101. Home No More

I'd like to explain the details to you as soon as possible.

But it isn't safe here. So please come with me to the Nebu Alliance now.

You said ''now'', but we still have to return to the base to report on the battle in Eastrise and the Dragon Orchid first...

But if it's about the Relic. Then we can't just do nothing...

That's right... Besides, it might still be a good decision to go with them even if it's not because of the Relic!

After all, we all have become fugitives in Eastrise after this robbery at the execution site.

If we return to our country, it may lead to conflicts between the Bifrost government and the Eastrise.

Considering this, it makes sense to hide away at Nebu until the crisis is settled.

... Yes, that makes much sense now I think of it.

I want to avoid unnecessary conflicts as much as I can.

Since the most urgent thing is to leave Eastrise now, the only change now is going to Nebu instead of our home. Why don't we listen to her just this once?

Raeon also specifically said that Bifrost would be the first to fall... Just to be on the safe side...

Anubis... Wait, that's your name, right?

Just to be on the safe side, let me ask something important about the Relic first. Can you just tell me about it briefly?

... After Lord Horus heard about the news of the Dragon Orchid in Eastrise, she thinks that the only thing that can fight against it is the Relic.

At the same time, she hopes to find the relic with your power.

That's all I can say right now. I'm wary of eavesdroppers from Eastrise. I can't say any more than this.

I see... Raeon did say that the Dragon Orchid is made of Echo Crystal, right? Then, the Relic might really have the potential to fight against it.

... Then, this should be valuable information for us, right...

Our plan is set then.

But even if we decide to go to Nebu, someone has to report back. So why don't split into two groups?

Then I'll report back to Teslovik.

Are you planning to go back alone, Stara? Are you gonna be fine?

Yup. My duty is to show you guys the way in Eastrise anyway. And judging from our conversation, the fewer people returning to Bifrost the better, right?

You guys should set off to Nebu now. I bet you will find important news there...

What do you think, Sova?

Let's do it. The situation is only getting worse every second. We have no time to hesitate.

... Okay. Stara, we'll have to say goodbye for now. Thank you for all your help.

Great. I'll go ahead and wait for you guys back at Teslovik... Take care, guys.

We will. You take care too, Stara.

So I, Awakener, Eriri and Snezhana, the four of us will go to Nebu. Anubis, is that okay?

Yup. Let's get moving now that we've decided. Maybe they will keep sending pursuers after us.

Honestly, we can't even take a break.

...

Sova, stop looking so anxious as the captain. It'd be bad if the command system is down first, right?

... Sorry. It's just that, when I think of the Dragon Orchid's power... you know what I mean.

I'm anxious to think about how will that power affect the four factions in the future...

That's why we're going to Nebu, right? Come on, cheer up.

Awakener, say something. Sova has been looking like it's the end of the world.

I'm nervous myself too... Only you can be so calm in this situation, Eriri...

Only you can be so calm in this situation, Eriri...

I'm just trying to do what we're supposed to do, that's all. Isn't that what we all think?

... You're right. Anyway, let's get moving.

The peace we have now may only be temporary... But after the nervousness of that conflict with Raeon had subsided, I feel drained of all my energy...

To be honest, I still feel scared now... It's a miracle that we managed to survive with the Dragon Orchid's power, right?

Yes, I felt helpless facing it. I'll never forget this shame.

This time, I didn't directly see the Dragon Orchid's power. So, frankly, I don't have an idea what it is like

... But since both of you have said so, it must have incredible power.

However, even just from listening to your reports, I can already guess how ''difficult'' it is.

I can't believe it directly seized its opponent's Echo Crystal particles for its own use. How can anyone fight it?

We can only start coming up with a plan now!

As for the battle in Eastrise, we can see it as a way to get the most detailed battle stats on the Dragon Orchid. If you think about it this way, we are quite lucky, right?

... Anubis. I have a question. Can I assume what you say represents Horus?

I'm only a messenger. Lord Horus is far-sighted and insightful. Her thoughts aren't something a person like me can fathom.

However, I can be certain about one thing. Although I can't let you know the exact details until you reach Nebu... At the very least, the Nebu faction also sees the Dragon Orchid as an unprecedented threat.

So the news of the Dragon Orchid has already reached that far.

I think Nebu isn't the only one who got this intel. Moreover, the other factions should already be thinking about countermeasures from their perspectives.

It seems that the situation is now more than a mess.

I'm sure you all know that the four factions today have a delicate balance. The Dragon Orchid is bound to break this balance...

After all, whether you call it science, magic, or secret arts, everything in modern civilization is based on Echo Crystals.

If something can take away the whole power of an Echo Crystal, then it's obvious what a threat it poses.

Yup. The big shots in every country must be in a panic right now!

That person has hidden a trump card indeed.

Anyway, if we don't want to be wiped out by the Dragon Orchid, countries have to work with each other. This is what Lord Horus thinks.

The Lord chose Teslovik as the first step to initiate the partnership.

... Partnership? That sounds pretty ambiguous. Does this mean Nebu wants to form an alliance with Teslovik?

The mystery will be revealed once you reached Nebu.

... I see. Guys, we're about to reach the border of the Nebu Alliance. The number of enemy guards... Well, we should be able to handle it.

Got it. Running around like this... makes me feel like a fugitive.

We are actually fugitives in Eastrise. Besides, we are on our way to the Nebu Alliance, so it's only natural to be wary of any suspicious invitation to partner together.

I understand your concerns.

... Well, although my intention isn't to win your trust, I'll join in any future battles as the guide.

Oh, here comes our reliable support! Then, let's work harder, guys!