You nodded to the guild runner and took the glowing crystal scroll yourself.
The runner bowed nervously and stepped back.
Mira's fox ears twitched at the mention of her name. She let out a soft, amused laugh, her tail flicking once.
"My name is Miya, not Mira," she corrected gently, a playful smile on her lips. "But I suppose it's close enough for a message."
She stayed right beside you as you activated the crystal. A holographic projection appeared in the air, showing the urgent text sent from the Azure Kingdom capital guild:
Urgent Message for Miya (S-rank Sword Mage, fox-eared) and her companion Grim:
"Survivors from Eldenwood village have arrived at the capital guild.
They report that the village was completely destroyed by a demonic army.
Massive casualties — most villagers were killed.
Only a small group of children and elders managed to escape through a hidden tunnel.
The protective barrier and the endless food mountain are gone.
The survivors are currently sheltering at the Azure Kingdom capital guild.
They are begging for help or any contact from Grim and Miya.
They described Grim as the Wish Djinn who once saved their village, and Miya as the powerful fox-eared guardian who protected them.
Please relay this message immediately."
The projection faded.
Miya's smile vanished instantly. Her emerald eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with cold fury. Her tail lashed sharply behind her.
"Eldenwood… destroyed?" she whispered, voice trembling with anger and disbelief. "All those people… the families we saved… the children who danced around us during the celebration…"
She turned to you immediately, fists clenched, fox ears flattened.
"My lord… this must be the work of the Goddess. She blocked all information so we wouldn't know. Those poor people… I swore to protect that village with my life."
Lukas's face darkened, shadows flaring violently around him for a moment. "Big brother… if the Goddess did this because of us…"
Liora looked horrified, stepping closer to Lukas.
The guild runner stood awkwardly nearby, clearly sensing the heavy atmosphere but not daring to ask questions.
Miya looked at you with burning loyalty and barely contained rage.
"What do we do, my lord Grim? Do we return to the capital immediately? Or handle this from here?"
The news of the Eldenwood massacre now hung heavily over your group