It wasn't until dusk that Kal'tsit emerged from the lighthouse.
Guided by Ilena, she came to two figures, one large and one small, so covered in sticky notes that they were almost unrecognizable.
These two figures covered in sticky notes were Kanna-chan and Skadi.
After eating, Kanna-chan and Skadi swept the beach again, confirming there were no living Seaborn. Then, seeing Skadi standing by the sea in a daze, Kanna-chan suggested they play rock-paper-scissors. The winner would stick a note on the loser—the notes were provided by Dassault (who suggested it and gave a large stack of blank papers when he saw Kanna-chan frowning, pondering the loser's punishment).
Skadi thought about it and agreed, and from then until Kal'tsit came out, the two had been engaged in this activity, which was originally just for fun.
"Sigh!" Even the fatigue of a day of surgery, Kal'tsit felt, was not as mentally exhausting as seeing these two in front of her.
"Let's pack up! We've done everything we can for Rock Bay Town. Rhodes Island still has a lot to do, and we need to go back," Kal'tsit said after composing herself.
"Now?" Kanna-chan asked, looking at the moon hanging in the sky.
"Tomorrow, of course! Ilena has already prepared a lounge for us. Let's take a shower and get a good night's sleep. We'll leave tomorrow morning."
Unable to resist, Kal'tsit still flicked Kanna-chan's forehead.
After an unwritten bathing scene,
They finally got a solid night's sleep after arriving in Rock Bay Town.
Early the next morning, Kal'tsit expressed her intention to leave to Dassault and Ilena. The two, who were already prepared, nodded. However, because Rock Bay Town was heavily surrounded by Iberia's army at the time, Ilena and Dassault discussed it and decided that Ilena would continue to accompany Kal'tsit's group.
This time, it wasn't for surveillance, but because without an Inquisitor, the vehicles simply couldn't leave Rock Bay Town.
As they were about to leave the city, Dona stood by the roadside, waving to the vehicle. Two members of the Inquisition accompanied her.
Ilena saw her and said, "Although Dona claims she hasn't been contaminated by the Seaborn, you all know how terrifying those monsters are. In the coming days, Dona will remain under the Inquisition's surveillance. However, I assure you that given her outstanding contributions in this battle, after the initial review, the Inquisition's surveillance of her will only be conducted discreetly and will not affect her normal life."
Dona was not unhappy with Ilena's words; it seemed she already knew. She smiled and nodded to the group, then bowed to Kanna-chan.
"I owe my survival this time entirely to your unreserved protection, Kanna-chan. Dona will forever remember this kindness. Iberia is not a country that rejects others, and Rock Bay Town warmly welcomes all of you to visit. The next time you come to Rock Bay Town, we will receive you with the most enthusiastic attitude and service."
After saying goodbye, the convoy disappeared down the road as Dona waved.
After leaving the small town, everyone saw tens of thousands of Iberia soldiers standing densely packed along the roadside outside the town.
The middle of the road was even more heavily guarded with checkpoints; trying to break through here would only lead to a dead end.
Ilena said,
"Aside from Dassault and his Inquisition who first entered the urban area, after receiving news that the Seaborn had retreated, all the assembled armies were secretly stationed outside the city. Firstly, this was to prevent Abyssal Cultists from secretly escaping. Secondly, if the Seaborn were to return, the armies hiding behind would immediately swarm out and deliver a heavy blow, letting them know that even if Iberia's glory is no more, it is not a country or a creature that can be easily bullied."
Hearing her explanation, everyone suddenly understood. The Tower Keeper had said that the surrounding armies had encircled Rock Bay Town, yet only Dassault's team entered the city yesterday. It turned out they were all hidden outside.
At this moment, the vehicle arrived before the checkpoint. Ilena opened the car door and stepped out, conversing with an Inquisitor standing in front of the checkpoint.
"Good morning, Grand Inquisitor Dario."
"Good morning, Inquisitor Ilena."
After exchanging greetings, Dario looked at the vehicle behind Ilena.
"Inside the car are the heroes of this mission, Doctor Kal'tsit from Rhodes Island, and her subordinates, Miss Skadi and little Kanna-chan. They are preparing to leave Iberia after the great battle. According to the orders of Saint Carmen, I am responsible for their full escort. This is Grand Inquisitor Dassault's exit permit."
Under the wary gaze of those around her, Ilena pulled out the permit given by Dassault from her embrace.
Dario nodded, took the permit, and did not inspect it.
"Dassault just contacted me and said you would be passing through here, which is why I came in person. However, we still need to inspect the entire vehicle. We hope you can understand, as those monsters from the deep sea are insidious."
Under Ilena's guidance, everyone got out of the car, and then several Inquisitors, carrying instruments, began to inspect the vehicle.
Soon they walked over.
"Report, Grand Inquisitor, the vehicle is clear."
Dario nodded upon hearing this, "Then I won't delay your journey. Eirene, open the gate!"
Accompanying Dario's shout, the tightly closed road barrier behind him opened, revealing an exit to the outside.
After saying goodbye, the group got back into the car and drove away.
Kanna, who had gotten into the car, looked left and right. After hearing their conversation, Kanna remembered this stern-faced man and his disciple, Swiftblade Samira Eirene.
The reason Kanna was peeking around was to see what the little bird looked like now.
Unfortunately, whether it was because she was too short or was blocked by the surrounding burly men, Kanna never saw that flash of silver until they left.
"What are you looking for?" Kal'tsit, who was driving, felt a headache from Kanna's antics of jumping around in the car.
"Ah ha, nothing much. I just had a feeling someone nearby might be fated with Rhodes Island, but unfortunately, I didn't find anyone." Not finding Eirene, Kanna slumped back into her seat in a relaxed posture.
"Around here, besides the Inquisition, there are only Retribution Army and National Defense Army personnel…" Kal'tsit's words were only half-spoken, intending to remind Kanna not to speak carelessly, especially with an Inquisitor still in the car.
"So what? Life is unpredictable, and there will always be different experiences. Besides, just because they are soldiers now doesn't mean they will be forever. What if they get oripathy? And speaking of which, Rhodes Island's treatments are good and affordable. With the favor we've done this time, getting Iberia to purchase some of our goods to earn a little money, they surely wouldn't refuse, right?"
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