“You will not be able to endure the long journey.”
“B-But…even Ruth has gone on campaigns, has he not?”
Ruth was taller than her, but he was awfully thin. He was also constantly tired and pallid from having his head buried in books all night and day. Compared to the sorcerer, Maxi was quite active.
“I am…in better health than Ruth and have g-greater stamina. If he can do it, th-then so can I. Though it is true…that I am less experienced, every master…w-was once a beginner, no?”
“How very…persuasive, my lady,” Hebaron said, his expression unreadable. He seemed conflicted. After stroking his chin in silence for a long while, he raised his hands in resignation. “If we fail to find a mage in two days, I shall try to persuade the commander.”
“Th-Thank you!” Maxi exclaimed, smiling brightly.
A faint smile tugged at Hebaron’s lips as he shook his head. “Do not thank me, my lady. The commander might hold out till the end.”
“Th-That is true, but…”
Maxi’s face fell when she recalled how vehemently Riftan had fought her earlier. Hebaron let out a long groan as if he too was daunted by the prospect of dealing with his commander. Seeing the knight’s reaction, Maxi suddenly worried that she might have put him in a tight spot.
Searching his face, she asked hesitantly, “W-Would ittruly be helpful…if I went with you?”
Hebaron glanced about as though he were unsure of how to answer.
“Of course, my lady,” he finally confessed with a groan. “Some of us even suggested taking the old mage with us.”
“M-Melric is not…w-well enough to travel.”
“I am aware. It would be of great help if you came with us, but a campaign is no laughing matter. If this is something you have decided to take on lightly, I ask that you think about it more—”
“Th-This is not a decision I’ve made lightly. I am…ready. I would rather…endure the physical hardship…th-than to remain in this castle and worry to no end. Besides—”
Maxi cut herself off. She had just been about to confess that she was quite familiar with hardship when it suddenly occurred to her that he might find her statement odd. She flashed a smile at him instead.
Hebaron’s green eyes regarded her as though he were trying to read her thoughts. Then he let out a hearty laugh.
“How reassuring, my lady.”
—
After her conversation withHebaron, Maxi headed straight to the infirmary where Melric was preparing emergency herb pouches for the knights. She found him sitting amongst half-full sacks strewn across the floor, so she rolled up her sleeves and walked over to the desk to help.
He looked up from cramming dried herbs into a small quilted pouch and regarded her with a concerned expression. “My lady, you do not look well. Why don’t you rest in your chambers today? I can manage the preparationsmyself.”
“I am all right. I merely…had trouble sleeping last night.”
“Indeed.” The old mage groaned as he rose to grab a jar of salve from the shelf. “The monsters seem to increase as the years go by. It is truly a mystery.”
“Have you…ever been on a c-campaign, Melric?”
“I frequently participated in small-scale raids. I was part of a few long-term expeditions when I was younger, too. Although, being a low-level mage only good at healing, I was mostly stationed at the rear.” His expression grew dark as he stirred a thick salve with a spatula. “You must be asking because there is no mage to join the party leaving for the campaign. If all else fails and they are unable to find a mage, then I shall go with them, my lady.”
“N-No! I ask because I want to go with them. I have no intention of sending you…s-so please, do not worry about that.”
His eyes grew wide. “You, my lady? Has the lord allowed this?”
Maxi’s face fell. Was Riftan so intimidating that even someone who had only been here a month reacted this way?
She weakly shook her head. “I intend to…p-persuade him.”
“If I recall, you told me that you started learning magic last year. Is that correct? Do you have any experience with raids, my lady?”
