Chapter 24: Part (3): Man-made Disaster

“Attention! Eisenberg is entering Level 2 combat readiness!”

“All non-combat personnel, proceed immediately to the nearest civil defense shelters!”

“Repeating…”

The broadcast echoed from all directions, reverberating across the city’s skyline.

The piercing alarm shattered the once-peaceful streets.

Crowds surged through the streets, shouting and pushing, as families clambered desperately toward the shelters…

Amidst the chaos, however, a small protective detail of Eisenberg moved against the flow of people—

They were escorting a fragile figure clad in a saintly robe, quickly moving toward an inconspicuous old building at the edge of the city.

“Lady Saint, stay close,” the lead guard reminded, his voice muffled behind his mask.

The girl known as the “Saint” obediently nodded, her sapphire eyes filled with fear.

She clutched her plain white robe tightly, her steps unsteady, appearing delicate and vulnerable.

“What… what’s happening outside?” she asked in a faint, trembling voice.

“Just some minor disturbances,” the captain explained briefly. “Her Majesty has already made preparations—you will be safe.”

The guards knew the city routes intimately, ducking into alleys to avoid most of the congestion.

The girl bit her lip and repeatedly glanced toward the distant explosions.

“Really… really nothing will happen to me?” she asked again, her voice breaking.

“Of course not.”

One of the younger guards spoke up to comfort her:

“Even if the sky falls, we’ll protect you. Someone as kind as you… even heaven won’t let you get hurt.”

Tears welled in her eyes at his words.

She raised her sleeve to dab at her corners of her eyes, choking back sobs: “Thank you… truly, thank you…”

The guards exchanged a glance.

They couldn’t understand why anyone would want to harm such a gentle girl.

“Lady Saint, we’ve arrived.”

The building before them looked utterly plain, an ordinary three-story old structure with a crooked sign hanging outside.

The walls were weathered, the windows broken.

The captain pulled out a special ID card from his waist and lightly swiped it on a sensor hidden in the wall near the door.

Beep—

“Identity verified.”

“Welcome, Level-Top Access User.”

The heavy iron door slowly slid open, revealing a spacious interior and a corridor stretching into darkness.

“Here…” The girl’s eyes widened, her voice tinged with unease.

“We’re going to a safe house prepared for you by Her Majesty,” the captain reassured her, his voice softening. “It’s the safest place in all of Eisenberg. Whatever happens outside, you’ll be completely protected there.”

Her eyes shimmered with concern and gratitude.

“Her Majesty… really did all this for me…?”

“Of course!” the young guard said firmly. “You are our Saint. Protecting you is our duty.”

They walked down the corridor and the door closed behind them.

Two minutes later.

Another figure appeared at the corner of the building.

A gray-haired woman in a corset and jeans, holding a little girl by the hand, hurried to the small house, panting, staring at the modest structure.

“This is the place!” She swiped her ID card on the hidden reader.

Beep—

“Identity verification failed.”

“What the…?” The woman froze, trying again.

Beep—

“Identity verification failed.”

“Damn… how could a top-level access card…!”

…

Only footsteps echoed in the narrow corridor.

After what felt like an eternity, a faint light appeared ahead.

The captain turned off the tactical flashlight and approached a folding door under the emergency light.

With a soft beep from the sensor, he pressed the bottom-floor button after opening the door.

Rumbling, the elevator began its descent, the tunnel walls sliding upward.

The girl clutched her dress, her fingertips turning white.

“Lady Saint, we’ll be there soon,” the young guard whispered. “It’s very safe, with enough food and water to last over a month. You have nothing to worry about.”

The girl shivered, glancing nervously around. “Is there a war outside… are many people hurt?”

“Don’t worry.” The captain shook his head. “Eisenberg’s defenses are strong. Her Majesty anticipated today’s events long ago.”

The elevator continued its slow descent for several minutes before stopping.

At the end of the underground passage, a spacious corridor appeared.

The guards escorted the girl down, their footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway.

“This place is so far…” she murmured nervously.

“The farther, the safer,” the captain explained. “We’re over a hundred meters underground. The defense rating is top-notch—even a nuclear explosion outside won’t harm you here.”

Ahead was an even heavier door—half a meter of steel, embedded with a complex electronic lock.

The captain swiped his card again; with the hiss of hydraulics, the door opened…

A spacious room appeared, fully furnished.

A soft bed, a refined dining table, shelves full of books, even an old phonograph.

Warm-toned paintings decorated the walls, attempting to evoke a sense of home…

“All… all this is for me?” The girl looked around in wonder.

“Of course,” the guards exchanged smiles.

The captain gestured inside. “Her Majesty said, you deserve the very best.”

The girl covered her mouth, nose reddening.

“I… I don’t know how to ever repay you all…”

“No need!” The young guard said with a hearty smile. “Seeing you safe is the best reward for us.”

The captain checked the room one last time, then faced the girl: “Lady Saint, we’ll be outside. If you need anything, press this.”

He pointed to a red button on the wall.

“Wai… wait…” The girl stopped them, hands fidgeting nervously. “Can… can you stay a little longer? I’m scared…”

“Of course,” the captain nodded. “Whatever you say.”

She smiled gratefully and sat on the bed, fiddling with the folds of her dress, her long lashes casting shadows across her cheeks.

“You… what about your families?” she asked softly.

“Well…” one guard replied. “I have a daughter, about your age.”

“She must be so lucky,” the girl said, eyes full of admiration. “To have such a brave father protecting her…”

The guard scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. “Not really… just doing my job.”

“No, you’re a hero,” she said sincerely. “You risk your lives to protect others…”

Her voice trembled. “If… if I didn’t have my abilities… would you all have to face these dangers…”

“Don’t say that! Never think that!” the young guard waved his hands.

“Your abilities are incredible, a gift from above! You give us hope in this hellhole!”

“Without you, we wouldn’t know what the future holds…”

“Really?” She looked at them with teary eyes.

“Really!” they said in unison.

Rumble.

Suddenly, the room shook violently.

“It’s still… outside…” the girl asked anxiously. “What should we do?”

“Nothing to worry about. Trust them,” the captain reassured her. “Our equipment is advanced—casualties will be minimal.”

She nodded, but her concern didn’t fade.

She paced slowly, coming to a painting on the wall.

A pastoral landscape—lush green fields shimmering in sunlight.

“So beautiful…” she whispered, caressing the frame. “I hope one day… the outside world can be like this too…”

“It will,” the young guard said sincerely. “With you here, it will!”

She turned to the group of people who risked their lives to protect her, a complex emotion rising in her chest.

“Do… do you believe I can do it?”

“Of course!”

“Even if… I might disappoint everyone?”

“Impossible—you are too good a person to disappoint anyone.”

She lowered her head, her black hair hiding her expression.

Time passed, the noise from above coming and going.

The guards took turns comforting her until she calmed.

“I… want to rest.” Her voice was weary.

“Good. You rest. We’ll be outside.”

The room fell silent again, only the hum of the ventilation system remaining.

She stood quietly in the center, her sapphire eyes sweeping across the room.

After a moment, her expression hardened.

Her former shyness vanished, replaced by a devout emptiness.

She touched her chest and smiled with satisfaction.

“To save the suffering of this world…”

She grasped her slender arms, her eyes growing darker:

“Any sacrifice is necessary.”

Beep—

She moved to the bed, hands clasped, praying fervently.

“Lord, forgive these lost lambs…”

“They do not know what they are doing. Please let me guide them toward the light…”

Her voice grew softer, more ethereal, like a mermaid singing atop a reef…

Meanwhile, outside the safe house in the hallway, the guards remained tense, occasionally reporting via communicator.

“All clear. No anomalies in the surface passage,” a teammate said.

“Copy. Maintain vigilance.”

The young guard glanced at the room.

“Captain, something feels off…”

“What feels off?”

“I can’t explain… it’s just…” he frowned. “The Saint seems… different today.”

The captain remained silent.

“During wartime, everyone feels tense. That’s normal.”

“But…”

“Focus on your mission,” the captain interrupted. “Our duty is to protect the Saint. Nothing else matters.”

The young guard nodded, but unease lingered.

He felt her gaze today was not as usual—

The usual distance had gone, replaced by… attentiveness? Longing?

He couldn’t explain.

But he remembered—wasn’t this how the Saint always was?

Then a soft singing came through the door.

A hymn?

The guards exchanged glances.

“What is she singing?” the young guard whispered.

The captain’s expression darkened.

He slowly approached the door to listen.

The singing became clear…

It was unmistakably the hymn of the Purification Sanctuary.

Not something their Saint would sing…

The captain’s hand slowly moved to his weapon.

“Contact Command immediately…” he whispered.

The young guard fumbled with the communicator.

“Command, this is the Saint’s escort team. Unexpected situation…”

Sss—

Only static came through.

The signal was jammed.

Inside the room, the singing stopped abruptly.

Then the girl’s profile slowly peeked from the door…

“Thank you for your efforts…”

“May the light of the Lord shine upon you…”

The captain staggered back, weapon raised.

“Who… who are you?!”

It seemed too late…

“War… hunger… disease…” she said without answering. “She will come to save you…”

A faint beeping sounded from her body.

A countdown?!

“Everyone, fall back! Fall back now!!”

Ten.

The guards obeyed, running toward the corridor, their heavy gear slowing them.

Seven.

Six…

The young guard fell. The captain turned to pull him up.

Four.

Three.

“Run!!” The captain yanked him up and pushed him forward, staying behind himself.

Two.

“No more pain.”

One…

BOOM——!!!

Flames instantly engulfed everything.