A short while later at the capital perimeter, Selthia finally initiated a full retreat.
But Ren and Liora refused to accept the maneuver at face value... Taking to the sky, they carved wide, sweeping arcs miles beyond the outer trenches to verify the enemy movements. They fully expected to find the mutant horde lingering just past the horizon, regrouping safely out of mana perception range to stage a sudden counter-maneuver.
Yet the expected trap never materialized.
The corrupted beasts continued to march away from the city, fracturing their tight formations and scattering across the plains in every possible direction.
It appeared the corruption had genuinely abandoned the siege.
They returned to the castle courtyard, though neither of them felt entirely convinced.
♢♢♢♢
