Fanni said:
"There's one more thing, Square Three mentioned earlier that the city is sealed."
Perseis showed an expression that confirmed this:
"I just asked the friendly residents, and they told me the city is indeed sealed. No one is allowed to enter or leave, but as far as I know, many people have already bribed their way out secretly. Perhaps we can also find a way to leave."
Ingrid asked with an incredulous tone:
"Leave? To go home?"
Perseis shook her head:
"No, we need to pass through the Land of Barrenness, then reach the Mousefolk Kingdom. Once we're there, we might be able to figure out a way to return to the surface."
Ingrid bowed her head without uttering a word.
Fanni asked:
"Why the Mousefolk Kingdom?"
Perseis said:
"Among the three kingdoms we know of, the Mousefolk Kingdom is the only one left that might be friendly to outsiders."
But the real reason for Perseis making this decision was the words Hela had shared with her earlier.