Under the Oak Tree - Chapter 154
Chapter 154: Chapter 154
For some reason, Maxi felt both chastised and encouraged by the princess’s words. Agnes patted Maxi on the shoulder with a boyish grin.
“In any case, I’m truly glad you’re here. There are currently twenty-two mages at Eth Lene Castle, and we are up to our ears casting barriers around the camp, preparing defensive runes, and creating magical devices. We would be grateful for any help we can get.”
“Did you bump heads with Sir Riftan all so you could exploit Lady Calypse?” Ruth asked incredulously, glaring at the princess.
Maxi gave Ruth an odd look. Was he not the one who had taught her magic just so he could use her as an assistant?
As if unable to remember his past actions, Ruth declared, “Sir Riftan would never allow it. Besides that, it would be difficult to explain this situation to the other mages. I think it’s more than enough that her ladyship is helping at the infirmary.”
“Exploit her? What a mean thing to say!” Agnes cried shrilly.
She glowered at Ruth before turning her gaze to Maxi and clasping her hands.
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“I do not ask for much. If you could help us with the formulation of the runes from time to time, I shall be forever in your debt.”
“I-If it is in my ability… I-I will do my best to assist you.”
The princess looked deeply moved. Seeing her face, Maxi suddenly recalled what it was like to help Ruth sort through runes all day and began to grow anxious. She was regretting her rash decision when the princess began to usher her toward the tent entrance.
“Good. Then we should head over to my tent this instant. I think you are in need of a change of clothes.”
Maxi awkwardly tried to smoothen Riftan’s loose tunic.
“But first, I-I think I should go to the women’s tent… to fetch my belongings.”
Ruth, who had been waiting for the chance to get away, promptly volunteered. “Allow me to get them for you, my lady.”
Maxi stopped him as he tried to scurry out of the tent.
“What do you intend to t-tell the female clerics? I disappeared so suddenly… they are bound to be suspicious…”
“You’ve had your face concealed behind a hood until now. No one is going to recognize you even if you were to reappear as a mage of Wedon.”
Maxi was dumbfounded by how lightly he was taking the matter.
“How many weeks d-do you think I’ve been working with these women? Some of them surely must have seen my face… A-And more importantly, some will recognize the way I talk… or my voice.”
After staring up at the ceiling for a moment, Ruth pulled an irritated face and said, “Very well. I will explain the situation to them.”
“Wouldn’t my impersonating a female cleric… become a problem?”
“Well, you aren’t a spy, and all you did was volunteer to tend to the wounded. I don’t see why it would. Even so, there are always those who will sneer and slander, so I suggest we keep this from becoming public knowledge.” He shook his head. “Fortunately, there are currently more than fifteen thousand people in this camp. I doubt any of them will notice the sudden appearance of a low-level mage from Wedon. You need not worry so much, my lady.”
He lightly patted Maxi on the shoulder and left. With Ruth gone, the princess immediately took Maxi to her tent and gave her new garments to wear.
Maxi finally found herself dressed in something that was neither rough nor dull. However, the hem of her trousers dragged on the floor, and they were so tight around her hips that she feared they would rip at the slightest movement. Feeling like a duck with stubby legs and a bulging rump, Maxi was disheartened.
She enviously eyed the princess’s tall, slender figure that was reminiscent of a doe. Looking embarrassed, Agnes handed Maxi a dress instead.
“It may not be as comfortable as trousers, but it shouldn’t hinder your movement. It was designed for activity.”
Maxi slipped into the dark-blue, ankle-length dress and strapped Riftan’s dagger around her waist. It was modest, barely exposing any skin, but Maxi still felt uncomfortable in it. After being garbed in a glorified sack for some time, wearing such an outfit made her feel as though she were dressed for a ball.
“This is a tag that shows you are part of Wedon’s army. I know Riftan intends to have men guard you, but I still want you to carry this with you just in case.”
Agnes handed Maxi a wooden tag bearing the crest of Wedon. She added with a stern face, “As I’ve told you earlier, the soldiers of Wedon, Livadon, Osiriya, and Balto are gathered here. There have been quite a few disturbances lately with the men acting up.”
“D-Disturbances?”
“They keep challenging each other to duels,” the princess answered sourly, “and the Remdragon Knights are the most frequent recipients of these challenges. Winning a duel against any of them would earn one the title of greatest knight, so all the men are hell-bent on provoking them into a fight.”
“The men… f-fight with each other when we are at war?”
“Foolish creatures, aren’t they?” The princess snorted bitterly. “Though we have forbidden dueling, the mandate is difficult to enforce since the chain of command isn’t clear. If I’m honest, the coalition army is currently no different from an unstable magical device that could explode at any moment. With headstrong men like Sejuleu Aren, Riftan Calypse, Kuahel Leon, and the vice commander of the Knights of Phil Aaron, the greatest knightly order in the north, all gathered in one place… Let’s just say they are like oil and water.”
Agnes furrowed her brow.
“Not to mention the knights under them. At present, the coalition army is merely a large mob of disorderly men.”
As if fighting the trolls was not enough, the men were now challenging each other. The color drained from Maxi’s face at the news. Seeing her reaction, Agnes quickly softened her expression.
“No need to look so worried. I wasn’t trying to worry you. I’m telling you all this because some might try to use you to provoke Riftan if they find out that you are his wife. You must remember to be careful at all times.”
“I… understand.”
With a gentle smile, the princess led Maxi out of the tent and showed her around the camp. After noting the location of the mages’ tents, the barracks of the Remdragon Knights, as well as the places she should avoid, Maxi made her way to the infirmary.
When she reached the tent, however, she suddenly felt self-conscious. She was loitering in front of the entrance when Idsilla spotted her and came running out.
The girl quickly took her behind the infirmary. “Are you all right, Lady Calypse? Was he very angry with you?”
“I-I am all right, but… I can no longer continue pretending to be a female cleric.”
Idsilla ran her eyes over Maxi’s dress, then let out a sigh of relief. “I thought as much when I saw how Sir Riftan reacted yesterday. He truly is frightening. His eyes were so cold, I was petrified.”
“I-It was because… he was shocked to find me here. He usually isn’t… so scary,” Maxi said, apparently forgetting that she, too, had once feared her husband as though he were a lion from hell.
Idsilla regarded Maxi’s defensive response with amusement. “Seeing that he has already forgiven you so soon, he must be more lenient than he appears. The mage was here earlier and explained to us that you’ll be working with us as a healer of Wedon from now on.”
“Were the others… not surprised?”
“Most were quite shocked, but a few seemed to have guessed.”
When Maxi’s eyes grew wide, Idsilla smiled and added, “Sister Nora and Sister Karen said they knew who you were all along. They apparently saw you at the basilica.”
“Do they also know… who you are?”
Idsilla shook her head. “They seem to suspect something, but I managed to evade their questions.”
“Why don’t you also reveal y-your identity, Idsilla? I am no longer able to stay… i-in the women’s tent, so if it is all right with you, I-I will ask Riftan to-”
“Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. I’d prefer it if you would continue to keep my secret,” Idsilla replied. “After joining the support unit, I’ve come to realize that I’m not as competent as I thought. And how sheltered my privileged life has been.”
Her lips twisted into a bitter smile.
“I don’t want to use my status as a noblewoman to receive preferential treatment. I intend to remain a female cleric until the end. That is the only thing I’m capable of doing.”
“B-But… it makes me uneasy… to leave you here all alone.”
“Do not worry about me. I’ll have Selina with me. Could I ask you to inquire about my brother instead?” The girl’s expression suddenly grew dark. “Except for the fact that he is at the front, I have yet to learn anything else.”
“I-I understand. I will… try to find out what I can,” Maxi promised.
She felt slightly guilty that she had been the only one reunited with her loved one.
“We should get back to work now. Yesterday’s arrivals are in terrible condition.”
As if trying to lighten the mood, Idsilla cheerfully led Maxi into the tent. The others were awkward at first, but they began treating her as they always had before long. All of them were too busy to fuss over someone’s identity.
Needless to say, Maxi had no trouble looking after the wounded among the clerics. She even healed some of them with magic.
The women’s interest in the eccentric noblewoman who had disguised herself as a cleric soon died out. Princess Agnes had been right; war had no need for a noblewoman.
What mattered the most was one’s ability to fight or to work, and nothing else. Maxi was capable of working, so everything else about her was secondary.
Maxi was busy mixing the emergency herbal remedies when Ulyseon entered the infirmary tent.
“My lady, it is time for you to return now.”
Maxi looked up at him in surprise.
The squire glanced around at the injured men lying in the cots with an uncomfortable look on his face, then spoke more urgently. “Sir Riftan has made it clear that I am to escort you back to your tent before it gets dark.”
“B-But I still have-”
“I’ll finish mixing the herbs.”
It was Selina, who had been preparing herbs nearby.
“You should go, leave the rest to us.”
With that, Maxi was practically pushed out of the infirmary.
Walking beside her, Ulyseon seemed puffed up with pride. “Sir Riftan has once again entrusted me with your safety, my lady. From now on, I shall be by your side at all times.”
“I-I apologize for troubling you.”
“Not at all, my lady.” Ulyseon pounded his fist on his chest and gave her a bright smile. “There is no greater joy for a knight than to serve a noble lady. I cannot express how honored I am that Sir Riftan has entrusted me with this duty. I will risk my life to keep you safe.”
Maxi looked up at the squire who was now a head taller than her. He had become surprisingly man-like in the past few months. Maxi smiled. In her eyes, the forever gallant-sounding Ulyseon was still like an adorable child.
“Thank you… f-for saying that.”
“I mean every word, my lady.”
Ulyseon sounded slightly upset when he saw the smile on her face.
“My knighting ceremony will be held once this war is over, and as soon as I am knighted, I intend to challenge Sir Hebaron and replace him as Sir Riftan’s right hand. Please do not take my determination lightly.”
“I… I apologize.”
After regarding her with narrowed eyes as if to ascertain her sincerity, his face regained its boyish guilelessness.
“I will let this trespass go. But only because it is you, my lady.”
Maxi had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing at the youth’s solemn bearing and manner of speech. Like a true knight, he escorted her to Riftan’s tent with utmost decorum, then quickly brought her a tray of sumptuous food for dinner.
After washing her hands, Maxi sat at the table and asked, “D-Do you know when Riftan will be returning?”
“Sir Riftan is currently in a strategy meeting, my lady, and it will likely go on until late into the night.”
