Once everyone realized the two Ethereals weren't reacting even when walking directly past them, they stopped hesitating and quickly moved forward.
However, as they approached the rift's entrance, each person turned back in unison. Only after confirming that Wise followed behind did they enter the rift together.
As for the twin Ethereals, they remained motionless until Wise departed.
In truth, both wanted to follow him. But after enduring the full display of Wise's charm, coupled with unprotected physical contact, the two Ethereals froze the instant that contact broke, as though their systems had short-circuited.
According to their programming, certain actions should have followed such contact. Yet lacking the means to execute them, they simply stopped functioning.
Basically, they'd crashed and needed a reboot.
Meanwhile, the group had already made it to the rooftop. Though surprised by Wise's ability to communicate with Ethereals, their attention shifted to the airship drawing near.
Billy was already visible on deck, shouting and waving wildly.
"Everyone! I'm here!"
Billy kept shouting while flailing his arms. Rain started controlling the airship as soon as she got out of the Hollow.
Lycaon didn't waste time. He ran at full speed and jumped off the edge, grabbing Billy's hand in midair.
Not long after, the airship landed safely on the rooftop. Everyone climbed on and got to work moving the passed-out passengers.
After getting on board, Wise went straight to Nicole and the others. Once he made sure they were okay, he got ready to move them.
Just as he grabbed Anby's shoulder to carry her, a hand suddenly caught his arm. Turning his head, he saw it was Ellen. When their eyes met, she spoke in a bossy tone.
"They're girls. It's not appropriate for you to handle them, so leave it to me."
"Huh?"
Wise just stared at her, confused. He wanted to tell her they wouldn't mind since he'd already touched everything that needed touching, and some things that definitely didn't.
But after meeting her murderous glare, Wise immediately chose silence. He nodded and obediently went to help Lycaon and Billy move the remaining male passengers.
Ellen was probably angry not just because of Anby and Nekomata, but way more because of that kiss Rain gave him earlier.
She was burning with jealousy, which meant now was definitely not the time to test her limits.
A little while later, once the last passenger had been moved, everyone could finally rest.
"By the way, how are they doing, Brother?" Belle asked as she approached Anby and Nekomata.
She could vaguely hear them talking in their sleep. Aside from hamburgers and dried fish, their dreams mostly revolved around one name.
"Please don't worry. Though they inhaled a potent anesthetic, they should regain consciousness in two to three hours."
Lycaon stepped over after checking on another passenger. Whether or not he'd overheard the girls' murmuring, his attention stayed locked on Wise.
"Ahem, Lycaon, I appreciate your help today."
Wise tried to lighten the mood by changing topics. Lycaon answered politely.
"You flatter me. It is an honor for Victoria Housekeeping to be acquainted with Phaethon, and it is thanks to your assistance that we were able to protect our master's reputation."
Lycaon gave an elegant bow. Then Billy came running up, yelling.
"Everyone! Public Security just sent word! The rescue team has already departed!"
Wise nodded upon hearing this, then glanced at Rain, who was still settling the unconscious passengers on the other side.
"Billy, Rain's hacker identity is quite sensitive, and she only accessed the airship under enemy threat. It would be very troublesome if Public Security caught her, so we'll take her through the Hollow to evacuate first."
Rain wasn't that far away and heard what Wise said to Billy. Her hand shook a little while she was tucking a blanket around someone, and a shy smile showed up on her face.
'Is he worried about me? I'm feeling kind of shy right now...'
It seemed the abrupt transition from mortal danger to safety, combined with the sense of security Wise provided, had stirred something within Rain.
For a girl who had never experienced romance, these newfound emotions left her heart fluttering.
"Anyway, Billy, you know what you need to say later, right?" Wise asked, wanting to ensure there'd be no mistakes.
"Yes! Since I wasn't affected by the anesthetic, I took control of the airship and made an emergency landing once I realized something was off."
Billy paused as a sudden thought struck him.
"Oh right, with all this happening, will the Vision Corporation trial still go ahead as scheduled?"
Hearing his question, Lycaon, who was more knowledgeable about such matters, provided an answer.
"Most likely, Public Security will take Perlman back into custody and reschedule the court session."
Wise waved for Belle to follow him, then looked back at Billy.
"Alright, we're leaving this to you. We're heading out now."
Billy gave everyone an enthusiastic wave before heading over to check on his teammates, particularly Boss Nicole.
Even in her sleep, she'd been mumbling about the Vision Corporation case. In her dream, the trial must have already been won.
Nicole lay resting against her generous chest, wearing a goofy smile. He could only wonder what her reaction would be when she woke up and heard about today's events.
But in a corner nobody was paying attention to, Perlman saw that everyone had left except Billy.
He quietly got up and snuck onto the airship. By the time Billy noticed, he had already taken off with the vessel.
On the other side, the group was heading back through the Hollow and didn't see the Ethereal sisters anywhere. Instead, they spotted signs of combat scattered across the area.
'Did they fight each other? No, that can't be right...'
Without thinking much, everyone continued forward. Along the way, Rain constantly tried to get close to Wise.
The near-death experience had shifted something in the girl's mindset, making her personality more open.
Ellen, on the other hand, looked pretty grumpy on the side, clicking her tongue from time to time as if she found Rain's behavior foolish.
Yet her actions told a different story, as she kept walking right beside Wise on his other side. And then there was poor, clueless little Corin.
She stayed close behind Wise, deliberately keeping near him. In her innocence, however, she remained completely unaware of the tension lingering among the three ahead of her.
Not long after leaving the Hollow, everyone went their separate ways. Still, on the way home, Wise unexpectedly realized that Rain also lived on Sixth Street.
Since it was on his way anyway, he walked her back, and they even swapped contact information during the walk.
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