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"Mm," hummed Donald. "And that's why you chose to spring me first, I take it? To see if I might be able to help you with that problem?"

"That, and it's a lot easier to spring one than three hundred. But like I said, if you don't know how to help, that's okay. I'll find a way to get you back to Atreya safely first. You don't need to feel compelled to come along just because I broke you out."

"That's very kind of you."

Eh. It wasn't really about kindness, actually. Raul just didn't want to give Donald any extra motive to betray him. If the man thought that the only way to get out of Vantalay quickly was to lie and give Raul the slip, then that would only cause problems.

Plus, he still wasn't entirely convinced that Donald would actually be able to help. So far, the guy hadn't really shared any concrete plans with him. Wasn't he supposed to be some kind of hyper competent spy? Well, Raul couldn't exactly blame him if he wasn't up for this. Fifteen years in prison had to have dulled his skills.

Raul kept his opinions to himself, though.

"...Are you hoping to ally with the RPMP?" said Donald.

"To escape through Ridgemark you mean? Maybe."

"Having so many superhumans on your side would be quite the bargaining chip during negotiations. If they're really fending off both the VMP and Abolish without the Vanguard's help, then they would probably be quite welcoming of your assistance."

"That would mean getting mixed up in this civil war of theirs," said Raul. "And potentially the continental war, too."

"Indeed. Hence my curiosity."

Ah. He wanted to know if they were going to drag Atreya into these foreign conflicts. It was certainly a reasonable concern.