Sera understood Ethan's decision without needing any further explanation.
She did not question it, nor did she try to persuade him otherwise.
From the moment Ethan made up his mind, she knew his path was already set.
Instead of heading south, Ethan chose the opposite direction. Together, they turned north.
Lion City had already been entrusted to Hanss.
With Hanss's sharp understanding of city management and resource priorities, Ethan felt no anxiety about leaving the city behind.
Hanss knew what Lion City needed, when to push expansion, and when to stabilize. Ethan trusted him completely.
That trust allowed Ethan to move forward without hesitation.
They walked toward the cliff again, descending into the canyon path.
The narrow ravine was still filled with the remains of city troops from the three enemy cities.
Bodies lay scattered across the ground, piled in unnatural positions, some half-buried in sand and broken stone.
