Maxi turned in the direction he indicated and gasped. The pile of ghoul corpses was beginning to squirm despite the spears skewering them.
Staring at the writhing monsters, Ruth said calmly, “They keep coming back to life even though the high priest has performed the purification ceremony. That means there’s a high chance the necromancer controlling them is currently outside the city.”
“A n-necromancer?”
“An occultist, my lady. There are certain monsters capable of advanced dark magic. It’s highly likely that the necromancer is the same black lizardman that cursed Sir Hebaron.”Ruth’s face suddenly grew grave. “We are dealing with a creature that is far more dangerous than the average monster. Besieging our gates is a being with powerful magical abilities that can lead and command a legion of monsters that cannot be killed as long as the necromancer is alive.”
Maxi shuddered. How dangerous must the monster be for one of the greatest sorcerers of the continent to describe itso?
“H-How long will it take…f-for the coalition army to get here?” she croaked.
“We’ve already sent word, but as to whether they’ll arrive in time…”
Just then, an earsplitting roar rang out. Maxi recoiled and covered her ears. Sparks flashed beyond the gates, followed by a violent gale that crashed against the barriers. Ruth swore.
“We must strengthen the magical devices at once!”
At his command, the mages rose in unison and rushed toward the rampart stairs. Wanting to help with her meager mana, Maxi was about to follow when Ruth blocked her path.
“You must stay here, my lady. It’s too dangerous.”
“N-Now is not…the time to be worried about such things,” Maxi insisted. “If the barriers fall, E-Eth Lene will be destroyed. If I could be of assistance—”
Ignoring her, Ruth looked past her shoulder to call for Ulyseon and Garrow. “What are you two doing, not escorting her ladyship to safety?”
At his reprimand, Ulyseon grabbed her arm. Startled, Maxi looked up at the squire with wide eyes. Ruth spun on his heels and climbed up the stairway. Maxi despairingly watched him leave as Ulyseon began dragging her in the opposite direction.
“Wh-Where are you taking me? Please let go of my arm!” she cried out, utterly shocked by the squire’s discourtesy.
Paying no heed to her objections, Ulyseon remained silent as he led her to an isolated area. Maxi furiously tried to free her arm while glaring at him.
“D-Did you not hear me? I said, let go!”
Ulyseon did not bat an eyelid. “Please forgive my insolence, my lady, but we must get you out of the castle.”
Maxi stared at him in shock. The two squires quickly took her past the isolated forest path and toward the city walls. Up ahead, soldiers waited for them with three horses. Ulyseon quickly rushed over and took the reins.
“Get on, my lady.”
“Do you r-realize what you’re saying? Are we…trying to flee…when everyone else is fighting?” Maxi asked in utter disbelief.
Ulyseon’s face grew dark. He pressed his lips together and cast his eyes down. After a moment, his face grew determined. “We are not running away. Since the carrier pigeon might have failed to reach the army, we are going to seek the Remdragon Knights to inform them of the invasion.”
Maxi frowned. His words did not make any sense. “Th-Then why are you taking—”
“Pardon me, my lady.” Garrow gripped her waist and hoisted her onto a horse. “This is an emergency. Please trust us for now.”
Their obstinance prevented Maxi from asking any more questions. She clutched at her reins as Ulyseon and Garrow mounted their own horses. They signaled to the soldiers with their eyes.
At their silent command, the soldiers ran their handsover the stone wall and pushed in a loose brick. A portion of the wall slid to one side, revealing a small opening.
Ulyseon entered the passageway and called over his shoulder, “Seal the entrance once we’re out.”
The soldiers nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Maxi reluctantly followed the squires through the passage. She glanced back to see the entrance slide shut behind them, leaving them enveloped in a disorienting darkness.
Garrow rode next to her and seemed to sense her distress. He said in a soothing voice, “There is a secret exit at the end of this passageway, my lady. There’s no way the monsters would know about it, so please be assured.”
