Coastal Street.
Annan stood with Girardi and three Epics beside a Shop Window, discussing the Refugees Stranded in Free City.
Annan wanted the three Epics to open a Portal together and send everyone home... Otherwise, they would die on the road.
They had no objections. Annan discussed the schedule with Girardi: he would leave for the Duchy in three days and take any Civilians willing to return with him.
The Temporary Meeting ended. Mr. Swaro did not leave, but followed Annan into the Street.
Alice, who had been waiting in the distance, came over.
"Did you dream about the Demon Lord again?" Mr. Swaro asked him.
"No. I went to Siltovis afterward and haven't rested since..."
"Snape!"
The sudden angry shout made Annan, Alice, and Mr. Swaro turn around at once.
Rui Bartley stormed toward them, gripping a Greatsword. "Where are you taking Mr. Potter?"
Another person who thought the Magic Film was real...
Before Mr. Swaro could turn Rui into a Swine, Annan stepped in front of him. "Uh... I'm glad you liked it, but you know Magic Films aren't real, right?"
"What? Not real... Then you and Rose..."
"That's right, that wasn't real either. Jack died in the Mage Tower, but here I am, still standing—" It was hard to imagine a burly man nearly two meters tall, wielding a Greatsword as big as Annan, looking so close to tears that he resembled a baby... Annan's heart softened. "Actually, I didn't die. The Ratfolk took me back to Hive City, but I escaped. I even gained a talent for magic from the ordeal, so I came to Solz Magic Academy..."
"And then you became the City Lord of Free City!"
"That's right, exactly..." Annan agreed wearily.
Rui Bartley eyed Mr. Swaro with lingering doubt. "Then why is he