Hannah continued staring toward the enormous hole.
The creatures were still emerging.
Dark Abyssal mana continued spreading through the surrounding streets, seeping between shattered buildings and drifting through the air like a poisonous mist.
Her expression gradually hardened.
"...If the Rift really can't be closed..."
She looked toward Illyria.
"...Then we need to evacuate."
Illyria nodded slowly.
"...Yes."
Her gaze remained fixed on the battlefield.
"...For now, that's the best course of action."
But before she could say anything else—
Hannah suddenly turned.
Then—
she moved.
Illyria's eyes widened.
"...Princess?"
She immediately followed after her.
"...What are you doing?"
Hannah didn't stop.
"...I'm going to evacuate the civilians."
Illyria's expression changed.
"...No."
Hannah glanced back.
Illyria continued firmly.
"...I can't allow that."
"...We shouldn't get involved."
She quickly caught up to Hannah.
"...Your safety comes first."
Hannah stopped.
She turned toward Illyria.
"...Right."
Illyria frowned.
"...What?"
Hannah looked toward the streets below.
"...That's why we're not going to fight."
She gestured toward the civilians still fleeing through the streets.
"...We're only evacuating ourselves..."
Her gaze hardened.
"...and the civilians away from the danger."
Illyria stared at her.
Hannah continued calmly.
"...We're not going after those creatures."
"...And we're not joining the battle."
"...We're simply moving people somewhere safe."
Illyria remained silent.
Hannah's expression softened slightly.
"...If we leave everyone here..."
"...some of them won't make it out."
Illyria looked toward the civilians.
People were running through the streets in every direction.
Parents carried their children in their arms.
Injured soldiers supported one another as they struggled to move.
Merchants abandoned their carts and belongings without looking back.
Panic had spread throughout the city.
Illyria's expression slowly changed.
She sighed.
"...You're making it very difficult for me to argue with you."
Hannah gave a small smile.
"...Then don't."
Illyria shook her head.
"...Fine."
She looked toward the streets.
"...But we're not staying anywhere near those creatures."
Hannah nodded.
"...Hmm."
Illyria raised one hand.
Mana immediately began gathering around her.
A faint glow spread across her fingers.
"...Then let's move."
Hannah immediately followed.
The two figures descended from the rooftop and disappeared into the streets below.
---
Elsewhere—
in a quiet street far from the main battlefield—
a sewer cover suddenly shifted.
**CLANK...**
A figure slowly crawled out.
Ryke emerged first.
He looked around cautiously.
The street was almost completely empty.
No civilians.
No merchants.
No soldiers.
Only abandoned carts and scattered belongings remained.
Ryke frowned.
"...Everyone evacuated."
He looked toward the deserted road.
"...That means we're close to where that creature appeared."
Pythia climbed out behind him.
She calmly surveyed the area.
Her eyes moved from one abandoned building to another.
Ryke's expression became increasingly uneasy.
"...This area is dangerous."
He glanced toward the direction of the distant roars.
"...So we should leave."
"...Quickly."
Another figure climbed out of the sewer.
Kaelira stood up and brushed the dirt from her clothes.
She immediately glared at Ryke.
"...Would you shut up with all that rambling?"
Ryke blinked.
"...What?"
Kaelira pointed around them.
"...Where exactly do you expect us to go?"
Ryke opened his mouth.
"...Anywhere."
"...Anywhere but here."
Kaelira's ears twitched.
"...But this is where those things are."
Ryke nodded quickly.
"...Exactly."
Kaelira stared at him.
"...And that's where my Lord is."
Ryke went silent.
Kaelira folded her arms.
"...Do you seriously expect us to just leave?"
Ryke frowned.
"...So what do you suggest we do instead?"
Kaelira opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
"..."
Ryke waited.
"...Well?"
Kaelira glared at him.
Ryke nodded slowly.
"...That's what I thought."
Kaelira's eyes narrowed.
Ryke immediately raised both hands.
"...Alright, alright."
"...Sorry."
He lowered his hands.
"...But I still stand by what I said."
"...This place is dangerous."
"...Those creatures are appearing one after another."
"...Staying here without a plan is practically asking to die."
Kaelira's expression remained irritated.
Before she could respond—
Pythia finally spoke.
"...You both have a point."
The two immediately looked toward her.
Pythia calmly continued.
"...Ryke is correct that remaining here is dangerous."
"...And Kaelira is correct that leaving my Lord behind is not an option."
Her gaze shifted toward the distant destruction.
"...However..."
"...I will not leave my Lord."
Ryke stared at her.
"...Even if more Rift Breakers appear?"
Pythia nodded.
"...Even then."
Kaelira's ears perked up.
Pythia continued.
"...My Lord ordered us to retreat."
"...He did not order us to abandon him."
She looked toward the distant battlefield.
"...Until I know that he is safe..."
Her voice remained calm.
"...I will not leave this city."
Ryke sighed.
"...Of course."
He looked toward the direction of the distant roars.
"...I knew you were going to say that."
Kaelira glanced at him.
"...Then stop complaining."
Ryke looked at her.
"...You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
Kaelira smiled faintly.
"...A little."
A distant roar suddenly shook the street.
**ROOOOOAAARRR—!!**
All three turned toward the sound.
Pythia's expression remained calm.
Kaelira's ears stood upright.
Ryke swallowed.
"...Yeah."
He adjusted Draven's cloak around his shoulders.
"...I really don't like this place anymore."