After several hours near the forest's edge, the group heard the sound of approaching horses. Finding the exit was much easier this time compared to their earlier trek through the dense woods, as the trees' roots and leaves had begun to decompose. The area, however, had taken on a macabre appearance. The dying plants revealed dozens of animal and human corpses scattered across the ground.
Among these bodies was one man who was still alive, though barely. Lisa quickly used her power to hold onto the fragile thread of life he had left. This man bore the insignia of an Ensign and was being carried by Gloria. Li, who was inexplicably full of energy, easily carried the two unconscious men in his arms.
As they finally emerged from the forest, they encountered a fleet of two dozen horses. One of the horses, black and equipped with silver armor, looked particularly imposing. The man mounted on it dismounted near Jihan, who gently laid his two unconscious companions on the ground.
