Pearney made way.
Ivan leaned in to listen closely and discern, signaling that there was no one around and instructing her to continue digging.
Soon, under Pearney's manipulation, a damp underground passageway was revealed.
The passage was filled with a thick fog, reminiscent of a lake on a clear autumn or winter morning, making it uncomfortable for her. What made her uneasy was the streak of green within the white fog, which stood out conspicuously.
"Let's go this way,"
Pearney pointed to a side where the green airflow was less active.
Ivan shook his head, "That way probably leads to the sea; the opposite direction is where the wind blows."
Pearney was apprehensive about the green airflow. Ivan pointed to the cracks above filled with mud and stones, indicating they couldn't stay long. His recent action had indeed increased the likelihood of a collapse.
As they moved forward, the green airflow in the tunnel seemed to increase and actively approached them, evidently attracted by the Curse of Demon's Resentment. They hurried their pace.
On the ground, they occasionally spotted traces of something having crawled by, likely left by Billerie.
As they continued, the noises ahead grew louder, forcing them to become cautiously vigilant. They had no time to concern themselves with the approaching mists of green vapor.
The passage suddenly opened up before them into a spacious underground cavern, in the center of which stood a unique grey iron obelisk. Deep green mists of vapor incessantly emerged around the iron pillar, and sounds of battle came from above it.
But they couldn't see the shadows of those fighting above.
Pearney exhaled a sigh of relief and hastened her steps around the iron pillar towards one of the passageways on the other side, only to find someone had not followed.
She looked back to see Ivan staring fixedly at the ground in the middle of the cavern, not blinking an eye.
"You go ahead and wait for me; I'll catch up in a quarter hour," Ivan said, taking a few steps toward the center of the cavern, his gaze locked on the runes array on the ground.
"What are you doing?"
Pearney, puzzled, had also seen the objects on the ground. It was likely a ritual array used for offerings. "You can't possibly want to memorize the runes, right? Runes are not as simple as they seem. Memorizing them will do you no good. What you see at first glance is different from the second, and it's not like the meditation runes etched into memory."
Ivan did not change his mind, "I know, runes require contemplation to understand their true meaning."
"You're truly mad."
Seeing him walk directly into the middle of the cavern, moving through the thick green mists, Pearney gritted her teeth and decided not to bother with him anymore, heading on her own toward another passage.
She had never seen someone like that. If understanding could come from mere observation, he would be no sorcerer apprentice but a Great Scholar, a Great Sage. This was madness if anything.
Pearney looked at him irritably: "That's for not listening to me, suffer the consequences."
Ivan changed the subject, "What's the situation outside?"
Pearney shook her head: "It's a total mess."
"I'll listen."
Ivan perked up his ears to listen to the noise. The battle was a distance away, and he heard the sound of the little green winged snake and the Cloud Fog servant, the latter two fighting each other.
Farther away, where the commotion was even greater, it was likely Toyennes and Billerie.
He shared the situation with Pearney, and the two decided to take the opportunity to leave.
With Pearney's manipulation, they left the underground passage and crouched stealthily behind the bushes near the rocks, observing the battle not far away.
For some reason, a large number of Cloud Fog servants emerged, who became Billerie's allies—Toyennes was left only with the little green winged snake and the metal puppets.
"Look, the puppets on the ship." Pearney pointed ahead, her eyes almost shining.
The puppets that appeared on the battlefield were indeed from the Dark Lahr, the very ones she had been longing to destroy.
She repeated what she'd said many times before: "The opportunity is perfect, let's hijack the ship."
"Alright."
This time, Ivan did not refuse.
Compared to Toyennes and Billerie, the two of them were just small fry; neither wanted to get involved in the battle. Now was the perfect chance to escape.
Circling around the battlefield to put some distance between them, Ivan slowed down and hesitated before speaking: "You go first, I need to rendezvous with someone."
"Who?" Pearney widened her eyes as if she had misunderstood him, "It's Justine, isn't it? You're not crazy again, are you? How about this, when we get back I'll arrange for a few women for you, they won't be inferior to Justine."
Ivan altered his course: "Should be here soon."
"Once I've hijacked the ship and persuaded the Iron Ridge Giant Turtle, I won't wait for you."
"You will."
As she looked on in astonishment, Ivan shook the copper Token he had just found on the ground next to the runes array.
Faced with this situation, Pearney's frustration intensified, and she ran towards the dock with a dark expression.