They were the cannibalistic creatures that frequently appeared in bards’ heroic tales. Maxi narrowed her eyes and stared down at the illustration. The creature lookedterrifying, with its hooked nose, wart-covered skin, pointed ears, muscular limbs, and bulging belly. It stared ahead with its big, sunken eyes visible beneath swollen lids.
After studying the detailed illustration, Maxi read the explanation beneath it.
Trolls are approximately 7–8 kevettes in height. Their massive bodies allow them immense strength. They are extremely vicious in nature and possess remarkable regenerative powers that allow them to heal deep wounds in an instant. They live in small groups of 30–50. Smarter than goblins, they are able to craft and use armor and weapons.
She unconsciously hunched her shoulders as she read the scrawled script. A chill ran down her spine as she imagined an army of brutally strong, intelligent, carnivorous monsters invading their land.
No, that is unlikely. Pamela Plateau and Anatol are on opposite ends of the continent….
But being so far removed from the monsters was no consolation, as it meant that Riftan might have to travel that far to join the campaign. Maxi bit her lip and turned to the next page. Illustrations of a goblin and an ogre appeared one after the other. She was engrossed in her reading when she felt something land on her shoulder.
Maxi leapt to her feet in a wide-eyed panic.
“What is it? Why are you so surprised?” Ruth tried to put on a concerned face, though his shoulders were hunched in suppressed laughter.
“W-Why would you…sneak up on a l-lady like that?!”Maxi scowled at him.
“I did nothing of the sort. I entered the library in the usual manner.”
“You could have s-said something.”
Ruth took the seat opposite her. “Next time I will storm in and bellow, ‘The great sorcerer Ruth has arrived!’ ”
Maxi did not know whether to be angry or to laugh at his impertinence. They had not seen each other in a while, but his treatment of her had clearly not changed.
Ruth gave an undignified yawn, his face relaxing back into its usual apathy, before snatching the book from her and thumbing through it.
“I’m afraid some of the descriptions are incorrect. Strictly speaking, the lizardmen are closer to the dragon subspecies than the Ayin. They carry magic stones within them and are able to use distinctive magic of their own. The record Riftan keeps should have more details than this book.”
“Is there a big difference…between the dragon subspecies…and the Ayin?”
“Of course. The dragon subspecies possess innate powers and can use magic distinct to their kind. Dragon’s Breath, for example, is essentially a spell that they are casting. They are also highly resistant to magic, so most magical offensives do not work on them. It’s why they are such difficult creatures to subdue.”
He lowered the book to the desk and rubbed his head, as if just imagining such a feat was exhausting.
“Lizardmen are a higher caliber of monster than trolls. Not only are they intelligent and capable casters, but they also have outstanding physical prowess. They are not easy toslay with sword or spell. Defeating a lizardman is more difficult than fending off ten trolls at once.”
Maxi looked down at the illustration. The strange creature had the face of a reptile, a muscular and humanoid body covered in scales, and a long tail. It certainly did not seem intelligent. Wondering if Ruth was correct, Maxi squinted at the faded script beneath the illustration.
He tapped the table with his fingertips. “Might I ask why you are reading a book on monsters?”
“I…heard the report the scouts brought back y-yesterday, and I wanted to know what kind of monsters they were….”
Ruth stroked his chin. “I heard that you cured a man infected with werewolf poison yesterday. Was that where you heard the news?”
Maxi nodded stiffly. “I h-heard that…a monster army is pillaging the lands in Northern Livadon. Do you think…th-the Remdragon Knights will also have to join the campaign?”
“Nothing is certain, but there is a high chance that we will be called upon.”
Maxi felt her blood run cold. She had expected this, but still the thought of being separated from Riftan caused a painful tightness in her chest. She bit her lip as she recalled the distance between Anatol and the Pamela Plateau. How long would it take for Riftan to return if he left? A few months? A few years?
Ruth studied her ashen face and cautiously added, “There is still much work to be done in Anatol that requires the lord’s direct supervision. Which is why everyone has agreed, after deliberating until dawn, that either Sir Hebaron or SirUrsuline would lead a division of knights if we are ever compelled to join the campaign.”
“R-Really?” Maxi asked, unable to conceal her relief.
Ruth gave a rueful smile and nodded. “Sir Riftan will not be leaving Anatol for long periods of time unless absolutely necessary. That is how big of an enterprise this road construction is. And it has not even been a year since the Dragon Campaign, so it wouldn’t do for the lord to be absent from the estate so soon.”
“D-Does that mean Riftan may still have to leave…if it were absolutely necessary?”
