Maxi shrugged.
“D-Do you think it’s the tomb of the dark wizards?”
“It seems so, as it is unlikely that ordinary humans lived there,” said Sejuleu, with an expression of discomfort.
"The clerics will certainly be shocked when they see this.
The burial chamber was built like a shrine."
Maxi's face fell.
Did the dark wizards build the tomb to purify their souls?
After being banished and excommunicated, their greatest fear would be an eternity of anguish as undead monsters.
This was likely the reason behind attempting a purification spell of his own and why his tomb resembled a shrine.
The question was: had his efforts paid off?
Maxi's gaze rose to the castle tower, then back to Sejuleu.
"Where are...
the dark mages?
Are you already leading with them?"
"We haven't found any yet.
We've searched the entire city, but we haven't found anyone who looks like a wizard.
I suspect they may have fled when they heard the coalition army's plan to invade," Sejuleu replied.
Riftan, who was tightening his armor, interrupted.
"Don't jump to conclusions.
They could be hiding somewhere in the city, so keep the knights stationed at the gates."
"My men are already watching every entrance like hawks," Sejuleu assured, "but there may be secret passages we are not aware of.
We must make a thorough search of the city once the soldiers have rested."
Maxi was about to offer to help with his search magic, but he hesitated when he saw Riftan's expression.
Furthermore, I wasn't sure if I still had enough mana.
A wave of exhaustion suddenly overcame her, and she hugged her knees.
Noticing Maxi's tiredness, Riftan took off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Stay here.
I'll be back soon."
She stared at him like a sullen child, but ended up reluctantly agreeing.
Riftan eyed her suspiciously before climbing the steps.
Maxi saw Sejuleu signal four of his subordinates to follow Riftan.
Feeling a little safer seeing that Riftan wasn't going alone, she rested her chin on her knees.
“Drink this,” said Sejuleu, offering him a cup.
“It will calm your nerves and warm you up.”
“O-Obri… thank you.”
Maxi accepted and took a sip.
The mulled wine felt divine as it went down his throat.
She realized that she hadn't drunk any water all day, having only eaten bread and beer for breakfast.
She had been busy tending to the wounded.
Suddenly overcome by intense hunger and thirst, Maxi emptied the cup.
As the wine settled warmly in her stomach, she felt the tension of the day melt away.
“Have some of this too,” said Sejuleu, offering him bread and cheese.
Maxi devoured everything greedily.
It was strange that she could eat anything with a mountain of monster carcasses just a few kevettes away.
However, he needed to eat to avoid fainting.
After satisfying her hunger, she approached the fire to warm her frozen body.
Soon after, Riftan returned with Ruth and Elliot.
Although they both looked exhausted, neither of them looked injured.
“I’m glad… to see you unharmed,” said Maxi, standing up.
“You have no idea how worried I was.”
Ruth was heading towards the fire, but stopped when she recognized her, her eyes widening.
"I can't say the same for you, my lady.
You're a wreck.
Please don't tell me you got hurt again.
What kind of recklessness..."
"T-This is goblin blood.
I guarantee I'm in one piece," Maxi interrupted.
His eyes moved nervously.
“Where…are the others?”
Elliot smiled bitterly and replied, "They didn't enter the city, since we also needed to protect the horses and provisions.
They should have gathered with the rest of the army."
“We have to hurry and gather our order as well,” Riftan said.
"It'll be another sleepless night if we don't finish the search by sundown and start setting up camp.
Let's go, Maxi."
He put his arm around her and led her out of the city.
Maxi waved to Sejuleu as they left the square.
Despite the unknown dangers that could be lurking among the ruins, with Riftan's arm around her, firmer than any wall, Maxi had never felt so safe.As they approached the magnificent but desolate city, black smoke rose from the rows of great stone buildings, and soldiers moved through the streets.
It didn't take long for them to find the White Dragons' flag among them.
"Hold on a little longer.
It's over," Riftan murmured, his relief palpable.
Only then did Maxi realize that he was as worried as she was.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
It was all over now.
Finally they could return to Anatol.
Luck was on the side of the White Dragons.
There were no casualties, and although thirteen high-ranking knights were injured, none of them were at risk of death.
After a quick treatment with magic, all the knights were spared permanent damage.
However, hundreds of ordinary soldiers were not so lucky.
Maxi immediately set up a new infirmary at the edge of the square.
About two hundred were in critical condition, and three times as many had suffered minor injuries.
Maxi couldn't contain his sighs.
If there was a silver lining, it was that he now had more help.
With no more battles to fight, the offensive unit's mages were reassigned to healing.
Among them, Celric stood out as the biggest support.
With him heading the healing unit, Maxi was finally able to free himself from the heavy responsibilities of being a leader.
She was in the middle of preparing painkillers when Anton entered the tent.
“We’re leaving in a week,” he announced, his face serious.
“I have been instructed to ensure that the soldiers can travel there.”
Maxi looked at him in surprise.
“S-So soon?”
"Yes.
They searched every kevette in this city, but they found no trace of the dark wizards.
They abandoned this place a long time ago.
According to the knights, there is no evidence of humans ever living here."
Anton sank down before the brazier with a heavy sigh.
"It's possible that the gang creating unkilled monsters throughout the Seven Kingdoms is their last.
It's not surprising considering how rare a Serbel offspring is."
Maxi's heart sank.
With so much going on, she had completely forgotten about the undead problem.
“S-So, what’s going to happen now?”
"The dark wizards have failed.
With their base destroyed, no undead army will be able to help them achieve their goal of conquering the Seven Kingdoms." After reflecting, staring thoughtfully at the blazing fire, Anton stroked his bushy beard and added, "Still, we intend to track them all down.
It would be best to capture them before the church, but that's unlikely.
The Temple Knights are already keeping an eye on us."
“Are they… watching us?” Maxi said, shocked.
"Haven't you noticed?
This city is full of records left by dark wizards.
The clerics are wary of us getting them."
Maxi's face hardened.
“The relationship between the Mage Tower and the Temple… will it sour again?”
Anton shrugged indifferently.
“It is too early to say, but it is clear that a dispute over records cannot be avoided.”
Despite the older wizard's attempt to appear unconcerned, Maxi could see the determination on his face.
The Wizard Tower would not give up the records of dark wizards so easily.
She felt exhausted just thinking about the prospect of another troublesome dispute.
He had no interest in participating in an irritating power struggle.
All I wanted was to go home and rest.
As if reading her thoughts, Anton looked at her seriously.
"The coalition army will remain in Balbourne for some time to discuss the distribution of the spoils.
I want you to join the council with us to support the claim to the Wizards' Tower."
"And me?"
"Not only did you lead the rear support unit, but you also acquired great fame throughout the Western Continent.
Your presence will be of great help during the negotiations."
Maxi looked at Anton blankly.
He had never considered himself an influential person.
Having said that, Anton stood up without waiting for her answer.
"It has already been decided that the army will go to Balbourne, and as the rulers of the Seven Kingdoms are currently in Osiriya, the knights' orders must remain in the basilica until the council reaches an agreement.
In the meantime, you can think about this calmly."
Maxi let out a dejected sigh as soon as he left the tent.
It was a mistake to think that she would be able to return home once this war ended.At least I'll get some rest in Balbourne.
It would take two months to travel from Anatol to here, so a stop in Balbourne could be beneficial for them.
If luck permitted, she might even attend one of the great festivals in Osiriya or watch a swordsmanship tournament.
Maxi tried to cheer herself up by remembering the stories Rosetta had proudly told in the past.
As the former capital of the Roem Empire, Balbourne was a magnificent city with a multitude of attractions.
There was certainly no harm in staying in Osiriya for a few weeks.
Reassuring himself, Maxi turned his attention to his patients to change their bandages.
She had been looking after them for some time when she felt a presence behind her.
As she quickly turned her head, she saw Riftan standing over her.
She smiled radiantly, the sight of his chiseled face dispelling all her fatigue.
He was much better now.
With all the sweat and dust cleaned off, his messy hair looked sleek, and he smelled like soap and leather.
Maxi imagined that he must have washed in the fountain inside the castle.