As the last rays of the sun were disappearing over the rooftops of Lulin City, a horse pulling a covered carriage behind the city's hospital dragged its hooves on the ground.
Behind the carriage, Lena and Melva were getting in with the help of Ellen and Corin, while Lenus and Aisa watched. While Ellen was placing Lena in the corner of the carriage and Corin was putting Melva next to a few boxes, Lenus, wearing a mask that Adelin had given him, asked Aisa, "By the way, Lady Aisa, where did the lady who brought me here go?"
Aisa did not answer. When Lenus looked at her face, he saw she was lost in thought and hadn't even heard him. So he said again, but louder this time, "Lady Aisa?"
"'Y-yes?'"
Aisa sounded as if she had just woken from a deep sleep. Lenus asked again, "Where did the lady who brought me here go?"
Aisa glanced at the carriage and replied, "I sent her to take care of some things so we can pass through the city gates." Then, turning to Corin, she inquired, "Is everything ready?"
Corin and Ellen nodded simultaneously and stepped down from the back of the carriage. Corin took a deep breath and said, "Just to be safe, we've arranged the boxes so that Lena and Melva aren't visible." Then, accenting Lenus, he added, "Your place is in the large wooden crate in that pile."
Ellen, who was fixing her hair, said, "Remember, don't make a sound that might alert the guards." Lenus nodded obediently. Afterward, he looked at Aisa and said, "Don't worry, my lady. Nothing will happen."
Aisa smiled, but it was clear that it was only a superficial smile. Who would be calm in her situation? At this moment, she was committing the greatest betrayal against her city and even her region. Without a doubt, if anyone found out, despite being a renowned and respected healer, she would not be able to escape from this predicament unscathed. However, she had not only done this out of the affection she felt for Lena and Melva; Aisa had a plan in mind.
"Alright, it's time for Lenus and me to go. Corin, and Ellen, keep a close eye on the hospital and the patients. I'll try to return as soon as possible. There's a lot I need to do here..."
Lenus heard the final part of Aisa's sentence differently; as if a tiger was waiting to return to its lair and tear a gazelle apart with its teeth. However, he ignored it. Despite their worries and lack of reassurance, Ellen and Corin went towards the hospital, and at the same time, Merlin rushed towards Lenus and Aisa. Panting, she paused for a moment to catch her breath. Then she said, "Everything's ready. In half an hour, Master Simon will be in charge of guarding the city gate."
"Very well. Let's go."
Aisa turned without hesitation and headed towards the carriage, but Merlin's question made her stop.
"Are you sure about this, my lady?"
Aisa paused for a moment, turned, and replied with a serious look, "I'm certain!"
A moment later, Merlin returned to the hospital with a heavy heart; Lenus hid in the designated barrel, and Aisa grabbed the reins of the horse and set the carriage in motion. All three pondered in silence what events awaited them.
The day was gradually drawing to a close. The sun was at its lowest point, and darkness was settling over the city. It was no surprise that no one noticed a pair of red eyes in the darkness of the alley beside the hospital, carefully observing all that was happening.
***
The sky above Lulin City no longer held the sun; instead, night and a silvery moon were the guests of this city and its surroundings.
Amidst the occasional passage of people and the quiet of the moonlit night, the sound of a covered carriage's wheels gliding over the dirt roads could be heard. At intervals along the streets, there were poles with glass enclosures at the top, each containing a crystal that automatically began to glow at night.
Although the city was not pitch-black and there was sufficient light, few people could be found traveling in the city after sunset. The only places that were active at this time were brothels and inns, which also closed after midnight.
The strange and terrifying events that had recently occurred in the city had made people wary of being alone in secluded places at inappropriate times, lest they become prey to an unknown hunter who showed no mercy to anyone. All segments of the city's population were victims of these continuous and merciless crimes. Old, young, adolescent, child, infant, woman, man, adventurer, ordinary citizen; this heartless killer slaughtered them all. According to some, this killer was a madman whose power had blinded his eyes, otherwise how could he slaughter everyone indiscriminately?
When the carriage turned onto the main street, all the lights from the shops, stalls, and main buildings were turned off. Now, apart from the streetlights, no glow pushed back the darkness.
Lenus, still sitting in the large, spacious barrel, was looking out through a hole in the barrel and the carriage's roof covering when he suddenly stopped. He raised the lid of the barrel slightly and asked Aisa, who was driving the carriage, "Is it normal for everything to be closed at this time, my lady?"
Aisa, holding the reins of the horse, replied without looking back, "No, some terrible things have happened recently, causing everyone to go home early." Her voice was dry and emotionless. It was no wonder; who could speak enthusiastically about the murder and bloodshed of so many people?
Lenus asked no more questions. Although Aisa and the others hadn't said anything, he could understand what she meant by terrible things. He knew very well.
Aisa ran her hand through her hair and said to Lenus, "Please check on Melva and Lena. See if they're alright?"
"Are you sure? No one's around?"
Aisa, who had surveyed the surroundings from afar, calmly replied, "No one's around, but try not to make any unnecessary noise."
Lenus slowly lifted the lid of the barrel and climbed out with difficulty; as Aisa had said, he didn't make any particular sound. Then he slowly went to the back of the carriage. Beside several white cloth boxes, something was stretched out; the same situation was visible on the other side of the carriage.
Though it wasn't clear to Lenus, sweat had formed on Aisa's forehead. Even though Aisa tried to maintain her composure, she was somewhat agitated. She had experienced situations like this many times, but she didn't know why her heart was beating so strangely in this situation. However, she tried to put on her usual Aisa face. She couldn't falter and lose Lena and Melva. Moreover, she had to settle the score with Dalki and his brothers.
After a while, Lenus returned and before getting into his barrel, he said, "Don't worry, they're fine... but if we don't hurry, it'll be too late."
Aisa nodded and after a short pause said, "We're getting close to the gate. Hide."
When Lenus closed the lid of the barrel he was hiding in, Aisa urged the horse to go faster by tugging on the reins.