☀️ Arselia and Akonia

— Thank you. I just wanted to get an idea of how much I could get for this, if it's even possible.

Klin places a huge bag of miscellaneous items on the table, containing everything except the diary, maps, and fruit.

- Esteemed Rinakat, - Beata stepped forward and, as was her custom, gave a short but polite bow. - We are members of the multitasking squad "Carnelian," working for... the imperial family of Velfern. My name is Beata; my companions are Giyon and Kilika. We have come to you by the personal order of Princess Nayera es Diesra Arual and the Patriarch of the Velfern Church, Anuzish Evgeny Kripov, - she shows sealed envelopes. - A terrible calamity has befallen our country in the form of a raging dragon, crushing everything in its path. It has already struck Margel, our capital, and destroyed the imperial palace, - her voice trembled, whether from rage or horror. - It is our duty and our desire to protect the land we consider our home. But defeating this dragon in open combat is a hopeless endeavor. Our esteemed Patriarch told us that to win, one must obtain the blessings of the four elements, and for this, we must secure the support of one of the saints blessed by Mother Anuzish herself. Therefore... - she sighed. - I do not know how you will interpret my next request; it may seem strange or even bold to you, but... We seek a meeting with your founder, Zephyr.
She did not know how much their host knew about the apostles, but she figured that emphasizing the word "hopeless" would subtly hint at the situation, provided he was savvy enough.

-- We have come to these lands for something else, O beautiful and powerful lady, -- Erephir rises and gives a deep bow to the presumed saint. However, she remains vigilant enough to at least attempt to strike first should they ignore her and attack. -- And although we are prepared to encounter various formidable foes on the Kumari Islands—otherwise there would be no point in our journey—it is most of all that we seek Saint Ruby. In an hour of need, one of my companions hopes more than life itself to receive her blessing, earning it, as I dare hope, not through pity, but through valor, for in the coming days we intend to slay a formidable dragon named Hopelessness, and that is where all our thoughts are focused.

- You know, I was away from the empire for a while and brought back souvenirs for my friends and loved ones. ...but unfortunately, after that event, I didn't think I would ever be able to look into your eyes again of my own free will. Therefore, I had to abandon the idea regarding you. But I promise that next time, whenever that may be, I will correct this regrettable oversight.

After thinking for a moment, she asks:
- Truth be told, back then I hoped to understand something. About Arselia. Is it really true—that the planet gave birth to its own mortal avatar? It's not that I couldn't imagine such a thing being possible in principle, but to be honest... a few times I've had the feeling that the way certain people interpret it serves less to unite and more... it's hard to say what.