Outside Cowell's Temple of Nature.
Over the past two days, news of the Tree of Life being destroyed within the Trial Battlefield, and of Ffolk druids and even Dragonbound Knights being continually "eliminated," had inevitably spread throughout Cowell.
The entire realm of Cowell, already preparing for war, had unavoidably fallen beneath a pall of gloom.
"Still no further news?"
The High Priestess had lost track of how many times she had asked that question.
"Ever since the last of our tribesmen was eliminated, we lost our channel for receiving news from within. But judging from the information we have received so far, Lord Levis must have discovered some clue in the Trial Battlefield—perhaps even Luskan's secret at Iron Fortress. Otherwise, he would not have devised a strategy to pass through the Oslang Mountains, bypass the battlefield, and proceed directly to Solhahn." The female druid lowered her head as she spoke.
"Let us hope so."
The High Priestess sank into thought once more.
After an unknown length of time, a young priestess hurried over to report, "High Priestess! Two Dragonbound Knights claim to have just received vital intelligence and request an immediate audience with you."
The High Priestess calmly nodded, signaling for her to invite them in.
A few minutes later, Herbert and Senarian arrived together, both wearing grave expressions. Behind them followed the young paladin Randall, looking somewhat dazed and distracted.
"Has His Excellency Levis made some new discovery within the Trial Battlefield?" the High Priestess asked.
Herbert and Senarian exchanged a glance. In the end, Herbert spoke in a low voice and conveyed the message their lord had entrusted to them: "Luskan may be attempting to use the Trial Battlefield to get at the sealed artifact left behind by the God of Justice all those years ago."
The High