Femi called Belial, Ymir, and Blom over.
No one knew whether the Ratfolk would find a way to break into the "Hive." They had to hold out for this final hour.
Belial asked, "Can't you contact Free City?"
"That's Lord Annan's gift," Femi replied.
"Then pray your City Lord Annan still remembers you..."
Femi skipped past the subject. "We have nowhere to retreat. We must keep the Ratfolk out until six."
The agonizing part was that the god of time seemed to be working against them... Less than ten minutes had passed since they retreated inside. And then...
"What's that sound?"
A faint rustling rose from underground, muffled like wind passing through the Forest Sea.
They listened closely—
"They're digging through the mountain..." Belial suddenly said. "That's how they burrowed up into the streets of Brunmando Castle before."
"The rock here is thick..." Blom said hesitantly.
"Are you underestimating a rat's talent for digging?"
Fair enough. Blom remembered the enormous hollow beneath Breeze City... If Annan hadn't discovered it, Breeze City would have ceased to exist. Though now it had anyway.
Adjutant Walter made a round of the room, then came over and handed Femi a stack of notes.
"These are the soldiers' last letters. They're afraid they won't make it back."
Femi took them, thought for a moment, then pulled out his own last letter, far more formal and tucked into an envelope. He added it to the stack and handed them all to Ymir.
"You have the best chance of getting out... If the basement falls, we'll hold back the Ratfolk and give you time to escape."
Ymir took the letters. Beside her, Belial sighed. "You're stronger than many knights I've met."
The adjutant gave a bitter smile. "There are Ratfolk everywhere. We couldn't retreat even if we