Although the word “most” was concerning, Maxi’s face lit up with hope as she thought of Ruth and the Remdragon Knights.
After anxiously darting glances at the dozens of dead bodies from afar, Maxi steeled herself and rose to her feet. She slowly walked over to the clerics sorting through the corpses.
Joy and anguish mingled in the square as the clerics confirmed the names of the fallen through their identification tags. Devastated wails pierced the air, melding with sighs of relief.
It was only after the clerics had read out the last of the names that Maxi, drenched in a cold sweat, shakily sank onto the steps. None of them had belonged to the Remdragon Knights.
Her whole body began to tremble. Though she was flooded with relief, she felt chilled to the bone. She clasped her icy hands together.
Seeing Maxi’s reaction, Idsilla rushed over to her once more. “Lady Calypse, you should return to the monastery. Here, let me help you.”
Maxi could not refuse this time. “Th-Thank you.”
Idsilla was a head taller. Leaning against her, Maxi staggered up the stairs. She suddenly felt ashamed. Idsilla was only eighteen, and it embarrassed Maxi that a girl four years her junior was so much more collected.
Trying her best to steady herself, Maxi tottered into the basilica. “I-I am all right now. I think…I can manage on my own.”
“Please, let me help you,” Idsilla insisted. “It would be better than having to carry you on my back if you were to collapse.”
Maxi frowned at her arch tone. “Y-You will not see me swoon.”
The girl carefully studied Maxi for a moment before slowly nodding. “I can see that. To be honest, I was surprised. I had thought you would be the first to faint.”
Maxi’s face flushed. “A-Are you…mocking me?”
She glared at the girl, and Idsilla let out a sigh.
“I did not mean it as an insult. I apologize if I offended you. Alyssa always says that I am too frank.”
“I think that sh-she is right,” Maxi said after a sour pause.
Idsilla’s lips curled into a faint smile. “You look so delicate on the surface, but that isn’t really the case, is it?”
Maxi scowled. “I-I will ask you to stop teasing me now. It is…upsetting.”
“I mean it as a compliment,” Idsilla said hastily. “Alyssa has returned to her room, saying she can’t bear to look at all the dead bodies in a sober state of mind.” Her eyes suddenly grew dark. “I do not mean to fault her. Alyssa is too tenderhearted, and she loves Elba too much. She was probably beyond terrified that she might find him among the dead.”
“E-Elba?” Maxi asked, curious. She thought that she mightbe able to collect herself better if she focused on Idsilla’s story rather than the pallid faces of the dead soldiers.
“Elba is my second eldest brother’s nickname. Elbarto Calima,” Idsilla explained. “He and Alyssa were engaged when they were twelve, and he pledged his geas to her right after his knighting ceremony.”
Maxi tilted her head. “How rare…for a knight to pledge his g-geas to his betrothed.”
A knight’s geas was usually pledged to a member of the royal family or the wife or daughters of the lord he served. Idsilla bobbed her head, affirming that this was also the case in Livadon.
“They share a very special bond. My cousin will be happy once I tell her my brother is safe.” She stopped in front of a pavilion inside the garden. “Come, let us sit over here and rest for a bit. My feet are aching as well.”
Maxi sat down and let out a shaky breath. Idsilla took the seat across from her and silently smoothed the creases of her dress. Though they were not well acquainted, Maxi found it consoling to have someone next to her. If she had been alone in her room, she would have only tortured herself with images of the scene at the square.
All of a sudden, Maxi realized the reason Idsilla was helping her. The girl needed Maxi to help shake off the shock as well.
Idsilla smiled stiffly and interlaced her fingers on her lap. “The clerics will be busy holding funerals over the next few days.”
Maxi swallowed hard. “True, but…won’t the knights be back s-soon now that the battle is over?”
“Have you not heard?” Idsilla’s eyes widened. “Thecoalition army has decided to continue marching north. It seems that after recapturing Louivell, they chased the retreating monster army to the Pamela Plateau. I think they intend to reclaim the remaining castles that were taken.”
“Th-Then…” Maxi willed her bluish lips apart. “Then when…w-will they be able to return?”
