The next morning.
The bad news about [White Dragon User] Feng Chen had already arrived, but the Strategy Group could not retreat. If the Strategy Group backed down, there truly would be no hope left.
"Who hasn't arrived yet?"
At [St. Freya], Kirito had temporarily taken over as acting guildmaster.
"Silica is still missing."
After counting the members, Agil reported this.
No one complained. Of everyone affected by what had happened to Feng Chen, Silica had suffered the greatest blow.
"Forget it. Let's go join up with the Strategy Group now."
There were still thirty minutes before the official battle began.
Will he make it?
Everyone at [St. Freya] was thinking the same thing. They firmly believed that Feng Chen was absolutely not dead.
At [St. Freya]'s temporary base.
"Ugh..."
Pina had lost her spirit just like Silica.
"Pina, I've relied on Feng Chen ever since I started playing this game. But now... I don't know what to do. Without Feng Chen, I'm completely useless."
Silica had fallen into total despair.
"Caw—!"
Pina flapped her wings and flew before Silica's eyes.
She looked as if she were saying, "Even without Feng Chen, Silica can still become an excellent Beast Tamer. [Blue Dragon User] doesn't exist just to set off [White Dragon User]. She exists to surpass [White Dragon User]."
"Surpass [White Dragon User]..."
Could she really surpass him? Or rather, could she actually do it?
"Caw—!"
No, it wasn't about surpassing him. It was about having a goal.
Feng Chen was Silica's goal. She didn't need to become a player as powerful as Feng Chen. She needed to become someone who could stand on her own, just as he did.
"Let's go, Pina!"
"Caw—!"
By the time [St. Freya]'s forces were preparing to depart, Silica was already running after them.