The hoofbeats fell as urgently as raindrops.
A group of more than ten riders galloped across the dry sand, sending great clouds of dust billowing into the wind.
"Lady Cecilia, as a commander, leaving the army's protection without authorization is extremely dangerous... for you and for the army!" Sister Celine, wrapped from head to toe in a nun's robe, advised in a low voice.
"I know."
Cecilia's expression remained calm. "But I received Dio's latest orders... We must catch up to His majesty the Emperor as quickly as possible! There is no need to worry about our safety. As for the army, Phil is leading it. I trust him."
"Very well... May the light protect the Empire." Sister Celine sighed.
Cecilia had no choice but to leave the main force. No matter how urgently an army marched, it could not sustain high speed for long. But the dozen or so riders Cecilia had brought each rode with a spare horse, allowing them to save as much time as possible.
Right now, time was everything.
The small party swept past a grove like the wind.
Suddenly, Sister Celine's expression shifted slightly. "Wait."
Cecilia nodded and raised a hand. Amid shrill neighs, the dozen riders reined in their mounts. They went from extreme speed to utter stillness in an instant, displaying superb horsemanship.
Sister Celine closed her eyes, and an invisible wave of mental power spread outward.
"What happened?" Cecilia asked.
Sister Celine opened her eyes. "I don't know whether it was an illusion, but there seemed to be several people in that grove just now... Yet after I probed carefully, they seemed to have vanished."
"Is that so?"
Cecilia stared coldly at the small grove. Most of its trees were dead and withered, while yellowed wormwood grew across the ground.
"Should