“For God’s sake, can’t we just enjoy this meal in peace?” exclaimed Hebaron.
Maxi apparently wasn't the only one feeling uncomfortable.
The burly knight snorted.
"We just won a battle.
Why fight when we can enjoy the feast before us?"
“You don't seem to understand the gravity of the situation,” spat Kuahel.
“I’m not here to fraternize with you.”
“Then why did you honor us with your presence?” Richard Breston asked, stirring a large goblet with one hand.
Ignoring him, Kuahel said calmly, "I'm sure you've been informed that the remaining forces of the monsters on the Pamela Plateau are trying to destroy the barriers installed around the Lexos Mountains.
Two of the five shrines built four years ago to block mana from flowing to the dragon have already fallen to the enemy.
Even if the coalition army manages to reconquer the castles, the divine magic contaminated by the monsters will fail to work properly.
To purify it, we need a sacred reliquary.”
“A sacred reliquary?” Riftan repeated, narrowing his eyes.
Kuahel nodded.
"The Chalice of Purification.
It can purify tainted magic and create holy water."
Suddenly interested, Breston stopped teasing and sat up straight.
“Are you saying this small estate has such a reliquary?”
"That's right.
I'm here to take the Cup to Lexos“"
“The sacred reliquary has been formally entrusted to us,” came a sharp voice.
Maxi turned to see a tall woman advancing elegantly across the room, her long black surcoat flowing behind her.
It was the Lady of Darund.
She cast a disdainful glance at Richard Breston before addressing Kuahel.
“The Pope has entrusted the care of the Chalice to Darund for the next ten years,” said the lady, her tone warning.
“It’s not something you can take at will.”
"Darund is currently in ruins, and the chapel intended to display the reliquary has also disappeared.
What would be the point of keeping the Chalice here?"
Lady Darund's face darkened at Kuahel's cold response.
She turned to the elderly cleric and the butler standing behind her.
When he realized that he would receive no help from them, he raised his chin haughtily once again.
"It may be true, but a promise is a promise.
We made a substantial donation to the church to acquire the Chalice, and now it is vital to our restoration efforts.
As long as the holy reliquary is here, many will come to Darund seeking divine blessing."
“And how will you stop us if we decide to take him?” Leaning back comfortably in his chair, Breston gave the noblewoman an unsettling smile.
"You barely have any soldiers.
We could do whatever we want, and you couldn't lift a finger."
“Shut your mouth.”
Surprised by the interruption, Maxi turned her head to see Riftan.
She wasn't the only one surprised; Lady Darund and the servants arranging the food seemed more shocked by his response than by Breston's rude threat.
Riftan stared at Breston with intensity, each word carrying authority.
"We are knights, not looters.
I will not allow looting."
Then he gave Kuahel a warning look.
"This also applies to you, Leon.
Nothing will be taken from this castle without Lady Darund's permission.
I will not allow it."
"The fate of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance.
Are you going to risk thousands of lives for a small piece of property?" Kuahel retorted icily before turning his sharp gaze to Lady Darund.
"This land will be in great danger if we cannot prevent the dragon's return.
Rebuilding Darund will not be a possibility, then.
Is this what you wish, Lady Darund?"
"But our right to the reliquary is our only remaining asset!
If we lose it, Darund will have no hope“"
"The Cup will be returned to you once this war is over.
And in return, the church will help fund the restoration of Darund."
Lady Darund's face brightened visibly.
It was then that Maxi understood why Lady Darund had caused such a fuss in front of everyone.
This assurance had been his goal all along.
“Then I have no reason to object to your request,” she said softly.His mild response seemed to lighten the mood in the hall, but the hostility between Riftan and Breston remained.
Maxi looked anxiously from one tense face to the other before looking back at Kuahel.
The Temple Knight calmly stood up from the table as if his business was completed.
"Very well.
We will leave as soon as you hand over the reliquary," he said, then headed for the exit.
Riftan, who had been staring at Breston menacingly, spoke in a low voice.
“Leon.”
Kuahel stopped and looked over his shoulder.
Riftan studied the man's face before slowly opening his mouth.
"Darund is far from the Lexos Mountains.
The monsters have no reason to attack this place.
Were they after the reliquary?"
Kuahel offered no response, but his silence was enough.
Riftan's voice dropped even further as he said, "You should know what this means.
The church has a spy.
I suggest you deal with this as soon as possible."
Kuahel's eyes glowed dangerously in the darkness.
When the Temple Knight turned on his heel and left the hall, Maxi finally released the breath he had been holding.
His head felt confused.
Was Riftan implying that a cleric was passing information to the monsters?
She quickly shook her head.
No human, no matter how corrupt, would be willing to ally with monsters.
After all, there was nothing to be gained from such betrayal.
What reason would anyone have to help the army of monsters that were mercilessly killing humans and corrupting their souls?
Or did this mean that a monster disguised as a human had managed to infiltrate the church?
A voice boomed beside her, breaking her out of her thoughts.
“Your spoon stopped moving a while ago.”
When Maxi looked up, she saw Riftan looking at her, concern in his eyes.
Even though she had no appetite, she forced herself to eat.
As soon as he managed to empty half of his plate, he excused himself and got up from the table.
A maid met her outside the hall and took her to a tidy room.
Taking off her coat, Maxi scrubbed herself with hot water and tiredly slipped into bed.
Despite wanting to stay awake for Riftan, her heavy eyelids refused to stay open.
She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
She slept until a cold woke her up.
Her eyes slowly opened, seeing the dying embers in the fireplace, she slowly sat up.
It was still dark outside.
Getting out of bed, she threw a piece of wood into the fireplace and stirred the embers with a poker.
Soon, a flame lit up the room again.
After looking around the empty room, Maxi put on her coat and left.
The corridor was shrouded in darkness.
Thanks to the moonlight filtering through the windows, she managed to get out without tripping.
Breathing in the fresh morning air, she walked down the hall.
Torches on the walls lit the way, and soon she reached the courtyard, where she cut her way out of the inner castle.
Soon, the chapel came into view.
She went inside to check on the injured.
Fortunately, none of the patients were unconscious or suffering from a fever.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she left the chapel and went to the White Dragons banner.
Riftan had probably chosen to rest in the barracks after deliberating the army's itinerary with his men late into the night.
Her assumption proved true when she found him among the tents, sitting before a fire under a small awning.
She suppressed a sigh and slowly approached him.
“Riftan… did you get some sleep?”
“Yes, I slept enough,” he replied tensely.
“What are you doing outside at this time?”
“I went out to check on the wounded men,” Maxi said, crouching by the fire.
At this moment, a cold breeze passed by, and she shrugged her shoulders.
Riftan watched her with a frown before opening his coat.
"Come here."
Maxi snuggled happily between his legs.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close so she leaned against him, and tightened his coat around them.
Maxi felt like a chick under a chicken's feathers.
She stuck her head out to watch the crackling fire and snowflakes.
Even the memory of yesterday's arduous battle and the apprehension about the exhausting journey that awaited them in the morning was not enough to diminish the joy he felt at that moment.
When she snuggled closer, Riftan rested his head on her shoulder and breathed warmly on her cold neck.“Are you cold?”
Maxi shook his head.
His breath seemed to tickle her bones.
Completely content, she let out a languid sigh.
The wind blew snow onto the awning, and even the cold that brushed his face felt good.
“Remember when we saw the first snowfall together in Anatol?”
“Near the lake?” he whispered, nuzzling her shoulder.
The action reminded Maxi of a large dog asking for attention.
A soft laugh escaped his lips.
When she turned her head to look at him, she saw a subtle smile tugging at his lips.
“I remember,” he said.
“We had gone for a walk.”