Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 341: Chapter 102

Maxi hunched her shoulders. “D-Do you think it is the tomb of the dark mages?”

“I would appear so since it is unlikely that ordinary humans ever lived there.” Unease flashed on Sejuleu’s face. “The clerics will undoubtedly be appalled once they see it. The burial chamber is built like a shrine.”

Maxi’s face clouded. Had the dark mages built the tomb to purify their souls? After being banished and excommunicated, their greatest fear would have been an eternity of anguish as undead monsters. That was likely the reason behind attempting a purification spell of their own, and why their tomb resembled a shrine. The question was, had their efforts paid off?

Maxi’s gaze drifted up to the castle tower, then back to Sejuleu. “Where are… the dark mages? Have they been dealt with already?”

“We have yet to meet one. We’ve scoured the entire city but have found no one resembling a mage. I suspect they may have fled after catching wind of the coalition army’s plan to invade.”

Riftan, who had been tightening his armor, interrupted. “Don’t jump to conclusions. They could be hiding somewhere in the city, so have the knights posted at the gates.”

“My men are already watching every entryway like a hawk,” Sejuleu assured him, “but there may be secret passageways we aren’t aware of. We should do a thorough search of the city once the soldiers have rested.”

Maxi was about to volunteer to help with her search magic but hesitated when she saw Riftan’s expression. She was not sure if she had enough mana left anyway. A wave of exhaustion suddenly came over her, and she hugged her knees.

Noticing Maxi’s weariness, Riftan took off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

She stared at him like a sullen child but, in the end, reluctantly bobbed her head. Riftan gave her a doubtful look before climbing the stairs. She spotted Sejuleu motioning for four of his subordinates to follow Riftan. Feeling somewhat reassured Riftan was not going alone, Maxi rested her chin on her knees.

“Drink this,” Sejuleu said, offering her a cup. “It’ll ease your nerves and warm you up.”

“Th-Thankyou.”

Maxi accepted it and took a sip. The warm wine was heavenly as it passed down her throat.

She realized she had not had water all day after having had only bread and ale for breakfast. She had been too busy tending to the wounded. Suddenly overcome with intense hunger and thirst, Maxi drained the cup. As the wine settled warmly in her stomach, she felt the day’s tension drain away.

“Have some of this as well,” Sejuleu said, holding out a piece of bread and cheese.

Maxi hungrily devoured it all. It felt bizarre that she could ingest anything with a mountain of monster carcasses a few dozen kevettes away. Nevertheless, she had to eat if she did not wish to collapse. After satiating her hunger, she settled close to the fire to thaw her freezing body.

Before long, Riftan returned with Ruth and Elliot. Though they both looked haggard, neither appeared to be hurt.

“I’m glad… to see you unharmed,” Maxi said, rising to her feet. “You’ve no idea how worried 1 was.”

Ruth was trudging toward the fire, but he halted when he recognized her, his eyes growing wide. “I cannot say the same of you, my lady. You are a mess. Please do not tell me you’ve gotten yourself hurt again. What sort of reckless—” “Th-This is goblin blood. I assure you, 1 am unscathed,” Maxi cut in. Her eyes darted around. “Where… are the others?”

Elliot smiled bitterly and replied, “They did not enter the city as we also needed to guard the horses and provisions. They should have reunited with the rest of the army by now.”

“We must hurry and rejoin our order as well,” Riftan said. “It will be another sleepless night if we don’t finish the search by sunset and start setting up camp. Come, Maxi.”

Wrapping his arm around her, he led her toward the outskirts of the city. Maxi gave Sejuleu a nod as they walked out of the square. Even though unknown dangers could be lurking amid the ruins, with Riftan’s arm around her, sturdier than any rampart, Maxi had never felt safer.

As they approached the magnificent but desolate city, black smoke rose from the rows of large stone buildings, and soldiers bustled over the streets. It did not take long for them to find the banner of the Remdragon Knights among them.

“Hang on a little longer. It’s all over now,” Riftan muttered, his relief palpable.

Only then did Maxi realize he had been as worried as she was. Tears welled in her eyes, and she wound her arms around his waist. Everything was over now. They would finally be able to return to Anatol.

Fortune was on the Remdragon Knights’ side. There were no casualties, and though thirteen high-ranking knights had sustained injuries, none were life-threatening. After swift treatment with magic, all of the knights were spared from permanent damage.

However, the hundreds of common soldiers were not as lucky. Maxi promptly set up a new infirmary at the edge of the square. Around two hundred were in critical condition, and about three times more had suffered minor injuries.

Maxi could not contain her sighs. If there was a silver lining, it was that she had more help. With no more battles to fight, the mages in the offensive unit were reassigned to healing. Among them, Celric proved the biggest help. With him directing the healing unit, Maxi could finally unburden herself from the heavy responsibilities of being a leader.

She was in the middle of making pain relievers when Anton entered the tent.

“We are to depart in a week,” he announced, his face grave. “I was told to make sure the soldiers can travel by then.”

Maxi looked up at him in surprise. “S-So soon?”

“Yes. They have searched every kevette of this city but found no trace of the dark mages. They’ve long abandoned this place. According to the knights, there is no evidence of humans ever living here.”

Anton plopped down in front of the brazier with a heavy sigh.

“It’s possible that the band creating undead monsters all over the Seven Kingdoms is the last of them. Not that surprising considering how rare a Serbel offspring is.”

Maxi’s heart sank. With so much happening, she had forgotten the undead problem entirely.

“Th-Then, what will happen now?”

“The dark mages have failed. With their base gone, no amount of undead will be able to help them achieve their goal of conquering the Seven Kingdoms.” After pensively gazing into the blazing fire, Anton scratched his thick beard and added, “Still, we intend to track them all down. It would be better to capture them before the church, but that is unlikely. The Temple Knights are already keeping an eye on us.”

“They are… watching us?” Maxi said, shocked.

“Have you not noticed? This city is full of records left by the dark mages. The clerics are wary of us swiping them.”

Maxi’s face hardened. “Will the relationship between the church and the Mage Tower… sour again?”

Anton shrugged and said unconcernedly, “It is too early to tell, but it’s clear that a dispute over the records cannot be avoided.”

Despite the older mage’s attempt to look nonchalant, Maxi could see the determination on his face. The Mage Tower would not give up on the dark mages’ record so easily.

She felt drained just thinking about the prospect of another troublesome dispute. She had no interest in participating in an irksome power struggle. All she wanted was to return home to rest.

As if reading her thoughts, Anton gave her a stern look. “The coalition army will stay in Balbourne for some time to discuss the distribution of spoils. 1 want you to attend the council with us to support the claim of the Mage Tower.”

“M-Me?”

“Not only were you in charge of the rear support unit, but you have acquired great fame throughout the Western Continent. Your presence will help us greatly during negotiations.”

Maxi stared at Anton blankly. She had never once considered herself as a person of influence. Having said his piece, Anton rose without waiting for her reply.

“It is already decided that the army will head to Balbourne, and since the rulers of the Seven Kingdoms are currently in Osiriya, the knightly orders are bound to remain at the basilica until the council reaches an agreement. In the meantime, you can take your time to think it over.”

Maxi let out a dejected sigh as soon as he left the tent. It had been a mistake to think that she would be able to return home as soon as this war was over.

At least 1 will get some rest in Balbourne.

Traveling to Anatol from here took two months, so a stop in Balbourne might do them good. Fortune allowing, she might even get to attend one of the grand festivals in Osiriya or watch a swordsmanship tournament.

Maxi tried to cheer herself up by recalling the stories Rosetta had smugly recounted in the past. As the old capital of the Roem Empire, Balbourne was a magnificent city with endless sights. There was surely no harm in staying in Osiriya for a few weeks. Reassuring herself, Maxi walked over to her patients for bandage changes.

She had been tending to them for some time when she sensed a presence behind her. When she whipped her head back, she saw Riftan standing over her. She smiled brightly, the sight of his chiseled face draining away all of her fatigue.

He looked much better now. With all the sweat and dust scrubbed clean, his tousled hair appeared lustrous, and he smelled of soap and leather. Maxi mused that he must have washed at the spring within the castle..

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