UNDER THE OAK TREE

Chapter 308: Chapter 69

“Are we in such a rush that we cannot spare a night?” said Riftan.

An ambiguous expression rose on Hebaron’s face.

After silently assessing his vice commander, Riftan rose to his feet. “I’m going to inspect the camp and find out our exact situation.”

Maxi sighed as she watched him stride out of the tent. She doubted he would listen to any pleas for him to rest.

Before long, the mages who had remained at the ruins entered through the tent canvas. They cast restorative magic over the returning party members, and Maxi gained just enough energy to move around. She used it mostly on filling her stomach with the food the knights brought in. Afterward, she drew water from the hot spring and stumbled into the small tent at the reservoir’s edge. As she began to wash, waves of drowsiness from the food and warm scrub-down began to crash over her.

After slipping into a fresh set of clothes, she returned to her tent. Soon, crouched in front of the brazier, she began to nod off.

“I overheard the knights talking earlier,” said Anette, who was beside her stoking the flames with a poker. “We are to spend the night here and leave the Plateau at first light. That means our task is done. What I want to know is, what will you do next, Max?”

Maxi’s eyes snapped open, all drowsiness evaporating in an instant.

“Excluding those that just returned, Master Celric, Master Nevin, and I are the only mages staying behind,” Anette added. “The rest have gone to Eth Lene Castle with our findings. The senior mages will no doubt want to get the documents to the Tower as soon as possible, so I think many will head to Nornui then.’

“Are you… going back to Nornui too, Anette? ”

“I’m still mulling over it.”

Maxi’s eyes grew widened at the unexpected answer.

Pulling her gaze away from the fire, Anette turned to her with a serious expression. “The Temple Knights will assemble a coalition army as soon as we return. I think Miriam is set on joining, and she doesn’t appear to be the only one. Though I’m sure for different reasons. In any case, I’m seriously considering whether or not to join myself. ”

“I had assumed you would return. You did say… you wouldn’t care if this land went up in flames.”

Anette gave a twisted smile as she picked up on the hint of cynicism in Maxi’s voice.

“Those are my honest feelings on the matter, but what weVe discovered here has only made me want to know more about the dark mages. Which is why I’m thinking of volunteering for the rear support unit. If I’m in the coalition army, I’ll get to examine the books and magical devices inside the city once we’ve

“Do you… think the church would allow that?”

“They certainly won’t like it.” Anette furrowed her brow, her eyes darting to the side of the tent where Calto and Celric were talking. “I think that’s why the mages of Urd are considering joining the coalition as commanding officers. Our help will be indispensable in battle against the dark mages, so even the

Basilica of Osiriya would have to let us participate as a key unit.”

“And that would… guarantee Nornui a share of the spoils,” Maxi remarked pensively.

Anette nodded. “Exactly. Because of Nornui’s principles, I doubt anyone will be forced to join, but I’m sure they will urge many of its mages to volunteer. A greater contribution means a bigger claim to the spoils.”

Maxi did not mention the casualties they would suffer if the coalition army were to lose. She knew very well that being in the rear support did not guarantee one’s safety. That much she had learned from her experiences in the war. Though they were the invaders this time, it was still equally dangerous. Many lives would be lost, and if fortune were against them, their army could be decimated.

Her face clouded as she recalled the sheer size of the monster base. It was unfathomable. How would they break down the massive ramparts and fight the tens of thousands of monsters inside?

“You’re planning on joining, aren’t you?’

Anette’s voice snapped Maxi out of her thoughts. Was she planning on it? It had never been a question. The Remdragon Knights were bound to be part of the coalition, which meant she would as well. But she knew Riftan would not allow it. It was why she had been avoiding thinking about the matter.

“I don’t think… my husband will allow it,” said Maxi, resting her chin on her knees, her expression troubled.

Anette snorted. “And why would you need his permission? Have you forgotten? You are a mage of Nornui. Nobody can stop you from doing anything against your will. If you choose to participate in the war as a mage of the Tower, even your husband won’t be able to stop you.”

‘Yes, but he will not like it,” Maxi mumbled despondently, “and… I don’t wish to anger him more than I already have.”

“Are you going back to Anatol, then?” Anette asked, arching an eyebrow.

Maxi pressed her lips together. Just imagining herself worrying to death in Calypse Castle while Riftan was on the battlefield made her feel like her stomach was being punctured with holes.

She groaned. “I-I don’t know what to do.”

“Just follow your heart,” Anette said, scowling in exasperation. “Didn’t you say it was your dream to become a distinguished mage someday? That won’t happen if you’re constantly worried about what your husband thinks.”

The words Maxi had drunkenly slurred during the welcome reception in Nornui floated back to her, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Stop being a WUss, and be frank with him,” Anette snapped. “If that causes a quarrel, then argue. As they say, it’s normal for married couples to bicker all their lives.’

“I don’t wish to live like that.”

“You say that, but I’ve seen you wrangle quite capably with him.’

Maxi glowered at her friend before weakly dropping her shoulders. Just thinking about another argument with Riftan made her gloomy.

She pressed her face to her knees and mumbled, “I’ll have to think about it first.’

The next day, they cleared all traces of their stay at the ruins and started moving southwest. After half a day’s gallop along a rock face, they entered a twisting mountain valley. They maneuvered through it, only to surface to yet another snow-laden, hilly expanse.

The snowstorm that had been raging for days quieted, allowing for a smooth journey. Despite this, the knights’ faces grew increasingly grim, and the reason soon became evident. They had finally run out of fodder.

Ruth sighed deeply as he cast restorative magic on the slumped horses. “We can only do so much with just magic. They won’t last much longer without food.’

“How far are we from Eth Lene?’ said Riftan.

“Even ifwe move with all haste, it will take five days,” Kuahel replied calmly.

“Then let us hope the supply party reaches us in the next two,” Riftan said through gritted teeth before urging his horse onward.

Despite their hopes, the supply party did not turn up even as they neared the ravine. In the end, the horses pulling the wagon were the first to collapse, foam spilling from their mouths. Flustered, the mages tried to revive them with restorative magic, but the animals did not move. At a loss for what to do, Maxi looked up at Riftan.

“W -What should we do now?’

“Discard any unnecessary items. Load only the food and coal on your saddles. We will leave the wagon. ”

Kuahel shook his head. “The horses can’t carry any more.”

“Nor can we afford to discard the food,” Riftan retorted firmly, leaping down from Talon. “We’ll let the horses carry the load while we travel on foot. It shouldn’t be long before we come upon the supply party. We’ve only to press on until then.”

Kuahel seemed to weigh the options as he swept his gaze over the horses. He soon nodded. The party promptly dismounted and had the horses carry as much of their remaining supplies as possible. There was only enough room for the essentials. Though the empty wine barrels could be smashed apart for firewood, they could not afford the additional weight.

Taking nothing other than food, coal, and bedrolls, the party started their trek through the narrow ravine. Fierce winds battered them, and snow fell in flurries. Maxi gloomily looked up. It seemed the terrible weather was upon them again after a sunny few days. All of a sudden, Riftan drew his sword.

“Ready for battle!

Maxi hastily pulled on Rem’s reins and retreated to the rear. The flurries intensified, and they were quickly engulfed in a white haze. Maxi’s eyes widened at the sight of a shadowy figure in the blizzard.

An enormous beast, at least ten kevettes (approximately 3 meters) tall, prowled along the ravine floor toward them.

“A fenrir! Summon a barrier!”

Before Riftan even finished giving his command, Maxi called up a barrier in front of them. The Temple Knights flung their chains to bind the monster, and the knights on the frontline charged at it with their swords at the ready.

In an unbelievable feat of agility, the monster climbed up the rock face with incredible speed. The weight of its hulking body dislodged a protruding rock, sending it hurtling down. When the knights scattered out of harm’s way, the fenrir seized the chance to strike again. Riftan was about to swing his sword at the massive beast when a thunderbolt struck it from above.

Maxi was stunned. The violent squall instantly died down as the fenrir’s body crashed to the ground. As the sky cleared, she realized it was not a bolt of lightning that had struck the monster but a long, gilded spear.

After dazedly blinking at the fenrir’s lifeless form, she slowly raised her head and looked up. Knights dotted the edge of the rock face above the ravine. They wore purple surcoats over dark armor, and a banner bearing a red lion billowed above their heads.

Maxi had seen that coat of arms before. She was staring at the lion, trying to recall which order it belonged to, when one of the darkly armored knights raised his visor.

“Greetings, friends,” bellowed an unexpectedly cheery voice. “It appears we’ve arrived in the nick of time.]’