Both Lumberling and Liraeth suddenly paused. A strange, heavy feeling washed over them, pulling their gazes toward the distant Stonepalm Duchy.
Lumberling noticed Liraeth staring in the same direction. Her brows were slightly furrowed.
"Did you feel that?" he asked quietly.
Liraeth nodded. "Something… collapsed. The Duchy might be in trouble."
Lumberling let out a slow breath. "We already warned him. If something happened, we'll go check later. For now, let's head inside."
With that, he and his lovers entered through the fortress gate.
Inside, a large group was already waiting. Baron Roland, Jen, Sylra, Skitz, and all of Lumberling's captains stood lined up. Even the old faces he hadn't seen for a while were there, humans and monsters standing side by side. Aunt Celine, her daughter Evelyn, and the warriors he had guided on the Einherjar path were also gathered, every one of them looking serious.
