The journey to the border had been swift.
Far faster than any army could travel.
As Ebruhan descended from the clouds, the border fortress came into view.
Stone walls.
Watchtowers.
Hundreds of soldiers already preparing defenses.
The moment the guards spotted the massive blue dragon, excitement spread throughout the fort.
"Ebruhan!!"
"His Majesty is here!"
"Open the gates!"
Ebruhan landed heavily inside the fortress courtyard.
The ground trembled beneath his weight.
King jump down carefully,
Moments later, blue mana swirled around him.
The dragon disappeared.
A young man with dark-blue hair and golden eyes stood in his place.
The border officers immediately bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"Sir Ebruhan."
Cedric nodded.
"At ease."
The officers quickly began reporting troop movements and defensive preparations.
Meanwhile, Ebruhan stepped away from the gathering.
His expression thoughtful.
Then he opened his inventory.
A familiar glass orb appeared in his hand.
The blue dragon activated it.
Light flickered across its surface.
A moment later, another face appeared.
Iyas.
The fox seemed to be eating something.
The moment he saw Ebruhan, he nearly swallowed it whole.
"Sir?"
He immediately sat up straight.
Ebruhan got right to the point.
"You have a job."
The fox's ears perked up.
"I am ready."
The response came so quickly it almost sounded rehearsed.
Ebruhan nodded.
"Go to Mia's estate."
Iyas blinked.
The enthusiasm vanished instantly.
"...Sir."
"Keep me updated on her condition."
The fox stared.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
"Sir..."
Ebruhan already knew what was coming.
"Why me?"
The dragon's expression remained perfectly calm.
"Because I am at the border."
"Reasonable."
"And because you are in the capital."
"Also reasonable."
"And because you can run faster than most messengers."
"Unfortunately true."
The fox sighed dramatically.
Then Ebruhan delivered the final blow.
"If she pets you."
A pause.
"Endure it."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Iyas stared directly into the orb.
"...Sir."
"What?"
"I believe this mission may exceed my capabilities."
Ebruhan ignored him.
"You survived years as a spy."
"That was easier."
The dragon raised an eyebrow.
"Easier?"
"Way easier."
The fox pointed dramatically.
"Do you know how terrifying an excited dragon is?"
Ebruhan thought about Mia.
Then thought about Mia discovering a fluffy fox.
"...Fair."
"Thank you!"
"But endure it anyway."
Iyas immediately looked betrayed.
"Sir."
"Yes?"
"I am beginning to suspect you enjoy my suffering."
For a brief moment...
Very briefly...
Ebruhan's lips twitched.
Then the expression vanished.
"Mission first."
The fox groaned.
"Understood, sir."
He lowered his head dramatically.
"I shall sacrifice myself for the kingdom."
"You are visiting an estate."
"A terrible estate."
Ebruhan ended the connection before the fox could continue.
The orb went dark.
Far away in the capital, Iyas stared at the inactive orb.
Then let out a long sigh.
"Spying on enemy kingdoms."
"Surviving prison."
"Serving a dragon .."
The fox looked toward the distant Vinson Estate.
"And somehow..."
His ears drooped.
"The most dangerous mission of my life is visiting Lady Mia."
Iyas began packing immediately.
Well...
"Packing" was a generous term.
The fox stuffed dried meat, candy, maps, spare clothes, a notebook, and several completely unnecessary items into his enchanted bag.
Then he stopped.
Looked around his little house.
Looked at the flowers.
Looked at the bed.
"...I just got this place."
His ears drooped.
A few moments later, white mana swirled around him.
His human form vanished.
In its place stood a small white fox with red eyes.
Iyas adjusted the bag hanging from his side.
Then trotted toward the door.
"For the kingdom."
A pause.
"For Sir Ebruhan."
Another pause.
"...And hopefully without getting my ears touched."
Deep down...
He knew that hope was already dead.
The fox disappeared down the road toward the Vinson Estate.
Toward his fate.
------
Kingdom of Noveress
Far away, the atmosphere was completely different.
Inside the war chamber of Norvoss, dozens of commanders stood around a massive map.
The border region was covered with markers.
Supply routes.
Fortifications.
Artillery positions.
Everything had been planned.
Again.
And again.
And again.
At the center stood Princess Selene.
Calm.
Confident.
In complete control.
Every eye in the room was fixed upon her.
"The first objective remains unchanged."
She pointed at the map.
'if Ebruhan join the battlefield, distracted him while cannons charging "
Several commanders nodded.
Notes were taken immediately.
"The cannons remain behind the front line."
Her finger moved again.
"I do not want them exposed."
"If Ebruhan attacks them directly, shield mages prioritize the weapons over themselves."
The room fell silent.
Because everyone understood how important those cannons had become.
Aerys stood nearby with his arms crossed.
Listening.
Watching.
As always.
Selene continued issuing orders.
One after another.
No hesitation.
No uncertainty.
How to advance.
How to retreat.
How to respond to dragon attacks.
How to react if allied kingdoms joined the battlefield.
Hours passed.
Yet not a single person left.
Finally, the meeting began to wind down.
Selene looked around the room.
"I will personally observe the battlefield."
Several officers immediately looked uneasy.
Aerys was the first to speak.
"My princess."
Selene glanced toward him.
"You should remain here."
The room instantly became quiet.
Aerys continued.
"Norvoss needs you."
His voice remained respectful.
Firm.
"If something happens to you..."
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
Everyone understood.
Selene was not merely a commander.
She was the heart of Norvoss.
The princess smiled slightly.
"Aerys."
The general immediately knew he wasn't going to like the answer.
"If I ask thousands of soldiers to risk their lives..."
Her golden eyes met his.
"Then I should be willing to risk mine."
The room grew silent.
Aerys closed his eyes briefly.
For a moment...
She sounded exactly like her father.
And that worried him more than anything.
"My princess."
Selene's smile widened slightly.
"I'll stay behind the lines."
Aerys stared.
"You said that last time."
Several commanders immediately looked away.
Trying not to laugh.
The princess actually looked offended.
"That was different."
"It absolutely was not."
For the first time all evening, a few smiles appeared around the table.
Aerys released a long sigh.
Defeated.
Again.
"Then at least allow additional guards."
Selene thought for a moment.
"...Fine."
Aerys immediately looked suspicious.
Because she had agreed far too quickly.
The general already knew.
She was planning something.
She always was.
--------
Border of Lumeris
Ten days passed.
The army had finally reached the border.
Thousands of tents stretched across the landscape.
Campfires burned throughout the night.
Soldiers sharpened weapons.
Armor was repaired.
Supply wagons arrived almost daily.
Reinforcements from a allied kingdoms had begun arriving as well.
Some camps were filled with familiar Lumeris banners.
Others carried the colors of distant allies.
Despite the looming war, there were moments of normalcy.
Soldiers shared meals.
Told stories.
Compared weapons.
Argued over whose kingdom brewed the best ale.
For now...
The battlefield remained quiet.
Ebruhan sat atop a rocky cliff overlooking the camps.
His scanned the horizon.
Watching.
Eventually, he reached into his inventory and retrieved a glass orb.
Blue mana flickered across its surface.
A familiar face appeared.
Iyas.
The fox looked surprisingly comfortable.
Which immediately made Ebruhan suspicious.
"Report."
Iyas straightened.
"Nothing significant, sir."
The dragon raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing?"
The fox shrugged.
"Lady Mia spends most of her time sleeping."
A pause.
"Or sunbathing near that fountain."
Ebruhan immediately pictured it.
Mia sprawled somewhere in dragon form.
Ignoring all responsibilities.
"...That sounds accurate."
The fox nodded.
"Very accurate."
Ebruhan folded his arms.
"I assume you've remained hidden."
Iyas immediately nodded.
"Oh, absolutely."
The fox looked horrified just imagining the alternative.
"Far better than getting my ears touched."
For the first time in days, Ebruhan almost smiled.
"Still afraid?"
"Sir."
Iyas pointed at his ears.
"These are valuable."
Silence.
"They're ears."
"Exactly."
The fox nodded seriously.
"Which is why they should remain attached and un-poked."
Ebruhan sighed.
The fox leaned slightly closer to the orb.
"Actually..."
The dragon waited.
"I think Lady Mia is getting restless."
Ebruhan's expression immediately sharpened.
"What do you mean?"
Iyas glanced around before lowering his voice.
"She keeps looking toward the south."
"Toward the border."
The dragon's expression darkened slightly.
The fox continued.
"But that maid lady distracts her."
A pause.
"But only for a little while."
Ebruhan already understood.
Mia knew something was coming.
And dragons were not known for patiently waiting while the people they cared about marched toward danger.
The blue dragon looked toward the distant horizon.
Toward Norvoss.
Toward the war everyone could feel approaching.
"Continue observing."
"Yes, sir."
"And Iyas."
The fox immediately stiffened.
"Yes?"
"If Mia discovers you."
Iyas groaned instantly.
"Sir..."
"Endure it."
The fox stared at him.
"You really enjoy saying that."
The connection ended.
The glass orb went dark.
Iyas carefully placed it back inside his enchanted bag.
Then adjusted his position among the branches of a large tree overlooking part of the estate.
It wasn't the most comfortable spot.
But after years as a spy, he'd slept in far worse places.
His red eyes drifted toward the courtyard below.
Mia sat beside the fountain.
Leo sat nearby.
The two had been talking for nearly an hour.
Neither looked particularly happy.
Even from this distance, Iyas could tell what the conversation was about.
The war.
Their family.
The people who had already left.
The fox quietly rested his chin on his paws.
Watching.
Listening.
"..."
For a brief moment, he almost felt guilty.
Not because he was spying.
That part didn't bother him anymore.
Ebruhan had literally ordered him to do it.
No.
The strange feeling came from something else.
Watching them worry.
A few weeks ago, these people had been enemies.
People he was supposed to observe.
Report on.
Now...
He found himself hoping nothing bad happened to them.
The thought made him sigh.
"Sir really is a bad influence."
Below, Mia suddenly stood.
Leo followed.
Then the front doors of the estate opened.
Miss Korbi appeared.
Hands neatly folded.
Expression perfectly composed.
As always.
"Mia."
"Leo."
Both immediately straightened.
"Dinner is ready."
The head maid's voice was calm.
Gentle.
Yet somehow impossible to ignore.
Mia immediately brightened.
"Food!"
The dragon practically vanished inside.
Leo laughed and followed after her.
Miss Korbi shook her head before entering the estate herself.
Soon the courtyard became quiet.
The fountain continued flowing.
The evening breeze rustled the leaves.
And the estate slowly settled into nighttime peace.
High above, hidden among the branches, Iyas watched the lights appear in the windows.
One by one.
Families eating together.
Talking together.
Living together.
The fox looked away.
"..."
Then he stretched and settled deeper into the tree.
His tail wrapped around himself for warmth.
"Well."
He glanced toward the glowing estate.
"Guess I'm sleeping here for a while."
A pause.
"...Could be worse."
He had a roof nearby if it rained.
Food in his bag.
A mission from Ebruhan.
And for once...
Nobody was trying to kill him.
Honestly?
That was already a pretty good week.
Within minutes, the fox's eyes slowly closed.
The sounds of the estate filling the night.
And hidden high among the branches...
The former spy drifted to sleep beneath the stars.