Several passersby went by, still discussing that strange, long-lasting storm. In their telling, Heaven Pillar Mountain's Light-Loss was all blamed on those storms that had come every few days for a time and lasted for ages. They also mentioned how some people had fallen ill during that period and suffered nightmares without end. After all those bizarre happenings ceased, Heaven Pillar Mountain had never lit up again.
Once the passersby had gone far away, only the three of them remained.
Mahama was the last to stop. The three stood at the points of a triangle, frozen for a moment, until a familiar bout of snoring came from a pitch-black lump beneath the shadow by the wall.
Ruger and the other man exchanged a glance, then hurried ahead.
It really was Wizard Zorn.
Their eyes communicated in the darkness. In tacit coordination, one took Zorn by the head and the other by the feet, carrying him toward the courtyard without pausing once or asking the female wizard's opinion. This person of unknown intent was stronger than them; the only thing they knew was that she was one of the Holy Judgment Wizards. But that identity was only one facet of a wizard's identity and could not represent everything. They did not dare provoke her. The best course was to avoid too much interaction.
I hope Wizard Jillian is inside and has already completed the solidification of her third-circle spell, Ruger thought.
For the first time, the red-haired witch showed a faint smile—if it could be called a smile at all. Only the corners of her lips lifted slightly. It was not an especially happy expression; she merely watched Ruger and Mahama's actions with amused interest.
Ruger paid her no mind and simply carried Zorn into the courtyard. He kicked open the