In truth, all of this was within Sefina’s plan.
When she confirmed the abnormality inside the carriage and deduced the enemy’s possible intentions and the location of their ambush, she immediately formulated a plan to call for help with Flovi.
Flovi’s jump from the window at the point nearest to the capital city of Sarkax was not a blind escape.
Relying on her exceptional physical prowess and familiarity with the terrain, she accelerated over a hillside, taking a straight-line shortcut to reach the capital’s Western Gate in the shortest possible time.
On her person, she carried a handwritten call for help letter penned in the identity of “Holmes.”
And the target of this call for help was Versie, Holmes’s private student on the western continent and also the daughter of a duke.
Flovi, having served as Holmes’s assistant in the past, was naturally recognized by Versie.
When Flovi, bearing her teacher’s handwritten letter, abruptly appeared at the Duke’s Mansion late at night seeking an audience with Miss Versie, Versie, after her initial shock, did not hesitate for a moment.
She quickly read the letter, comprehending the gravity of the situation—the Eastern Continent exchange student delegation had encountered a premeditated hijacking within Sarkax’s borders.
Versie was well aware that if someone like Flovi, a person of “unknown origin,” went directly to report the incident to the Royal Capital Defense Bureau, the authorities might act slowly due to a lack of credibility, or even require layers of reporting and verification, missing the optimal rescue window.
But if she personally stepped forward, the weight of the matter would be entirely different. After all, Versie was, at the very least, the daughter of a duke, and her credibility was very high.
Thus, Versie immediately set out, personally heading to the Royal Capital Defense Bureau.
When the officer on duty heard that the duke’s daughter had personally visited late at night to report such an urgent and major incident, he immediately became fully alert, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
Versie calmly stated the situation. The credibility brought by her status prompted the Defense Bureau’s higher-ups to quickly make a decision, immediately dispatching elite Mage troops to rush to the Railway Branch Line area.
Hence, the scene of the last-minute rescue that had just unfolded.
Now, on the battlefield, the remaining assassins, seeing the arrival of Sarkax’s official Defense Bureau’s large contingent of elite Mages, their formation strict, attack and defense orderly, knew the tide had turned.
If they continued to entangle, not only would they fail to take hostages, but they themselves might all be captured.
“Retreat!”
One of the leaders made an immediate decision and issued the command to withdraw.
The remaining assassins showed no desire to prolong the fight, immediately employing various means to scatter and flee in all directions like a receding tide, quickly disappearing into the vast night.
This heart-stopping train hijacking incident finally drew to a close with the enemy’s rout.
When the last assassin’s figure vanished from sight, the taut string within Sefina completely snapped.
Leaning on the back of a nearby seat, she slowly slumped into an empty spot, breathing heavily in great gasps.
Sefina’s blue bangs were plastered to her cheeks with sweat, her face somewhat pale, her chest heaving violently.
The continuous high-intensity spellcasting and immense mental pressure had drained a significant amount of her mana and stamina.
In stark contrast to Sefina’s exhaustion was the wild joy of having survived a catastrophe within the carriage.
“We… we’re saved?!”
“The Defense Bureau is here!”
“It’s the official force of the western continent!”
“We survived!”
“Thank goodness! Sob… I thought I was done for…”
“We made it!”
The long-suppressed fear and tension were completely released at this moment.
Many ordinary passengers hugged each other and wept, patting each other’s backs vigorously regardless of acquaintance, venting their emotions.
The students from Oselenka cheered and jumped for joy; some excitedly leaped up, while others, eyes red, murmured thanks to unnamed deities.
“Teacher Sefina! Thank you!”
“It’s all thanks to you that we survived!”
“If you hadn’t noticed the abnormality, we would have…”
“Teacher, you’re amazing!”
Several students whose emotions had settled a bit gathered around Sefina, their faces filled with sincere gratitude and the excitement of having survived, all speaking at once to express their thanks.
They looked at this teacher, usually always aloof and petite in stature, with unprecedented reverence in their eyes.
Tonight, it was she who alone held the line during the most dangerous moments, she who uncovered the conspiracy, and with formidable strength, protected everyone.
Sefina slightly raised her eyelids, looking at the young, excited faces before her. She merely gave a slight nod and responded in a somewhat hoarse voice, very briefly:
“Mhm.”
Sefina didn’t have the extra energy to say more.
At that moment, Teacher Shalina, having recovered a bit of strength and supported by a student, slowly walked over to Sefina’s side, her pale face full of concern:
“Teacher Sefina, how are you? Are you alright?”
Sefina shook her head, her voice still somewhat weak:
“I’m fine… just need to rest… a bit.”
Just as everyone was immersed in joy and relaxation, the light at the carriage door was blocked by a figure.
A young woman with ice-blue long hair, wearing an approachable smile, walked in with calm steps.
It was Versie.
Her gaze first swept softly across the entire carriage, and she inquired with concern in her clear, pleasant voice:
“How is everyone? Is anyone injured? Does anyone require emergency treatment?”
Versie’s appearance and greeting slightly calmed the excited atmosphere in the carriage.
The students answered one after another with phrases like “We’re fine,” “Just a bit exhausted,” “Thank you for your concern.”
After receiving affirmative replies, the smile on Versie’s face grew a touch warmer. She announced clearly:
“Everyone, please rest assured. The Sarkax Royal Capital Defense Bureau has taken control here. We will arrange for everyone to proceed to prepared safe accommodations within the city.”
“You can rest and recover for the night to calm your nerves. Matters regarding follow-up procedures will be communicated and handled between the Defense Bureau and your esteemed academy.”
This news acted as the final reassurance, allowing everyone to completely settle down, casting grateful looks towards Versie.
Sitting in the corner, Sefina watched the familiar yet unfamiliar figure not far away, feeling a slight, peculiar tremor in her heart.
Because this poised, perfectly smiling duke’s daughter before her eyes was once the student whom Sefina, in the identity of “Holmes,” had privately tutored for several years.
Their relationship… was somewhat complex, interwoven with the bond of teacher and student, and some… well… delicate entanglements.
Forget it, better not dwell on that.
Sefina didn’t want to think too much. Seeing that Versie still maintained that impeccable demeanor, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Moreover, Versie only knew the white-haired, blue-eyed “Teacher Holmes.”
She absolutely would not recognize Sefina in her current, true appearance.
Therefore, Sefina could sit so “calmly” in the corner, quietly watching her arrange everything.
Under the direction of Versie and the Defense Bureau personnel, the students and passengers in the carriage began to disembark in an orderly manner, following guidance to the arranged temporary lodgings.
Sefina also blended into the crowd, preparing to leave.
However, just as the crowd gradually dispersed and Sefina also stood up, ready to follow the group out—
Standing at the carriage door, Versie’s gaze seemed to sweep over Sefina’s retreating back.
The corner of her mouth lifted into an elusive curve.
The night breeze gently stirred Versie’s ice-blue hair. Watching that petite blue figure gradually merge into the night, she silently mused in her heart:
Teacher Holmes, seeing your former student, won’t you even say hello?
How much longer will you keep hiding from me in this guise?
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