The bells of the Sacred Capital continued to chime in the distance, a dull echo dissipating through the canopy of the Sylvania Forest.
The night breeze was freezing, but the heat of battle still burned in Haruto and Aoi’s chests as they pressed deeper into the vegetation.
“They’ll be tracking us with mana hounds before dawn,” Haruto said without slowing his pace.
His eyes were fixed on the mental map of the terrain he had memorized before their escape.
“Captain Vane was just the underground perimeter patrol.
By now, the Archbishop has likely already deployed the Night Guard.” Aoi adjusted the strap of her greatsword across her back.
Though she tried to maintain a firm posture, Haruto noticed the faint tremor in her shoulders.
Soul energy compression didn’t consume traditional mana, but it drained physical stamina drastically.
“Let them come,” she grumbled, trying to sound indifferent.
“I’ll just shatter their shields again.” “Not if there are fifty of them at once attacking from range with area magic,” Haruto countered, stopping next to an ancient tree whose bark glowed with a faint bluish tint.
“Hold up a second.
We need to cover our tracks.” Aoi leaned against the trunk, letting out a long sigh that turned to steam in the cold.
The cold, unyielding facade she had shown the Inquisitors faded slightly, revealing the fatigue on her seventeen-year-old face.
“I hate this place, Haruto,” she murmured quietly, looking down at her hands clad in worn leather gloves.
“I miss the sound of the trains.
I miss buying something stupid at a convenience store at midnight.” Haruto stepped closer to her.
Without a word, he pulled a small canteen from his pack and offered it to her.
“Hang in there a little longer.
I promise you we’ll find a way to break clear of this hunt.” Aoi took the canteen, took a sip, and looked him straight in the eyes.
“Do you think what that tablet in the basement said was true?
About the ancient magic that can break human life limits?” “It has to be,” Haruto replied, unsheathing his short sword and beginning to trace a runic circle in the dirt with the tip of the blade.
“The Church’s high command has lived for over three hundred years by absorbing the vitality of summoned heroes.
If they could manipulate that principle to become immortal parasites, we can decipher it to free ourselves completely.
We aren’t going to be anyone’s food.” “Immortal, huh?” Aoi let out a small smile—her first of the night.
“Sounds like a ridiculous job for two kids who didn’t even finish high school.” “It’s the only job we have left if we want to stay alive,” Haruto smiled back, completing the final stroke of the runic circle.
“Mana Mirroring Effect: Activate.” The circle glowed with a faint green light before extinguishing.
Instantly, an invisible dome of distorted energy masked their tracks and altered the airflow behind them.
Any magical tracker passing through would only pick up a false trail leading toward the western river.
“Done,” Haruto said, sheathing his weapon.
“That buys us at least three hours.” Before moving forward, Aoi extended her hand.
Haruto took it without hesitation.
Her grip was firm, an anchor amidst the darkness of the forest.
They didn’t need speeches or elaborate promises; that simple gesture meant “I’m here, and I’m not giving up.” “Southward, then,” Aoi said, squeezing his hand before letting go.
“Let’s go hunt down some answers.”