Riftan had already been in the Gaisa Mountains for almost a month.
When Livadon discovered a sizable colony of trolls in its easternmost region, they immediately sent a raiding party, only to discover that the monsters were far more numerous than anticipated.
They were soon dominated.
The trolls managed to push Livadon's forces out of the nearby villages, prompting the royal family to request reinforcements from their ally, Wedon.
It was a completely excessive appeal.
Livadon could have easily handled a colony of this size with its royal knights.
Mindlessly touching a severed troll's head with his foot, Riftan frowned irritably.
Since the war three years ago, the monarchs of each kingdom have panicked at every sighting of trolls in their territories.
Even more fearful were his subjects, who feared that an army of monsters would invade their homes again.
His overlord believed that a show of power would calm the nation's fears, resulting in Riftan taking part in three attacks this year alone.
King Reuben no doubt planned to make the most of him in exchange for granting him an earldom.
Twisting his lips into a wry smile, he took out a bottle from a leather bag.
He was taking a few sips of beer when a familiar voice“one that grated on his nerves“called out to him.
“I'm surprised you can handle anything in a place like that.”
He looked down at the pile of troll corpses.
A man in blackened armor under a purple robe was approaching him.
After emptying his bottle, Riftan replied coldly, "Get out of here, Aren.
I'm not in the mood."
“As if you ever were,” Sejuleu Aren grumbled, taking off his helmet and tucking it under his arm.
The man's dismissive tone contrasted with his position as commander of the royal knights of Livadon.
Her symmetrical features visible beneath tousled curls exuded refinement, suggesting her noble lineage.
Sejuleu gathered his messy hair with one hand and gave Riftan a lazy smile.
"Haven't you had enough after your monster slaying?
I offer myself as your next opponent if you like."
“Enough small talk,” Riftan said icily.
“Just tell me what the hell you want.”
A slight wrinkle formed on Sejuleu's handsome forehead.
It wasn't that the Livadonian commander was offended, but he seemed to be carefully considering his next words.
After pondering something for a while, Sejuleu opened his mouth to speak.
“What’s your opinion on the recent monster resurgence?”
“What are you asking?”
“I'm asking if there is any connection with the monster army from three years ago.”
Riftan's eyebrows furrowed.
“And you think that because…?”
"Because it's likely.
Most of the monster army's remaining forces fled to hide to the north.
It could be that they went down to establish strongholds across the continent without any of us noticing."
“So it’s speculation.”
After a cold dismissal of the knight's concerns, Riftan jumped out of the pile of monster corpses and began marching towards the front line.
Sejuleu hurriedly followed.
“Hey, I’m not done yet!”
“Then get to the point.”
“You haven’t changed anything, have you?” Sejuleu said, sighing.
"Very well.
My point is this.
The Temple Knights' movements have been quite suspicious lately."
“The Temple Knights?”
"Exactly.
I've received reports that your paladins have been investigating isolated regions across the continent, with several sightings in the northern regions of Balto and Livadon.
They seem to be desperately searching for something."
Riftan looked thoughtfully at the other knight.
“And you think that something is the remnants of the monster army?”
“It’s still speculation,” Sejuleu said, shrugging, “but what is certain is that something strange is happening, and the church is keeping it secret.”
Riftan shook his head.
"You're reading too much into things.
What reason would Osiriya have to hide information about the monster army?""The Orthodox and Reformed factions of the church are currently locked in a fierce rivalry to present the next pope.
They would withhold information if they thought it could affect the papal conclave." Sejuleu's lips curved into a cynical smile.
"Livadon has asked Osiriya about this several times, but all we've gotten are vague answers.
Our king is quite suspicious of the church, and we've decided to start our own investigation to track down the monster army."
Sejuleu looked at Riftan with a solemn look before adding, "What do you think?
Will the White Dragons join us?"
Halfway to the defensive line, Riftan stopped abruptly.
As his face contorted into a skeptical expression, Sejuleu hurriedly said, "You will have to fight anyway if there is a war.
We might as well eliminate them before they become a threat."
“I would be inclined to agree if there was a threat,” Riftan pointed out with a sardonic smile.
“But like you said, it’s all still just speculation.”
"It may be too late by the time we know for sure.
We must find out the truth before“"
“Then hurry up,” Riftan said coldly as he untied Talon from a tree.
"If you want my cooperation, send an official request.
I see no reason to do so without my overlord's command.
I'm here to deal with the trolls in this region.
Nothing more."
Sejuleu's face turned into a fierce frown.
The Livadonian commander was that particular type of knight who took the code of chivalry extremely seriously.
Without a doubt, he considered it his duty to carry the peace of the entire continent on his noble shoulders.
Riftan snorted softly and rode away.
Sejuleu seemed to give up and did not follow him.
Riftan was relieved; If the Livadonian commander had continued to bother him, he would have found a fist flying towards his chin.
Riftan erased the nonsensical proposal from his mind and rode to where the soldiers were setting up the perimeter wall.
If they didn't hurry, it would be dark before they completed their line of defense.
After ordering the men to work faster, he slowly walked Talon along the edge of the forest.
Clamping hooves sounded in the distance behind him.
Riftan turned his head.
Elliot Charon was running towards him at a frightening speed, his face serious.
"What it was?" Riftan said, standing still.
After stopping a short distance away, Elliot breathlessly exclaimed, "We have received a message from Anatol!
I thought it best to bring it to you immediately."
Riftan went to him and accepted the scroll.
The matter must have been serious for Elliot to seek it out in such a hurry.
He opened the parchment, his jaw tensing.
Catastrophic possibilities flashed through his mind“fire, looting, mine accidents.
As it turned out, the content of the message was much more shocking.
Forgetting to breathe, Riftan read and reread the words.
A moment of heavy silence passed.
Finally, Elliot asked cautiously, “Are you… okay, Commander?”
Riftan furiously crumpled the parchment in his hand.
After looking at his fist with flaming eyes, he shouted at one of the soldiers.
"You there!
Where is Sejuleu Aren?"
The surprised soldier stared at him for a moment before pointing to where the tents were being set up.
Sejuleus was among his men, busy setting up tents.
When Riftan rode toward him, he looked at him in surprise.
"Is something wrong?
I thought you were done talking to me."
“I changed my mind.”
Sejuleu's eyes widened in surprise.
“Why the sudden change?”
"I..." said Riftan, then gritted his teeth, "now I have reason to go to Pamela Plateau.
We must deal with the trolls here as quickly as possible and move on."
Sejuleu looked perplexed.
"What?"
Without bothering to respond, Riftan turned abruptly and ordered Elliot, "Find Hebaron!
Let's have a strategy meeting!"
"Yes sir!"
Elliot left obediently in a hurry.
As the knights were summoned, Riftan walked the length of the defensive wall, tinkering with the message.
He didn't know if this overwhelming emotion was anger or joy.
What seemed like an incomprehensible exaltation excited him, and he was looking at the ground when something cold brushed his cheek.He looked up through a flurry of hail swirling in the strong wind.
His eyes burned as he looked up at the sky.
The cold did nothing to calm the fire burning inside him.
Soon, he saw his men running towards him, and turned Talon around.
The expedition team continued on its way north without much trouble.
In the lower parts of the continent, subspecies of dragons like drakes and wyverns were much more prevalent than monsters of the Ayin race.
With these monsters going into hibernation in the colder months, travel in this region was relatively safe.
His biggest problem was the weather, which grew colder with each passing day.
Even though it was early winter, the ground was already frozen, and frost clung to the dead grass on the hills.
Although they had been spared from sleeping outdoors in the northeastern part of the kingdom thanks to a strange village on the way, this type of journey would only last until they crossed the border.
Cheeks red from the cold, Maxi pulled the hood of her cloak down further and rode Rem forward.
Her teeth chattered, and she stiffened whenever the icy wind passed.
Ulyseon was riding beside her and looked over with a worried expression.
“Are you okay, my lady?”
“O-Sure.”
Maxi tried a confident nod, but his assurance sounded unconvincing even to his own ears.
Blowing her nose, she looked around to see how the other members were doing.
If there was any consolation, it was that everyone also seemed to be struggling to cope with the freezing weather.
Most of the mages seemed half-frozen as they trembled on their mounts.
Even Calto Serbel was a pitiful sight.
His face had a bloodless, grayish appearance.
Maxi watched him apprehensively.
He's not dead, is he?