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After leaving, it was a quick rush to their home to grab their sword.

“It looks fine.” Syrus placed the blade and stealth on her back and kept the two borrowed swords from earlier.

Eva grabbed a small belt with additional pouches, and Syrus tied it around their waist. It contained some basic potions and medicine supplies. She placed the bandages she received from Ash in one of the empty pouches, and she attached the tied-up rope around her belt.

[Can we think of anything else?] (Luna)

[We might be able to consume a vitaliser? I would need Syrus’ expertise before making that decision.] (Eva)

[That is a good question. Let me give the body a once-over, I remember the effects and flow of energy so I examine if those areas of the body can handle that.] (Syrus)

The reason they could take the vitalisers in the first place was because of the minimal mana within them, which ensured no negative impact on their body when it couldn’t handle intake mana. Now the situation was a little different; they could take weak healing and mana potions–nothing strong–but the issue they weren’t currently facing was simply that their body was exhausted. The exhaustion was due to not being fully recovered.

It was a genuine fear sometimes for Eva that they might never be fully healed.

Their muscles were strained and were suffering from mana strain–an issue caused when too much mana is active within the body. Active means actively using their attributes and casting magic. Normally this was only an issue for people who didn’t let the body rest from using mana by bypassing the body’s natural cooldown time by drinking mana potions. However, the body could be trained to handle this, as it could also be caused using large mana spells, and collapsing after one attack was not wanted by anyone.

Anlesa’s body's main issue, what kept her from being fully recovered was this mana strain. From the beginning of their new transformation, their body had always been suffering a version of it. Which made using mana for large actions or extended periods of time difficult.

Now that they were mostly healed, the effects of the full-body mana strain lessened but there was a massive difference between a body inflicted with a weakened case of mana strain and a healthy body.

The vitaliser helped by providing energy with minimal mana and accelerated the body’s natural healing process.

[I… think we should take one, but we will only drink in case of emergency.] Syrus warned.

However, the vitaliser would grant them a burst of energy in this situation, but their body was already injured due to fighting under the effects of the mana strain. A vitaliser in this situation might cause more problems as it could overwork the muscles that need physical rest.

[Understood…] (Eva)

Was it the right decision to stroll in the potentially dangerous combat? Syrus would say no. In her last life, she would do it anyway, but in this one, in concern for the safety of Luna and Eva, she was willing to retreat. Her problem was that both her sisters were willing to face whatever enemy had taken hold of the city.

Annoyingly, they were good people, and she believed that they were definitely better people than her.

They left their home fully equipped.

[I’ll focus on combat, Eva will play support, Luna will be on alert and full permission to do whatever is necessary to keep the body alive.] (Syrus)

[Hmhmm!] (Eva)

[I’m fine with that.] (Luna)

Anlesa navigated through the city, and now there were a few people walking around. Wobbling, they seemed to be moving in a path.

[Do you think they are on patrol?] (Luna)

[Absolutely.] (Syrus)

[General or looking for us?] (Luna)

[Likely looking for us, based on the fact that Ash was the one who jumped us initially.] (Syrus)

[Could that be a coincidence?] (Luna)

[We have no idea on the scope of our enemies' controlling abilities, but if we assume that they can give basic orders and the–let’s just call them drones–drones can reply. Then all she would need to do was ask if anyone knew a person who matched our description. Plus some follow-up for someone actually close.] (Syrus)

[That’s a good theory.] (Eva)

They were able to sneak through without trouble until finally where the city’s residents had gathered, around the city hall. The wall that was supposed to be used as a form of security now was a jail to keep people in.

The city hall, also known as the government hall, was a large two-story building with a massive area out the back that was fenced off. This area was used for events, storage, evacuations, or anything else that was required. It was a flexible space that’s purpose was to be flexible so the city could do whatever it wanted without going through permissions elsewhere.

“No. No. No. No.” With an annoyed tone, they heard the woman’s voice as she crossed items on a list. Though, Luna couldn’t tell what exactly she was saying no towards. Eva assumed it had something to do with the people but couldn’t identify what.

Syrus got a good look at the women. She knew the woman was in her late thirties, but it wouldn’t be a crazy guess to say she was in her late forties and that she had aged wrong.

Floating above, standing on a door made of stone the woman wore a long black robe with two long sleeves. The left one follows in the wind curling around her neck like a scarf. Her right held a staff with an orb that stole all light.

She moved around as the orb shined its light on one individual after another.

As she turned, the trio got a clear look on her face; a large black hat made it hard to see, but her eyes were void of any colour, and her smile was pale. The concerning part was her face, as the right half of it was covered with aged wrinkles.

[What… is she doing…] (Eva)

[I… don’t know.] (Syrus)

[Whatever it is, it can’t be good.] (Luna)

Syrus moved around. She wanted to get a jump on and attack without being noticed. Due to the woman floating in the air above the civilians, any form of attack would be difficult.

“Found one.” The woman raised her staff.

Burst.

And plunge the pointed bottom into the civilian's heart.

[...W-w-h-ha-t.] (Eva)

A thick, transparent energy immediately erupted from the orb without any input from the user and pulled a mix of blood and mana from the body, which spun around the orb as it slowly absorbed it.

[Syrus, we need to kill this person.] (Luna)

[I know.] (Syrus)