Reymon rode ahead at a steady pace, his eyes sharp and his mind calm.
As they neared the center, the roots shifted aside, forming a clear passage leading toward the heart of the city where the Demon Tree stood.
Reymon narrowed his eyes. "Keep moving," he said quietly. "Don't stop for anything."
Soon, they reached the central city square. At the center stood the Demon Tree — tall, seemingly ancient, and twisted — its massive roots spread out like a sleeping beast.
Just as Reymon was about to give his next command, his Hall token flickered with a message. He pressed two fingers against it, listening to the voice of one of his squad captains.
"Lord Reymon," the captain said, his tone uneasy. "We checked Lady Zinnia's martial arts school. The entire place is empty. There's no one there — no students, no disciples, nothing."
Reymon's brows furrowed slightly. "Empty?" he repeated. "So they've all gone somewhere else. Did he send them away knowing the siege would take place?"
