Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 310: Chapter 71

Of course, Maxi knew that greater trials awaited them beyond reaching Eth Lene Castle. She quickly cast such thoughts from her mind. It was best not to dwell on the coming war at the moment. Soon, she would be sleeping in a room furnished with a bed and a fireplace. That was the only thing she wished to think about for now.

Sejuleu finished overseeing the tent preparations just as the group was wrapping up their meal. He pulled a chair over to join them around the brazier.

“So, what do you intend to do now? The party you sent ahead gave me a brief account of your findings, and I must say, it sounds grim indeed. Do you have a plan in mind?”

Kuahel was oiling his sword a short distance away. He regarded the Livadonian commander as though he were a small insect.

“I would think the answer is obvious. Try using that head of yours for once. Do you think we would’ve carried out such an expedition without a plan?”

Sejuleu shook his head at Kuahel’s prickly response. “How is it that you grow grouchier by the day? I wager it’s because the previous pope worked you too hard. A lack of leisure can really make a person bullheaded.”

Kuahel’s hand froze. His eyes bore into Sejuleu. ‘The previous pope?”

Silence reigned over those present around the brazier. The knights halted their conversations, and the ravenous mages stopped stuffing their mouths with food. All eyes were trained on Sejuleu.

“Wasn’t the next papal conclave supposed to be held in the coming

Aquarias(the season of water, equivalent to spring)?” Riftan asked, knitting his brows.

“It was brought forward because of His Holiness Pope Elpheus’s failing health.

It caused quite the stir across the Seven Kingdoms.”

After recovering from the shock, Maxi studied Kuahel’s face and those of the other paladins. They did not appear particularly shaken, almost as if they had been anticipating as much.

“And the result?” said Kuahel, breaking his pensive stare into the fireplace.

“The high priest Cassius is now our new pope.”

Visible relief flashed on the faces of the mages.

Enjoying their reaction, Sejuleu gave a dramatic pause before continuing, ‘The high priest Garis frankly had the worst luck. He had even put on a lavish banquet to garner supporters. But as you know, Paxias (the season of repose, equivalent to winter) arrived earlier than usual this year, and many a noble suffered from a poor harvest. In particular, the northern nobles. Staunch supporters of the Orthodox Church, as you know, but few wanted to antagonize the merchants loyal to the Reformed Church by actively supporting the opposition.

“That is glad tidings for us,” Celric mumbled. Then, embarrassed he had spoken aloud, he added, “But, of course, it is a travesty that people are suffering from food shortages.”

“The problem is not as serious as you might think. I heard that wheat imported from Lakazim was distributed among the afflicted regions. Still, the situation effectively tied the hands of any cleric supporting the Orthodox Church.”

Riftan stared into the fire, appearing to be deep in thought.

“This means we can prepare for the war , ” he said abruptly, “without worrying about the Orthodox faction gaining power.”

The subtle implication in his words made Kuahel furrow his brow. Quite suddenly, Maxi realized that the previous pope had deliberately hastened the conclave. The timing simply could not have been better. Had it happened after their findings were revealed through the Council of the Seven Kingdoms, the outcome would have been very different.

Maxi’s face clouded. Though it was fortunate that the Orthodox Church had failed to claim the papacy, she feared that the trials ahead would be a heavy burden for the newly elected pope.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought it up,” Sejuleu said brightly in an attempt to lighten the heavy atmosphere. “No more of this dour talk. I’m sure you are all tired, so let us call it a day. We’ll have ample time to discuss everything once we reach Eth Lene.”

One by one, the mages got up and retired to the tents. Maxi was about to call to Riftan but stopped when she saw Sejuleu furtively motioning to him with his eyes. Furrowing his brow, Riftan rose from his seat to follow Sejuleu to the end of the ravine.

She watched them with a puzzled expression. Did they have something to discuss in private? Not long after she wondered this, it struck her that it was Sejuleu Aren who had discovered the monsters’ tactical map in the labyrinth within Eth Lene Castle. Could it be that he had made another discovery?

Glancing around, she saw Kuahel Leon in conversation with the Temple Knights on the other side. Something about the scene reminded her of the past friction among the commanding officers of the coalition army, and she felt a pang of anxiousness.

She shook her head. It would not do to waste energy with unnecessary worries. Retreating to one of the tents, she tucked her exhausted self into the bedroll the knights had laid out.

When the expeditionary party emerged from the ravine, they were greeted by five massive baggage wagons and over a hundred soldiers. The knights promptly transferred everything to the wagons, allowing their horses to continue the journey with a lighter load.

The next day, at long last, they reached Eth Lene Castle. An overwhelming joy rushed through her at the sight of those gray walls nestled in the high mountain valley. Though the place held terrible memories for her, the relief of their return to human civilization eclipsed any sadness.

Her heart soaring, she urged Rem into a trot as they passed through the arched stone entrance. The city was a bustle of activity, mostly consisting of robust young men.

Maxi took in the surroundings as she rode down the wide road. Two wooden watchtowers towered on either side of the back gate. Next to them were fairly large buildings that appeared to be military offices. Densely packed wooden cabins, likely the living quarters of merchants and builders, stood further on.

Riftan finished his own inspection of the city and summarized his evaluation.

“It’s become crowded in just three years.”

‘Well, I did try my best,” Sejuleu replied with a grin.

“The city was given to you?’

“You didn’t know? How disappointing. It was quite the controversy,” Sejuleu said, sighing. “For generations, this place was ruled by the Earls of Theon. The last earl was killed three years ago, along with his heirs, leaving no one to look after it. Hence my liege chose to unburden the place on me.”

He frowned and added, “Completely ignoring my feelings, I might add. Terrible, isn’t he? I was not born the eldest precisely because I wished to avoid such cumbersome duties. ‘

“That would anger many a knight whose lifelong ambition is to be granted land of their own.”

Sejuleu grinned at Riftan’s words. “l know I’m being ungrateful,” he said cheerily, “but I rather enjoyed being the immature second son of a prestigious house. That being said, I’m doing my best to adjust to this new role.

Still grinning, he raced forward on his horse.

When they reached the middle of the marketplace, the bustling crowd reverently opened up a path for them. Everywhere Maxi looked, she saw respect and admiration shining on the faces of those present. Sejuleu lightly waved at everyone and cut across the square. When they reached the castle gate, the sentries raised the pulley.

Inside, Maxi noted the wooden framework where she last remembered the chapel and castle tower had stood. The adjacent buildings seemed to have undergone restorations already. She was looking around at the new woodwork when she heard a familiar voice.

“My lady! You’re back!’

She smiled and turned toward an excited Garrow rushing over to them. Both the Remdragon and Temple Knights began to trickle in. While the others exchanged greetings, Maxi dismounted and stood close to Riftan. In an almost automatic response, he slung an arm around her shoulders as he warily scanned the courtyard.

“Are there rooms we can rest in?”

“Of course,” said Sejuleu. “The eastern wing was reconstructed last year. Follow The Livadonian commander entrusted his mount to a servant and led them into the main castle. Maxi stuck close behind Riftan as they ascended the stone steps into the spacious hall.

Only three stories of the main castle had been restored so far. Though it was rather noisy because of the ongoing construction, the interior was well-decorated. They walked across the glistening marble tiles to the passageway on the left side of the hall that led to the finished part of the castle. A middle-aged man who appeared to be the steward rushed over to greet them.

“You have returned, my lord.”

“I have indeed. Are the rooms in order for our guests?”

The steward quickly counted their number and nodded. “Yes, my lord. ‘

“Show the ladies to their rooms and provide them a warm bath. Have the servants heat the sauna as well.”

When Sejuleu turned to Maxi, his eyes crinkling in good humor, Riftan barked irritably, “How long are you going to keep us standing here?”

Sejuleu chuckled as he led the men upstairs, and Maxi sighed deeply. He was determined to get on Riftan’s nerves, it seemed. He had been showering her with excessive kindness throughout the journey back, causing Riftan to become increasingly short- tempered. It had now built to the point where her husband would growl like a wild dog every time the Livadonian commander so

much as looked her way.

“Ladies, please follow me. The rooms will have to be shared as we are short on beds. Will that be all right?’

“Of course!” Sidina replied. Her voice filled with longing as she said, “A clean bed will be more than enough.”

The steward smiled and led the women up the opposite staircase. Soon, Maxi found herself in a tidy room with a crackling fireplace. Anette had chosen to share a room with Miriam, so it was Sidina and Maxi in the other.

When Sidina tried to dive straight into the bed, Maxi grabbed the girl and made her remove her dirty coat and boots first. She then threw off her own filthy clothes. As they filled the laundry hamper with numerous layers of tunics and leggings, the maidservants brought a tub of steaming water.

The two drew lots to decide who would bathe first, and Maxi luckily won the honor. She disappeared behind the partition and whistled blissfully as she relished the hot water. Meanwhile, Sidina sat grumbling before the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket.

“Had I known this would happen, I would’ve chosen to wash at the sauna as well. At least my eyes would’ve had something to feast on.”

Maxi directed a glare around the edge of the partition. It appeared the lamia’s bite had made her friend lewder than ever. Stepping out of the bath, Maxi dried herself with a towel and threw on a clean tunic. “Stop that nonsense and get in the bath. I’m all done.”

‘Yes, yes.”

Partway through flinging aside her clothes, Sidina turned to look at Maxi in confusion.

“By the way, why are you sharing a room with me and not Sir Riftan?”

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