Chapter 16.1

Translator: Lizz

 

It was five days after the betrayal of the Guild mages. The camp, where the treatment of the wounded and the reorganization of the troops were finally settling, was enveloped in an atmosphere of uncertainty – neither entirely anxiety nor anticipation – that some sort of order might soon be given.

 

However, what arrived was not an order, but rather an unexpected piece of information.

 

No one knew who had gotten wind of it. The whispers began without warning, and the rumor spread in an instant.

 

“Lord Lambert has been imprisoned!”

 

The one who brought this information to Evan’s platoon was Warren, who had just returned from treatment for his injured foot. It seemed to be a minor sprain, and he had recovered enough to walk on his own, but he still pushed himself despite the pain to deliver the news.

 

“Why?”

 

Aster, uncharacteristically emotional upon hearing the news, grabbed the injured Warren and asked. For Zechs, the last time he had seen Aster this shaken was when he learned that his own mother had sent assassins after him. The other members had likely never seen him in such turmoil.

 

“Treason, they say.”

 

“Ridiculous!”

 

“It’s about the Guild mages’ defection. According to the King, the Guild was an unauthorized organization created independently by the Iron Fortress. Since their defection caused damage to the Lavarta Knights, the King believes that the responsibility for those losses should fall on Lord Lambert, the Supreme Commander who oversees both the Iron Fortress and the Guild.”

 

Warren, despite being hoisted up by the collar by a young man more than a head shorter than him, did not resist. Instead, he gazed down at Aster with eyes full of concern. Unable to watch any longer, the others intervened and pulled Aster away.

 

Aster, with a stunned expression, staggered as he was pulled away, his gaze lowered. Then, he muttered once more, ‘Ridiculous!’ in a small voice.

 

Zechs couldn’t understand how the Guild’s betrayal had so quickly led to Lambert’s imprisonment. The Supreme Commander of the Iron Fortress was indeed of a lowly mage status, but he was the only mage permitted to enter the castle. Officially, he was allowed to voice his opinions on matters related to magic, even when dealing with nobles.

 

“So that’s how it is.”

 

However, Rigitte nodded as if she had come to an understanding, though her expression remained unsettled.

 

“What do you mean, Rigitte?”

 

“I mean… If the people hear that the Guild mages have turned against Lavarta, they won’t stay silent. Hatred and resentment toward mages will deepen. But to recapture Maha, we need the power of the Iron Fortress, the very forces currently serving here. If things go badly, the people might start calling for the extermination of mages. The knights might refuse to fight alongside mere mages. So, by detaining the highest-ranking official for now, they are trying to suppress dissatisfaction. And also, to give a warning.”

 

The last words were whispered.

 

Treason was a grave crime, and if the sentence was finalized, public execution was a possibility. According to Warren, however, nothing had been officially decided yet.

 

The news of Lord Lambert’s imprisonment spread among the mages in an instant, causing a shock that was far from insignificant.

 

Regardless of whose apprentices they were, most mages held deep reverence for Lambert. Zechs was, of course, one of them. Lambert was not only a great mage but also a man of exceptional character. He skillfully mediated between the royal family, the nobility, and the mages, ensuring that mages were not subjected to undue mistreatment while avoiding resentment from the aristocracy.

 

“This is absurd! Absolutely absurd!”

 

Still seething with anger, Aster stormed away from the camp.

 

“Hey, Aster!”

 

“Lord Lambert is a great man. Even those empty-headed nobles understand that. Anyone with even a shred of intelligence wouldn’t look down on him needlessly. Mage or not!”

 

Zechs chased after Aster, who strode forward with such force that it seemed he might crush the earth beneath his feet. Aster kept walking, heading toward the area where the knights had set up camp just days ago. The knights had since moved to a nearby village, but there was no guarantee that none remained. Was he so consumed by rage that he had lost all sense of judgment? Just as Zechs began to worry, someone among the attendants lingering in the former camp approached them.

 

Zechs instinctively tensed, but soon realized that the figure was someone he recognized.

 

“Lance, have you heard the rumors?”

 

Aster’s bodyguard, splendidly disguised as an insignificant knight’s attendant in a plain tunic and worn leather armor, darkened his expression at his master’s words.

 

“Yes. Those of us over here also heard the rumor.”

 

“I’m sorry, but I need you to verify the truth.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“…If this is true, then the King is utterly foolish. If he truly considers him a traitor!”

 

“Most likely, he intends to keep him imprisoned until the situation cools down.”

 

“I hope that’s the case. No, surely even the King isn’t that foolish. But if he truly is…”

 

Aster trailed off, leaving his words unfinished. Lance gave a short nod, as if to signal his understanding, then shifted his gaze toward Zechs.

 

“The knights have lost their Commander, and Lord Andrews seems deeply shaken. I don’t think they will make a move for now, but when the time comes, please look after His Highness.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

 

With a bow, Lance turned on his heel. From the conversation, it seemed he was heading back to Rhiannon. When asked if he had a means of travel, Aster explained that swift horses had been prepared in various locations for situations like this.

 

“For now, let’s wait until we have accurate information.”

 

Aster, having regained some composure, turned to Zechs with a strained smile.

 

Another five days passed without any news.

 

Unlike the mages, the knights were embroiled in disputes. In addition to the issue of appointing a new Commander, the reality of the Guild mages’ defection weighed heavily on them. To them, it must have felt like a once-loyal hound had suddenly bared its fangs. Surely, within their hearts, there was both the urge to capture and execute the traitors and the fear that they themselves might be bitten to death.

 

Information regarding Lord Lambert kept changing. He had been imprisoned, then released, then sentenced, then it was all just a rumor… Each time, the mages stationed far from Rhiannon were thrown into waves of hope and despair, their spirits worn thin by anxiety and anticipation.

 

Amidst all this, Aster gradually regained his composure. ‘The King knows how deeply respected Lord Lambert is. Setting aside personal feelings, if he imagines how the mages would react to his execution, he wouldn’t make such a rash decision,’ he said.

 

Other mages with sound judgment had said similar things, so Zechs gradually began to believe it as well.

 

However, no official words had come from Rhiannon.

 

Then, one night, Zechs suddenly woke up, sensing someone’s presence. As he opened his eyes in the darkness, he noticed movement beside him – Aster. Realizing this, Zechs silently followed him out of the tent.

 

Outside, under the moonlight, they exchanged glances. Aster acknowledged Zechs’ presence with a nod of approval. Together, they passed through the rows of tents.

 

The season had already shifted to early summer, and the night no longer felt cold. Yet, unlike the shelter of the tents, the open space offered no protection, and the wind that swept through was not just refreshing but carried a slight chill.

 

In the north, the small lights of Maha flickered unchanged in the distance. Having spent the past few days in quiet idleness, there were moments when the battle felt like nothing more than a dream.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

Without a sound or any detectable presence, Lance had somehow appeared behind them.

 

“You’ve worked hard. Did you learn anything?”

 

Aster’s voice carried a faint tension, though it lacked the anger and anxiety of a few days prior. In contrast, Lance’s face was pale, and dark circles were clearly visible beneath his eyes, perhaps from lack of sleep. At first, it seemed that the moonlight was making him look unwell, but it was clear that wasn’t the only reason.

 

“Lance?”

 

Perhaps sensing something unusual in the silent demeanor of his attendant, Aster’s voice suddenly tensed.

 

Lance opened and closed his mouth as if gasping for breath, then forced out the words.

 

“Sir Lambert has passed away.”