Under the Oak Tree - Chapter 142
Chapter 142: Chapter 142
Seeing the determination in the girl’s eyes, Maxi was at a loss for what to say. This girl who was four years her junior seemed to be a hundred times more confident.
Maxi looked away with a troubled expression. “I-Idsilla… you have no reason to go there.”
“And is there a reason for me not to go?” Idsilla shot back sharply. “Because I am of noble birth and a woman? Both were not my choice.”
“I-If anything were to… happen to you, Idsilla… y-your family would be devastated.”
“That goes for everyone. All who march to war must leave their families behind. We all bear the same pain.”
Maxi clenched her mouth shut. Everyone did not bear the same pain. The Duke of Croyso and Rosetta would not care in the slightest if she were to die. Still, Riftan, at least, would mourn for her.
Maxi suddenly felt her throat constricting. She could almost hear Riftan’s voice telling her that she was his one and only family.
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What on earth was she doing here when the only family she had was out there fighting a dangerous battle? Even if she were blessed to live to a hundred, what would be the point if she were to never see him again?
She was immersed in this depressing thought when Idsilla began recounting her story.
“My brother injured his right arm in a jousting competition two years ago. He was healed with divine magic, but the injury left its damaging effect, and his arm sometimes goes numb. When he said that he would participate in this campaign, all of us tried to stop him, but he still left to uphold his knightly honor. What reason is there for me not to do the same?”
There was anger in Idsilla’s voice. Maxi quelled her agitated heart and tried to pacify the girl.
“Th-There is no reason… f-for you to be reckless… out of spite for your brother’s actions.”
“I am not doing this out of spite, and nothing you say will change my mind,” Idsilla said, stubbornly raising her chin. “The matter I wanted to discuss with you is not whether or not I go. The support party will be leaving in five days, and I wish to learn whatever I can of the art of healing before then. I know it’s not much time, but I intend to learn as much as possible before I depart. Will you help me?”
A storm raged in Maxi’s mind as she wordlessly opened and closed her mouth. Though her reason whispered to her that she must stop the girl even if she had to inform Alyssa or the clerics, her heart told her a completely different thing.
Maxi tentatively opened her mouth. Before she could organize her thoughts, she blurted out, “I-I shall… go with you.”
She was alarmed by her own words. Had Riftan not exhorted her to wait for him in the safety of the basilica? She could almost see his livid reaction.
Maxi nervously fiddled with the coin inside her pocket.
Idsilla’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “I would say that you are more impulsive than me, Lady Calypse. You do not have to enmesh yourself in this.”
“True… I-It might be impulsive, but…” Maxi trailed off, unable to decide what it was she really wanted to do.
Idsilla pressed her lips together. The girl seemed to want Maxi to join her, but at the same time, was conflicted about dragging another into this dangerous venture.
After hesitating for a long moment, Idsilla cautiously spoke. “I am left with only two choices: to return home or join the support unit. The clerics intend to send most of the noblewomen back to their houses, and I’m sure my family will summon me home soon anyway. You, however, can remain at the monastery. It is wholly unnecessary for you to put yourself in danger.”
“Th-That is not true. I also…”
Maxi bit her lip. The bitterness that had been accumulating in her heart came surging up. How many times had she come to regret not entreating Riftan to take her with him more persistently during her stay here? She was certain that nothing was worse than being away from him.
She was exceptionally talented when it came to torturing herself by conceiving the worst possible future. It would be better to follow the campaign party than to spend months mired in anxiety and nightmares.
“I am… g-going with you. I must go,” she asserted as though she were dislodging thorns in her throat.
“Are you sure about this?”
Maxi slowly nodded, and relief flashed in Idsilla’s eyes. After making sure they were alone once more, Idsilla leaned closer to Maxi and revealed her plans.
“Then, you must be sure to pack your things beforehand. I’ve an acquaintance among the female clerics. I will ask for her cooperation ahead of time. I intend to follow the party dressed as a cleric. Since female clerics usually wear a hooded robe to cover their faces, it would be the best way to join them unnoticed.”
“Th-Then… w-what should I do?”
“I will procure a habit for you as well.”
“W-Would it not be a problem… i-if we were caught impersonating a cleric?”
“Do not worry. Many of the female clerics joining the campaign are sisters who have not been officially designated as clerics yet. If we were to get caught, we could say that we were training to become clerics but changed our minds.”
Maxi did not think such a preposterous excuse would get them out of trouble, but she chose not to argue. There was no other way after all.
“Still, are you certain you wish to come?”
Moistening her parched lips, Maxi nodded. Riftan would be furious when he found out, but Maxi desperately wanted to see him even if it meant being seized and yelled at.
“All right. Then… come to the back courtyard after the service. We have much to prepare.”
They walked out of the orchard and attended the morning prayer as though nothing had happened. When the service was over, the disconsolate noblewomen gathered in groups to discuss their plans for the future. Alyssa, whose disappointment seemed as colossal as her dashed hopes, returned to her room after expressing her desire to be alone.
Maxi made preparations to follow the campaign party with Idsilla. She filled the leather bag she had brought from Anatol with items needed for healing such as herbs, magic stones, thread, needles, and special salves. Afterward, she scoured the monastery to gather as many linens as possible.
Every now and then, she would teach Idsilla about herbs and their usage, while the girl taught her what to do if they were to encounter a monster. Though she had never fought one herself, Idsilla was as knowledgeable as the knights when it came to monsters.
“They say that there are two ways to defeat a troll. The first is to cut off its head,” Idsilla explained, drawing a large, warty monster – presumably a troll – on the ground. “Trolls possess such great regenerative abilities that they can heal their wounds in the blink of an eye. Records say that they are able to reattach a severed arm by simply holding it back in place. Complete damage to the head is the only thing they cannot regenerate. If their head is done away with, even a troll will not be able to escape death. The second is to attack them with fire. They say that cauterizing an open wound impedes their regenerative ability. This is why mages usually use fire magic when fighting trolls.”
Maxi swallowed hard. Idsilla’s explanation only fanned her fears. A chill ran down her spine at the thought that she was going to a place teeming with these terrifying monsters that could withstand most attacks.
Even so, her husband was currently battling said monsters, and day by day, this fact only strengthened her resolve to join Idsilla.
Time flew by in a flash. On the day before the support unit’s departure, Maxi waited for the cover of night to slip out of her room. Idsilla, who had been waiting for Maxi in a corner inside the garden, let out a sigh of relief.
“I thought that you might have changed your mind.”
“R-Right when we are about to depart?” Maxi replied curtly, glancing around to make sure no one was around. “You could tell me… i-if you are having second thoughts yourself, Idsilla. It is not t-too late.”
“There is no chance of that. I almost regret not doing this sooner.”
Idsilla snorted, then began heading toward the female clerics’ quarters. Maxi followed after her, walking as quietly as possible.
Only the sound of the grass bugs and the calm breeze penetrated the darkness. They came out of the shadowy garden and noiselessly entered the building.
When Idsilla knocked on a door at the end of a gloomy corridor, the door opened with a creak.
“Come in.”
Maxi hurried through after Idsilla. Inside the narrow, dimly lit room was a dark-skinned woman who appeared to be in her late twenties. Her face was stony as she glanced at the sight of Idsilla and Maxi with bags slung over their backs.
The cleric furrowed her brows in exasperation. “I see that you really do intend to go.”
“So I have been telling you this whole time.”
There was a pause.
“I was hoping you’d change your mind.”
Maxi blinked. From Idsilla’s words, she had assumed that the female cleric was happy to help them. After glaring down at Idsilla’s stubborn face with a conflicted expression, the woman sighed and took out two habits from a chest.
“Who could stop you, Lady Idsilla? Just promise me that you will not get me in trouble for this.”
“You have my word. I shall never mention your name even under torture, Selina,” Idsilla replied sourly.
She took the habit from the cleric and slipped behind a partition. Maxi hovered nearby, nervously studying the cleric’s expression. The woman flicked a glance at Maxi before reluctantly introducing herself.
“I am Selina Keyman, childhood playmate of Lady Idsilla’s, and a poor soul who has been constantly subjected to the obstinate lady’s unreasonable demands because of this acquaintance.”
“I can hear you,” Idsilla said from behind the partition.
Selina did not even bat an eyelid. “Goodness, how rude of me,” she said dryly, her gaze sweeping over Maxi. “You shouldn’t let that stubborn girl drag you into this. It is not too late for you to return to your room and avoid putting yourself through unnecessary hardship.”
Maxi frowned, offended by the woman’s rudeness. “I-It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Maximilian Calypse,” she said, then tried not to stammer as she added, “I thank you for your advice… but I must sadly decline.”
The female cleric rubbed her forehead, looking like a woman burdened by the world’s problems. After waiting for Idsilla to step out of the partition, Maxi took the remaining habit and went to change. As she slipped out of her smooth silk dress and donned the worn garment, it dawned on Maxi that there truly was no turning back now.
Her face set into a determined expression as she let the drab tunic slide down to her ankles, then threw on a robe and draped it over her head.
“I-I am ready.”
“I think the habit is a bit big on you. Though not enough to be conspicuous…” Idsilla muttered as she helped fix Maxi’s outfit.
Maxi nervously fidgeted with her sleeve. She wished to see herself in the mirror, but since this was a cleric’s room, it was void of anything that could be used for self-adornment.
“There is no need to be so worried. The sisters do not really know one another unless they entered the monastery at the same time. Everything should be all right as long as you keep your mouth shut,” Selina said curtly as she tied a cord around Maxi’s waist. “I doubt any of them would even suspect that a noblewoman would try to join the campaign by impersonating a cleric.”
It was clear from her tone that she was trying to tell them how ludicrous their plan was. Even so, Idsilla pretended not to notice and replied primly, “Thank you. Your words are a reassurance.”
They tried to catch as much sleep as possible in Selina’s room until dawn. When the first light of daybreak streamed through the window, female clerics began to file out of their rooms. Selina peered through the door until most had left before slipping out.
Idsilla and Maxi cautiously trailed behind Selina as they made their way out of the basilica. Dozens of wagons laden with baggage waited in the square in orderly rows.
Knights bearing the Livadonian coat of arms stood at the head of the procession, and soldiers flanked the middle.
Wiping her sweaty palms on her worn robe, Maxi joined the long line of clerics behind the wagons. True to Selina’s assurance, the soldiers hardly checked their fake identifications before letting them climb onto one of the baggage carts. About fifteen or so people were crammed into one wagon. Maxi squeezed herself into a corner and tightly hugged her bag while Selina and Idsilla seated themselves across from her.
The signal announcing the completion of the preparations soon rang out across the square, and the wagons began to roll forward. Maxi’s heart pounded so violently that she was afraid it might burst out of her chest.
She was leaving. She was truly leaving.
Maxi raised her head slightly to glance at Idsilla, whose face was hidden beneath a hood drawn down to her nose. She could tell from the white-knuckled grip on her knees that the young noblewoman’s nervousness matched her own.
