Alyris also mounted the Land Bird brought over, leading Kana's Land Bird swiftly along the cleared path towards the exit.
The others followed closely behind.
Trailing behind the bloody figure ahead, none of the expected enemies appeared.
As they raced along, they just managed to glimpse the city gate.
Kana flew back, the change in him abruptly disappeared, and he landed limply on the Land Bird, seemingly exhausted.
Seeing this, Alyris immediately understood; this must be the price of Kana's earlier transformation.
"They're closing the gate!" Raelia shouted loudly.
She raised her long spear, accelerating like a chariot charging toward the city gate.
Shafts fell from the sky.
Piercing and pinning the enemies at the gate to the wall.
A multitude of lightning bolts paralyzed the remaining enemies around them.
Raelia, leading the charge, smashed through the not-fully-closed gate.
Together with the others, she rushed out, quickly disappearing into the night.
Leaving Giant Rock City in ruins.
After their departure, one of the Blood Race Knights' captains walked toward the pit where Cynthia was trapped.
Before he could finish his sentence, a blood-red ghost shadow burst out of the pit, grabbing the knight.
The ghastly figure bit down on his neck.
The knight couldn't even scream as his blood surged into the ghost's body.
"Not enough... I need more."
The nearby knights and soldiers, sensing something amiss, tried to flee, but it was too late for them.
Blood gushed from their wounds like streams converging toward the center.
All the blood was absorbed into the ghost shadow.
The previously ghastly figure somewhat recovered.
Slightly recovered, Cynthia knelt down, resting.
Her gaze fixed firmly on the direction Kana and the others left.
"The perfect creature, not a failure, it's my most successful work!"
The image of Kana's previous posture filled her mind, so perfect, so powerful.
The bait plan failed, even the bait was snatched away.
Yet, Cynthia was not angry; instead, she laughed sharply.
Her voice filled with joy.
"My child, perfect Kana, I won't let you escape!"
"We've finally returned."
At the foot of the Gray Mountain Range.
The speaker was Blake, who had escaped the siege with the others; they looked quite miserable.
With tattered clothes stained with blood and dust, some armor that wasn't shattered by datafication.
Initially, they thought datafied weapons and equipment wouldn't break unless their hidden durability was exceeded.
However, repeated battles had damaged their gear, depleting the hidden durability over time.
"Let's hurry back, we still have tasks," Blake said.
Leading the group, they returned to the northern watchtower through a hidden passage, rested briefly, and then returned to Gray Furnace Castle.
Their return quickly attracted attention from the Fortress and the Master of Brewing, with many dwarves asking about their experience.
"Where's Kana?" the Master of Brewing asked in confusion.
Blake briefly recounted their journey.
"In that case, hurry up and rest, I'll prepare the supplies for you."
After all, aside from returning quickly, they needed to organize a team to reach Vitra City promptly.
The city was at risk from cultists, and if it faced problems, it could lead to the fall of Gray Rock Fortress as well.
After a night's rest, Blake and the others found their supplies neatly arranged upon waking.
Moreover, more dwarves were eager to join their efforts.
Unlike Kana's previous need for mobility, this time they were genuinely going to save a city, facing Blood Race troops and numerous cultists.
It was clear their numbers alone wouldn't suffice.
However, after pondering for a moment, Blake shook his head: "No, we need to hurry ahead to inform them of what we know.
If we bring a large force, we might be slowed down and miss the opportunity."
The Master of Brewing pondered slightly, realizing the truth in Blake's words.
At this moment, the Castle Lord suggested: "Let them leave first, and the others can follow Kana later."
This proposal made sense.
Since Kana and the others would inevitably be delayed for a few days, there was no need to rush, as Blake's early arrival could negate the need for urgency, allowing them to bring more troops.
After their discussion.
The Night Watchers, having just returned and rested for one night, hastily proceeded to Vitra City through channels.
Fortunately, Kana had left behind some Land Birds in Gray Furnace Castle, and the dwarves' War Sheep were replaced, otherwise the mounts would not endure.
In the early morning.
In this bleak region.
A small team moved swiftly across the desolate, blood-colored land.