Chapter 404

The Luswena camp had taken position behind the hill as a natural barrier.

The soldiers of Clifford frowned as they looked up at the hillside. To see their homeland’s land used like this—Luswena’s flags were planted everywhere, fluttering wildly, turning their stomachs.

After a moment, the flags began to move. From the Luswena camp, a group was descending the hill for a prisoner exchange.

Ian turned his head slightly to the left, glancing toward the far edge of the land. Did Burgos know that Bariel and Luswena were meeting? That could be another variable in this already complicated situation…

“Ian, they’re coming.”

“It’s Queen Eriphoni.”

“Jean? Can you see him?”

“Soldiers, form up and prepare for an ambush! Stay alert—these snakes won’t hesitate to strike!”

Eriphoni rode down on horseback, raising her bow with a confident salute, as if greeting an old friend after a long absence. The queen moved forward with her guards, her presence commanding.

The prisoner exchange was taking place on the open plain. The mages hovered slightly above the ground, pulling out telescopes.

“There’s a carriage.”

“Can you sense Captain Jean’s energy?”

“Not really. Maybe because Luswena’s mages are with him. Or perhaps Jean’s magic is so faint we can’t detect it.”

As Zaira adjusted the magical binding stone on her wrist, Ian placed a hand on her shoulder. His gaze remained fixed on the approaching Eriphoni.

“Zaira, recite once more the path you must take.”

“To ensure the safety of my family still in the palace and to retrieve the records of magical research.”

“If you return immediately, Eriphoni will question you thoroughly about everything that happened inside the Clifford barrier.”

“I can handle it. I swear to keep silent.”

“Without mages, Luswena is in a tough spot aside from their black-armored troops. And always remember this.”

Zaira rubbed her swollen cheek against her shoulder, biting her lip. She would never forget the blow from that so-called general.

“No one who knows their worth can be treated carelessly.”

Tap, tap, tap.

Whirrr!

Eriphoni urged her horse closer, flanked not by ordinary soldiers but by mages. They recognized Zaira and waved warmly.

“Well, Sir Ian. I half-expected you to be dead, but you’re alive and well. You fell from that height and don’t seem hurt. Should I be relieved?”

“Indeed. It seems all the arrows were blind except for one, which missed me. I suppose we’re the lucky ones.”

Eriphoni frowned, holding up an arrow in her hand.

“Thanks to someone, my personal bow got damaged. It was Bariel’s magic swordsman—should I hold him responsible?”

“By all means. Let’s sort out the blame from A to Z. Luswena will have to pay compensation, even if it means skinning their own people.”

Ian smiled, spreading his hands in welcome.

Is that really someone who’s been through death and back? Eriphoni looked at Zaira with irritation—her hands bound by magical seals.

‘Kids these days,’ she thought, tossing her long teal hair back.

“Send Luswena’s mages over here. In return, we’ll send Bariel’s mages.”

“First, we must confirm their condition.”

“Eldert!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Eldert approached the carriage and soon returned, carrying a tightly bound adult man over his shoulder. His tangled hair hung limply, his face pale to the point where it was doubtful his heart was still beating.

The mages called out in alarm.

“Captain Jean! Snap out of it!”

“Jean! Jean! Are you okay? Open your eyes!”

Swish.

Eriphoni raised her fan to shield his face. With the prisoners accounted for, it was time to proceed.

Ian tossed the key to the magical binding stone toward the Luswena side, then gently tapped Zaira’s shoulder.

“Go.”

Zaira looked up at Ian one last time, nodded faintly, and began walking slowly.

Jean was the same—his ropes were untied, and he staggered toward the Bariel camp, barely able to stand. His movements were frantic, instinctual.

As Zaira and Jean passed each other, Eriphoni called out loudly.

“Be sure to tell Bariel’s little emperor that I spared their mages out of respect.”

Didn’t Burgos send back only severed heads? Eriphoni was leaving a lifeline in case the war turned against them. Though allied with Burgos, their attitude toward Bariel was different.

Ian watched Jean approach and replied.

“Yes. I will personally deliver the message. The Crown Prince will surely respond in kind.”

“I have a few questions.”

“Know that you are under no obligation to answer.”

“Tell me—did Envoy Timothy naturalize to Bariel?”

Ian’s cold gaze made Eriphoni’s eyes narrow. Timothy, who had always been by King Damon’s side, had suddenly disappeared. Rumors said he deserted the battlefield.

If he had naturalized to Bariel, it would be a serious problem for Burgos.

“That’s not worth answering.”

“To say the king’s question isn’t worth answering—this must truly be wartime! Ha! Then one more. Does Bariel really have no intention of withdrawing from this war? Clifford and Burgos have long been at odds. This isn’t anything new. If Bariel steps back, Luswena might as well.”

“We’ve come too far already. And I think you’re mistaken—the last to join this war was Luswena. You should have chosen your place more carefully. How dare you meddle in Bariel’s affairs?”

Ian’s firm words made Eldert and the Luswena soldiers place their hands on their sword hilts. Clifford soldiers did the same, warning against rash moves.

“Since the queen asked, I have a question too. What are you hoping to gain by wandering around here? Did King Damon suggest splitting Clifford in two?”

“The victors of war always gain more than expected.”

“I say this out of concern—heed it well. If Clifford is overrun by monsters, it won’t end there. Bariel will hold the border safely, but the monsters blocked from advancing north will spill over into Luswena.”

“Wait, what do you mean?”

At Eriphoni’s question, Ian let out a quiet breath. The mages exchanged glances, falling silent as if spotting a small crack in the disaster.

They really don’t know. Well, from Damon’s perspective, Clifford’s territory was the only thing worth giving up to Luswena.

Zaira and Jean passed each other.

“Jean.”

Ignoring Eriphoni, Ian called out. Jean barely lifted his head in response, his entire body swollen. It was impossible to tell which wound threatened his life most.

Jean staggered, about to collapse forward, and Ian rushed to catch him.

“Ian!”

“Captain Jean!”

The mages accompanying Jean moved with them. Ian embraced Jean tightly, just as Beric had done for him before. The sudden movement made Luswena soldiers flinch in caution, and Clifford soldiers drew their swords, warning against interference.

Whirr… whirr…

As Ian held Jean, he poured magic into him. Some parts were cold, others burning hot—it was hard to believe this was a living body. Ian brushed Jean’s hair back, trying to hold onto his consciousness.

“Jean, can you hear me?”

“…Yes, Ian.”

“Even if it’s hard, keep absorbing the magic. We’ll move inside the barrier. Hail!”

“Ian, it’s better to infuse magic here first. Captain Jean’s condition is critical. Time is short.”

Whirr… whirr…

Jean leaned on Hail’s shoulder, taking deep, low breaths. The magic seemed to open his airways bit by bit.

Ian wiped the cold sweat from his face and asked,

“Jean, do you feel alive?”

“Yes, Ian. Ah, my head’s spinning. Those bastards—if it weren’t for the magic binding stones, I’d have punched them all. Stingy bastards, not giving me a drop of magic…”

“Enough talking. Ian, you don’t have to worry about Captain Jean.”

“…I’ve been gagged all along.”

“Alright, then shut up.”

Whirr… whirr…

In the middle of the plain, a soft glow rose. The magic to save a comrade, but to the soldiers, it looked like a fallen moon descending upon them.

As they watched in stunned silence, Eriphoni shouted,

“Ian! The monsters want an answer!”

An order to respond, sharp as a bird’s cry. Ian didn’t even glance up, his eyes locked on Jean.

They had come back alive. Selena had returned as a corpse, but one of the survivors, Jean, had made it back in one piece. Jean gave a sheepish smile and closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Ian. We got inside the enemy camp, but we didn’t accomplish anything.”

“No, it’s enough. Jean, just coming back alive means you’ve done your part. I’m truly grateful. Knowing you’re alive gives me the strength to hold on a little longer.”

“What do you mean? Did something happen while I was gone?”

“Captain Jean, stay still. Keep smiling nicely for Ian. Good, that’s it.”

Eryphoni, openly ignored, snatched up an arrow in frustration. The Clifford soldiers immediately raised their shields and stepped forward. Amid the tense standoff, the Ruthwena mages welcomed Zaira with open arms, embracing her tightly.

“Zaira, are you okay? Any injuries?”

“I’m fine. Sorry. I thought I could do better.”

“No, no. We’re just grateful you’re safe. It’s our fault for sending someone so young.”

While Zaira basked in the warmth of her family’s welcome, Eryphoni snapped her bowstring irritably.

Continuing to ask unanswered questions would only damage the king’s dignity. Not wanting to cause more embarrassment, Eryphoni’s gaze quickly shifted to Zaira.

“Zaira.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’ve done something remarkable. Because of you, we lost the Bariel mage hostage. Prove to me that you’re worth it—that my choice wasn’t wrong.”

She demanded a full report of everything Zaira had seen and heard behind that barrier. And what exactly was the ‘monster’ Ian had mentioned.

Zaira blinked innocently and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. I will tell you everything I remember.”

“Good answer. Seems like dying once and coming back helps with reform. Eldert! Withdraw!”

Zaira mounted her horse alongside the mages, glancing back at the crowd still laughing and crying around Jean. Someday, she and her family would be in their place. Even amid war, they sought comfort in their bonds.

Holding the mages close, Zaira reviewed Ian’s orders in her mind.

“To rescue your family held in the palace and make everything go your way, you must sow division within the enemy camp. Keep drawing their forces from the palace. That will leave it vulnerable, and fewer eyes will watch your family. It’s a risky strategy for us in this war, but for your goal, Zaira, it’s the best option.”