Chapter 92
***
“Ugh, when Her Highness called me earlier, I thought my heart was going to stop.”
It was mealtime.
Seril and Tinya were sitting at the same table as one of the imperial princess’s maids, whom they had run into earlier.
“She’s been in a bit of a bad mood lately.”
Typically, royal maids were daughters of high-ranking noble families.
“But is it okay for you to eat with us?”
Tinya and Seril were commoners.
That’s why they would’ve understood if the princess’s maids looked down on them. But instead, the maids had approached them with warm smiles and started the conversation.
“Of course. Her Highness doesn’t mind such trivial matters. More than that, it’s been so quiet in the castle with so many out on the subjugation mission.”
The maid smiled gently. Though she disliked talking to commoners, she couldn’t ignore the princess’s orders.
Helping with her duties was the maid’s job.
Commoners were simple. A smile and some kind words, and they’d warm up to you in no time.
The princess’s maid skillfully swallowed her distaste.
“Large-scale subjugations are unavoidable. If we don’t do this, the monsters start invading more often.”
Seril, a native of the north, smiled bitterly.
“But when they return, a big party is held.”
This time, it wasn’t just the northern knights—knights from neighboring territories had joined too, making it a massive operation.
Those neighboring territories, which hadn’t been due for subjugation, were delighted for the unexpected opportunity to both hunt and profit.
“A party?”
“Yes. There’s good money in hunting monsters.”
Monster by-products were used in all kinds of ways. Most were consumed by the Magic Tower, but others—like hides and parts—were crafted into various goods.
“What we carried earlier was a top-grade cloak made from monster leather. The mages cast defensive and warming spells on it, so it’s safe even up in the snowy mountains.”
Tinya and the maid widened their eyes at Seril’s explanation that someone could last several days wearing just that cloak.
“I-I didn’t know it was something that amazing…”
Tinya, who had handled it herself without realizing, trembled slightly. She worried she might’ve ruined it with all the shaking and fluffing she did while organizing it.
Seril burst out laughing at Tinya’s pale face.
“Don’t worry, it’s enchanted with protective magic—it won’t get damaged.”
“Do such incredible gifts get delivered to the Grand Duchess every day?”
Tinya had even suspected the parade of daily gifts might just be empty boxes.
“Of course! Just yesterday, there was a necklace with a diamond the size of a fist!”
Tinya’s voice rose and fell with excitement, causing the other servants around to chuckle.
“Being close to the Grand Duchess must mean you get to see many rare treasures.”
“Well, not as much as Her Highness. She must’ve seen far more as the empire’s treasure herself.”
Tinya laughed sheepishly.
“Would it be alright if I gave you this? It’s a lucky charm we made.”
After glancing around, Seril carefully pulled a small pin from her pocket.
She gently placed a blue hairpin next to the maid’s dish.
“What’s this?”
The maid’s eyes widened.
“In the north, we craft small accessories using gems or cubic stones to wish someone’s safe return.”
With so many participating in the subjugation, Seril explained she had made various items for Lady Evelyn and the knights.
“You were kind to us, so I wanted to give you one.”
Seril smiled bashfully. If possible, she wanted to grow closer to the princess’s maid and maybe gain some useful information for Lady Evelyn.
If they could build a connection to the princess’s influence, it could only benefit Lady Evelyn.
Thanks to the small gift, a warm atmosphere spread over the table.
“Thank you. I don’t even know how to repay you.”
The princess’s maid smiled sweetly, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
***
“A distress signal… has been launched from the Grand Castle.”
It happened just as the subjugation was wrapping up. A lower-ranking knight spotted red smoke rising into the sky.
“During a subjugation, we’re supposed to sweep the monsters below and then ascend—how could this happen…”
The knight muttered unconsciously, trailing off as more red smoke rose in succession.
“The Grand Duke!”
“Everyone, prepare to descend!”
Elliot also stared grimly at the smoke rising from below.
“Should be fine since the master’s there, right?”
Raven, who had been blasting spells at monsters, spoke in a lazy voice. It would take a long time to descend.
It had taken over a week to climb. How long would it take to go back down and protect the castle?
Well, there was a way.
“Let’s fly.”
At Evelyn’s words, Raven sighed. He could already imagine the mages grumbling.
Without another word, Evelyn summoned her aura. The force of her sword energy sliced a massive monster clean in half.
She’d been holding back all this time for the sake of the knights—but now her momentum was overwhelming.
The surroundings instantly fell silent.
“She’s incredible.”
Dante, who had joined the subjugation, once again swallowed his regret. If he’d known such a powerful warrior was in Barrett, he would’ve paid more attention sooner.
Even the long-sleeping heir of Barrett was drawing forth aura with ease. He couldn’t help but be impressed.
Both siblings were sword masters.
And the Barrett heir had even broken through a new level during this subjugation in the snowy mountains.
“Damian, I’ll leave the rear to you.”
Not everyone could descend the mountain at once. Elliot asked the Northern Order’s captain to stay with the rest.
Since they were descending, there likely wouldn’t be many monsters strong enough to stop them.
Just Evelyn, a few mages, and himself would suffice to handle the threat at the castle.
“Let five mages come with us.”
At Elliot’s words, Raven called out the names of a few competent ones.
“Levitation.”
At Raven’s chant, the group heading for the Grand Castle rose into the air all at once.
***
“They’re crazy. Absolutely insane!”
“Your Highness. Please calm down.”
Galf chuckled as Isabelle ground her teeth in frustration.
“Only lunatics wouldn’t flee after seeing me.”
He looked at the monster blocking his path with curiosity.
It was large enough to fill the hallway.
He hadn’t suppressed his energy at all, yet this low-tier monster wasn’t running away.
“What does that have to do with anything?! Hurry and defeat it!”
Having faced monsters a few times in the North, Isabelle was able to speak without trembling.
“Fire Burst.”
Galf cast a spell while carefully observing the monster.
Even as the flames consumed it instantly, the monster didn’t retreat—instead, it charged forward and died.
“Gasp.”
“Your Highness, are you carrying anything monsters might be attracted to?”
The Tower Master’s question made Isabelle tilt her head.
“Why would I have something like that?!”
“Perhaps it’s because you’re young and weak, you seem like a tasty snack.”
Galf stroked his long beard, lost in thought.
If it wasn’t just his imagination, it felt like all the monsters that entered the castle were gravitating toward the princess.
“Could someone be deliberately luring monsters here?”
Raven had mentioned something similar happened during a recent attack.
“Hmm.”
“So I’m… a tasty snack?!”
Isabelle gasped.
“Well, something like that. Your perfume might be attracting them.”
Galf raised his hand and grabbed the princess’s wrist.
“Let’s go outside before they destroy the castle.”
“Kyaaaaah!”
The princess screamed at the sudden sensation of falling. Her maids, surprised, were also dragged down with her one by one.
“So noisy.”
Using levitation magic, Galf chuckled.
As they descended, he threw fireballs at any visible monsters to draw attention away.
The monsters, having found a target, swarmed toward them.
“Stay behind me and don’t move.”
Casting a shield over the princess’s group, Galf patted his shoulder and stepped forward.
“All the youngsters went up the mountain, and now the old man has to suffer.”
Clicking his tongue, Galf lightly waved his staff.
Without even chanting, monsters exploded on the spot.
Isabelle gripped her maid’s hand tightly. Even the maids couldn’t make a sound at the display of the Tower Master’s incredible power.
“You’re making a big show of it.”
A mocking voice came from mid-air.
“You’re late, boy.”
“Apologies.”
Evelyn bowed her head in Raven’s place and immediately stepped in front of Galf to take on a monster.
“Glad you’re safe.”
Elliot confirmed the princess’s condition and nodded.
“Why are there so many monster intrusions in the territory lately?!”
Isabelle ground her teeth and shouted in frustration.
