Mr. Swaro and Dean Breichim appeared beside Annan at the same time.
The Cavalry, still unaware of what had happened, were keeping order. The Gray-Robed Mage hurried over from afar, Illymoyas landed in the Square, and Annan spotted Evelyn climbing onto the Tavern roof with a Magic Stone to film the sky.
"The Demon's Eye... Has the Mad Dog Duke arrived?"
"No."
Mr. Swaro looked at Claire, who lay on the ground. "Is she related to the Mad Dog Duke?"
Annan remembered what she had said when they parted... She was going back to dissuade Younger Brother.
"This is a sacrificial ritual. The Mad Dog Duke wants to sacrifice all of Free City," Dean Breichim said.
"How do we stop it?"
"This is the Demon Lord's power. There's nothing we can do... except leave before the ritual is complete."
Annan frowned. "Can I take the Floating City with me?"
"At a time like this, you're still bargaining?"
"Treasure above all!" Illymoyas rumbled in support.
"I just don't want to run away again..."
Annan gazed up at the Demon's Eye in the deep sky. The Scarlet overhead grew darker, as if a rain of blood were about to fall...
"Make up your mind, quickly," Mr. Swaro urged.
Just then, the Demon's Eye hanging high above began to tremble and blur, as though some force were affecting it.
The Demon Lord's sacrificial ritual had been suppressed.
Annan looked at the three Epics in surprise. "...It wasn't us," the dean said, shaking his head.
"Could that Golden Dragon, Rex, still be here?"
Only Mr. Swaro gave Silly Cat, sprawled on the windowsill, a thoughtful glance.
The Demon's Eye shook ever more violently, then vanished in a way even the three Epics could not understand. The Scarlet haze gradually gave way to the sky's