Finally arriving at a two-story wooden cabin, Anis glanced at the unfinished pile of firewood in the yard before pushing open the cabin door.
“Aunt!”
Valize was looking at a small piece of paper she had received from a crow. The large crow perched on a roost, clattering its beak and demanding its reward.
Anis set down her sack and looked at Valize.
Valize’s expression was always stern, making it hard to decipher her feelings. However, judging by her slightly furrowed brow, serious news had arrived.
Valize had many secret connections and occasionally received mysterious messages from them. It was not about the Grand Duchy of Varandian but about other countries.
While at the castle, Anis heard rumors that Valize had been involved in political strife with high-ranking nobles from other countries, but she didn’t know if it was true. She had never been particularly curious and had never asked about it.
To begin with, Valize wasn’t the type of aunt who would answer everything, even if asked.
Valize tossed the note into the brazier burning in the middle of the room (the cabin didn’t have a separate fireplace) and then, a bit belatedly, warmly greeted Anis.
“You’re back?”
“Yes, Aunt.”
Anis watched as Valize headed outside, saying she needed to chop the remaining firewood before lunch.
‘She seems to be in a bad mood…’
* * *
That night, Anis, sleeping in the second-floor bedroom, suddenly opened her eyes wide. Rubbing her eyes at the sound of whispers, she moved toward the window.
Standing in the moonlight, she saw Valize speaking to someone outside the cabin.
“Huh…?”
Her heart raced at the thought of a secret conversation.
Anis strained her ears, carefully angling herself so that they would not notice her.
Although the night was filled with various natural sounds, it was because of this that their voices seemed particularly clear.
“The name is… Lin, a boy with black hair and purple eyes. You’ll know for sure when you see his eyes. He is the spitting image of Lady Isabel.”
Valize responded to the man’s words.
“…it would be best to escort him to… I’ll follow once my business is roughly settled.”
“Why not change the destination to the Grand Duchy of Varandian? It might be safer there. Sir Rize knows the place well, too.”
“No, it’s better if my sister doesn’t know about this. If it’s Raymonde, she will surely…”
Anis stroked her chin busily like a detective.
‘Hmm. Tsk tsk.’
From what Anis gathered, it seemed Valize had been tasked with taking care of a mysterious boy and sending him to safety.
She giggled, proud of herself for successfully making such a deduction.
If Valize had such a mission, Anis could help. After all, she was a capable warrior herself.
Anis was excited.
‘I might be able to help Aunt!’
At some point, the voices stopped, and Anis, who was hiding below the window, peeked her head out to look down.
The man had already left, and Valize was still standing in that spot. It didn’t seem like she was watching the man’s retreating figure.
Valize murmured in a voice filled with sorrow and anguish that Anis had never heard before.
“Isabel…”
The next day, Anis could not satisfy her curiosity about the conversation she overheard. She wanted to ask who the woman named Isabel was…But after breakfast, Valize sternly warned her, “Eavesdropping is a bad habit”.
Anis opened her eyes wide and nodded awkwardly, her neck creaking. She shut her mouth and quietly ate her stew.
Following that, Valize made an unexpected decision that struck like a bolt from the blue.
“I’m sorry, Anis. As much as I want to continue living like this with you, you need to go home now.”
“Why?!”
Anis had much to learn from Valize. (Limited to villains) How to discreetly deal with someone, hit back twice when struck once, and threaten for justice, among other things.
There was still a year left in their promised time, yet she was told to go home already!
Feeling extremely wronged, Anis argued the terms of their contract, but she could not overcome Valize’s determination.
This place was the southernmost part of the Kingdom of Saint-Jean. To reach the Grand Duchy of Varandian beyond the northern border, they had to travel diligently.
Anis, with a sullen face, reluctantly packed her belongings to leave her beloved cabin.
* * *
Valize’s plan included walking to a nearby rural village, borrowing horses to ride to a larger village, and then switching to a carriage to the Grand Duchy.
Anis didn’t say a word until they reached the village on foot.
“Sir Rize!”
At the village entrance, they met two men with five horses.
“They are the ones who will escort you to the Grand Duchy.”
Valize explained that they were not official knights of the Duchy but wandering knights she knew personally.
The Kingdom of Saint-Jean was in turmoil, and while the escort was for safety… Anis suspected it was more for surveillance, which didn’t sit well with her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Since we can’t call you ‘Lady’ before reaching Varandian, may we call you ‘Miss’?”
Annoyed, Anis replied in a grumpy tone to do as they pleased.
Thus, the two wandering knights, Valize, and Anis rode horses down a dirt road until they reached a crossroads with a signpost. It was a four-hour march, but no one seemed tired.
The sign was labeled Middle Path Village and Golden Mist Village, along with various pictorial symbols indicating the distance to the villages.
Valize ordered them to head to Middle Path Village and take a carriage. Then she added something unexpected.
“We’ll part ways here.”
Anis asked in surprise.
“Aren’t you coming with us, Aunt?”
Valize stared intently at Anis.
Oh, that’s right. Valize had personal matters to attend to.
“I’ll keep it a secret from Mother.”
“That’s my good niece.”
Valize patted Anis’s forearm with her long arm and headed back the way they came. She didn’t say to travel safely or to send regards to her mother.
It was a very calm farewell.
Anis, reluctant to part, could not easily take her eyes off Valize’s retreating figure. The escorts, tired of waiting, called out to her.
“Let’s go, Miss. We have a long way to go.”
* * *
Despite traveling for quite a while, there were no passersby.
The red-haired girl felt bored as they passed through desolate fields and low hills that seemed neglected. The scenery had hardly changed for hours.
The two escort knights were cautious about revealing information to Anis that Valize hadn’t permitted, so their conversation was equally boring.
With a sullen face, Anis kept her head fixed forward. She had not envisioned a grand adventure, but this end to her runaway felt like being chased away.
‘I wish something would happen.’
Nothing too big, just something manageable.
As they trudged up a low hill, the sounds of shouting and a distressed horse reached her ears, about fifty meters away.
Startled, Anis’s horse stomped in place and snorted nervously. She calmed the horse by pulling on the reins and looked at her two escorts.
“It sounds like a fight.”
Listening carefully, she heard the sharp clang of swords clashing. The two men exchanged serious glances before addressing Anis.
“Miss, stay here.”
“We’ll handle this.”
Anis had hoped they might ask for her help, but, the two escorts warned her to stay put until they returned, then rode their horses towards the commotion.
Anis watched their departing figures endlessly. Soon, the two disappeared beyond the hill, and the sounds of struggle intensified.
The southern part of the Kingdom of Saint-Jean was rife with thugs. It was probably armed bandits ambushing a group of merchants.
Moreover, in a place like this, even if someone were attacked and killed on the road, no one would know. Robberies occurred even in broad daylight in this area.
If the two men were Valize’s subordinates, their skills would undoubtedly be solid, so Anis felt her help wouldn’t be necessary.
“But just in case…”
Due to the distant death cry of a horse, Anis’s horse was terrified and reluctant to move. She barely managed to coax and soothe the horse, slowly ascending the low slope.
Eventually, Anis reached the top of the hill where she could see about fifty meters ahead.
Three mysterious assailants in all-black clothing and a single gladiator in typical leather and chainmail lay on the ground, with red blood soaking the dirt road.
One gladiator and Anis’s two escort knights were barely holding off the remaining four attackers. The tension in the air was palpable.
Behind the surviving gladiator was someone who appeared to be under protection.
Holding a sword with both hands, the person had black hair and a small build, their clothes clean and suitable for travel.
‘That’s a child…!’
The attackers, suspiciously covered in black exuded an assassin-like aura. Moreover, each of their movements was deadly and threatening. As if dealing with an opponent they had to kill.
The gladiator took a blow to the back and fell, unable to move again. With this, all those presumed to be protecting the black-haired boy had died, increasing the burden on Anis’s escorts.
Unfortunately, the boy’s movements were not quick or strong, making him an unreliable ally.
Anis’s hand tightened on the reins.
‘I have to help!’
