The perspective shifts to the streets of "Port Luca," which are built in a chessboard-like pattern.
With the rainy season approaching, the streets should have been completely quiet, with no one around.
But now... everywhere is filled with cries of sorrow, people are fleeing in panic, clinging to the hope that they can survive in this disaster.
But with the appearance of the "beluga whales," all hiding and seclusion became meaningless. They seemed to be able to sense life force, and no one could escape them.
Realizing this, countless people tried to rush out of "Port Luca" and escape the area covered by the "tide," but to no avail. Under the indiscriminate attack of the fish-headed snake-bodied creature, countless souls perished.
"Waaah..."
"My child! My child... Don't push me, my child is still there!"
"Get out of the way! If you're not trying to escape, can't you at least leave your path clear?!"
At this time, most of the nobles in "Port Luca" had already fled at the first moment when the "tide" arrived. Apart from the expeditionary force led by Duke Peybaro Lestrange, the rest were nothing more than the residents of the commoner district who had no power to resist.
A mother got separated from her child due to the crowd. Although the child's cries were nearby, the flow of people pulled her further and further away from her. Similarly, trying to go against the flow of such a crowd is obviously impossible.
"Hey! What's that?!"
"Damn it! A monster is coming! Everyone run!"
"Hey! Don't push me..."
"Please, please, save my child!"
"Go to hell!"
At that moment, someone pushed one of the mothers, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. But no one came to her aid. Instead, the crowd, no longer pushing and shoving in the opposite direction, became more fluid, and people trampled over the mother.
"Help me..."
"Save my child!"
"Help..."
The mother's cries gradually faded into the crowd, leaving only the incessant screams and shrill sobs in her ears.
If things had been done in an orderly manner, the gates of "Port Luca" could have accommodated more than ten people passing through at the same time. However, in this critical moment, not a single person stepped forward to take command. Everyone rushed to get out of the way, fearing that they would lose their lives if they failed to escape in time.
"Hey! Hurry up!"
Stop pushing!
"Ugh...who is it!"
Because he was at the very back of the line, a middle-aged man carrying a heavy bag managed to climb over the heads of the dense crowd.
It must be said that this method was indeed very effective. The man climbed to the center of the line in no time, but as the crowd pushed him again, he accidentally fell to the ground, and the bag was scattered all over the ground, which was full of large copper coins.
"Hey! My money! My money!"
"Ugh..."
Instead of standing up and continuing to flee, he clutched the bag tightly and even tried to pick up the large copper coins that had fallen out. In the end, he suffered the same fate as that mother.
"Waaah..."
A girl who looked to be only about three years old lay in the pile of rubble, not far from the crowds at the city gate, but they all seemed not to hear her and plunged into the throng.
Just then, the fish-headed, snake-bodied monsters drew closer and closer, numbering about three. They flapped their gills, preparing to attack the girl.
Whoosh whoosh~
A few seconds later, something resembling an ice spike shot out from the mouth of the fish-headed snake, moving very fast, and its target was the girl.
At the last second, a figure suddenly darted out from the street corner, landing on all fours with the speed of a wild beast to save the girl, while the icicle that had lost its target became deeply embedded in the ground.
Bang!
The beast-like shadow didn't stop. After handing the girl to a man at the end of the crowd, it turned and rushed towards the fish-headed, snake-bodied creature. It punched one of the creatures, making a loud bang, then kicked the other one, followed by several more punches, sending it flying.
After confirming that the fish-headed, snake-bodied creature was temporarily unable to move, she slowly stood up.
It was only then that people finally noticed that the beast-human who had just saved the girl had extremely perfect muscle lines and exuded a strong sense of oppression.
—It was Lilith.
"Great! The guild has sent someone!"
"Is he really an adventurer?!"
"Hey! Stop pushing! The guild members are here!"
Lilith did not deny this. She had witnessed everything that had just happened, and she felt angry and helpless at the indifference and ruthlessness of these people.
The anger stems from the fact that these people actually stood by and watched such a child die.
The helplessness stems from the fact that the desire to live is the truest reflection of everyone's innermost desire; their fear and dread of death are not wrong.
But she did not stay there any longer. Lilith originally planned to leave the city for "Nyolorusa", but in the instant she saved the girl, she sensed Leon's magic.
Although it was only for a moment, Lilith was absolutely certain that it was Leon's magic, and that it was coming from the direction of the dwarf's blacksmith shop!
After glancing at the crowd, she took the girl from the man's arms and ran off in that direction without looking back.
"What's going on! Isn't she from the guild?"
"Hey! What will we do if you leave!"
"Damn guild, you can't count on anything!"
"..."
After Lilith left, the crowd surged again, and the fish-headed snake that Lilith had knocked unconscious stood up again in a strange posture.
Along with it came a piercing sound, like something scratching at glass.
~~~
"Hmm..."
When I came to my senses, the fish-headed snake had disappeared. Looking at Jessica's corpse, an indescribable emotion welled up in my heart.
"It's all my fault..."
"I could have done better..."
Seglade's words make no sense.
At this age, I am already a King-level mage, capable of combining new spells, and have even defeated a Sword King-level mage.
But... what's the use of all this?
In the end, all he could do was drag everyone around him into unnecessary danger.
Memories of my past life began to become chaotic again, overlapping with my present self.
When was that?
A dimly lit basement...
Thick shackles...
I can't even turn over...
What else can you feel besides the pattering sound of water droplets falling in the corner?
I don't know... and I don't want to know...
“Sylvia!”
"Tell me...please tell me...what should I do...what should I do..."
I squatted down helplessly, pressing the necklace that Sylvie had given me against my forehead. Yes... it turns out I'm just a useless person who wants to rely on others for everything.
It has never changed...
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