Outside Bayam City, Abner flew southwest toward the Winstu Tribe at tremendous speed, carried by the Red Cloak.
The Red Cloak was an alchemical creature, fundamentally different from Sealed Artifacts with "living" traits. It could learn on its own—for example, how to read a map.
Abner had not "steered" it at all. He had merely shown it a route marked on a map, and it had taken him straight to his destination. It was practically a self-driving vehicle with navigation.
Once they reached the outskirts of the Winstu Tribe, Abner switched to "manual" control and descended slowly to the ground.
This time, he had prepared for the cold. Unlike in Indo, he had not arrived with his face pale from freezing.
The Winstu Tribe's settlement was built against a mountain. Two checkpoints stood before its gate, and many men armed with rifles kept watch from the tall towers. Several cannons were mounted on the walls as well.
Taken as a whole, its defenses made it a hard place to attack. Someone with formal military training had clearly advised the locals.
But after a closer look, Abner found holes throughout the seemingly tight defenses. The Resistance Army soldiers were lax, too. Several men who were plainly meant to be hidden sentries were even smoking.
Even the best defenses still depend on the people manning them... Abner thought. He rubbed his chin. But their relaxed attitude also suggests nothing serious has happened here. Life has been peaceful for quite a while...
Then Judy's problem probably didn't come from this tribe. Did it happen somewhere else?
Despite that initial judgment, Abner did not rush into the settlement. He became a Nightmare and entered the dream of a dozing Resistance Army soldier.
In a stilt house raised on wooden posts, a soldier with