Maxi couldn't stop Sidina from laughing at her acidic tone.
She glared at her friend and stomped hard on her foot under the table.
“Ouch!
There’s no need to be so physical!”, protested Sidina.
“It’s the only way you can listen to me”, Maxi replied, sullenly.
Feeling irritated, she picked up her quill from the inkwell to continue working.
Ten minutes later, however, I hadn't written a single word.
She blew the strand of hair off her forehead, remembering this morning's humiliation and feeling of rejection.
The two glasses of wine she'd had to calm her nerves while waiting for Riftan went straight to her head.
When she came to, she was naked in bed, bathed in the morning sun.
Riftan was preparing to leave after having prepared a bowl of water next to the fireplace for her.
Seeing her suffering from a hangover, he poured her a glass of cold water and left the room after a brief warning to drink in moderation.
His cold and almost indifferent manner shocked her.
They had been separated for three years before reuniting under life-threatening circumstances.
Until then, so many accumulated emotions made tension between them inevitable.
Still, she figured some of this would have been resolved by now.
Believing that they could reconcile after this journey, their disappointment was indescribable.
She bitterly swore never to let such strong liquor touch her lips again.
As she silently berated herself, Anton burst through the door.
“Gather around, everyone.”
The mages looked at him inquiringly before setting down the scrolls.
They surrounded Anton as he threw himself onto the long sofa beside the fireplace.
He sighed.
"We have finally reached an agreement with the Temple Knights.
The Mage Tower will officially join the war effort."
“Should you be making such a decision without consulting the elders?” asked Ben, a senior mage from Undaim.
It was a question befitting his cautious personality.
Anton nodded.
"Master Calto was given full authority in this matter.
Before we left, the Chief appointed him as his proxy, and the elders supported the decision."
“Will the Tower send more mages?”
Anton frowned at Miriam's question.
He stroked his well-groomed gray beard and said, "We would send if we could, but I doubt the coalition army will wait for them.
I believe the knights intend to leave for the monster city as soon as the troops are assembled."
Maxi bit his lip.
Anton scanned the somber faces of the mages before continuing in a measured tone, "Of course, it will probably take more than half a month to complete all the necessary preparations, but it will take longer for the Tower's mages to reach Eth Lene.
Therefore, Master Calto has decided to gather the free mages currently in the north.
We have already sent out a notice through the mercenary guild.
We are hoping to recruit as many as possible."
Despite the hope shining in Anton's eyes, the others exchanged skeptical looks.
Noticing their reluctance, Anton added with a sigh, "Wizards who join the coalition will be handsomely rewarded.
They will be allowed to study the records of the dark wizards before anyone else, as well as be given private workshops on the upper floors of Urd when they return.
Those who wish to remain active outside of Nornui will receive no less than eight denars, with additional compensation depending on the difficulty of the task."
The wizards began to murmur among themselves.
After looking around in bewilderment, Maxi whispered in Sidina's ear, "Is eight denars a lot?"
“That’s the problem with rich ladies,” said Sidina, her nose in the air.
"A high-level wizard earns an average of six denars a year, and those with greater talent can charge many times that.
But I've heard that it's difficult for most wizards to earn more than four denars a year.
Of course, it's still twice the average salary of a commoner."
“Be prepared for all the second-rate mages to come running like bees,” Miriam said, with a sarcastic tone.
“No one with real talent would be attracted to such misery.”
“Perhaps, but the chance to study the records of dark wizards would hardly be considered a misery by most.”True to Sidina's words, some of the mages seemed more than inclined to join.
After looking at the stack of parchments on the table with a thoughtful expression, Joel raised his hand.
"I would like more information before making any decisions.
How big is the army?
What will the supply be like?"
“I haven’t received any details yet,” replied Anton, visibly embarrassed.
“We cannot know for sure until the Council of the Seven Kingdoms meets, but if we consider the size of the latest coalition, it should easily exceed twenty thousand men.”
"The knights seem to be holding daily meetings about something.
Did you hear anything, Max?" Anette asked.
Maxi frowned and shook his head.
“I can barely see his face…let alone talk to him.”
“Perhaps it would be quicker to interrogate the traitor,” Lucain suggested.
When everyone's eyes turned to him, the Kabala mage shrugged and added, "He's the mage of the White Dragons.
Wouldn't he be at these meetings?
He should know better."
Silence took over the room.
Anton frowned, clearly not liking the idea, but turned to Maxi.
"Yes, it wouldn't hurt to know what the knights are saying.
Bring him here."
Anton spoke as if Ruth were a prisoner being dragged away for interrogation.
Maxi rolled his eyes.
When she showed no signs of getting up from her chair, the wizards all stared at her to get her to move.
In the end, she reluctantly got up and grabbed her coat.
After going downstairs, she walked out into the blinding sun.
Frowning, she crossed the vast courtyard bustling with workers.
Soon, dozens of carts and horses appeared on the training grounds.
As she slipped between them, a familiar voice approached her from behind.
“Good morning, Lady Calypse.”
Maxi turned and gave an uncomfortable smile to Sejuleu Aren.
Despite his imposing dress with a burgundy cape over black armor, his laid-back manner made him appear almost ridiculously cheerful.
Approaching her, he said gently, "May I ask what brings you here of all places?
Are you looking for Riftan?"
"N-No.
I'm looking for Ru “ the wizard of the White Dragons."
"They must be in the meeting room over there.
He refuses to leave the warmth of the fireplace."
Maxi smiled slightly in gratitude and started walking in the direction Sejuleu pointed.
She didn't get far before he joined her.
“Allow me to accompany you.”
"N-It's not necessary.
I don't want to take up your time."
"It's no problem.
It's a knight's highest duty to serve a lady."
In one fluid movement, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
Unaccustomed to such courtesy, Maxi looked uncomfortable.
She quickly softened her expression upon seeing Riftan marching towards them.
He was upon them in the blink of an eye.
“I will take care of my wife,” he said, taking her hand from Sejuleu.
"You go check the equipment.
The merchants are waiting for you to sign the receipt."
"Don't worry.
My assistant is more than capable of handling these tasks," Sejuleu assured.
Then, smiling, he said, “Shouldn’t you be attending the strategy meeting?”
Riftan frowned as if he really wanted to hit the man.
He hissed through clenched teeth, “I can spare a moment.”
"W-What a surprise.
I thought you were too busy to spare even a second to talk to me", said Maxi sullenly, withdrawing her hand.
Riftan's head turned to her.
From where Maxi stood, golden sunlight shone in a halo around his face.
The sight momentarily weakened his resolve.
He was always an incredibly handsome man, but as he grew older, he began to hide his rough and impatient side behind this frightening self-control.
This gave him a certain mature charm.
But Maxi was not happy with his restraint at all.
It irritated her that this man who had once burned with desire for her now acted like a clergyman.
A part of her feared he no longer found her so desirable.
Wanting to shake his resolve, she said coldly, “Sir Sejuleu has offered to accompany me, so you need not worry.”
Riftan came closer and whispered dangerously, “Are you telling me… that you want to be alone with him?”Sejuleu raised his hand in exasperation.
"There are at least four hundred soldiers here.
It would be impossible for us to be alone.
And, as I have reminded you countless times, I am a man of honor.
I am flattered by how highly you appreciate my charm, but I think you are exaggerating."
“You shut up,” Riftan said with a murderous look.
“Riftan!”
Riftan's face turned red with anger, and he glared menacingly at both of them.
A moment later, he pulled back his hair and growled, “Okay, do whatever you want.”
With that, he marched away.
Sejuleu shook her head as she watched him leave.
"I think we've really irritated him.
How would you like to proceed, Lady Calypse?"
After a moment of indecision, Maxi lifted her chin with determination.
She was tired of being the only one worrying and running after him.
Assuming a haughty stance, she said, "O-Obviously.
I will go see Ruth as I intended.
Can I still count on you to take me to the meeting room, Sir?"
“It would be a pleasure, my lady.”
Smiling, Sejuleu offered her his hand and led her away.