The screech of the train wheels echoed along the tracks, a constant, loud reminder of our escape. I glanced at Agarta, who was humming softly, her gaze fixed out the window. As soon as Asti and I left Londan, Agarta had met us and hustled us onto this train, which sped away without a moment's hesitation. I didn’t know where we were going, nor did I feel the need to ask. I was moving on instinct, trusting her for now.

Where this train was headed or whether Agarta had good or bad intentions didn’t matter. She noticed me watching and turned with a blink.

"What is it? Don’t worry about supplies; I’ve stocked up enough for you to live idly for a year."

I hadn’t been expecting that response. What sort of organization was she involved with that could afford such provisions?

"What’s with that face? Did you lose that portable Foreign Entity you carry around?" she asked with a smirk.

"Your phrasing is crude, you know?"

"Considering the things you’ve done, Tanton. Asking me about dragon horns, befriending five major Foreign Entities, and now you’re traveling with a half-Foreign Entity…"

"Alright, enough!"

How did she know about the five Foreign Entities I’d befriended? Her network was impressive.

Annoyed, I pulled Ria from my pocket and held her out on my palm.

"Eh?"

"Here’s Ria, if you’re that curious."

"Ugh! Put that away! That’s overkill for one little joke!"

Agarta leaped over the seat, darting back as if she’d seen something unholy. Despite her composure, her agility confirmed she hadn’t lost her rogue instincts.

Agarta was definitely more capable now, enough to command mystics as subordinates. Given that, she should have built up a resistance to Foreign Entities. But she was as consistent as ever.

Of course, Ria’s expression was one of mild hurt.

"Eek!"

When I feigned tossing Ria, Agarta’s hair stood on end, and she hissed like a startled cat. This was too amusing.

After that bit of chaos, Agarta sat across from me, gazing up at the sky with an unusually calm expression. I hadn’t often seen her this pensive.

"Agarta."

"You’re going to ask why I brought you here, aren’t you?"

"…Yes."

She laughed, breaking the quiet. "I figured you would. But really, is there ever a reason to help a friend? We’re the Underground Prison Alliance, after all."

The Underground Prison Alliance—what a horrifying name for an organization that sounded like it collected the world’s worst criminals.

"There must be a reason behind this, though, right?"

Her smile faded as I spoke. "You caught me. I tried to keep it light, but truthfully, I was anxious the whole way here. Rumors of you and the Hunter falling out, his forming a rebellion—it’s a lot."

She shook her head slowly, the weight of it all bearing down on her.

"Just a while ago, we were all working together to find the Record Keeper’s scripts and take down powerful Foreign Entities. How did it come to this?"

"A powerful Foreign Entity?"

Agarta raised her eyebrows, exhaling a sigh. "Yes, one appeared after you collapsed in that cave. The Hunter and I managed to handle it, but the Saint said that by the time the Knights arrived, it had vanished."

I shuddered to think of what might have happened if it had been a major Foreign Entity. I’d caused a lot of trouble, it seemed.

"The Hunter carried you to the Knights’ headquarters," she continued. "But… you probably didn’t know that."

Hearing this, I recalled the moments when the Hunter had been so protective. It stung all the more now.

Agarta’s expression softened, wistful. "I really hope you and the Hunter make up soon. That’s part of why I’m helping you. He’s a stubborn one, but he’s also listened to you before. Maybe, given time, you’ll have another chance to talk things out."

Did the Hunter ever actually listen to me? I wasn’t so sure. Still, I understood what Agarta meant, and I had to try. For the Hunter’s sake, for Londan, and for the future I hoped we could share.

"How did you manage to get this train?"

"Oh, I stole it from Candle. Most trains in Londan belong to them anyway, so it’s hardly illegal."

Watching Agarta so nonchalantly discuss stealing, I was reminded that she was indeed a thief. A thief looting from Londan’s marauders—maybe she was this world’s hidden ace.

As we talked, I noticed the train’s jolts were growing more pronounced, and the surroundings were brightening.

"It seems we’re nearing our stop."

Agarta led Asti and me to the open carriage door, where we were greeted by a cold breeze tinged with warmth.

In the world of Snow Castle, warmth in the snow meant either sharing the heat of another living being or arriving at an enclave like Londan with a furnace. Agarta pointed to a distant wall.

"That’s the Garen Domain—a dukedom, unlike Londan, ruled by nobles."

A dukedom. It was strange to think nobles still existed in this world, and yet, here was proof.

Though the situation was daunting, the thought of exploring a new place stirred something hopeful within me. We’d make it through, just as we always had.

"Hand over the vile traitor, Raydan Tanton!"

"Hand him over! Hand him over!"

Around the furnace, a crowd shouted, holding up signs demanding my capture. The Deputy Commander stayed within headquarters, unable to leave.

Among the throng, a dark figure snarled, seemingly hearing an account of events. "So, Raydan Tanton has already escaped?"

"It appears so. We found evidence of a hidden tunnel in the Deputy Commander’s office."

The Hunter clicked his tongue in frustration. He was letting the most important things slip away.

"If the Knights can’t act while Londan’s citizens surround them, they’ll only reinforce the belief that they’re protecting the Foreign Entities."

"Indeed."

While Grot was responding, a runner arrived, breathless.

"Hunter! A train has just left Londan!"

"Is it Black Mask?"

"No, witnesses say it was one of Candle’s illegal trains!"

Candle wouldn’t help Tanton. The Hunter grit his teeth, reaching his conclusion.

"…Damn thief. She really gets on my nerves."

"What will you do?"

The Hunter clapped Grot on the shoulder. "I’ll leave the cleanup in Londan to you. I’m tracking down Raydan Tanton."

"And your transport?"

"I’ll take one of Black Mask’s trains. Most of their engines are wrecked, but one should still be functional. Look after the Princess; Londan’s fate depends on it."

"Understood."

The Hunter strode towards the Londan gate. He couldn’t quite place what he was feeling, but it was more than mere betrayal—it was an anger that flared hotter than he’d ever known.

Whatever this feeling was, he knew it would change once he found Tanton and ended this. He wanted to see him—now.

"I’ll find you, and I’ll cleanse that twisted ideology of yours."