The march ended at last.
Seventeen long days after leaving the capital, the Indrath Empire's army finally reached the Tramplin estate.
The soldiers spread out across the snowy ground, pitching tents only a kilometer away from the enemy's walls.
Even from this distance, the estate looked like a fortress carved into the mountains.
The walls were tall, dark, and built straight against the rocky slopes.
They blended into the cliffs so well that the whole place looked less like a home and more like a giant stone beast lying in wait.
Vined sat on his horse for a moment, staring at those walls.
His breath fogged in the cold air.
Something in his chest felt heavy, like a warning he couldn't shake off.
The feeling had started the moment their spies were caught. Now it only grew stronger.
He turned his eyes away, but the unease stayed.
Something didn't add up.
"Why send out scouts at the fourth star?" he muttered under his breath.
