Chapter 60: Everyone’s Feelings

"To all residents of the Imperial Capital. An evacuation order has been issued. I repeat…"

The voice urging evacuation echoed from radios and the speakers of military vehicles patrolling the streets.

Naturally, that voice also reached Arkham Academy.

"Prepare to evacuate! Hurry!"

Teachers barked quick orders, and the students—who were supposed to be enjoying the Golden Festival—rushed out of the academy, heading for the designated evacuation site on the outskirts of the capital.

Yet, no one understood why they had to evacuate.

"Klaus! What’s going on?"

Felix found Klaus in the park-turned-shelter and called out to him.

"No idea. Everything’s a mess…"

As Klaus tilted his head in confusion, Frieda hurried over to them.

"Lord Felix! Lord Klaus! Have you seen Iris!?"

"Miss Iris is missing!?"

"Y-yes! She was called away by Professor Emile earlier, and no one’s seen her since. I hope she evacuated safely, but…"

"Professor Emile…?"

Felix’s eyes widened, and he suddenly broke into a run.

"Professor Emile!"

"What is it, Felix?"

"Where is Miss Iris?"

"Miss Iris… She left for Central Imperial Hospital. Her parents were seriously injured in an accident. Evacuations should be underway there as well."

"Her parents… an accident…"

Hearing Emile’s answer, Felix was overcome with a terrible premonition.

"Felix. Did you figure something out?"

"Is Iris alright?"

Klaus and Frieda, who had chased after Felix, pressed him for answers.

"I’m going to Central Imperial Hospital."

"Are you insane?! The capital’s under evacuation or—"

"I don’t care! Something might’ve happened to her…!"

"But—"

Felix’s resolute declaration left Klaus and Frieda at a loss.

"Klaus von Freudenthal! Is Klaus von Freudenthal here!?"

A man’s voice—unfamiliar to the group—called out for Klaus.

"Over here!"

"Ah, good. I’m with the government. I need to speak with you regarding Lord Alexander von Freudenthal. Would you come with me?"

"My father…?"

Klaus’s expression darkened at the words of the suited man claiming to be a government official.

"Felix, Miss Frieda. He might know something about what’s happening in the capital. You coming?"

"Yeah. Let’s go."

At Klaus’s invitation, Felix and Frieda left the shelter with him.

Instead of a carriage, a car stood ready, swiftly carrying them to the army garrison on the capital’s outskirts.

"Emilia!"

"Ah—Frieda? Why are you here?"

"We came with Lord Klaus. We're worried about Iris..."

"Iris...?"

Emilia’s expression darkened at Frieda’s words.

"I evacuated with His Highness Leonhardt, but... this chaos might be connected to her."

"Miss Iris...? What do you mean, Emilia?"

Felix pressed her urgently, but Emilia hesitated.

"Felix. I need to hear what they have to say about my father. You coming?"

"No. I need answers from Emilia first. Besides, your father’s affairs aren’t for outsiders like us."

"Right. Wait here."

With that, Klaus left with the government agent, heading deeper into the garrison. Felix turned back to Emilia.

"Tell me, Emilia. What happened?"

"...Iris went to Central Imperial Hospital, correct?"

"That’s what we heard."

"There’s been an incident there. The hospital’s been overrun by monsters—no one knows if those inside are alive or..."

"What...!?"

Felix’s face went pale, his fists tightening.

"The hospital was the first site of this disaster. And... I can feel something happening to Iris."

"You can... feel her?"

"Yes. Ever since Marie stabbed me, I’ve had this... strange sense. It grows stronger near Iris, and right now, it’s screaming."

Frieda’s eyes widened as Emilia spoke.

"Then we have to get to the hospital—"

"You can’t, Lord Felix! The capital’s under attack by terrorists. If Iris is involved, those ‘terrorists’ might be the witches we—"

"Damn it! That just means we have to save her!"

Felix’s voice was raw with desperation. Emilia gripped his arm.

"Lord Felix, Lord Klaus has returned!"

Frieda’s warning cut through the tension as Klaus reappeared, his face like stormclouds.

"Klaus. What’s going on? Emilia says the hospital was attacked—"

"My father’s dead."

The words were quiet, venomous.

"How...?"

"A witch. Most of the government’s leadership is gone—only a few ministers survived. The Emperor’s unharmed, but Marshal Ferdinand’s declared martial law."

Klaus’s voice was steel.

"Why would they—"

"All I know is this: I won’t forgive the witch who killed him. No matter what comes next... I’ll destroy every last one of them."

Felix stared at his friend—then nodded, his own resolve hardening.

Klaus’s voice cut through Felix’s anguish, sharp with conviction.

"Felix. You still intend to save Iris, don’t you?"

"I do. But with you in this state—"

"Forget about me." Klaus seized Felix’s shoulder, his grip ironclad. "This is the solution. The disaster at Central Hospital has spread—within a day, the capital will be consumed."

A beat of silence. Then, quieter:

"Go save the woman you love. I’ll cover you as best I can."

Felix met his friend’s gaze and nodded. "Thank you, Klaus."

"The Rosenkreuz Society is mobilizing. Elisabeth and Professor Matthias are already moving. We’ll rendezvous with them—you get to Iris. If she’s the key to this, end it."

"Understood."

Klaus smirked, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Then let’s move, Felix."

Side by side, they turned toward the capital—a city now writhing with the chaos of gods and witches, its streets choked with the stench of decay.

What awaited them there?

No one knew.

Yet forward they marched, into the heart of the nightmare.

……………………