The ceiling lights above had all been covered, casting the main street of Hope Island into deep gloom. The wide, straight avenue was nearly deserted.
Charles raced through the darkness and soon arrived in front of a villa painted in dark hues. The spacious garden sprawled with unnaturally lush green vegetation.
He didn't ring the bell, nor did he use the door knocker, but simply vaulted over the wall and landed inside. "Bandage?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the soft, damp earth beside him shifted, and Narwhal's first mate, Bandage, emerged from the soil. "Is… something… wrong?"
Charles spoke, his voice tense. "I need to know. Among all the Futan Sect's rituals, is there any way to save Lily?"
Seeing Bandage nod, Charles's face had barely begun to light up with hope before the other spoke. "But… none of them… are good… methods…"
