A week after the investigation team had returned from the Meuse Desert, King Kurt III of Meltor was having lunch. He usually enjoyed quiet meals, but his schedule had forced him to share this one. Even now, one hand was gracefully handling his cutlery, while the other hand was busy turning a report’s pages.

“Ughh... It’s hurting me just to watch you,” Veronica said from where she was sitting across from him. “Your Majesty, the Annual Magic Contest is over, do you still need to be so busy? You should take it a little easier.”

“It’s okay. My body can handle this much.”

“Still, there’s a reason I brought it up.”

“Hrmm.” Kurt figured she had a point, so he put down the report and his knife. After all, it was rude to work while eating with someone.

“I see. I was too short-sighted. Then let’s hear your story.”

“Okay, it isn’t a long story.” Veronica ate her fifth piece of steak and looked outside the palace. “Your Majesty, are you curious about our guests?”

“Well, of course.”

“Right. One is a high elf, a leader of Elvenheim, and the other is the infamous dragon of the eastern seas. If something goes wrong, it could be fatal.”

Meltor had spaces...