The guild didn't slow down after the elven message. On the contrary, the flow increased. Messengers came and went, attendants organized documents more quickly, and adventurers were called more frequently. The atmosphere was no longer just tense—it was active.
We stayed silent for a few moments after reading. There was nothing left to interpret. The situation was clear.
"This is going to spread fast," said Elara.
"It already is spreading," Vespera replied.
Scarlett glanced toward the hall. "If other races start confirming this too…"
"It won't just be a regional problem," Liriel completed.
I didn't respond. I just observed.
Because at that moment, something changed.
It wasn't the environment.
It was the feeling.
A slight shift, almost imperceptible, but enough to break the rhythm.
I looked toward the entrance.
A new messenger had just arrived.
But unlike the others, he wasn't accompanied. He didn't look as tired as the previous ones, nor rushed in the same way. There was something more controlled in his posture.
And he didn't go to the main counter.
He looked directly around.
Searching.
He stopped when his eyes found our group.
More specifically…
Rai'kanna.
She noticed immediately.
Her body didn't react abruptly, but her attention shifted completely.
The messenger walked toward us without hesitation.
He stopped a few steps from her and gave a slight bow.
"Rai'kanna."
His voice was firm, respectful.
She didn't respond right away.
She simply acknowledged with her gaze.
"Direct message from the kingdom," he continued, taking out a carefully stored scroll.
The seal left no doubt.
Demi-dragons.
The environment around us seemed to pull away for a moment.
Not because it became silent…
But because this wasn't part of the usual flow.
It was personal.
Rai'kanna extended her hand and received the scroll.
Her fingers didn't tremble.
But the movement was slower than usual.
No one said anything.
Not even Lyannis, who would normally break the tension.
She broke the seal without haste.
Opened the document.
And began to read.
The first seconds were neutral.
Then…
Her expression changed.
Not in surprise.
But in confirmation.
Scarlett was the first to speak, in a lower tone.
"What does it say?"
Rai'kanna didn't answer immediately.
She finished reading.
Folded the scroll.
And only then looked up.
"The kingdom was attacked."
Silence came instantly.
Without transition.
Liriel stepped forward. "Same pattern?"
"Yes," Rai'kanna replied. "It started with smaller attacks… then coordinated advancement."
"Demons?" Vespera asked.
"Confirmed."
Elara crossed her arms. "Then it's the same as the elves."
"Yes."
Lyannis exhaled slowly. "Now it's complete."
I looked directly at Rai'kanna.
"And what else?"
She held the scroll for a moment before answering.
"The king asks me to remain where I am."
Scarlett frowned slightly. "He doesn't want you to return?"
"No."
"Why?" Liriel asked.
Rai'kanna kept her voice steady.
"Because my position here has greater strategic value."
The group fell silent for a moment.
That wasn't just a request.
It was a calculated decision.
Elara was direct. "He's prioritizing information and alliance."
"Yes," Rai'kanna replied.
Vespera added, "And perhaps future strength."
Lyannis tilted her head. "Or he knows that you returning now wouldn't change the immediate outcome."
Rai'kanna didn't respond to that.
But she didn't deny it.
Scarlett looked at her more closely. "And you?"
The question hung in the air.
Simple.
Direct.
Rai'kanna looked away for a brief second.
Just one.
"The kingdom is prepared," she said. "More than human villages."
"But it's still being attacked," Liriel replied.
"Yes."
Silence returned.
But this time it was different.
Heavier.
Because it was no longer about general strategy.
It was about choice.
I looked at the messenger.
He was still there, motionless.
Waiting.
"Any further instructions?" I asked.
"No," he replied. "The message was clear."
"Deliver and await," Vespera added.
He nodded.
Rai'kanna remained silent for a few seconds.
Holding the scroll.
Processing.
There was no visible indecision.
But there was weight.
Scarlett stepped a little closer. "Do you want to go?"
Rai'kanna didn't answer immediately.
But this time…
She didn't avoid the question.
"I do."
The answer was simple.
Without hesitation.
Without justification.
Just truth.
No one spoke for a few seconds.
Because everyone understood what it meant.
Liriel was the first to break the silence.
"But the king asked you to stay."
"Yes."
"So you already know the answer."
Rai'kanna tightened her grip on the scroll slightly.
"If I return now, I won't change the scenario."
Vespera nodded. "And here you can."
Elara completed. "Especially if this evolves into something bigger."
Lyannis crossed her arms. "And it will evolve."
Scarlett kept her eyes on her. "But even so… it's not a light decision."
"No," Rai'kanna replied.
I looked directly at her.
"You're not being kept away," I said. "You're being positioned."
She held my gaze for a few seconds.
Then nodded.
Slowly.
"I know."
The messenger finally spoke again.
"Shall I take a response?"
Rai'kanna didn't hesitate this time.
"Yes."
She stepped forward.
"Inform the king that I received the message."
The messenger nodded.
"And that I will follow the instruction."
Another brief silence.
But now there was no doubt.
"Understood."
He gave a short bow and left without delay.
The group remained still for a few moments.
The guild continued moving around us, but it no longer felt as relevant.
Because something had changed again.
Not in the situation.
But within the group.
Lyannis exhaled. "Now it really got personal."
"It already was," Liriel replied.
"But now it's direct," Elara added.
Vespera watched Rai'kanna carefully. "And this still isn't the end of it."
"No," she said.
Scarlett stepped beside her. "Are you okay?"
Rai'kanna looked ahead, steady.
"Yes."
It wasn't an emotional answer.
It was control.
But not emptiness.
I looked around the guild once more.
Messages arriving.
Movement increasing.
Pressure rising.
And now…
It was no longer just about understanding what was happening.
It was about accepting that everyone was involved.
Without exception.
I turned back to the group.
"This confirms everything," I said.
No one disagreed.
Because now there was no more room for doubt.
The elves were under attack.
The demi-dragons too.
And most likely…
Others were already on the same path.
Rai'kanna carefully stored the scroll.
Her gaze didn't waver.
But there was something different.
Deeper.
More present.
It wasn't hesitation.
It was decision.
And that…
Changed everything.