"Lord Sorcerer, can you take us out of here?"
The nobles surrounded Annan as he emerged.
Annan spoke plainly. "It's even more dangerous than it was a few days ago. You'll die on the way."
"I want to see my niece again..." Lady Elisa took Annan's hand and held it against her chest, her voice helpless yet seductive. "Fatima and I will both 'thank' you..."
"Damn it... If I were a woman, I'd strip right now and beg him," a noble muttered enviously.
Annan remained unmoved. He pulled his hand free of Fatima's aunt's embrace. "Hold on a few more days. I promise you'll all get out of here alive."
They had no choice but to believe the promises Annan had made them.
Annan left the Front Hall, intending to return to the Order Church first and collect the Oddity Prisoners.
"Which of you is coming out with me?" The Archmage stared at Annan's retreating back and suddenly spoke.
"What?"
"He fooled us. He's just a boy." The Archmage looked around at the others. "He must have a way to avoid the Oddities. Follow him and make him take us out."
In the end, several nobles volunteered and ran out of their hiding place, carrying the hopes of those left behind.
The Archmage and Crocodile Head each thought themselves clever.
Annan had not gone far when a commotion erupted in the Palace. The Archmage came chasing after him with seven or eight nobles.
"I warned you..."
Annan muttered under his breath and ignored the nobles calling out as they chased him. He kept walking toward the Outskirts of the Royal City.
They tried to catch up, but while they were still three or four hundred meters away, the Tower along their route suddenly opened a pitch-black doorway. Several shadowy