Leon, Elina, and the dwarves gathered with anxious expressions—especially the two, who exchanged uncertain glances.
Meanwhile, the soldiers stood at the center, staring at them intently.
One of the soldiers stepped forward and stopped a few paces ahead.
"Don't worry," he said in a calm tone. "We haven't come to arrest anyone or anything like that. We're just here to deliver important news."
At those words, everyone—including Leon and Elina—breathed a sigh of relief.
But the soldier's next words made their hearts skip a beat.
"This news concerns two intruders. We discovered traces of two unknown creatures entering our territory. Judging by the footprints on the mountainside, we suspect they're human."
Shock rippled through the dwarves.
"Humans? How is that possible? Don't they live far beyond the land's edge?"
"This is unbelievable! It's been hundreds—maybe even thousands—of years since a human last came here. Did they get lost, like that one long ago?"
