"Monsters of the Ayin race on the Pamela Plateau in northern Livadon appear to have formed an alliance.
There are reports of more intelligent creatures, such as lizardmen and trolls, gathering large-scale armies and attacking villages.
According to the last report we received before we left, an army of trolls has plundered a considerable territory in the north."
“A large-scale alliance between monsters?”
Everyone, including Maxi, seemed shocked by the unbelievable news.
Sir Remus Baldo grumbled loudly as if he found this ridiculous.
"Monsters that live in groups would form a small village at most.
I've never heard of Ayins organizing themselves into an army like humans in my life."
"No one has ventured deep into the Pamela Plateau.
Monsters of higher intelligence could have formed a civilization close to a kingdom without our knowledge."
The color left Maxi's face when he heard the scout's serious tone.
Imagining an army of monsters attacking a human village made her tremble with terror.
Sir Remus tensed as the gravity of the news sank in.
“Are you sure?”
"For now, it is still an unconfirmed rumor.
But the information about an army of monsters made up of lizardmen, trolls and red goblins carrying out planned attacks is true."
Gabel stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Do you think Livadon can handle the beasts?”
The scout frowned and then shook his head.
“If you ask me, there is a high chance that every country will soon need to send their knights in accordance with the Armistice of the Seven Kingdoms.”
“Then the first request for reinforcement will be sent to Wedon since we are part of the Western Alliance.”
Maxi had been silently listening to the conversation up until that point.
Suddenly, she asked, “W-You mean… the White Dragons will have to join a campaign in Livadon?”
Although he knew it was not a discussion he should participate in, his anxiety spoke louder.
Noticing her pale face, Gabel shook his head.
"The White Dragons have just returned from a three-year campaign last year.
If Livadon calls for reinforcements, the king will likely send his royal knights."
"I'm not so sure about that.
The mages believe that the army of monsters from the Pamela Plateau plundering the far north of Livadon is what is causing the large-scale migration of monsters.
It's a serious problem that could affect the entire Western Continent.
I'm sure they will also ask Anatol for help.
We must be prepared."
“We will discuss this again when the commander returns,” replied Gabel, casting furious glances at the young knight.
Realizing that the men were ending their conversation because of her, Maxi hurriedly stood up from her seat.
“The patient… seems to be fine now, so… I should leave.”
“Allow me to escort you to your chambers, my lady.”
"T-I-That won't be necessary.
I can go alone."
"No, my lady.
You must always have an escort with you, even within the castle," replied Gabel firmly before heading towards the door.
Before leaving, Maxi asked Sir Remus to ensure that Ruth took a look at the injured knight as soon as he returned.
There could be traces of poison still in his body.
Outside, the sun had already begun to set, dyeing the sky with an amber glow.
Gabel studied Maxi's face.
"I heard you got sick from using too much mana last time.
I hope you're not feeling unwell now, my lady?"
"I-I-I'm fine.
You don't have to worry...
I won't faint again."
Gabel nodded, relieved, and continued walking towards the castle.
Maxi watched the distant mountains as he walked silently beside him.
Now was not the time to torture yourself with memories of the past.
Something terrible could happen at any moment, and she was sure she had to be prepared for it.
There could be another poisoning or a critical injury.
If so, its existence would prove to be useful.
She had managed to save a young knight's arm with her magic today.
Although Riftan had said he didn't need his help, the reality was different.
Even I am capable of something.
Maxi clung to those words.
Her father had called her useless countless times, but today had proven him wrong.
No, it wasn't just today.She had learned and achieved many things in the short time she had been in Anatol.
If he gave up on all of this now, he would never be able to overcome his feeling of inferiority.
She would forever remain an inept failure and prove her father right.
Maxi's eyes shone with determination as she walked back to the castle.
It was past the time Riftan usually retired, but he had not yet returned.
He was probably in discussion with the knights about the monster reports and would be busy all night.
Maxi had planned to wait for him to ask what he intended to do, but staying awake proved difficult.
Today had been the first time in a while since she had used her mana.
She was exhausted.
Sitting on the bed, Maxi dozed several times before finally giving in to a deep sleep.
The sun was already at its peak when she opened her eyes.
His shoulders sank when he saw the empty sheets beside him.
Estate management, road construction, and now monsters… Maxi wondered why the world refused to give her husband a moment of peace.
She grabbed her hair, which was as thick as a cloud, and sighed.
“Are you awake, my lady?”
“Ludis…”
The maid, always impeccably groomed, entered the room with a tray of food.
Maxi gave him an embarrassed smile, embarrassed for having slept until noon.
“I…suppose…it’s too late…to say good morning.”
Ludis placed the tray next to the bed with a gentle smile.
"Sir instructed us not to disturb you so that you could rest as much as possible.
He said you would be tired..."
Suddenly, Maxi worried about what Riftan would think about her healing the knight yesterday.
Would he be displeased like he had been until now, or would he reluctantly admit that his magic had been useful this time?
She was thoughtful when Ludis offered her a cup of tea with a unique aroma.
"Wizard Ruth gave me some tea leaves.
He said they were good for replenishing mana."
Maxi was surprised.
“Ruth c-came?”
“He came last night to give this to me and asked to boil tea for you when you woke up.”
Ludis opened a leather bag and showed Maxi the dried leaves and neatly trimmed roots.
Maxi recognized the content of his herbal studies.
The tea was a mixture of mandragora root, dried restoratives, and common herbs.
Maxi looked around nervously.
If Ruth was aware of his use of magic, there was no doubt that he had also participated in the deliberations with the knights last night.
She had a feeling he would have no problem sharing what they discussed.
"I-I should thank him.
Is he… still at the castle?"
“Do you mean the wizard Ruth, my lady?” Ludis stroked her cheek, trying to remember.
“I saw him go down to the kitchen for breakfast this morning, but I don’t know where he is after that… would you like me to go and see if he’s in the library?”
"N-No.
I'll go...
there alone.
I have something to ask him," Maxi muttered vaguely, sipping the bitter tea that had now cooled to the perfect temperature.
After emptying the cup, Maxi ate the light meal that Ludis brought.
She washed her face, put on a dark blue silk dress, and brushed and curled her hair.
Then she headed to the library.
It had been a while since she had seen Ruth.
The idea of meeting him again made Maxi a little embarrassed.
As she opened the library door, she imagined being on the receiving end of his sarcastic comments about how she had wasted his time.
The library was empty.
Maxi sighed as he searched the room, including the area behind the shelves where the books were arranged in neat piles.
She concluded that Ruth must have gone to the construction site.
It was a huge undertaking that involved crossing rugged mountains, and there would be many on-site duties for a sorcerer.
Maxi felt discouraged for a moment as she looked out the window, but her determination returned when she realized she could gather information on her own, without Ruth.
Remembering the scout's words, she searched the shelves and pulled out a large book of maps.
“Pamela Plateau…”The name she was looking for was in the northwest region.
She traced the rough surface of the map with her fingertips.
The Pamela Plateau was located in the far north of Livadon, close to the borders with Baltonia.
The blurred letters were almost illegible.
Maxi squinted his eyes and evaluated the map several times before moving on to the notes on the side.
The explanation was brief.
It described the area as a desolate land, inhospitable to humans because of its harsh climate, and nothing more.
Frowning, Maxi carefully read the next page to see if there was more information, but soon gave up and closed the book.
Remembering the day before, even the scout had said that not much was known about Pamela Plateau, so it was highly unlikely that there would be details in such an old book.
Maxi shook off his disappointment and began searching the book shelves again.
It didn't take long for her to find several others about monsters.
After taking them out and leafing through them, he chose a few more with detailed illustrations and returned to the table.
A musty smell rose as she opened a volume with exquisite leather binding.
She wrinkled her nose as she flipped through the yellowed pages until she found the name of the monster the knights had mentioned.
Trolls…
They were cannibalistic creatures that often appeared in heroic tales sung by bards.
Maxi narrowed his eyes and stared at the illustration.
Its terrifying appearance seemed to befit its reputation.
The monster in the sketch had a hooked nose, toad-like skin dotted with warts, pointed ears, muscular limbs, and a protruding belly.
He stared straight ahead with his large sunken eyes visible beneath his swollen eyelids.
After studying the detailed illustration, Maxi read the explanation below it.
Trolls are approximately 7-8 kevette tall.
Their massive bodies give them immense strength.
They are extremely vile in their nature.
They have remarkable regenerative powers, being able to heal deep wounds instantly.
They live in small groups of 30 to 50.
More intelligent than elves, they are capable of creating and using armor and weapons.
Maxi unconsciously hunched his shoulders as he read the scribbled script.
A shiver ran down his spine as he imagined an army of brutally strong carnivorous giants intelligent enough to create tools invading his lands.
No, that's unlikely.
The Pamela Plateau and Anatol are practically on opposite ends of the continent…
But being so far from the monsters was no consolation either.
It meant that Riftan might have to travel that distance to join the campaign.
Maxi bit her lip and turned to the next page.
Illustrations of a goblin and an ogre appeared one after another.
She was busy reading the information below with utmost concentration when she felt something land on her shoulder.
Maxi jumped out of his chair.