As Licht and everyone was shopping, Licht noticed the population was generally lower, considering that Baledia has a higher population than Eldoria. As they kept walking, Licht whispered to Warner.
Licht said, "Hey, does something feel off to you?"
Warner said, "Now that you mention it, yes. The streets are filled with people, so why is a mall so thinly populated?"
Licht said, "Something is off. And why are there so many old people here snoring while reading the newspaper in broad daylight? Seems homeless."
Warner said, "Best to use Mana Resonance."
Licht said, "Seems so. I don't sense any hostility."
Warner said, "Should we draw weapons?"
Licht said, "No. Then we would be delivering the wrong message. Drawing weapons in a public place would make us criminals, which will give them the authority to do whatever they like and interrogate us and take us as war prisoners."
Isurugi said, "Maybe we are just paranoid. Maybe they emptied the mall to welcome us as guests, as some kind of gesture of goodwill."
M said, "I doubt so, but it's possible."
Alysa said, "I swear, you guys worry so much."
Iris said, "Alysa is right."
Olivia said, "Let's just enjoy a bit."
Mia said, "The quiet environment is nice."
Hedin said, "Yeah."
Lumos said, "Maybe we are just worrying over nothing."
Licht said, "You know what? You guys are right. I'm just wasting time. Let's have some fun."
As Horn was watching from a distance in the sky outside, they spent their day shopping and buying.
Suddenly, Iris realized she forgot her communicator at a clothing shop when she placed it during a clothes trial.
Iris said, "Sorry guys, I will just quickly get it."
Olivia said, "You really are an idiot. I will go get it."
Alysa said, "Wait, I will go too."
Elizabeth said, "I will go too."
Isurugi said, "Then maybe I should tag along."
Alysa said, "We are going to a women's shop. You will just freak everyone out."
Isurugi said, "But Alysa—"
Alysa said, "It's alright. We will be fine."
M said, "I'm going. I guess I forgot my private stuff there."
As they went, Licht said, "We will wait by the central fountain."
As they were sitting, Licht said, "Well, maybe I was worried for nothing."
As there was an announcement from shop 70102 stating: "Eldorian tourists, please kindly know there is a missing handbag here at the glass workshop."
Mia said, "Oh god, my glasses! I left them there. No wonder I couldn't see properly. Please forgive me, Admiral. I will get it."
Licht said, "Wait, I'm coming along."
Aoi said, "I'm coming too."
Lichee said, "I guess I will wait here then."
Licht said, "Sure."
As Licht reached the glass shop and the shopkeeper returned Mia's glasses, Licht said, "Well, we got the glasses back. Let's go back."
As the shopkeeper stabbed Mia with a knife from behind, Licht dealt with him in an instant.
Licht thought, What the hell is wrong? Why couldn't I react? He wasn't faster than a normal individual. Why am I so slow?
Mia was bleeding as he tried to stop the bleeding.
Licht said, "Mia, hold position."
Meanwhile, with Alysa's group, as they were leaving the shop, they were shot at. They barely managed to escape, hiding behind a table using it as a shield.
Meanwhile, with Warner's group, they were under attack. All three teams were under heavy fire.
Licht thought, What the hell is wrong here? Either way, we are leaving. As he put his hand inside his pocket to get his warp orbs or his communicator, they were missing.
Licht said, "Shit. That asshole pickpocketed me. Light Magic: Flash of Light!" As nothing happened, Licht realized the enemy was using Z Jammers to prevent magic use. Their normal communicators, warp seeds, and mana were useless.
Aoi said, "I can't use my magic."
Mia said, "Admiral—"
Meanwhile, as Alysa's team was taking fire, M said, "It was a setup."
As enemy combatants said, "Come out, come out, wherever you are!"
M said, "I will distract them. You three try to leave."
Alysa said, "No, we are fighting."
Olivia said, "We can't use magic, so it's best to stay together."
M said, "Fine." As she checked her pocket knife and communicator, they were gone.
As Horn came to them, she said, "I'm here to help."
Meanwhile, with Warner's team:
Warner said, "May and Lichee, with me. Getting you two out takes priority above all."
Lumos and Hedin said, "What about us?"
Warner said, "I will come back. I promise. I'm the only one who can fly because of my wings. I can escape. But if it requires, you two grab my legs. Without mana, we are defenseless."
As Liebe was in his meeting, Horn tried to call him, but because of the Z Jammer, magic-based communicators were also useless.