Huh!
All of them paused for a second after hearing Auran’s question. It was Henry who responded first.
"It’s my mistake. I should have told you this beforehand," he said in an apologetic tone.
"So, where are we? I know that Marian seems to know a lot about here, so I can assu..." Auran asked, his expression unchanged.
"Correct. We are in her world," answered Henry, looking at Marian.
"It was at the last mont that I rembered I don’t really know the na of our ho world, so I chose hers instead," he added afterward.
"It’s called Orary. Our world’s na is Orary," said Auran.
"Also, since we’ve already escaped from the prison, the group we put together is disbanded. Anyone can go their own way," Auran added.
However, none of them showed any intention of leaving.
"I’m good being with you all. Not like I have anywhere else to go—since I’m a wanted criminal in my own world," said Octo.
" too," said Nimuk.
"Ugh, just... show us the way," said Auran, too tired to interfere with anyone’s decisions.
"Mmm, I’m asking out of curiosity... but these Protectors you’ve been speaking about—don’t they wear official suits and co from floating ships?" Nimuk asked at that mont.
"Not at all. The Malv Flower world is just rich in tools. But here, Protectors rely purely on their skills in hand-to-hand combat—and they typically arrive in a place without anyone knowing," answered Marian.
"Understood... so if their arrivals are not known to anyone, then I wonder—who are those guys?" said Nimik, pointing up at a nearby tree.
Following his direction, Marian and the others saw a figure standing on a tree branch—a muscular figure of considerable height, similar to Marian. He held a spear in his hand and wore attire similar to the Night Hunter they had encountered earlier. He wasn’t alone. Gradually, Auran noticed that they were surrounded by multiple figures dressed just like him.
"Shit... we’re too late," Marian sighed.
"Answer—who are you?" the muscular figure called out from above the trees in a loud voice.
"So, who are these guys, Marian?" asked Octo.
"You idiots! They’re the Protectors—and the reason we can see them is because they want us to see them," exclaid Marian.
"Marian, I didn’t think I’d say this again, but I’m out of mana... so I’ll leave this to you," said Auran, taking another sip from the Brain Deceleration Potion.
" too... I’m also out of mana, so I leave this to you," said Henry from beside him.
"You... sigh! Alright. Let at least try introducing myself to them first," Marian muttered, stepping forward and speaking loudly:
"I’m Marian, the Bloody Queen of the Bloody Arena!"
"Bloody Arena?"
After hearing her, the figures in the trees whispered among each other—though their voices didn’t reach the group below.
"She’s lying! The Bloody Queen passed away three years ago—this is an impostor! Get her!" one of them shouted.
Afterward, the others faded from sight as they glared down at Marian and the rest of the group with fierce, hostile intent.
"What? An imposter... ? I’ll show you!"
Being called an imposter clearly enraged Marian.
"I don’t think it would be wise to go against the Protectors right now," said Henry cautiously.
"True. But if we get caught, it won’t end well. Just like I said before—they’ll torture us until you reveal everything about your life," explained Marian grimly.
Hearing that, the others in the group glanced at each other nervously.
"Well... are you sure we can take down the Protectors?" asked Henry.
"If we had your magic power restored, then yes—it would’ve been possible. But right now? I’m not so sure," Marian admitted, doubt in her voice.
As she spoke, the figures in the trees began to leap down. But just at that mont, sothing suddenly flew in and landed right in the middle of everything.
"An arrow?" Marian muttered as she saw the object.
For a mont, she didn’t recognize the object clearly, but then she noticed—it was an arrow, one she was familiar with. But this ti, sothing else was attached to it... sothing like a small bag.
In the next mont, the bag exploded, releasing a massive cloud of smoke in all directions.
The bursting miasma covered everything—Auran and the others, the surrounding area, and even the leaping Protectors.
Auran beca cautious as the smoke covered him. He quickly looked around, trying to locate the others. However, the thick smoke had already engulfed everything, and he couldn’t see any of his allies—not even Henry, who had been right beside him.
"Henry, are you there?" he called out.
In the next mont, a hand reached out from the smoke and grabbed him, pulling him into the fog.
Auran didn’t resist the pull, recognizing the tentacle-like hand of Octo.
Guided by Octo’s grip, Auran moved forward until they erged from the smoke, stumbling out near a hidden bush. There, he saw the others—along with Octo, who was still holding onto him—and they were all running continuously. Auran joined them, running until they had put a great distance between themselves and the Protectors.
Phew!
Auran collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air after running such a long distance without a break. Smiling beside him, Henry also lay on the ground, breathing heavily.
"Thank you for the help," Marian said sincerely to the Night Hunter, the one who had launched the smoke-exploding arrow and dragged them away from the Protectors.
"Don’t ntion it... no, wait—count this as doing you a favor. You owe one," said the Night Hunter after a mont of thought.
"Of course," Marian nodded.
"But what happened to your hunt?" she asked afterward. She knew how seriously the Night Hunter took his hunting sessions—he would never abandon one halfway.
"Thanks to the Protectors, I wasn’t able to go further into the forest. There’s a barrier blocking that part now, and it ruined my day," the Night Hunter replied angrily.
"So... it’s not because of the friendship, but because they disturbed your hunt that you turned back," muttered Auran under his breath. Although the Night Hunter clearly heard him , he pretended not to.
"Co on, let’s go. I know a shortcut to the city. Since you all disappeared, the Protectors will definitely sweep through this forest soon," the Night Hunter said as he turned and took the first step.
Auran and Henry got up, still exhausted, but they followed behind him without complaint.
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