As I dashed through the dense forest, my heart pounded in my chest like a drumbeat of fear. Regret gnawed at me like a relentless beast. How could I have been so foolish to trust Sylvia. And leaving Momoka behind at Arzenal? What was I thinking? Selfish move, all for trying to save her. I could hear the imperial guards getting closer. I was cursing everyone, especially Julio.

"Dammit!" I growled tiredly. "Why did I ever believe there was a shred of decency left in that wretched place?"