Stray

In that small-scale war, they had no time to really look around. Now that the smoke had dissipated, there was only the slightly muggy night left. The crickets chirped among the grass, and the flying insects buzz and slammed into the glass shade of the oil lamps. Due the melting of the large amount of ice, there were many small puddles on the damaged streets. The smell of wet straw and mud eventually masked the smell of burning and fire that was still leftovers after dusk.

There were lights in the windows of buildings unaffected from the battle, but there was no figures in the damages ones, like the one that they were in now.

“Why?” Oliver was momentarily stunned. His gaze stopped on Adrian’s pale face.

“I know about the plans of the townspeople.” Ann’s tone was stiff. “Some people decided to stay in place. For safety, you know, to prevent us from leaking their secret— they will rebuild the town in a different place. Others decided to leave… In order to never fall in love.” She smiled bitterly.

“But I have to say, it’s better than both sides dying together. That hoodlum who started the war probably used means to incapacitate his father. Now that the mayor’s awake, the kid is locked up. They are probably discussing future arrangements at this moment.” She turned her gaze to the brightly lit building not far away.

“But no matter what the outcome, Vincent Town will no longer exist.” Nemo couldn’t tell what he was feeling at this moment.

“Yes, that’s why I was going to say,” Ann whispered. “In order to protect their ‘human indentity’, no one will tell the truth to the outside world. After all, neither side believes in prophecies, and you’re still just outsiders who stuck their nose in their business. Since the two of you returned safely, it seems that the attitude of the Bluebirds towards you isn’t bad, but…”

“The townspeople of Vincent Town may not necessarily think that way.” Oliver raised his eyes. “Maybe in their eyes, we’re the culprit who caused their failed crusade.”

“Not everyone likes the ‘truth’. There will definitely be some who thinks like that, and these people are most likely to leave. After the information gets out… Alas.” The female warrior shook her head for a few seconds. “Oliver, Nemo, although we haven’t known each other for too long, you… are all good young people. If you continue like this, I don’t know if you can maintain your current state of mind.”