C53 Industrial City.
Niv had once told Hel about this city — it was the closest one to Research Facility C5 that was capable of producing large-scale magi-tech equipment.
But it was obvious that the city had been exposed, and its ruler had promptly activated the emergency lockdown protocols.
"Master, the passage to B2 — the City of Biology — is still open. With its industrial foundation, it should also be capable of producing heavy magi-tech weapons. However, there will almost certainly be a King-tier powerhouse stationed there."
"Yeah… so it's another dead end."
Hel spread her hands helplessly.
There was no helping it — they could only keep developing quietly for a while longer. Still, there was one remaining C-tier city nearby they could check out first.
"Niv, what's the situation with the remaining C-tier city?"
"C56, a light-industrial city. It mainly produces daily necessities, as well as standard protective gear for Research Facility B5. The equipment used by the Snow Elves was all manufactured there."
"I see… Then maybe it's worth exploring. I'll tell Sebas and the others first, then we'll go take a look."
Hel said as she grabbed Niv's hand and ran toward the construction site in the plaza.
But before they'd gone far, they ran right into Sebas, who was rushing their way.
"Young Master!"
From a distance, Sebas spotted Hel and jogged over quickly.
When he arrived beside her and saw Niv's face, his pupils shrank sharply — as if he'd just seen a ghost.
He quickly realized his reaction was inappropriate and composed himself, turning back to Hel and speaking in a serious tone:
"Young Master, there's news from Heim City. War is about to break out."
"War?!"
Hel's expression turned serious. Sebas extended his hand, revealing a small bat resting quietly in his palm.
Hel recognized it immediately — Lily's summoned familiar.
Before leaving, Hel had instructed Lily to handle all of Heim City's administrative affairs, and only contact her this way if something truly important happened.
And now, seeing this bat here could only mean Sebas's message was no exaggeration.
"Young Master, this letter came from Miss Lily. It's written by a priestess of the Church addressed to you."
Hel solemnly took the folded note from Sebas and opened it carefully.
Inside, written in elegant handwriting, were these words:
"Greetings, my Lord.
According to internal reports within the Church, several beastman legions have infiltrated from the Free Nation and are advancing along the Watcher's Wall toward the Kingdom of Sacrifice.
Please make preparations in advance to meet this threat.
May the Lord of Holy Light bless you, my Lord.
—Vivian."
Vivian… Hel remembered her.
They'd had several dealings before.
It was also through her that Hel had first learned about the fall of the Free Nation. And now this — a beastman invasion.
These kinds of inside reports weren't something an ordinary Church priestess would have access to. Clearly, Miss Vivian's position in the Church was not low.
But Hel didn't really care about that.
What mattered was that both times Vivian had sent word, her purpose was to warn Hel to prepare early.
So for now, she was likely an ally — at least until Hel's true identity was exposed.
Still, beastmen invading…
How many troops were they talking about? Should they fight or flee? The lack of intel made it impossible to decide.
Thinking that, Hel quietly drew out her long-unused Fate Cards, entering the Witch Forum in search of clues.
But ever since that diligent little witch reporter had gone missing, there hadn't been a single update from the Free Nation side.
Not a word about the beastmen infiltration — not even about the ongoing clash between the Underworld Witch and the Church.
Troublesome.
Hel knew well how critical intelligence was in warfare, and right now she had neither manpower nor an information network.
All she could do was hope that during the Witches' Council three days later, she could pick up something useful.
"Sebas, you stay here and continue the cleanup. I'll take Arwin and the others back to Heim City."
"Understood, Young Master."
Sebas bowed deeply, his expression grave but sincere.
"Young Master, there's a secret passage leading from Heim Castle to the back mountain — Sir Arwin should know of it. If Heim City truly cannot be held, please, I beg you to use that tunnel to escape.
The old saying goes, as long as a man lives, there's hope. But for the Heim Territory… only as long as you live, there's a future."
Hel looked deeply into Sebas's eyes — in them she saw genuine worry and care.
She nodded seriously.
"If it comes to that… I will."
Hearing those three words, Sebas finally exhaled in relief.
"Niv, you'll stay here this time. The situation outside is unstable.
I want you to manufacture a batch of first-tier magi-cannons while I'm gone — follow the same principles as our magi-handgun design.
But don't make them look like goblin tech. Keep them simple, even crude-looking."
"No problem. You're trying to stay low-profile, right, Master?"
"Exactly. Whether undead constructs or goblin automatons — they attract too much attention. But if we just have some low-grade magic tools, people will assume the Heim family's just clinging to its former glory."
"Understood."
Niv nodded earnestly — though Sebas, standing to the side, looked utterly bewildered.
Magi-cannons? Magi-handguns?
Even in the Heim family's golden days, he'd never heard of such things.
But Hel didn't have time to explain. After giving her instructions, she rushed off with Arwin and the others toward Heim City — leaving only Sebas and Niv behind in awkward silence.
"Good day. I am the Young Master's butler, Sebas. May I ask who you are…?"
It was Sebas who finally broke the silence.
As a proper butler, he normally wouldn't pry into the identity of a lady accompanying his master — but that face of hers looked far too familiar.
"Hello. I am Niv — a doll created by Master."
"A… doll?"
Sebas's expression dimmed slightly at her answer.
He quickly hid his reaction, bowed politely, and said:
"Then, Miss Niv, I'll return to my duties. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call on me."
He turned and left.
Niv tilted her head as she watched him go, murmuring softly to herself:
"He seems… disappointed?
Insufficient data for analysis, but…
It feels like he mistook me for someone else."