A Glimpse of the Tip of the Iceberg

The four Inner Court Knights were still trying to persuade Count Gene.

Count Gene clearly did not believe the claims about a Jorgendigon invasion. Just as Rogers and the others would never have believed that Jorgendigon's subterranean army could suddenly appear on the surface without seeing it with their own eyes, the world beneath the Great Beehive was simply too distant for them. Cave Dwellers and Minotaurs in labyrinths were terrifying creatures from bedtime stories. Although he had no way to explain why his allies had disappeared, he could only assume that it was part of Brando's secret schemes. He simply could not see through the other party's plans.

However, whether he was willing or not, what Brando called "persuasion" was more a threat than a suggestion. In the end, he had no choice but to hand over command, bitter and unwilling.

The evening deepened. The setting sun slowly sank into the mountains to the west, and the entire hilly region seemed to fall into an eerie silence. No lights from Valgas could be seen in the Silver Valley to the north. The horizon was pitch-black. Once the hills fell quiet, the desolation and silence became utterly terrifying.

The four Inner Court Knights walked silently along the edge of Red Pine Forest. After a while, the female knight Nasha finally could not hold back any longer. "Perhaps Count Gene was right. The situation may not be as bad as we think. Perhaps what appeared on the surface was merely a band of raiders from Jorgendigon. Things like that happen often, don't they?"

Rogers knitted his brows tightly and said nothing.

"Then how do you explain those strange pillars of light and meteors streaking across the sky last night? And Que's communication magic was interfered with. This was a planned attack."