Next Day.

It was morning.

Inside the Greenveil Forest.

The place where the airship was ambushed. A shimmering portal appeared in the air.

Tearing through space, two figures emerged from it.

One was wearing a white robe, with magical structures embedded into it.

Her white hair was tied in a high bun. She was wearing round-rimmed glasses.

Silver eyes calmly observed the surroundings. They were composed and mature. Despite her unknown age… she looked far more beautiful than many women out there.

She was the Headmistress of Arcadia Academy, Isabel Dawnheart.

Beside her was another breathtaking existence.

Her long silver hair flowed down to her waist like a waterfall, catching the morning light. Her crystal-red eyes were cold. Smooth, fair skin.

She was wearing a flowing black gown, so beautiful it looked as if it were made for royalty. It covered her voluptuous figure perfectly– alluring.

She was none other than the Empress of the Valmoria Kingdom.

Celestia Aurelian.

"So where is that place?" Celestia asked, her voice cold and crisp.

"You really get straight to the main topic… hah. Not even asking about other things?" Isabel spoke with amusement.

"Is there any need for that? You already told me everything. I also received the report yesterday… not forgetting the incident at Lunaris Haven."

"Sure. It's slowly getting chaotic," Isabel responded.

"Well, for now let's get to it. Where did Amon go missing?" the Empress asked.

Yes. They had both come here to search for traces of Amon.

To be honest, Amon Vale was just a commoner. Yet why would someone like Celestia herself decide to help?

Well, the main reason was, of course, Selena. He was quite close to her daughter.

Isabel started to stride toward the deeper part of the forest.

After a short walk, they stopped at the exact spot where Amon had vanished.

"Here it is. I checked it yesterday… but I couldn't pinpoint it well. Still, I used some magic so the traces wouldn't fade away easily."

Celestia didn't say anything. She just gave a nod.

She stepped forward and stopped in the middle. Closing her eyes, she focused on her surroundings.

Her mana began to surge outward, glowing a grayish color. Her senses expanded, searching for any traces of a teleportation gate. Her mana sent shockwaves through the air. The trees trembled under her pressure.

She found it!

She could sense it. The space in front of her twisted slightly, just a short distance away.

She could feel it. The pathway through space led somewhere far–far beyond where they were. It continued past her own kingdom.

She frowned.

This meant he was not in her kingdom.

She continued to trace it. The path stretched over the sea, outside the human continent, far away into the eastern sea. She saw it. She saw where the portal was connected to.

Isabel waited calmly. She was perfectly fine with the massive pressure and mana spreading through the forest from Celestia.

After a while, the pressure subsided. Her mana slowly stopped flowing. She opened her crystal-red eyes.

"Did you find any clue? Where did it lead to?" Isabel asked from a short distance away. She believed that Celestia was the only one who could find it.

Maybe Alistair could as well, but he wasn't particularly skilled with space. He could tear space forcefully and travel through it, but pinpoint an exact location? No one was better than Celestia.

"Well, I did find out, but…" She paused mid-sentence. Her expression darkened.

Isabel narrowed her eyes. "…But what?" she asked seriously.

If Celestia was making such an expression, it wasn't a good sign.

Celestia sighed before continuing. "…But I couldn't find the exact location… only the name of the place he was sent to."

"Oh… better than nothing. So which place did the portal lead that boy to?" Isabel relaxed slightly—but not for long.

Celestia looked at Isabel. Her red eyes met the silver pair.

"The portal was opened to the island known as The Grave of the Celestial Tree."

Isabel stiffened. Her eyes blinked a few times. She didn't say anything for a while. What could she even say?

The cold wind flowed through the forest, leaves making a familiar rustling sound.

Rustle~

"What? Say something," Celestia finally broke the silence.

Isabel closed her eyes. Rubbing her temples, she shook her head.

"I don't know what to say. It seems the boy really has terrible luck… now his chances of surviving… I can't even guarantee anything."

Celestia understood why Isabel was saying this. That place was too mysterious and horrifying. Going there without proper preparation was practically suicide.

If that wasn't enough, Amon was only a first-ranker. Someone like him wouldn't stand a chance. Only a miracle could save him.

"If you remember, I sent several troops to that place under the leadership of Galahad Valliant."

Isabel's eyes snapped open upon hearing that. Yes! How could she forget something so important? It had been months since Galahad, along with soldiers and strong individuals, had gone there. There was still hope.

"I completely forgot about that. Celestia, contact him and tell him to search for that boy."

"Hm. I will do that. I'll contact him right now."

A small red crystal appeared in her palm.

It began blinking with a red light, connecting to the other side.

Beep!

The other side answered immediately.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The voice that came from the crystal was deep and steady, carrying the weight of discipline and experience.

"Galahad Valliant," Celestia spoke calmly. "I have a task for you."

"Please give your command," Galahad replied without hesitation.

He didn't question anything.

"There was an incident yesterday," Celestia continued. "An ambush on the Academy's airship. I will send you the details later. The main issue is this, a young man named Amon Vale. I believe you already know him. He was accidentally dragged into a spatial portal during the ambush. I have traced the portal's destination."

There was a brief pause on the other side.

"…So since you contacted me… is it somewhere here, Your Majesty?" Galahad asked.

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