As Dylan slowly drove the car away, I said, "Dylan, you helped me bury the old man from that deserted village outside Navi’s base, right?"

"Yes, ma’am. I buried him behind his house. That village is completely abandoned now."

"I feel sorry for the people in that village," I sighed. "By the way, when you were cleaning up the base later, did you find any traces of Stella?”

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I knew Dylan didn't like Stella, and he had even targeted her at the base. It was clear that he regarded her with disdain, not as some kind of helpless woman.

But logically, Stella couldn't have escaped on her own under the constant gunfire with those injuries to her leg and shoulder. So, how did she vanish into thin air? I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

"I didn't see her. Someone must have helped her escape," Dylan said.

"Don't you find it suspicious?" I asked, my question carrying a hint of reproach.

Dylan didn't shirk his responsibility, "Yes, ma’am.