Max held the doorknob as she waited for Rudisâ response. Rudis was evidently hesitant, her face uneasy as she opened her mouth with a reluctant tone.
âThe Lord has asked for food to be prepared and served to the guests. They are probably at the dining hall.â
As soon as Max heard her response, she immediately opened the door without any hesitation and left the room. She could feel Rudis rush to follow her, but she pretended to be ignorant of it and quickly ran down the stairs, seeing servants busily carrying kegs of beverage and trays of food. Max brushed off their startled glances and headed straight for the dining hall. She hid along the hallway that led to the dining hall and secretly listened to the loud voices of the knights. It was difficult to understand every detail of the conversation as it was a mix of Whedon and Southern languages, but it seemed like they were talking about war horses and weapons.
Max frowned at the tepid conversation. The atmosphere was so casual that it didnât seem like a place to discuss important issues.
âWere they⌠really just hired to keep Anatol safe?â
She wanted to try peeking through the cracks of the dining hallsâ doors, but she didnât want to be caught by any of the knights who always had keen senses, so she settled for listening to the intermittent voices that resounded from a distance. Then suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. Max let out a little startled cry and looked to see who it was. Ruth was glaring down at her with creased eyebrows.
âWhat are you doing in a place like this?â
Max was embarrassed to be found spying, so her face turned red, and she quickly straightened up her posture.
âT-thatâsâŚâ
Ruthâs eyes narrowed as she fiddled with the hair that fell forward her face and searched for an excuse. Max awkwardly lowered her gaze. Since seeing him again back in Croix Castle, they never had a proper conversation yet, so she had no idea how to approach him. Max stuttered as she struggled to make up her excuse.
âThere were guests⌠who arrivedâŚâ
âI see, youâve seen the Rakasim mercenaries.â Ruth looked into the dining room and clicked his tongue like it wasnât worth knowing. âSo, you came down here to eavesdrop?â
âEa-eavesdrop⌠I canât even ma-make out what theyâre saying.â
Max forgot her embarrassment at Ruthâs accusing tone and glared at him. As he witnessed her attitude take a turn, he turned his back at her to hide his laugh.
âIf you linger around here any longer and Sir Calypse sees you, youâll get a lot of scolding. Please, come this way.â
The latest_episodes are on_the lightnovelworld.com website.
Before Max could retort, Ruth went up the narrow stairs which were used by the servants. Rudis, who followed Max like a shadow, hesitantly followed, looking anxiously towards the dining hall that was noisy from the knightsâ voices. Ruth proceeded to the drawing room situated on the second floor, then pulled the window curtains open and lit the fire with magic.
âAre you feeling better now?â
He asked as he dragged a chair next to the fire and sat down. Max, who was standing by the doorway, nodded.
âIâm mu⌠much better.â
âIf itâs possible, I want to personally check your condition, but I will need permission from the Lord to do that.â
Ruth muttered bitterly and gestured his head to urge her to sit down. Max asked Rudis to bring him a cup of hot drink and then carefully sat down across from him. After a moment of silence, Ruth spoke first.
âI was relieved that your complexion looks good. Are you taking your medication well?â
âIâm taking them w-well. Thank you⌠for your concern.â
She fiddled with her skirt and plucked up her courage to raise her head and look at him. There was no sign of pity or awkwardness in the wizardâs eyes. Maxâs shoulders relaxed as she watched him poke at the fireplace with the usual slightly gloomy and indifferent expression Ruth wore. Max sighed in relief at his normal attitude and raised her question comfortably.
âWhy are⌠those pe-people here? It was so sudden⌠why are those mercenaries from the southern continent being hired?â
âLord Calypse didnât tell you anything?â
Ruth asked back, his forehead wrinkling. Max thought for a moment then shook her head. The wizard took some time to hesitate then eventually confessed a sigh.
âSir Calypse has officially declared war against the Duke of Croix.â
Maxâs whole body froze. Although she half expected that it would happen, her heart still sank upon confirming it from someone elseâs words. Seeing her complexion turn pale, Ruth hasted to speak.
âIt was decided after several internal meetings. The Remdragon Knights have long been hostile against the Duke of Croix. This was bound to happen sooner or later.â
âBut⌠u-until now, they had no intention of going to war. The reason that this is happening now⌠is all be-because of meâŚâ
The source of this_chapter; lightnovelworld.com
Ruth opened his mouth and closed it again as if he couldnât find the right words to say. Max lowered her head with a desperate expression. Her clasped hands visibly trembled. As she bit her lips, she felt the guilt and shame weighing heavily on her chest, then Ruth spoke in a cold voice.
âWhat happened is already done. Lord Calypse sneaked into Croix Castle and attacked the Duke. Although it has been quiet since, the Duke wonât let this matter be settled peacefully. Itâs better to strike first than have them attacking Anatol.â
âB-but⌠according to the peace agreement between the seven kingdoms, war between territories is prohibited. King RubenâŚwonât stand s-still.â
As if that thought didnât cross his mind, Ruth shrugged and replied. âAs you said, it is very likely that the royal family will impose sanctions. But there is enough justification from our side to proceed with it. The Duke of Croix has no authority over where the Lady should be held as she clearly belongs to Anatol. Moreover, harming the lady is more than enough of a reason to declare a war. Even if the royal family does interfere, when the cause is clear and just, it can be inevitable.â
Maxâs shoulders tensed and she couldnât help asking. âThe other knights⌠do they know e-everything?â
Despite being vague about what she was pertaining to, Ruth seemed to have known what she meant. He paused for a moment and rubbed his nape, then eventually nodded his head.
ââŚIt isnât because I, Sir Caron, or Sir Rikaido talked about what happened. However, everyone would have caught on that the Duke of Croix had done something unacceptable against the Lady. It is more than evident from the demeanor of Sir Calypse and the other knights who accompanied him that day.â
Ruth added hesitantly. âTo tell you honestly, there were quite a few men who opposed going to war because of various practical reasons. However, those who agreed to declare a war were very adamant. It wasnât only Sir Calypse who was furious⌠but the other knights as well. Thereâs no persuading them out of it.â
Max lowered her eyes in shame, not knowing what kind of reaction she should have. Ruth spoke with an exaggerated sigh, as if trying to clear the deeply sunken atmosphere.
âBesides, arenât knights known for wielding their swords in the name of honor and chivalry? Donât worry about it too deeply. Everyone will eventually calm the ruckus.â
âI-I⌠canât take wa-war that lightly! For m-my sake⌠th-thereâs no need to go through suchâŚâ
âMâlady.â Ruthâs voice suddenly dropped low. Max flinched and raised her head. The wizard looked at her with a serious gaze. âThe lady is the mistress of Anatol and a wizard of the Remdragon Knights. The Remdragon Knights never forgive anyone who does harm to their members. Majority of the knights voted in favor of the war. Even those who opposed it because of practical reasons also had the same sentiments against the Duke.â
âB-butâŚâ
Maxâs lips quivered, she was at loss for words. She was reminded of that time when she envied the bond that glued Riftan, Ruth, and the Knights. Her heart raced. She wondered if she was really considered as part of that bond now. Seeing her face that was deep in thought, Ruth gave her a bitter smile.
âThe Lady spared none for herself to fight for the remaining people in Ethylene Castle. And so are we. The Remdragon Knights have the right to resent and spare nothing to retaliate against anyone who harms the Lady.â
âI, IâŚâ
Try the lightnovelworld.com platform_for the most advanced_reading experience.
Max bit her trembling lips lightly and her eyes went watery. At the same time, her throat felt blocked as if she had swallowed a piece of lead. If she hadnât followed her father in the first place, it wouldnât have been necessary for Riftan nor the Knights to go to war. If she had not been so weak, if she only had a little courage and had believed in Riftan, if she only had believed in others, she would not have thrown herself out in that situation if she didnât abandon her own selfâŚ
She closed her eyes tightly and spoke roughly. âAlthough my heart appreciates it⌠I⌠surely donât want any wa-war to happen. I donât want to witness⌠such a tragedy a-again.â
âIt wonât escalate to an all-out war.â Ruth said firmly. âAlthough Sir Calypse seems to intend on ruining the Dukeâs territory to rumbles, if he does such an act, he will not be able to escape the sanctions from the Seven Kingdomâs Peace Agreement. Thatâs why territorial wars only commence after its formal declaration is fought through jousting. The opposing sides would summon their best knights upfront and after several clashes and combats, if anyone succeeds in striking down the commander of the opposing side, the war then usually comes to a conclusion. Wars between territories are completely different from wars against monsters.â
âYes, although⌠there must be some degree of damage⌠you cannot avoid the bloodshed. We have barely returned from a long expedition⌠yet now⌠thereâs another warâŚâ
A perplexed expression floated across Ruthâs face as if he thought she might burst into tears with her weak, trembling voice. Then, he spoke to her in a soothing manner.
âLord Calypse will be leading it so it will last at most for a month⌠no, the war will conclude within a fortnight. Although the number of the Dukeâs troops are thrice of Anatolâs, the power of the Remdragon Knights is far more superior compared to the combined strength of all the Dukeâs Knights. The reason why they havenât declared a war against us yet is because they have no chances of winning. â
Ruth shrugged his shoulders as if what he was saying was a matter of fact and murmured. âActually, itâs better for us to declare war and bring it to them.â
Then Max asserted urgently. âT-then, if thereâs little chance of retaliation coming from the Duke⌠thereâs n-no need to go to war anymore. I-Iâll try⌠to persuade Riftan out of it. Ruth⌠please convince the k-knights as well. If Anatol withdraws its de-declaration of war, my fa-father will alsoâŚâ
âDoesnât the Lady know better what kind of person the Duke of Croix is? Yes, he will try to avoid an armed confrontation, but he wonât sit quietly and let the incident go. For sure, he will find some other way to retaliate. Given that, it is better for us to conclude a war wherein we have an advantage. We cannot defeat him when he decides to use his power in politics.â
Maxâs shoulders grew more tense. A cold sweat formed on her back when she remembered her fatherâs figure, laying on the floor, covered in blood. He is certainly not the type of person who would sit still after going through such a thing.
She bit her lip gently and then nodded with a stiff face. âI u-understand what you mean. Thank you⌠for explaining.â
Max ended the conversation and rose from her seat, Ruth followed her and stood up as well while giving her a stern look.
âMâlady, there is nothing you can do regarding this matter. Please, donât even think about doing something reckless.â
âI wonât do anything re-recklessâŚâ
Ruth narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms in front of his chest as he gave her a relenting serious look.
âIâm talking about you trying to contact the Duke of Croix and persuade him. There is no way that man will listen to the Lady, and that would not change Lord Calypseâs decision either. The two Lords will not be able to release their hostility between each other just because the Lady stepped in the middle of their fistfight. Some conflicts are just inevitable.â
Follow current_novel on lightnovelworld.com
Maxâs face turned red at his words that seemed to see through her.
Note â LF: I love how even Ruth is in favor of the war lol. And aww, Max is really part of the RDK
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!