Forced to abandon contact with Snow Mountain Fortress, Annan returned to Star-Moon Bay without stopping. But the enemy's Scouts were just as swift. After the White Dragon carrying him landed in the Square, the Guard Captain reported signs of Scouts in the woods.
"Gema's Scouts?"
The fierce wind at high altitude had swept Annan's black hair straight back, prompting passersby around the Square to call out Jack's name.
"Ice River Port has been quiet for a long time. They're probably from the Loyal Knights."
"Have we caught those Scouts?" Annan asked, waving back at the enthusiastic residents as he headed toward the Lord's Manor.
"No. None of us can handle them."
Star-Moon Bay's development was decidedly strange. A town of nearly ten thousand people had a ten-meter City Wall that made Scouts exclaim, "What the hell is that thing?" It had no nobles, no wealthy families, and no privately maintained troops—only five hundred recruits who had yet to see battle and a few dozen residents who were Professionals. But one Blue Dragon, twelve White Dragons, and more than a hundred Large Elementals would make even an Epic Professional's scalp prickle. And if invaders besieged Star-Moon Bay, the Portal would leave them wondering what the point was.
"Then ignore them."
Della and the Elf rescued from the Dungeon were only Professionals. They might not be able to catch the Scouts anyway.
"How did things go with the Jana family?" Ingrid asked as she hurried over.
The fervor of the Jana women, as though they wanted to devour him, flashed through Annan's mind. He answered evenly, "Quite well. Only the Diatra family and the Barros family are left."
"Tell me about the Loyal Knights." Annan sat down on the living-room sofa and asked Abby to prepare some drinks.
"They're a Knights' Order