UNDER THE OAK TREE

Chapter 348: Chapter 109

Sunlight was streaming through the bedchamber window when Maxi opened her eyes. Feeling wretched, she slowly surveyed the room. Servants had come and gone, as evidenced by the disappearance of the bath and empty plates. There was no sign of her husband ever having returned. 𝚋𝚎ｄｎｏ𝚟𝚎ｌ.ｎ𝚎𝚝

Did he stay out all night?

Maxi groped the cold sheet beside her. All of a sudden, she scrambled out of bed and put on her slippers. She hastily threw on a coat and, without even brushing her hair, rushed out the door. The morning air was crisp, but she was too livid to feel the cold as she stormed down the corridor.

Just then, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Max!”

Maxi looked back to see Sidina running toward her, her twin braids bouncing on her shoulders.

“I am so glad you made it back safely!” Sidina exclaimed, flinging herself at Maxi and knocking the wind out of her.

The excited girl spun them both around and stepped to one side of the corridor. Her large brown eyes examined Maxi’s face.

“I heard all about your ordeals. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I-I am fine. The campaign was certainly trying… but I am unscathed,” Maxi replied calmly in an attempt to get her exuberant friend to simmer down. “H-How have you been, Sidina?”

“Where do i begin? I’ve been losing clumps of hair from being cooped up inside a room deciphering ancient codes all day. I fear my eyesight has gotten worse in the span of a few months.” Her theatrical complaints gave way to a triumphant look. “Still, the trouble was worth it. I promise you will be shocked when you discover what we’ve learned.”

The girl was visibly hankering to tell her all about their findings right there and then.

“I’m sorry,” Maxi said, her expression troubled, “but could you tell me about it later? I need to find my husband—”

“You’re looking for Sir Riftan?” Sidina asked, surprised. “I doubt you’ll find him here. I saw him leaving the castle early this morning. Although I don’t know why…”

Maxi stiffened in shock.

Worry rose on Sidina’s face. “Did he leave without telling you?”

“H-He must not have… wanted to disturb my sleep.”

Maxi quickly offered the excuse with a smile, trying to appear unaffected. Beneath her calm exterior, anger was beginning to boil. Not only had he neglected her the entire night, but he had left without saying a word. She could not believe it. Did he not owe her an explanation? Would it have been that difficult to leave a message, at the very least?

Her eyes welled with tears, and she tried to hide them by combing her tangled hair.

Sidina regarded her warily. “It did not seem like he was going far. He was dressed lightly with no luggage, from what 1 could tell, and only two knights accompanied him. 1 doubt he was going out of the city. Would you like to visit the knights’ quarters to inquire?”

Maxi looked out the window, her lips pressed together. Though she very much wanted to seek out the Remdragon Knights at once, her wounded pride would not allow it.

Concealing her anger and dejection, she said with feigned brightness, “Th-That won’t be necessary. Your observation is assurance enough. I’m sure he’ll be back by the end of the day. 1 shall ask him then.”

Her act must have been convincing. Sidina’s face lit up once again as she said, “Then, you should come with me to the mages’ quarters. I’m sure Master Calto wishes to see you as well.”

Maxi allowed herself to be led down the long corridor, which was now bathed in pale spring light. With her entire focus on keeping her mind from drifting back to Riftan, Sidina’s chatter seemed to glance off her.

The cold seeped through her clothes as they walked. Though she wore only a flowing coat over the thin linen dress she had slept in, she could not bring herself to ask to go back. The last thing she wanted was to admit to having rushed from her room upon waking, desperately seeking her husband. She gnawed her lip, quickening her pace.

“Anette and Armin are likely still asleep,” Sidina told her. “Everyone spent the night drinking to celebrate the army’s safe return.”

They arrived at the annex. Sidina shot Maxi a mischievous smile as they stepped through. “I was going to call you as well, but Anette made it known in no uncertain terms that I was not to disturb your private time with your husband.”

“How… considerate of her,” Maxi mumbled.

If only Ursuline Ricaydo were capable of the same consideration. She gritted her teeth as she recalled the obstinate, fair-haired man but hurriedly changed the subject so Sidina would not realize just how miserable and lonely a night she had spent.

“This shocking discovery,” Maxi said, changing the subject. “Does it have to do with the dark mages’ records?”

“Now you ask!” Sidina exclaimed, hopping up the stairs. “I’m sure you know that the dark mages were divided into two factions. Well, we recently discovered the reason for it. We believe it was brought about by a disagreement on how to treat the monsters of the Ayin race.”

“W-What do you mean?”

Maxi could only gape stupidly at the bizarreness of the statement.

After making sure they were alone, Sidina’s voice dropped to a murmur. “The dark mages succeeded in taming the monsters. They domesticated the beastly ones as livestock, while monsters of the Ayin race — of higher intelligence, of course — were enlisted to fill the labor shortage. They were closer to slaves at first, but it appears more and more mages began to regard them with empathy as time passed. Some even argued that the Ayin monsters should be treated as equals.”

“Th-That’s preposterous!” Maxi exclaimed, her voice rising unwittingly.

The fundamentalists of the Orthodox faction did not recognize other races, such as elves or dwarves, as equal to humans. Nevertheless, even the most pious did not deny that these species were creations of God.

Monsters, on the other hand, were abominations born of the devil’s seed for the sole purpose of tormenting humanity with pain and suffering. Claiming that these vile creatures were divinely created could have one dragged before the Holy Tribunal.

“Th-There would be an uproar… if this were to get out,” Maxi said. “The church might even use it as justification for the indiscriminate persecution of the mages like they did in the past.”

“Not all of the dark mages were in agreement. It caused a rift amongst them, leading to them splitting into two warring factions.”

Stopping in front of a study, Sidina pensively stared at the door handle for some time before adding, “The records detail how the dark mages began to develop such flawed thoughts. After coexisting with domesticated monsters for centuries, the dark mages naturally grew less wary. Even so, the mere fact that some fought against this corrupt notion proves they were not a danger from the start.”

Maxi furrowed her brow skeptically. She doubted the church was interested in learning how the dark mages were initially corrupted. They would be fortunate if the clergy did not accuse them of trying to protect the dark mages.

“L-Let us go inside first,” Maxi said anxiously, glancing about. “This isn’t something we should be discussing in the corridor.”

Sidina shrugged before pulling on the door handle. Maxi heaved a heavy sigh as she stepped into the study. Already, her head ached from having one more thing to worry about.

Her stomach was in knots from the cold war between her and Riftan. The sordid history of the dark mages was not a welcome addition. Feeling sick of it all, she strode across the room to the blazing fireplace.

A man lay on the couch nearby, bundled in a blanket. He sluggishly raised his head and looked at her with bleary eyes.

“What a while it has been, Maximilian Calypse.”

Maxi gawked in shock. The vagrant on the couch was none other than Calto Serbel. His usual solemnity gone, the elder swept his disheveled hair back as he slowly rose.

“I’ve been informed of all the trials you have been through. Word of your safe return was glad tidings indeed.”

“I-I am glad… to see that you are also…” Maxi trailed off when she noted his gaunt face. He was more emaciated than the last time she had seen him.

When he saw her awkward expression, Calto’s lips curved into a bitter smile. “I am a sight to behold, I’m sure.”

“That is why I’ve been telling you to sleep in your chamber, at the least,” Sidina nagged as she gathered the clutter of parchments around him. “How late were you up last night? It should hardly be a surprise that you’re becoming a walking corpse. You cannot keep going like this.”

“I will not burden you with my funeral, so never you mind,” Calto said curtly as he walked over to a rack. Picking up a kettle, he filled a basin with water, then proceeded to noisily wash his face. The sight reminded Maxi so much of Ruth that a smile unconsciously tugged at her lips.

“Do sit down. There is a matter I wish to discuss with you privately.”

“About what?” Sidina asked before Maxi could even open her mouth to reply.

Calto shot the girl an irritated look. “I would appreciate it if you would bring me something from the kitchen. A tankard of ale and some bread should do it. Fetch that for me, and 1 will be forever grateful.”

“I know a dismissal when I hear one,” Sidina grumbled, turning around. “Very well. I shall clear the room so you two can talk.”

She winked at Maxi over her shoulder.

“You haven’t eaten anything yet either, have you? i’ll be back with some food for you as well, so you must tell me whatever it is Master Calto talks about.”

When she finally left the room, Calto plopped down on the couch and shook his head..