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Time isn't on our side, what could be so important...?

It's really important data! We spent years just to collect it!

If we can iron out the issue, then maybe... just maybe...

Show me your student card, and then go over there for a security inspection.

Thank you, sir!

Right, once you get the data, evacuate with the Academy's staff. Make sure you leave within twenty-four hours.

Of course!

Hold it there, girl!

Me?

Young lady, Baizao is undergoing a mass evacuation. There is no entrance to the city without special permission.

May I ask what brings you here?

Ch'en tries to blend in with those entering the city, but the keen-eyed guard spots her immediately, and approaches.

She makes sure Chi Xiao stays unseen behind her.

I'm... looking for my uncle.

He's old, has trouble walking, and brought a lot of luggage on this trip—so my aunt asked me to escort him out.

Hm? But when the Ministry of Revenue issued the evacuation order two days ago, they brought out every elderly resident.

My uncle isn't a local... He's a tourist from Lungmen, who came here for Mid-Autumn.

He's... kind of a loner, and rarely talks to people. He's spent the last two days waiting for me to come pick him up at the inn.

Your papers, please...

...Sure.

Lungmenite... Ch'en Hui-chieh... former Senior Superintendent of the L.G.D.

And you're... an Infected?

I retired from the force because of it, but that was so long ago...

Thank you for your service. You may go.

If you don't manage to find your uncle, seek the nearest guard for help.

But make sure you leave the city within twenty-four hours.

Thanks for the heads up.

Right, could I just ask... Have you seen a tall Lung with red hair and horns pass through here since yesterday?

No...

But the description is somewhat familiar...

Don't worry about it. Just a passing thought.

<i>Duoxie.</i> I'll be going now.

Wait, miss! Where are you headed—

A muster signal?!

What's happening over there?

What...?

Retreat! Everyone, run! Take cover!

Attention all units—ensure civilians inside the sentry posts are safe!

O-Over there... what's that black mass?

In the dark of night, as thick clouds shroud the moonlight's glow, an 'army' descends upon the streets.

No commands, no war drums, no rattling of weapons against armor—even their approach makes no sound.

A disciplined, formidable, but still indistinct battalion closes in on the checkpoint with a deathly silence.

Hey... did you hear about the ghosts in Baizao... before the city moved onto a nomadic plate...?

A ghost army...

You believe in folk tales too? Probably a mirage caused by the strange weather lately!

It's way too realistic to be a mirage...

No, look at their armor! It's totally different from ours!

That's no mirage—

The army closes in, and the guard finally gets a clear look at the moving mass. Silent soldiers bear blurry, yet terrifying faces with old, bloodstained armor, like evil spirits from thousands of years ago.

A soldier's spear point nears the guard's neck before he can even react.

Fall back!

A shadow?

The Imperial Guard apprentice slashes forward, but merely changes the spear's trajectory, while the immense strength hidden in the soldier's attack startles her.

The spear point sweeps above her head, but the weapon unnaturally whips backwards, heading for her vitals.

There's nothing inside—

The soldier is destroyed by her slash.

Strangely, the other soldiers do not treat her as a foe, and simply advance along the empty road silently with no discernible destination.

Captain!

Send word to the other barracks: these soldiers are anomalous enemies; exercise extreme caution against them.

They don't seem to be actively hostile, so don't initiate conflict.

Evacuate anyone along the way and be on guard for developments.

Captain, where did they come from? What even are they...?

...Geists.

Dispatch some men to update the Sui Regulator at once.

They're merely marching forward for now, but we cannot allow them to endanger civilians or trespass into restricted areas.

At once!

I fear this unrest indicates whatever's happening inside the Tomb of Sui must be quelled immediately.

Could His Majesty's decree actually be...

Are they... already fighting?

A crimson sword flash?

My goodness... where did this army come from?!

Th-They're headed our way! Help!

'Scriptgeists'....

Still the same old look. Whose ancient dwelling dream is this?

Is it because It woke up? Or because you've returned home?

Look out!

Are you alright, madam—

Thank you.

How can I ever repay you?

What? No, there's no need for that...

I don't know where these creatures crawled out of, but they're dangerous. Just be careful.

Ch'en notices the woman calmly ignoring the surrounding commotion. She even turns to look at Ch'en herself.

Um...

Noticing the woman's scrutinizing gaze, Ch'en immediately sheathes Chi Xiao—in vain.

A descendant of the House of Yan.

You must have misunderstood, I—

What say you—what's the difference between forcing one person's will upon the masses, and enlightening the masses with the insight of one mind?

Where's this question coming from?

You do not have an answer now?

This isn't the best time to discuss it.

What a shame.

Perhaps we can continue our conversation another time.

...Perhaps.

The woman does not wait for Ch'en to respond before melting back into the crowd.

Strange lady.

Actually, are these monsters that popped up out of nowhere... related to the 'bestial Sui'?

They seem to be coming from the same direction—

The Patrol Battalion flashes across his view as Zuo Le hides behind a wall.

What's going on inside the city...? Whose orders are they following? And why are they so fixated on this token from the Garden?

That approval letter was indeed written in the Supervisor's own hand... but why would she be working with them—