Rong was feeling happy that he was left alive. If he wasn't killed, he could still survive and get healed.
Unfortunately, Gabriel had something else in mind. Just because he gave Olivia an opportunity to decide didn't mean he was going to let him live if she did.
Gabriel crushed Rong's skull without thinking twice. He didn't care what happened to Rong here.
****
The youngsters reached the exit of the town, only to find their armies there. Xin had never seen so excited to see her army as she was now. These people had finally caught up to them.
He ran to them to tell them everything and ask for their help in saving Rong. Unfortunately, as soon as she stepped out of the town premise, she saw a sea of flames rising from the ground that covered her entire army.
The Mages hadn't expected an attack out of nowhere.