Franz quietly observed Stilikov, who was looking around as if searching for something with the black magic stone he had taken from his cloak. What was he thinking? Noticing Franz’s gaze, Stilikov quietly began to explain.
“When two magic stones of the same kind meet, they create a kind of resonance. Even if the effect of the previous stone has diminished, a new stone appearing nearby can reveal its presence.”
“So, does that mean there’s a magic stone nearby?”
“Your Highness, just a moment….”
Franz fell silent at Stilikov’s gesture. Was there something only he could hear? Holding his breath, he listened to the stillness around them.
With the sound of hoofbeats gone, all that could be heard was the rustling of grass in the night breeze and occasionally the chirping of insects.
What exactly was he trying to hear? Would they end up missing Celeste and the magic bureau team at this rate? Franz grew increasingly anxious.
It was a significant gamble for him to leave the capital right before the electoral council. The urgency of reclaiming Celeste was crucial for him.
To become emperor, he needed her. Specifically, he needed her family and her status as a high lord, but for Franz, there were deeper reasons beyond that.
“What do you hear?”
Stilikov, who had been straining to listen, straightened up and looked into the distance, then put the magic stone back into his cloak.
“It’s this way. The sound of the magic stone resonating is coming from that direction.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s certain that the magic stone attached to the bureau official is coming this way.”
“Wait, it’s coming this way…?”
Stilikov’s explanation seemed odd. Wasn’t Franz chasing after what was disappearing in the opposite direction? He had been anxious that the stone would move farther away while they stood still.
But now it was approaching instead of moving away. Stilikov nodded in response to Franz’s question.
“Yes. It’s coming this way.”
“That means….”
“It seems to be returning.”
The magic bureau team that had left to bring Celeste back was on their way back. This meant Celeste was coming this way too.
“They’re moving quickly.”
“Yes.”
“Then we should stop chasing them.”
“We need to hide and wait. It appears the magic stone is returning much faster than expected. We must hurry.”
Franz nodded. As he pulled the reins to change position, the knights followed Stilikov’s signals, stepping back and finding their spots to hide. It took only a few minutes for all the knights to conceal themselves in the underbrush.
“Hurry up, Celeste.”
Stilikov and Franz, mounted, hid behind a large tree. The pitch-black night would keep them out of sight from any passersby.
“Detonate the explosives as instructed. First, aim for the wagon wheels. Once we confirm a hit on the wagon, we’ll follow up with secondary and tertiary explosions to incapacitate all mobility.”
“Yes, understood.”
They had to capture the Ministry of Magic and its party. There was only one chance. Failure was not an option. Stilikov carefully instructed each knight.
“The first wagon to arrive likely won’t have Minister Linke or the Grand Duchess. When the royals travel, they usually sit in the middle or the second-to-last wagon. When the first wagon appears, prepare defenses and target the second wagon’s wheels with the first explosive. If there are more than four wagons, we’ll wait until the third passes.”
“Yes, Stilikov.”
“Remember, we’re not blowing up the entire wagon, but making sure it can’t function.”
“Yes!”
Franz and the knights aimed to rescue Grand Duchess Albrecht. The fate of others wasn’t their concern, but her safety was paramount. A reckless attack could endanger her life.
After Stilikov gestured for them to disperse, the knights moved in unison and vanished.
The waiting began. They didn’t know how long it would take to meet Celeste, but she’d surely be there.
As long as the Ministry officials didn’t abandon their mission, they would be with Celeste. Tension coursed through Franz, gripping the reins tightly, his knuckles white.
The chirping insects, initially startled by hooves, resumed their sounds. In the tranquil night, only the sound of crickets remained. To the unknowing, this path would feel peaceful.
Franz and the knights had to endure the chirping for a while longer. Just as their vigilance began to wane, Stilikov raised his upper body from the ground.
He lifted a clenched fist high. Spreading his hand meant to commence the attack. The knights, tightening their bodies, readied themselves once more.
There was only one chance. Mistakes were not allowed. The calm silence transformed into a tightening noose.
As Franz’s gaze followed Stilikov’s, something shimmering caught his eye across the road. One, two, three… Counting the lights in his mind, Franz realized they were lamps attached to a wagon.
The Ministry party was indeed appearing. Celeste should be among them. No, she must be. She would be. As the sound of the approaching wagon grew, he gently brushed his horse’s mane to calm it.
At that moment, as the sound drew closer, Stilikov’s hand opened. At this signal, the hidden knights sprang from the underbrush.
True to Stilikov’s instructions, there were four lamps on the wagon. Thus, the first wagon would need to be let pass. The rapidly approaching convoy soon sped past Franz and the knights.
Given such a fast speed, there was no doubt they had increased their speed using magic. Though startled by the incredible velocity, this too was part of Stilikov’s calculations.
Since the group from the Ministry of Magic was moving urgently under the order of the Grand Duke, they naturally would have used magical stones. Stilikov was truly a competent subordinate and knight.
Franz narrowed his eyes. The first carriage sped by quickly, followed by the second. As the third carriage came into view, the knights began to move according to previous instructions.
Boom!
Explosives flew toward the wheels of the third carriage and detonated. With a tremendous noise, the carriage came to a halt. Thick smoke rose into the air.
In that moment, the knights launched a second and third wave of attacks. Even during this, Stilikov did not forget his command to “only disable the carriage’s power.”
Hearing the sudden sounds of explosions, they turned their direction to the first and second carriages, detonating explosives in their path as well. As painful screams echoed, the explosives continued to explode.
“Confirm it.”
“Yes.”
After detonating all the prepared explosives, Stilikov dismounted and slowly approached the carriage. He aimed to confirm whether the Grand Duke or his family was indeed inside the targeted third carriage.
Thick smoke stung his eyes and nose. Opening his canteen, Stilikov poured water on a handkerchief and skillfully brought the damp cloth to his mouth. The wheels were completely destroyed, leaving only the carriage’s body on the ground.
With his nose covered, Stilikov walked closer to the carriage, checking for any signs of life inside, and then opened the door.
“Who are you people?!”
A familiar voice erupted from within the carriage. That voice belonged to…
“Do you know what you’re doing?!”
It’s Karl’s aide. This meant there was at least either the Grand Duke or the Grand Duchess present. Franz smiled widely.
They had succeeded in pinning down the Ministry of Magic’s group.
“Get them out!”
As Stilikov commanded after confirming those inside the carriage, knights rushed in. Clovis, the aide to Grand Duke Albrecht, was the first to appear. Despite the fierce resistance, three knights attached themselves to him, but it was not easy.
But still shaken from the shock of the explosions, he eventually succumbed to the knights’ strength. Next to emerge was Minister Linke.
“As expected.”
With each face that appeared, Franz’s smile deepened. Next, a woman holding something with care was pulled out. She seemed to be a maid taking care of a child. And finally, the last person revealed by the knights was…
“…Celly.”
The one Franz had been eagerly anticipating. Celeste. Franz began to laugh loudly.
