Aldernon, Obsidian Palace.
A rare sunny day, sunlight dispelled the mist shrouding the entire Aldernon region, brilliant rays poured down from the sky, penetrating the thin and pale clouds, slanting down upon the courtyard of the Obsidian Palace.
In the small flower hall on the palace's first floor, the attendant opened the window facing the courtyard, fresh morning breeze blew leisurely through the shrubs outside and into the hall, Emperor Rosetta Augustus sat on the bench by the window, half of his face illuminated by sunlight, as if coated with a layer of shimmer.
"Hadrian sent a message, he came up empty at the Throat of Orlandeau," Rosetta raised his head, looking at Matilda who sat opposite him, "He happened to be inspecting factories near Orlandeau yet couldn't detect when the Eternal Sleepers withdrew."
