Carl ran without hesitation, slowing down only when he reached the castle gate and changing formation.
"Jaren, take the lead. Catherine on the left, Billford on the right."
"Yes!"
Master Jaren took the lead, with the more skilled Catherine on the vulnerable left. Carl led his soldiers right behind Jaren.
"Chuck! Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!"
The soldiers walked in unison, maintaining a rectangular formation with an empty center.
Milton, standing alone in the center, suppressed his anxiety and walked silently.
As they passed through the outer wall and entered, they came across a village inside the castle where people lived.
The cold silence of the night in Ishul created an eerie sense of alienation; there were no people around, even though there were still traces of them. It felt like a neatly organized ruin, a strange space.
"We are heading to the main palace of Naeseong like this," Carl said, not even thinking to look around.
