Oakia shot out of her seat, her expression grim.
"How long do we have?"
Gestella hesitated.
"…A couple of minutes, at most."
"Blasted Tulips."
Oakia cursed.
"Clara, go release the prisoners. Gestella, try to delay them with your corpses as much as you can."
The two cloaked figures burst into action, their movements spurred on by the grim urgency of their leader's voice. Celeste, too stunned by the sudden turn of events, remained where she was.
Oakia wavered for the fraction of a heartbeat. Then, she made an instant decision.
"Follow me."
Snapping out of her stupor, Celeste rushed after the peerless leader.
The senescent woman's form blurred, her frame leaving afterimages in her wake. Celeste gritted her teeth and activated every movement Skill she had, struggling to catch up. Only her mana sense alerted her of Oakia's position - and even then, it was almost not enough.
