him.

He stood about five meters from my position, sword out and ready to charge at me. He did.

However, to both of our shock, an intense orange radiance suddenly seeped through the gaps within the gate; lighting up the area, while the ambient temperature skyrocketed.

Bells rang in our heads, even if an explosion unfolded an instant later, shattering a significant portion of the wall in the process. Everything seemed to happen in a dragged-out motion.

Both he and I were caught in that explosion, and whilst I was busy being flung by the explosion's force, the wall also came crashing down on me.