He gave a slight nod, his gaze lingering on Murphy for a moment. His eyes, a cool gray-blue, swept over the immaculate, dark-blue Knight’s Armor, a flash of surprise within them. "I heard you were ambushed by Earth Rock Worms and Scorching Beasts at Silent Pass, and that Sir Ernest was gravely wounded. My scouts reported that Lord Melfield intervened with decisive force. You’ve been through a great deal."

Murphy placed his right hand over his heart in a standard noble’s salute, addressing each of the three figures on the dais in turn. His movements were steady and strong. "Your Grace, the Ironspine Duke. Your Excellencies. I am Governor Melfield of the Monte Territory, reporting as commanded by the Cardinal Decree. Her Highness Princess Elizabeth is here on behalf of the Royal Family to assess the war effort."

Elizabeth also stepped forward and curtsied in accordance with royal protocol. She fought to keep her voice steady. "Your Grace, the Duke. Your Excellencies. My father, the King, sent me to understand the true situation here, and to do all in my power to help fend off the threat from the Otherworld and bolster the morale of our people."

"Hmph." A soft, yet clearly audible, cold snort escaped from the Valkendu Metropolitan Bishop.

His cold, hard gaze fell upon Elizabeth, filled with undisguised contempt. "William IV is certainly trusting, isn’t he? This hellish place is no spot for a hothouse flower from the Royal Capital."

Saint Cyril Bishop slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were deep and calm, yet they seemed to hold a sharpness that could pierce the soul and the very fire of judgment. Despite his pale complexion, those eyes still carried an undeniable, oppressive weight.

His gaze swept past Elizabeth without lingering, finally coming to rest on Murphy.

"Governor Melfield," his voice was low, even a little faint, yet it possessed a peculiar, piercing quality. Each word seemed to land like a hammer blow on the listener’s heart. "You’ve arrived sooner than anticipated. Good. The Cardinal Decree from the College of Cardinals has been given its due respect. Those Energy Fluctuations of yours... are quite interesting. Rumor has it you’ve touched the Peak of Mortality, perhaps even surpassed it. I hope your sword is as swift as your journey."

Murphy’s expression remained unchanged as he met the gaze of Saint Cyril Bishop. "I am bound by duty; I will give nothing less than my all. As for the sharpness of my sword, the battlefield will provide the answer."

Ironspine Duke Hakon spoke up at the opportune moment, his tone grave. "Their Excellencies the Bishops were gravely wounded at Eagle’s Beak Peak while reinforcing the seal and repelling a surprise attack. They have no choice but to recuperate here. The pressure on Blackstone Fortress and its outer defenses is far greater than we estimated. The monsters are growing in number, variety, and coordination."

"Multiple Garrison Fortresses on the eastern front are in dire straits. We need every ounce of strength we can muster, especially from a top-tier fighter like Lord Melfield. Resource allocation, troop deployment, treating the wounded, rotating the lines... the problems are piling up. Her Highness Elizabeth, your presence here can at least help stabilize morale and coordinate some of the affairs in the rear."

"What is the exact situation at the front?" Murphy asked directly.

"Dire," the Ironspine Duke’s reply was equally blunt. "Since the passage expanded, the monsters emerging are no longer scattered individuals, but organized hordes. They seem to be adapting to our tactics. We’ve even seen variants using crude weapons and coordinating with simple strategies. We are falling back slowly, using the terrain and our fortifications to our advantage, but casualties have been immense."

"The biggest problem is our severe lack of elite fighters. In the battle of Eagle’s Beak Peak and the subsequent breaking of the passage’s seal, we managed to kill several Official Wizards, but we also lost many of our own Temple Knights, Great Knights, and a Grand Archbishop of the Church..."

He didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.

"So," the Valkendu Metropolitan Bishop’s cold, hard voice cut in again, his eyes fixed on Murphy, "the Cardinal Decree didn’t bring you here to spectate from the rear. Blackstone Fortress needs a blade sharp enough to tear through the monster ranks and eliminate key threats. Governor Melfield, I trust you will not disappoint the College of Cardinals, nor squander the faith the Ironspine Duke has placed in you by welcoming you here."

Murphy gave a calm nod. "I will fulfill my duty. However, before I commit to battle, I need more detailed intelligence on enemy dispositions, a map of our own defensive layout, and... an update on the logistics and supply situation, specifically the reserves and procurement channels for specialized metal materials."

He looked to the Ironspine Duke. "Reinforcements and supplies from the Monte Territory, led by my wife, Aurora, will be arriving in the coming days. Until then, I personally require specific materials for my own preparations before battle."

A flicker of movement in Ironspine Duke Hakon’s gray-blue eyes was the only sign as his gaze met Murphy’s. "As for supplies, my quartermaster will discuss the details with you after this briefing."

He said in a heavy voice, "Blackstone Fortress welcomes all sincere offers of aid. For now, please get some rest. Your specific mission will be assigned shortly. A secure residence has been prepared for Her Highness Elizabeth in the Inner Castle, near the quarters where their Excellencies the Bishops are recuperating."

Saint Cyril Bishop closed his eyes again, as though the preceding conversation had drained him of considerable energy.

The Valkendu Metropolitan Bishop, however, remained bolt upright, but his slightly trembling hands and frigid glare revealed he was battling his pain with a will of steel.

And with that, the brief meeting concluded.

Guided by a Knight assigned by the Ironspine Duke, Murphy and Elizabeth turned and departed from the oppressive inner hall.