Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 321 - 82

Resounding cheers filled the city. Maxi pacified a snorting Rem by patting her neck. At the same time, she gazed out at the slowly brightening sky beyond the shadowed walls. The light from the rising sun played over the knights' armor, making them glint silver. The gathered crowd looked on in awe, and their exuberant cheers continued until the Remdragon and Bolosé Royal Knights rode out of the gate.

"Are you not cold, my lady?" Ulyseon asked as they reached the steep valley just outside the city.

Maxi pulled back her hood and smiled. "I-I'm fine. I'm dressed quite warmly."

In truth, her hands and feet were already freezing, but she did her best not to show it. It had snowed the previous night, and the field around them was covered in frost.

Ulyseon surveyed the surroundings, his brow furrowed. "This year's winter truly is unrelenting. It should be warmer by now."

"Isn't it always this cold up north?" said Anette from the baggage wagon beside them. She blew her nose into a handkerchief as if to emphasize her point.

Ulyseon shook his head. "No, this Paxias has been unusually long. It is strange for it to still feel like the middle of the season when we're two months into the new year."

Maxi gazed despondently over the wilderness currently being battered by fierce winds. Thick frost blanketed the ground, and the soldiers' breaths rose above their heads like smoke. This winter truly was unrelenting.

Adjusting her cloak to cover Rem's rear, Maxi fished out a flask of mulled wine from her saddlebag. The once-hot liquid was already tepid from their ride out of the city.

"Let me have a sip of that," said Anette.

Maxi obliged, stretching her arm out to pass the flask to her friend. She then nudged Rem to keep up with the knights. The cacophony of wheels rolling over frozen soil, thousands of hooves stomping the ground, and the rhythmic marching of soldiers filled the air.

She advanced with the army in silence. Before long, the distant figures of the Baltonian and Osiriyan forces became visible over the gentle slope ahead. The sight of the sloped plain filled with soldiers sent a chill down her spine.

There were twelve divisions in the coalition army, each of which comprised thousands of spearmen, archers, and cavalrymen. The units marched in orderly, square formations around wagons loaded with weapons, provisions, and lumber. It was like watching a moving city.

"I didn't think… we would catch up to them so soon," Maxi said in surprise.

Since the two armies had started their march before dawn, she had expected them to be much further ahead.

Ulyseon looked down at her. "Scouts are sent out first to ensure our course is safe, which takes time."

Maxi nodded her understanding.

While the soldiers came to a brief halt, she searched the cavalry for Riftan and spotted him just as the march resumed. He was in the middle section advancing up the hill, leading the Remdragon Knights and the Wedonian army's cavalry. Her eyes locked on his head of black hair bobbing above the sea of soldiers. A moment later, she noticed Agnes riding next to him.

She frowned as irritation surged through her. "Isn't it… customary for mages to be stationed at the rear of a unit?"

Ulyseon looked puzzled by her abrupt question. "Customarily, yes."

"I ask because… I see Princess Agnes riding at the head."

"Mages who are part of the offense, like Princess Agnes, are sometimes stationed at the front. Mage Ruth often assists Sir Riftan there as well."

"Then, it should be Ruth next to him," Maxi said tartly.

She quickly pressed her lips together at the surprise on Ulyseon's face. Embarrassment at her display of petty jealousy set in, and she felt her cheeks burn. She was about to apologize for her ill temper when she heard a curt voice behind them.

"I do not see why you're bringing me into this."

Maxi jumped. Ruth had materialized seemingly out of nowhere.

After dumbly staring at her friend atop his gray stallion with a sullen expression, Maxi stammered, "H-How long have you been there?"

"This whole time," he replied flatly. "It was merely a light concealment charm, but you didn't seem to notice at all. You really must work on your magic detection, my lady. It's not just today, either. You were quite oblivious to my near-constant presence back at the castle. I would call that a cause for concern."

"W-What? Why would you do something so disturbing?"

Genuinely alarmed, Maxi shifted slightly away from Ruth. She found it greatly unsettling that he had been hovering around her without her knowledge.

Ruth's jaw dropped in shock. "Disturbing?!" he cried. "How could you say such a thing? Everything I did has been to help you. My lady, you are shockingly unobservant. You did not even notice your significantly reduced workload. That is a serious problem!"

"I-I thought it was Anette or Armin! How was I to know you were nefariously concealing yourself?"

"Nefariously?!" Ruth cried again, his anger rising. "Surely you do not mean that. Was the first slight insufficient?!"

A moment later, his shoulders sagged wearily, and he heaved a long sigh.

"I am exhausted. Not only am I dealing with Sir Riftan, who is as testy as a bear stung by a bee, but my uncle resorts to violence at the slightest provocation, and the other mages shoot daggers at me whenever I'm near. And now the princess has arrived to pester me as well."

He shuddered and continued, "Can you imagine how terrible the situation must have been for me to go into hiding? But I got plenty done despite it all. If anything, I should be applauded."

"I-I don't see why… you had to conceal yourself even from me," said Maxi, glowering at him incredulously.

"I used the concealment charm to give myself a little respite," Ruth muttered, rubbing his nape. "But being unnoticed was so comfortable that I forgot about it. All I did was work anyway, so I saw no need to speak."

Maxi found his plight both pathetic and tragic.

"I-In any case, just don't do it again," she said, somewhat pacified. "You are the mage of the Remdragon Knights, Ruth. Stop hiding like a fool… and return to your station."

"You want me to place myself between Sir Riftan and Princess Agnes?" Ruth retorted with a snort. "Why should I subject myself to such torment? I would have to be mad. I'd rather continue under the safety of a concealment spell."

Maxi glared at him irritably. As much as she could not stand the sight of Riftan and the princess together, she could not bring herself to ask Ruth to separate them. Still, the sorcerer seemed to cotton on to what she wanted without her having to say it.

"I understand your disapproval, my lady," he said, clicking his tongue, "but my going there won't change anything. Even if I were to attempt to steer the princess away, I doubt she would catch on. It is in her nature to be oblivious to such things."

Shooting a glance at the royal knights, he continued quietly, "Think about it, my lady. She is a woman of superior lineage, beauty, and talent, showered with the love and admiration of thousands. Do you think she has ever felt envy or jealousy? Since she herself has never experienced it, it's impossible for her to comprehend those sentiments in others. You could say that she is blind to such things."

Maxi was shocked by his scathing assessment of the princess. As if venting years of resentment, Ruth's tone became increasingly bitter.

"The princess does not understand that actions without malice can still cause hurt. You will only be tormenting yourself if you keep fretting over it."

Maxi was so mortified at her innermost thoughts being laid bare that she found herself mumbling a blatant lie. "A-Actually… I am not that bothered by their relationship."

When Ruth merely shrugged, she rode on for a while in silence before blurting, "Even if the princess is oblivious… sh-shouldn't Riftan keep his distance? I don't think the chief aide… is required to accompany her at all times. Especially with knights from other kingdoms watching. What if… they were to spark salacious rumors like last time?"

"I shall go convey this to Sir Riftan, my lady!"

Ulyseon, who had been stoically listening nearby, steered his horse forward. Maxi frantically grabbed his cloak.

"Y-You mustn't!"

"But Sir Riftan should know how concerned you are for his honor."

"I-I shall be furious with you if you tell him any such thing!" she hissed through clenched teeth.

Ulyseon stared down at her in bewilderment before bobbing his head.

After eyeing the young knight doubtfully, she offered a reason that sounded like an excuse even to her ears.

"I was only… slightly concerned… th-that their reputations might be tarnished. I am in no way jealous… or upset by their relationship…. so you are not to turn this into a bigger problem than necessary. Do you understand?"

Ulyseon nodded gravely. "Yes, my lady."

Feeling deeply embarrassed, she urged Rem into a trot. The army continued marching, stopping only for short breaks to relieve themselves or water the horses. With half of their forces being foot soldiers, the pace was frustratingly slow. Nevertheless, by sunset, they were almost at the Pamela Plateau. They began setting up camp near a winding gorge cut through by a frozen river.

The first thing she did was unsaddle Rem. The mare's head drooped to the ground from exhaustion. After briefly casting restorative magic on her, Maxi led her to the water's edge. Soldiers were already by the riverbank, smashing hammers against the ice and scooping water into pails. Soon, more soldiers arrived with hundreds of horses in tow. Maxi stood in line behind them and waited her turn. Just then, a hand gripped her shoulder.

Startled, she turned to find Riftan looking down at her, his face impassive.

"We're about to hold a strategy meeting. The mages will be in attendance, so you should come as well."

When she continued to stare up at him stupidly, Riftan impatiently took Rem's reins from her and called to one of the soldiers.

"Water this horse and have it rest near a fire."

When the soldier took the reins from him, Riftan immediately dragged Maxi to a blazing brazier. At his urging, she settled in a seat near the warmth. Joy began to bubble up inside her as the shock wore off.

Riftan removed his gauntlets and tossed them to a squire. He picked up a wine bottle from a table the soldiers had laid out.

"Drink this for now," he said, pouring some into a cup for her. "The meal will take a while."

"Th-Thank you," Maxi said, taking the cup.

Richard Breston chose that moment to saunter over, an unpleasant smile plastered on his face. He did not say a word and merely placed a chair next to where the knights were putting up barracks. As Breston sat down, Riftan pulled a chair next to Maxi and poured himself wine.

One by one, Sejuleu Aren, Kuahel Leon, and Princess Agnes finished inspecting their respective units and joined them around the fire. The high priests of each kingdom came soon after, followed by the mages.