~Chapter 11~
I paused briefly to steady my breath before speaking.
“…Let us seek out the Rudel clan.”
Upon hearing my response, Ethan visibly relaxed, while Luce, standing beside him, merely shrugged.
“And what of your family?” Luce inquired—not with mockery, but genuine curiosity.
“My mother…” Of course, my thoughts were with her, suffering and unconscious even at this very moment.
“I worry for her, as anyone would. Yet, if misfortune has befallen the Rudel clan, the casualties could multiply. Besides—” I cast a sidelong glance at the scowling Luce and continued, “We have a most formidable mage accompanying us. I trust she can be treated even if we are delayed a day or two. Isn’t that so, Luce?”
Luce scrutinized my face for a moment, uttered nothing, and turned away with a sharp click of his tongue, striding ahead.
“W-wait! Where are you going? You owe me an answer! We can cure my mother, right?!”
Panic spurred me to hurry after him, when a quiet voice sought to soothe my fears.
“…He can restore life even to one freshly beheaded. You need not worry.”
“R-really?! I can be reassured then, yes?!”
Luce may be irksome, but his talents are clearly extraordinary. As I exhaled in relief, Ethan placed a hand over his chest and inclined his head slightly.
“Thank you. I understand this is no easy choice for you.”
“Please, there is no need. Though I yearn to see my mother rise from her sickbed, this is not the time for selfishness.”
Her illness had deepened slowly over time; it was not yet critical. Moreover, I was now an official of the Divine Beast Palace, sworn to prioritize the clans’ welfare. My personal regrets must be set aside for the moment.
“I am apprehensive that harm may come again, but Lord Kroit has vowed to protect us.”
Wiping the cold sweat from my neck, I smiled at Ethan, whose composed brows twitched briefly.
“Thank you. In the name of the Holy Knights, I shall protect you without fail.”
“Yes. This time, I shall remain vigilant.”
Resolutely clenching my fist, I pledged silently, only to be startled by a deflating sigh above. Raising my head, I found Ethan covering his mouth to suppress a smile.
No doubt, my earnestness appeared quite comical to him. After all, what effective response could I muster, even with my wits about me?
“Ah, what I meant earlier was— I know the Rudel clan dwells in the western forest, but it is vast! I cannot even guess their whereabouts—”
“I do not know either.”
“Eh?! You don’t know? You mean to say—?”
“Yes. The Rudel clan shifts their abode frequently within their territory; even I do not know their exact location.”
I sighed in dismay. So we must scour this entire sprawling forest? The sun was already dipping low.
“Captain! Look at this!”
Ibel’s voice rang out. Ethan maintained his pace, mindful of mine.
At the forest’s edge adjoining the village, Ibel knelt inspecting the ground.
“Captain, the soil is damp, and footprints appear here and there.”
Examining the earth, I indeed saw markings that resembled canine tracks.
“Following these prints upstream should lead us to something.”
“Indeed. However… the carriage cannot traverse this terrain.”
Turning to me, Ibel said, “You need not worry. You are dressed comfortably and wear no heels. You can follow us.”
“I am grateful, Miss Rinnegrim, though I would prefer you stay in the village—”
“In these uncertain times, we know not when the dogs may strike. It is safer with us. Moreover, the Lady must witness the Divine Beasts herself. Though inconvenient, your understanding is requested.”
“I understand.”
Nodding, I resolved to follow without complaint, now that I had pledged.
“Well done, Ibel. Now that we have a trail—”
“I did not find it alone…” Ibel glanced into the woods, where Luce perched upon a high branch.
“If you plan to spend the night here, remain there.”
“Luce! You feigned indifference, yet here you are!”
I had assumed he’d returned to the carriage, but he turned his head brusquely. Stepping into the forest, I asked Ethan:
“Will we still be able to follow the trail as the sun sets?”
No matter their skill, tracking is futile without sight. The sun had slipped beneath the horizon, and twilight enshrouded the village. Ibel cast a worried glance at Ethan.
Suddenly, the ground began to emit a faint glow. The footprints shone softly, illuminating our path.
“In other words— it means tracking divine power.”
Luce leapt lightly from the branch, landing with featherlike grace.
“It means tracking divine power. No need to fret over trivial matters.”
“It must indeed seem trivial to Luce. I was contemplating whether we must sleep outdoors tonight!”
“Such remarks suit a noble lady.”
Luce smirked, leading us along the glowing trail.
“Miss Rinnegrim, I will walk behind you. Follow the captain.”
Ibel moved behind me, placing me securely in the center.
As Rail and Betton tended to the wounded and followed behind, we quickened our pace. The faint light illuminated the dark woods, and I feared losing Luce if we did not keep up.
“I know this is no time for such thoughts, but isn’t it beautiful?”
I nodded, echoing Rail’s wonder. The faint yellow footprints scattered through the gloom resembled a myriad of fireflies.
“Rail, if you know this isn’t the time, perhaps be quiet—”
“That scoundrel…”
Heh, I kept silent, pressing forward, yet could not resist glimpsing the enchanting sight.
“By the way, it’s surprising.”
“Surprising how?”
“That mage. Though cooperating under the pretext of Miss Rinnegrim’s presence, he hardly seems the type to take initiative.”
“Luce?”
I whispered while gazing at the shadowy figure ahead.
“Come to think of it, Lord Kroit and Luce are acquainted. May I ask how they know each other?”
“Yes, Lady, now that you serve the Divine Beast Palace, you should know.”
At Rail’s cue, Ibel and Betton pricked up their ears, apparently only Ethan and Rail knew Luce well.
“Before Ibel and Betton joined the Holy Knights, about five years ago during the founding festival, the Mage Tower sent that mage as an envoy.”
“They were at odds yet sent an envoy?”
“More precisely, that episode worsened their relationship. The Mage Tower wished to cultivate friendly ties with the empire. Anyway, that mage came alone and offered to inscribe magical circles throughout the palace.”
“Magical circles? To be drawn over the entire palace? The mana and cost must have been tremendous.”
“Simply put, it was a diplomatic negotiation. They promised protective magic to the royal family in exchange for a single concession.”
“Was it for opening magical artifact trade routes? Or a monopoly on the mana stone mines within the empire?”
Ibel’s reasoning was sound, as was mine.
Rail shook his head.
“The royal family thought the same, but—” He lowered his voice, glancing about.
“They demanded the egg of Kinyaxis, the newborn of the Rihwiella clan.”
“What?!”
As if anticipating the shock, Rail hushed Betton with a whisper.
“They claimed a long-standing desire to research it.”
[Though the elder’s impatience concerned the mining rights at the Ottern mines, it was said the Rihwiella Divine Beast recently laid an egg.]
[What sacrilege is this!]
[Have you never heard that mages are greedy? To demand the Divine Beast’s egg over mining rights is foolishness.]
I listened, aghast at Rail’s impression. Luce was certainly no fool.
“He’s mad.”
Simply mad.
“Indeed.”
“Perhaps we should have cut him down earlier.”
Ibel scoffed.
“Enough. Your blade never even touched him. The captain lunged the moment he heard those words and failed to scratch him. Anyway, the Mage Tower never sent envoys after that. End of story.”
“Ah, now I see why the captain is so riled.”
“I recognized him instantly. He has not changed in five years. Is he even human? Compared to now, even the captain looked youthful then. That mage’s hair is exactly the same length. Truly a chilling fellow.”
“Rail.”
Rail stiffened. A low voice interrupted him. Ethan, who had been far ahead pursuing Luce, now stood erect, watching us.
“Chilling is your attitude. What are you doing now in such a perilous situation?”
“C-Captain! I-I mean no—”
The sound of clenched teeth filled the air as Ethan’s jaw tensed.
“Let us return to the palace.”
He looked at me and Luce up ahead, vowing for another day. Rail’s life was only measured in days.
With a dramatic collapse, Rail sank down, stifling sobs.
“Ugh. I only intended to offer advice…”
“Rail, that’s enough. Leave the fool be. Now, Miss Rinnegrim, shall we proceed?”
“Yes…”
Cautiously, I allowed Ibel to take my hand as we moved forward.
Rail? I think I’ve missed a chapter~