Fortunately, Aldin had ducked back in time. Wikina was eager to enter the ruins, and though he sensed eyes watching him, he paid them no mind.
"Those damned bastards," Aldin cursed. Only after Wikina led his people through the entrance to the ruins, and Aldin could no longer sense any Calamity-Rank Psychic Energy, did he breathe a sigh of relief.
But just then, an unexpected figure appeared.
A huge golden figure emerged on the horizon, immense, powerful muscles rippling beneath golden scales. It was the Golden Dragon Girl!
Arudika moved with astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, she reached the skies above the Orc troops left on guard and swept a True Dragon Breath across a vast swath of them.
The Orc troops had nowhere to hide and no one who could stand against the Golden Dragon Girl. They scattered, hoping for a lucky escape.
In moments, the area around the ruins' entrance was clear.
The Golden Dragon Girl abruptly took human form, peered into the entrance, then looked toward Aldin.
Startled and delighted, Aldin rushed from his hiding place and reached her as fast as he could.
"Lady Arudika, thank goodness!" Aldin cried excitedly. "Is the Mentor all right?"
"He's fine. He's already left," Arudika said evenly. "What happened on your end?"
"All the brothers under my command are gone!" Aldin sighed helplessly. Anger crossed his face. "There's a traitor among us. Someone went over to the enemy!"
Arudika nodded without comment, studying Aldin.
In fact, she had suspected Aldin was the traitor, though she had no evidence.
But seeing him now somewhat dispelled her suspicions.
"Lady Arudika, what do we do next?" Aldin knew nothing of her suspicions. Seeing the Golden Dragon Girl had given him someone to rely on, and he felt considerably more at