Sanadiel soon excused herself, saying she would see them shortly. Until just moments ago, she had been dressed like the other maids, receiving the same treatment, but now she walked like a Queen, flanked by maids on either side. Though her appearance and clothing remained the same even with her hair down, she looked completely different.
“Let’s go somewhere else until the Queen calls us, shall we? It doesn’t seem right to discuss how to fight with the Wolves nearby.”
Irine walked out onto the balcony and headed towards the corridor. Tanya followed her, and Kassel was about to follow too when he suddenly thought of Jaymer and turned around. Jaymer was, at that moment, talking to Sheyden, but Kassel couldn’t hear what they were saying.
Soon, the two left through a door on the opposite side.
‘What’s going on?’
Kassel felt uneasy seeing the two move together.
The interior of the Aranthia Palace was always open to the east. This was true for the corridors, the windows, and almost all the walls, which were exposed to face east. Even now, the moonlight streaming in through the windows enveloped the three of them.
Occasionally, maids passed by and greeted them, and the three responded in kind.
It was an interesting hierarchy. With the exception of the absolute monarch, the Queen, no one was above anyone else. Even the royal ministers, who are typically next in line in terms of power, greeted the maids here.
The Wolf Knights befriended anyone they felt a connection with, regardless of their rank. It was amazing how, despite being gathered from all over the continent, they all seemed to share similar personalities.
The place Irine had chosen for their conversation wasn’t a closed space, but a gazebo in the middle of the corridor, opening into the garden. The sound of a waterfall somewhere blended with their voices, keeping them confined within the corridor.
“It’s about Welch.”
Irine finally mentioned the name she had been avoiding.
“Do you think he’s attacking the Gold Gate again to avenge his previous defeat? Since you were captured, I thought you might know.”
“He didn’t even remember his own name at the time. But if he regains his memory, I believe revenge might not be out of the question.”
Kassel quickly responded, having thought about this on the way here.
“If the word ‘revenge’ doesn’t fit, let’s call it a rematch. After all, he lost all his fame at once to Master Quain, a man who had been gathering renown as if it was meant to be taken away by someone.”
“An interesting perspective. I thought you would unconditionally praise Quain.”
“Sheyden, who respects Welch as much as the Master, told me a few things. Master Quain, too, never considered that fight his victory.”
“Of course not. In truth, the person who defeated Welch was me.”
Kassel stopped breathing for a moment.
Tanya pretended to be indifferent but clung behind Kassel, intently listening to Irine’s words.
“I’ve never heard such a thing before…”
“Of course. It was a secret among us. So, to tell you the truth about that part everyone talks about, Welch had fought Quain while injured from his fight with me.”
Irine’s face, hidden in the shadow of the moonlight, seemed darker. Kassel was in shock.
“Good heavens, so Welch’s historically renowned fight was one where he couldn’t give his all.”
“If I were in his place, I would have risen from my grave in rage.”
Irine then recounted the events of that day.
The day before the battle at the Gold Gate, starting with the visit to the camp of the Excelon Knights with her fellow White Wolf, Lofin, Irine recounted her fight and return from battling Welch, and the battle between Welch and Quain at the Gold Gate the following day. It was a story told by a knight who had been at the center of the battle, not through the words of others.
‘Is it really okay to hear such incredible stories so unexpectedly?’
Kassel felt like he was drinking fine wine from a rice bowl. However, as he listened to the story, he gradually realized that it didn’t really matter.
“Above all, Welch didn’t even die a knight’s glorious death. He could have died at the Gold Gate after losing to Quain… or perhaps, more fittingly, by my hand. That would have been a satisfactory end for him. However, he was killed by an arrow among many soldiers at the battle of Nenadros Plains. Aranthia did not officially participate in that battle.”
This was why Aranthia lost a lot in post-war compensations. King Charles said the Queen ‘gave it away.’
“I watched Welch die from a distance.”
Irine’s shoulders, leaning against a pillar, trembled thinly with sorrow. Kassel and Tanya could only watch, unable to offer comfort.
“It was not a place for a hero of his stature to die. The soldiers of Carnelock and Irophis, elated with victory, dismembered his body, and thus his name was erased from history. I should have been the one to kill him. Then he would not have resurrected with a grudge.”
Tears formed in Irine’s eyes, reflecting the moonlight.
“If he appears here again and asks for a fight, would you accept?”
Kassel asked.
Irine quickly wiped her tears and answered.
“Personally, I would like to. But this is no longer a matter to be settled personally. You know that too.”
Kassel shook his head.
“No, it will be a personal matter.”
Irine asked, “Why?”
“I promised Black, no, Welch. If he can reach the White Gate, I promised to let him fight a White Wolf. Conversely, if Welch reaches the White Gate, he must fight a White Wolf as promised to me.”
“What’s the difference?”
“If Welch keeps his promise, he cannot enter the White Gate until he defeats a White Wolf.”
Irine looked skeptically at Kassel, who spoke with such confidence.
“How could you make such a promise?”
“I made it when I was taken hostage. Welch kept insisting on going to the Gold Gate, and I couldn’t stop him with my strength. So I staked my life on a promise. If the White Wolf loses and dies to Black, then I die too.”
His voice was calm, as if he had already come to terms with the possibility of death.
“You didn’t mention this earlier, did you?”
“It wouldn’t have been anything more than an excuse when you were angry with me for abandoning Barel and running away. And it’s true that I couldn’t fight because I didn’t know how to use a sword.”
Kassel sighed.
“I feel foolish for saying this. I’m sorry, Irine. Looking back, it was naive of me to expect Black to stop in front of the White Gate for our promise.”
Even after meeting the Wolf Knights, Kassel had been unable to take action, merely betting on the duel between Franz and Jaymer. While everyone was focused on Jaymer’s swordsmanship, he was alone reading about the other Wolves’ swordsmanship records and flirting with the maids. The only thing he gained from this was getting hit by Sildire.
Should he return to the party and deliver a lengthy, touching speech to impress the knights? No, even if they heard the most moving speech, it didn’t seem likely the Wolves would say, ‘Here, take the captain’s spot!’
For some reason, Irine seemed to have something to say but couldn’t, as if she was struggling to speak despite having nothing to say.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
As Kassel was pondering over what he had said, Tanya spoke from behind.
“That’s a cowardly thought, Kassel.”
Kassel felt a sharp pain in his heart, more than any cold remark Tanya had ever made.
“What do you mean?”
As Kassel waited for Tanya’s response with wide eyes, a maid approached and said,
“Master Irine, and you two. Her Majesty summons you.”
Irine nodded and followed the maid, and Kassel reluctantly followed as well. He had missed the timing to ask Tanya what she meant by ‘cowardly thought.’
Upon opening the door, moist air seeped out. A faint scent of flowers mixed with a slightly sharp, pungent odor. The interior was dim, lit only by a few candles. On closer inspection, it had a similar structure to the council room where they had spoken with the Council of Elders, but the north wall was open, connecting to the mountains of Aynacast to the west, and the open space was illuminated by the moonlight from the east.
Quain stood beside a pond formed by a small waterfall cascading from a rocky cliff. Upon noticing the group, Quain slightly nodded his head. The three approached him. Something was swimming in the pond, following the rippling water. Then, near the edge where Kassel stood, it quietly surfaced.
Kassel almost screamed. It wasn’t a fish or a water ghost, but the Queen who had just finished swimming. Her wet, golden hair covered her shoulders and chest, the only thing covering her naked body. Of course, Kassel couldn’t dare to lower his gaze below her chest.
Quain approached and draped a white gown over Sanadiel’s shoulders. She swept her long, wet hair back over her shoulders. The damp hair smoothly waved, as if alive, following her hands’ movement. Her face, dripping with water, and long eyebrows radiated indescribable beauty. The Selina who had been working in the kitchen was nowhere to be seen.
Selina had her own kind of beauty. The Queen they saw in the village yesterday was full of mystery. Now, under the moonlight, barely covered with a white gown, revealing her chest and legs, she exuded a daunting femininity, as if testing his masculinity.
‘If this is a test, I’ve failed. And Tanya must have seen how shocked I was just now, right? She’s a quick-witted mage. She’ll think even less of me.’
Kassel resented Sanadiel.
The Queen spoke to Kassel with a seductive gaze.
“I’ve heard everything you went through from Quain. But it was a mistake. Kassel, it would have been interesting to hear it directly from you, but instead, I ended up hearing it from the man who tells stories most boringly in the world.”
Quain apologized immediately.
“I’m sorry.”
Sanadiel closed her eyes and laughed, her long eyebrows beautifully shining.
“The daughter of the Red Rose.”
Sanadiel suddenly said.
“Sorry? Ah, you mean Latilda Johnstein?”
Kassel quickly remembered the name. It was a topic from just a month or two ago and had been mentioned several times in discussions about the Kingdom of Camort, but hearing the name from the Queen’s lips made it feel like a distant memory.
“Everything will happen according to her will… Remember these words well, Tanya.”
Kassel naturally thought the words were meant for him, but she was looking at Tanya beside him.
“Me?”
“Outside of Lutia, the most powerful mage in Acrand would be you, Master Tanya.”
“That’s an overstatement. I still lack the experience and power to be called a master.”
“A mage might lack experience. You are still a youngster, not yet thirty. But you overflow with power, don’t you?”
For some reason, Tanya glared at the Queen with a menacing look.
“Please don’t say anything more, Your Majesty.”
“I will.”
Sanadiel continued with a pleased smile.
“There are two powers that even your magic cannot control. What are they?”
“It sounds like a beginner’s test for Lutia’s mages. The power of dragons and the power of darkness.”
“Soon, you will have to fight against both at the same time.”
“I’m prepared for it. But what does this have to do with Latilda Johnstein?”
“I only know that there might be a connection. That’s as far as my domain goes. Sorry. I just wanted you to remember, like the prophecy I made before.”
“Wasn’t that more of a curse than a prophecy?”
“Did it sound like that? I’m sorry.”
Sanadiel smiled again. In the meantime, two maids approached and began drying the Queen’s wet hair. Regardless of whether the maids were drying her hair with a towel or not, she continued speaking.
“It’s a real shame that Loyal went to Lutia. It seems there might have been some connection between Loyal and Latilda. Right, Kassel?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. But I couldn’t inquire in detail. Even when we last parted, Loyal wanted to stay in Camort. At that moment, the title of a Wolf Knight seemed like a shackle to him.”
“Why make such a choice when one can do as they please?”
The Queen seemed very regretful, and Quain muttered,
“Are you suggesting giving one of the White Wolves to a foreign countess?”
“What’s there to be against? He isn’t even your disciple.”
To Kassel, this conversation sounded very strange. Surprisingly, Quain seemed convinced by Sanadiel’s response.
“That’s true, but how can I accept such a thing…”
“Oh, and about Jaymer.”
Sanadiel, crossing her arms and lifting her chest, suddenly said,
“I’ve taken him as my disciple.”
Irine reported as if giving an update.
“Why would he come here? He’s not supposed to be here.”
Again, a confusing statement. Kassel wondered if he was the only one unable to follow the conversation and stole a glance at Irine.
“Are you saying it was wrong to bring him?”
Irine asked.
“Bring him? What are you talking about? Did you drag the boy here tied to a horse, Irine?”
“No, that’s not it. I found him near the border and met him in front of the Blue Gate. Shall I start a boring story like Quain now?”
“That’s not necessary. Hmm, anyway, it’s strange. Jaymer doesn’t belong to me, yet he came to me. What does this mean?”
“Does this mean Jaymer can’t become a White Wolf?”
Unable to hold back, Kassel asked. The Queen unfolded her arms, and as her gown loosened, revealing her chest, Kassel exerted all his energy to only look at her face.
“Being a White Wolf isn’t something you become just because you want to, nor is it a position one falls into without wanting. Kassel, did Jaymer ever say anything about becoming a White Wolf?”
“He said a few times that he wanted to compete with the Wolf Knights, but I took that as confidence in his own skills… Ah!”
Kassel covered his mouth and widened his eyes in realization.
Irine, concerned about her own disciple, asked with intensity in her eyes.
“What did Jaymer say?”
“When I told him that only a White Wolf can survive seeing the fangs of a White Wolf, Jaymer said, ‘I’ll be the one to survive!’ I thought it was just a part of his confident response, but maybe it meant that he too could become one of the White Wolves…”
Irine asked, surprised.
“He gave such a logical response?”
“Jaymer is good with short responses. He just struggles with longer ones.”
At Kassel’s words, Sanadiel chuckled softly, showing a hint of Selina’s habits.
“Well, let’s not take it too seriously. And I chose this spot because it’s comfortable for me, but it seems I’ve been putting too much pressure on Kassel. I’m a bit sorry about that.”
Sanadiel looked at Kassel, his face flushed, and smiled.
‘It’s not something the Queen needs to apologize for. But maybe it’s something that should be apologized for.’
Kassel was confused.
“As you see, if I am out of the water even for a moment, I suffer from severe thirst. It wasn’t like this a hundred years ago, but recently it’s become much worse. I hope you understand.”
“It’s okay.”
‘I’m doing my best.’
Kassel nearly added the latter phrase but stopped himself. Surely it would have been an incomprehensible reply to the women.
Sanadiel brushed her wet bangs aside and said,
“Kassel, Irine, and Tanya. You must have seen the dangerous enemies coming after us from outside.”
“Yes.”
The three answered almost simultaneously.
“These enemies, though appearing as one, are in fact different entities. Both are coming to meet me, but with different objectives.”
‘One must be the Black Knight, and the other, the grey-robed mage that Tanya and Sheyden met.’
Kassel internally organized the Queen’s metaphor-laden words.
“One of them wants to show you what they desire from me.”
Sanadiel turned and let her garment fall from her shoulders. Kassel inhaled sharply as he saw the gown sliding down her white shoulders and back.
‘Just when she said she wouldn’t put any more pressure on me, this is…’
Kassel quickly abandoned such thoughts. There was a dark scar crossing her white back. Kassel bit his lip. Following the curve of her soft back, a scar as wide as two fingers ran diagonally from her shoulder to her waist.
“This is a wound from just before the war ended, one that almost killed me. Or rather, it would have killed me if not for Aranthia’s blessing.”
Sanadiel turned her head to look at them as she spoke.
“I didn’t know until now because Your Majesty never showed your back even when we bathed together. Please forgive my oversight. But… who did this?”
Irine asked with anger, as if the perpetrator was right before her.
“The child’s name at that time was Welch.”
Sanadiel continued, putting her gown back on.
“Now he has a different name and is coming for me.”
Kassel clenched his fists. The sight of the dark abyss within Black’s helmet seemed to approach him, causing dizziness.
“Have you ever met him, Your Majesty?”
Irine asked.
“I met him the day before he died. You wouldn’t know about it, Irine.”
Irine waited for an explanation, but Sanadiel didn’t offer any further information.
“If that child is heading to Nadium without remembering why, merely being used by the power of evil without realizing it… just his movement alone could lead to the destruction of Nadium.”
Tanya, who had been softly groaning, spoke up.
“I was attacked by a mage wearing a grey robe, not the Black Knight, and suffered severe injuries. If it hadn’t been for Knight Sheyden, I would have died. Is the other dangerous enemy you mentioned that very person?”
“You’re exactly right. Follow me.”
Leading everyone with slow steps, Sanadiel walked along the wall adjacent to the Aynacast mountains. At the end, there was a cave, not too deep but with a high ceiling and wide entrance.
The inside of the cave formed a smooth hemisphere, so smooth it seemed it couldn’t be made any rounder even if deliberately sculpted. In the center stood a statue of four wolves, their heads raised and mouths open towards the sky.
“Good heavens. This was in Nadium?”
Tanya exclaimed, looking at the orb placed on the statue. It was a small orb, just big enough to fit in two hands, clear as glass, with dozens of swirling colors inside, like smoke.
“It’s a Dragon Orb. I placed it here when I first chose this place as the capital in the name of the goddess, and it hasn’t moved since.”
Tanya’s voice trembled with ecstasy.
“I had only heard of it. A gem containing the soul of an ancient spirit that once ruled the Sky Mountains.”
“Not exactly. But close. This is a fusion of the soul of an ancient spirit and a human soul. This is what protects Aranthia on its own.”
The Queen continued, smiling brightly like a child.
“Beautiful, isn’t it? A stunning orb that one could gaze at all day without growing tired.”
“I feel a bit scared. Should such a precious thing be left out so openly? Compared to this noble object, I am but a trivial being. Should you even show it to me…”
Hearing Tanya’s words, Kassel realized the significance of the object before them, and began to feel burdened by looking at it.
“I show it to you because it’s you. And Kassel, do you understand why I show it even to you?”
The Queen approached Kassel, gently stroked his face, and kissed his forehead. Kassel was so startled he couldn’t move.
“Until now, only the captains of the Wolf Knights and my guardians have laid eyes on the true form of this Orb. Even Loyal, who hastily took over as captain and left for Camort, didn’t see it. I want to attach a special meaning to the figure of a captain who appears before a great crisis. I entrust you with the protection of the Dragon Orb, Captain Wolf.”
Kassel’s heart constricted, and his legs shook so badly he couldn’t stand still under the Queen’s gaze. He knelt on one knee.
“I will protect it with all that I am.”
But Tanya, instead of feeling honored, stepped back in fear.
“If you’re showing me this to ask the same, I cannot accept. I am not yet worthy, Your Majesty Queen Sanadiel.”
The Queen smiled gently.
“Whatever you choose, I respect your will, disciple of Tailed, Tanya. This is not a promise related to Lutia or a vow of a master, but your own will. I don’t bring people here to coerce them into listening to me.”
Tanya, with tears in her eyes, shook her head.
“There could be no greater coercion than this, Your Majesty.”
Tanya too knelt before the Queen.
“I promise to guard the Orb with all my magical power.”
“May Aranthia’s blessing be with you.”
The Queen of Aranthia looked down at them with a gentle smile, reflecting only the moonlight. Kassel finally realized: Sanadiel had formally bestowed upon him the position of Captain Wolf.
☆ ☆ ☆
Kassel couldn’t ask in detail about what the Dragon Orb was. The soul of the beginning! It was so immense and incredible that it didn’t feel real, and he couldn’t even muster curiosity about it. Having seen such a thing, he felt he couldn’t sleep without doing something.
He went to the library. Throughout the night, he speed-read through three books, and re-read one of them from the beginning. It was a more objective history of the wars between Aranthia and Lontamon. Tanya had followed Kassel and was reading a book at the next table. There was no conversation between them.
Only when morning came did Kassel, with tired eyes, speak to Tanya.
“Did you find something you were looking for?”
“Are you seeking solace in the words because of anxiety? If so, I was reading with the same sentiment. I wasn’t specifically trying to gain anything.”
Tanya spoke in her usual flat tone. The librarian, who had unintentionally stayed up all night because of them, was now switching shifts with another person who had just come in the morning.
“True. It’s been quite a while since I’ve read, so just seeing the words is enjoyable.”
Kassel said with a smile.
Tanya closed her book and asked.
“Would you like to have breakfast together? I’m a bit hungry.”
“Sure. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t eaten all night or just lack of sleep, but my head is spinning.”
They went straight to the small cafeteria inside the library. They didn’t speak on the way.
The meal was simple: bread and warm stew. Halfway through eating, Tanya asked Kassel.
“It seems I still make you uncomfortable.”
Kassel put down his spoon and shook his head.
“No, not anymore. I was at first, but not now.”
“But you always seem to have pleasant conversations with others, but with me, it seems like you consciously avoid talking.”
Kassel wanted to deny it but shook his head again.
“You’re right. I did do that.”
Kassel sighed softly and lifted his spoon back into the stew. An overcooked carrot broke under his spoon. After a pause, he spoke with an awkward expression.
“Why did I do that?”
For the first time, Tanya’s expression, which had never changed before, faltered.
“Are you asking me that?”
“It’s hard to overcome prejudice. Mages are scary. In that sense, even Queen Sanadiel is a bit frightening. What’s your perspective, Tanya? About Her Majesty’s magic.”
“She is not a mage. Not in the sense we understand magic. That’s why even the masters in Lutia can’t take her lightly. As someone who has lived with the history of Aranthia…”
Tanya stopped mid-sentence and bit into her bread.
“…I have nothing to say. Even in front of her, I was no mage.”
“That makes me feel somewhat relieved.”
Kassel recalled the three different images of the Queen he had seen and imagined her ever-changing beauty in his mind. None were her true form, yet all were aspects of her.
A thousand-year-old Queen… The notion that Sanadiel had remained in one form over time was wrong from the start.
“What did you mean by ‘cowardly thought’?”
Kassel asked, dipping his bread into the stew. He was prepared to explain from the beginning if Tanya didn’t remember, but she quickly responded.
“Welch’s advance is so terrifying that even Her Majesty Sanadiel is concerned. In reality, it’s the demons crossing the gate in his wake that are feared.”
‘Tanya is referring to the grey-robed mage as a demon. That means she’s really afraid of him. If I met him, I’d probably freeze up and be unable to do anything.’
Tanya continued speaking.
“But Kassel, you confidently declared to Master Irine that you could stop them at the White Gate.”
“I wasn’t that confident, actually.”
“Including what you just said! You seriously undervalue yourself and embarrass those in front of you. You’ve made me uncomfortable several times before. I have no intention of comforting you, Kassel. But I don’t want to hear any more of your cowardly thoughts.”
Kassel frowned, beginning to feel angry.
“Are you tired? I can’t make any sense of what you’re saying, Tanya. Undervaluing myself and embarrassing you? I’ve never done that, nor intended to, and I don’t see why I should be hearing this from you.”
“You did. You provided a brilliant strategy to Irine. A response she hadn’t thought of or prepared for. Then you said it was nothing significant. Does that make Irine a fool for not thinking of it?”
“I never said it was nothing significant!”
“That was the implication.”
Tanya quickly added.
“You handled yourself admirably in front of the Council of Elders, Kassel. Ultimately, the Queen recognized you as the captain by showing you the Dragon Orb. If it weren’t for your strange proposal, she would have probably announced your captainship at the party with all the Wolf Knights present. And yet, you are still internally debating whether you are worthy of being a captain, aren’t you?”
“It’s because I really don’t think I’m worthy of…
Kassel stopped himself from raising his voice further.
Tanya, as if anticipating his response, spoke up.
“Don’t kill others with your humility, Kassel. It’s another form of arrogance. How can you expect others to acknowledge you when you can’t even acknowledge yourself?”
The voices of Black, Quain, and others mingled in Kassel’s head.
‘You are not worthy of being a captain.’
‘Wolves don’t follow a leader without real strength.’
Kassel held his head, overwhelmed.
“I’m just…”
Many thoughts came to mind, but anything he said seemed like an excuse. Kassel removed his hand from his head and finally spoke.
“I’m sorry. You’re right, Tanya.”
Tanya nodded.
“You are a strong man, Kassel.”
“Me?”
Tanya nodded again.
“I’ve never seen a man who can apologize after hearing such bitter advice filled with prejudice.”
Tanya smiled and extended her hand.
“I apologize too. I wasn’t sincere in my cold treatment of you. I just… you…”
Tanya stopped herself.
“No, I’ll just apologize. I’m sorry, Kassel.”
“I was the same. Trying to avoid excuses, I ended up saying nothing.”
Kassel took her hand, tilting his head slightly.
“A woman full of prejudice?”
“Yes, me.”
“Tanya?”
“I was looking at you with prejudice too.”
Kassel, still holding Tanya’s hand, squinted at her.
“Am I regretting this handshake? What kind of prejudice is that?”
“Men who talk a lot can’t be trusted.”
“Was I that talkative?”
“Not really. That’s why I said it was my prejudice. You don’t understand my words very well, do you?”
“Let’s blame it on lack of sleep. But whether I could understand even with a good night’s sleep is something to ponder.”
“Then get some rest and think about it.”
“Tanya, be honest. You dislike me, right?”
“I wouldn’t hold the hand of a man I dislike for this long.”
“Well, that’s because I’m forcibly holding it.”
“There’s one man in Aranthia who can forcibly hold my hand, but you’re not him. Why are you ‘forcibly’ holding my hand, Kassel?”
“Because it’s not the hand of a woman I dislike. So what I mean is, I don’t dislike you, Tanya. Holding your hand…”
“Did Jaymer’s way of speaking rub off on you?”
“Seems like it, damn.”
A trumpet sounded in the distance. It was far away but loud enough to be heard clearly. Both turned their heads towards the sound, finally letting go of each other’s hands.
A slight disturbance arose in the quiet late morning of Nadium. People heading to work at the library or going out to buy bread hurried off somewhere as soon as they heard the trumpet.
“Could that be an emergency trumpet?”
Tanya repeated opening and closing the hand she had held with Kassel, musing aloud. The comment didn’t seem significant, but for a moment, it felt fitting. Kassel rushed from the table towards the cafeteria chef, with Tanya quickly following.
“What does this trumpet signal mean?”
“Oh, that’s the sound for ‘Alaraya’s Beacon.’ It’s rarely ever used; I wonder what’s happening.”
“Alaraya’s Beacon?”
“I’ve only seen it once in my lifetime.”
The chef pointed far off. At the top of a not-so-tall mountain, a large fire and red smoke were rising.
“Was that one time during the war about ten years ago?”
Kassel asked.
“Yes, exactly. It was lit only once when the Excelon Knights attacked the Gold Gate.”
Kassel and Tanya, as if on cue, simultaneously ran towards the castle.
–TL Notes–
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