Preparation [1]

Aurora's POV:

"Wi-will you take me out to find my p-parents?"

"... Yeah, just get ready."

After they finished the cake and chatted for a few hours, Valtor agreed to take Aurora out to search for her parents. They left the base, Aurora eagerly following him the way he was directing her through the city. But...

40 minutes later:

"Wh-where is h-here?" Aurora said, her body trembling and her pupils shaking with fear.

They had wandered into a secluded area of the forsaken district, where no lights or signs of life were visible for miles.

The tall wall fortress behind them cast a long, oppressive shadow, plunging everything into near-total darkness.

The only light came from a few scattered, dim mana lamps, their eerie glow making their faces barely visible to each other.

Aurora jolted, her head snapping up to meet his gaze. His expression remained cold, unmoved by her obvious distress.