The spell was cast, and larks commenced their journey towards the capital. There was no turning back once this operation was initiated. Consequently, Eugene felt an overwhelming sense of agitation as she perused the spell note, which provided a concise overview of the capital’s precarious situation.
This was not a leisurely circumstance in which she could leisurely consult the tribe elders through Aldrit about the cause of this event, receive an explanation, and subsequently inform Kasser, who would then disseminate the information to the kings. The kingdom’s army would be advancing closely behind the larks, affording the kings no opportunity for leisurely examination of the spell notes at a later time.
Eugene inscribed a brief message on the note: [Be careful, Kasser.]
There was a wealth of sentiments she yearned to express, yet she was unable to commit them all to writing. Fearful of distracting him, she resisted the impulse to expand her message with words of concern. Instead, she informed Aldrit of the situation in the capital. Having also been diligently reading the note, Aldrit promptly responded: [I will hasten to inquire of the elders.]
After a brief interval, Aldrit recorded the outcome of his conversation with the tribe elders on the note: [The elders have also expressed their bewilderment regarding the Queen’s description of the situation. They affirm that they imparted the spell to Anika Flora precisely as it was documented in the ancient texts, without any alterations.]
The forbidden spell that controlled larks was subject to several limitations.
Firstly, there was a constraint on the target. Only larks of a specific grade or below could be summoned. Higher-grade entities or Hwansus were unaffected.
Secondly, there was a limitation on duration. As it was a spell exclusively designed to summon larks, it lacked the capacity to rupture the seed. Consequently, unless the seed was intentionally destroyed, the spell could only be employed during its active period.
Thirdly, there was a constraint on range. The spell’s efficacy in enticing larks was confined to a specific distance. This range encompassed, approximately, the buffer zone surrounding the capital palace and portions of the kingdom’s territory bordering the capital.
Nevertheless, considering the capital’s current predicament, it appeared that Flora had transgressed the spell’s duration limitation.
[Understood. Please notify me without delay if the elders recollect any pertinent information.]
[Yes, Your Highness.]
Eugene concluded the note and rose to her feet, traversing the office as she contemplated the memories of the future she had perused. She had been cognizant of the controlling spell’s boundaries from the outset. Upon Aldrit’s transcription of the elders’ account of the controlling spell within the note, she had scrutinized it and discovered an almost perfect congruence with her existing knowledge.
In the future she had known, when the fake Jin controlled the larks, the king’s Hwansus remained unaffected. Jin had exclusively attacked various kingdoms during the spell’s active period by manipulating the larks, affording the populace an opportunity to recuperate during the dry season.
Why? Why is this different? Jin could not have broken the seed, Eugene mused.
There had been an instance when the fake Jin had controlled larks even during the dry season. However, in that case, the larks had been summoned by offering blood as a libation to the seed. This implied that the controlling spell itself was incapable of awakening the larks.
The difference. What’s the difference between the fake and Flora?
“Ah!” Eugene exclaimed, halting her pacing.
“Ramita,” she murmured. The fake Jin had not possessed Ramita.
Is Ramita augmenting the spell’s effects? she pondered. The medium for this spell was a solitary droplet of the sorcerer’s blood, and the vessel was the sorcerer themselves. Consequently, the sorcerer was inextricably linked to the spell.
Prior to the spell’s concealment, Anika had never been a sorcerer. Therefore, the elders’ understanding of the spell’s effects is predicated on the knowledge of the now extinct ancient tribe, who were sorcerers.
Once Anika had attained the status of a sorcerer, the spell’s effects had been significantly amplified, proving potent enough to breach the seed. If this were accurate, the spell’s limitations required reevaluation. It was plausible that more formidable larks could be lured by this spell, or its influence could extend to a broader range.
Eugene summoned her aide without delay. “Proceed to the Grand General and instruct him to reseal the stone gate and order the immediate return of all personnel within the desert,” she commanded.
The stone gate, which had remained closed since the previous dusk, was scheduled to be opened after Eugene had ventured into the desert to greet Flora upon her return to the capital. Following the detonation of the blue signal flare, signaling Flora’s departure for the capital, the soldiers stationed in the hotel’s vicinity had likely withdrawn. Consequently, the capital was teeming with activity.
Ordinarily, the spell’s influence would not extend to such a great distance between the capital and the Hashi Kingdom’s capital. However, the emergence of unforeseen variables necessitated caution.
It doesn’t hurt to be cautious.
Upon receiving Eugene’s directive, the aide departed. Shortly thereafter, Grand General Lester requested an audience. “Your Highness, as you commanded, we are in the process of sealing the stone gate and recalling our desert contingent. However, have you received any disturbing intelligence?” he inquired.
A select group of officials were privy to the kings’ alliance formed to eradicate the monster and the ongoing conflict in the capital. Prior to Kasser’s departure, he had convened a clandestine meeting with key officials designated to support the queen during his absence. Naturally, Grand General Lester was among those present.
Eugene comprehended that Lester’s query was a veiled inquiry about the king’s well-being.
“All is proceeding according to plan,” Eugene assured him. “Closing the stone gate is merely a precautionary measure. However, as you are aware, General, the capital is situated at a considerable distance, and the unpredictability of war demands vigilance.”
Observing Lester’s persistent stern expression, Eugene added, “You will be the first to know should any unforeseen circumstances arise. I will not withhold information from you.”
Lester nodded, his countenance softening slightly.
