"Argh! I should've gone with Yosul," Evalyn grumbled, slumping back in her seat. "I'm bored, and my ass hurts from sitting this long."
Sylvie sat across from her, facing her directly. "A noble lady like you shouldn't use such vulgar words."
"Sylvie, my ass hurts. How else am I supposed to say it?" Evalyn huffed. "Besides, no one's listening right now."
"You're right about that," Sylvie said, "but that wasn't the issue. Just make sure you maintain a dignified demeanor in front of the royals."
"Yeah, yeah…"
Silence lingered for a while, the steady creak of wheels and the rhythmic clop of hooves filling the air.
"What about the investigation?" Evalyn asked at last. "Anything new?"
"Nothing. Yosul came back with almost no information."
"Almost?"
"Well... aside from the fact that ruin stones were fed to the monsters in the cave, we still don't know anything else."
Evalyn scowled. "If even Yosul couldn't find a clue, that means someone's interfering. And not just anyone—a strong one."
With a clenched fist, she punched her thigh in frustration.
"Spineless bastards," she muttered.
Three knocks came from the wooden window behind her.
"We've entered Velhein's borders, Captain," said the coachman from outside.
"Understood," Evalyn replied, closing the window and turning to the side to look out through the glass pane.
Sylvie tilted her head. "What are you looking at?"
"He's not here," Evalyn said quietly.
"Who isn't?"
"The Mountain God," she replied, eyes scanning the snow-blanketed peaks. "He's not here."
Sylvie turned to look too. All she saw were towering mountains cloaked in white.
"Was he always here before?" she asked.
"Yeah," Evalyn nodded. "I don't know much about him, but he's said to protect Velhein from any outside threat."
"Really?"
"Yeah. And of all the times I've come here, this is the first time I haven't seen him."
Sylvie leaned slightly toward the window. "Is that... bad?"
Evalyn didn't answer right away. She just leaned back, arms crossed.
"Who knows," she finally said. "I guess we'll find out when we get there."
Outside, snowflakes drifted gently through the air as the convoy made its way toward the capital of Velhein—each step quiet, cautious, and uncertain.
The convoy first passed the mines, then gradually entered the town of Velhein.
The streets were more crowded than usual. People from all corners of the island had gathered, knowing the convoy would be arriving today. With nobles accompanying the military, every shop was open, the streets had been decorated, and the city of Velhein looked livelier than ever.
"Does this town always look this good?" Sylvie asked, eyes flicking around at the festive streets.
"It's always this busy," Evalyn replied. "But I guess they made some extra arrangements for our arrival."
As the army carriages stopped within the town, only the noble and captain-level carriages continued on—heading toward the mayoral palace of Ivanka Vislosky.
The palace lay a good distance from the town proper, connected by a straight road flanked on either side by leafless trees dusted in snow. The silence of the woods gave way to the crunch of hooves as the convoy moved up the path.
Once the gates opened, the carriages entered one after another, halting as their passengers stepped out in order.
Evalyn and Sylvie disembarked and began walking up the grand staircase leading to the palace entrance.
At the top stood Ivanka Vislosky himself, clad in thick winter garb, his hands clasped before him as he welcomed each guest personally.
"Commander Evalyn," he said warmly, "it's good to see you again."
Evalyn smiled. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"It certainly has. Please, go inside. We've prepared a banquet for everyone. I hope you enjoy yourselves."
"Oh, I intend to," Evalyn replied with a grin as they shook hands.
Standing beside the mayor was a tall man with shoulder-length black hair and the bearing of a high-ranking noble. He said nothing, merely offering a polite bow when Evalyn glanced at him. She smiled faintly and shook her head before walking inside.
"You didn't mention you'd met the mayor before," Sylvie said, following close behind.
"I told you I've been here before."
"Those aren't the same thing."
"Okay."
"So?"
"Hm?" Evalyn paused, then shrugged. "Last time I came here was for a dungeon raid. Me and my team were assigned to it. That's when I met him. He was pretty generous then… seems like he still is."
They entered the banquet hall.
A grand chamber greeted them—long tables filled with all manner of food: steaming meats, sweet pastries, roasted vegetables, exotic fruits. Platters gleamed under warm golden lights, the air thick with the aroma of spices and wine.
"Wow," Sylvie breathed, eyes wide.
"Don't eat anything," Evalyn muttered.
"Huh?" Sylvie blinked, confused, but followed her nonetheless.
Evalyn walked slowly through the hall, eyes scanning the crowd.
Evalyn spotted Rowan near the edge of the hall, a glass of wine in hand. She made her way toward him, taking her own from a passing servant's tray. Sylvie followed closely, glancing around at the lavish spread.
Leaning against the wall beside Rowan, Evalyn said, "This feels like a bit much, doesn't it?"
"It sure does," Rowan replied, eyes scanning the room without much interest.
Before Evalyn could say more, a young man broke away from a knot of nobles and approached them. He moved with the relaxed confidence of someone used to being noticed. His blond hair caught the light, and his finely tailored clothes were cut for both elegance and ease of movement. Though his smile was cordial, his eyes lingered on Rowan a beat too long, measuring him.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Head Captain of the White Wolves—Rowan Vykie," the man said, placing his right hand over his heart and offering a slight bow.
Rowan didn't respond immediately, his gaze flicking briefly to Evalyn before returning to the newcomer.
"Allow me to introduce myself," the man continued. "Aschel. Aschel Vilyoski." He extended a hand.
"Well, well. Then the pleasure is mine," Rowan said, taking it.
"Your brave tales are sung all across Velhein," Aschel said. "I've always hoped to meet you in person."
"Brave tales, huh?" Rowan's mouth curved faintly. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear. They tend to exaggerate—by a lot."
Aschel's smile sharpened just slightly. "Well, there's no harm in a little exaggeration… as long as it's convincing."
Rowan tilted his head, a trace of challenge in his tone. "And who gets to decide that?"
"Myself, of course," Aschel replied, his voice smooth but his gaze unblinking.
From the far end of the room, Ivanka raised his voice above the chatter. "May I have your attention, everyone?"
Aschel's grin lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary. "Till we meet again," he said before melting back into the crowd.
Evalyn turned to Rowan. "What was that about?"
Rowan didn't answer, simply inclining his head toward the mayor as the room fell silent.