The atmosphere in the Ruswena mages’ tent was particularly heavy. Just that afternoon, the old woman who had been with them died, and they had tied up a captured Bariel mage in the corner.

Jang was tightly bound and bleeding. His entire body was swollen with unintended bruises.

One of the Ruswena mages sighed deeply, furrowing his brow. Even with the magic-sealing stone in place, why did they have to guard the prisoner? Just because they were fellow mages?

“Her Majesty has gone too far.”

“…War is always excessive.”

“Enemy or not, he’s still a mage. What are we supposed to do with someone in this condition?”

“She said it’s preparation for potential problems. Since he’s a mage, only mages can subdue him.”

“…Damn it, damn it, damn it!”

Crash!

As the mage kicked a chair in frustration, Jang’s body instinctively flinched. He wasn’t living—he was dying.

“Control yourself. Jaira is here.”

The mages soothed the child’s shoulders and suppressed the violent sounds.

But Jaira remained calm. As if detached from everything, she sat quietly, staring at the tent entrance. Feeling that her grandmother would be standing there if only someone pulled back the canvas, no external disturbance could break her concentration.

The mage who had kicked the chair set it upright and sat down.

“I never thought the Queen would be so ignorant about our identity. When I return, I’ll never come out again. I’ll go deeper in, where even the Queen can’t find me.”

“Kuhak!”

When Jang suddenly coughed up blood, the Ruswena mages lowered their heads, pretending not to notice. Even if they wanted to give him magical energy, the magic-sealing stone handcuffs made it impossible. Above all, the Queen’s permission was the biggest issue.

The mage rummaged through his pocket, looking for a cigarette.

“If he dies, I bet she’ll order us to dispose of the body too. I don’t understand why she’s so cruel. She’s so different from her reputation.”

“Citizens only need to be full and warm, that’s all. That’s how we were too.”

“He doesn’t look like he’ll last until morning in that state. Did a doctor see him? Should we call one again? Wouldn’t it be better to let him lie down rather than leaving him like that?”

“I went looking earlier, but there were only medics. Who knows where the military doctor went.”

Hiss.

The mage with the cigarette glanced at Jaira. The child wasn’t crying and still sat upright, staring into space. He carefully tapped the table to get her attention.

“Jaira. Tell us now. We’re the only ones here.”

“……”

“What did you secretly learn? I know what you did to Her Majesty’s arrow earlier.”

The child’s feet, not touching the floor, swung pleasantly. Just imagining the moment of revenge was enough to somewhat alleviate her gloomy mood.

“You’ll find out at Her Majesty’s most important moment.”

“Most important what? Ah, how frustrating. Really.”

Tap tap tap.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside.

The mages fell silent as if by agreement, and then the tent flap was pulled back. Eldert had come with a military doctor to check on Jang.

While all the mages rose to greet him, Jaira remained seated, staring up at him.

Whether he didn’t see her or was ignoring her because she was a child, Eldert didn’t make an issue of it and went straight to Jang, grabbing his chin.

“His condition?”

“There’s no sign of improvement. Not unless we share magical energy with him. Has Her Majesty given any orders?”

“Not yet. She seems to be planning to decide after consulting with Burgos. They have necromancers there, so she’s assessing whether they can use the mage’s corpse for something.”

It was horrific. The Ruswena mages tried to let this chilling plan go in one ear and out the other.

Using a mage’s corpse for necromancy? Then what about them? Would they too be exploited after death, unable to truly die? Unless they were shattered like the old woman, was there no way to escape the battlefield?

‘Surely not. Her Majesty wouldn’t do this to her own country’s mages.’

They all thought she wouldn’t, but they couldn’t be certain.

Ruswena had a long-established royal family, and Eripony was a promising ruler who had run the country soundly. At least until they met her directly, the mages had lived in seclusion believing this.

But look at her now. The Queen with her bow drawn resembled a merciless predator.

“E-even if she plans to kill him later, I think it would be better to keep him alive for now. Please relay this message. Honestly, it’s difficult to watch a fellow mage dying like this.”

The military doctor glanced at the mages while examining the wounds, and Eldert also gave them a puzzled look. As if he couldn’t understand why being a fellow mage mattered.

It was a difference in interpretation of what a mage is. For them, it was an identity, but from the royal family’s perspective, they were just people with the same ability. What difference was there between someone who became a military officer due to martial prowess and someone who became a mage because they had magical power?

“If it’s so difficult to watch, tell Her Majesty yourself. Let’s end this conversation here. I need to draft about two mages. They need to fly to the left and right sides of the wall to check what’s happening inside.”

“Are you asking us to go on reconnaissance?”

“Yes. Fires have been lit inside the Clifford wall. Since we don’t immediately understand what this means, I want you to go and report back.”

Lights at night were not something to be taken lightly. It meant there was movement inside, one way or another. Understanding that was currently the most important matter.

“Two people…”

The mages looked at each other apprehensively. Usually in such situations, the old woman would take the lead or recommend suitable people, but that position was now vacant.

After a brief silence, Jaira raised her hand.

“I want to go.”

“Jaira. No. You’re too young. I’ll go instead.”

“Right. My brother and I will go. We’ll be the two, Sir Eldert.”

When the child raised her hand first, everyone jumped up to stop her. Talk sense, they thought. If they sent a child to such a place, the old woman in the abyss would surely scold them.

But Jaira, whatever her thoughts, countered with wide eyes:

“Why? Uncles, your magical power is weaker than mine.”

“Jaira.”

“And I’m small, so even if there’s a problem and I’m caught, I can get away with it because I’m a child. That Bariel minister Ian is supposed to be amazing, right? Couldn’t there be barriers? We can’t sense anything from here.”

“The enemy forces are too weakened to set up barriers. You needn’t worry.”

“Besides, Uncle, you’re too big. With the bright moonlight, a small frame would be best for stealth if we want to see why fires were lit inside the wall. Sir Eldert, I can go.”

As a small dispute broke out among the mages, Eldert watched them with folded arms.

Indeed, apart from being young, Jaira was very suitable for reconnaissance. If one ignored her rebellious behavior and the blow she received from the general earlier.

“Is anyone here Jaira’s family?”

“We’re all family. We lived together in the forest.”

“I mean direct family. Blood relations.”

The mage’s argument didn’t persuade Eldert. They hesitated briefly before pointing out Jaira’s sibling.

“Jaira’s younger brother is at the palace. He’s a boy, but he’s ordinary.”

“Good. Then Jaira will take the left side, and you’ll take the right.”

“Sir Eldert! Jaira is too young. Please reconsider.”

“With such strong will, what problem could her age possibly pose? She’s a mage who lent power to Her Majesty’s arrow. And this is a battlefield. Age doesn’t matter.”

Jaira climbed down from her chair and picked up her robe—a small piece of cloth that would protect her in the darkness. She carefully tucked her hair into the hood and asked:

“So I just need to see what’s happening inside the wall and come back? Anything else?”

“Just return and report in detail. Your primary goal is to return without being detected. Jaira, if you don’t come back, your brother will join your grandmother.”

Eldert knelt to meet the child’s eyes. The mages pressed their lips together, but Jaira just smiled.

“If I return and bring the tide of war in our favor, glory will come to us all.”

“Of course. Her Majesty will heal and compensate for all the pain, including your grandmother’s sacrifice. Jaira, don’t forget that you are a proud Ruswena citizen.”

“I understand, Sir Eldert.”

“Then go. I’ll report directly to Her Majesty before setting out for reconnaissance.”

Eldert left Jang’s treatment to the military doctor, then nodded to the two mages. As Jaira moved to leave the tent without hesitation, all the mages rushed forward to block her path.

“Jaira!”

“What are you thinking? Huh? Why are you doing this?”

“Everyone, step aside. There’s no time.”

“How will we face your grandmother if you go?”

“What reason would we have to see grandmother? She’s in the abyss now. No one, not a single person, can see her anymore.”

Unless she used forbidden magic herself—then perhaps she could.

Jaira passed by the protesting mages and followed Eldert, soon seeing the brightly lit Clifford camp in the distance, at one side of the wall.

“They’ve lit the fires quite openly.”

“Be careful, Jaira.”

Jaira nodded without replying to Eldert’s caution.

Her black eyes reflected the moonlight perfectly. The child stroked her swollen cheek and tied her robe even more tightly.

****

“Meat! More meat!”

“You lunatic, where did the meat that was just in front of you go?”

“That? In my stomach. Give me some alcohol too! Clifford is so stingy—if you’re going to grease the stomach, you need to wash it down right away!”

“Who drinks like this during a war? Even kings don’t do this.”

“Ian, he’s been picking on me. Say something to him. Bullying someone over food is the worst!”

“You should have some conscience!”

“Hey? Heeeey? He’s stealing again!”

“Beric, this isn’t stealing—it’s sharing. Stupid bastard. Is everything on this table yours? Huh?”

Bang! Crash!

The table Beric had commandeered was chaotic—fruits flying around, water and drinks spilling everywhere. It was a noisy dinner setting.

In contrast, Ian sat majestically in the center, cutting his meat into bite-sized pieces with elegant movements of his fork and knife.

It was as if an impenetrable wall stood between Ian and the others. While everyone else devoured their food ravenously, he alone seemed to be enjoying a small banquet.

Though he wasn’t smiling, he didn’t seem bothered by the commotion. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying it a little.

“Let go—”

Beric stopped mid-shout while holding a plate up high. The mages seized the opportunity to steal his meat, but despite this, Beric’s reaction was unusual.

“…Beric?”

“What’s suddenly wrong with him?”

“Damn, he’s getting serious. Fine. Eat it all yourself.”

The mage who had stolen the meat tried to return it to Beric’s hand, but Beric placed it on the table and stared into the distance. Like a watchdog sensing someone outside.

“Hmm.”

Sniff sniff. And ear twitch. Beric frowned, then flung the door open. He looked at the empty night sky and tilted his head in confusion.

“Beric. More meat is coming. Close the door! Lord Ian is cold.”

“Hey, hey, hey. Wait a minute. Everyone, stop eating and look. Don’t you feel something?”

“Feel what?”

Over half the mages had lost their magical power due to Idgal, and the other half had issues with their magic. In other words, everyone’s condition was too poor to notice anomalies.

Clatter.

“I sense magical energy.”

“Right? Ian, this is the scent of magical power, isn’t it?”

Ian muttered as he set down his knife, and Beric excitedly asked:

“What should we do? Ian, do you want to keep eating? Shall I go after them?”

Hum. Hummmm.

As Beric activated his magical power and grabbed his black sword, the mages covered their faces with empty dishes and shouted:

“Aaaaargh! You lunatic, we’re indoors! If that explodes, we’ll be bedridden again!”

“Get out! If you’re going to do that, get out!”

“Huh? Ian, should I go after them? Or not?”

Ian quietly looked down at his half-eaten steak. His appetite was just starting to return, and he didn’t want to leave this moment with everyone. He lightly rested his hand on the fork again and asked:

“Can you handle it?”

“I told you. From now on, I’ll really do well.”

“Then report to Captain Jeirutt and take care of it yourself. There won’t be any problem with my meal, right?”

“Of course not.”

Hummmm!

Whoosh!

Beric exploded with magical energy and jumped from the balcony in one bound. Below, Barsabe, who had been stretching while holding her side, let out a silent scream.

“I’ll catch the fly! Captain Jeiraaaaat!”

Crash!

Jeirutt, who had been meeting with Noah and Tweller, closed his eyes again. As if he hadn’t heard or seen anything.

“Someone boost me up!”

“Beric. Maintain your dignity as an Imperial Guard.”

“I’ll catch it! The fly!”

Fly? Jeirutt thought the fool had finally lost his mind, but then he suddenly felt an unfamiliar magical energy and jumped up.

Something was approaching them.