Chapter 145
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Call of the Flames (7)
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"Ilenia said something like that..."
The Silver Guard Knight rested his chin on his hand, his expression dark. It almost looked like he let out a small sigh.
"Back when she was with the Red Guard, Ilenia was often excluded from missions. She was completely sidelined during the battle at Delatria and sent here instead. It's only natural she'd feel frustrated."
That might be why Ilenia was drawn to the mercenaries' free life. Especially if those mercenaries were fellow fire Arbats.
"Actually, I asked Chief Peltra earlier to make a badge for the Silver Moon Knights."
"Ah..."
Had the Silver Guard Knight finally made up his mind? Was he planning to accept Ilenia into the Silver Moon Knights?
"I can't leave Ilenia in this awkward limbo forever. But there's still a major hurdle to clear, so I can't hand it over just yet."
"What do you mean by hurdle? Isn't it just up to you, Silver Guard Knight?"
The Silver Guard Knight had said something similar before. It wasn't a simple matter.
He looked down at me for a moment with a complicated expression, then spoke with visible effort.
"The reason Ilenia can't join the Silver Moon Knights is because the Red Guard Knight is against it."
"The Red Guard Knight? Why?"
I widened my eyes in surprise.
"The Red Guard Knight says Ilenia doesn't have what it takes to join the Silver Moon Knights yet. She still has a lot to learn and is too inexperienced."
"But you don't think so, do you?"
"This level of skill is more than enough for a recruit. But apparently, it falls short of the Red Guard Knight's standards. Even so, if I insist on taking her, the Red Guard Knight said I'd have to beat her first."
"...So you're being threatened?"
The Red Guard Knight threatening the Silver Guard Knight?
As I asked in bewilderment, the Silver Guard Knight gave a small smile.
"It's less a threat and more just the Red Guard Knight's way. Since I couldn't cross swords with her, Ilenia ended up with the Red Guard for now."
"So the hurdle you mentioned is..."
"I'd have to convince the Red Guard Knight. I'd prefer to avoid settling it with swords if possible."
The Silver Guard Knight spoke with sincerity. Even he didn't seem confident he could win against the Red Guard Knight in a duel.
"...I wish there was something I could do to help."
"Actually, there is. Since your father, the Blue Guard Knight, sent you to the Silver Moon Knights, we could use that to persuade the Red Guard Knight."
Ah, right.
The situation was different from when the Red Guard Knight had opposed it before. With my precedent, she might be more open to accepting it.
At that moment, the lobby doors swung open, and Shuren and Wedin walked in. They had just finished their stroll.
They immediately spotted us conversing from the second-floor railing.
Shuren gave a light greeting to the Silver Guard Knight before asking me directly.
"Where's Ilenia? Back in her room?"
I tilted my head uncertainly.
"I haven't seen her either. She might not have come back yet."
"That idiot."
Shuren frowned. For all his harsh words, he was clearly worried deep down.
"Silver Guard Knight, mind if I go look for her real quick?"
The Silver Guard Knight thought for a brief moment before replying.
"I don't think that'll be necessary. If she hasn't returned by now, she's probably at the inn where Roth Squad is staying. The sentries will be guarding it all night, so she should be fine."
"But..."
Shuren looked dissatisfied, but I agreed it wasn't a good idea to go searching for Ilenia.
It might even backfire. Especially with Shuren—she'd probably pick a fight the moment they crossed paths.
The Silver Guard Knight seemed to share that concern.
"Don't worry, Shuren. More importantly, everyone's tired today, so head back to your rooms and rest."
"...Understood."
Shuren reluctantly agreed to the Silver Guard Knight's firm words.
Pushing aside our worries about Ilenia, we each returned to our rooms.
The moment I opened the door, Ash, who had been sprawled on the bed, wagged his tail.
I ran my hand through his soft fur. The fluffy sensation against my fingertips was comforting.
'Something must have happened.'
"Yeah, the thing we were worried about."
But it wasn't something I could fix.
Shuren and Ilenia seemed to mesh well in battle, but they clashed over the smallest things.
Shuren worried too much, while Ilenia was far too free-spirited...
Exhaustion cut my thoughts short.
Before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.
The murmur of voices and the sound of footsteps thumping down the hall tickled my ears.
The persistent noise gradually chased away my sleep.
I cautiously opened my eyes.
Ash, who had been rolling around taking up half the bed, was gone, and the commotion from outside grew clearer.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"You can see it better from the roof..."
Knights murmuring in agitation.
I dragged my heavy body out of bed.
The room was dim, with faint light seeping through the curtains covering the window.
I threw on my robe haphazardly and opened the door. It was already ajar—probably Ash who had pushed it open.
The moment I stepped into the hall, a few knights from other rooms hurried past me.
They were heading to the roof as well.
What was going on?
I followed the crowd up to the rooftop of the knight barracks, where nearly twenty people had already gathered, murmuring anxiously while staring in the same direction.
They exchanged worried glances.
I turned to look where they were pointing and widened my eyes at the unbelievable sight.
In the far distance, a pillar engulfed in red flames shot up into the sky.
It had passed beyond Peyra's gates, over the river and plains, and even some unknowable mountain ridge.
From there, the crimson pillar of fire flickered and surged toward the heavens.
Its tip pierced the clouds, dyeing the dark night sky red. The blazing inferno was vividly clear even from here.
The heat hadn't reached us, but the landscape around it shimmered as if burning.
"What is that...?"
"Liberic."
I turned at the sound of the Silver Guard Knight's voice.
He, Shuren, and Ash were at the far edge of the roof. They must have come up after spotting the pillar too.
"Silver Guard Knight, what is that?"
I asked hopefully, but he slowly shook his head.
"It looks like a pillar made of flames, but from this distance, that's all I can tell. It's definitely not a natural phenomenon."
"Could it be a fire Arbat?"
Shuren said anxiously. The Silver Guard Knight hummed thoughtfully.
"Very few fire Arbats could produce firepower on that scale. Maybe the Red Guard Knight could..."
"It could be magic too."
I said that, but even magic would make it difficult.
I stared at the unwavering pillar of fire cleaving the sky.
Even accounting for the time it took to get up here, it had to be at least ten minutes, yet the pillar still blazed fiercely.
If it was some kind of spell, the mana consumption for that size, power, and duration would be immense.
"Oh dear, what in the world!"
Chief Peltra's flustered voice rang out.
The plump water Arbat, dressed in pajamas, pushed through the murmuring knights toward us.
"Silver Guard Knight, what on earth is this? Some midnight bolt from the blue!"
"We're trying to assess the situation, Chief, but for now, all we can do is watch. It's too far to affect us here."
The Silver Guard Knight replied calmly, and the chief let out a deep sigh.
"So, what should we do?"
"We'll dispatch investigators in the morning regarding the pillar. For now, send everyone back to their rooms. Just in case, station guards on the roof to monitor it."
"Right, got it."
Chief Peltra nodded vigorously, directing the knights back to their rooms and summoning guards.
The Silver Guard Knight turned to us as well.
"You all go back to your rooms too. Watching won't change anything."
Still, he planned to stay a bit longer.
We bowed and followed the other knights down from the roof.
"This feels ominous somehow."
Shuren couldn't hide his unease.
I still suspected magic. If it was the work of a magical beast or demon, that would be far more terrifying.
"Ash, any idea what it could be?"
'Never seen anything like it.'
Ash replied quickly. Shuren asked what he said, and I shook my head slightly.
"Guess we can only hope it's nothing serious."
As Shuren said that, he glanced toward Ilenia's room.
It was silent and still. No way to tell if she was sleeping soundly like Wedin or hadn't returned yet.
We couldn't just knock or barge in.
"Good night, bro."
I said my goodbyes in front of Shuren's room.
He let out a small sigh, waved, and went inside.
But neither he nor I would sleep well that night.
In the end, the pillar of fire scorched the sky until dawn.
As soon as the sun rose, the Silver Guard Knight and the investigators appointed by the chief left the branch. Prius sentries led by Aila also visited the barracks.
After breakfast with Shuren and Wedin, I spotted them entering the main building as we left the barracks.
"Perfect timing."
Shuren quickened his pace across the main building's garden.
Ilenia hadn't returned to the barracks last night and hadn't shown up at breakfast either.
Shuren had been grumpy since morning.
"The sentries should know where she is. And if she caused any trouble overnight."
Strictly speaking, Prius knights could go out, stay overnight, whatever—as long as they kept to mission and training schedules.
Ilenia wandering off wasn't really our business.
"Just say you're worried."
"Who is!"
I'd only tossed out the casual remark, but Shuren bristled and yelled.
Then he grumbled, ruffled his already messy black hair even more, and strode ahead a few steps.
"Hurry up."
Wedin and I exchanged glances, both baffled by his behavior.
Better to keep quiet about Ilenia.
The Silver Guard Knight was in a temporary office on the second floor.
Sentries waited in the hall, so Aila must already be inside.
We knocked and waited; the Silver Guard Knight opened the door.
Chief Peltra and Aila were already there, standing across the table.
After brief greetings, Aila continued.
"We're gathering info on the pillar too. Never seen anything like it."
Aila sighed deeply.
"It's chaos out there. People are saying it's a disaster coming, an ill omen, all sorts. Refugees are panicking and clamoring to be let in."
"We've already sent investigators, but it's far, so it'll take time for results."
The Silver Guard Knight added that he'd share them once received.
"If it's a fire Arbat, shouldn't you know something?"
Chief Peltra suddenly asked, pondering.
"Surely one of the knights is a fire Arbat..."
"She never came back."
Shuren replied in a sharp tone.