Chapter 23: Part (1): Besieged

Wuuuu—— Wuuuu——

As the sound faded, the alarms of Eisenberg blared across the city.

Soldiers in the distance immediately went into combat readiness, running in an orderly manner in different directions.

A piercing hum came from all around, and the broadcast repeatedly played Deputy Evelyn’s voice:

“—Attention! Eisenberg has entered Level 2 combat readiness!”

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

“All regional leaders, organize evacuations immediately! Maintain order!”

“—Repeat! Eisenberg has entered Level 2 combat readiness!”

The crowd panicked.

“What’s happening?”

“Is it a monster attacking the city?”

“Run!”

The volunteers who had just been working leisurely panicked, stopping what they were doing and looking around in confusion.

The assembled refugees were even more chaotic—some clutched their children and fled in all directions, some pushed desperately toward the exits, while others simply froze, unsure what to do…

“Everyone, stay calm!!” A shy young soldier dropped his bag, gave Mi Li and Ka Ya a standard salute from afar, then put his helmet back on and followed his squad. “Don’t panic! Evacuate according to the usual drill routes!”

“Women and children first!” Soldiers shouted, maintaining order and guiding the civilians to safety.

Mi Li was overwhelmed by the sudden chaos.

“What… what’s going on?”

“Enemies are attacking the city!” Ka Ya said, pulling her along as she took out a communicator. “A beast horde wouldn’t trigger Level 2 readiness! This is at least a large-scale armed assault!”

“Hello—! Your Majesty? Your Majesty!”

The communicator crackled violently with static, but there was no response.

“Damn it!” Ka Ya cursed.

“The signal’s being jammed! Of course, it had to happen at this moment…”

“Don’t be afraid!” She put away the communicator and gripped Mi Li’s hand tightly.

“Stay close to me!”

They raced through the chaotic streets, Mi Li’s cleric robes dragging and almost tripping her several times.

“Where are we going?” she panted, stumbling.

“To a safe house,” Ka Ya replied. “Seraphina specifically arranged it. It’s absolutely safe.”

Soldiers rushed everywhere, keeping order and ensuring civilians evacuated.

People’s faces were pale with fear, clutching children as they ran toward shelters.

“Move! Keep moving!”

“Don’t push! Form a line!”

“Children, stay close!”

Shouts, cries, and footsteps blended into a chaotic chorus.

A small boy fell in the panic, crying loudly. His mother turned to help him, only to be shoved down by the crowd behind her…

Mi Li slowed unconsciously, staring, but Ka Ya grabbed her firmly.

“Don’t daydream!” Ka Ya shouted back. “You’re their target! You mustn’t be harmed! Otherwise, all of Eisenberg will be doomed!”

“…”

Boom— Boom— Boom—

Three more explosions rang out in the south, stronger than before. The cobblestones beneath their feet trembled, and the surrounding buildings looked particularly ominous in the twilight.

Some windows shattered, glass raining down like heavy drops.

“Damn it!” Ka Ya reacted quickly, pulling Mi Li away from falling debris.

Bang!

Debris hit the spot where they had just been standing, sending dust into the air.

The rumble of engines and tracks from armored vehicles approached…

They ran through several streets until they reached a seemingly ordinary building.

Its exterior was plastered with faded billboards, dilapidated, indistinguishable from the surrounding houses.

Ka Ya pulled out an ID card and swiped it on a hidden scanner at the entrance.

Beep—

The scanner chimed, but the door didn’t open.

Ka Ya paused, slapping the card against the scanner again.

No effect.

“What the—?” Ka Ya frowned and swiped several more times.

Still nothing—the door remained locked.

“Identity verification failed…”

“Identity verification failed…”

The scanner repeated mechanically.

Ka Ya’s face darkened. She pushed the door forcefully, then even kicked it twice.

Still nothing.

“The hell… how could top-level clearance…”

She angrily pulled out the communicator, trying to contact Seraphina again.

Still just static…

The enemy’s assault was far more ferocious than the Queen had anticipated.

Her clearance had been erased!

Even internal communication protocols were completely compromised…

An insider?!

—And a high-ranking one at that!

“Ka Ya…?”

“Nothing.” Ka Ya took a deep breath, quickly regaining her composure.

“The situation has changed. We can’t stay here—we need to find somewhere to hide first…”

Her eyes fell on a nearby medical station.

“That’s it!”

She grabbed Mi Li and dashed toward the station.

Passing a pile of rubble, she wiped some dust on Mi Li’s face.

“Listen carefully!” Ka Ya stopped at the station’s entrance, holding Mi Li’s face, her expression serious:

“No matter what happens, you cannot reveal your identity!”

“Even if the sky falls, you mustn’t! Understand?”

Mi Li nodded firmly.

The station’s doors were wide open. Inside, medical staff were frantically taking in evacuated civilians, their feet barely touching the ground as they worked.

The two blended into the crowd and found a corner to hide temporarily—it was relatively quiet there.

“All we can do now is wait…” Ka Ya said, moving to a bed. “Wait for communication to be restored, or for the Queen to send reinforcements…”

Mi Li sat on a nearby bed, listening to the commotion outside, her unease lingering.

This feeling was all too familiar…

Exactly like what happened in Oasis…

“Little Saint, you look pale. Remembering something?”

“Oasis…” Mi Li whispered. “It was attacked the same way before…”

Ka Ya frowned.

She had heard of the Oasis incident.

“That’s different,” she tried to sound casual. “Eisenberg’s defenses are far stronger.”

“Was it… an ambush because of the event?”

“No, no matter which day it was, they would have known. Seraphina doesn’t intend to hide you forever.”

“…”

“She’s openly exposed you both internally and externally, to avoid drawn-out complications. She wants you officially recognized as soon as possible.”

“By the way… what’s Level 2 combat readiness?”

“City-wide martial law, all defenses active, civilians forcibly evacuated,” Ka Ya explained. “The only worse level is Level 1—that’s only used in extinction-level crises.”

She glanced out the window.

Faint streaks of light cut across the sky—Eisenberg’s air defense system at work.

The thunderous noises had not stopped since earlier, far more terrifying than continuous lightning storms…

“Will we be okay?” Mi Li asked quietly.

Ka Ya looked at her pale face, unsure herself, but nodded:

“Of course. The Queen may be a bit fierce and eccentric, but she’s deadly in combat.”

“Stay here, do nothing, I’ll find a way to contact her.”

“But…” Mi Li panicked. She didn’t want to stay alone.

“No ‘buts’!” Ka Ya’s tone suddenly became stern.

It was the first time she had ever spoken to Mi Li like that.

“Remember, don’t answer anyone who comes looking for you!”

She stood up, checking her equipment.

Curved blade, crossbow, small explosives… all accounted for.

“You’re leaving…?” Mi Li tried to grab her.

“I have to confirm the situation,” Ka Ya said, dodging her hand. “Trust me—it’s much safer for you to stay here.”

“Ka Ya!” the girl called out.

“You… you’ll come back… right?”

Ka Ya looked at her, eyes complex.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately just shook her head slightly.

“Of course. I was paid by the Queen…”

“How can I settle the final payment if I don’t get you back safely?”

With that, she disappeared into the crowd without looking back, leaving Mi Li alone in the corner, watching the passing figures outside, feeling empty.

Why does war always come without warning…

When will she return…