The two sisters of the Golden Family, Katherine and Irene, sat in the dimly lit underground meeting room, their faces serious. The head of the underground mafia, Levin, stood before them, handing over a rolled-up intelligence report.
"Our informants have reported that Leon's army has already seized most of Eldenia's territory and is now advancing towards the heart of Eldenia. The current situation suggests that their next move will likely be straight toward the capital, Whitehold," Levin said slowly, his voice tinged with unease.
Katherine gripped the report tightly, her knuckles turning pale from the force. Coldly, she said, "The allied forces are so weak. It's truly disappointing." She handed the document to Irene, who quickly skimmed through it before muttering a curse under her breath.
"They couldn't even hold the first line of defense? What on earth are they doing?" Irene's voice was filled with anger and despair.
Seeing their agitation, Levin didn't respond immediately but instead changed the subject. "However, there's something you might find interesting. According to our people, during the battle, a great fire suddenly rained down, turning the rear of the allied forces into a sea of flames. What's strange is that the fire didn't come from Leon's army."
"A great fire?" Katherine's pupils contracted, and she quickly looked up at Levin. "Are you sure? What kind of fire was it?"
Levin shook his head, his tone uncertain. "I don't know the specifics, but my men said the flames were like a volcanic eruption, sweeping through the rear of the allied forces as if they were intentionally targeting their positions."
Irene suddenly stood up, her face paling, her voice trembling with shock. "Like a volcanic eruption? Did the flames rush toward the ground like a wave?"
Levin paused for a moment, recalling the description and nodding. "Yes, that's how they described it."
The two sisters exchanged a look, and the color drained from their faces. Katherine muttered to herself, "That's... that's the fire of Eryndor." Her voice grew quieter, and she clenched the edge of the table, her nails digging into the wood. "The day our nation was destroyed... it was the same sea of flames... consuming everything."
Katherine took a deep breath, closing her eyes to steady herself, then spoke hoarsely, "Eryndor... they've already intervened in this war." She exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself. "For Leon to sweep through Eldenia, there must be Eryndor's support behind him. These flames are their signature."
Irene's voice turned low and filled with concern. "If Eryndor is really helping Leon, then this war is no longer just an internal conflict of the East. Once they take the East, they will surely march north, and their goal will be the World Tree of Airtulan."
Katherine nodded, her tone heavy with a sense of impending crisis. "Eryndor's involvement means that the situation in the East will spiral out of control. Airtulan is the last line of defense. If it falls, the entire Eastern Continent will be reduced to a battlefield of flames."
Levin, looking frightened, finally spoke up. "If Eryndor is really involved, then this is no ordinary war. What are you two planning to do about it?"
Katherine took a deep breath, a look of determination in her eyes. "We must bring this information to Airtulan's leaders. They need to know that the true threat is not just Leon, but Eryndor, hidden behind him."
Irene nodded in agreement. "We must act quickly, or it will be too late."
The two sisters' figures gradually disappeared from Levin's sight as they left. The flickering light of the basement illuminated Levin's thoughtful face. He murmured to himself, "Eryndor... what kind of war is this going to turn into?"