Dyeva joined the meeting at the royal castle, where the Human Kingdom was represented by King Durian, and the Elf Kingdom was represented by Princess Lilia.
The atmosphere was tense as the two kingdoms gathered to discuss pressing matters. The Princess began the meeting by offering an apology for the absence of her father, the Elf King.
She explained that there was an emergency that required his immediate attention. King Durian, not one to show displeasure, nodded with a hint of relief. It made the conversation easier for him, as he preferred a more direct approach without unnecessary formalities.
Once the pleasantries were out of the way, Princess Lilia addressed the purpose of the meeting. "Clares Kingdom has been attacked several times by an unknown faction," she said, her expression grim.
"I believe this may be part of a larger plot, aimed at causing another war." She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in the room.
"I've come here to ensure that our kingdoms maintain good relations. The trade between the Human Kingdom and the Elf Kingdom has been beneficial for both economies. I don't want this conspiracy to sour our future relations."
She continued, her voice steady but with a clear sense of urgency.
"I ask for your help in finding those responsible for these attacks. During my investigation, I discovered that both human and elf energy signatures were involved in the attacks. We need to identify the group behind these incidents before they cause irreparable damage."
Upon hearing this, King Durian furrowed his brow and leaned forward. "So, are you suggesting that the Human Kingdom may be involved in these attacks?" he asked, his tone measured.
Princess Lilia quickly shook her head, eager to clarify.
"No, Your Majesty. I do not believe that the Human Kingdom is involved. It is simply my suspicion that there are external forces trying to manipulate our relationship. I wish only to prevent any misunderstanding between our people."
King Durian gave a thoughtful hum and turned to Dyeva, who had been silently observing the conversation.
"Dyeva, do you know anything about this situation?" he asked, his gaze shifting toward her.
Dyeva, standing tall and unwavering, responded firmly, "We have also been attacked by an unknown faction. Several members of the Golden Sun Guild have fallen victim to these attacks. However, the source of the attacks remains a mystery. We are still investigating it."
Her words were spoken with conviction, and there was not a trace of doubt in her voice.
King Durian, after a moment of reflection, nodded. "Hmm... Alright, I entrust you with this matter, Dyeva. Help them find the culprit. This is now a priority for our kingdoms."
Dyeva's stomach tightened at his words. She felt a surge of unease. Taking on this responsibility, she feared, would place the entire burden on the Golden Sun Guild.
However, she knew there was little room to refuse. She had to remain focused.
After the meeting, Dyeva approached Princess Lilia. "Where can we discuss this matter further? I believe we need to exchange information in private," Dyeva asked, her voice low and professional.
Princess Lilia turned to one of her advisors, Sir Eldwin, and nodded.
"Sir Eldwin can assist you with that," she said, gesturing toward the elderly elf who stood nearby. He gave a polite bow to Dyeva before leading her to a quieter hall for a more detailed conversation.
In the meeting hall, Dyeva and Sir Eldwin exchanged what information they had gathered.
Dyeva listened intently to the Elf Kingdom's findings, although she carefully withheld the sensitive details regarding the golem and the ruins in the rift.
She didn't yet know whom she could trust with that information, and for now, it was best kept secret.
Sir Eldwin spoke first. "We have found traces of magic in the attack sites, but nothing that leads us to a specific faction. It's as if the attackers are using a blend of human and elven magic. We've also discovered that some of the energy signatures seem to match those from ancient times. It's almost as if someone is trying to resurrect old conflicts."
Dyeva nodded thoughtfully. "We are finding similar traces in our investigations. The Golden Sun Guild is still piecing together the events, but we will continue to search for answers. We should exchange letters each week to keep each other updated on any new findings."
Sir Eldwin agreed. "That sounds like a wise plan. We must remain vigilant and work together if we are to uncover the truth behind these attacks."
After the meeting concluded, Dyeva informed Princess Lilia of the agreement. "We'll send weekly reports on the progress of the investigation," Dyeva said. "For now, we will escort you to Kubu Fort, as planned."
Princess Lilia gave a nod of approval. "Thank you, Dyeva. I'm relieved to have your guild's support in these uncertain times."
The Golden Sun Guild's escort team, along with the Elf royalty, began their journey toward Akram City.
Dyeva and her guild members remained vigilant as they continued the journey, knowing the dangers that lay ahead. The threat of the unknown faction loomed, and the investigation had only just begun.
As they neared the city, Dyeva briefed her team, "Once we reach Akram, we'll rest for a while before advancing to Kubu Fort. Stay sharp—there's no telling what we might encounter."
The team nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of the mission ahead.
As they advanced toward Kubu Fort, a few days out from Akram City, Dyeva was approached by Sir Eldwin, the advisor to Princess Lilia.
His expression was serious, and his usual calm demeanor was replaced with an uncharacteristic grimness.
"Lady Dyeva," Eldwin began, his voice low and cautious, "I need to ask you something important, but please, keep this between us."
Dyeva nodded, sensing the gravity in his tone.
"I've been keeping this quiet in Janma City," he continued, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
"But the situation is more complicated than we thought. There's an illusionist—one who's been causing a lot of chaos. It's not just some petty trickster; this is a top-tier illusionist, someone with dangerous skills. The problem is... he was once part of Elf royalty."
Dyeva's expression remained neutral, but the weight of his words settled heavily on her shoulders. She remained silent, letting Eldwin speak, her mind racing.
"This illusionist has been stirring up trouble, using his powers to manipulate and confuse," Eldwin said, his voice lowering even further.
"We've had reports of strange occurrences—people seeing things that aren't there, hearing voices, entire villages torn apart by illusions. It's becoming harder to track him, and the last thing we need is for this to escalate into another war."
He paused, his eyes narrowing. "The Princess asked me to convey this to you, Lady Dyeva. She doesn't want to see any more bloodshed. We need to be prepared for whatever chaos this illusionist might unleash."
Dyeva took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. Despite the concern that flickered in her chest, she maintained her calm demeanor. "I understand," she said, her voice steady but carrying the weight of the responsibility.
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Sir Eldwin. The Golden Sun Guild will be ready. We cannot let this disrupt the fragile peace we've fought for."
Eldwin gave a small nod, his face still etched with concern. "I trust you will handle it, Lady Dyeva. The Princess's hope is that we can stop this before it's too late."
As they continued their journey, Dyeva kept Eldwin's words in the back of her mind.
The rest of the trip to Kubu Fort was uneventful, with no further signs of trouble, but Dyeva's thoughts remained troubled.
Finally, after several days, they arrived at the Kubu Fort. Dyeva immediately sought out Princess Lilia and greeted her with a respectful bow.
"I received your message," Dyeva said, her voice composed but carrying an underlying seriousness.
"I understand the gravity of the situation. The Golden Sun Guild is prepared to handle this threat, and we will take every precaution to prevent any chaos from spreading."
Princess Lilia's face softened in relief. "Thank you, Dyeva. I know I can rely on you."