The next day, the exodus of the First Evacuation Army from the Northern Quadrant finally started.
Sunny and the other captains observed the mass of humans, machinery, and cargo containers flowing into the seemingly bottomless cargo holds of the forty metal leviathans from the tall walls of the port fortress. None of the six spoke, consumed by somber thoughts. Master Jet remained silent, as well.
Behind them, the large encampment that had been bustling with activity just a few days ago was completely dismantled and gone. In front of them was the endless grey expanse of the sea and an uncertain future.
Even though only a quarter of the entire evacuation contingent was sailing south from this port today, the scope of it all was truly immense. Looking at the fearsome ships and the flood of soldiers boarding them, Sunny couldn't help but feel a bit of awe.
It was easy to believe that nothing would be able to stop such a tremendous force.
…However, he knew better.
After a while, Master Jet sighed.
"Alright. It's time for us to go. Regroup with your cohorts and proceed to your assigned ships. You know what to do if the convoy encounters a disaster on the way. Try your best to survive. Should the flagship go down and I with it, follow the chain of command. Vandal is going to assume leadership over the company in my absence."
Master Randall glanced darkly at her and grimaced.
"Hopefully, I won't need to."
Even though the convoy was going to be guided by the emissaries of the House of Night, it was not a given that all ships would reach Antarctica. Naval navigation was always dangerous, and most of the Awakened and Ascended of the First Army were all but useless in aquatic combat.
Including Sunny.
Glancing at his colleagues one last time, he stepped through the shadows and appeared near a crowded dock. It was not hard to find the members of his cohort, since most people gave them a bit of space out of respect.
a confident mask and
"Are you ready?"
Luster, who suddenly
I've never been on a ship. I
him for a few moments, then
Awakened, are you not? Awakened are supposed to be
for a few
like you don't like me very much,
not respond. However, Belle suddenly patted the
I, for one, am very happy that
Luster beamed.
"Really?"
him a friendly
around. I mean, one look at you, and it's clear that you are going to die first. Which,
man glowered at
that. It's not
blinked a
"...I wasn't joking."
Sunny shook his head and turned
"Enough talking! Let's go."
the long pier and moved toward the distant ship. The mass of people parted
sky. Feeling its thick shadow embrace him, Sunny suddenly felt a little
grey waves below, sighed, and stepped on the wide linkspan connecting the pier to the
maw of the cargo
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