The sound of footsteps crunching on the snow outside was gradually fading away.
Fang Hong gazed through the frosted glass, a thin layer of mist clinging to it. His breath fogged the glass further, creating patterns. He had to wipe it with his hand and tilted his head to get a better view outside.
After a mont, he withdrew his gaze and turned around—the room behind him was dim and dusty, suggesting it had been a shop closed for a long ti. The shelves on the walls were empty, leaving its previous business unknown.
"They've gone far." He looked at the other two and whispered.
The three of them were silent for a mont.
Fang Hong exhaled sharply: "I fear there might be even more people by the south gate; indeed, soone was following us earlier—" Fang Hong looked at Enan: "Luckily, we listened to you; otherwise, we'd be in danger now."
"We just sail in the sa boat," Enan also seed relieved: "But there're people everywhere outside, does Mr. Captain have any idea?"
"Just call Ade."
Fang Hong turned to Hilveld: "Do you have a map?"
Miss Ship's Officer nodded at him and retrieved a copper tube from the storage box under the Magic Guided Reactor. She unscrewed the cap, pulled out a rolled map inside, and spread it on the floor.
It was the map they had bought from the Brotherhood earlier, intended to find soone, but now it ca in handy.
Fang Hong took out an Illumination Crystal, held it in his mouth, and gestured for the two to co closer. As they gathered, he undid his cloak and covered it, lighting the Crystal underneath to illuminate the map, pointing at a spot: "We're right here."
"The sluice gate is here." Enan looked at the map and quickly added, drawing a line on the map, "It takes about three blocks to get from here to there."
"Not too far." Fang Hong listened and asked: "What's the situation in that area?"
Enan thought for a mont before replying: "There's a small patch of wasteland near the sluice gate, with woods and shrubs by the river. I can't say for certain what the winter condition is like."
"Smugglers can use this route; I'm sure it won't be much trouble for us."
Fang Hong replied, then took out the Clockwork Fairy—but hesitated, putting it away again.
The previous situation had given him a warning; the Clockwork Fairy could be a guarantee of Vision but also a potential hazard.
The Clockwork Fairy still in the sky, he dared not retrieve for fear of attracting attention, instead sending them flying in another direction to distract the opponent. But if he released the Clockwork Fairy again, he was equally worried it might reveal his location.
"Regardless, we only have this road to go now." He thought for a mont and said: "The Patrol Team has passed by, so this street should still be safe outside—"
The light of the Crystal went out, and the room returned to darkness.
Fang Hong lifted the cloak and raised his head, borrowing the faint light from the street, looked outside through the window.
He turned back to the two and said: "But the City Defense Force's search range has already passed us, and there will definitely be a line of vigilance on the outskirts. Although their focus might be on the direction of the south gate, once they discover us, they can easily react."
"Do we have little ti left?" Enan asked quietly.
Fang Hong nodded: "But I have an idea, let them go wrong," he traced a line on the map, the paper rustling in the dark: "I'll divert their attention, make them think we're still headed towards the south gate."
He looked at Miss Ship's Officer: "Hilveld, you take Mr. Enan and slip quietly down another route to the sluice gate."
"This is too dangerous, Mr. Ade." Enan hesitated for a mont and also stopped calling him Captain.
But Fang Hong shook his head, "I'm the Invoker, even if I fail, they won't leave stuck in the city; there are opportunities to get out." He looked at the other two: "But not for you, Hilveld and Mr. Enan, once identified by the City Defense Force, it'll be difficult to escape—there's no Resurrection Temple in the outskirts, if revived only inside the city..."
He didn't continue, but the two understood his aning.
Suddenly, Fang Hong felt soone gently holding his hand in the darkness. Looking back, he saw Hilveld's bright gaze and felt a gentle intention in her hand.
Enan didn't notice the private action between them, but he glanced at Hilveld, as if seeking her opinion.
In the darkness, Miss Ship's Officer nodded lightly.
"A quarter-hour," Fang Hong said: "If I don't co, you should leave first."
But he didn't tell Miss Ship's Officer that he only had two revival chances. Previously Miss Ship's Officer had tricked him several tis, and Fang Hong still harbored so resentnt—he couldn't help but smile secretly, thinking this ti they're even.
But Hilveld seed to see through his little thought, and she gently embraced him. "Be careful," she whispered like an orchid, breath soft against his ear.
After the three planned, they left separately.
Before departing, Miss Ship's Officer gave him a deep look, then turned away.
Fang Hong watched the backs of the two slowly vanish into the darkness, his heart oddly feeling a bit empty.
At that mont, he suddenly realized that this Noble Lady had quietly occupied such an important place in his heart. Fang Hong inhaled deeply, raised his gaze to the dark sky, and gently pulled up the collar of the Alchemist's Coat.
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