The wind stirred the tree branches, and the oak's sharp, wedge-shaped leaves rustled. Dappled sunlight swayed across Delphine's long dress beneath the shade.
"Could you explain?"
The chancellor's daughter nodded lightly, as though she did not care that Brando might go back on his word after she finished speaking. "Her Majesty the Queen must have lost track of us after we left Rune Port. There are dozens of routes from the High Seas into the inland waters. We could have gone to Cloak Bay, Metz, Flower Leaf Territory, north of the Evergreen Corridor, Rocco, or even northwest of Anzeruta. Even in Metz, there are dozens of ports. And once we reached Fatan, even if one of Her Majesty's spies near you found a chance to send back a message, there would not have been enough time to mobilize troops at leisure. After all, no one in this world can truly see the future."
A cup of water sat on the wheel's armrest. Delphine dipped her fingertip into it, lightly touching the surface, then drew several simple lines on the circular flower bed beside the oak. Brando realized it was a simple map. Delphine first drew the coastline, then marked several key locations with dots: the Imperial Capital, the entrance to Ludwig, East Metz, north of the Evergreen Corridor, and Fatan Port.
She pointed toward the Imperial Capital, then moved her finger to Ludwig, then East Metz, and finally stopped at Fatan Port. "It has been a week since we arrived at Fatan Port. Riding a griffin, the fastest route from the Imperial Capital to Ludwig takes two days, while reaching East Metz takes half a week. Judging by the timing, she would not have had enough time to gather any of her subordinate armies near us. Even an assassination would