Half of it was covered in scaffolding.
Workers carried stone blocks while engineers shouted instructions.
Large cranes lifted damaged sections back into place.
Farther away—
The western district looked even worse.
Entire streets had been flattened.
Buildings stood without roofs.
Walls had collapsed.
Smoke still lingered in a few places.
Yet...
People were rebuilding.
Children carried small bricks.
Soldiers helped civilians lift timber.
Smiths repaired broken weapons in the open streets.
Life...
Was returning.
Kai slowly turned.
The eastern district remained mostly untouched.
The southern district had escaped with only minor damage.
He quietly smiled.
"...We protected them..."
A passing soldier noticed him.
"Ah."
"You're awake."
Kai nodded.
"...Do you know where Taai is?"
The soldier pointed toward a heavily guarded medical building.
"The Chief and Captain are recovering there."
He paused before adding,
"...Are you sure you're alright?"
Kai looked down.
Nearly every part of his body was wrapped in clean bandages.
"..."
"...Close enough."
The soldier scratched his head.
"...That's... not really reassuring."
Kai simply smiled before walking away.
---
...
Several minutes later—
He arrived at the secured medical facility.
Guards stood outside every entrance.
One stepped forward.
"Sorry."
"No visitors."
"The Chief is still recovering."
Before Kai could answer—
A familiar voice echoed from inside.
"Let him in."
The guards immediately stepped aside.