Chapter 64
Carlton, who had been watching him closely, tilted his head.
“Must’ve been my imagination.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Let’s continue where we left off.”
As Carlton resumed the discussion, Karin walked over to Velia.
Her gaze hardened as she stared at Velia, who was focused on Carlton.
Carlton might be easy to fool with his lack of social experience, but not Karin.
Carlton held the title of Tower Master and sought Bain in the open.
She, on the other hand, searched for Bain in places far from his reach—hidden in the neutral forest, gathering rare plants and monster parts, selling them in the back alleys, and tracing Bain’s trail underground.
That was why Velia looked far too suspicious in Karin’s eyes.
If, as Carlton said, Velia truly had been with them in the past, there should have been some trace of it.
At least in her mana.
But the residue clinging to Velia’s mana was completely different from the remnants left on her and Carlton.
Should I tell him?
Karin glanced at Carlton, hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
If Carlton let his personal feelings get in the way, it could ruin everything. With that thought, Karin decided to remain silent.
“Ah, you’re here?”
Velia quickly gestured for Karin to climb up onto the horse beside her.
“We’ll be leaving soon, right? Do you need to use the restroom, Lady?”
“I’m fine. And… could you please just call me Lye instead of ‘Lady’?”
Velia whispered softly, glancing around at the others.
“Ah, right. Sure.”
Karin smiled warmly and mounted up.
Velia leaned on her casually, as if nothing had been awkward before, making Karin laugh more openly.
She was genuinely glad Velia had come to the Misty Forest of her own will.
Because here, while tracking Bain’s traces, she could also test Velia.
Even if death stares her in the face, will she still be able to act so naturally…?
Suppressing her thoughts, Karin followed the group onward.
Clang. Clang.
The workshop was busy.
Though it specialized in leather, the use of metal in the construction of Bea meant the sound of hammering rang out everywhere.
“Bring all those Bea pieces over there.”
“Ah, yes, sir!”
At Master Dorito’s command, the workers bustled about.
“A letter came regarding tomorrow’s imperial delivery!”
“Alright. I’ll take it.”
Master Dorito accepted the letter and made his way into the office at the side of the workshop.
The letter bore the official seal of the Arpedi Trading Company, but beneath it was a tiny mark, something only Dorito could recognize.
It was a letter passed along secretly by Velia.
“Just who could it be…”
Dorito’s face twisted with pain.
At first, he thought it had been someone’s mistake.
After all, with the workshop expanding and more supplies to produce lately, it seemed possible.
But as the missing materials grew, he had no choice but to report the situation to Velia.
Since then, he had been sending her regular updates.
Dorito let out a quiet sigh after reading the letter.
Someone was siphoning off workshop materials. It was a clear threat to Bea production.
But Dorito knew all too well this wouldn’t end as just a minor setback.
Every time he received her letters, he could feel it.
That Velia already knew who the culprit was—yet chose to remain silent.
As though she had set a trap, waiting patiently for them to be caught.
The thought terrified him.
For a time, he even considered handling the matter himself.
But if he acted rashly, the innocent workers—his family in all but blood—might be harmed. And so, he held back.
Dorito calmed his nerves with a splash of cold water and opened the letter.
“…Ah.”
[Not yet. Continue as planned.]
Anyone else would not understand, but Dorito immediately grasped Velia’s meaning.
He tossed the letter into the blazing fire.
“Alright.”
The workshop staff were his family.
But if even a precious family member betrayed the workshop to which he had given his soul, then they were no better than the devil.
Dorito clutched the cross necklace at his chest and made the sign of the cross.
“Everything in its due course.”
With that, he stepped toward his secret workroom.
Through the slightly ajar door, rows of Bea units lay upon a table.
Each one engraved with delicate, ornate patterns—a true craftsman’s hand.
The door shut, and silence fell inside.
“We camp here.”
At Felton’s command, the party began to unpack.
While everyone busied themselves setting up camp, Velia also moved, eager to be of some help.
“Ah, let me carry that.”
“It’s fine.”
The knights immediately declined her offer, unwilling to let the frail-looking girl help.
“You’re not used to this kind of work. No need.”
Felton approached her.
“Still, I thought I should do something…”
Velia’s guilty conscience weighed on her. After all, she had insisted on joining this mission against everyone’s judgment. She knew she was like a sack of barley dumped in the middle of them.
I should’ve at least learned swordsmanship.
Regretting briefly, she stood quietly by Felton.
“Your duty is to assist the Tower’s mage. Don’t worry about the rest.”
“Yes…”
“Don’t get too discouraged. Besides…”
Felton placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“Your frame may be slim, but that’s something training can overcome. If you ever want to join the Order, just say the word.”
“…Huh?”
Velia blinked, startled by the unexpected suggestion.
“With the courage you’ve shown by coming all this way, becoming a knight wouldn’t be hard at all.”
“Ah…”
Felton’s approving gaze left her flustered.
Just then, a sweet aroma filled the air—enough to make not only Velia but the entire group stir.
“Oh my, this is truly a blessing.”
“Huh?”
Following Felton’s nod, Velia turned and swallowed hard.
The soup simmering in the middle of the forest looked and smelled far too refined to be believable.
“The Tower mage even prepares meals… it seems your life is full of surprises. Go on, join the others.”
With a snap of Carlton’s fingers, the fragrant soup was portioned into bowls.
“Thank you!”
The knights took their share of soup and jerky, calling out in gratitude before heading to their places.
“This is truly wonderful. Thank you.”
Felton chuckled warmly, delighted to see the knights’ burdens lightened.
Carlton merely shook his head, as if it was nothing.
Once Felton left, Carlton glanced at the hesitant figure lingering before him.
Karin was nowhere to be seen.
“Um…”
“Come. Eat with me.”
“…What?”
Carlton rose, his jacket billowing as he moved toward the forest.
Velia hurried after him.
The knights, seeing them move away from camp, paused for a moment before resuming their meals. They knew in the Misty Forest, magic was more reliable than the sword.
“That Carlton—ahh!”
When Carlton suddenly stopped, Velia nearly bumped into him and yelped.
He glanced back at their comrades still engrossed in their food far behind them.
Here, in the pitch-black forest away from the campfire, no one could possibly see them.
Carlton looked into the dark trees, then down at Velia.
Without warning, he acted on his thought.
“Let’s do this.”
“Wha—?!”
Velia let out a startled cry as her body was suddenly lifted.
“The path is rough. This way’s better.”
Roar—!
A distant beast’s howl silenced Velia’s protests.
“R-right. I mean… okay.”
It was better to be carried than to trip and slow him down. She gave a small nod.
Carlton smiled faintly at her reddening face and pressed on through the forest.
“…Is it okay to go this far?”
Velia asked nervously, glancing back at the campfirelight that had long since vanished.
“I left a mana sphere at camp. If anything happens, I’ll know immediately. And the knights aren’t weak either.”
“Ah, okay. But still…”
Something about how naturally he navigated the forest bothered her.
“You’ve been here before?”
“Once.”
“When?”
“Back when I came with Allendo—ah.”
Carlton looked down at Velia in his arms.
“That was the day.”
“The day?”
Carlton froze, recalling the first time he’d seen Velia.
“The day I first met you. I thought you were one of my followers then.”
“Oh! You mean that banquet?”
Velia blinked, remembering her debutante ball at sixteen.
Feeling the same odd nostalgia as he did, she let out a small laugh.
Her first impression of him had been that he was scary and a little unpleasant. Yet here she was, held in his arms.
“It hasn’t been that long, but it feels strange.”
“Yeah.”
Carlton smiled softly in return. He was thinking the same thing as she was.
