Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 301: Chapter 62

Maxi’s face clouded with concern.

Noticing this, Elliot said reassuringly, “Do not worry, my lady. There is still time until the agreed date. We simply returned earlier. The commander should be back sometime tomorrow.’

His kind smile made her feel better.

“More importantly, how was the investigation? Was it fruitful?” Nevin inquired as he stirred the pot he had hung over the fire.

Maxi detailed the basilisk breeding farm and the secret tunnel leading to the monster base. Listening with avid interest, Nevin poured her a bowl of soup. She accepted the ration and hungrily wolfed it down. Ruth, who had been slack with exhaustion, also filled a bowl for himself.

While they rested, Kuahel and his men gathered in a corner to discuss something. Elliot went to check on the horses. Maxi was watching the knights absentmindedly when Ruth leaned in and mumbled something in Elvish.

She blinked, unable to catch what he had said. Nevin, on the other hand, seemed to understand immediately. He stared at Ruth in shock but kept his mouth firmly shut, clearly reluctant to interact with the traitor. He then wordlessly returned to stirring his bowl of soup.

“I’m sorry… but my Elvish is a little short,” Maxi confessed sullenly.

Ruth heaved a sigh and repeated slowly using much easier vocabulary, “1 think the Temple Knights are watching us.”

Maxi stared dumbly at Ruth before her eyes darted to Kuahel. The Temple Knight reacted instantly, his piercing eyes flying to her. She flinched and looked away.

“W -What… makes you think that?” she asked Ruth in awkward Elvish.

“Did you not notice? I got the feeling they were watching us throughout the investigation— no, even before that. They have been very careful to keep us in their sphere of influence. I sense they are observing the mages’ every move.”

“Even if that were true, it’s not all that strange,” Nevin chimed in, unable to keep silent any longer. “We are cooperating out of necessity now, but the church and the Mage Tower are like oil and water. I’ve no doubt the church disapproves of us being this close to the magic of the dark mages. It is only natural that they would be wary of the Mage Tower getting hold of dangerous knowledge.’

Ruth’s retort was too fast for Maxi to catch. Their argument continued until the Temple Knights joined them by the fire.

Maxi mulled over Ruth’s words in her head. Had there been anything strange in the Temple Knights’ behavior? Since most of the paladins never spoke a word, it was impossible to tell what they were thinking. Even if the Temple Knights were hiding something, as Ruth suspected, there was no way to find out what that was.

She was lost in her thoughts when the exhaustion of the day prevailed.

Climbing up and down the snowy mountain had drained all her stamina. Coupled with a sated stomach, it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep her heavy eyelids open.

She excused herself to lie down on a rug next to the brazier. As she fell into a deep sleep, she hoped Riftan would be there when she opened her eyes.

It turned out to be a vain wish. The party investigating the city was nowhere to be seen, even by noon the next day. Maxi anxiously paced in front of the cave entrance. From time to time, she would climb on top of a rock to scan the surroundings. No matter how much she rubbed her eyes, none of the shadows were human. The silence within the cave was stifling as the sun went down.

‘What do you intend to do if they do not return tomorrow?’ Nevin asked, finally breaking the silence.

Alarmed, Maxi hastily covered his mouth. Ruth scowled and swatted her hand away.

“You must know this yourself, but you are mad!”

“K-Keep your voice down! Maxi hissed, anxiously glancing at the cave.

Ruth looked first at Maxi, then at Talon in admonishment.

“H-How… did you know?” she said, trying to sound as bright as possible.

“How could I not? You didn’t speak a word all night. It was obvious you were up to something,” he said, his words landing like a woodpecker rapping her head. He stopped and heaved a heavy sigh. “What were you planning to do by yourself? Infiltrate the monster base on your own?’

“I-I might be reckless… but I am no fool!” Maxi retorted in a hushed voice. “I plan to hide near the city and scout it as stealthily as possible. I-I might be able to find Riftan with tracing magic.”

“And? What were you going to do after that?”

Maxi’s shoulders tensed at the icy voice. When she turned her head, she found Kuahel Leon leaning against a rock.

“There are better mages in his party,” he said, slowly strutting over. “And to say nothing of Riftan Calypse’s competence as a seasoned swordsman who has been through all manner of trials. How would you solve a predicament even they could not?’

“I know… I can’t do much!” Maxi shot back, stubbornly raising her chin. “B-But I can at least observe the situation and supply them with provisions! Their rations would have surely run out by now.”

“The monster base is a day’s journey from here,” Kuahel said coldly. “If they are in a situation they can escape, they will not perish from going without food for a few days. Now, if they do not manage to get free, it’s no use no matter who goes to help them.”

“Y-You really are a h -heartless man!” Maxi desperately searched Kuahel’s face before her emotions came bursting out. “C-Can you not understand? I-I-I will not abandon my husband in such a place! I must do w-whatever I can!” ‘Which is nothing. You would only be endangering your life.”

Maxi’s face flushed crimson. Boiling with rage, she no longer felt the bone-piercing cold.

“A-And what concern is that of yours?” she said bitingly. “Losing seven or eight lives… shouldn’t make much difference to you! So why interfere?!”

Kuahel remained unfazed by her harsh criticism.

Maxi gripped Talon’s reins and continued, her voice laced with steel, “M-My task was to help you locate the monster base in the Pamela Plateau, and I have accomplished that. What I do next is m -my decision. And I choose… to go to my husband!”

A moment of silence passed in which Kuahel observed her. Then, he said flatly,

“If you are so determined, then there is nothing I can do.”

Maxi eyed him with suspicion but eventually relaxed her shoulders. Right at that moment, a large hand flew at her, covering her face. Taken completely by surprise, she was about to shove the hand away when something flashed before her eyes. All the energy drained from her body.

Staggering backward, she slumped into Kuahel’s arms. She stared up at him in disbelief. The only hint of emotion he showed was an unreadable gleam in his green eyes. He raised a hand over her face. Soon, she slipped into darkness..