Chapter 81
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Denial (8)
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"The branch's sealing chamber is built over a mana reservoir, so any mage should be able to guess at its existence."
Claus Sage's lecture on lightning strikes suddenly came to mind.
He had said that sealing chambers across the land were constructed atop mana reservoirs.
Mana reservoirs were places where mana flowed in like a waterfall and pooled, and because such areas brimmed with mana, barriers and seals there held far greater power.
Elgrace's sealing chamber was likewise built over a reservoir, with the Prius Knights' Elgrace branch standing atop it.
"Even as Court Mage Commander, raiding the branch wouldn't be easy. Looks like I'll have to meet her in person after all. Silver Guard Knight, pass around her description and tell everyone to stay on alert."
"Understood."
"Lib, keep that knot-untying key safe until this is all sorted out. Whatever her goal is, it doesn't sound like anything good."
"Yes. And... Silver Guard Knight, please tell the knights to watch out for the black dragon."
The White Guard Knight frowned at my words.
"Black dragon? I've heard the rumors."
"The wings of Barkus after he turned into a demon were those of a black dragon. It could be a coincidence, but..."
The black blood in that red flower box had definitely been dragon blood.
Far thicker than ordinary magical beast blood and brimming with potent mana.
I couldn't bring myself to say it outright, but it was best if the knights steeled themselves for whatever lay ahead.
"I see. Got it. Silver Guard Knight, spread the word about the black dragon too, as Lib said."
The Silver Guard Knight nodded solemnly, his face grim and silent.
"A black dragon... I wouldn't even know how to fight one. It's not in the manuals."
"Oh, right. Everyone who's ever faced one ended up dead."
"Shouldn't we just run...?"
I muttered gravely amid the Silver Guard Knight's serious contemplation and the White Guard Knight's casual chuckle devoid of any real tension.
The White Guard Knight let out an empty laugh.
"Eh, we'll figure it out on the way. Here's hoping we don't run into it."
"Mm. I'll come up with something."
For some reason, I had a feeling the Silver Guard Knight would actually find a way. Even though I hadn't.
Before we disbanded, the White Guard Knight informed me that I'd be part of the advance party.
The advance party would depart for Elgrace right after lunch.
He warned we'd probably miss dinner, so to stuff ourselves at lunch, then clapped me hard on the back with his massive hand.
After brief farewells to the White and Silver Guard Knights, I headed out for lunch.
The central plaza buzzed with unprecedented activity now that the delegation had fully assembled.
Word had spread that the group would split into advance and rear parties, sending everyone into a flurry of motion.
The advance party consisted of key delegation members and knights, while the rear would handle the wounded along with some clerks, servants, and maids.
Which meant Clemence and Wedin were probably in the advance party too.
Clemence's final state from the meeting still gnawed at me.
I searched the bustling plaza for the two of them.
People had scattered to makeshift eateries and nearby buildings, deeply engrossed in their meals.
"Lib."
I didn't spot Clemence or Wedin, but Shuren found me instead and waved me over.
"Bro, seen Clemence or Wedin?"
Instead of answering, Shuren thrust a plate piled high with food at me.
It was an enormous amount.
Three thick slabs of bread stacked with seasoned roast pork, and mushroom soup nearly spilling over.
I took the tray in a daze, certain something was off.
"This is way too much."
"No complaints. Take it. Those two are over there."
Clemence and Wedin sat on a slightly lower section of the ramparts, midway through their meals.
As I climbed up with Shuren, a cool breeze swept in, tousling my hair.
A clean wind you couldn't help but turn into.
That was when I understood why they'd come all the way up here.
Clemence was devouring her food with fierce determination.
A total contrast to the teary-eyed girl who'd fled the meeting hall.
She polished off every scrap of bread and meat, then drained her soup clean.
Seeing her like that, I felt relieved she was okay now—though still a bit bewildered.
"Clemence, you alright?"
I asked as I sat beside her and started eating.
She dabbed her mouth neatly with a handkerchief and smiled demurely, as if nothing had happened.
"Yeah, no problem. We're heading straight to Elgrace after lunch, right? Gotta fuel up for the long ride."
"Ride? No carriage?"
I'd assumed she'd take a carriage, naturally.
"There's one for the advance party, but it'll be my parents and the family knights. Don't wanna ride with them."
"Ah, yeah... makes sense."
"Both of you, eat up quick. We've got less than an hour till departure."
Wedin, having finished his meal, called out to me and Shuren.
Taking Clemence's lead, I began assaulting my plate.
While everyone else prepared for departure, I strolled along the ramparts to the opposite side, where the breeze still blew.
Ash lounged atop the watchtower, basking in the warm midday sun.
His fur was fluffy and dry, and he looked utterly content.
"Ash."
I shared the departure schedule and our plans moving forward.
We'd head to Elgrace, report the full truth of the incident, confront Kaela Hermes—and might even encounter the black dragon along the way.
Ash gazed up at me with his deep eyes.
'Got it. Don't stray too far from me this time.'
"Yeah, I won't."
'And don't use my power recklessly.'
"...Understood."
I stroked his nape and nodded, then paused in thought.
"But... sometimes it's fine, right?"
'No.'
Ash twisted away sternly, his long tail brushing my palm as he pulled back.
"I'll ask permission? I'll even pick a spot for the leap. It'll be super useful."
'It's not that simple a technique. You don't even fully grasp how it works.'
"Won't know till we test it. This unique ability might tie into why you're different from regular demons."
Ash turned to stare at me intently. I met his gaze head-on.
"I never want to go through something like that again. So I need to learn more. It's time to face what I've been ignoring."
'Ignoring?'
Ash tilted his head. I held his face gently.
"How much I've run from it, how much I've turned away... you'd be shocked. And it starts with learning more about you, Ash."
'Sounds like an excuse to play around with spatial jumps.'
I burst out laughing at his scornful tone.
To Ash, it must've sounded like pie-in-the-sky nonsense.
But I meant every word.
I never wanted to lose someone to demonic mutation like Barkus again—not without a chance to act.
It could've been anyone, not just him.
"Maybe it is. Anyway, help me out here."
'No helping it... Fine. But always ask permission first for those experiments.'
"Thanks, Ash. I will."
Ash clearly wasn't thrilled but accepted anyway.
Overjoyed, I reached to hug him—but he nimbly leaped away, bounding from the ramparts to another building.
'Departure's soon. Go get ready.'
I'd wanted to share the moment, but oh well.
I lowered my empty arms and stood.
The advance party's horses and single carriage had gathered by the north gate, knights milling about.
The Lesis Duke couple, family knights, and a White Guard for oversight boarded the carriage.
Sir Jenard and the kingdom knights would surround it for escort and surveillance.
Clemence, Wedin, and I would ride up front with the Silver Moon Knights.
I secured my bag to Rania's saddle and double-checked my bedroll and emergency rations.
Clemence sat ramrod straight in her saddle, tense from her inexperience with riding.
"Is it okay if I take this?"
Wedin's voice drifted from nearby.
He was talking with Grain, holding a pair of faintly glowing blue gauntlets.
Grain had stayed behind with the rear party to tend the wounded, planning to catch up once medical supplies arrived from Flavius.
"I was gonna give them to you upon reaching Elgrace, but now seems perfect. They're holy magic tools—hope you never need 'em."
"Thank you so much..."
Wedin looked deeply moved holding Grain's gift.
Such expressions were rare for him; I was dying to know what it was. I'd ask later.
Father stood at the advance party's lead with the Silver Guard Knight.
His left arm still bandaged, but thankfully one-handed riding was no issue for him.
"Leave this to me and trail at the rear?"
The Silver Guard Knight murmured as Father adjusted his reins.
Father eyed him in surprise.
"Worried about me? Appreciate it, but I'm fine. We Luar ride bareback anyway."
"...Do what you want."
With that, the Silver Guard Knight clammed up.
But Father grinned meaningfully and pressed on.
"Takes me back. Back then, my arm was hurt too, and you fussed over it endlessly."
"Never fussed."
The Silver Guard Knight scowled and shot back curtly.
"When was that?"
I couldn't help butting in between them, curiosity burning.
Father glanced back at me.
"Around when we graduated knight academy and chose our orders. This guy acted weird, challenged me to a duel, then relentlessly targeted my left arm till he broke it."
"Eek, why?!"
This was the "legendary duel" Shuren mentioned...!
My heart pounded.
"Silver Moon Knights—Silver Guard back then—selected only the strongest via live combat trials. He injured me on purpose to keep me out of the exam. To stop me joining Silver Guard."
"You didn't suit Silver Guard. But you wouldn't listen, so I had no choice. It was extreme, I'll admit."
The Silver Guard Knight replied evenly, eyes forward.
Father chuckled.
"No point griping now. Without that, I'd have applied to Silver Guard—and might be Silver Guard Knight today."
"...Can't picture it."
Father as Silver Guard Knight?
One thing was clear: he'd have been far busier than now.
Patrolling sealing chambers across nations left no time for home.
"If Father had become Silver Guard Knight, would you have become Blue Guard Knight?"
I muttered innocently, but the Silver Guard Knight surprisingly answered.
"Whether your father became Silver Guard Knight or not, I could never have been Blue Guard Knight."
Father nodded gravely in agreement.
"True. You'd never handle the Blue Guard's workload."
A rare moment of perfect harmony between them.
But it was fleeting—the White Guard Knight and Clerk Wilton approached on horseback from behind.
"Everyone set to ride?"
"Yes, White Guard Knight. Let's depart."
Father straightened in his saddle, and I returned to my spot.
Wedin, done with Grain, rejoined the formation.
"Alright. Move out."
As the White Guard Knight's horse surged forward, the entire advance party thundered into motion.
Elgrace was still half a day away at best.
There, amidst tangled political intrigue and demonic schemes, the journey's end awaited us.