Smoke covered the eastern horizon.
By the time we reached the outskirts of the first border settlement, the sun had already begun to disappear behind the mountains.
The town below looked nothing like the peaceful villages we had passed earlier.
Several buildings had been damaged.
A section of the outer wall had collapsed.
Soldiers moved through the streets carrying injured comrades toward the temporary medical tents while civilians gathered near the center of the settlement, frightened and confused.
But something was strange.
There were no devils in sight.
Mia raised her hand.
The soldiers behind her stopped.
"Hold."
Everyone froze.
Lilith stared toward the ruined gate.
"They were here."
I nodded.
"The question is where they went."
A scout hurried toward us.
"Lady Mia!"
"Report."
"The devils attacked less than an hour ago."
"Where?"
"Everywhere."
Mia frowned.
"Everywhere?"
The scout nodded.
