Hannah stared at the burning wreckage falling from the sky.
Her eyes remained fixed on the shattered airship.
"...A lot of people are going to die."
Illyria's expression remained serious.
"...They will."
She watched the Rift Breaker below.
"...But don't assume that was the full strength of the airships."
Hannah glanced toward her.
"...What do you mean?"
Illyria pointed toward the distant vessels.
"...The cannons weren't firing at maximum power."
"...They underestimated their target."
Hannah's eyes narrowed.
"...So they're holding back?"
"...Most likely."
Illyria folded her arms.
"...Weapons like those aren't something you can fire at full power repeatedly."
"...A full-power shot could require a considerable amount of time before the cannon is ready to fire again."
She paused.
"...And depending on how the cannon is constructed..."
"...Forcing it beyond its normal limit could damage the weapon itself."
"...It could even render the cannon unusable."
Hannah looked back toward the battlefield.
"...So they were trying to preserve them."
"...Exactly."
Illyria's gaze hardened.
"...They believed the first bombardment would be enough."
"...They were wrong."
Below them—
The Rift Breaker roared.
**ROOOOOAAARRR—!!**
The sound shook the surrounding buildings.
Several civilians screamed as they fled.
Illyria continued watching.
"...But now they've seen what they're dealing with."
"...They know ordinary attacks aren't enough."
Hannah remained silent.
Illyria's eyes narrowed.
"...If they're willing to risk damaging their cannons..."
"...The next attack will be different."
She looked toward the burning wreckage.
"...And much more powerful."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"...So we should leave before that happens."
Hannah glanced at her.
"...That would be the sensible choice."
She looked toward the battlefield one last time.
"...But what about everyone down there?"
Illyria didn't answer immediately.
For a moment—
She simply watched the soldiers, adventurers, and civilians scattering through the streets.
Then she quietly said—
"...That's the problem."
Illyria kept her eyes on the battlefield below.
The burning remains of the airship continued falling in the distance.
She narrowed her eyes as several more airships began repositioning themselves.
"...If those cannons fire at full power..."
Hannah glanced toward her.
Illyria continued calmly.
"...Anyone too close to the target without some form of protection could be killed."
Her gaze shifted toward the streets.
"...But I doubt they'll make that mistake."
She raised one hand and pointed.
"...Look."
Below—
The soldiers had already begun moving.
Several squads spread throughout the surrounding streets.
They pushed civilians farther away from the battlefield.
Others established a wider perimeter around the Rift Breaker.
Officers shouted orders.
"...Clear this entire section!"
"...Get everyone behind the barriers!"
"...No civilians within the firing zone!"
More soldiers rushed forward.
Several mages began erecting defensive barriers along the streets.
The adventurers of the Black Eagle Guild also began moving civilians away from the area.
Illyria nodded slightly.
"...There."
"...They're clearing the perimeter."
Hannah watched silently.
Illyria continued.
"...They can't simply fire those cannons recklessly."
"...Not in the middle of a city."
She looked toward the airships.
"...A full-power shot strong enough to seriously injure that creature would release an enormous amount of force."
"...If they fired while civilians and soldiers were still surrounding it..."
"...The blast could kill more people than the Rift Breaker itself."
Hannah's gaze remained fixed on the soldiers below.
The evacuation continued.
More barriers rose.
Buildings near the battlefield were being cleared.
Illyria folded her arms.
"...They're preparing the battlefield first."
"...Only after the area is secure will they fire."
Hannah remained silent.
Her eyes followed the soldiers as they hurried through the streets.
Then—
Her gaze slowly returned to the Rift Breaker.
The enormous creature stood among the ruined buildings.
Its crimson fissures pulsed.
Dark Abyssal mana continued leaking from its body.
Hannah's expression became increasingly serious.
"...And if the cannon still doesn't kill it?"
Illyria's eyes narrowed.
"...Then they'll have a much bigger problem."
She looked toward the towering creature.
"...Because by then..."
"...It'll know exactly what they're trying to do."
Illyria's gaze remained fixed on the distant airships.
"...But that won't happen."
Hannah glanced toward her.
Illyria's expression was calm.
"...It won't survive the next attack."
She looked toward the Rift Breaker below.
"...Even if only one ship fires."
Her eyes shifted toward the other vessels taking position.
"...But if several fire at once..."
A faint smile appeared.
"...I'll be surprised if there's anything left of it afterward."
---
High above the city—
The remaining airships received the final report.
Inside the lead vessel—
An officer stood before the communication array.
"...Perimeter has been cleared."
Another officer nodded.
"...All civilian evacuation routes are secured."
The captain looked toward the battlefield.
"...Begin cannon preparation."
Across the airships—
Massive mana cannons slowly rotated.
Ancient mechanisms shifted beneath armored plating.
**KRRR...**
**KRRR...**
Mana began gathering inside their chambers.
Warning lights flickered across the control panels.
One officer swallowed.
"...Cannon charging."
The captain nodded.
"...Continue."
---
Below—
Armored military vehicles rolled through the empty streets.
Their engines roared as they moved toward the Rift Breaker.
Soldiers stood behind mounted weapons.
Others carried rifles and advanced alongside the vehicles.
A squad leader shouted over the noise.
"...We need to draw its attention!"
He pointed toward the creature.
"...Keep it focused on us!"
Another soldier looked toward the sky.
"...Until the cannons are ready!"
"Exactly!"
The soldiers raised their rifles.
"...Fire!"
**BANG!**
**BANG!**
**BANG!**
A volley of mana-infused rounds tore through the air.
Several struck the Rift Breaker's armored body.
**TING!**
**BOOM!**
The creature's head snapped toward them.
Its crimson eyes narrowed.
"...ROOOOAAARRR—!!"
It charged.
The soldiers immediately began retreating.
"Keep moving!"
"Don't let it reach the airships!"
The armored vehicles accelerated.
Their mounted weapons opened fire again.
**BOOM!**
**BOOM!**
The Rift Breaker pursued them through the empty streets.
Above—
The airships continued charging their cannons.
"...Seventy percent."
"...Eighty."
"...Ninety."
The captain stared at the battlefield.
"...Hold."
---
Deep beneath the city—
Inside the ruins—
**BOOM!**
Draven's fist tore through another Rift Breaker.
The creature collapsed.
Its body began dissolving into dark mana.
Draven stood among the wreckage.
Blood covered his face and clothes.
His breathing was heavy.
Yet the Folding Mesh continued working.
Strands of Abyssal mana were pulled from the dying creature and dragged into his body.
Layer after layer—
The mana folded.
Compressed.
Absorbed.
Draven closed his eyes briefly.
*...Eighty-something percent.*
His fingers slowly tightened.
*...One more should be enough.*
His gaze shifted toward the remaining creatures.
*...And the two Aldric killed...*
*...That should put me where I need to be.*
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"...Good."
His body lowered.
Mana surged through his legs.
**BOOM!**
Draven launched forward.
His figure disappeared into the dust.
Straight toward the next Rift Breaker.