But Fang Hong still managed to distinguish their direction away from the square by the reflection of the icy river surface in the south, leaning towards the Southern City District. Thus, he made a decisive decision to break through the South Gate and leave Dulun—

Miss Ship's Officer and Enan had no objections, just following his arrangements. The three of them passed through several blocks in the vast night, with the Clockwork Fairy paving the way smoothly, encountering no obstacles along the way.

The City Defense Force had set up some checkpoints at several street corners, but they were all done perfunctorily; on the other hand, the patrol cavalry Fang Hong was worried about seemed somewhat sluggish in their actions, not yet mobilized by this moment, offering them great convenience.

Just as they were routinely passing through a small alley, Fang Hong, leading the way, suddenly stopped in the darkness after walking a few steps forward. The two behind him naturally also halted, and Enan asked him, "What's the matter, Lord Captain?"

Fang Hong shook his head gently, feeling somewhat puzzled—moments ago, he felt he had lost control over a Clockwork Fairy. Only he couldn't distinguish if it was due to accidentally exceeding the distance or some other reason.

Because he wasn't the only one with Clockwork Fairies in the sky, flexible constructs cannot autonomously maintain contact with their manipulator, within a general circular range; it's entirely possible to accidentally lose one or two Clockwork Fairies.

Especially when the manipulator themselves are still moving.

The loss of the Clockwork Fairy was behind the three of them, a direction that always made him feel a bit uneasy.

He shared his thoughts with Hilveld and Enan, and the latter, after hearing his words, thought for a while and replied, "Perhaps we ought to choose another direction to advance."

"Choose another direction?"

"Near the South Gate there is a water gate, the water surface freezes in winter and the gate can never fully close. I've heard some smugglers often use it to enter and exit the city under the cover of night," Enan suggested after thinking.

Fang Hong was a bit surprised, "How do you know?"

"The City Defense Force has reported this matter to my father several times but no one has repaired it," Enan replied, "After last year's spring, this issue was shelved, and until last month, I still saw related reports——"

"Are you sure?"

"Unless they've repaired it this month."

Fang Hong thought for a moment, feeling it unlikely, since last year it dragged to this year without repair and during the previous month, Dulun's currents were surreptitious, with the Modkaesar Family under the Praetor's supervision, having to give up some control over the City Defense Force.

Under such circumstances, would anyone bother with such trivial matters?

Still, he looked back at the direction where his Clockwork Fairy disappeared, feeling hesitant. With the City Defense Force yet to mobilize, heading to the South Gate to break through now seemed a wise choice.

Although the plan to head to the water gate sounded more likely to shake off pursuers, changing routes in between might waste time; moreover, the situation at the water gate was also hard to predict.

Unable to resist, he asked Miss Ship's Officer, "Hilveld, what do you think?"

Hilveld's eyes brightened, tilting her head slightly, "The Lord Captain decides."

Alright, that was like not asking.

Meanwhile, at the far end in the direction Fang Hong was looking——

Far away across several blocks, a sphere split in half was falling straight down, rolling into the snow dust, while a leather boot protected by metal guard plate was 'swishing', stepping into the snow beside it, its owner bending down to pick up half of the sphere.

Holding it in hand.

Odin sheathed his sword, picked up the half construct, observed it carefully. Then he looked up at the dark sky.

Behind him, the Praetor accompanied by knights and City Defense Force was hurrying over, the latter riding horse, seeing the construct in Odin's hand, feeling puzzled, "Clockwork Fairy, are they from the Alchemist Alliance?"

Odin nodded, there's a possibility, but being a guild Chairman, he naturally saw more, and noticed some strange components within the Clockwork Fairy's internal structure. These unnecessary components add weight to the flexible construct's structure, seemingly pointless for speed-pursuing Clockwork Fairies.

Combat Artisans may transform their constructs to some extent, which doesn't prove much.

He discarded the construct, turned back to ask, "Do you roughly know the direction they're heading?"

The previous report said that one or two weeks ago, someone wiped out their Ragnarok elite reserve team in Ash Woods, as a guild Chairman, Odin naturally was aware of this event.

Moreover, there appeared to be the silver Vislan's Little Princess in that battle, which drew his attention. He wanted to take a look, to see who this person really was.

At least this matter intrigued him more than participating in those unnecessary battles in Dulun City.

That's why upon receiving the message, he directly chose to leave.

Upon hearing his question, the Praetor shook his head, "Witnesses are timid, afraid of being discovered by those people, they've always been trailing from afar, unclear about the place they're heading. From our roughly grasped information, they seem to be heading towards the South Gate——"

Odin was nonchalant, "The opponent is a Combat Artisan, not following is a wise choice," he said, looking at the construct split in half on the ground, "Judging from this Clockwork Fairy, had he followed, he would have been detected by the opponent."

"That's indeed wise," the Praetor sneered, "So, what's your plan, Mr. Odin?"

He roughly understood that dealing with people from the Alchemist Alliance would rely more on the current Holy Chooser than on the City Defense Force.

Odin thought for a moment, "Since they're heading south, the Praetor may bring people from several nearby directions to encircle, blocking their retreat route. I'll go ahead and see if I can circle around and cut them off."

"Then I'll leave it to you," the Praetor thought for a moment, nodded in agreement.

Odin didn't stay longer, just nodded and turned away. After all, to him and even to Ragnarok, this was just a task.

...

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