Study hard. We are all concentrating hard on our textbooks and study materials. All of us involved in this project will have their final exam earlier than the rest, so all of us have been brushing up on our knowledge and strength. Tio is the only exception among us because she got permission to help Princess Siti with her Golem study in Emas, so she will take the final exam like the rest of the students, but that's no excuse for her to slack off. She's an average student in the class, so in order not to miss her chance, she joined us as we exchanged question after question.
"This question is really hard..." [Neloufa]
"This one... If I'm not mistaken, the answer is..." [Mara]
Our brains are working overtime. Even Mara hesitates before explaining her answer to Neloufa. It's the right answer, but after a session of non-stop studying, everyone needs a break.
"The final exam is in a month. Then we have to prepare ourselves both physically and mentally in the span of a month... This will be hard" [Kara].
"Agreed. I can already see how tired I will be" [Marianne].
"Good luck to you all" [Tio].
"You too in your Golem research and study" [Diana].
"I'm tired... Let's just take a breather" [Adnan].
And we took a breather. Eating some chips and fries with a fork so as not to make a mess on our books and notes, we discussed what we will do when we visit the Elevn Kingdom. As for me, the natural answer will be
"Hug Grandma Farhah!" [Diana].
"As expected, although I'd like to go in and see the World Tree for myself if at all possible. It's a pipe dream, but I still hope I can get permission" [Neloufa].
"You're so lucky, aren't you Diana?" [Marianne]
"Indeed" [Kara]
"Even if the World Tree allows you to enter, those Council members will make a mess of it somehow" [Diana].
They already knew about it, since I told them what happened back then, but I feel like telling them again, just to rewind the time, and that's when
"That giant parrot? What is it doing here?" [Diana].
It's Grandma Farhah Giant Parrot, as usual, radiating holy mana and repeating the phrase "Letter for Diana Vars" several times. Upon closer inspection, a letter is attached. The content of the letter is indeed shocking, as it's a warning to all of us.
"They caught the Empire soldier sneaking around. Not only that, they prepared a force to attack the Elven Kingdom in the worst case, and somehow they got away with a valuable weapon. After interrogation, their target is Grandma Farhah and... Me!" [Diana]
"Why!?" [Kara]
"And why there! I mean, if it's to kidnap Madam World Tree Priestess, it's logical, but why are they telling about their plan to target you there?" [Marianne]
"From the place they mentioned, isn't it also adjacent to Vijaya? Could it be that they're trying to sneak in 3 months before so as not to raise suspicion, and when our team arrives there, they will act to target Diana" [Adnan].
"That's actually plausible... I'm glad they managed to find out somehow" [Mara].
"I'm glad, but also worried... Isn't it too easy?" [Tio]
"I see your point. An elite gets caught on purpose and tells them about their plan. Simply ridiculous. It's either they have a bigger plan or Madam World Tree Priestess is just getting a helping hand from the Goddess" [Adnan].
"I'm inclined to say the first, if it's with the help of the Goddess, then Grandma Farhah will write that sentence first. Either way, let's tell the others first, starting with Master Merlin" [Diana].
"Agreed. Let's hurry" [Mara].
Fortunately, Master Merlin is in the teachers' lounge with other teachers. We told them about the letter and our interpretation of it. The other teachers are worried about safety, and rightly so, and as for Master Merlin
"I see... They really don't want this project to succeed, aren't they?" [Merlin].
"Why do you say that?" [Neloufa]
"Simple. My interpretation, based on the information I have gathered so far, is that the Empire sees this project as a threat. Imagine a bunch of smaller countries uniting and having seamless communication, it will surely cause them a headache. I'm not saying that what you're thinking is wrong, it's even a possibility, but I'm more inclined to say that this is just their futile attempt to get us to stop this project" [Merlin].
Master Merlin then picks up a broom and begins to ride it. Before leaving, she said
"I will meet with Amleth and tell her about this letter. I may not be back until the final exam, so take care and study hard, all of you" [Merlin].
And just like that, she left.