"I apologize. It was an oversight on my part."
Dan Heng's voice carried a quiet sincerity, his eyes lowered slightly in remorse.
"To minimize any unforeseen complications, I deliberately kept your presence hidden during the negotiations."
"That's fine."
Felicity merely gave a nonchalant shrug, her tone light and unconcerned.
At this point, no one's getting a peaceful night's sleep anyway.
"Oh, it's totally fine! Sister Felicity can just sleep with me~!"
March 7th beamed as she suddenly clung to Felicity, wrapping herself around her arm with zero hesitation. Their cheeks nearly touched, a spark of girlish mischief dancing in her eyes.
"We can have a pajama party! No dieting, no rules—we'll gorge on snacks! …Ah wait, I forgot to buy them. Then we can just… have a pillow fight instead?"
"Yes! Let's do a pillow fight too!"
Stelle chimed in cheerfully, her voice full of childlike energy.
"…Since that's settled, go to bed early. You'll need your strength. The coming days won't be easy."
Dan Heng let out a small sigh, sounding as though he were speaking to a pack of wild children.
"Hold on!"
Felicity cut in just before everyone scattered, her voice calmly halting the group.
She shared the latest intel she'd received from Bronya.
"What's with that old witch?! Saying one thing in public and doing another in secret?"
March 7th stamped her foot in frustration, her brows furrowed in a mix of anger and helplessness.
"Sigh… Why do I feel like we're wanted in every other world we visit?"
"Because you always charge ahead without thinking."
Dan Heng's comment landed like a swift jab, completely unfiltered. Then he turned to Felicity with a subtle glance.
"Got any ideas?"
"Huh?! Shouldn't you be asking me that first?!"
March 7th protested, puffing up indignantly, despite being the one with the most travel experience.
"Then let's hear what Little March has in mind~"
Felicity chuckled and ruffled March 7th's pastel hair gently.
"Let me think… Hmm… Oh! I got it!"
March 7th scrunched her face in exaggerated concentration, then suddenly lit up and raised a finger, her pride swelling.
"Remember the Fragmentum-corroded tunnel we checked out earlier? Stelle confirmed it's completely sealed off and empty. We can sneak in through there and slip away!"
"Hmm, that's… a viable plan."
Dan Heng gave a short nod. After a pause, he added:
"But we can't move right away. It's crucial not to draw attention."
Belobog was a small city. There weren't many places to hide once they were marked.
"Perfect! Then I can take a hot bath and finally get some real sleep!"
March 7th cheered and turned to run off excitedly.
But a loud voice thundered from outside the inn before she could take more than a few steps.
"I am Gepard Landau, officer of the Silvermane Iron Guard! By the authority of the Amber Lord, I order the arrest of the infiltrators plotting rebellion!"
"…Looks like you celebrated too soon."
Felicity said with a sigh, glancing sideways at March 7th.
"Ugh! Why now, when I was just about to sleep?!"
March 7th groaned, practically seething.
"There's no mistaking it. This was a calculated ambush."
Dan Heng's expression darkened. He shifted his gaze toward Felicity again—some part of him, despite her erratic nature, still trusted her intuition in critical moments.
He waited for her insight.
"…Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something written on my face?"
Felicity blinked innocently.
Dan Heng: …
"The way they're shouting downstairs, they've definitely surrounded the building thoroughly. Any escape route will already be blocked. Our only option is a direct breakthrough."
She spoke with clarity, unbothered by the threat outside.
To be honest, strategy wasn't her strength. Especially not since she became immortal.
No point in thinking too deeply. She couldn't die—at least, not in any way that mattered.
Dan Heng seemed to process her words carefully, then nodded.
"Felicity's right. The Supreme Guardian wouldn't leave any blind spots. Our only chance is to act fast—break through before the Guard fully mobilizes."
His tone grew steadier as he looked at Felicity again.
"Do we have a destination?"
Even if they escaped, they had nowhere safe to go. Belobog's walls didn't offer many choices.
"Well… there is one. The upper and lower districts haven't communicated in over a decade. If we hide down there, it's unlikely the Silvermane Guards will follow."
Felicity's voice was calm but confident. For once, her recklessness paid off.
"Right. That gives us a slim but workable option."
Dan Heng nodded, then laid out the next steps.
"Once we get outside, don't resist at first. Wait for my signal—then break through."
"Ugh, I was so looking forward to resting…"
March 7th grumbled. Anger bubbled up with nowhere to go, and she swore silently to vent it all on the Silvermane Guards later.
Just freeze their weapons and watch them panic—hah! That'd serve them right.
"..."
Stelle said nothing. She simply hefted her bat, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Let's move."
Dan Heng's voice was cool and emotionless.
The four of them stepped out of the inn with quiet resolve, only to be met by a full battalion of Silvermane Guards, with Gepard standing at the front.
Dan Heng folded his arms, ready to negotiate—until a whisper cut in from beside him.
"…Should we just run now?"
Felicity's voice was light, almost playful.
Dan Heng blinked in surprise. Then he gave the smallest nod.
If they waited for a formal exchange, they'd lose their chance. Better to move now, while the enemy was still posturing.
No one seemed in the mood to talk anyway.
Dan Heng exhaled slowly, voice barely audible.
"What's the signal?"
"Huh?"
Stelle blinked at him.
"With one heart and one mind!"
Felicity shouted gleefully, just as she popped the last snack into her mouth.
Dan Heng reacted instantly—pressing March 7th's head down and charging forward.
Stelle swung her bat with a flourish, knocking down a whole row of guards in a single motion. Dan Heng followed with his spear, sweeping it in a wide arc and sending armored soldiers sprawling.
"Ahhh—what's happening?!"
March 7th cried, completely lost in the chaos.
"Wait, that was our secret signal?!"
"Hey—!"
"Wait, what does that even mean?!"
--+--
T/N: Man I might just keep translating until belobog is done.