West Balam, Cookawa City in the Northern State, General Maysens's residence.
The building showed none of the Southern Continent's characteristics. It neither restricted natural lighting to make the interior seem gloomy nor boldly used a small amount of human bone as decoration for a striking effect. Instead, it resembled a transplanted North Continent mansion, carrying an indelible Intis flavor:
Every pillar was sectioned with gold leaf, the wall murals used passionate colors, golden sculptures were embedded all around, and an ornate, spiraling staircase descended from above, connecting all four floors and landing in the center of the hall directly opposite the entrance, imposing and magnificent.
—It had to be said that countries influenced by the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun truly stood at the forefront of the world in the art of gold, without the slightest air of vulgar ostentation.
An elderly man in a plain white robe embroidered with brass thread stood on the steps near the golden angel statue in the hall. His hair was completely white, yet meticulously combed, and he had a pair of memorable gray-green eyes.
He was Luca Brewster, the Archbishop of the Knowledge Church responsible for West Balam affairs.
At that moment, the Archbishop was giving General Maysens some advice on governance. Just as he began explaining how to profit from the war between Loen and Feysac, his eyes suddenly sharpened, and he cried urgently, "Run! Now!"
Before his words had even faded, Luca's body rapidly turned "insubstantial," as he attempted to transform into a "Dream Elf" and enter the Sea of Collective Subconscious.
But at that moment, a deep, majestic voice echoed through the air in layer upon layer:
"Dream Traversal is forbidden here!"
"Mirror Jumping is forbidden here!"
"Wandering is forbidden here!"
"Teleportation is forbidden here!"
"..."
—The enemy clearly