“The monster won’t relent in its pursuit of me and Flora,” Eugene muttered, her gaze drifting to her hands. She possessed an unknown advantage, a powerful card hidden up her sleeve.


    “Lamita of the Sea…” she murmured, considering the possibility of turning the monster into wood herself. Her thoughts meandered before she shook her head, acknowledging the uncertainty of sess.


    What if she failed? What if sess came at the cost of her own life, leaving behind her newly found family—parents, brothers, husband, and child? The prospect of bing a sacrifice for the monster weighed heavily on her. Above all, she knew Kasser would never consent to such a n.


    Resuming her focus, Eugene picked up her pen and inscribed her thoughts in the notebook.


    [Is there no activity within the Holy City while the magic remains active? Has Sang-je made any demands?]


    [It’s still eerily quiet.]


    [There must be conditions it seeks to impose. Keep me informed of any changes.]


    [I’ll keep you updated. Try not to worry too much and remain calm.]


    Closing the notebook, Kasser sighed inwardly. He had lied to her. Days ago, envoys dispatched by Sang-je had demanded the presence of the Anikas under the guise of divinemand. With no viable solution in sight, informing Eugene of this would only burden her with unnecessary worry, potentially jeopardizing her health, especially given her heightened sensitivity after pregnancy.The boy and girl dispatched from the Holy City on the envoy’s mission found themselves thwarted by the imprable defensive wall magic encircling their home. Despite Kasser’s hope that they might have discovered a route back, the children solemnly confessed their readiness to embrace martyrdom upon leaving the safety of the Holy City.


    “His Holiness has warned us that malevolent forces lurk in every corner beyond the fortress protected by God. He emphasized the perilous nature of our mission, given the infiltration of God’s warriors by these nefarious elements. Nevertheless, we were steadfast in our resolve to stand by God’s side,” they recounted, their demeanor shifting from trepidation to dreamlike detachment as they spoke of their impending demise. Witnessing this, the kings were consumed by a mixture of anger and disdain.


    These children were undeniably the offspring of Salvationist believers, the most troublesome faction among the fanatics who fervently worshipped the Holy City. Firm in their conviction that when the world teetered on the brink of catastrophe and God descended, they would be delivered.


    They surreptitiously funneled funds without their families’ knowledge, draining their savings. In households where both spouses were devout followers, or where prosperity prevailed, these beliefs were instilled in their offspring from a tender age. It was as if the innocent minds of these children were systematically indoctrinated by their zealous parents.


    Despite the societal gatherings, there had been no repercussions against the assemblies held within the Holy City. Authorities justified thisxity by citing the difficulty in monitoring such ndestine events. Now, it seemed these gatherings were not merely overlooked but subtly encouraged.


    <i>If the wanderers are unaware… will we truly be able to uncover a means to dismantle that magic?</i>


    Since learning of Sang-je’s demands, no one dared to offer Kasser any hints. Even though the kings refrained from mentioning Eugene due to her being his wife, they didn’t broach the subject of bringing Anika Flora either. Perhapsplying with Sang-je’s demands was now regarded as a stain upon their honor.


    But what if the blockade of the Holy City persisted? There were still inhabitants from various nations yet to depart its confines. As kings, they couldn’t simply abandon them.


    Furthermore, without Anika, the royal family’s stability hung in jeopardy. If the blockade persisted for years and a solution to dismantle the magic remained elusive, rifts among the kings would inevitably surface.


    <i>That’s what he’s aiming for, isn’t it?</i> Kasser realized bitterly, his hand clenching into a fist with palpable frustration. It felt disgustingly simr to being caught in the monster’s clutches.


    ***


    Eugene’s brows furrowed in confusion as she nced around, trying to make sense of her surroundings.


    “Why am I here?” she murmured to herself, realizing she was seated at the table on the bridge where she often indulged in tea. Yet, she hadn’t visited this spot in quite some time.


    During the early stages of her pregnancy, she had refrained froming here out of consideration for Kasser, who harbored unease about heights. Even after she had stabilized, she continued to avoid the spot, unwilling to take any risks, even if it was just superstition, for the sake of her unborn child.


    “Could this be… a dream?” Eugene pondered aloud, a flicker of uncertainty dancing in her eyes.


    As the notion of it being a dream crossed her mind, a figure materialized in her thoughts. Eugene’s gaze darted around as she called out.


    “Elder? Are you here? I’d like to invite you, Alber,” she eximed, her voice carrying a mix of hope and anticipation.


    Suddenly, where there was once an empty seat, Alber appeared, wearing a gentle smile.


    “Elder!” Eugene eximed joyfully, leaping up from her seat and rushing toward Alber, her hand reaching out eagerly to grasp hers.


    “Jin, I came swiftly at your call,” Alber replied, her voice carrying a reassuring tone.


    “Elder, are you truly here? I’ve missed you immensely. I never imagined I’d have the chance to see you like this again. Am I dreaming?” Eugene’s voice trembled with emotion as tears welled up in her eyes.


    Alber’s smile was gentle as she reached out to affectionately stroke Eugene’s cheek. “You’ll soon be a mother. Congrattions,” she said warmly.


    Eugene’s gaze shifted to her slightly protruding belly, her heart swelling with a mixture of joy and apprehension. “Oh…”


    “A healthy baby will be born, though they seem to possess quite a stubborn streak,” Alber remarked with a knowing smile.


    Surprised, Eugene questioned, “You can see?”


    “I just know,” Alber replied cryptically. “Jin, I can’t linger for long likest time. That creature has ensnared the Holy City with its magic.”


    “I know. The Holy City is now encased in a defensive wall,” Eugene confirmed, swiftly updating Alber on the current situation. She mentioned the unity of six kings against Sang-je, detailing the challenges they faced in breaching the city’s defenses.


    Alber’s expression softened as she nodded in understanding. “It appears the world has taken a new turn without my knowledge. Thank you for your diligence. You’vebored tirelessly,” shemended sincerely.