Snowflakes swept up by the wind drifted past the arched windows set with crystal glass. Ice crystals pattered against the panes with faint rustling sounds. Thick walls and magical circulation kept out the chill beyond the castle, maintaining a warm temperature within the room.
A bright fireplace burned nearby, its flames casting hazy, wavering reflections across several brass ornaments. The warm firelight eased the travel-worn High-ranking Ranger's heart as well—this cold winter no longer seemed quite so cold.
"Tell me about the situation around Winterhold," Gawain said as he entered the room, casually removing his cloak and hanging it on a nearby hook. "How many of our people are still active there?"
"The main squads of the Iron Rangers have already withdrawn to our controlled territory. At present, three reconnaissance squads and two mobile units remain on missions between Winterhold and the Frostwood," Sordelin said with a nod. "Additionally, due to changes in the situation in several major towns, Divine Contamination is spreading beyond the military. Intelligence Bureau agents lurking in urban areas have withdrawn from dangerous zones in batches. Only a few well-protected contact stations are still operating at a limited capacity."
"Mm..." Gawain nodded slightly. "Evacuating in advance was the right choice. The situation is about to change drastically. The deadlock is ending, and what comes next will decide everything."
"When I first received the withdrawal order, I was rather surprised—the situation changed faster than I expected," Sordelin said. "It seems the God of War's deterioration is accelerating, and Alderan can no longer wait... That also matches some of the phenomena I observed before withdrawing."
"Some phenomena?" Gawain immediately grew serious. "What phenomena?"
Sordelin briefly organized his thoughts before reporting what he had discovered while operating around Winterhold. "By the time I withdrew, extremely obvious signs of a