The Gwenna Corps' Clutches

In the castle courtyard, Kars helped the fallen residents to their feet and urged them to flee.

The residents staggered to their feet and headed for the rear gate, helping one another along the way. Those who had fallen in the courtyard moved slowly, but at least the evacuation was proceeding more smoothly than before because they were no longer shoving one another.

Kars checked to see whether any residents remained nearby. Everyone who was still alive was helping the others and heading for the rear gate. He, too, had to flee while carrying Sonnet, but he couldn't leave the residents behind.

"Keep going. There's no need to rush."

Kars supported the last resident with his shoulder and called out. Immediately afterward, a sharp pain shot through his back, and Kars fell forward.

As Kars knelt in pain, the resident Kars had been supporting looked back and screamed.

Kars looked over his shoulder and saw Kargo, a Demon Army soldier holding a staff, standing behind him. When he looked down, he saw black pebbles scattered around his feet.

"Run. All of you."

Kars drew his sword as he rose and faced Kargo.

The residents fled in terror at the sight of the demon. The Demon Army soldier Kargo did not pursue them, merely grinning at Kars...