The hotel ran out of power in a while.

These mutant beasts were particularly sensitive to light.

In the darkness, fear could be amplified; it could hide dangers as well as bring them.

Gregory Lawrence returned to his room, clinging to the doorframe, tears almost falling, "Do you really not need me to stay with you?"

Hannah leaned against the door, shaking her head, "No need."

Gregory Lawrence pretended to wipe his tears, "You’re really heartless."

Hannah closed the door.

Gregory Lawrence was startled, looked around, and the hallway was very dark.

There was only a faint layer of moonlight, barely enough to see by.

He hurried back to his room and locked the door.

That night, the quieter it was, the more unsettling it felt.

...

Nothing happened overnight.

The next day as soon as it was bright, the commotion started again downstairs.

It wasn’t the people in the hotel causing the commotion; it was the people on the street.

The news that the Saber-Tooth Squalus had broken into the Ninth District had spread.

There was no manager in the Ninth District; the only influential figures were the presidents of the two unions.

Both were elderies with greying hair.

Despite their aged appearance, they were in good spirits, their eyes as sharp as eagles’.

This matter had clearly threatened everyone’s safety.

At noon, the presidents of the two unions gathered people in the center of the market to discuss this matter.

Hannah and Gregory Lawrence also joined in the crowd.

The two presidents stood at the highest point.

"Presumably everyone knows by now; mutant beasts from Blackwood Forest broke into the Ninth District last night and even injured a senior hunter from my Hunters’ Union. Without me having to say more, I think everyone understands how dangerous mutant beasts are during their breeding season..."

A lengthy speech boils down to one key point.

The Ninth District demanded that the imperial royal family immediately lift the restrictions on the border.

They believed that the ongoing conflicts at the border had affected the mutant beasts in Blackwood Forest, causing them to break into the Ninth District recklessly.

Many people agreed with this view.

It was rare for the Ninth District to be so united.

Hannah looked sideways at Gregory Lawrence, "Do you think this argument holds water?"

The mutant beasts had broken into the Ninth District due to the effects of the border restrictions and conflicts.

Gregory Lawrence was a straightforward man, simple in thought, but he also saw the inconsistency, "There indeed is a problem. If there really were beasts breaking in, like you said, it wouldn’t just be one."

It should have been a group.

But now, it appeared last night’s incident was more likely a catalyst.

That afternoon, the matter escalatед to the border.

There were the imperial royal family’s Second and Ninth Mech Divisions.

Hannah thought this seemed more like an opportunity to take advantage of the chaos and leave the border.

Unfortunately, things did not go smoothly.

The border guards were as strict as ever.

This rebellion was not only unsuccessful but eventually even brought someone forth.

Someone Hannah did not want to see, other than Wayne Lane—Sheffield Benedict.

No matter when or where, Sheffield Benedict appeared before people with the demeanor of a dashing noble, with refined and elegant features.

Stepping down from the starship, his every move was graceful and scholarly. Even his most simple attire still revealed a temperament utterly incongruent with the Ninth District.

The previously noisy crowd hushed the instant they saw him.

Hannah was also in the crowd.

She had come out alone today, hoping to find a chance to leave.

Leaving from Blackwood Forest wasn’t impossible, but it would take a lot of her time.