Marauder

The wheels rattled swiftly over the uneven paving stones, creaking as the carriage headed from North Borough toward the neighboring Empress Borough.

Angel knew that Councilor Mori Maht's Elk Manor lay in Backlund's northwestern suburbs, not far from her own Iris Flower Winery. At its center stood an enormous villa built a century ago and repeatedly repaired and remodeled. Its adjoining woodland was not particularly extensive, but the scenery was pleasant, making it a fine destination for autumn outings and hunting.

The manor stood on the southern bank of the Tussock River outside the city. Consequently, reaching it from North Borough meant they could not take the more direct route through Empress Borough, as there were no bridges across the river in the outskirts there. Instead, they had to travel through Hillston Borough to West Borough, then cross the Tussock River, which divided Backlund into northern and southern halves. This made the journey considerably longer.

Thus, Hazel was clearly taking the wrong route.

But Angel soon realized what she intended. Hazel planned to leave the city directly through Empress Borough, then use her Marauder abilities or a Mystical Item she carried to steal a bird's ability to fly. While the temporary effect lasted, she could cross the Tussock River outside the city, greatly reducing both the distance and the time wasted traveling.

Although this girl looks down on ordinary people all day long, she does have grounds for her pride. She became a Beyonder at such a young age, has a demigod for a teacher, possesses powerful Mystical Items, and is quite experienced at using her abilities... Hmm, that might have something to do with those nightly "adventures" Klein mentioned, when she sneaks out...

Angel kept pace with the carriage through the Mirror World, watching Hazel poke her head out