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There was also the reapers' senses to worry about. They'd picked up on something to the northwest, suspecting that it might be an aberration at work, so Hector didn't know whether to be relieved or worried that these crowds were heading southwest, instead. On the one hand, it meant that these poor people probably weren't at the mercy of some weird new aberration power, but on the other hand, that could also mean that there could be TWO major problems going on in this city instead of just one.

Either way, Hector was making sure not to forget his objective. The entire reason he'd decided to come here was to check up on Prince David, not to get involved in whatever craziness might be going on here. And according to Garovel, the place where the prince was staying was located west of here. So at least they weren't going terribly far out of their way.

Yet.

With the benefit of hovering platforms, it did not take much longer for their ultimate destination to come into view.

Hector had, of course, heard of Livingston Grand Castle before. It was one of the most famous fortresses in the world, after all. And Garovel had certainly teased him about it being the true purpose of Hector wanting to make this trip, but even still, catching that first glimpse of it in the distance, beyond the wall of skyscrapers that kept getting in the way: it was still enough to give him pause.

And when the view became clearer, when he could finally see it in full, he could not help gawking. The pictures truly did not do it justice.

Unfortunately, the current plan did not involve flying right up to it and landing within its walls. It was a controlled airspace, and the city was obviously in a strange state, right now, so they didn't want to risk spooking any worried defenders or residents with their unannounced arrival.

Better to call the prince again, first.

Hector found a nice spot to land on an elevated walkway. The road that it was attached to would have surely been too noisy to hear Prince David over, but it was entirely empty. Not even any abandoned vehicles or silent crowd to speak of.

Selena, Nadim, and Loren all took up positions around Hector as they waited for the prince to pick up. Roman was still flying around in the distance, Hector noticed.

<"Hello there, Lord Goffe,"> came the man's calm and familiar voice.

"Hello, Your Highness."

<"Still planning on dropping by?">

"I'm already here, actually."

<"Wha--? Oh... I see.">