The Missing Food II

If Aloz's curse came true, it would be enough to destroy the Artificer Wizards of the entire Buga people and their Floating City ten times over, leaving not even a trace of their remains. Even Brando would be dragged into it. For example, our Little Female Dragon had rather elegantly cursed him at least twenty times, wishing to strip him of his ability to sire offspring.

Fortunately, Brando knew nothing of these vicious curses at present. He had arranged to meet Veronica in a valley near the Breath of Despair. As expected, the Cruzian party had arrived before them. Veronica and the Grey Sword Saint were both renowned experts, so the Weeping Forest ahead was unlikely to impede their progress. Even if Aloz slacked off and did nothing, a mere level-fifty dungeon could not cause the Cruzian party any trouble.

When Brando stepped into the Azure of the Firmament Legion's camp, Veronica was inside a thick felt tent, frowning deeply with one hand pressed to her forehead as she studied the map in her hand. The map had actually been obtained after Eiko persuaded Grand Duke Viero to provide it. The Lantorilans had set out earlier and had already reached Valdenburg, while even Her Highness the Princess, who had departed one step later, had already arrived in the vicinity of the Manowell region.

Strictly speaking, however, Grand Duke Lantorilan and the Temple of Flames—especially the Cruzian people—had little friendship between them, but plenty of enmity. Thus, the female Legion Commander of the Azure of the Firmament understood perfectly well that the young man named Eiko had probably spoken up to help them only because of Brando.

And whenever she thought of the young Eluinian she had encountered at the Ring of Trade Winds, the corners of her lips would lift