At dawn the next day, Cecilia’s group departed.

Including the necessary luggage and attendants, they had a total of fifteen carriages, and their entourage resembled the size of a small merchant caravan.

Almost simultaneously with their departure, carrier pigeons soared high into the sky. One of the knights in the party glanced up but quickly turned his gaze away, thinking nothing of it.

It would be difficult to find anyone on the continent who wasn’t interested in Cecilia’s whereabouts. There were even rumors of large bets being placed on what the outcome of her third marriage would be.

One of the pigeons arrived at Lagos Castle, and a messenger rushed to report it, carrying a cage containing the pigeon.

While Hoffman was in the middle of a meeting, he opened the message attached to the pigeon’s leg and frowned.

“What is this? Why is she coming so soon?”

An aide beside him asked,

“Sir? Who’s coming?”

“The Madam.”

Everyone in the meeting room widened their eyes in surprise.

‘That’s strange. I thought she’d stay holed up in that villa for at least a few months.’

Normally, Hoffman’s prediction would have been spot on.

He scratched his head in frustration.

“Hey, contact His Lordship immediately.”

The aide responded with a blank expression,

“Do we even know where he is?”

Hoffman groaned.

At this time of year, the lord typically disappeared for a couple of months.

After all, winter was approaching.

The winter on this cursed land was so harsh that many things needed to be checked in advance.

Since the lord traveled all over the territory for two months, it was difficult to pinpoint his exact location.

“We have no choice. Release that guy.”

“What? But she’s meant for emergencies…”

“This is an emergency. Release him.”

A little while later, a falcon with red feathers soared into the sky.

The red falcon flew non-stop for an entire day.

It passed over vast plains, small rivers, and lakes.

From the start, the falcon knew its destination and never hesitated.

It reached a vast forest, stretching endlessly beyond the horizon.

As it flew over the forest, the falcon slowed and began circling in the air.

It let out its distinctive sharp cry.

“Huh?”

Andy, a young man with reddish-brown hair, looked up.

Others nearby also lifted their heads.

“Hm? What’s going on?”

A man with a thick beard, Harrison, murmured with a serious expression.

If it wasn’t something urgent, Hoffman wouldn’t have sent the red falcon.

The hunters, still looking up at the sky, turned their gaze toward one man.

A black-haired man with a blue-feathered falcon perched on his shoulder.

The blue falcon, appearing somewhat excited, fidgeted.

The man raised his left arm, and the falcon moved from his shoulder to perch on the leather bracer wrapped around his arm.

With a swift motion, he flung his arm, sending the blue falcon soaring into the sky.

In the air, the red falcon and blue falcon met.

The two falcons flew together, linking their legs in midair, performing a spinning display.

“Take it easy, take it easy.”

“They’re just excited to see their mate.”

“Anyone would think they were long-lost lovers reunited after years apart.”

The hunters chuckled as they watched the touching reunion of the two falcons.

After their greeting, the falcons descended.

The blue falcon returned to its master’s shoulder, while the red falcon circled above the group, making low cawing sounds.

“Hey, you’ve said your hello, so what are you fussing about now? It’s not very charming, you punk. Just give us what you brought.”

As Andy chided the red falcon, it pecked at the message attached to his leg and tossed it down.

Andy picked up the small tube that fell before him.

“Boss, can I read this?”

The black-haired man replied,

“Go ahead.”

Andy opened the message and his eyes widened in surprise.

“Boss, Hoffman says we need to return immediately.”

Someone asked,

“For what reason?”

“The boss’s wife is arrivi—”

Before Andy could finish his sentence, Harrison smacked the back of his head.

Andy rubbed the back of his head, glaring at Harrison with a look of resentment.

With a stern face, Harrison corrected him.

“Madam.”

“Tch. Fine. The Madam is coming.”

“She’s coming.”

“She’s coming.”

Harrison looked toward their lord, Russell.

“What will you do, Milord?”

Russell turned his gaze.

In the direction he was looking lay the carcass of a massive beast.

It was a mutated black bear they had just finished hunting.

“The hunt isn’t over yet. We need to catch the other one.”

Mutated black bears always traveled in pairs.

If left alone, the remaining bear would go on a rampage and attack nearby villages.

“Finish the hunt quickly, and then we’ll return.”

Everyone responded in unison.

“Yes, Milord.”