Prologue

The gently swaying candlelight cast a faint glow, projecting a hunched shadow onto the pristine white wall.

Here, in a room within the Scholar's Tower in the Gabella Empire's capital, an elderly man with completely white hair was engrossed in a large collection of books and scrolls, meticulously turning each page as if searching for information.

The chimes from the Imperial Capital Clock Tower echoed through the city, their ancient and melodious sound announcing the arrival of midnight, but the old man seemed not to hear, continuing to bury himself in the piles of books.

The door nearby opened quietly, and a young man holding a candlestick entered. He said softly, "Mentor, it's midnight already. You really should rest."

"What, is it that late already?"

The old man finally closed the large book in his hands, took out a handkerchief, and rubbed his sore eyes. "It's time for a good night's sleep. Hmm... give me a hand; this old body is getting more and more useless."

The young man put down the candlestick and slowly helped the old man up.

"At today's imperial council, everyone was very curious about what you've been doing these past few days. Even His Majesty asked me about it again in private."

"Haha, it must be quite a headache for you to improvise a suitable reason for me on the spot, right?"

"Uh..." The young man named Mond hesitated slightly, a little embarrassed. "That meteor from a few days ago, is it really worth so much attention?"

As soon as he said these words, the smile on the old man's face immediately froze, and his slightly furrowed brow showed that his heart was no longer calm.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have doubted you."

Seeing the old man's solemn expression, Mond's face showed a look of shame.

"Alas, Mond, I'm not blaming you. Being able to boldly question is a good quality."

The old man quickly comforted him, "Indeed, this meteor has been constantly worrying me, and I also hope that I'm just overthinking it. If, unfortunately, it really brings disaster as recorded in the ancient scrolls, then according to the descriptions of the previous times, this catastrophe will far exceed our imagination. Let me tell you about the previous situations."

Then, he unfolded a roll of parchment and began to slowly narrate what he had learned these past few days...

In a dark alley next to the Imperial Capital Clock Tower, accompanied by the still-echoing chimes, a shadow silently walked in. He was cloaked, walking slowly into the depths of the alley with the moonlight behind him, his face always shrouded in the shadows of his hood.

At the first corner, he stopped.

"Why are you so late today?"

A rough voice sounded. Another cloaked figure was already waiting there, his face also hidden under his hood, vaguely revealing a thick beard.

"A storm is brewing; make more preparations."

"What preparations have been made?"

"Ropes, canvas, and harpoons."

The bearded man nodded and said, "With these, we can set sail with peace of mind. Go, we will pray for you in the church at the harbor at all times."

Then he slipped into the shadows and disappeared. The cloaked man who arrived first confirmed that there were no abnormalities around and then left as well.

Inside the Scholar's Tower, the old man's narration had ended some time ago, but Mond's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

After a long silence, Mond finally spoke, "If that's the case, shouldn't we immediately report to His Majesty and warn the world?"

"No, we currently know nothing about the disaster itself. We don't know what form it will take, nor do we know when it will specifically arrive, and we lack effective countermeasures. Revealing it too early will not only be useless but will also cause widespread panic and even give some malicious people an opportunity to take advantage of."

"You're right. I was too rash."

The old man's disciple looked somewhat ashamed.

The old man opened the window, and a rush of fresh air quickly poured into the room. He looked out at the dark night sky and murmured, "A storm is brewing..."