In the end, Felicity did not crawl through the dog hole.
Using vines to lift herself, she simply scaled the entire city wall.
And the price was—the overflowing imaginary energy immediately drew the attention of the Fragmentum creatures.
Fragmentum creatures are products of the Fragmentum, hazards caused by the influence of the Stellaron, and they indiscriminately attack humans.
Several strange, bird-shaped crystalline beings of different colors locked onto Felicity. Their seemingly sturdy wings flapped incessantly—it was hard to imagine how such wings could allow them to fly.
"Frostspawn, Flamespawn... Oh no! Boss, I told you to be careful! I can't handle these things!"
Sampo looked like a startled rabbit. He instinctively took a few steps back, glanced at Felicity, and after confirming that the vines summoned by the girl weren't targeting him, he immediately turned around.
"If not now, then when!?"
He ran with all his might.
"Well, that's unexpected."
Felicity glanced at the fleeing Sampo, shrugged, and didn't pay it any mind.
After all, her goal had been achieved—she had successfully reached Jarilo-IV's highest city, Belobog!
As for Sampo, since he dared to run, it meant he surely had a way to protect himself.
Amid her thoughts, the mindless Fragmentum creatures had already charged right up to her. A red Flamespawn, wreathed in scorching flames, slammed fiercely into Felicity.
Felicity slightly lowered her gaze, raised a hand, and without even summoning any creatures, directly grabbed the Flamespawn by the head.
The Flamespawn flapped its wings desperately, its blazing flames burning even hotter, yet it couldn't move an inch further.
"Just a life form constructed from crystals infused with fire elements?"
Completely unfazed by the flames scorching her arm, Felicity used her authority to analyze the Fragmentum creature's body.
"Such a structure can actually give rise to life... The world truly holds endless wonders."
With that, she exerted force in her palm, channeling a trace of imaginary energy. The Flamespawn's body instantly cracked with several fissures, which rapidly spread until it shattered into countless fragments, scattering in all directions.
Felicity hummed thoughtfully, losing interest in these Fragmentum creatures. She waved her arm, and several vines shot out, swiftly strangling all the other creatures that had surrounded her in the blink of an eye.
It seemed there was nothing here capable of killing her.
Since there was nothing else to do, Felicity simply wandered around the area.
This place had likely once been an affluent district, surrounded by mansions. Though time had left these houses in ruins, their former opulence was still discernible.
Felicity strolled along the streets as if taking a leisurely walk after a meal. Whenever Fragmentum creatures attacked, she'd have her Abundance creations strangle them. Unconsciously, she had covered quite a distance.
Soon, she heard some commotion.
"Silvermane Guards! Form ranks! For protection and defense, crush them!"
A silver-haired girl in military uniform leaned on a long spear, her voice clear as she issued commands. In front of her stood rows of neatly aligned Silvermane Guards and countless Fragmentum creatures.
"Aye, ma'am!"
Dozens of Silvermane Guards raised their weapons, roaring as if to bolster their own spirits.
They coordinated perfectly, lining up for ranged attacks, while further back, artillery units delivered fierce area-of-effect strikes with their cannons.
On either side, guards armed with spears and axes were responsible for clearing any remaining Fragmentum creatures.
The Fragmentum creatures fell in droves, then dissolved into fragments that vanished into the void. But more kept coming from the distance—the Fragmentum creatures seemed endless, with no limit in sight.
After all, the Silvermane Guards were human, mere mortals with limited stamina. Unlike the mindless Fragmentum constructs, they were prone to errors in prolonged combat.
Soon, a breach appeared in the Silvermane Guards' defensive line.
Perhaps a guard had made a mistake, or an Rifleman's aim had faltered—a Fragmentum creature broke through the defense and sent a guard flying.
This breach was like opening a floodgate. In the next moment, countless Fragmentum creatures surged forth like a torrent.
From the safe zone, the silver-haired girl's expression darkened. She instinctively took a step forward but was stopped by a tall figure beside her.
"Lady Bronya, Lady Cocolia has given strict orders that you are not to set foot on the battlefield."
"...Garrison Officer, I know. It's just... I don't quite understand."
Bronya's eyes quickly dimmed.
This wasn't the first time she had questioned herself like this.
Her mother, Cocolia, had ordered the Silvermane Guards to hold the Fragmentum at all costs, reasoning that they must gather their forces to launch a fierce assault and end the protracted war with the Fragmentum monsters.
To achieve this goal, they had no choice but to cross into the Fragmentum and attack the creatures head-on.
But as days passed, the number of Silvermane Guards dwindled, while the Fragmentum's spread showed no signs of slowing.
She had repeatedly voiced her doubts to Cocolia, but the only response she ever received was, "I have my own considerations."
Yes, the Supreme Guardian who protected Belobog must have her own considerations. Bronya was conservative by nature—she wouldn't question the Supreme Guardian's decisions, believing there must be details she had yet to perceive.
Even so, she couldn't remain indifferent to the deaths of her comrades and subordinates. Her heart still ached with every life lost.
She wanted to intervene, but the Garrison Officer beside her stopped her again.
"Someone... anyone, please save them from this suffering, change this sorrowful outcome..."
Bronya spoke mournfully.
She knew her prayers would have no effect—life never halts for anyone's pleas.
Her heart had sunk into despair.
"Sigh..."
In her daze, she seemed to hear a soft sigh.
Bronya instinctively looked up, her pupils suddenly dilating.
What met her eyes was a gigantic flower, slowly rising and blooming amidst the crowd, as a figure descended from the sky.
The figure landed upon the flower—golden-haired and emerald-eyed, like a fairy among blossoms, breathtakingly beautiful.
The flower emitted a faint, refreshing fragrance that drifted into the noses and mouths of the present guards, revitalizing their spirits.
More flowers bloomed, their vibrant colors starkly contrasting the icy, snow-covered landscape.
Felicity crossed her arms, her jade-green eyes shimmering with a faint glow.
She still couldn't bear to watch innocent lives slip away.
Felicity stood with her back to the Silvermane Guards, her long hair flowing in the wind, emanating an ethereal grace. She pointed a finger toward the legion of Fragmentum creatures and parted her crimson lips:
"All beings exist under Abundance, one path, ten thousand hearts."
"Bloom freely."