Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 101

The screech of the train wheels echoed along the tracks, a constant, loud reminder of our escape. I glanced at Agarta, who was humming softly, her gaze fixed out the window. As soon as Asti and I left Londan, Agarta had met us and hustled us onto this train, which sped away without a moment's hesitation. I didn’t know where we were going, nor did I feel the need to ask. I was moving on instinct, trusting her for now.

Where this train was headed or whether Agarta had good or bad intentions didn’t matter. She noticed me watching and turned with a blink.

"What is it? Don’t worry about supplies; I’ve stocked up enough for you to live idly for a year."

I hadn’t been expecting that response. What sort of organization was she involved with that could afford such provisions?@@@@

"What’s with that face? Did you lose that portable Foreign Entity you carry around?" she asked with a smirk.

"Your phrasing is crude, you know?"

"Considering the things you’ve done, Tanton. Asking me about dragon horns, befriending five major Foreign Entities, and now you’re traveling with a half-Foreign Entity..."

"Alright, enough!"

How did she know about the five Foreign Entities I’d befriended? Her network was impressive.

Annoyed, I pulled Ria from my pocket and held her out on my palm.

"Eh?"

"Here’s Ria, if you’re that curious."

"Ugh! Put that away! That’s overkill for one little joke!"

Agarta leaped over the seat, darting back as if she’d seen something unholy. Despite her composure, her agility confirmed she hadn’t lost her rogue instincts.

Agarta was definitely more capable now, enough to command mystics as subordinates. Given that, she should have built up a resistance to Foreign Entities. But she was as consistent as ever.

Of course, Ria’s expression was one of mild hurt.

"Eek!"

When I feigned tossing Ria, Agarta’s hair stood on end, and she hissed like a startled cat. This was too amusing.

After that bit of chaos, Agarta sat across from me, gazing up at the sky with an unusually calm expression. I hadn’t often seen her this pensive.

"Agarta."

"You’re going to ask why I brought you here, aren’t you?"

"...Yes."

"Hand over the vile traitor, Raydan Tanton!"

"Hand him over! Hand him over!"

Around the furnace, a crowd shouted, holding up signs demanding my capture. The Deputy Commander stayed within headquarters, unable to leave.

Among the throng, a dark figure snarled, seemingly hearing an account of events. "So, Raydan Tanton has already escaped?"

"It appears so. We found evidence of a hidden tunnel in the Deputy Commander’s office."

The Hunter clicked his tongue in frustration. He was letting the most important things slip away.

"If the Knights can’t act while Londan’s citizens surround them, they’ll only reinforce the belief that they’re protecting the Foreign Entities."

"Indeed."

While Grot was responding, a runner arrived, breathless.

"Hunter! A train has just left Londan!"

"Is it Black Mask?"

"No, witnesses say it was one of Candle’s illegal trains!"

Candle wouldn’t help Tanton. The Hunter grit his teeth, reaching his conclusion.

"...Damn thief. She really gets on my nerves."

"What will you do?"

The Hunter clapped Grot on the shoulder. "I’ll leave the cleanup in Londan to you. I’m tracking down Raydan Tanton."

"And your transport?"

"I’ll take one of Black Mask’s trains. Most of their engines are wrecked, but one should still be functional. Look after the Princess; Londan’s fate depends on it."

"Understood."

The Hunter strode towards the Londan gate. He couldn’t quite place what he was feeling, but it was more than mere betrayal—it was an anger that flared hotter than he’d ever known.

Whatever this feeling was, he knew it would change once he found Tanton and ended this. He wanted to see him—now.

"I’ll find you, and I’ll cleanse that twisted ideology of yours."