Evacuation, an Ending Doomed from the Start

"An explosion!"

"The Association's Base exploded!"

The villagers who had been busy at work all rushed out of an alley in panic.

In the distance, smoke and flames could be seen rising.

Old Tom, the town mayor's assistant standing in the center of the square, froze.

He grabbed a young man running past.

"What exploded?"

"Was that part of the show?"

"I don't know!" The young man's face was pale.

"The Association suddenly exploded! The blast was terrifying!"

Amid the chaotic crowd,

a group of figures ran swiftly against the flow.

They were pitch-black shadows carrying bags of money.

At the center of the shadows were Alice, holding Teach, and Moria, his face full of irritation.

On Alice's other side trailed someone as impossible to shake off as chewing gum.

"Hey! Why are you still following us?!"

Moria snarled at Carlos as they ran.

"If you hadn't helped us drive up the prices at the market and earn a little more Beli, I'd have cut off your shadow already!"

Carlos moved lightly, sidestepping a passerby with a sliding step.

He paid no attention to Moria's threat and flashed Alice a smile instead.

"Beautiful lady, as you see, danger always comes hand in hand with opportunity!"

"At a chaotic time like this, you need a dependable knight to clear the way and escort you!"

"And I happen to be well versed in music, somewhat skilled in combat, and intimately familiar with every street and alley around here..."

The veins on Moria's forehead throbbed.

"Who needs your escort?!"

Just then, a "Bulu Bulu" sound came from Alice's little bag.

She immediately stopped.

Moria and Carlos braked as well.

"Is that Lin Nuo?"

Alice swiftly took out the Transponder Snail and answered it.

The Transponder Snail took on Lin Nuo's face, though violent