Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 301: Chapter 62

Maxi’s face clouded with concern.

Noticing this, Elliot said reassuringly, “Do not worry, my lady. There is still time until the agreed date. We simply returned earlier. The commander should be back sometime tomorrow.’

His kind smile made her feel better.

“More importantly, how was the investigation? Was it fruitful?” Nevin inquired as he stirred the pot he had hung over the fire.

Maxi detailed the basilisk breeding farm and the secret tunnel leading to the monster base. Listening with avid interest, Nevin poured her a bowl of soup. She accepted the ration and hungrily wolfed it down. Ruth, who had been slack with exhaustion, also filled a bowl for himself.

While they rested, Kuahel and his men gathered in a corner to discuss something. Elliot went to check on the horses. Maxi was watching the knights absentmindedly when Ruth leaned in and mumbled something in Elvish.

She blinked, unable to catch what he had said. Nevin, on the other hand, seemed to understand immediately. He stared at Ruth in shock but kept his mouth firmly shut, clearly reluctant to interact with the traitor. He then wordlessly returned to stirring his bowl of soup.

“I’m sorry... but my Elvish is a little short,” Maxi confessed sullenly.

Ruth heaved a sigh and repeated slowly using much easier vocabulary, “1 think the Temple Knights are watching us.”

Maxi stared dumbly at Ruth before her eyes darted to Kuahel. The Temple Knight reacted instantly, his piercing eyes flying to her. She flinched and looked away.

“W -What... makes you think that?” she asked Ruth in awkward Elvish.

“Did you not notice? I got the feeling they were watching us throughout the investigation— no, even before that. They have been very careful to keep us in their sphere of influence. I sense they are observing the mages’ every move.”

“Even if that were true, it’s not all that strange,” Nevin chimed in, unable to keep silent any longer. “We are cooperating out of necessity now, but the church and the Mage Tower are like oil and water. I’ve no doubt the church disapproves of us being this close to the magic of the dark mages. It is only natural that they would be wary of the Mage Tower getting hold of dangerous knowledge.’

Ruth’s retort was too fast for Maxi to catch. Their argument continued until the Temple Knights joined them by the fire.

Maxi mulled over Ruth’s words in her head. Had there been anything strange in the Temple Knights’ behavior? Since most of the paladins never spoke a word, it was impossible to tell what they were thinking. Even if the Temple Knights were hiding something, as Ruth suspected, there was no way to find out what that was.

She was lost in her thoughts when the exhaustion of the day prevailed.

Climbing up and down the snowy mountain had drained all her stamina. Coupled with a sated stomach, it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep her heavy eyelids open.

She excused herself to lie down on a rug next to the brazier. As she fell into a deep sleep, she hoped Riftan would be there when she opened her eyes.

It turned out to be a vain wish. The party investigating the city was nowhere to be seen, even by noon the next day. Maxi anxiously paced in front of the cave entrance. From time to time, she would climb on top of a rock to scan the surroundings. No matter how much she rubbed her eyes, none of the shadows were human. The silence within the cave was stifling as the sun went down.

‘What do you intend to do if they do not return tomorrow?’ Nevin asked, finally breaking the silence.

All eyes turned to Kuahel. The decision rested solely on his shoulders.

Appearing deep in thought, Kuahel stared into the fire before answering. “We are running out of provisions. We cannot afford to keep waiting for them.’

“They might be in trouble. Should we not go to their aid before it’s too late?” Elliot protested.

Kuahel’s calm eyes flew to him. “Are you suggesting that we put all of our lives in danger?”

“That’s...”

Maxi felt Elliot’s gaze briefly land on her, and she bit her lip. When Elliot fell silent, she could not bear it any longer. She shot to her feet and went to the stable.

The horses were all testy from being confined in a narrow cave for days. Rem started to stamp her hoof in agitation as soon as she saw Maxi. After soothing the mare, she glanced at Talon. The warhorse sat in a corner, his head held high with solemn dignity.

Maxi approached cautiously, and Talon remained still while she stroked his neck. She smiled softly. The horse’s demeanor seemed to suggest he was graciously tolerating her. However, as the tumultuous thoughts stirred again, her smile quickly vanished.

When Riftan’s party did not return the following day, Kuahel, Elliot, and Nevin began deliberating on what to do next. Their missing comrades were likely running out of provisions as well. The fact that they had not returned despite this proved they must have encountered a problem.

“It is far more serious than you think,” Kuahel said gravely. “If they were discovered, that means we are all in danger — including those at the ruins. We must return with all haste.”

“And abandon the others?” Nevin retorted heatedly. “I refuse! What if they manage to escape? They will starve to death if they return to find us gone!”

“If we stay any longer, we will be the ones starving to death,” Kuahel bit back frostily. “If it worries you so much, we could hide horses and food here for them in case they return, but we cannot linger a moment longer. Keep delaying, and we might not make it back to the ruins.”

When Nevin went to speak, Kuahel cut in coldly, “Do not accuse me of saving my own skin. The fate of the Western Continent is at stake. We cannot endanger tens of thousands of lives for just seven.”

A heavy silence fell over them. After carefully regarding each of their faces,

Kuahel added adamantly, “It has already been two days since our agreed date.

If they are still not back by noon tomorrow, we will need to get moving.”

Elliot’s face contorted, but he kept his mouth firmly shut and voiced no protest.

Maxi was certain he would have set out alone to help Riftan if it had not been for her. After silently staring at the fire, her face ghostly pale, she rose to her feet without a word and retreated into her bedroll.

When the night deepened, she quietly got up. All the knights lay motionless by the fire with their backs to her. They appeared sound asleep, but she was sure that their overly keen senses would alert them if she were to make any suspicious movements.

Acting as though she needed to relieve herself, Maxi slinked into the stable. There, she quietly approached Talon and saddled him. Though she saw Rem snorting in protest, she pretended not to notice. She gently coaxed Talon out through the back door, which had been set up to clear away horse manure.

Waiting outside the cave were the pouches of food they had concealed the previous day. It was the ration Kuahel had allotted for Riftan’s party. She piled them on her saddle and secured them with rope. Just as she was about to mount Talon, a hand grabbed her shoulder. She jumped in surprise.

“I knew it,” Ruth spat, his expression stony. “1 knew you would do this.”

Alarmed, Maxi hastily covered his mouth. Ruth scowled and swatted her hand away.

“You must know this yourself, but you are mad!”

“K-Keep your voice down! Maxi hissed, anxiously glancing at the cave.

Ruth looked first at Maxi, then at Talon in admonishment.

“H-How... did you know?” she said, trying to sound as bright as possible.

“How could I not? You didn’t speak a word all night. It was obvious you were up to something,” he said, his words landing like a woodpecker rapping her head. He stopped and heaved a heavy sigh. “What were you planning to do by yourself? Infiltrate the monster base on your own?’

“I-I might be reckless... but I am no fool!” Maxi retorted in a hushed voice. “I plan to hide near the city and scout it as stealthily as possible. I-I might be able to find Riftan with tracing magic.”

“And? What were you going to do after that?”

Maxi’s shoulders tensed at the icy voice. When she turned her head, she found Kuahel Leon leaning against a rock.

“There are better mages in his party,” he said, slowly strutting over. “And to say nothing of Riftan Calypse’s competence as a seasoned swordsman who has been through all manner of trials. How would you solve a predicament even they could not?’

“I know... I can’t do much!” Maxi shot back, stubbornly raising her chin. “B-But I can at least observe the situation and supply them with provisions! Their rations would have surely run out by now.”

“The monster base is a day’s journey from here,” Kuahel said coldly. “If they are in a situation they can escape, they will not perish from going without food for a few days. Now, if they do not manage to get free, it’s no use no matter who goes to help them.”

“Y-You really are a h -heartless man!” Maxi desperately searched Kuahel’s face before her emotions came bursting out. “C-Can you not understand? I-I-I will not abandon my husband in such a place! I must do w-whatever I can!” ‘Which is nothing. You would only be endangering your life.”

Maxi’s face flushed crimson. Boiling with rage, she no longer felt the bone-piercing cold.

“A-And what concern is that of yours?” she said bitingly. “Losing seven or eight lives... shouldn’t make much difference to you! So why interfere?!”

Kuahel remained unfazed by her harsh criticism.

Maxi gripped Talon’s reins and continued, her voice laced with steel, “M-My task was to help you locate the monster base in the Pamela Plateau, and I have accomplished that. What I do next is m -my decision. And I choose... to go to my husband!”

A moment of silence passed in which Kuahel observed her. Then, he said flatly,

“If you are so determined, then there is nothing I can do.”

Maxi eyed him with suspicion but eventually relaxed her shoulders. Right at that moment, a large hand flew at her, covering her face. Taken completely by surprise, she was about to shove the hand away when something flashed before her eyes. All the energy drained from her body.

Staggering backward, she slumped into Kuahel’s arms. She stared up at him in disbelief. The only hint of emotion he showed was an unreadable gleam in his green eyes. He raised a hand over her face. Soon, she slipped into darkness..