Chapter 72
Clatter.
The carriage carrying several people jolted roughly as it rolled over uneven ground. The further north they went, the colder the air became.
A few people grumbled under their breath, but the complaints quickly died out. It was hard to keep talking when the person everyone was wary of sat unshaken, eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
A certain earl’s second son whispered quietly,
“Is that really her?”
Her fiery red hair was tied up neatly, but a few strands escaped and fluttered in the cold wind. If she ever let it all down, it would probably be a breathtaking sight—like living flame against the snow.
“But her arms look kind of thin…”
With arms like that—she killed a demon beast?
Several among the group hadn’t even been in the capital at the time of the incident. Some were heirs of minor houses who only visited the capital for academy classes and spent the rest of their time in outer cities.
Even at the academy, only those in the swordsmanship department had met Sillia in person. For the noble heirs of the magic department, this was their first time seeing her face to face.
The earl’s son whispered to the noble beside him,
“Maybe the rumors were exaggerated.”
The next moment, the person they were whispering about turned her head toward him. The second son froze, breath catching as he quickly averted his gaze. Just one look into those cold, silver eyes made his heart pound uncontrollably.
…It feels like I want to look again.
He tried sneaking another glance, but an icy glare shot toward him as if to scold his insolence. It came from the young viscount of Diaman sitting beside her—a broad-shouldered man whose presence alone made the second son tense.
That viscount was rumored to have slain a demon beast himself. Best not to get on his bad side.
I’ll try talking to her when the viscount isn’t around.
Unfortunately, during the upcoming sparring match, the second son would soon learn that the true threat wasn’t the viscount—but the baroness herself.
“Anyone else?”
The onlookers, staring at the second son sprawled flat on the ground, all hurriedly backed away.
“That’s… that’s not human…”
A monster.
Receiving such looks, Sillia let out a faint laugh.
“It’s just a practice spar.”
They were only taking a short break on their way north.
…Maybe I went a little too hard.
Dragged to the north on short notice, she’d been using the training matches as an outlet for her irritation. There hadn’t been much room for mercy.
The royal family and the other commanding officers had already teleported ahead using scrolls, which only added to her frustration.
Looking down at the collapsed young noble, she muttered under her breath,
“And all they can do is sneak glances at me in between.”
“Eek!”
The second son scrambled to his feet and bolted. Sillia twirled her wooden sword lazily. The next moment, someone stepped into the sparring ring she’d drawn in the dirt—Flier.
“I request your instruction.”
Sillia brushed aside her annoyance and smiled, gesturing lightly. Watching Flier, she suddenly remembered Karla’s calm, steady gaze.
“The purpose of this mobilization,” Karla had told her, “is to prepare against the recent threat of demon beasts near the capital.”
“That’s quite a noble cause.”
Karla nodded in agreement.
“Most noble houses couldn’t refuse such a summons. Diaman had no choice but to comply as well.”
“It’s fine. I’m not blaming anyone. The training only lasts a week, right? It’ll pass quickly enough. The travel time is the real problem.”
“Ah, and Flier will be accompanying you.”
“If I’m going, isn’t that enough?”
“The notice was sent to Diaman, yes—but you received yours as the representative of House Bronyu.”
“So they want Diaman to send another representative too, huh?”
Not a bad move, strategically speaking. Sillia nodded.
Julyn and Margaret, who had been listening nearby, offered reassuring words.
“We’ll handle things here.”
“And we’ll keep monitoring the experiment.”
“Anyway, Lady Sillia—”
Please take care of Flier. That’s what Karla had said. Naturally, she intended to do just that. The only disappointment was—
So much for “no one can refuse the summons.”
She’d half-expected that idiot Irlod to show up, but of course, he didn’t. The excuse was illness.
A convenient one.
As it was the duke’s official reason, she couldn’t argue. It had been some time since Irlod had been “too ill” to attend the academy.
Sillia sighed as she parried Flier’s oncoming strike.
Flier seemed to lose balance for a moment but caught himself, pushing forward with full force. They were close enough to feel each other’s breath. Their forearms clashed, the impact heavy enough that anyone else would’ve fallen.
Without hesitation, Sillia met the force head-on, pushing deeper. Their foreheads nearly touched. Flier’s eyes wavered for an instant—and Sillia didn’t miss her chance.
“You’ve still got a long way to go.”
Using her leg, she hooked Flier’s ankle, but before he could fall, she caught his wrist and steadied him again, smiling.
“But you’ve improved a lot.”
“Have I?”
“Remember the first day? You went down right away.”
“It’s thanks to your excellent instruction.”
Flier was learning quickly—enough that even a Swordmaster like Sillia could feel proud.
If only things could stay this way—if only Flier could grow into a fine knight without incident. The thought made Sillia smile unconsciously, and Flier smiled back.
“It’s a shame you won’t see much action in the north.”
“Oh? A shame?”
“Training exercises like this rarely lead to real incidents.”
“True. Still, with so many noble heirs gathered, you never know.”
Even among the academy students, half were of noble birth. Amusingly enough, even Ingram had come—his family’s territory bordered the northern frontier, after all.
Despite his position, he hadn’t dared act arrogantly—perhaps because he’d been wary of Sillia the entire time.
Good thing I broke him in early.
With so many distinguished heirs gathered in one place—
“If anything happens to them, the royal family’s reputation, already weakened, will take another hit,” she said. “Normally, a mobilization like this would never have worked. Only the recent beast attack in the capital gave them the justification.”
“You’re right, Lady Sillia,” Flier replied, nodding.
“There are rumors about frequent beast sightings along the northern border,” he added, “but they’re just that—rumors. The frontier’s been quiet for quite some time.”
Sillia turned toward the far north. The sun was already setting. The cold lands always lost their light early.
“Whatever happens, they can do as they please. I’m not about to quit.”
“When you return, the season will have changed.”
That left a bitter taste. She had no intention of wasting time in a place like this. But after crossing the crown princess, she hadn’t been given much choice.
“Still, I suppose it’s best to play along for now.”
None of it was particularly hard. Beat a few pampered nobles senseless in the name of “training,” kill a week, and head back to the capital.
“Let’s just hope it passes quickly.”
“Thank you all for coming.”
Several days later, at the northern border garrison’s training yard, the Crown Princess herself addressed them. It was meant as encouragement after the long, tiresome journey.
Those who had been complaining fell silent at once. The Crown Princess’s presence felt even heavier than before.
“I know this wasn’t an easy summons,” she said, “but I’m grateful you answered it.”
The words were polite, but when her gaze settled on Sillia, it felt like mockery.
Is she trying to provoke me?
“As I said before, this training was arranged in response to the recent fire and beast attacks in the capital. I expect everyone to give their utmost. I intend to do the same.”
“She’s practically saying she’ll summon real beasts next,” Sillia muttered quietly to Flier.
Flier nodded. “She does give that impression—like whatever she says will happen.”
The Crown Princess continued,
“It’s only a week. I won’t keep you any longer than that. Soon, you’ll be back in the capital, so don’t worry. Return to your quarters and prepare for afternoon drills. Dismissed.”
The moment she left, chatter broke out across the field. With her gone, everyone relaxed enough to talk freely. Most just wanted to get this over with and go home.
Sillia, listening to their idle complaints, gave a wry smile.
“Well, like she said—it’s only a week. It’ll go by fast.”
“Yes, Lady Sillia.”
“That’s probably the longest she could legally keep us here anyway.”
If the crown still held more power, they might have been detained for months. Even so, with travel and training combined, it was nearly a month lost.
“Let’s just think of it as a short vacation.”
Three days later—
A massive blizzard struck.
And not long after that came the screams of the scouts.
“AAAHHHHHHH!!”
