"I'm so relieved you're safe, Grandma."
"I could say the same for you, lad. But goodness, what on earth is happening? For the folks in the Village to suddenly turn into... into that..."
Yugo let out a sigh of relief upon confirming the Old Woman’s safety. She, in turn, expressed her joy at his well-being, treating it as a small mercy in the midst of the unfolding tragedy.
Melt spoke up as the two of them looked around at the dozen or so students and the handful of surviving Villagers who had managed to reach the Guest House.
"Are these the only ones who made it? Everyone else is..."
"Aye, they were hauled away by the ones who lost their minds. They did it to protect old folks like me and the children..."
The only Villagers who had survived were the elderly and the young.
Hearing that the others had sacrificed themselves to protect the vulnerable, Yugo’s expression darkened, and he shook his head in silent mourning.
Melt also wore a somber look. She couldn't help but wonder if the people Zenon had cut down earlier might have been among those who had acted with such selfless goodwill. Meanwhile, the Old Woman stared out the door and muttered in a low voice.
"It’s that Red Mist. Those things appeared from within it, and anyone swallowed by those clouds started acting strange. Just what in the world is that stuff?"
"You don't know either, Ma'am? You haven't heard any legends or rumors that sound like it?"
"No... I've lived in this Village for many, many years, but I've never seen nor heard of such a sinister fog. I asked the others who fled here, and they all said the same."
After hearing the Old Woman's account, Yugo and Melt turned to look out the lattice window.
The two of them watched as the Rioters gradually closed in, with the eerie Red Mist swirling ominously behind them. They stepped back from the window and began to whisper.
"Melt, do you have any idea what that mist is? It really does seem like anyone caught in it loses their mind, just like Grandma said."
"No, I haven't a clue... I suspect the color comes from the influence of Magic Power, but I haven't the slightest idea why it's manifesting this way..."
There was no doubt that the mist was abnormal, but the specifics of its nature or the cause of its sudden appearance remained a mystery.
One thing, however, was certain: they could not afford to be swallowed by it. If they were, it would be the end; they would simply join the ranks of the hollowed Rioters.
"...The people taken by the mist are clearly targeting those who are still sane. It’s as if they’re trying to expand their numbers."
"Is someone controlling them? Was that mist created artificially? Dammit...! I feel like the answer is right in front of me, but I just can't grasp it...!"
Though Yugo tried to piece together the limited information they had, he couldn't reach a definitive conclusion.
In moments like these, he found himself wishing the clever Fee were there to help... but he shook his head vigorously, refocusing on the immediate priority.
(There’s no use obsessing over questions I can’t answer yet. Right now, I have to get these survivors to a Safe Zone...!)
What was the source of this incident? He was desperate to know.
However, their current duty was to escort the surviving Villagers to safety; investigating the cause would have to wait.
The best-case scenario would be to get these people to the neighboring village and request reinforcements from the Security Force immediately.
The worst-case scenario would be for the entire group to be wiped out because they prioritized an investigation over an escape, leaving no one left to report this catastrophe to the outside world.
"Grandma, tell everyone to get ready to move. It’ll be hard, but those possessed people will be swarming this place any minute. We have to leave the Village now, or we’re done for."
"Right, I understand... Oh, my dear husband... I never thought I'd have to use your keepsake for something like this. Please, help me protect these children...!"
Nodding at Yugo's words, the Old Woman reached for a machete sitting on a shelf, her eyes narrowing with resolve.
Yugo and Melt watched her as she mourned the necessity of using her late husband's memento as a weapon of war rather than a tool for work, yet she didn't hesitate to do what was necessary for the children. Just then, Zenon approached them.
"Can I have a moment, you two? I believe our best course of action is to evacuate and move toward the next settlement. We need to report this disaster and request an immediate deployment of the Security Force. What do you think?"
"I agree completely. Trying to fight a Siege Battle here would be a losing game. And no, I'm not joking around right now."
"I think so, too," Melt added. "If we escape the Village and head down Mount Yumyum, we should eventually reach another settlement..."
The mist had descended from the peaks. Logic dictated that fleeing in the opposite direction was their best chance at safety.
If they stayed cooped up in this Guest House, the Rioters would eventually break through; they had to escape the Village immediately or face certain death.
Seeing that Yugo and Melt agreed with his tactical assessment, Zenon continued with his proposal.
"I'm glad we're on the same page. However, there is one major issue. Our refugees are all elderly or children; we can't expect them to move quickly. In a situation where every second counts, trying to move the entire group at once is far too dangerous."
"Hey, what are you implying? You aren't suggesting we leave them behind, are you? Because I won't stand for that. If that's the problem, I'll take the role of the rearguard. I'll buy time while you lead them out."
"I'll stay with him!" Melt declared. "With the two of us, we can definitely hold the line!"
"...Calm down, both of you. I have no intention of abandoning anyone. My plan is to split us into two units. A Stalling Unit to hold off the Rioters here, and an Evacuation Unit to lead the Villagers down the mountain. We'll survive this by dividing our forces."
Zenon cast a brief glance at Melt, who had volunteered to stay with Yugo without a second thought, before detailing the rest of his plan.
Judging that this was indeed the most viable way to escape the predicament without leaving anyone to die, Yugo gave a firm nod of approval.
"Yeah, let's do it. That’s the best way. Like I said, I'm joining the unit that's buying time."
"I'm in as well," Melt said. "What about the rest?"
"I and a few members I've selected will join the Stalling Unit. The others will serve as the Evacuation Unit, guarding the Villagers as they head down the mountain first. I'd like to go over the specific assignments, but... it looks like time just ran out."
"Yeah, looks like it."
The Rioters were already at the door. There was no more time for debate.
Zenon turned toward the huddle of students and Villagers and shouted his commands.
"Everyone, run! Get down the mountain and report this emergency to the authorities! We'll stay here and buy you the time you need! Now, move!"
As the students burst into action under Zenon's direction, Yugo watched the approaching Rioters, his fists clenched tight.
The Red Mist was still a distance away. He was determined to hold the line until the last possible second. Taking a deep breath, his eyes caught the silver glow of the moon.
"A Retreat Battle, huh? The odds are against us, but that’s exactly when a Hero proves his worth. I won't let another person fall... let's go!"
He brought his clenched fists together beside his face, the force behind them making his joints groan.
Glaring at the encroaching mist, he threw his head back and shouted the command to deploy his Blaster armor.
"Hen-shin!!"