In Ferdinand, mages typically participated in inspections for five days a week. Even then, completing all five days was considered diligent, and it was common for them to skip a day or two due to accumulated fatigue.
Some might think that calling in multiple mages would solve the issue, but that was a misconception.
When gathered together, mages tended to shift responsibility onto each other. It was lamentable that even ants could unite their efforts when grouped. Whether two, three, or five were called, the outcome remained the same, leading to significant losses.
This is why nowadays in Ferdinand, only a single mage is summoned. After several trials and errors, it was realized that this approach was the best.
In contrast, after her first inspection, Alessia spent two whole weeks straight in the forest. Most thought she would only show up once or twice, but she proved to be consistent. Thanks to this, the knights, who initially had little expectation of Alessia, began to see her in a new light.
From Ferdinand’s perspective, having a diligent mage was a fortunate development, but Kaon was worried. He feared that Alessia was overexerting herself.
“Alessia, how about taking a rest tomorrow?”
On their way back to their room after completing an inspection, Kaon cautiously made the suggestion.
He never imagined there would come a day when he would advise a mage to rest, but it seemed like Alessia needed it.
“I’m still okay. I guess it hasn’t quite hit me yet. Maybe because we haven’t encountered any monsters yet…”
However, as expected, Alessia shook her head. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. It was hard enough to just walk in the forest for hours, let alone stay alert in case a monster appeared.
“Still, I feel like my stamina is improving, it’s not too bad.”
Seeing her struggle yet smile as if to say not to worry touched his heart.
‘How can someone be so kind?’
It was unbelievable that an angel like Alessia could come from Ingelos. She was different from any mage he had ever seen.
Kaon thought that Alessia, who had shattered the prejudices against mages, deserved some sort of award from the Mage Tower.
“If that’s the case, I’m relieved. But don’t overdo it. If you push too hard from the start, you’ll get exhausted.”
“Thanks for worrying about me, Kaon. I’ll be careful.”
Looking up at him, Alessia’s words made Kaon blush slightly. Despite getting used to her, his heart seemed to grow more tumultuous as days passed.
“But are you okay, Kaon? Everyone else takes turns, but you come out every day… Are you doing this because of me?”
Kaon flinched, caught in thoughts like ‘How can Alessia smile so beautifully?’
In truth, Kaon didn’t need to come out every day. Like other elite knights, he could just take turns.
Thus, his daily attendance was purely to protect Alessia. The thought of leaving her alone was too unsettling for him to stand still.
The memory of Alessia, pale and frozen in front of Koda, was still vivid in his mind.
Alessia was already so petite and fragile, naturally invoking a protective instinct, especially after such an encounter, and against a monster at that. He couldn’t help but worry.
But how could he ever admit such thoughts to her directly? He could never bring himself to do something so embarrassing.
“Ah? No, it’s not that… It’s just that gaining real-life experience here is better for me than training at the estate.”
“Oh, I see. I would have felt really sorry if it was because of me. I’m glad it’s not.”
So, Kaon made up an excuse, and fortunately, Alessia believed him. Kaon secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
***
“Where’s the mage?”
“She couldn’t come out today.”
“She’s been doing well for a few days. That’s enough. Once or twice is nothing.”
Waving off the soldier, Niels ordered a few knights known for their archery skills to be called. The blood of monsters was no different from poison to humans. Without a mage present, fighting from a distance was essential, and the team had to be arranged differently for such inspections.
“Should we have Maurice on standby?”
“Better call him, just in case. Have a messenger ready too.”
Kaon prepared for any contingency by calling in reserves and a messenger who could use a horn to relay messages. This was essential when heading into battle without a mage.
“Is Alessia not coming today?”
“Yeah, we’re going without a mage today.”
Kaon briefly answered Niels’s question, who was looking around. Exhausted from the grueling schedule, Alessia couldn’t get up.
Kaon debated whether to wake her but decided to leave her to rest.
After nearly a month of non-stop inspections, it was about time she reached her limit. Despite being told to take a day off, she wouldn’t listen, so she had to be given a break this way.
“Hey, I don’t see Alessia around?”
“She’s taking a break today. She won’t be coming, so stop looking for her.”
Maurice, who joined late, immediately started looking for Alessia. Having been together consistently for the past month, her absence was noticeably felt.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait a moment!”
Just as they were about to depart, a high-pitched voice halted them. Without turning, Kaon knew who it was and clenched his eyes shut.
“Alessia? You came out today too?”
“Niels, sorry I’m late. I thought I woke up but must have fallen back asleep.”
“No, it’s just that Kaon said you wouldn’t be coming today, so I was surprised. We’re just grateful you’re here.”
Turning slowly, Kaon saw Alessia giving him a not-so-pleased look. Her eyes seemed to reproach him for not waking her.
‘I just wanted you to rest a bit…’
Though he had a ready response, Kaon pretended not to know and let Niels lead while he fell back to escort Alessia.
“Kaon, you’re doing this?”
“I thought you had already left.”
“Lies.”
His transparent lie was immediately seen through.
Alessia, giving him a sharp look, added as if to request, “I hope this doesn’t happen again, but if I can’t wake up next time, please wake me just once.” Kaon verbally agreed, though only in words.
As late autumn set in, the temperature dropped day by day, but today was exceptionally cold even among those days. The sunlit outdoors was somewhat bearable, but the lightless forest felt chilling to the bone.
Not long after entering the forest, Kaon noticed Alessia’s body trembling slightly, seemingly reacting to the unexpected cold.
“Alessia, wear this.”
Without a second thought, Kaon took off the coat he was wearing over his armor and handed it to Alessia.
“Can I really take this? Won’t you be cold, Kaon? The armor is cold, too…”
“Since no other mage came today, we need to be more alert. So, keep it on.”
“Then I’ll accept your help. Thank you.”
Alessia hesitated, seemingly feeling guilty, but then draped the coat over herself. Wrapped in the coat that was much larger than her own robe, she resembled a small puppy snuggled in a blanket.
The size difference between Kaon and Alessia was already notable, and the coat, meant to be worn over armor, was enormous on her.
Unintentionally, Alessia looked adorable in his clothes. Kaon, who had a soft spot for cute things, couldn’t help but sneak glances at her.
“Do I look strange?”
“Huh?”
“You keep looking. Is the coat too big?”
Alessia tilted her head, fluttering the long sleeves. Thud. At that moment, Kaon felt something heavy settle in his heart.
“Kaon, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s nothing. Just…just a moment.”
Kaon hurriedly turned his head away. If he kept looking at Alessia, his heart felt like it would burst, his neck and face already burning with heat.
Thinking ‘cute’ was one thing, but this was too much. The cuteness he faced without any mental preparation had an enormous impact. It felt like his heart had been shattered.
‘Why make such a fuss over a fleeting moment of beauty…’
Kaon reflected on his past self, who had criticized his father. He humbly admitted he was wrong and decided to reflect on his arrogance.
His father had every right to make a fuss. Whether it faded or not wasn’t the point. The moment mattered far more, hitting him with an overwhelming force like a massive wave.
Kaon finally understood why his father had gone through so much trouble to welcome his mother as his lady. His father must have felt the same lightning-strike sensation.
“Kaon.”
“Just a moment, Alessia, my neck is a bit stiff…”
His neck was fine, but he couldn’t bring himself to face Alessia. The image of her tilting her head still lingered vividly in his mind.
He also didn’t want to show his flushed face, clinging to that last bit of pride.
“Don’t you hear that sound?”
“Sound?”
Kaon, who had been utterly distracted by Alessia, turned at her question.
Wooooooo!
Just as Alessia said, a strange howling sound came from somewhere. It resembled a bear’s growl but felt oddly different. Kaon’s face hardened instantly as he called out, “Niels!”
“Everyone, stop! Get ready for battle!”
At Niels’s shout, the archers stepped back while the swordsmen moved forward to form a line.
A tense silence followed, and from afar, a massive figure emerged.
It was a monster.
🍉🍉🍉
