"We don’t have much time. I’ll explain now," Simon began. While scouting, he had discovered a creature used by the Priests, confirming they were being tracked. Their target was undoubtedly Sasha, the Saintess candidate. Fortunately, the environment was to their advantage—it was night, and the dense forest made searching difficult.
With this in mind, Simon devised a strategy: split into two teams. Seiwyr would use his illusion magic to create a decoy carriage to draw the Priests’ attention, while Sasha and the rest of the group escaped through the forest on foot.
"Are you telling me to go die?!" Seiwyr shrieked, leaping to his feet.
"Perhaps," Simon replied with a faint smile. "But if you refuse, you’ll face a punishment from both Vengeance and Kizen that will make you wish you were dead."
"...Ugh!"
"Cooperate, and I’ll report to Kizen that you fulfilled your duties as a mentor perfectly." As long as Seiwyr intended to remain in the Dark Alliance, he had no other choice. He reluctantly accepted.
"I’ll go with him," Dick volunteered, stepping forward to act as Seiwyr’s watchdog.
"Are you sure?" Simon asked.
"It’s obvious that if we send this guy alone, he’ll just drop the illusion and run to save his own skin," Dick scoffed. "Someone has to go with him."
Simon’s expression grew serious. "You could be in danger, too."
"Ah, don’t you worry about me! I’m confident I can take care of myself."
He was right. When it came to survival skills, there was no one more reliable than Dick. Simon and Meirin nodded in agreement.
"You have to be safe, Dick!" Kamibarez pleaded, her expression fraught with worry.
"Of course!"
They moved quickly. The real carriage was sunk in a nearby lake, and Meirin led the horses into a dense thicket, casting a sleep curse on them to keep them hidden.
Dick tore the mana engine from a boat and attached it to a cart he pulled from his Subspace. When Seiwyr cast an illusion over the makeshift vehicle, it became a perfect replica of the carriage.
"We’re heading out!" Dick called. "See you on the other side!"
The decoy carriage, carrying Dick and Seiwyr, sped away. Simon’s group, with Sasha in tow, set off in the opposite direction. Meirin took the lead, followed by Kamibarez and Sasha, while Simon brought up the rear, keeping an eye out for any pursuers from Efnel.
"Kami, just focus on protecting Sasha," Simon instructed.
"Right, Simon! I’ll do my best!" Kamibarez was already using her ‘Blood Silk’ magic, a crimson carpet that floated in the air, carrying Sasha as they ran.
"Meirin, if a Priest gets close, break off and intercept them."
"Okay. What about you?"
"Same here. If I spot anyone from Efnel, I’ll be the first to peel off. If I’m gone, just assume I’m in a fight."
Meirin nodded. Simon had been the one to expose Seiwyr and find the creature. This time, she would trust his judgment completely.
They moved through the forest, the darkness exuding an eerie silence. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, put them on edge, their minds racing with the thought that a monster or an Efnel Priest could leap out at any moment.
"Sasha, are you uncomfortable?" Kamibarez asked gently. Sasha just shook her head. Kamibarez gave a small nod back before turning to Meirin. "Is it possible the Priests will come straight for us?"
"Who knows?" Meirin replied, glancing over her shoulder. "If any of them can sense presences or Jet-Black, it might be a different story. But this is our best shot. Isn’t that right, Si—huh?"
Both girls skidded to a halt, startled. Simon, who had been running right behind them, had vanished.
"D-did he already leave?"

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