Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The First Encounter
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With a creak, the heavy carriage door closed.
The inside of the carriage was cramped. It was because all five children assigned to the special team were riding in the same one.
But Lucillea was actually relieved.
‘Thank goodness…’
At least for the duration of the journey, she had avoided a situation where she would be alone with Elbadin.
The way he addressed her had changed from ‘kid’ to ‘Lucillea,’ but that only made her more anxious.
Contrary to her initial goal of keeping her distance, she felt like they were strangely growing closer.
‘He’s strangely perceptive, so I have to be more careful.’
If her guard kept slipping like this, she might make a mistake at any moment.
‘And then he’ll realize I’m his daughter.’
However.
Lucillea’s gaze shifted to Reiden, who was sitting across from her.
“Why did you come along?”
Reiden smiled brightly.
“Because you’re going.”
“……”
At Reiden’s words, the other children in the carriage turned to look at Lucillea.
Lucillea narrowed her eyes.
In reality, while it was the Empress’s birthday banquet, it wasn't mandatory for young ladies and lords to attend.
So, it wouldn't have mattered much if Reiden had stayed behind at the grand ducal estate to rest comfortably.
‘If it were me, I’d just stay at the grand duke's residence, eating and lazing around.’
Why on earth would he risk danger to attend…? The mind of a rich, noble young lord was a complete mystery.
‘Forget it.’
Lucillea pretended not to hear Reiden’s answer and turned her head to look out the window.
Just then, the carriage lurched and set off.
As she watched the scenery of the grand ducal estate flash by the window, Lucillea reviewed the information she had practically lived in the library to memorize over the past week about the monsters of the Northern Mountains, as well as the combat magic she had hastily learned from Noa.
-「Among the monsters that appear in the Northern Mountains, the most difficult to deal with is undoubtedly the Frost Wolf. It moves by blending into the snow-covered cliffs of deep winter, leaving only its howl in the blizzard. It possesses the ability to steal body heat and instantly freeze its target.
-「Among the monsters that appear in the Northern Mountains, the most difficult to deal with is undoubtedly the Frost Wolf. It moves by blending into the snow-covered cliffs of deep winter, leaving only its howl in the blizzard. It possesses the ability to steal body heat and instantly freeze its target.
-「Among the monsters that appear in the Northern Mountains, the most difficult to deal with is undoubtedly the Frost Wolf. It moves by blending into the snow-covered cliffs of deep winter, leaving only its howl in the blizzard. It possesses the ability to steal body heat and instantly freeze its target.
Besides those, there are satyrs that approach by mimicking human speech, as well as kobolds and goblins, which look like a mix of dogs and reptiles…」
Besides those, there are satyrs that approach by mimicking human speech, as well as kobolds and goblins, which look like a mix of dogs and reptiles…」
Besides those, there are satyrs that approach by mimicking human speech, as well as kobolds and goblins, which look like a mix of dogs and reptiles…」
The variety of monsters appearing in the Northern Mountains was greater than she had expected.
Of course, the variety itself wasn't the problem. The issue was that each monster had a different elemental attribute, and therefore, a different method of attack was required for each.
Noa had explained this part to Lucillea.
-“The Northern Mountains are mostly home to water and earth-attribute monsters, but since you haven't chosen an attribute yet, your destructive power is weak. So, it would be better to learn support magic rather than offensive spells. Irnel, Keilin, and Serdian can handle the attacks.”
-“The Northern Mountains are mostly home to water and earth-attribute monsters, but since you haven't chosen an attribute yet, your destructive power is weak. So, it would be better to learn support magic rather than offensive spells. Irnel, Keilin, and Serdian can handle the attacks.”
-“The Northern Mountains are mostly home to water and earth-attribute monsters, but since you haven't chosen an attribute yet, your destructive power is weak. So, it would be better to learn support magic rather than offensive spells. Irnel, Keilin, and Serdian can handle the attacks.”
So, Lucillea learned support spells from Noa.
Spells that could temporarily block a monster's movement, or ones that could blur its vision.
-“For these kinds of spells, duration is important, you see? And duration depends on concentration and the amount of mana. That’s why I think they’re perfect for you.”
-“For these kinds of spells, duration is important, you see? And duration depends on concentration and the amount of mana. That’s why I think they’re perfect for you.”
-“For these kinds of spells, duration is important, you see? And duration depends on concentration and the amount of mana. That’s why I think they’re perfect for you.”
She couldn’t just suddenly learn offensive magic. For Lucillea, learning a few support spells was the best she could do.
‘Still, I learned something good!’
Through her conversation with Noa, Lucillea realized that this practical training wasn't just dangerous and arduous.
It was because she had heard that she could defeat monsters and obtain ingredients for alchemy from them.
Lucillea gazed lovingly at the box she had placed beside her and gently stroked its surface.
‘I have to return with this box full of ingredients!’
While Lucillea reviewed her plan with a determined expression, the atmosphere inside the carriage was incredibly awkward.
Just then, Serdian took something out from his coat and handed it out to the other children.
It was a small, transparent crystal shard the size of a thumbnail. A faint blue light swirled inside it like mist, and it felt faintly warm to the touch.
Receiving it, Lucillea tilted her head.
“What’s this?”
“A magical artifact.”
A magical artifact? As Lucillea blinked, Serdian continued.
“The protective magic on your necklace should block at least one fatal attack, but some of the monsters in the Northern Mountains use poison. This artifact will protect you from that.”
Ooh, Lucillea quickly took out a worn, gray pouch embroidered with a silver star from her cloak’s inner pocket and put the artifact inside.
“Thanks!”
Serdian’s fingertips twitched when he saw the pouch. It was the good-luck charm he had given Lucillea when she had fainted.
Serdian nodded silently and looked away. A quiet sense of relief touched his lips.
Serdian continued.
“And when a monster appears and the battle begins, Reiden and I will take the front. Irnel, Keilin, and Lucillea will provide support from the rear.”
As it was Lucillea's first battle, Serdian's words were both an instruction and a warning.
“Everyone panics and gets scared their first time. But this mission, where we move as a team, starts with trusting your comrades. Trust us, and just hold your position.”
Oh… This kid, he’s especially cool today…? Is that why we’re the special team?
Lucillea replied that she understood and nodded.
After he finished speaking, Serdian fell silent, staring out the window, while Reiden observed Lucillea with interest. Irnel and Keilin also remained quiet, only exchanging a brief glance.
‘Anyway.’
Lucillea glanced at Irnel and Keilin, who were sitting across from her.
‘This is the first time I’ve seen other kids this up close since then.’
The first time since that ill-mannered brat Tesian and his group.
Especially other girls.
‘Judging by the staves they’re holding, they both seem to be mages.’
Lucillea thought of her own wand—small enough to fit inside her cloak, with a paltry size and shabby appearance—and sighed.
‘I should have thrown a bigger fit and asked for a staff instead.’
Just then, Lucillea’s and Irnel’s eyes met.
‘Sky-blue hair and golden eyes.’
Is that what you’d call a mystical aura?
Should I ask what her attribute is? That wouldn’t be a rude question, would it?
Just then.
“What are you looking at?”
“……”
Keilin, who was next to Irnel, cut in abruptly.
‘What on earth is wrong with the grand ducal family’s education? Why does every one of these chosen children have such a rotten personality?’
Lucillea turned her head away without a word.
Silence fell over the carriage once more.
Taking the quiet as a lullaby, Cookie, who was perched on Lucillea’s shoulder, finally began to doze off.
How long had they been traveling?
As they entered a narrow mountain path, the carriage’s jolting grew even more intense.
It was then.
Heeeigh—! As if on cue, the horses pulling the carriage began to cry out and thrash wildly.
The urgent shouts of the knights escorting the carriage could be heard from outside.
“Frost Wolves ahead! Everyone, hold the line!”
Thump! Thump!
The entire carriage bucked and swayed violently from side to side.
“Wh-what’s happening!”
Keilin shouted, her face pale.
Irnel instinctively drew her staff, and the smile vanished from Reiden’s face.
Screech—! With the sharp sound of spinning wheels, the carriage screamed to a halt.
And in that moment, all noise ceased as if it had been a lie. An ominous silence pressed down on the carriage, as if the world had suddenly lost its voice.
The children held their breath, glancing at one another nervously.
Just then, a massive shadow fell from the sky, covering the carriage roof.
“Above! Watch out above!”
At the same time as the knight’s desperate warning rang out, a sharp roar that seemed to tear the sky apart erupted from directly overhead.
“Kyaaaaaaak—!”
Simultaneously, with a heavy thud! on the carriage roof, the sturdy wooden ceiling was torn apart like paper.