The State of Cyrus

In one of the most expensive and prestigious restaurants of Rinto City, two beautiful women met. While the two had only gotten to know each other a few weeks ago, they quickly became close due to the painful experience that they shared, heartbreak.

"So, are you getting used to the sect, Lisa?"

"Yes, thanks to you Cleia. Things have been going well so far, both with my social life and my cultivation."

"I'm glad to hear it. By the way, have you heard from Clyde?"

"No, that idiot said he wasn't coming back until he made his breakthrough. The last time I heard from him he said was going to travel across Malirin Forest."

Although his clan had branches outside of the five cities, Clyde vehemently opposed moving there and stayed with Lisa in Rinto City. Even though he wasn't the successor of his clan, he was still a talented youth so they didn't agree easily, but when he threatened to cripple his cultivation they reluctantly gave up.

Fortunately both of their parents were impressed by his loyalty and tried to get the two engaged, but Clyde promised that he would make Lisa accept him first.

His actions had definitely managed to move her heart, but since she didn't like the confident smirk he had at that time she hid that feeling.

"Malirin Forest, huh? That reminds me of..."

As she noticed the melancholy in Cleia's expression, Lisa could barely hold back her sigh. She was long used to this maiden being reminded of that guy and getting herself depressed, but it was never a pleasant sight.

'If it still bothers you so much then stop talking about it.'

Lisa shook her head before responding, "By the way, have you heard of the situation in Cyrus?"

Though she knew that just the mention of that town would trigger her sad memories, she also knew that if she avoided this topic it would only make Cleia feel sorry that she had to be considerate of her. Additionally, even if she didn't bring it up, it was a serious topic that was all over the city. It was recent news that hadn't reached Pemacreba yet since it was farther from Cyrus than Rinto City.

Still with a darkened expression, Cleia answered.

"Yes. Every one of the five cities have been affected by the emergence of the chimera lord, but I think Cyrus got hit by the worst of the aftereffects."

Lisa nodded while thinking about the news that she heard. About the ones who had taken over Cyrus and made it their playground.

"He'll probably be really angry when he hears about this."

Lisa had meant to say this in her head, but once she noticed Cleia flinch, she gasped and turned away.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Meanwhile in Cyrus, the citizens seemed be going along their daily routine but regardless of whether you were returning or a first time visitor, it would be easy to notice that something had changed. For example, the light green translucent dome which covered the town that the citizens kept glancing at.

The things that had occurred in the past couple days seemed like stuff out of a dream, but every time they looked at the sky they were reminded that this was their reality. Even the bars couldn't escape from being filled with silence and despair.

However, this wasn't because they were so lifeless that they didn't have the urge to complain, rather it was the people who swaggered down the streets in red and black outfits that stopped them from expressing themselves. Though they would gladly pay for the chance to see them dropped to their knees, they all had seen what happened to those who stood up against them.

Even the mayor was unable to resist this group of invaders.

In this Cyrus where the people lived in fear and oppression, there was a figure clad in loose fitting clothing and carrying a bag of cooking ingredients. Like the other residents, when this figure looked up at the dome that blocked a clear view of the sky, they sighed and hung their head, but their reason was different.

'I wonder it managed to reach him. If only I had tried to reach him earlier...'

Even though their family had agreed with their choice, they couldn't forgive themself. They wanted to take care of this matter or at least have it under control without bothering the young master, but now they couldn't even contact him anymore. They had desperately tried to reach him once they realised the threat of the dome, but it was too late. Although they thought that a connection was made, they didn't receive a response before it was forcibly cut.

'Hah... If only I-'

"No! Please no!"

Shaken from their own thoughts, the figure's attention was drawn by a wail of despair from a young woman. The scene was as clear as could be, there was one man holding her hand while another two blocked her way out. It was obvious what would happen to her next, but forget helping, the spectators didn't dare to stare at the scene for too long.

The three men were only in the Mortal Realm, which was nothing special, but the clothes they wore stopped any interference. Those red and black outfits stopped any would-be heroes.

As they passed this scene, the figure bit their lower lip until it bled but they didn't act. Even if their own identity wasn't revealed, this woman would be targeted and would likely meet a worse fate. So while they wanted to help, they didn't allow that selfish urge to force their hand.

With their head forced down, the figure pushed their feet away from the scene and went straight home. Their house was a two-storey building in what used to be a relatively peaceful part of town, but now such a place didn't exist.

"I'm home."

Once she was home, Lily removed her cloak and moved to the kitchen/dining area where she found Lilia with two other mature women. One of the women was graceful with a curvy body that could turn heads when she walked down a street, while the other was a cold beauty with a pair of black-rimmed glasses and a ponytail.

"Welcome back, Lily. Did you run into any trouble?" Lilia asked.

"...No. Miss Jeanne, Miss Jay, will you be staying for dinner?"

"No, I appreciate the offer but after this we'll head back to check on the girls."

Jeanne tried to respond with her usual elegance, but though makeup could conceal the bags under her eyes it couldn't hide the fatigue and depression in her eyes. Jay who was beside her wasn't doing any better. They should have been busy trying to expand the store, but because of the invaders they had to put all of those plans on hold.

As a business with an all-female staff, Jeanne had gotten used to attracting the wrong kind of customers, but the customers she might attract now weren't the type who would be satisfied with just a look. If one of the rude invaders came looking for a partner in bed there was little she could do to stop them. If they wanted one of them, they just had to point her out and that was it. She had already lost two members of her family like this so all she could do was try to stop any more losses.

"How are the girls holding up?" Lilia asked in worried tone.

"For now we can manage with our savings and thanks to those cloaks you lent us we can go shopping without fear so we're okay for now but,"

"The situation isn't pretty." added Jay.

Jeanne nodded and continued, "Most of them still can't accept what happened to Ali and Ria. And there's nothing I can say to comfort them. If they get caught then that's it, there's nothing I can do to help them."

Neither Lilia nor Lily, who was listening in, could say anything in response. They were in a better position thanks to the arrays and funds that Shui left here, but the fear was the same. Cultivators fought to take control of their own fate, but those here had lost that ability.