"Elder Fox. Please watch your tone when speaking to the Princess." Tia stepped forward, her hand resting on Milly's shoulder.

Fox frowned, then quickly relaxed his features. "I'm sorry, Your Highness," he muttered.

Tired of the drama, Max looked at them. "So when are we going to the ArcWay? Especially if we need to cross the intra region border quickly," he said.

He glanced at the so-called trading area of the city. Metal walkways crossed above the streets, and glowing signs flickered with strange letters. Carts hummed as they rolled past on smooth stone tracks. Even the street carried the enticing scent of roasted meat and hot bread.

Reith looked around for himself. This place felt peaceful compared to what they had been saying.

Screens flashed news and prices while traders bargained loudly over crates of fruit, machine parts, and polished stones that gave off a faint glow.

Children zipped between people on tiny wheeled boards, laughing as guards shouted for them to slow down.

"Are you sure this place is owned by a ruthless noble?" Reith felt he needed to ask again. Because from the way Vhal was described, it was like he was a true villain or maybe it might just be in their perspective.

Hearing the question, Elder Fox glared at him. "Do not be deceived by the outward design of such a place. Only true royal blood and nobles know the kind of man Vhal is, so we had best be careful."

Reith nodded. From his point of view, people were happy and living their lives peacefully, so why did Vhal seem such a bad man?

They pushed deeper into the crowd. A man in a leather apron poured steaming drinks into metal cups, while another showed off weapons that hung above his stall.

When they had crossed the busiest part of the street, the group stopped and Elder Fox faced the small band.

"The rest of you will stay up here and try to reach the other side without notice. Contact us if anything goes wrong." Elder Fox gave the order, and no one argued. At this moment, his words were sensible and it was better than any suggestions they currently had.

Milly stepped forward, and she looked at the group who had to stay above, "Thank you for risking yourselves to bring me back." She said with a slight bow.

Seeing the interaction, Reith slightly smiled. He didn't know she had such a behaviour in her.

They nodded, and the group parted ways.

Neon lights blinked above narrow alleys, each leading toward darker corners of the district.

The group pushed through the throng, weaving between stalls where merchants barked:

"Fresh saltfish! Straight from the Southern coast!"

"Exotic spices, three for a bronze coin!"

"Lucky charms, blessed by temple priests, they keep demons away!"

A beggar tugged at Reith's sleeve, but Tia's glare sent the man stumbling back. "Stay sharp," she whispered to Reith. "Pickpockets are everywhere here."

"Where are we going?" Reith asked, shifting aside when a man nearly bumped into him.

"There is a tunnel under this market," Elder Fox answered, wondering if this boy was truly worth bringing along. He was just a peasant.

Fox gave Reith a look that said he was still unsure the boy deserved a place in their company. "Stay close and do not draw attention."

He led them between two stalls stacked with copper pots. Lifting a wooden slat in the ground, he revealed a short flight of steps sinking into darkness. A faint earthy draft rose from below.

"This way," he said, pointing downward.

Milly halted. "You cannot be serious."

"It is the safest route," the gaunt man replied. "Once we reach the lower quarter, loyalists can guide us."

"Loyalists who live in a rat hole," she muttered, though she stepped closer all the same.

Tia adjusted her cloak. "Princess, this is not the time."

Reith hid a grin at how easily Tia clipped Milly's temper.

Milly sighed, scrunched her nose, and held her cloak tight as she moved forward. Tia followed at her shoulder, eyes scanning for threats. Max gestured for Reith and Cassia to move ahead of him, then dropped the slat behind them.

They walked down the stairs, and Reith could not help but wonder how Elder Fox suddenly knew so much about a hidden place.

Inside, the air was damp and cool. Water dripped somewhere ahead, echoing off the stone walls. A thin trail of light filtered through cracks in the ceiling, revealing a floor paved with uneven bricks.

Max flicked his wrist and a small fire appeared on his palm. Its warm glow pushed the darkness back.

"We must be careful. We are not the only ones who use this route," Elder Fox warned. "The ArcWays are tunnels that can twist and confuse anyone without a sense of direction. Getting lost here is not an option."

Reith's ears perked up. "What would happen if someone got lost here?"

"Most of the tunnels lead to a dead end or straight into the enemy's trap, so it would not be good to get caught," Elder Fox replied calmly.

The elder's voice was steady because he thought he had been speaking to Max.

They moved in single file. Milly held her chin high, but her steps were careful. Tia walked in front of her, ready for any attack.

Cassia stayed behind Milly, one hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Reith followed Elder Fox, keeping pace with him.

The deeper they went, the stronger the smell of wet earth became. Faint markings lined the walls, glowing softly.

A low rumble shivered through the ground. Everyone froze.

"What was that?" Milly whispered.

"Could be carts above," Max offered, though his voice didn't sound confident at all.

Reith felt the vibration again, stronger this time. It came from ahead, not from the streets above. He closed his eyes for a heartbeat, then opened them, activating his Hana sight.

He looked at the walls and realised there was pressure coming from within them.

How did he know this? Hana lines had sunk deep into the earth, spreading everywhere. He could see their arrangements, and he could also see that something...

Wait, two things were disturbing the original flow.

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