As the group approached the luminite mines, Rosen felt a strange sensation arising within him. Focusing on it, he realized it came from the golden speck of cosmic divinity. A thought crossed his mind: "It seems I'm getting much closer to Aurelia."

But there was bad news too - the Solar Seal on his back was pulsing stronger. He was also drawing nearer to the Winter King.

"Rosen, you're sensing something, aren't you?" Sharina asked sharply, having already noticed his odd behavior.

Rosen nodded lightly. "There's something in the mines. I can't tell what exactly, but it's definitely related to me." His words were vague, but he trusted Sharina understood, having read Serendis' letter in full.

"Since she's summoning you, it means she still lives. That's very good. But we must still hurry," said Sharina.

Soon the group arrived at the mountain base. Sharina waved at Captain Hamill. "You lot, go find where the dwarven overseer is within the mines."

Captain Hamill hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something. "Any issues?" Sharina asked.

"Those wolven folk, their noses and ears are as sharp as true wolves. We aren't confident we can sneak in quietly," Hamill admitted.

Sharina's brows furrowed. "Then what do we do?"

Rosen immediately suggested, "Find a safe spot outside the mines to make some noise, lure the townsfolk out. The overseer will show himself."

Understanding lit up in Hamill's eyes. "I see!"

They waited about half an hour. Suddenly the wolven townsfolk in the mines grew agitated, lifting their noses, sniffing eagerly, twitching nonstop. Minutes later, one threw back his head and let out a long howl. Hearing him, the other wolven folk howled as well, their voices rising and falling in waves that went on for some time.

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Finally one wolven townsman turned and raced towards the western exit of the mines. Seeing one run, the rest followed in a pack. Soon fifty to sixty wolven folk charged out of the various mine tunnels on all fours like huge apes, bounding urgently for the exit.

Just as the situation threatened to spiral out of control, an eerie wolf's cry echoed from one of the tunnels. Right after, an enormous snowy white wolf over 1.5 meters at the shoulder bounded out, followed by a dwarven overseer who remained cautiously halfway out the tunnel.

Sharina's eyes lit up, "That's him!" She turned to Rosen, "Kill the wolf first! Then capture the dwarf!"

But Rosen shook his head. "I'm afraid not. See how the dwarf stops the townsfolk with his howl? He's controlling them." Indeed, hearing the wolf cry, most wolven folk halted their charge, though still agitated as if reluctant.

"We can only forcefully capture the dwarven beast king to control the wolf through him," said Sharina. So saying, she unslung her steel crossbow, preparing to deal with the king.

Rosen gently pressed down the bow. "Let me." He could see the faint blue glow around the beast king - defensive spells, most likely Wind element. Normal attacks might not work. But gravity spells posed no problems.

Almost no chance of direct defense. Aim fixed, Rosen's thoughts stirred, and a transparent sphere shot forth, catching the king in a Gravity Trap.

Things played out just as Rosen predicted. With the king dazed, Sharina waved her arm, "Charge! Together now!"

They quickly reached the dwarven beast king's side. Vice-captain Phillip rushed up, kicking and restraining the dwarf with magic-suppressing manacles.

With the king captured, the white wolf retreated, and the townsfolk milled in confusion. Sharina casually shot down a townsman, laughing, "I thought it'd be impressive, but turns out it's just a big white mutt!"

The dwarf screamed in the common tongue, "No! Don't kill my Ophelia!" Hearing him speak, the exorcists burst into laughter.

Rosen glanced at the mythril manacles as Phillip yanked the chained king up. Sensing the beast king fully restrained, Sharina signaled the waiting Silver Moon Rangers. She stepped before the dwarf, "Take out the mine maps."