Mission to Donagunov (Part 1)

Looking at the empty seat before him, Yeruzisi, drawing on his years of experience in intelligence work, could tell that the dragon that had descended upon Fostadu that afternoon was no ordinary creature, meaning he would soon have a chance to prove himself. Remembering the promise his commander had made when he was sent here, Yeruzisi suddenly felt that his hardships of the past six months had not been in vain. The only problem facing him now was how to extract what he needed from his superiors, and then how to extricate himself from the situation and pass the intelligence on.

Just as Yeruzisi was worrying, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. The door was then roughly pushed open, and his superior hurriedly returned to his seat, hunching over his desk and writing something rapidly. About fifteen minutes later, Seraf put down his pen, rolled up the letter he had written, and sealed it with sealing wax.

"Yeruzisi, deliver this order to Lord Lindel immediately!"

"Yes! I will deliver this letter to Lord Lindel on your behalf!"

"Go quickly!"

After receiving the letter, Yeruzisi immediately turned and left. Although he didn't know what the letter said, he had noticed that the usually calm and composed Seraf was covered in sweat. This was enough to indicate that something serious Fostadu, and the contents of the letter were likely the solution devised by the higher-ups. Yeruzisi forcibly suppressed the urge to steal the letter and quickly walked towards the southern hillside.

"Have Seraf, Mevajena, and the others been relieved of their duties?"

"Rest assured, Lord Wattster, I have already had my men convey your instructions to Lord Lindel, and I presume that Lord Lindel is already carrying out your orders!"

Just as Yeruzisi returned to his office door after delivering the letter to Lindel, he overheard the conversation inside and couldn't help but feel grateful for the choice he had just made. To hear the conversation more clearly, he pressed his ear firmly against the door, and just then, the conversation resumed.

"Lord Wattster, are the dragons of the Western Continent really going to attack Ishgar?"

"That's right! According to the information that Sordil has gathered, they have decided to rest and reorganize in the Western Continent for six months before attacking Ishgar."

"These guys are like persistent ghosts! They forced us to leave the Western Continent, and now they're attacking Ishgar. They're not leaving us any way out!"

"So from now on, you must intensify your training to prepare for the war six months from now. But don't be afraid, we have already formed an alliance with Dragunov's side, and they will also send troops to fight this time. It's still uncertain who will win this war!"

Hearing this, Yeruzisi felt a chill run down his spine. Looking down, he realized he was drenched in cold sweat, and the wind had amplified the chill. It wasn't that he was cowardly; the topic of conversation was simply too terrifying! Anyone suddenly hearing that an entire continent's worth of dragons was about to invade their territory would break out in a cold sweat, and a timid person might even die of fright on the spot. Yeruzisi felt he had to report this news immediately so His Majesty the King could prepare and avoid being caught off guard. But just as he took a step, another shocking piece of news came from inside the room.

"By the way, the Oddek siblings who defected from Fostadu have also been found by Sordil. They're serving as generals in the Kingdom of Tsuyioru Xiu. Find a way to get rid of these two!"

"Please rest assured, Lord Wattster, I will never let you and Prince Sordil down!"

"Okay! I'll be going now. Report to me or Sordil immediately if anything happens!"

"Yes!"

Only when the blue dragon's figure disappeared into the horizon did Yeruzisi dare to emerge from the shadows around the corner of the corridor. Glancing at the office not far away, and then at Wattster who had vanished without a trace, Yeruzisi dared not hesitate any longer. He immediately took out the paper and pen hidden on his person and wrote down everything he had seen and heard that day. Then, clutching the secret letter, he hurried toward the rendezvous point.

Kingdom of Tsuyioru Xiu, Philiers

Royal Palace, King's Bedchamber

"Ring ring ring"

Hearing the wind chimes hanging on the balcony ringing incessantly, Belmod immediately shooed everyone out of the room and locked the door. Having done this, she hurriedly ran to the balcony to greet the approaching 'wind of information'.

"What on earth has happened that warrants you using our emergency communication methods with me?"

"I have offended my master and deserve to die! But this matter is of great importance, so I have no other choice!"

"Oh? Tell me about it!"

"Reporting to Master, not long ago, No. 13 sent back an urgent message. The letter said that Prince Sordil Ornn of Fostadu has recently returned and learned that the dragons of the Western Continent will invade Ishgar in six months. Now the entire Fostadu is on high alert! Moreover, No. 13 also said that Fostadu has reached a peace agreement with the Kingdom of Donagunov and will join forces to resist the invasion from the Western Continent in six months."

Upon hearing this news, the flush of anxiety and anger on Belmod's face gradually faded, leaving her with mixed feelings of joy and worry. She was pleased that her two most feared adversaries hadn't joined forces against her, and that their strength was about to be depleted, rendering them no longer a threat. She was worried about the imminent appearance of a far more powerful and terrifying opponent who would never coexist with her. However, when she heard another message from her subordinates, Belmod felt no joy whatsoever, only endless fear and anxiety.

"Master, No. 13 has also learned that the Oddek siblings actually defected from Fostadu, and Fostadu already preparing to eliminate them!"

Belmod suddenly felt a chill run down her neck. She instinctively raised her right hand to touch it, and only relaxed after confirming there was no change. After standing there stunned for a long time, Belmod weakly said to her subordinate hidden in the shadows, "I understand. You can go now! Remember to let me know if anything happens!"

No one answered; only a gust of wind blew by, making the wind chimes ring incessantly.

The next morning, the prime minister, who was preparing to enter the palace to meet the king and discuss the proposed peace talks with the Kingdom of Donagunov, was informed that the king had fallen seriously ill the previous night and was unable to meet him. Furthermore, a servant handed the prime minister a parchment scroll, claiming it was an urgent instruction written by His Majesty the King the previous night, instructing the prime minister to act accordingly.

Sordil never imagined that the news he spread in order to travel to the Kingdom of Donagunov to meet Irene would become the final straw that scared Belmod. This caused the peace talks to be repeatedly delayed, and his meeting with Irene was thus constantly postponed, with no clear timeline for when it would finally take place.