The Millennium Convergence V

"What exactly is going on, Count Tonigell?" Just as Rogers bowed, the Duke of Viero's daughter hurried over. When she saw Rogers and the others, she stopped at once, clearly recognizing them as Cruians. Confusion surfaced in her eyes again. Although these people were injured, they did not look like the count's prisoners. Brando had not allowed the delegation to participate in the battle, so they had been waiting behind for news. They had never expected Frow to be the one who came back in the end. Miss Oni had not told them whether they had won or lost, only that the lord wanted them to come over.

However, Oni had noticed long ago that there were no signs of battle nearby. She had seen no Cruzian army, and the White Lion Guard stationed nearby did not look as though they had fought either.

Behind the duke's daughter, Brando saw the others: the Merchant's Daughter, who winked at him to show that she was fine; the reluctant Effram; Aiko, standing with Count Yanila Su's men; the little girl from House Goran-Elson; Chiara, whose gaze was fixed on the hands of several Cruians resting on their sword hilts; Miss Yinide beside her; and finally Dilfir, Magdal, and Haruze.

The baron who had only just arrived at the delegation followed at the very back, keeping a neither-close-nor-distant distance. He watched Brando with a wary gaze.

Brando ignored him. Although he knew perfectly well where the man came from, he only nodded to Frow after the delegation had assembled and the convoy had stopped on the avenue not far below the hill. In response to Oni's question, Brando looked toward Rogers and said, "Sir, you heard the lady's question as well. You have probably already guessed who we are. We are the Eluin