The passengers gathered their luggage and made their way to the deck. One of the disc-shaped aircraft hovering above the ocean darted nimbly toward the cruise ship, suspending itself above the deck. The base of the disc-shaped aircraft detached completely from the craft and drifted downward like a feather, eventually nding on the deck.

  "Everyone, please follow me." A Sanctuary tour group guide aboard the ship called out. Under the guide's lead, a group of ten to twenty tourists stepped onto the base of the disc-shaped aircraft. The base rose slowly, carrying its passengers upward to rejoin the aircraft, at which point the passengers were brought directly into the interior of the craft.

  One after another, the remaining disc-shaped aircraft arrived above the cruise ship's deck, each lowering its base to allow passengers inside. Rulu, Nana, and the others boarded one of these craft as well.

  Once all passengers had embarked, the disc-shaped aircraft fell into formation and shot off at tremendous speed in a single direction. The craft were completely sealed, leaving those inside with no view of the outside world. Rulu, Nana, and the rest could only sense the rapid movement of the aircraft without knowing where they were or what y beyond the hull.

  At one point during the journey, the aircraft seemed to pass through a patch of turbulence, sending a violent shudder through the cabin before things smoothed out again. About an hour ter, the disc-shaped aircraft came to a full stop. The bases detached once more, carrying the passengers down to the ground.

  The travelers looked around to find themselves standing in a vast, verdant meadow. The sun shone brilliantly, a gentle breeze drifted through the air, and the temperature was perfectly comfortable — all around them was a ndscape bursting with life.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, we have successfully arrived in the Sanctuary. Please gather your belongings and follow me as we take in the sights." The tour guide announced. With that, the passengers picked up their luggage and set off across the lush green expanse.

  They had not gone far before the group encountered a company of soldiers in uniform, each carrying a spear. The guide expined that these soldiers had come specifically to welcome them and ensure their safety.

  Kallen looked around with wide, curious eyes. "So this is the Sanctuary," she said. "It doesn't seem all that different from the pces I used to live... Wait, what's that? Why does that Fox have three eyes? And why does that white horse over there have wings on its back?"

  The further they walked, the more astonished Kallen became. Just as she had said — the creatures roaming this green meadow were unlike anything she had ever heard of or seen before.

  There were beasts that were half human, half horse. There were giant birds trailing long tails, their bodies rger than any man's. There were strange creatures with six legs or two heads. There were even winged fish soaring through the air.

  In short, the life inhabiting this grassnd was entirely beyond Kallen's imagination. The other tourists were just as awestruck, gasping and crying out in wonder. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, none of them could have believed such creatures existed in the world.

  Rulu's expression was unusually grave. From the moment they arrived in the Sanctuary, he had grown strangely quiet. C.C., noticing his demeanor, couldn't help but tease him. "So, Rulu — now that you're back in the Sanctuary, does it feel like coming home?"

  Rulu gnced at C.C. and said coldly, "Not at all. Being here only brings back unpleasant memories. Everything about this pce disgusts me."

  C.C. nodded. She knew what Rulu had been through in the Sanctuary and didn't press him on it. Instead she said, "Let me ask you something, Rulu. If none of that had happened — if you had never left the Sanctuary — do you think your feelings about this pce would be any different?"

  "Of course not."

  "Why?"

  "Because I'm nothing like those despicable people who plotted against me."

  C.C. said, "Is that so? From where I stand, you're exactly like them — you just had worse luck."

  Rulu shot her a sharp look. "What are you saying? Do you think I would hurt innocent people for my own gain?"

  "Absolutely." C.C. said without hesitation. "The reason you despise the Sanctuary is simply because it cast you aside. If you had always enjoyed its favor — if it had sheltered and nurtured you — I'm quite certain your outlook would be completely different. You would have done everything in your power to uphold the Sanctuary's rule and help it conquer other nations."

  Rulu paused, and after a brief silence he said, "Perhaps you're right. But what's done is done and can't be changed. Your hypothetical will never come to pass. If there's anyone to bme, it's them — for being blind enough to throw me away."

  "What are you two going on about over there, so deep in conversation?" Nana edged closer, cutting into the exchange between C.C. and Rulu.

  Rulu turned his gaze to Nana. "Nana, how are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable at all since we arrived?"

  Nana pressed a hand to her forehead. "I'm a little dizzy, and my body feels a bit warm, but it's nothing serious — don't worry about me."

  "Good," Rulu said. "But if anything feels off, you have to tell me right away. And Nana — there are many dangerous beasts living in the Sanctuary. Don't go near any of the creatures here without good reason. Understood?"

  "Yes, I understand."

  The group continued across the meadow under the guide's lead. As they walked, the guide offered commentary on the Sanctuary's culture, its way of life, and the precautions visitors should keep in mind.

  The guide expined that the Sanctuary was divided into more than fifty regions of varying sizes, each governed by a lord who held dominion over their respective territory.

  Within their own nds, a lord's authority was absolute. Lords could, at their own discretion, welcome outsiders or expel them from their domain. The tour group had been permitted to visit the Sanctuary thanks to the approval of one such lord — Lady Euphemia — and the ground beneath their feet was part of the territory she ruled.