Two caravan groups halted as they approached Dune Bastion. Uhe city walls they had entered in previous towns, whicircle and protect their inhabitants, this massive structure stretched out like a shield, separating the monster-ied wilderness from the safer, fertile coastal regions.

  Two Saharan soldiers approached the caravans. As they did, Ats and his panions desded from their vehicles.

  "Identify yourselves and state your purpose," one of the soldiers demanded.

  Ats raised his Awakener Device, showing his credentials.

  "Ah, you're a Lord," the soldier said after cheg the device. "How many are traveling with you?"

  "Seven, including me," Ats replied.

  The soldier ied the tents of the caravaiculously noting the octs. "Two women, five men. S this device with your Awakener Device," he instructed, holding out a ser.

  Ats discreetly activated the Veilstone Cloak, hiding Zara from the registry. Thus, only seven were officially recorded for entry.

  After the iion, they were granted passage. The group moved through Dune Bastion without trouble, entering aretch of desert. However, the path here was much improved, and the border structures scattered along the defense line served as outposts for the empire’s guards.

  As the caravans resumed their journey, Edrik broke the silehat’s stupid," he muttered.

  "What is?" Ats asked, gng back at him.

  Edrik gestured toward the Bastion behind them. "They’re proteg their people from the tral desert region."

  "And… Why is that a bad thing?" Ats prompted.

  Edrik sighed. "Do they really believe the coastal areas are safe just because they’re he o?“

  “That’s why the popution is more trated there."

  Edrik paused before adding, "But the reality is, there are tless high-grade monsters lurking in the depths of the sea. It’s an illusion of safety."

  Ats raised an eyebrow, sidering Edrik’s words. "How do you know the same is true in this world, Edrik?"

  Edrik leaned ba his seat. "Because that’s how it was in my world. People thought the os were safe simply because there had been no attacks from there. Yet, vast swathes of the os remain unexplored—uncharted territory filled with powerful, high-level mohat no one dared disturb."

  Ats fell silent, mulling over the implications. His gaze shifted toward the endless expanse of sand ahead.

  “Many monsters are indeed found in the os, Edrik,” Ats said.

  “Those are surface monsters,” Edrik replied.

  “When do you think those monsters will emerge or attack the nd?” Ats pressed further.

  “They’ll rise when they sense a force strong enough on the surface to challehem.”

  Ats nodded slowly. “So, the fact that those monsters haven’t surfaced yet is because of that reason. But if what you’re saying is true, and they’re bound to appear eventually, then it means we’re headed toward a massive upheaval, right?”

  Edrik nodded. “The people in the lower nds should capitalize ohing the nd has to offer and push everyooward awakening. At the very least, it would ehat people survive when the harshest ditions strike the world. Better that than remaining ordinary humans who rely solely on those who are already awakened.”

  The versation throughout their journey revolved around the potential evolution of the world, based on Edrik’s past experiences. Occasionally, Kurogasa chimed in, his own unique perspectives and insights.

  As they tiheir jourhe ndscape shifted, and tall buildings began to rise in the distance, signaling their approach to the city.

  The city they were entering, however, was not as rge or as advanced as Veymar City. It carried a sense of significe for Zara, as this was the pce her family once resided, with her lineage holding the esteemed role of City Mayor in its prime.

  They finally ehe city, driving through streets that were noticeably less crowded than those of Veymar. The flying vehicles here were fewer and less advanced, giving the city a slower, more subdued pace. Large digital dashboards mounted on the buildings dispyed vibrant advertisements and occasionally switched to footage of someone speaking with an air of importance.

  "Is that the city mayor?" Edrik asked, gesturing toward one of the dispys.

  Ats turned his attention to the s, where a man who looked to be in his fifties was delivering a passionate speech.

  “We will make this city great again,” the man decred fidently. “Developments are underway to create better facilities for awakeners, and signifit research efforts will be uo ence more awakeo emerge within our city. Together, we’ll build an enviro where talent thrives, where opportunity is abundant, and where no os left behind. The future of this city lies in its people, and I am itted to ensuring that every resident has the ce to tribute to this visio’s make this city a bea ress for the entire region!”

  Edrik raised an eyebrow. “Bold promises. Typical campaigoric?”

  “Very,” Ats said with a smirk.

  They tiheir versation. “So, what’s your pn in ing to this city, Ats?”

  Ats didn’t respond immediately, his sileretg long enough to make the question hang in the air.

  Finally, he spoke. “Are you challenging my decision?”

  “It’s my job to challe,” Edrik replied. “To ensure I offer the best advice I .”

  “Shouldn’t I?” Ats tered.

  “Should you?” Edrik fired back.

  “I’m only doing what I believe o be done.”

  “The more people there are in Gacha Haven, the more problems will arise, Ats. And you weren’t built to solve every issue by yourself,” Edrik pointed out.

  “At the very least, I’m creating an enviro where problems must be addressed, Edrik.”

  “And what if you face a problem beyond what you’re capable of handling?”

  “Then I’ll wait until I am capable of handling it,” Ats said without hesitation. “And wheime es, I’ll take a.”

  Edrik nodded. “As long as we hahings ly.”

  Ats allowed a faint smile to surface. “That’s precisely why I brought you all along—because I know you’re the ones who get things done ‘ly.’”

  “In that case, I agree with your decision,” Edrik said, his tone softening. “I just o ensure you were certain about it.”

  ***

  In a dimly lit office, a man sat at the far end of a rge desk, his face etched with frustration. He looked to be in his fifties, dressed sharply in a crisp white suit. His fingers drummed impatiently on the armrest of his chair as his pierg gaze bore into his assistant.

  “We’ve already eliminated reatest rival. So why are we still fag resistance? Do they think I’m someone who be so easily opposed?” he snapped.

  “Sir,” his assistant began cautiously, “the suspis people have about what we’ve created are growing stronger, and more fingers are being pointed in our dire.”

  The mayor’s expression darkened. “Find out who’s fueling these suspis and deal with them. I don’t want my authority in this city to fay more challenges.”

  The room fell into tense silence as the mayor leaned back, lost in thought, before abruptly smming his fist on the desk.

  “Could this be because his daughter is still alive? Was it my mistake to let her live?”

  His assistaated before nodding slightly. “Some believe Zara could carry on her father’s lega the future. That’s why there are still those holding onto hope that she might return to the city.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” the mayor spat.

  After a moment of silehe man spoke again. “Do you know where she is now?”

  His assistant answered carefully, “Reports suggest she was st seen in Veymar City.”

  “She’s still there?” the man growled. “Kill her. End this nonsense ond for all.”

  “Sir, she hasn’t been in Veymar for the past two or three months. Specution suggests she’s joined a Lord’s forces.”

  “A Lord?” The mayor narrowed his eyes. “Whie? Kareem?”

  “Judging by her level, sir, it’s most likely she’s joined a Rank-1 Lord.”

  “Tch. A Rank-1 Lord? That girl might just get herself killed without me having to lift a finger.”

  The versatioweewo tinued as they casually discussed the many terrible things they had done. Every so often, the city mayor's phone would ring. He answered each call briskly, giving out orders or coordinating as that seemed critical yet shrouded in secrebsp;

  To anyone , it would be obvious: this was a man pulling strings behind the ses, orchestratis far beyond what the public could ever suspect.

  “Thanks for the fession…” a voice suddenly echoed in the room. It wasn’t the mayor or his assistant who had spoken.

  Both men froze, their eyes darting around the offibsp;

  “Who is that? Show yourself!”

  From the shadowed er of the room, a figure emerged seemingly out of nowhere. a dark cloak and a mask that cealed their entire face.

  “An intruder!” the mayor hissed, his eyes narrowing.

  The assistant didn’t hesitate. With a sharp motion, he summoned a sword into his hand as he took a bat stance.

  The mysterious figure, unfazed, lifted a small device. “I’ve recorded your entire versation. That’s all I needed.”

  The assistant tightened his grip on his swring at the intruder. “You’re not leaving here alive.”

  ***

  (Author’s Note:)

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