The young knight nodded, his face grim. “Monsters of the Ayin race in the Pamela Plateau, in the northern region of Livadon, seem to have formed an alliance. There are reports of the more intelligent creatures like lizardmen andtrolls gathering large-scale armies and attacking villages. According to the latest report we received before we left, an army of trolls plundered a fairly large territory in the north.”
His speech shocked everyone in the room.
“A large-scale alliance between monsters?” Remus finally broke the silence, snorting loudly. “That’s ludicrous. A tribe of monsters would only be the size of a small village at most. I have never heard of Ayins organizing into an army like humans before in my life.”
“Because no one has ventured deep into the Pamela Plateau. Intelligent monsters could have formed a civilization there without our knowledge.”
The color drained from Maxi’s face at the scout’s words. Imagining a massive monster army invading a human village made her tremble.
Remus stiffened, his mirth fading. “Are you certain?”
“For now, it is only a rumor. But it is true that we’ve seen an organized army of lizardmen, trolls, and red goblins carrying out planned raids.”
Gabel stroked his chin, deep in thought. “Do you think Livadon can handle the beasts?”
The scout knitted his brow, then shook his head. “No. If you ask me, there is a high chance that each country will soon be required to dispatch their knights in accordance with the Armistice of the Seven Kingdoms.”
“Then the first request for reinforcement will be sent to Wedon.”
Maxi had been listening quietly up to this point, but at this revelation, she asked, “D-Do you mean that…the Remdragon Knights will have to join a campaign in Livadon?” She knew it was not her place to insert herself into thiskind of discussion, but her anxiety got the better of her.
Noticing her blanched face, Gabel shook his head and raised a reassuring hand. “The Remdragon Knights only just returned from a three-year campaign. If Livadon were to request reinforcement, the king would most likely send his own royal knights.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. The mages believe that the monster army from the plateau is what’s causing the large-scale migration of monsters southward. That threatens the entire Western Continent. I’m certain they will ask Anatol for assistance. We must be prepared.”
“We will discuss this again when the commander returns,” Gabel replied, glaring pointedly at the young knight.
Realizing that the men were cutting their conversation short because of her, Maxi hastily rose from her seat. “The patient seems to be all right now, so…I should take my l-leave.”
“Allow me to escort you to your chambers, my lady.”
“Th-That won’t be necessary. I can go on my own.”
“No, my lady. You should always have an escort with you even inside the castle,” Gabel replied firmly before heading toward the door. Before Maxi left, she asked Remus to ensure that Ruth would take a look at the injured knight once he returned, just in case she had not removed all of the poison.
Outside, the sun had already begun to sink, painting the sky in an amber glow.
Gabel studied Maxi’s face. “I heard that you fell ill from using too much mana last time. I hope you are not feeling unwell now, my lady?”
“I feel fine. You need not worry…. I won’t f-faint again.”
Gabel nodded, relieved, and continued striding toward the castle. Maxi gazed at the distant mountains as she silently walked beside him.
Now was not the time to torture herself with memories of the past. Something terrible could happen at any moment, and she would be prepared for it. There could be another poisoning or a critical injury. She needed to be ready, so that she could be useful.
She had managed to save a young knight’s arm with her magic today. And even though Riftan had said he did not need her help, the reality was different.
Even I am capable of something.
Maxi clung to those words. Her father had called her a useless wench countless times, but today he had been proven wrong.
And not just today.
She had learned and accomplished many things in the short time she had been in Anatol. If she gave up on all of that now, she would never overcome her sense of inferiority. That would only prove her father right.
Maxi’s eyes glimmered with determination as she walked back to the castle.
—
