Boli Town—Four Stars Inn
Looking at Wells, wrapped all over like a mummy, Havent stood at the door, unsure of what to say to comfort the decent old man.
Facing the Gale Mercenary Group, which had lost half its members, Wells had only cried briefly after being rescued and awakened before quickly reining in his grief.
Forcing a smile, he said to the team members gathered around him:
"As long as you're alive, that's all that matters. Not a single coin of the payment for escorting this caravan will be withheld. I'll also personally give everyone some additional compensation."
The team members sitting around him hurriedly waved their hands and said there was no need, but Wells, lying in bed, firmly refused to hear it.
Havent and Paimon leaned side by side against the wall by the door. Since the wolf pack's attack, the usually lively young man had become quiet and withdrawn. Havent turned to look at his friend and scratched the back of his head.
Honestly, he did not know how to comfort Paimon either. Put himself in Paimon's place: an uncle who had always looked after him had died right in front of him to save him.
Three young men from the same village as him had died as well. All of this was far too heavy for a seventeen-year-old.
"Hey, how about a drink?"
Havent reached out and tapped Paimon's arm. Paimon turned toward him, his eyes red-rimmed, then slowly shook his head at Havent's invitation. None of his usual excitement or joy remained.
I'm so useless. If I had trained properly, I wouldn't have performed so terribly. Captain Baki wouldn't have had to die saving me either. Little Jamie is only seven this year.
Listening to Paimon's tearful confession, Havent really wanted to say, Brother, you're overthinking it. Even if you trained, you still couldn't beat them. But seeing his good friend in such pain, he could not kick him while he was down, so he patted Paimon on the shoulder.
"Then be strong and train hard. Uncle Baki wouldn't want you to be this depressed. When you become stronger, help take care of Uncle Baki's wife and child. That'll count as repaying the debt you owe him for saving your life."
Just as Havent was comforting Paimon, Mr. Dida, the caravan supervisor, walked in. Seeing the two standing at the door, he first nodded in greeting before saying,
"Could you gentlemen give us some privacy? I'd like to speak with Captain Wells."
The scene shifted to Blackrock Province. The Astrologers' headquarters was located in Salishiduo, the capital of Blackrock. At the top floor of Dusk Star Magic Tower, the Astrologers' headquarters—
"How are things now, Alpha?"
"It's hard to say, Angella. Maybe it's him, maybe it isn't. We've already done everything we can. All that remains is to wait."
"Damn it. We never should have believed that blasted prophecy. What are the other races saying now?"
Alpha took several books and scrolls from his magic pouch and said to Nar, who wore a hooded black robe:
"Nar, the result is still the same. Calm down. Didn't we know from the beginning that this would happen?"
Nar snorted coldly and slammed the Mithril Staff in his hand heavily onto the table.
"These damned long-lived races. They think this concerns only us? This concerns the entire continent. And those mad rats digging holes everywhere... Worton, that damned bastard, isn't even coming this time."
The old friends seated around Alpha's round table shook their heads helplessly. They could not help thinking that things might have been better if Engelt were here, but unfortunately, he had already set off for the Western Continent.
"All right, all right. Let's stop complaining for now. Although several close friends are absent today, I'll send them a recording of this meeting.
"Let me go over what has happened recently.
"First, the Three Elven Kingdoms simultaneously announced that they were suspending all foreign exchanges and had begun gradually recalling their representatives from various countries.
"Second, news came from the Dwarf Tribes that unusual disturbances had appeared in the Western Continent Mountains along the dwarven border. At the Great Elder's invitation, Engelt has already gone to investigate.
"Third, Archbishop Ulters wrote to say that the Dragon of Time's flames have dimmed further. Although he has taken certain measures, the effects have not been significant.
"Fourth, the Astrologers' Guild made a prediction several days ago. White Frost in the Far North may arrive earlier than expected. We need to strengthen communication with the Empire. The Northern Frontier must prepare for war as soon as possible."
At this, Naes snorted coldly.
"That muddleheaded Frederick only cares whether his throne is secure. Communication? What are we supposed to use to communicate with him?"
Alpha had long grown accustomed to the old man's temper and continued.
"Fifth, according to news from the Magic Guild in the Astra Empire, Makuhert was seen in a city north of Astra."
Angella frowned.
"That is truly bad news. I didn't expect him to recover so quickly. I thought we could at least cripple him for fifty years last time. I never expected him to reappear after only twenty."
"Hey, Angella. You're not still hung up on what happened fifty years ago, are you? Shit, why is it all bad news? Alpha, isn't there any good news?"
"There is, I suppose. First, according to the prophecy's clues, the first person matching the criteria has appeared. Although the whereabouts of the other two are still unknown, there is at least some hope.
"Also, news has come from the Western Continent. Dragon Island seems to have appeared. We can begin the next stage of the plan."
The people seated around the round table carefully absorbed the information Alpha had placed before them. After a while, Alpha spoke again:
"Then let us each begin our work. I'll go to the Royal Academy first, then pay a visit to His Majesty Frederick."
"Then I'll go north in the Astra Empire. Makuhert's appearance came too early. Something isn't right."
"Hey! Angella, you really are still hung up on it. Then I'll go with you. Otherwise, your Nature's Breath is somewhat countered by him. I don't want to see you, you old tangerine, crying over your Earth Bear again."
Angella patted Nar on the shoulder, picked up the magic hat on the table, and said to Rafa:
"We'll be going first. I'll send word back about any developments."
The two turned and walked into the teleportation gate that had lit up behind them.
The burly knight in full armor sitting in the corner stood up.
"Lord Alpha, then I shall return first as well. My teacher and I will visit Lord Patunax again and see whether he has sensed Dragon Island's aura. But Lord Patunax has been asleep for two hundred years. I cannot be sure whether he has awakened."
Alpha nodded.
"Give Osa my regards. Thank you for coming all this way, Galan."
The young man nodded, then leaped straight out the window. A black Scorpion-tailed Wyvern flashed past, catching him and carrying him toward the horizon.
"Then we'll be leaving too, Alpha. As for the elves, we can discuss them later. Let's go see Ulters first. That old charlatan's situation may be more difficult than we imagined."
Watching his old friends leave one after another, Alpha stared blankly at the distant sky, silently lost in thought. After a long time, the sky gradually darkened. Rafa rose from his chair, gathered the books and scrolls from the table, then turned and opened a teleportation gate before stepping inside.
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