(PS: Background BGM for this chapter: Palladio)
Deep within the Evermoors, a terrifying existence suspected to be an "Ancient Evil" had always been sealed away.
This was no secret to the people of the Northlands. In fact, through deliberate official publicity, more than half of the Coriel Continent now knew the legendary tale of the "evil thing" crisis seventy-six years ago, when the Northlands had stood on the brink of destruction, and the Goddess of Magic Mystra had personally intervened to seal it away once more.
Aierlinni, the ranger who had first discovered the warning signs and risked her life to relay the news, had thus become a hero of the Northlands and the half-elves alike.
And so, driven by the instinctive fear of destruction, everyone gradually chose to deliberately forget that shadow.
But at this very moment, when such bizarre signs appeared once again in the Evermoors—now utterly unrecognizable—those gathered at the city gate, including the minotaur Rayne, Fischer, Herbert, and the frost giant Bestna, instantly came to a realization:
The moment Li Wei had spoken of at that Retainers meeting before he fell asleep thirty years ago—"prepare for the worst"—had finally arrived, impossible to escape!
Because no matter what kind of existence this "evil thing" about to break free from its seal was, it was not something they could resist in their current state.
The only thing they could do
was, before they died in battle, cover the escape of as many Zelandians as possible
from Minas Tirith!
Escape this land on the verge of destruction!
Thus, while everyone else was still hesitating in terror, the minotaur commander—who had barely closed his eyes for nearly fifteen days—made a snap decision and issued an order that left everyone dumbfounded:
"Fischer! Organize the evacuation of all civilians immediately! Move!!!"
"Ah..."