The mages continued their work.
They moved around the damaged spatial circle, carefully examining the remaining traces of mana.
Several of them crouched beside the formation, studying the damaged pathways.
Others stood around its outer edges, examining the faint spatial residue that still lingered in the air.
Aurelia and Lucan watched in silence.
Roland remained nearby.
After a while—
one of the mages suddenly stood.
"Everyone, take your positions."
The other mages immediately moved.
They surrounded the damaged formation, each taking a different position around the circle.
Then—
they raised their hands.
Mana began flowing through the chamber.
**WHOOOOOM—**
A large magic circle suddenly appeared in the air above them.
Its intricate markings rotated slowly, each symbol glowing faintly as mana flowed through it.
Beneath them—
the damaged spatial formation began to react.
**VMMMMM—**
A faint light spread across the cracked lines.
Everyone's attention immediately turned toward the formation.
Aurelia narrowed her eyes.
The glow gradually became stronger.
The magic circle above the mages continued rotating as they poured their mana into the formation.
Time passed.
The mages remained completely focused.
No one spoke.
The only sound echoing throughout the massive hall was the faint hum of mana moving through the formation.
Aurelia watched carefully.
Lucan stood beside her.
Roland remained nearby, his eyes fixed on the spatial circle.
Then—
the light began to weaken.
The mages slowly lowered their hands.
The magic circle above them disappeared.
The glow surrounding the damaged spatial circle faded.
Silence returned to the hall.
Lucan finally broke it.
"So?"
He looked toward the mages.
"How was it?"
"Did you manage to discover something?"
For several seconds—
none of the mages answered.
Then one of them stepped forward.
"Yes."
Aurelia looked toward him.
"Alright."
"That's good."
The mage bowed slightly.
"However..."
"We weren't able to determine the exact destination."
Lucan frowned.
"Then what did you discover?"
The mage looked toward the damaged formation.
"We were able to analyze the remaining spatial fluctuations."
"The formation retains traces of the direction the transfer was forced toward."
Aurelia's eyes narrowed.
"The direction?"
"Yes."
"But not the exact location."
He shook his head.
"The damage is too severe, and too much of the spatial fluctuation has already dissipated."
"We can only determine the general direction."
Aurelia nodded.
"That will be enough."
Lucan looked at her.
Aurelia continued.
"It's the only clue we have concerning where he went."
The mage nodded.
"We traced the remaining spatial distortion."
He turned toward the northwest side of the hall.
"The transfer was directed toward the northwest."
Roland immediately looked in that direction.
"Northwest?"
The mage nodded.
"Yes."
Roland's expression changed.
"Heliospal."
Lucan looked toward him.
"That's the kingdom in that direction."
Roland nodded.
"Yes."
"But..."
He looked at the mage.
"Heliospal is far from here."
"It shouldn't be possible for a spatial circle in Dresvalle to send someone that far."
The mage hesitated.
"Under normal circumstances..."
"No."
"It shouldn't be possible."
Aurelia remained silent.
The mage continued.
"But this wasn't a normal transfer."
He pointed toward the damaged formation.
"The circle was pushed far beyond its normal operating limits."
"The spatial mana was forced through the formation at an abnormal level."
"Because of that, the transfer distance was greatly extended."
Lucan stared at the damaged circle.
"So..."
"He could have reached Heliospal?"
The mage nodded.
"We can't say that he arrived there with absolute certainty."
"But the remaining spatial fluctuation is clearly pointing in that direction."
Aurelia looked toward the northwest.
"Heliospal..."
Her expression became serious.
"So that's where you went."
She turned back toward the damaged formation.
"We may not know the exact destination."
"But at least now..."
"We have somewhere to look."
And that was more than they had before.
Aurelia turned away from the formation.
"That's enough."
Lucan looked at her.
"Your Highness?"
Aurelia's expression remained calm.
"We don't have the luxury of wasting time."
She glanced back toward the damaged circle.
"This is the only clue we have."
"If the son of the Demon King escaped toward Heliospal, then that's where we'll begin our search."
She turned toward the Holy Knights.
"There's no time to waste."
"We move out."
The Knights immediately straightened.
"Yes!"
Aurelia looked toward Roland.
"Commander Roland."
Roland stepped forward.
"Your Highness."
He turned toward the group.
"You heard her."
He bowed his head slightly toward the mages.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
The mage bowed.
"We only did our duty, Commander."
Roland nodded.
"Even so, your work has given us the only lead we have."
"Well done."
The mages bowed once more.
Aurelia turned toward the entrance.
"Let's go."
Lucan followed immediately.
The Holy Knights moved after them.
Roland gave the mages one final look before following the group.
Soon—
the massive spatial port was left behind.
---
Outside, the Holy Empire's forces were already preparing to depart.
The airships hovered above the skyport.
Holy Knights moved between the vehicles and ships, gathering their equipment and preparing for the journey.
Aurelia and Lucan emerged from the spatial port.
Roland followed behind them.
Aurelia stopped for a moment and looked toward the airships.
"Heliospal..."
She spoke quietly.
"If you're there..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"We'll find you."
Without wasting another moment—
she turned toward the waiting vehicles.
"Let's move."
The Holy Knights immediately began boarding.
The engines roared to life.
**VRRRRRRMMMM—**
One after another, the vehicles departed the spatial port.
Above them, the airships began moving as well.
The Holy Empire's forces left Dresvalle behind.
Their destination—
**Heliospal.**