Chapter 34
Three carriages and one large luggage wagon.
Among them, my belongings consisted of three barrels of griffin blood, potions, cloud iron ingots, metalworking tools, and a few clothes.
With Silveryn's permission, I also packed some alchemy books.
"Are you ready? Get in quickly."
The butler and maids who were staying at the mansion came out to see us off. I waved goodbye to them.
I took one last look at the mansion before getting into the carriage.
It was strange how I felt so reluctant to leave after staying for such a short time. I really didn't understand it.
When I left everything behind in Haman, I didn't feel this reluctant.
Perhaps it was because I had many fond memories of this place. A lot has changed during the few months I've stayed here.
I asked Silveryn, "When will we be able to come back?"
"Hmm, I can't promise anything regarding that. If nothing happens, we'll come during the holidays?"
"If nothing happens?"
"Yes."
She's talking as if something was bound to happen. It seemed that even during holidays, Eternia students didn't just relax.
The prepared carriages started moving one by one.
We were departing for Eternia.
***
Silveryn found the travel time very precious. This was understandable, as we had to spend about 20 days in the carriage at the fastest.
She said she would continue training whenever there was time left, both during travel and after arriving at Eternia.
"There's still a bit more we need."
Although my physical strength and muscle power had improved to a usable level, she often regretted not being able to increase my mana capacity.
"Unfortunately, there's no shortcut here. You have to keep depleting and recovering your mana repeatedly for it to increase."
The problem was that I didn't know how to use magic, and I couldn't summon my sword just anywhere, so there wasn't a proper way to consume my mana.
However, it wasn't like there was absolutely no way.
We could use a magic tool that would continuously deplete my mana.
"Before we go to Eternia, I should get you the magic tool you need. While we're at it, we'll get you a new sword too."
"A new sword?"
"Yes. You can't bring your usual sword while wearing a mask, and you can't always summon the magic sword."
Come to think of it, that made sense.
So, does that mean I'll be handling three swords in total? It's getting a bit complicated.
"Can't we just change the appearance of the sword I've been using?"
Silveryn shook her head.
"That might be even more complicated. It's easier to get caught too."
***
We had to cross no less than three borders.
There were countless territories we had to pass through.
I thought there would surely be problems with inspections or preparing for camping, but this turned out to be a needless worry.
As we left Wiesel and entered a small city in the Federton region.
It must have been a city with a lot of goods traffic, as wagons were lined up at the checkpoint in front of the city gate. Judging by the speed they were moving, it looked like it would take half a day.
In the midst of this, the city guard rode horses along the side road of the checkpoint and approached us.
"It's an honor to meet the distinguished guests of Eternia. Please come this way."
They recognized the Eternia seal on our carriage and let us into the city immediately without any additional procedures.
That wasn't all.
The Lord invited us and helped us stay at the castle.
About four days later, as we were crossing the border of the Principality of Yulisia, Rangers came to us first and volunteered to escort us.
"It's an honor to serve Lady Silveryn."
Thanks to this treatment, we only had to camp twice in nearly ten days of travel, and even when camping, we didn't need to worry about night watch, looting, or surprise attacks.
With all the tension gone, we were just killing time.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked Silveryn, "Why are they so favorable to Eternia regardless of borders?"
She explained briefly, "Well. Both I and Eternia are owed debts by various countries."
"Debts...?"
"Yes, very big debts."
The closer we got to Eternia, the better the treatment became.
In the Searin territory, all the townspeople knelt before Eternia's carriage to show respect.
The lord there treated even me as an honored guest.
"It's an honor to serve the disciple of the Archmage."
It seemed a bit excessive, even though I was by Silveryn's side.
Whenever that happened, Silveryn would tell me as if it were a habit, "It's largely thanks to our dear Eternia Communicator."
Plantera were clearing out magic creatures in the areas near Eternia, and most local lords were dependent on this.
Thanks to that, we were able to travel while receiving such treatment.
Due to this series of events, I could finally feel Eternia's status firsthand.
***
The journey took about four days longer than expected.
The route we had planned in advance was blocked due to flooding from heavy rain, so we changed direction and passed through the edge of the imperial border.
Thanks to having set a generous timeframe in anticipation of variables, there was no problem with carrying out our schedule in Eternia.
We were heading towards the village of Beron at the edge of the empire.
"It's a bit eerie."
Some of the signposts along the road were broken or unmaintained, and broken carriage wheels could be seen in the middle of the road.
The imperial Rangers were nowhere to be seen.
And Silveryn's expression as she looked out the window wasn't very good either.
"Strange, this place wasn't like this before."
"Have you been here several times?"
"Well, the Rangers should have come out to greet us early on."
"That's not good, is it?"
Silveryn answered indifferently, "Yeah..."
The surrounding mountains were very steep from the carriage.
There was no other way to go around. No matter what happened, we had to pass through Beron village.
The front was covered in thick fog, obscuring visibility.
After advancing for about two more hours, the entrance of the village gradually came into view through the hazy fog.
Silveryn's expression began to harden.
"Tell everyone to stop the carriages."
"Why?"
Soon after, all the carriages in line came to an abrupt halt.
"I can feel a barrier from the village. Mages are forming a formation ahead."
"A barrier?"
She was silent for a moment before speaking, "It seems they were waiting for us."
They're waiting for us in a place like this without warning?
I thought for a moment.
"...Are they people I might know?"
"Hmm, they seem to be your guests?"
If they're using magic and looking for me and Silveryn....
"No way..."
I had forgotten about them for a while.
I never imagined they would greet us like this.
"It’s probably what you’re thinking. Wait here. Don't come out of the carriage under any circumstances. You'll be safe if you stay here."
Silveryn opened the carriage door and stepped outside.
If they've come for me, I don't want to run away either.
"I'll go too."
"No, stay here."
"..."
She looked into my eyes and emphasized once more.
"Listen to me. You need to stay here."
"..."
She held my face with one hand and repeated again, "Promise. Say you'll stay here."
I nodded, unable to resist her demand.
"...Alright."
Silveryn drew a firm line and walked alone towards the village.
No matter how much of an Archmage Silveryn was, it looked very dangerous for her to enter enemy territory alone like that.
They would have numerical superiority.
Am I of no help to her?
There was no other way. I could only trust Silveryn.
***
Silveryn walked lightly into the village entrance with her hands behind her back.
She showed no sign of tension or fear at all.
As Silveryn entered, the fog gradually cleared, revealing the entire view of the village.
Centered on the main street in the middle of the village, villagers were strewn about here and there.
And large ice picks were stuck in their chests.
Dark red blood soaked the entire village.
Even witnessing this carnage directly, Silveryn showed no change in expression.
As if familiar with it, she just looked around with an insensitive expression.
"We don't have much time, so why don't you come out now?"
The moment after she said those words, mages wearing white robes and masks began to walk out one by one from behind the village buildings.
There were far more than Damian had mentioned in his dream.
They slowly began to surround Silveryn.
She visually scanned the number of mages lined up on both sides.
At a glance, there were over a hundred. Moreover, judging by the level of mana enveloping their bodies, they were at least mid to high-level mages.
To command this level of forces, one would need to have power far exceeding that of a local lord or ordinary noble.
A high-ranking noble closely connected to the imperial family or the head of one of the empire's top mage families.
Judging by their numbers, it seemed they had come prepared to make a decision.
"Shall we hear your business first?"
One mage came forward and faced her.
"Hand over your disciple."
"Why?"
"There's no reason. That's our only mission. Either hand him over or die. One of the two."
She responded provocatively, "You're going to kill me?"
"No matter how great you are, do you think you can face all of us alone?"
"..."
The mage continued in a stiff tone, "The carriages you left behind are already surrounded. It's best to accept it quietly now."
Silveryn crossed her arms and paced slowly. As she did so, she looked at each of the masked individuals one by one.
Her face showed clear disappointment.
"How do you intend to kill me?"
The mage facing Silveryn swung his arm.
Soon after, the wind blew, and all the fog cleared, revealing thousands of ice blades floating in the sky.
All of them were pointed at Silveryn.
Silveryn merely looked up at the sky and frowned.