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    The moment the knocking sounded, everyone in the house stiffened. The knocks came in a steady rhythm, each tap light yet deliberate.

    ‘What should we do?’ Aurora and Fiat exchanged anxious glances. For a moment, they feared the guards had doubled back. But then they recalled—Princess could vanish into the void. With that reassurance, their tension eased, and they exhaled in relief.

    Yet, Yaeger remained on edge. Her [Void Walk] was far from foolproof. If someone possessed sharp spatial awareness or wielded advanced detection magic, they could still uncover her presence.

    ‘I have no choice but to take the risk.'' At this point, Yaeger had only two options: fight her way out, eliminating everyone in her path, or slip into the void and remain hidden. The first was a gamble; the second, a far safer bet. But in reality, she had no real choice at all.

    Just as Yaeger prepared to step into the void once more, the knocking abruptly ceased. A moment later, a woman''s voice drifted through the door. "Excuse me, is my master here?"

    Aurora and Fiat exchanged bewildered glances at the question.

    "Master? What master? There''s no one by that name here," Aurora replied, her brow furrowing. Something felt off. Who would dare come knocking at a time like this? Were they not afraid of being harassed by the guards?@@@@

    Fiat tensed, his fists clenching as he fixed his gaze on the door. A subtle but unmistakable danger emanated from the woman outside. It was the kind of presence that felt like a coiled viper, poised to strike its prey.

    Meanwhile, Yaeger tilted her head, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. ‘Strange... Why does her voice sound familiar?''

    "My master is the outsider—[Princess]. The one being hunted across the city. Are you certain she’s never been here?" the woman asked in a hushed yet deliberate tone.

    Aurora and Fiat''s eyes widened, their hearts pounding with sudden dread. Did she know Princess was here? Cold sweat trickled down their foreheads. Their anxiety was palpable.

    They turned to Yaeger, their unease clear, only to see her momentarily startled before quickly regaining her composure. "Open the door. She''s an ally," Yaeger said calmly.

    Aurora hesitated for a brief moment before stepping forward and unlatching the door. The moment the door swung open, a figure clad in white slipped inside and shut it swiftly behind her.

    "So, it really is you." Yaeger regarded the newcomer with an impassive gaze. Yet beneath her calm facade, astonishment rippled through her. How had this person managed to track her down?

    ‘There''s no way my location has been compromised. If it had, those guards wouldn’t have left so easily.'' The more she pondered, the less sense it made.

    "Master, I’m so relieved to see you safe!" The woman in white swiftly shut the door behind her, paying no heed to the siblings. She strode straight to Yaeger and, without hesitation, dropped to one knee.

    "Rosalina, how did you track me down?" Yaeger gazed at her, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

    Yaeger shook her head and got straight to the point. "Why are you here? What do you need from me?"

    Time was slipping away, and she couldn’t afford to waste it.

    "Master, the entire city is hunting for you. Even the Grand Prison nearly deployed all its forces," Rosalina reported.

    "I already know that." Yaeger reached down, helping her to her feet. "Is that the only reason you’re here?"

    Rosalina shook her head, pleasantly surprised by Yaeger’s calmness. "No, Master. I came to help you escape Jade City."

    Yaeger blinked, her mind going blank for a moment.

    ‘Did I hear that right? Rosalina wants to help me escape Jade City?''

    If a local was assisting her, she might actually have a chance to escape within the time limit! And more importantly, Rosalina was a noble. If anyone knew the city’s hidden secrets, it would be her. Maybe she even knew of a weak spot in the barrier—an escape route!

    The more she considered the possibilities, the more her excitement grew.

    "Do you have a plan?" she asked eagerly.

    Rosalina hesitated briefly before responding, "I know of a gap in the barrier. You can slip through it."

    Just as she had hoped! A native noble would, of course, know the city''s weaknesses. A problem that had seemed insurmountable was suddenly reduced to a simple solution.

    "How do we get there?" Yaeger asked, excitement creeping into her voice.

    Rosalina hesitated, biting her lip.

    Yaeger’s patience wore thin. "Rosalina, hurry up and tell me!" She had barely an hour left before the quest’s time limit expired. If she didn’t make it out in time, the consequences would be unthinkable.

    Seeing the urgency in her master''s eyes, Rosalina finally relented.

    "The escape route... is in the sewers."

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