"This phenomenon has manifested across a broad expanse of the Bronze Garrison. It appears it was primarily caused by today's training, and the activity has since been halted. Furthermore, Mi Ao reported that they had kept constant watch all day and discovered the majority of the flying insects traveled mainly from the northeast. Subsequently, orders were issued to construct a trench on the border to contain their spread by creating a smoke wall with medical herbs," Kevin recounted.
Before the vulture came to a complete stop, Kevin dismounted smoothly and handed Oswald the military report he held.
"The northeast?" Oswald furrowed his brow, glancing through the document's contents hastily. "Isn't that about the area surrounding Mayne Town?"
Kevin nodded, thoughtfully offering, "But if you drew a line along Mayne Town, it would extend to the Kela River."
"So what you mean is..." Oswald began before another set of hoofbeats approached.
Today's emergency military bulletins seemed to drop without regard for expenses as once again, the messenger just leaving the Priest's Academy returned to Kevin. Yet, Kevin had yet to depart, and Camus, the commander of the Red Iron Army's base camp, also arrived.
Camus' report concluded what Oswald had yet to say about the airborne insects emerging from along the banks of the Kela River.
"Ladd's team painstakingly turned the soil along the bank, only to discover it was replete with insect eggs. Although present before, it has never been this severe. Per Ladd, it appeared as though the riverbank had been 'fertilized with some type of agent.' The team planned to ignite the excavated soil and cleanse part of it, but alas, the current downpour has hindered their efforts," Camus relayed further.
"Fertilizer?" Kevin fretted, suddenly reminded of the sand piles that littered the ground during that unsettling evening. Despite being unable to touch the substance barehanded, barring a portion that had tumbled into the river, the rest had been buried underground to prevent unintentional harm to anyone.
Could it be those sand piles?
When sand ghosts are involved, anything is possible. Furthermore, Ladd has organized a small group of individuals to travel to the Northern Emerald Country where the insect population is as dense as a river. News has also arrived that Sapir's health has deteriorated significantly and he is unable to move. Furthermore, Mankao, his eldest son, has vanished and his playful youngest son, Bert, has returned to Wangcheng, yet no one knows his plan.
Bert happens to be the mischievous individual who previously wagered on Mai and Shaw in the gambling house. Thinking of his dishonest behavior, Oswald becomes incensed and sneers, "Whenever a country is on the verge of collapse, God will always provide a few idiots to exhaust its final breaths."
The worsening situation in the North Emerald Country leads Kevin to further believe that the flying insects are related to the sand pile. Specifically, they are connected to the bottle given to the North Jade Country by the Sand Ghost.
The female insect pierced by Kevin's arrow and the small flying insects that entered the Mankao guards' bodies are likely the cause of this "strange disease."
Oswald shares Kevin's suspicions and coldly remarks, "I knew the Sand Ghost couldn't have been so charitable as to aid Sapir without returning to their old ways."
The insect plagues and "strange diseases" make other tribes overwhelmed and careless. When the rainy season passes and they return, the other clans will already be severely weakened, making an attack more likely.
Despite being aware of their intentions, one must still move forward and resist the insect plague. Everyone has been bitten by these flying insects to some degree. In the past, it only caused itching for a few days, but now it is an ever-present threat.
An excruciating night passes for everyone, whether they are in the palace or outside of it. Oswald stays up all night poring over the garrison newspaper. The Priest's Courtyard is brightly lit, and several priests lie beside the observation pool, unable to blink. Meanwhile, the hospital is bustling as medical staff create an effective medicinal powder as soon as possible.
In addition to the Wangcheng Patrolling Army, countless small teams of Wangcheng Army have been dispatched to various towns in the Golden Lion Kingdom overnight.
By morning, Ian, the ancient butler, discovers that his neck has hardened, making it impossible to turn his head. The little lion lass wakes up to find their right ring finger and index finger crushed to gravel. Angel's left eye has turned lifeless grey, similar to a statue, while Sinia's elbow has a growing grey-yellow dividing line.
Kevin braces his hands against Oswald's desk and asserts confidently, "Entering the tomb of Phae isn't difficult. I can do it alone."
Oswald cannot help but curse, "Alone? Are you insane? Don't be ridiculous!"