Kirisa finally untangled the knot that had weighed on his heart for years.
His thoughts were in turmoil, yet his mind was clearer than ever. He knew every step that followed would be crucial.
After briefly steadying himself, Kirisa looked up at Li Xiang before him and gave a slight nod in farewell.
To avoid exposing everyone's plan and ensure the Petrification Device could be handed over smoothly, Kirisa left.
Once Kirisa was far away, everyone in the room finally relaxed.
Li Xiang looked at their faces, weary now that the tension had eased, and spoke.
"Don't just stand around here. Go back and get some rest."
"I'll coordinate with Kirisa tonight. Once night falls, I'll meet him myself and collect the device. I can keep an eye on things here alone."
No one objected. They all nodded in agreement.
Chrome was the first to raise a hand and reply, "All right, we'll head out, then."
The others dispersed one after another to await the next move.
The room soon fell quiet, with only the evening breeze drifting through the window, carrying the faint scent of flowers and trees.
Meanwhile, after bidding everyone farewell, Kirisa avoided the few guards on duty along the way and returned to his quarters.
His room had always been simple and orderly, without any unnecessary decorations.
Only when the door closed did Kirisa dare let his outward composure fall away and release a long, heavy breath.
Tonight, he had to retrieve the Petrification Device in his possession intact and hand it over. This was a crucial step toward everyone's victory.
Kirisa drew a deep breath, suppressed his tangled thoughts, and slipped a hand into the hidden pouch against his body. His fingertips settled firmly against the small device's cold, intricate surface.
The Petrification Device was