The war continued.
So did the war on the bay.
After Intis joined the fighting, the Royal Third Fleet-and indeed, Loen's entire navy-faced immense pressure.
Today, Sifa took part in another battle.
Though he could certainly be accused of shirking his duties.
He sent out a Sequence 4 version of himself, a projection he had previously exchanged for, to command and fight in his place.
After all, these "Time Projections" inherited their originals' experience and abilities.
They could handle many situations on their own.
Besides, Sifa remained in contact with the projection. If it could not handle something, he could intervene at any moment.
Sifa focused on hunting the Black Saint.
This would be no ordinary task.
His target was a Demoness who had lived for who knew how long.
She was an Angel!
Against such an existence...
No amount of caution or care could be excessive.
The fighting paused at night.
But the enemy fleet showed no intention of leaving. They might well launch a surprise attack under cover of darkness.
Sifa left his projection aboard the ship and secretly headed to Backlund.
Appearing somewhere in Backlund, Sifa used the mark he had previously placed on Katarina to confirm her current location.
He walked unobtrusively along the silent streets. The gas lamps lining the roads at this late hour cast a hazy glow, struggling to provide a little light for passersby through the drifting fog.
Before long, Sifa reached the East Borough.
He made a symbol from the Book of Mysteries appear in his eyes, and Dean Wengris, dressed in red, silently materialized alongside another figure.
Sifa turned without a word and walked into a silent, dark, abandoned house.
A moment later, behind his tinted glasses, the Hunter Demigod's slightly vacant eyes suddenly came alive.
Sifa took direct control