The Eve of the Tempest

On September 1st, X374, more than half a year had passed since the execution of the traitor Arthur. During this time, the war between Ishgar and the Western Continent had remained in a stalemate. Although there were constant minor skirmishes, no major battles had broken out. If it weren't for the fact that the camps on the three battlefields were still intact, everyone would probably have forgotten that they were still in the midst of a war.

During these six months of probing and friction, Sordil and Yelibell, with the special abilities of the poison dragon, helped Ishgar gain a considerable advantage. However, as time went on, this advantage gradually disappeared, because the dragon leaders of the Western Continent had discovered that there were enemy traitors within their ranks. Therefore, whenever there was a major military operation, they would leave their camps and go to the vast sea, only returning after the matter had been discussed and resolved.

However, with the six months of buffer time, Prince Sordil, whose practical command skills had been honed considerably, was able to easily handle these minor issues. After all, he was a man well-versed in the Art of War, the Thirty-Six Stratagems, Guiguzi, and the Wuzi —no, a male dragon. However, the relatively peaceful lives of both sides began to change with the arrival of the harvest season. Various figures, both overt and covert, began to plot their actions, and a massive storm was about to sweep across Ishgar.

In a forest northwest of Chigengster Plains

"Hit, has Old Friend sent something? (Zodinger)"

"I just went to the old spot, and there's nothing there!" (Hit)

"Hit, Zodinger, do you think it's because our Old Friend's identity has been exposed, that's why... (Boge)"

"Hmm! Boge's reasoning is quite reasonable. After all, Old Peng has been providing us with food for several months, so it's normal for it to attract attention. (Hit)"

"If that's the case, then we're in trouble! (Zodinger)"

"I don't want to go hungry and cold anymore. I think it's safer for us to return to the main camp as soon as possible. (Boge)"

Hit and Zodinger, both rational individuals, turned to look at Boge, and then said in unison, "If you want to be turned into mincemeat, then you might as well fly through Ishgar's defenses and back to the camp!"

After being rebuffed by the two, Boge abandoned the topic of returning to the camp and said incredulously, "You two don't actually believe what those unknown humans said, that Kelsu and the others were blocked on the west coast by those idiots of Ishgar, do you?"

Hit and Zoddinger exchanged a glance, then Zodinger gestured for Hit to proceed. Hit could only shake his head as he walked towards Boge. Once before Boge, Hit, having finished his explanation, began to clarify the veracity of his Old Friend's message to this straightforward man.

"Brother Boge, if what our Old Friend said isn't true, then why are we still here? Why hasn't Lord Kelsu sent anyone to look for us? And if it's really as you think, Brother, that Lord Kelsu defeated those bastards from Ishgar, then why can't we, who are behind enemy lines, see the enemy retreating?"

Faced with the facts, Boge's imagination was shattered into fragments and then vanished with the wind.

Before Boge could even grieve, a giant blue-purple dragon hurriedly flew up from the foot of the mountain, clutching a crumpled bundle of cloth in its hand.

"My lords, something terrible has happened!"

Upon hearing his subordinate's words, the three immediately went to greet him and asked him their suspicions.

"The people of Ishgar have discovered us? (Boge)"

"Did Old Friend betray us? (Hit)"

"Was... was Kelsu and the others defeated? (Zodinger)"

The panting, blue-purple dragon shook its head frantically at the three, denying their questions. However, it simply remained rooted to the spot, catching its breath without speaking, which made the three of Hit want to pin it to the ground and beat it up. Just as the three were about to act, the blue-purple dragon, its breathing calmed, finally spoke.

"My lords, we just received a message from Old Friend saying that soon, those guys from Ishgar will be going to have a final battle with Kelsu and his men!"

Hearing his subordinate's heavy breathing, the three men's hearts, which had been pounding, returned to normal, only to rise again. To be on the safe side, Hit took the letter from his Old Friend from one of his men and carefully read it. After reading its contents, Hit's expression changed three times, finally settling on a flushed face.

"Hit, what exactly did your Old Friend say in the letter? (Zodinger)"

Hit didn't speak, but instead handed the letter to Zodinger and said, "You should read it yourselves!"

After a while, Zodinger and his companion, having finished reading the letter, also blushed, just like Hit.

"Hit, do you think what your Old Friend said in his letter is true? (Zodinger)"

"Heh! We may not believe it, but we have no choice. After all, this is our only chance to return to the camp safely!"

In a cave on the western coast of Ishgar

At this moment, the three giants of the Western Continent, Kelsu, Goodpes, Delsd, were sitting around a huge cloth, discussing matters.

"Kelsu, do we really need to travel this far every time we need to discuss something?" (Delsd)

"Delsd, are you stupid? If we don't go somewhere further away to discuss things, won't our operation plan be leaked to the other side by the traitor in the camp? (Goodpes)"

"Surely we don't have to hit a shot and then move on to another location?"

"Delsd, I think Goodpes is right, you're really stupid! If we don't do this, then once the traitor finds out where we're discussing things, he can sneak in and eavesdrop on our plans, right?"

Although he was taught a lesson by Shi Deshi, Delsd could only obediently accept it, since the truth was not on his side.

After disciplining Delsd, Goodpes and his companion turned their attention back to the cloth in front of them.

"As my Old Friend wrote in his letter, he has gathered all the personnel scattered behind enemy lines and informed them of our plan. They will respond from the rear as soon as we make our move. Kelsu, do you think we should tell our Old Friend the date of the operation?"

Kelsu picked up the cloth, examined it again, and then said solemnly, "Goodpes, can this Old Friend really be trusted?"

"This..."

Faced with his old friend's question, Goodpes didn't know how to answer. After all, the letter came from the other side, and it was very likely that the other side had set up a huge trap to wipe them all out.

"Alas! If we could get in touch with Hit and the others, we could ascertain whether Old Friend Old Friend was telling the truth or not, and thus determine whether he was friend or foe!"

Hearing Delsd's sentiments, Goodpes and Kelsu's eyes lit up. The two gave Delsd a big hug, and Kelsu, in his excitement, even kissed his forehead.

"Mua! Delsd, you're so smart, I love you to death!"

Completely bewildered by the two's crazy behavior, Delsd subconsciously wiped the drool from his forehead and said in confusion, "Everyone knows I'm smart without you having to tell me, but I don't know what you're thinking. You'd better tell me quickly!"

Kelsu and the other exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter and flew out of the cave, ignoring Delsd's question as if they hadn't heard it.

A rocky cave in central Ishgar

"Whoosh!"

A nimble figure dressed in black night clothes flashed into the cave, knelt down in the rock, and whispered, "Reporting to the master, the matter has been completed. What should we do next?"

Long after the report ended, a hoarse voice, indistinguishable in gender, came from inside the cave.

"Have you covered up your whereabouts?"

"Reporting to Master, all traces have been completely covered up, leaving no trace whatsoever."

"Hmm, very good! Notify everyone to go into stealth mode and wait for the right opportunity!"

"Yes, Your subordinate takes his leave!"

The nimble figure quickly disappeared into the night, leaving only a powerless sigh echoing in the cave.

"I wonder if my fate will be just as terrible!"