Chapter 688

A chorus of screams echoed as people fled in terror, their paths crisscrossing with the watchful eyes of the intelligence members.

It was Gakane Bolunwald who stepped forward first, breaking the silence. "There's no need to wait any longer," he declared firmly. "Hinn and Finn, assist the pharmacist and help evacuate the people. The city guards or knights will soon arrive, drawn by the commotion. Remember, those within are all Awakeners - it's our responsibility. We must immediately contact the Cavalry and His Majesty the Emperor."

In the past, the Eldore siblings would have protested, preferring the thrill of battle over the task of leading others to safety. But their separate experiences in the West had taught these sarcastic jesters the true value of their abilities and the importance of teamwork.

The siblings' power to teleport objects, even people, was invaluable in emergencies. Their extraordinary strength, while excellent in combat, shone equally in rescue efforts.

Although they might only begrudgingly admit it, Gakane Bolunwald was undeniably reliable in crises. Having led his companions through the perilous Great Sarain Forest, he had taken on the most challenging tasks, displaying his tenacity even in the face of death. His perseverance remained unaltered despite near-fatal encounters.

The Eldore siblings found Gakane somewhat pitiable yet admirable. He never sought an easy life despite his appealing appearance, earning their respect and perhaps that of Devran as well.

'Though Devran was once a proud and ambitious man, eager to take the lead. Seeing this, it's clear why Yuder wanted Gakane in the intelligence service first,' they mused.

"Alright. We'll do it," the Eldore siblings agreed without hesitation, prompting a brief, relieved smile from Gakane.

"Thank you. Then Devran, come with me!"

"Understood. Let's go!" Devran quickly followed Gakane.

"Pharmacist, we're off too!"

"But how will we inform the Cavalry? It's too far for a note, even with our powers."

"Don't worry about that. I'll handle it," Enon replied casually, eyes on the smoke billowing rooftops.

"How so?"

"I'll just grab someone nearby. There's bound to be someone around here who can deliver a message."

And Enon did just that. Spotting a fleeing errand boy from a nearby shop, he beckoned him over. The young man, recognizing Enon even in his flight, readily agreed to deliver a message to the Cavalry in the Seventh Wall District. He even took a moment to exchange pleasantries, delighted to see Enon after so long.

"Aren't you going to flee, Enon? What are you still doing here?"

"You haven't heard? I closed the pharmacy and joined the Cavalry as their medic."

"Really? I've been too busy lately to keep up... Do they pay well?"

"They pay well, but the work is relentless. Why, thinking of joining?"

The young man paused, momentarily forgetting the chaos around him, lost in thought. "It's tempting, but I'm not sure about the workload. I'll think about it. Anyway, I'll be off then!"

"Alright. If you can't go straight away, just grab anyone from the colleague and pass the message on. It needs to be delivered as quickly as possible."

"Don't worry. If it were a higher district, maybe, but I know a shortcut to Seventh Wall District. I'll be there in no time!"

With a sly grin, the young errand boy vanished swiftly. The Eldore siblings, having delegated a task, looked up at Enon with a mix of awe and curiosity.

"Pharmacist, what did you use to do? You have an impressive network."

Enon shrugged off their amazement. "Like you heard, I've just been selling medicines here for a long time. It's nothing extraordinary."

"How can it not be? Just selling medicines for a while doesn't grant everyone the speed of information exchange like this. Yuder wouldn't have recruited you into the intelligence service for that alone!"

"Who are the colleagues? People from an intelligence guild or something?"

"Wow. Normally, contacting such groups is no simple task. If that's true, could you be an intelligence guild heavyweight disguised as a pharmacist...?"

"Hmm! It's possible."

The rascals' eyes sparkled with curiosity, but Enon remained unresponsive. Instead, he pointed towards a nearby fallen individual and gestured with his head.

"Instead of wasting time with pointless chatter, why don't you go and help that person over there?"

The Eldore siblings' attempt to probe further into Enon's identity was swiftly thwarted. Grumbling under their breath, they quickly set to work, calming the panicked crowd and moving them to safety.

Enon continued to gaze intently at a brick house from which unsettling noises emanated. Though he appeared to be doing nothing, his eyes were busily scanning the surroundings.

'It's been a while since I've seen such strong energies converging and churning within the capital. The malevolence emanating is too intense. Fortunately, the response has been swift enough that I don't need to intervene defensively, but considering that such incidents might increase...'

Lost in thought, Enon let out a long sigh.

'Right now, it's just this, but what about the times I don't know about?'

'That time' referred to an era Enon could only guess at, a past and a future that existed only for Yuder Aile, who was not present in the capital.

Since coming to believe that Yuder Aile hailed from the future, Enon often pondered those times. Yuder's reticence to speak in detail suggested a tumultuous past. The mere hint that Enon himself had been absent was enough to conjure numerous dreadful possibilities.

But what about now? All the measures Yuder had prepared before his departure were currently safeguarding the capital.

Enon turned his gaze southward. Beyond the clear sky, he knew, was where Yuder currently resided.

'Always causing headaches. He leaves all these bothersome tasks! If he returns even slightly more injured than when he left, I won't let him off easy!'

...

Yuder, feeling an odd chill, turned his head towards the source. All he saw to the north were birds flying leisurely outside the open window of the southern branch.

"What's the matter, Yuder? Is there someone there? Perhaps a bold fan climbed the wall to catch a glimpse of the western hero?"

"Hardly likely. Seems the window has been open for too long. It's getting a bit chilly; I'll close it."

Keenly perceptive, Kishiar noticed Yuder's reaction almost instantly and asked in a playful tone. Yuder shook his head and closed the window.

"Even in the south, winter is winter. We must be cautious. Come over here."

After a tumultuous day, the southern branch was busier than ever. It was teeming with visitors to the point of overcrowding. While interrogating those they had apprehended, the members of the southern branch, overwhelmed by countless protestors, barely had time to breathe. Yet, for Kishiar and Yuder, a brief respite was granted.

The man who had called Yuder over seated him in a plush chair and leaned against his shoulder. Yuder, wordlessly, used the power of the wind to toss a magic stone toward the magic-stone stove nearby. Multicolored flames burst forth, intensifying the crackling sound.

"Most of those we rescued yesterday expressed a desire to join the Cavalry," he noted. "Some wish to return to their hometowns, and we plan to support them in that."

"That's good to hear. It seems right to grant their wishes."

"Indeed. We shall proceed with that. As for Cyregina..."

Just then, a knocking sound interrupted them.

"Commander, a guest has arrived."