Howard couldn't trust them as he did Tina and Chris.
Unlike Grice, Ada, the other captain at Howard's side, perceived his unease.
Ada, a mere sixteen-year-old girl, possessed a strength even greater than Howard's current might.
She had once been a daughter of nobility, but circumstances had led to her fall from grace.
For a noble, her combat prowess was extraordinarily rare, as the empire's aristocrats were mostly known for their greed and indulgence in pleasures.
Ada wasn't as obtuse as Grice and seemed to have an inkling of Howard's suspicions.
Just when everything seemed normal, Howard suddenly felt dizzy, his vision darkening.
It was as if an invisible hand had pushed him down.
He tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt as heavy as lead, utterly beyond his control.
He felt as though he was enveloped in a thick fog, hearing indistinct voices and footsteps.