Once the soldiers had laid the patients on reed mats, Maxi bent down to examine them.
Most were unconscious, and the paleness of some was so pronounced that she feared they had already expired.
She motioned to the doctors, instructing them to carefully remove the patients' armor.
She positioned herself next to a soldier whose injuries appeared more critical.
Holding the man's badly dented helmet, she removed it, revealing a swollen temporal region that resembled a blowfish.
She swallowed a defeated sigh; the damage to his skull had led to a pool of blood inside his head.
Magic offered little help in cases like this.
She called for a clergyman and moved on to the next patient.
Excluding the doctors helping with more routine tasks, fewer than fifteen people tended to the crowd of injured soldiers inside the rectangular tent.
Maxi couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like before she, Ruth, and the four wizards from Wedon's royal army arrived.
At that time, just seven or eight healers would have taken responsibility for more than a hundred patients.
Maxi searched the area, looking for the Temple Knights and the high priests of Balto who had helped transport the holy reliquary.
“What are the clergy doing?” she asked Ruth, who was examining a soldier in the opposite bed.
“They are performing purification rituals there,” he replied, wiping his forehead on his sleeve and indicating Kuahel Leon and about thirty clerics engaged in a simple rite.
They moved among the bodies of fallen soldiers lying on the ground.
"The dead will become ghouls if they are not purified immediately.
Until the situation is under control, the clerics are focused on the bodies."
Maxi swallowed a sigh before continuing his tasks.
Fortunately, the coalition army had many well-trained doctors.
With the siege broken for the night, the influx of wounded diminished, offering a brief reprieve from the chaos.
After ensuring that all the patients were taken care of, Maxi joined Ruth by a nearby campfire.
He was busy boiling herbs over the crackling flames.
“The commander of the duchy’s army told me… that my father doesn’t have long to live,” she said.
Ruth turned to her, frowning.
“Don’t tell me you pity the man.”
"O-Of course not!
It's just...
after hearing that I'm the heir presumptive after he's gone...
I couldn't help but wonder if we could use that to our advantage."
Ruth looked surprised.
He watched her with a thoughtful expression before asking darkly, “This commander has hinted that he wants you to inherit the duchy?”
“N-No, I think he was more curious about my intentions.” Maxi glanced around to ensure they were not being overheard and added in a low voice, "He seemed reluctant to offend Riftan...
given the possibility of the dukedom falling into my hands.
And it occurred to me...
that by appearing to assert my claim, I could also influence the behavior of the other vassals."
Ruth, who had been silently thoughtful at his words, stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“Not a bad idea.”
Maxi could tell he was considering her proposal, probably adding ideas she hadn't even considered.
After silently stirring the pot for a long time, Ruth spoke slowly, as if she was still collecting her thoughts.
"While principle dictates that a domain must pass to a daughter in the absence of a male heir, in practice it is rare for a woman to inherit her father's lands or title.
The domain is usually transferred to a male relative or given to another by the king.
But your lordship has a compelling claim.
Your mother was a direct descendant of Darian the Monarch, and your father's control over his lands is through his union with the royal family of Roem.
King Reuben cannot simply grant the title to anyone, as Dristan would demand the return of the eastern territories unless the next duke is of Roem's line.
Currently, only you, the crown princess, and your son have rights to the dukedom.
And as the firstborn, your claim is the strongest.”As he listened to Ruth's detailed explanation, Maxi's eyebrows furrowed in thought.
"I do not… actually want to take ownership of the lands.
There is no doubt… that Rosetta will inherit the duchy.
She has the support of the royal family and our father's vassals.
Given that he will likely leave everything to Rosetta's son, I do not intend to engage in an attritional battle."
“But do you want to instill fear by pretending to be interested?” Ruth's lips curved into a sly smile.
"The inheritance is not yet a certainty.
The crown princess can count on the support of the royal family, but you have Sir Riftan, the most influential figure in the southern reaches of the kingdom.
With his control over the court, anyone with half a brain would tread carefully so as not to offend you."
Maxi's face lit up.
“So… do you think I could pressure the vassals into sending supplies?”
“Depends on how you play the role,” replied Ruth calmly, lowering the pot to the floor.
"The duke has the power to reclaim any land he once granted to his vassals, replace administrators, or reassign guardians.
He can make a cleric of his choosing a high priest in any of the regions within his domain.
This is how he maintains absolute obedience.
But if you can expose your vulnerability and present yourself as heir, the vassals will find themselves in a position of having to choose sides."
As the sun sank behind the hill, Maxi remained deep in thought.
The Duke of Croyso had won loyalty by rewarding his ardent followers.
Simply by expressing her intention to do the same, she could easily undermine his loyalty to his father.
For the first time in a long time, a wave of determination coursed through his being.
She had been haunted by guilt since they had entered the duchy.
Now I felt a deep sense of relief at being able to do something.
“Thank you for your advice,” she said excitedly.
Soon, the coalition army surrounded the city.
It didn't take long for Maxi to spot Riftan among the organized ranks.
Absorbed in the discussion with the knights, he had the map of the city's design spread out on an improvised table made of stacked wooden boards.
He was probably strategizing how to enter the city without compromising the walls, as he had promised Sir Derek.
Not wanting to disturb them, Maxi began to retreat.
She figured she could wait for the opportune moment to share her plan.
Perhaps together, they could find a way to compel their father to speed up the delivery of supplies.
There seemed no reason to add to Riftan's worries, especially when nothing was yet certain.
Choosing to wait until she needed to act, she began heading towards the living quarters under the banner of the House of Calypse.
After having her share of bread and soup brought by a squire, she lay down to replenish her exhausted body.
The next day, at dawn, Maxi ventured to the field hospital.
Although most patients showed remarkable improvements, some were not so lucky.
They wouldn't last another day, and if by some miracle they survived, their injuries would leave them permanently disabled.
There were things that not even magic could cure.
Maxi left the tent with a heavy heart.
She instructed the doctors coming out of their quarters to prepare tonics and porridge for the patients before heading towards the kitchen area for breakfast.
Hundreds of soldiers were already lined up to receive their rations.
Spotting Ruth's tired face between them, she approached him happily.
“G-Good morning, Ruth,” Maxi greeted automatically, then blushed as she realized the inadequacy of such amenities on a battlefield.
Ruth, however, didn't seem to mind.
He responded with his usual nonchalance, yawning widely.
“Good morning, my lady.
Did you get a good rest last night?”
"Y-Yes, I did.
Say, did you see Riftan?
I don't think he returned to the tent last night."
"He's in a strategy meeting with the knights in those barracks over there.
We'll be joining them soon.
It looks like they've come up with a workable plan."
Maxi suddenly woke up.
“T-They were quick.”“No way,” said Ruth.
"In fact, we are behind compared to Sir Sejuleu and Princess Agnes' units.
They have already reconquered three castles, while we have not yet retaken any.
I think Sir Riftan intends to free Midna by tomorrow and then lead the army directly to the border."
Maxi looked at the wizard without understanding.
She couldn't imagine how that was possible.
Ruth continued, now moving in line for food.
"After we retake Midna and Castle Vesmore, we can set up a powerful barrier that will cut off all mana flow to the Lexos Mountains.
This should thwart the dragon's revival."
“Tell me more about this barrier”, Maxi asked suddenly, now curious.
Ruth looked at her curiously as she filled a bowl with porridge.
"Haven't I already explained this?
The barrier was established four, well, almost five years ago.
It was placed there by the church before the Dragon Campaign.
They identified five locations with strong energy currents and built sacred shrines, inscribing ancient divine runes to protect the entire mountain range.
This played a crucial role during the Dragon Campaign."
“Yes, I remember that part,” said Maxi.
“I meant… more details.”
Ruth was silent for a moment until complaints from the back of the line made him come forward.
Maxi held his bowl and hurriedly followed him.
“What role exactly did the barrier play?”