Phoenix_Night3 - Profile

As they entered a vacant lot that was newly swept of snow, Riftan added with a sigh, "However, that is not the only reason Ruth has been acting like the Tower's servant. He secured a pardon for his unsanctioned departure in exchange for covertly investigating the dark mages' records and negotiating with the pope on Nornui's behalf. He would have cooperated with Calto Serbel whether or not your deployment was part of the bargain."

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

This time, he noticed her dark circles and her slightly sunken cheeks. Her current appearance overlapped with his memory of her grievous injuries in his mind's eye. He suddenly felt doused with ice-cold water. Squeezing his eyes shut, he sat bolt upright in bed. He shifted to sit on the edge, scrubbing his face.

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

"You drunkard…"

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

***

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

Ulyseon was among the first to reach the bottom. He rushed over to Riftan and Maxi. "Sir Riftan! Lady Calypse! Thank heavens you are both safe!"

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

Maxi blinked. She had always had the impression that Ulyseon might be more aggressive than he appeared, but not to the extent that Garrow was painting him. How on earth had the lad behaved? When she gave Garrow a questioning look, the young knight smiled wryly and changed the subject.

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

After carefully studying her face as if gauging the authenticity of her words, Garrow's face broke into a smile. "Please tell Uly that as well when you see him. He was beside himself when he heard you and the commander fell off the cliff. Sir Hebaron had a hard time dissuading him from launching a search through the blizzard."

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

***

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

Chapter 44

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

The soldiers lit additional torches and walked in formation around the guests, guiding them to Sevron Castle. The expeditionary party slowly rode along the narrow road packed with dilapidated cottages. Even in the gloom, Maxi could see the squalor of the village. A stench awful enough to chase away her drowsiness filled the air. Though she spotted a few relatively sturdy stone houses in the village center, even they appeared neglected.

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

"I am positively green with envy. Built such as he is, I'm sure whatever's between his legs is not slight either."

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

The young knight had been strangely silent for some time until Hebaron's rough jest. Irritably shoving the knight's hand away, he yelled, "Stop treating me like a child!"

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

"Blimey, when did you get so short-tempered? Have you finally reached your rebellious phase?"

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

Riftan was here.

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

Ulyseon stared back at her woodenly before biting his lip. "I understand. Then, please allow me to accompany you."

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

"I have said this before, but I am here as a mage and a member of this expedition. If you insist on being a hindrance, Sir Ulyseon, I won't wait for Master Calto to send you back to Anatol. I shall do that myself."

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

In just the span of one night, the corpses they had been unable to purify had mutated into these creatures. Faced with hundreds of glowing red eyes flashing in the dark, Maxi found herself trembling.

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim

Just then, those riding ahead abruptly halted their steeds. A shocked silence fell over the party, and some even gasped in horror. Baffled, Maxi pushed past the knights blocking her view. At the foot of a gentle slope, dark smoke billowed from the charred remains of a village.

Under the Oak Tree

Fantasy · Suji Kim