Meanwhile, at the palace garden, Lucas's sitting by himself. Reading and enjoying the breeze peacefully until he saw Ellie approaching from the distance.
"Father." She calls as she walks to him.
"What is it dear?. He ask, closing the book and set it aside.
"Nothing, I'm just curious where did Allan taking Nein to." She's referring to the guard guiding Nein to the blacksmith.
"Ah, just as you said, Nein refuse me to pay him with gold and instead asking for a custom weapon. So I told Allan to bring him to Sidir." He says with a smile.
"That stubborn dwarf? Ugh... hearing the name reminds me of his nagging already." She groaned before taking a seat beside her father.
"Hehe, Sidir always like that but I assure you, he's the most sincere man I've ever met. It proved by the quality of his crafts we use. Just close your ears when he nag you." He says jokingly.
Back to the blacksmith. Sidir take Nein around his workshop, Nein need to bend down to walk around from his height doesn't match the regular sized room. The place filled with tools and unfinished metals covered in oil. He stopped by his desk and sit down.
"So, tell me what you want boy. If it's the king that mean you'll get it basically free even if it's a stupid and impractical." Sidir said while crossing his arms.
Nein take a seat across and begin to think. "I'd like a spear...may I borrow a pen?." He says before begin to draw the design on paper.
Sidir watch in silent as Nein begin to work. The spear head having two-pointed blade with one side bigger than the other and a custom G-shaped counterweight on both side of the end. It's a simple design but very detailed on the width, height and even the blood groove.
"Hmm...you seems familiar with this design. I never seen one like this before, where did you see it?." Sidir ask curiously.
"Well... it's actually the spear I usually use before. I pick this design because it fits my hands and my...magic. can you make it sir?." He says after setting down the pen and let Sidir look at the drawing.
"Heh. Can I?. I'm the best blacksmith here boy, don't look down on me and I'll finished this in two days." He says with pride before pausing.
"And what do you want me to make this with?." He adds, almost forgotten about something important.
"Well... I'll trust your judgement with that. I'm not really familiar with such thing. Just make it strong and sturdy so I won't be needing to visit you often." He says with a smile.
"It's up to me eh?." He ponder for a bit before looking at him with wide grin.
"Haha, fine!. I'll make sure to give you something special that will make you never visiting me again!. Now get out because it'll get hot now boy!." He says with loud voice.
"Thank you for your help sir." He inclined before make his way to the exit.
The air outside feels fresh especially when he doesn't need to bend like a shrimp. He stretch and make his way back to the palace to finally do his job.
An hour later, he went deeper into the forest along with five more elf to help him scouting the area. They're leading him toward the last spot the weird movement happened.
"We've arrived sir Nein. This is where the trace disappear from our last chase." A female elf named Sina explain.
"The same thing also happened all over the woods. Nothing happened yet, however it's enough to made us restless all night." She adds.
"I see...can you guys back down a bit?. I'll try something." He says while taking a step forward and standing still.
Everyone retreating slightly to give him space and watch what this man Infront of them gonna do.
"{Tracer}". He whispered.
After he said the words, the ground beneath him covered in black smoke and suddenly spreading through all directions until covering the forest soil. He can sense the familiarity of what he encountered in Bellonia and keep going further with the fog.
"Do you find anything sir?" Ask one of the elf anxiously.
Not only her but everyone never witnessing such wierd magic before, they're wary and tighten their grip on their weapon. Yet Nein remain focused on his search. Just like Sina said, there's a similar trace all over the woods but he also find something new. The way of that trace all facing the same direction despite meant to confused the elf, the source of it facing the same starting point where his fog suddenly blocked by something huge and surprised him.
He stop his ability and the fog cleared. His eyes widen slightly at their cautious state when he turn around, he smiles and raise his hand to reassuring them.
"I've found something new. Let's head back first to report." His voice cutting through their doubt.
"And it's fine. I'm here to help the elf so you can trust me."
They share the same unsure gaze at each other before relaxing and nods as they're all returned to the kingdom.
He begin to explain his discovery to Lucas after arriving inside his office to secure the information from leaking. Lucas's silent and begin to thinking critically to himself before speaking.
"It's a huge progress, but I suppose there's more since you insist to keep this information a secret. May I know the rest?." His voice demanding.
"I'm assuming the enemies planning to wear the Elven force first before striking. I noticed the way they're only circling around the wall before disappearing." A pause as he thinks carefully before continuing.
"Let's keep this information between us. It's better to let them unaware that we figured their plan so they won't change their approach."
"I agree. Thank you for your intel Nein." He say his gratitude.
"Then as planned, we'll wait until the forces from Bellonia arrived and proceed with the plan. Until then, looks like I need to do something to stall them. Please keep updating to me once you noticed some change.". He sigh exasperatedly.
"I'll do. Well then, since it's already evening, I'll be returning to my room now. Please excuse me your majesty." He gets up from his seat and bowing down slightly before exiting the room.
Lucas release his barrier and sigh more. To think one person manage to uncover the mystery alone makes him curious, he thought the incident in Bellonia were exaggerated but now he know. He rose up from his seat and walk to his desk to reschedule the patrol duty.
In Nein's room, he spend the night and use {Tracer} again. Spreading it all over the kingdom with faint fog that blending in perfectly with the darkness. He saw the patrol guard doing their usual and the enemies doing their tricks.
"There's still five days before Bellonia force to arrives. Looks like it'll be a reconnaissance mission until then." He mumbles to himself before releasing his ability and goes to sleep.
Meanwhile, deep inside the forest in unknown structure. There's something hideous hiding under the invisible wall and is about to awaken. Something big and dangerous.