The strength of an entire kingdom, yet it could not withstand an attack by the Elves?
Could such a thing be true?
When reports of this kind kept spreading from the front lines of the Debite Kingdom to the surrounding nations, many people refused to believe them.
But message after message forced many of them to accept the truth.
One day, an envoy from the faraway Debite Kingdom requested an audience with the king, and the matter of the Elves was solemnly brought up throughout the Royal Capital.
The nobles eagerly discussed the purpose of the Debite Kingdom's envoys.
In truth, it was as plain as day.
At such a sensitive time, what other purpose could they have come for besides requesting aid?
"Your Majesty, according to custom, unless there is a special reason, an envoy sent by another nation cannot simply be refused an audience..." Inside the Royal Palace, Count Inca, a court noble, urged the king.
The king seated upon the throne had a face covered in wrinkles and age spots. Hearing this, he gave a bitter smile.
The king's health had improved somewhat recently, but his body was still frail. It was a weakness that even divine arts could not remedy. Now, whenever he heard of matters such as war or conspiracies, a feeling of irritation rose within him.
Three days earlier, the Debite Kingdom's envoys had entered the city and submitted a letter requesting an audience with the king. Yet the king had repeatedly delayed them, citing illness.
Such conduct was somewhat beneath his station. That was why Count Inca had entered the palace to persuade His Majesty to meet the envoys who had come from so far away.
"Very well. It is not that I truly do not wish to see them. My health really