Autumn, Dragon King Calendar Year 415.
The Great Migration of the Fitoia Territory was still in its earliest stages.
Cui Ciyou stood alone and silent atop Roa City's tall, sturdy walls.
His gaze turned toward the distant plains, dyed golden by autumn.
And toward the scattered groups of migrants still occasionally visible on the main road, slowly heading south. He said nothing.
It was already late autumn, when all things gradually withered.
A refreshing chill hung in the air.
"Ciyou, General Griffith just sent someone with a message."
A gentle voice came from behind Cui Ciyou.
He turned to see Roxy walking toward him.
Roxy wore a thick cloak that shielded her from the autumn wind.
The prophesied Displacement Incident in Dragon King Calendar Year 417 was drawing ever closer.
In the sky, that irregular mass of spherical magic power, visible to the naked eye, was growing ever larger and stranger.
Under its influence, throughout the Fitoia Territory,
the monster rampages caused by magic stagnation were becoming increasingly frequent and violent.
Roxy came to Cui Ciyou's side and said softly,
"The residents of the last area west of the city will leave in the final evacuation tomorrow morning."
"But the knights assigned to reconnaissance reported a small-scale disturbance among the monsters along the forest's edge there."
"To ensure the evacuation route is completely safe, the general hopes we can go help clear them out."
"Understood." Cui Ciyou nodded and rolled his shoulders.
"It's about time I got out and stretched my legs anyway."
Cui Ciyou turned to Ghislaine, who had been beside him all along.
"Ghislaine, I'll leave the manor's security to you for now."
"Alice and Sylphy..."
"Don't worry."
As always, Ghislaine's answer was brief and to the point.
She glanced at Cui Ciyou with her wild, amber beast