The night’s cold bit into Mila’s wet skin. As the water droplets fell behind her, she dragged herself to where Isabel was.

Mila needed a place to get some warmth. The swim through the lake and tunnels had chilled her to the bone. While the days were warm, the nights were anything but.

Furthermore, the lingering remains of the otherworldly miasma in the air added unusual wear to the air. Now that Mila was away from the city, she could tell there was consuming wrongness billowing from it.

Or, to be more precise, from below it. The wind in Mila’s hair brought fresh air - natural air. The natural scents ate away at the Stilag’s dirty ambience. The contrast made her feel unwell.

Yet, it wasn’t as bad as what Mila had experienced at the ‘Inbetween’. She was still unclear about what had happened there or where it was. But this - while likely will result in her being sick, wasn’t that bad. It was just how nature worked.

A part of Mila was glad Stilag would cease to exist tonight. While she quickly squashed that trail of thoughts…

It was undeniable the city was ruined. Stilag was beyond what could be allowed to exist on this plane. Mila could almost understand how the Temples felt.

But Mila knew - believed there was a better solution. This indiscriminating cleansing… It was not right.

Shaking her head, Mila dropped her ruined cloak, then the soaked tunic. She undid the knot of her shirt and tore out the wrapping holding her chest.

The hidden map under the wrap rolled down into the grass, smudged and ruined - unreadable.

“Ah,” Mila had forgotten about it when choosing the path. She hoped Mortimer wouldn’t be too angry for ruining it. Her memory was good enough to recall the details, but the map likely held sentimental value for the thief.

Mila picked up the paper and tore it into tiny pieces. She made sure nothing could be salvaged or found before returning her attention to her condition.

Everything was wet. It would be preferable to run around naked than in the sloshing mess that was Mila’s garb. She actually could feel her body warmth seeping out of her body.

But finally dropping her bloody clothes was freeing. Mila would leave the terrible nickname she had earned in Stilag and let it be buried together with the city.

The only issue was that Mila couldn’t go completely naked. The shirt, pants and shoes had to stay. At least the swim through the dirty waters had washed away most of the blood.

Mila sighed, wondering when she would be able to get a new set of clothes. Probably not tonight. People had run with what they had, and robbing them of the last remaining belongings wasn’t something she would do.

While contemplating how to deal with her condition, Mila heard voices ahead. Some closer, some further. They seemed to be spreading out, running and trying to stay hidden.

Mila felt some people pass her, unaware of her presence. There was no response from her mana sense. They were just common people, and she soon spotted them through the foliage, recognising them as Helly’s henchmen.

The discovery helped. Now Mila knew where to go. Tracing the path they had taken, she quickly found the main group.

Most of the group had dispersed already, making it easy to count everyone present. Mila’s eyes immediately fell on Isabel’s prone form, guarded by Kanna, while Vatim and Mortimer stayed a little further back.

Eyes on her girl, Mila rushed ahead, dropping her cover, startling some of the guards she had dismissed as unimportant. They didn’t stop her, instead running back towards Nara, who was quietly speaking to his people.

As she closed in, Mila relaxed. Isabel was conscious, if weak. She had noticed Mila’s approach and was welcoming her with a small smile.

Only now did Mila notice something else. Or rather, the absence of someone.

Andrew was not here. Neither was his bonds or Helly.

Mila slowed down, letting her gaze pass Laura’s group, who were huddling together in another corner, checking the shield-bearing woman’s condition.

They were sending wary glances Mila’s way but lacked any animosity for the moment. She judged they would not pursue their grudges against Mila and Isabel tonight.

Then it hit Mila. Viola was missing, too. So were her comrades. It soured her mood. She still wanted to speak more to Viola and about the woman’s past. The short bonding moment below Stilag had done much to make Viola feel important to Mila. She was now a dear friend.

But Viola could take care of herself. She was smart and capable. Mila didn’t need to worry about her.

Andrew, on the other hand…

Mila had wanted to have one last conversation with him. His leaving didn’t surprise her. Andrew probably chickened out of actually talking to them.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

And, to be fair, Mila knew they hadn’t exactly been receptive to his choice. Rightfully so, Andrew had been a giant dick, but he was now gone. She could only hope he wouldn’t do anything stupid but knew that was likely impossible.

As Mila made the last couple of steps before reaching Isabel, she swore to kick Andrew’s ass - after letting Isabel do it first, of course. Her girl had more reasons to be angry at the idiot.

But for now, Mila had to take her girl away from the danger and comfort her. “Hey,” She kneeled down and took Isabel in her arms. “Missed me?” She studied Isabel’s expression carefully, noticing the regret, anger and worry mixed with relief and happiness of being in Mila’s hands again.

Isabel nodded, awkwardly trying to hug Mila while nuzzling closer. “...wet…” She began blushing. Isabel had noticed the lack of anything beneath Mila’s shirt. The wet material clung to the smaller girl’s form, enticing Isabel in various ways.

“I had to swim,” Mila didn’t mind. She was more worried about getting Isabel wet as well but also didn’t trust anyone else to carry her girl. “Let’s go.” She stood up, glancing at Kanna, then Mortimer, who was cradling Vatim.

“Young lady,” Naran hurried to speak up before Mila left.

“Not a lady,” Mila sighed. “What is it?” She decided to hear the man out. He had helped them greatly in the end.

“How is Stilag?” Naran’s voice was almost pleading. Barcy milled behind him, quietly urging everyone to prepare for running. “Barcy told me, but…” He sought hope.

There was no assurance Mila could give. “Stilag is done for.” She was direct. “And everyone who was living in it will be chased down. Waiting here was a mistake.” Her words were harsh.

Naran seemed to wither, his face suddenly ageing years, leaving him just an old, powerless man. “Ah, and,” He looked in a direction away from the city. “Is Andrew a good man?”

The question was unexpected for Mila. She opened to ask why, but seeing the brittleness, she softened her voice. “Andrew is a good man.” She didn’t lie. He was a good man, just misguided at times.

“I see,” Naran suddenly straightened and turned around.“We are moving. Everyone knows the place. We will hunker down there and see what can be done.” He raised his single hand in the air and chopped down, signalling for his people to head out.

“We are moving, too,” Mila held Isabel closer, then began walking.

Mila’s brisk step was already too much for Mortimer to follow. With Vatim in his hands, his exhaustion showed. He had been moving, running and fighting the whole night. And the man wasn’t trained for that.

Mortimer was just a thief. Yet, while protecting the boy, he appeared to be a dependable man. Mortimer didn’t complain or drag his feet. He marched, knowing Vatim was depending on him to get him to safety.

But Mortimer wasn’t the only one lacking in strength. Mila glanced at Kanna, who was stealing worried looks at Isabel.

The girl was putting on a front. Mila could tell. Kanna hadn’t recovered enough from being a slave. She would likely collapse sooner rather than later. Her body was already showing signs of exhaustion.

They would have to make a small camp soon. Mila frowned and looked back.

In the distance, Mila could see the blazing fires razing the city. The sounds of destruction were there but muffled, uncaring and faint in the wind.

“...cold…” Isabel tried to cover Mila with her cloak.

“It’s not that bad,” Mila pretended. “I am more worried about you. Don’t get sick.” She squeezed Isabel, only then realising she was stealing warmth from her girl and making her wetter.

“...strong…” Isabel claimed.

“You are. You are very strong.” Mila agreed, softening her embrace. “But even strong girls can get sick.” She chided and gave a small peck on Isabel’s forehead.

“I can give her my cloak,” Kanna interrupted but was denied by Isabel’s unexpectedly sharp shake of the head.

“...keep…”

“Isabel. Maybe you should take it.” Mila tried to move faster but realised her wards were falling behind. “It is not that cold.” She tried to reason, knowing her girl was too stubborn to take from Kanna.

“...you…” Isabel refused, pressing her face against Mila’s upper arm. “...take…”

It was a bit petty, but Mila also refused. She silently continued to hurry ahead without mentioning the reason.

Having someone who was crushing on Isabel helping her didn’t sit well with Mila. She would rather toughen it out.

Unfortunately, the little sneeze did little to reinforce her stalwart image.

“...bless…” Isabel was nodding off and tried to crawl deeper into Mila’s bosom.

It was cute. For the first time for what seemed forever, Mila smiled. As Stilag slowly grew more distant, she felt her mood improve.

The road ahead would be hard. The trio of wards Mila and Isabel had gotten had to be settled down somewhere. She needed to track down what was left of Kefo and Tiff.

After tonight, Mila’s hopes of them still being alive had completely vanished. In her mind, their fates were decided.

And then there was Andrew…

Mila cradled Isabel. Her girl was asleep, too tired, and likely hadn’t thought deeply about anything that had transpired. The following days will be hard for Isabel. She had to make sure to not leave her love’s side.

Furthermore… The Sage and his group.

There was nothing Mila could do. At least they didn’t seem to be interested in bothering her for now.

For how long it would last, Mila didn’t know. She feared they would seek her out if she took too long. It would be better to face them on her own terms.

Somehow, the date with Isabel seemed very far off. Mila kicked a pebble, listening to the heavy breaths behind her.

Kanna and Mortimer wouldn’t be able to rush for much longer.

Mila didn’t look back, trusting they would warn her before it happened. Instead, She watched the horizon light up.

She wanted to say the new day brought new hope, but…

All Mila could see was more hardships before she could bed Isabel properly.

And then…

Mila had been serious when she had decided to date Isabel. She wanted their bond to become deeper, and there was a way to do it.

But that… That would have to wait for a while longer.