Chapter 34 Guest
Three carriages and one large cargo wagon.
Among them, my belongings consisted of three bottles of griffin’s blood, potions, meteoric iron ingots, metalworking tools, and a small assortment of clothes.
With Silveryn’s permission, I also packed a few alchemy books.
“All set? Hurry up and get on.”
The butler and maids, who had been assigned to stay at the mansion, came out to see us off. I waved goodbye to them.
I took one last look around the mansion before climbing into the carriage.
How strange that I should feel such regret now. It’s really quite unfathomable.
When I had left everything behind in Haman, I hadn’t felt this way.
Perhaps it’s due to the many good memories I’ve made here. A lot has changed during the few months I’ve spent in this place.
I asked Silveryn,
“When do you think we’ll be able to return?”
“Hmm, I can’t promise anything. If nothing else comes up, perhaps during the holidays?”
“If nothing else?”
“Yes.”
She spoke as if something might happen. It seems that even during the holidays, life as an Eternia student isn’t all rest and relaxation.
The prepared carriages began to move out one by one.
We were heading for Eternia.
***
Silveryn greatly lamented the time spent traveling. It made sense since, even in the best scenario, we were in for at least 20 days in a carriage.
She mentioned that she would continue my training upon arrival in Eternia and whenever there was any spare time during the journey.
“There are still things you need.”
While my physical and strength conditioning had come a fair way, she often expressed regret over my unincreased total mana.
“Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts here. You need to continue exhausting and recovering your mana to increase it.”
The problem was that I didn’t know how to use magic, and I couldn’t summon my sword just anywhere to expend mana.
But it wasn’t like there were absolutely no options.
I could use a magic artefact that would continuously deplete my mana.
“Before we reach Eternia, I should prepare the necessary magic artefact for you. While we’re at it, I should get you a new sword too.”
“A new sword?”
“Yes. You can’t always carry your usual sword disguised, nor can you summon the light sword whenever you want.”
That made sense.
So, I’d be handling three swords in total? The thought gave me a headache.
“Can’t we just change the appearance of the sword I normally use?”
Silveryn shook her head.
“That might be even more complicated. Easier to get caught that way.”
***
We had to cross no fewer than three national borders.
There were countless territories to navigate.
I had anticipated problems with checkpoints or preparations for camping, but these concerns turned out to be needless.
Leaving Weisel behind, we entered a small town in the Fetherton region.
It must have been a bustling trade town as there was a line of cargo wagons at the checkpoint outside the city gates. It looked like it would take half a day to get through.
But then, a group of the city’s guards on horseback came towards us, following a side path from the checkpoint.
“It is an honor to meet Eternia’s esteemed guest. Please come this way.”
They recognized the seal of Eternia on our carriages and allowed us in the city without further procedure.
Not only that.
The lord of the town even invited us to stay at the castle.
Four days later, around the time we were crossing into the Duchy of Yulisia, rangers took the initiative to escort us.
“It is an honor to serve Lady Silveryn.”
Thanks to such treatment, over ten days of travel required only two nights of camping, and even then, there was no need to keep watch or worry about ambushes or raids.
The tension had completely dissipated; it was just a matter of passing time.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked Silveryn,
“Why are we treated so favorably by Eternia, regardless of the border?”
She explained succinctly.
“Hmm. Many countries owe debts to both me and Eternia.”
“Debts?”
“Yes, quite significant ones.”
The closer we got to Eternia, the better the treatment we received.
In the Seharin territory, all the citizens knelt before Eternia’s carriages to show their reverence.
The lord there treated even me with great respect as a distinguished guest.
“It is an honor to serve the disciple of the Grand Mage.”
It felt a bit too much even if I was standing beside Silveryn.
She would habitually say to me,
“Your head teacher has contributed greatly.”
Plantara had been clearing the magical beasts near the regions around Eternia, and most local lords were relying on this assistance.
That was why we were receiving such hospitable treatment during our travels.
Through a series of events, I could finally grasp the stature of Eternia for myself.
***
The journey took about four days longer than expected.
The pre-planned route had been blocked by a flooded river due to heavy rains, so we had to detour along the very edge of the Empire’s border.
Thanks to our generous planning for such contingencies, there were no interruptions in our schedule upon arrival in Eternia.
We were now approaching the village of Beron on the fringes of the Empire.
“It feels a bit eerie.”
Some of the milestone markers alongside the road were broken or poorly maintained, with bits of wrecked wagon wheels visible intermittently.
There were no rangers from the Empire in sight.
And Silveryn’s expression, as she looked out of the carriage window, was less than favorable.
“This isn’t right; this place is not usually like this.”
“How many times have you visited here?”
“Well, normally rangers would come to meet us early on.”
“That’s not a good sign, is it?”
Silveryn replied indifferently.
“Right…”
The terrain around us was incredibly steep.
There was no alternate route to take. We would have to pass through Beron village even if something happened.
Ahead, a thick fog obscured our vision.
Another couple of hours into our journey, the outskirts of the village started to emerge through the nebulous mist.
Silveryn’s expression grew increasingly serious.
“Tell everyone to halt the carriages.”
“Why?”
Soon, the line of progressing carriages stopped.
“There’s a barrier around the village. Wizards are setting up a line in front of us.”
“A barrier?”
She paused for a moment before speaking.
“Apparently, someone was waiting for us.”
Waiting for us in a place without any notice?
I pondered for a moment.
“…Are they people I would know?”
“Hmm, seem like they could be your guests?”
If they use magic and are looking for me and Silveryn…
“Could it be…?”
I had almost forgotten about them.
I never imagined they would welcome us in such a manner.
“You’re right. Wait here. Do not, under any circumstances, step out of the carriage. It’s safe here.”
Silveryn opened the carriage door and stepped out.
If they came all this way to find me, I didn’t want to flee.
“I will go with you.”
“No, stay here.”
“…”
She looked into my eyes and emphasized once more.
“Listen to me. You need to stay here.”
“…”
She took my face in her hand and repeated.
“Promise me. You’ll stay here.”
I reluctantly nodded my head at her request.
“…Understood.”
Silveryn firmly drew the line and walked alone towards the village.
Even if Silveryn was a great mage, it seemed incredibly dangerous for her to enter the enemy’s lair alone.
They would have the numerical advantage.
Could I really be of no help to her?
There’s no other way. I have to trust Silveryn.
***
Silveryn walked leisurely into the entrance of the village, hands clasped behind her back.
There was no sign of tension or fear.
As Silveryn entered, the fog began to dissipate slowly, revealing the view of the village.
Scattered haphazardly along the main thoroughfare of the village, townspeople lay strewn about.
And in their chests, large icicles were embedded.
Crimson blood had soaked the entire village.
Even witnessing this carnage directly, Silveryn showed no change in expression.
As if accustomed to such sights, she wore an indifferent face as she surveyed the scene.
“Isn’t it about time you showed yourselves?”
As she called out, shortly afterwards, magicians wearing white robes and masks began to emerge from behind the village buildings.
There were far more of them than what Damian had mentioned in his dream.
They started to encircle Silveryn slowly.
She took a rough count of the magicians lining up beside her.
At a glance, there were well over a hundred. What’s more, considering the level of magic power they emanated, they were all at least mid to senior level magicians.
To command such a force, one must possess authority far beyond a local lord or average noble.
Someone intimately connected to the Imperial household or perhaps a leading figure from one of the Empire’s most renowned magical families.
Judging from their numbers, they came prepared to make a final decision.
“Shall we start with the matter at hand?”
A magician stepped forward to face her.
“Hand over your disciple.”
“Why should I?”
“There is no ‘why.’ Our only task is to take the disciple. You can surrender or die. Those are your only choices.”
She responded provocatively.
“And if I refuse?”
“Do you really think, no matter how skilled you are, that you can take on all of us by yourself?”
“…”
The magician continued in a rigid tone.
“Your carriages have already been surrounded as well. It would be wise for you to peacefully accept our terms.”
Silveryn crossed her arms, leisurely pacing back and forth. She took her time examining each of the masked figures.
Disappointment was evident on her face.
“How exactly do you plan to kill me?”
The magician confronting Silveryn waved his hand.
A gust of wind blew, dispelling all the fog, and thousands of ice blades hovering in the air became visible.
Their sharp points were all aimed at Silveryn.
She looked up at the sky and frowned.
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