Chapter 378: Candy escapes.

From a distance, Candy watched the destruction in horror. Her brain worked at lightning speed. Julia isn’t here_ she took half of our forces to take over another territory. The men we have here just got back from a battle this evening; they’re exhausted! This isn’t a battle; it’s a butcher shop!

"Nope. Not dying today," Candy muttered to herself. She needed to escape and continue her journey for revenge. Anyway, she had confirmed that Zyra was in the Wild lands. In a way, that was a win.

She heard a roar coming from Twigs Blue Crossing and a scream that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Candy turned around and ran through the forest, lungs burning, branches clawing at her arms. Behind her, the crack of gunfire split the air, bullets tearing through leaves and bark.

Each step was a desperate gamble--roots threatened to trip her, beasts in the forest were agitated, and others were hungry and hunting. Her heartbeat thundered louder than the shots, but she didn’t dare slow.

Somewhere ahead a separate camp where transport beasts had been left to graze. She had overheard Julia talking about it with one of the men. Those beasts were supposed to be delivered to Twigs Blue Crossing this night. Luckily, it had not yet happened.

She stumbled upon them. Her nose picked up the scent of herbs that had been sprinkled around to keep wild beasts away from the domesticated transport ones. Candy reached for the nearest one, which was tied to tree. She cut the reins with her sleeve-dagger, scrambled onto its back, and kicked its flanks hard. The beast launched into the sky, carrying her away into the dark night.

"This is not over." She muttered, hatred burning deeper in her bones.

Finally, after what seemed liked hours, the gunfire died down. The camp was silent, save for the crackle of burning wood and the low groans of paralyzed Sanctum soldiers lying in the dirt.

A soft sound! chimed inside Zyra’s head.

[System Notification: All major threats in Twig’s Blue Crossing have been neutralized. Area secure.]

Zyra lowered her gun and blew a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Clear," she called out. "Finish off the paralyzed ones and secure the perimeter and look for the residents that could still be surviving."

As she walked through the wreckage, searching for usable things that survived, Bullet dragged over a man. "This one has been whispering your name." He tossed the man on the ground.

"Z-Zyra? Zyra, is that really you?!"

Zyra stopped and looked down. The middle-aged man who was weeping like a baby looked familiar. His skin was red, as if he had been steamed. A jagged piece of metal was sticking out of his left thigh, and his hands were tied tightly behind his back.

Zyra blinked. "Uncle Job? What on earth are you doing in a war zone?"

Job squeezed out a masterclass performance of tearful misery. "Oh, my sweet niece! It was terrible! Ever since Ian married into that fancy Soul Maiden family, I’ve been the only close relative you have left! These evil Sanctum troops kidnapped me! They used me as a hostage, hoping to lure you into a trap!"

The surrounding people from Zyra’s team paused, looking at the bloody, tear-stained older man with sympathy.

"Poor guy," Daniel whispered. "Imagine getting dragged into this just because of your family."

Tessi immediately rushed forward. "Oh goodness, let me help you!" She quickly sliced the thick ropes binding his wrists and placed her glowing hand over his bleeding leg. Within seconds, the metal fragment slid out, and the wound sealed up nicely.

Job gasped, rubbing his uninjured leg like it was a miracle. "Bless you, soul maiden! May the heavens grant you many children and rich husbands."

Just then, Hunter stomped over, dragging a half-dead Sanctum commander by his collar. He threw the officer onto the dirt like a bag of dirty laundry.

"Julia’s not here," Hunter grunted, wiping sweat from his forehead. "And this idiot refuses to spill where she went."

Job blinked, dusting off his robes as he stood up. "Wait_ where is Candy Duggar?"

Hunter paused, turning his eyes toward Job. His gaze sharpened instantly. He had done his research on Zyra’s family tree, and he recognized this face immediately. He was not a good guy, and both he and his wife knew this.

Zyra narrowed her eyes at her uncle. "What about Candy Duggar?"

Job puffed out his chest, trying to look important. "Candy Duggar is working directly with Julia! She’s the one that lured me into a trap. She is working with the enemy!"

Hunter let out a cold, sharp laugh. "Is that so? Funny coming from you... considering you are working directly with the Mayor who is also an enemy."

Job froze. The color drained from his face, but he quickly puffed his cheeks out in outrage. "What?! Who is this loudmouth?! How dare you accuse an innocent, suffering old man whose only crime was trying to find and protect his niece?"

Zyra raised an eyebrow and spoke in a totally casual, bored tone: "Uncle Job this loudmouth is my Husband."

Job’s jaw dropped so low it nearly hit his newly healed thigh. "H-Husband?! Since when do you have a husband?! When was the wedding?! Why wasn’t I invited to the feast?"

He quickly caught himself, shaking his head frantically. "No! Don’t change the subject! I don’t know any Mayor! I’m a victim here!"

"Victim my foot," Hunter growled.

Without another word, Hunter closed the distance in a split second. A clean, furious right hook landed square on Job’s jaw. Job’s eyes rolled up into his head, and he fell unconscious. Blood trickled from his mouth.

Zyra was sure there were a few broken teeth inside Job’s mouth. Maybe, his jaw had even cracked.

Neil, standing nearby, gasped and touched his own cheek in sympathy. "Whoa! Boss Hunter, are you sure he’s with the Mayor? He’s, her uncle!"

"1000% sure," Hunter said, flexing his knuckles.

Zyra didn’t even look at her unconscious uncle. "I’m not surprised. There’s a reason I cut off my family a long time ago. They’d sell my teeth for copper if they could."

She turned away from Job and walked over to the kneeling, wounded Sanctum commander Hunter had dragged in. "Are you going to tell us where Julia is or do I have to improvise."

In response, the man spat and stared her with eyes that were filled of contempt. "Torture me all you want; I will not betray my comrades."

Reaching into her belt pouch, she pulled out a small plastic vial.

"Maybe but this will make you sing."