"That's the real reason we're here."
—Elric, now serious
> "Aldoria intends to send both representation and delegates this time. We'd like to know if your others nation will do the same."
Caelan's brow furrowed slightly.
"The nation hasn't officially finalized the list of delegate for the conference—yet. But yes, the Council will convene. Leaders. Those with influence to shape what comes next."
---
The tone shifted subtly.
Though the garden birds still sang, the undercurrent of power was unmistakable
_________________________
[Castle Garden – Interrupted Calm]
As the garden talk continues, a Royal Courier, dust-streaked and winded, rushes through the hedged archway.
"Urgent—message for the Prince and Guildmaster!"
Everyone in the pavilion turns.
Caelen takes the scroll, unseals it. Hale reads over his shoulder.
---
[Condensed Report Summary]:
Beast pack: eliminated.
Engagement: none.
Unknown arcane barrage devastated target.
Ferrow unit confirmed: Alpha beast annihilated before knights arrived.
No caster found.
Area cleared.
Knight company returning to capital—ETA: late evening.
---
Caelen's eyes narrow.
"What the heck is happening,this don't tell anything other than another unknown disaster "
Hale murmured under his breath.
"Why all this in this short time"
Selvine Virell, still by Almeira's side, said nothing—but she watched them both very carefully.
Caelen folded the scroll, eyes drifting—unmoving—toward the woman behind Almeira.
Selvine Virell.
Unassuming in demeanor. Armor light but reinforced. A longsword at her back, no wand or staff in sight. No outward emblem of spellcasting.
Yet Hale, whose mind was already grinding the facts together, slowly turned his gaze toward her as well.
"No magic patterns,trace and mana disturbances ."
—Hale muttered
"That wasn't just arcane..... it's annihilation ."
Caelen stepped forward, just slightly.
"You weren't at the capital yesterday."
"But you were close."
Selvine met his gaze. Calm. Cold.
"I took a short walk."
"Your borders were noisy."
Almeira looked slightly amused, but didn't comment. Elric only sipped his tea.
Hale frowned.
"You turned an entire beast pack into nothing. Alone."
Selvine finally looked at him directly.
"Would you have preferred I waited for a letter of approval?"
---
There was a pause. A long one.
Even Duke Kerrel, not prone to nervousness, shifted slightly.
Caelen's voice lowered.
"You don't carry a staff. You don't wear a caster's crest. You don't even look like someone who'd cast a light spell.Level 8 shouldn't be underestimated"
Selvine answered simply:
"Because people waste time when they expect to be impressed."
---
[Scene End Hook]
Caelen nodded faintly.
"So Aldoria's not just visiting."
Elric's smile didn't change.
"Not at all. We're here for the garden, of course."
_________________________________
Colorful flags flutter above the capital's central avenue as the Aldorian carriage begins its quiet tour. Guildmaster Hale rides alongside on horseback, while Duke Kerrel leads from the front. A dozen knights flank the sides, formal but alert.
"The main barracks are this way. Recently expanded to accommodate three thousand—plus special detachments."
—Kerrel
Elric leaned slightly from the carriage window, wearing a diplomatic smile.
"Very tidy. For a kingdom on the brink of something."
"We're always on the brink of something," Hale replied, dry. "That's why we sharpen things."
Behind them, Selvine rode quietly with the escort detail, saying nothing—but watching everything.
---
[Capital South Gate – Same Hour]
The gates groaned open.
Through the morning mist, the knight company returned—soot-streaked, unbloodied, but with hollow eyes. Their boots were coated in fine black ash.
Commander Solin dismounted first, followed by senior officers. Behind them came Ferrow, hood low, walking light. His unit trailed behind in pairs, silent.
At the stairs of the outer keep, Prince Caelen waited.
"Report."
Solin stood at attention, grim-faced.
"The entire pack was incinerated. Arcane magic precision—targeted to a terrifying degree. Not a trace of survival. No survivors, no caster."
Ferrow added, quietly:
"The ground was vitrified. Black crystal underneath the corpses. No traps. No magic trace residue we could track. It was clinical. It was... Pure power."
Caelen's jaw tightened. He motioned both inside.