Act Seventy-Two: The Millennium Convergence II

The confidential letter from Shirat Mountain Villa was sealed in a thick envelope and delivered overnight to Her Majesty the Queen's desk. The flame-shaped emblem on the envelope indicated that it was military intelligence, but the seven layers of flame patterns showed that it was not particularly important. Constance had a maid open the envelope, then took the letter, glanced at it, and handed it to Little Nidwen, the chancellor, beside her.

Shirat Mountain Villa was one of the royal family's secret informants in the Floating Cloud Hills region. Naturally, the magical report sent from there concerned the count from Eluin.

Little Nidwen, the chancellor, read it and shook his head. "It really never ends."

Her Majesty the Queen herself did not seem particularly concerned. She replied, "Darus's Grandson forced them into it. Still, they brought it upon themselves."

Written in Cruz Script on the letter was: "Your Majesty, the nobles have prepared their forces here to confront the count from the Kingdom of Eluin. The army is commanded by Count Gene. They are currently resting in Iron Fir Town, Vargus Town, or the surrounding areas. Reportedly, three lords and dozens of knights have also answered the call.

"By the time this letter reaches you, they should already be on their way."

This news was already a day old—

Floating Cloud Hills—

The eastern sky was just beginning to pale. The stars gradually faded, heralding the arrival of a new morning. Bathed in the dawn light, Count Gene stood in the Red Pine Forest, anxiously staring toward the western horizon. It seemed Her Majesty the Queen had been right: he was indeed beginning to feel that he had trapped himself. With growing agitation, Count Gene asked his scout riders for the third time,

"You've searched everywhere to the east, west,