Chapter 396

The atmosphere inside the Ruthwena mages’ tent was unusually heavy. Earlier that day, the old man who had been with them had died, and in the process, they had captured one of Bariel’s mages—now bound and tied up in a corner.

Jean was tightly restrained, bleeding, and bruised all over from unintended blows. His whole body was swollen.

One of the Ruthwena mages sighed deeply, furrowing her brow. Even though they had sealed his magic with the power-sealing stones, why was it their responsibility to guard a prisoner? Just because he was a fellow mage?

“The king is being way too harsh.”

“…War is always harsh.”

“He’s our enemy, yes, but still a mage. What good does it do us to keep someone in such a state?”

“They said it was in case something went wrong. Only a mage can subdue another mage.”

“…Damn it, damn it, damn it!”

With a loud bang, a frustrated mage kicked a chair, making Jean flinch reflexively. He wasn’t alive—he was dying.

“Calm down. Zaira’s here.”

The mages gently patted the child’s shoulder, trying to quiet the outburst.

But Zaira remained calm, almost detached, sitting quietly and staring at the tent’s entrance. It felt as if, the moment she stepped outside, her grandmother would be standing there. No outside disturbance could break her focus.

The mage who had kicked the chair quickly pulled it back and sat down.

“I never thought the king would be so ignorant of our identity. When I return, I won’t step outside again. I’ll disappear so deeply that even the king won’t be able to find me.”

“Ugh!”

Jean suddenly coughed up blood, and the Ruthwena mages lowered their heads, pretending not to hear. Even if they wanted to help with magic, the power-sealing cuffs made it impossible. And above all, they had no permission from the king.

One mage rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a cigarette.

“If he dies, I suppose we’ll be ordered to dispose of the body too. I don’t understand how he can be so heartless. This is nothing like what we were told.”

“The people only care about being well-fed and warm. We were the same.”

“If we leave him like this, he won’t last until morning. Did the doctor check on him? Should we call him back? It’d be better to lay him down than leave him like this, right?”

“I went to find him earlier, but there was only a medic. No sign of the military doctor. Where could he have gone?”

The mage lit his cigarette with a sharp hiss and glanced at Zaira. The child didn’t cry; she sat upright, staring into space. The mage gently tapped the table to catch her attention.

“Zaira. Speak now. It’s just us here.”

“……”

“What secret skill have you learned? I know what you did to His Majesty’s arrow earlier.”

Zaira’s feet dangled, not touching the ground, swinging slightly with a quiet satisfaction. Just imagining the moment of revenge lifted her spirits a little.

“You’ll find out at His Majesty’s most crucial moment.”

“Most crucial, huh? Ugh, so frustrating.”

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps sounded outside.

The mages fell silent as if on cue, and the tent flap was pushed aside. Eldert entered with the military doctor, coming to check on Jean.

As the mages stood to greet him, Zaira remained seated, staring up at him intently.

Whether he didn’t notice or chose to ignore the child, Eldert didn’t make a fuss and immediately approached Jean, gripping his chin.

“How’s his condition?”

“No sign of improvement. Unless we share some magic power, that is. Has His Majesty given any orders?”

“Not yet. He seems to be negotiating with the Burgos side to decide. They have necromancers there, so they’re trying to see if they can use the mage’s corpse for something.”

It was horrifying. The Ruthwena mages tried to block out the chilling plan.

Using a mage’s corpse for necromancy? Then what about them? Would they, too, be used endlessly after death, unable to rest? Unless the old man’s death shattered everything, was there no way out of the battlefield?

“Surely… His Majesty wouldn’t do that to his own mages.”

Everyone hoped not, but no one could be certain.

Ruthwena was an ancient royal family, and Eriponi was a well-run, promising nation. At least until now, even the mages who lived in seclusion had respected that.

But look at the king now—aiming his bow like a ruthless predator.

“I think it’s better to keep him alive for now, even if we kill him later. Please, make that known. Honestly, it’s hard to watch a mage suffer like that.”

The military doctor glanced at the mages while tending to Jean’s wounds, and Eldert gave a puzzled look, as if wondering why being a mage mattered so much.

It was a difference in perspective. To them, it was identity; to the royal family, just another person with power. What difference was there between a skilled warrior and a mage?

“If you find it hard to accept, say it yourself. Enough talk. We’ll draft two mages to fly to the left and right sides of the barrier and check inside.”

“You want us to scout?”

“Yes. A fire was lit inside the Klipoford barrier. We don’t know what it means yet, so you two will go and find out.”

A fire inside at night was no small matter. It meant there was movement inside, and understanding that was the top priority.

“Two people…”

The mages exchanged uneasy glances. Usually, the old man would lead or recommend someone suitable, but now that seat was empty.

After a brief silence, Zaira raised her hand.

“I’ll go.”

“Zaira, no. You’re too young. I’ll go instead.”

“Yeah, me and my brother can go. We’ll go, Eldert.”

Everyone was startled when the child volunteered first, rushing to stop her. It was nonsense. Sending a child there would surely earn them a scolding from the old man in the abyss.

But Zaira, eyes wide, argued back.

“Why? My uncles have weaker magic than me.”

“Zaira.”

“And I’m small. If something goes wrong and we get caught, they won’t suspect a child. Minister Bariel Ian is supposed to be powerful. Maybe there’s a barrier? I don’t sense anything here, but—”

“The enemy’s forces are too weakened to set up a barrier. No need to worry.”

“Besides, my uncles are too big. The moonlight is bright, and to see why the fire was lit inside the barrier, a small figure sneaking around would be perfect. Eldert, please, let me go.”

As a small dispute broke out among the mages, Eldert watched them with his arms crossed.

Zaira was indeed a perfect candidate for reconnaissance, aside from being young and the rebellious attitude she’d shown earlier, not to mention the beating from the general.

“Is anyone here related to Zaira?”

“We’re all family. We lived together in the forest.”

“Direct blood relatives.”

Eldert wasn’t swayed by the mages’ claims. After a moment’s hesitation, they named Zaira’s younger brother.

“Zaira’s brother is in the palace. He’s a boy, but ordinary.”

“Good. Then Zaira will go left, and you go right.”

“Eldert! Zaira is too young. Please reconsider.”

“She’s determined. What harm is her age? She’s the mage who empowered His Majesty’s arrow. And this is a battlefield. Age doesn’t matter.”

Zaira stood, picking up her robe—a small piece of cloth to protect her in the darkness. She carefully tucked her hair into the hood and asked,

“I just need to check inside the barrier, right? Nothing else?”

“Just report back in detail. Your primary goal is to return without being detected. Zaira, if you don’t come back, your brother will join your grandmother in the abyss.”

Eldert knelt to meet her gaze. The mages pressed their lips tight, but Zaira only smiled.

“If I return with news that turns the tide of war, it will be glory for all of us.”

“Of course. His Majesty will heal and compensate for all the pain, including your grandmother’s sacrifice. Zaira, never forget you are a proud Ruthwena.”

“I understand, Eldert.”

“Then go. After reporting to His Majesty, you’ll head straight to reconnaissance.”

Eldert entrusted Jean’s care to the military doctor and nodded to the two. As Zaira moved to leave without hesitation, the mages all rushed to block her path.

“Zaira!”

“What are you thinking? Why are you like this?”

“Step aside, everyone. There’s no time.”

“If you go, how will we see grandmother?”

“What’s the point? Grandmother is in the abyss. No one can see her anymore.”

Maybe if she used forbidden magic, she could see her.

Zaira brushed past the protesting mages and followed Eldert. Soon, they could see the Klipoford camp, one side of the barrier brightly lit by fire.

“They lit the fire openly.”

“Don’t make any mistakes, Zaira.”

Eldert’s warning went unanswered except for a nod.

Her black eyes reflected the moonlight. She rubbed her swollen cheek and tightened her robe even more.

---

“Meat! Next meat!”

“You crazy bastard, where did what was right in front of you just now go?”

“That? It’s in my stomach. Hey, pour me some more booze! Clifford’s being stingy—if you’re gonna grease the gears, you gotta let it flow smoothly!”

“Who drinks like you in the middle of a war? Even the king wouldn’t do this.”

“Ian, he’s been picking on me all this time. Say something! It’s the lowest thing in the world to mess with someone over food!”

“You should have some shame, damn it!”

“Huh? Hey, he’s taking it again!”

“Barrick, this isn’t stealing—it’s sharing, you idiot. Is everything on this table all yours? Huh?”

Crash! Bang!

The table Barrick had taken over was a chaotic mess—fruits flying everywhere, water and drinks spilling over. It was a noisy, disorderly meal.

Meanwhile, Ian sat calmly in the center, elegantly slicing his meat with fork and knife.

It was as if an invisible wall separated Ian from the others. While everyone else was devouring their food greedily, he alone seemed to be enjoying a refined little feast.

Though he didn’t smile, he didn’t seem bothered by the chaos. If anything, he looked like he was quietly savoring it.

“Put that down—”

Barrick shouted, lifting his plate, then suddenly froze. The mages took the chance to snatch the meat away, but Barrick’s reaction was unusual.

“…Barrick?”

“What’s wrong with him all of a sudden?”

“Damn, he’s serious now. Fine, you can have it all.”

The mage who took the meat handed some food back to Barrick, but he just set it down on the table and stared into space, like a guard dog sensing something outside.

“Huh.”

Sniff sniff. Ears perked. Barrick frowned, then flung open the door. He tilted his head in confusion, staring out into the empty night sky.

“Barrick, the meat’s coming soon. Close the door! Ian’s cold.”

“Hey, hey, wait. Everyone stop eating and look. Don’t you feel it?”

“Feel what?”

More than half the mages had lost their magic due to Idgalo’s interference. Another half were experiencing magical disturbances. In other words, no one was in good shape to notice anything unusual.

Clatter.

“I can feel magic.”

“Right? Ian, that’s the scent of magic, isn’t it?”

Ian muttered as he put down his knife, and Barrick responded eagerly.

“What should we do? Ian, you gonna keep eating? Or should we fight?”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Barrick activated his magic and drew his black sword. The mages covered their faces with empty bowls, shouting.

“Ahhh! You crazy bastard, this is indoors! If that explodes, we’ll all be out cold again!”

“Get out! If you’re gonna do that, get out!”

“Hey, Ian, fight? Or not?”

Ian stared quietly at the half-eaten steak. His appetite was stirring again, and he didn’t want to ruin this moment with everyone. He lightly touched his fork again and asked,

“Can you do it?”

“I told you—I’m going to do it right from now on.”

“Then report to Captain Jarrett and handle it. My meal shouldn’t be interrupted, right?”

“Of course.”

Ziiing!

Boom!

Barrick exploded his magic and leapt off the railing in one swift move. Below, Barsabe, holding his side and stretching, let out a silent scream.

“I’m going to catch the fly! Captain Jarrett!”

Bang!

Jarrett, who had been meeting with Noah and Tweller, closed his eyes again, as if hearing and seeing nothing.

“Send me up there!”

“Barrick, maintain your dignity as the palace guard.”

“I’m going to catch the fly! The fly!”

Fly? Jarrett thought Barrick had finally lost it, but then a strange magic sensation suddenly jolted him upright.

Something was approaching.