That afternoon, as bright sunlight spilled freely over Aitandinburg, a long-absent warmth crept into the cold air.
The rare winter sunshine lifted everyone's spirits.
But Wofft was certainly not among them.
He already knew what had happened at Chika Bay.
An explosion!
An earth-shattering explosion!
He also knew what Councilor Aitfen intended to do.
Wofft had said little about it.
No one understood the power of gods better than members of the Silent Night Secret Society like them.
But...
Wofft gazed at Aitandinburg's peaceful afternoon, at the smiles appearing on the civilians' weary faces, and could not help narrowing his eyes.
"Are we really going to abandon everything?"
The Silent Night Secret Society member representing the southern councilors could not help murmuring to himself.
"What else can we do?"
Holleka countered.
"Yes, what else can we do?"
Wofft gave a bitter laugh.
Behind them, Stone, Bill, and the other three remained equally silent.
After the incident involving Runkal, the five had received no punishment. Instead, Councilor Gelsak had praised them and given them tangible rewards.
Their standing had risen to varying degrees.
They had also been allowed to command the people gathered earlier.
It had felt like a dream to the five of them.
But that pleasant dream had soon become a nightmare.
They would have to face another difficult choice.
Fortunately, however, Stone, Bill, and the others all discovered that they were nowhere near as frightened or helpless as they had been the first time.
Human adaptability was frightening indeed!
With that thought, Stone quickened his pace until he was walking alongside Wofft and Holleka.
"How many people can we take?"
Stone asked calmly.
Wofft's steps faltered at once.
"Not many."
"We can only keep the elite."
Wofft's voice was dry.
"Understood."
Stone nodded.
What was there left to