TPGV 24

Chapter 24

“My lady!”

The knights tried to run toward her in alarm, but the relentless wave of mutated wolves kept them from approaching.

Elliche trembled with fear, while Galaitos swung a magically lit orb to drive the wolves away.

If only they could reach the greenhouse.

Elliche looked desperately at the pack of mutated wolves surrounding them.

Even if her flesh were torn and bitten while she ran to the greenhouse, her wounds would heal quickly. She couldn’t be certain, but she suspected her blood had properties that could neutralize poison.

But if that happened, Galaitos and the knights would discover her secret. They would surely think she practiced dark magic when they saw her wounds healing quickly and her resistance to poison.

But maybe it was just her imagination—oddly enough, the mutated wolves growled as they surrounded them, but didn’t come any closer.

It was probably because of the magical orb Galaitos held.

Elliche looked at the orb he was wielding and quickly spoke.

“Sir Kianus, I think we should slowly move toward the greenhouse. The wolves seem afraid of that magical orb.”

“I was thinking the same. Calix made this device—he may have cast other enchantments besides illumination. That rascal loves his tricks.”

“Then let’s move slowly, carefully. We don’t want to provoke them.”

“You intend to hide in the greenhouse?”

“Yes. There are many herbs there that repel mutated wolves. It should help.”

“That’s fortunate indeed. Let’s get moving, then.”

Galaitos waved the orb to keep the wolves at bay and slowly made his way toward the greenhouse.

The wolves continued to follow them, still surrounding them, but didn’t dare attack.

At last, Elliche unlocked the greenhouse door, releasing the thick scent of various herbs. Among them was the pungent smell of the plant that repelled mutated wolves.

Elliche quickly searched through the greenhouse tools and found a small knife. She cut as many of the repelling herbs as she could, stuffed them into a basket, and rushed outside.

The strong scent of the herbs clinging to her body kept the wolves away. The same went for Galaitos, who now carried the smell too.

Elliche ran to the wall and began laying the herbs in a line beneath it.

After that, the number of wolves leaping over the wall dropped dramatically.

Soon after, reinforcements arrived. Lexius appeared with dozens of knights, but by then, the mutated wolves had mostly been dealt with.

“What happened? That’s far fewer than expected.”

In response to Lexius’s question, one of the knights—Third Captain Parten—answered.

“It seems the herbs my lady spread were effective. After placing them under the wall, almost no mutated wolves were able to cross.”

“You spread herbs?”

Lexius turned to Elliche.

“Yes. It’s a plant called Hiscus. It has properties that repel magical beasts.”

“I’ve never heard of such a plant.”

“You probably wouldn’t have. It doesn’t grow in the Empire.”

“Well, I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.”

Lexius looked at her with a worried expression, clearly relieved.

Elliche’s heart sank for a moment. She didn’t know why. Even though she knew his concern was likely due to the charm of dark magic, his eyes felt genuinely sincere.

“You must’ve been frightened.”

Lexius removed his cloak and placed it over her shoulders. He gently guided her back toward the mansion.

The knights stared in stunned silence, but Lexius didn’t seem to care at all.

Elliche silently walked with him, feeling the warmth of his body through the cloak on her shoulder.

The scent of garden flowers drifted softly through the cold night air. It was an eerily strange night.

—

✶✶✶

“To make something this complex, it’ll cost at least 300 Shtel.”

Elliche was now standing before a new glass artisan. She had come to remake the distillation device Sally had broken when she fell.

The artisan examined the blueprint and quoted a much higher price than expected.

Her previous artisan had made the same device for 200 Shtel, but this man was charging far more.

Elliche felt a bit troubled. Her former artisan had injured his hand and couldn’t work for a while, which led her here—but she wasn’t very confident in this man.

“I had the same item made for 200 Shtel before. Why is this so expensive?”

The artisan sighed.

“That price might’ve been fair a few years ago. But haven’t you noticed how much prices have gone up lately? Taxes are brutal—at 200 Shtel, I wouldn’t even cover my material costs.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. With the emperor’s oppression, people like us are barely scraping by. Half the cost of a product goes straight to taxes.”

Unable to argue further, Elliche gestured for Cecil to pay.

But just as Cecil was pulling out the coin pouch—

“My lady! You can’t just hand over the money like that. You should try another artisan first!”

The person who interjected was her escort knight for the day, Teruel.

Since Judel hadn’t yet returned home, he was temporarily standing in as her escort.

Teruel, with curly red hair and a slim build, seemed rather particular.

“You know another artisan?”

“Of course I do. Let’s go. We need to check other shops to understand the fair market price.”

Without waiting, Teruel led the way out of the shop.

“My lady, are you really leaving for another shop?”

The owner asked, flustered.

“Yes. If your price turns out to be reasonable, I’ll return.”

The owner tried to say more, but Elliche left with Cecil without listening.

As soon as they were outside, Teruel leaned close and whispered.

“My lady, you can’t just accept a price without haggling.”

“Haggling?”

“In this district, only fools pay the asking price.”

“Really? But he said the taxes had gone up.”

“You believe that? Never take a merchant’s word at face value. Sure, taxes went up—but they’re still making plenty.”

Elliche, realizing her lack of street knowledge, turned to him.

“Then please handle the haggling at the next place. I’ll watch and learn.”

“Sure. With tax increases, around 250 Shtel is probably fair.”

Leading the way, Teruel turned into a narrow alley off the main road. Elliche had never been there before.

The area was full of rundown homes, a foul stench lingered in the air, and shady figures loitered in the shadows.

“Are you sure there’s a glass artisan here?”

Teruel nodded seriously.

“People live here, too. There are artisans, naturally.”

“Ah! My lady!”

A scream from behind—it was Cecil. Someone had run past and snatched her bag.

“He bumped into me and took my bag! That man!”

She pointed after the fleeing thief.

“Damn it. Stay here and don’t move.”

Teruel ran off after the thief.

The man turned a corner and vanished. Teruel followed and disappeared from sight.

That’s when Elliche sensed something was wrong.

Several dirty, ragged men began shambling toward them.

They’d been watching from the shadows all along.

“Hey ladies. You look like you’ve got money. How about a little charity?”

One of them reached for her collar.

“P-please don’t do this.”

Elliche took a step back in fear.

Cecil stepped protectively in front of her and shouted,

“What do you think you’re doing? Do you know who my lady is?!”

“Who is she? Just someone with money. Now hand it over—or your bodies. Otherwise, you’re not leaving here unharmed.”

Five men quickly surrounded them, eyes dark and dangerous, reeking of filth.

“Get away! When our knight returns, you’ll regret this!”

“Ha! He won’t be back anytime soon. Let’s have our fun first.”

The scar-faced man sneered and hoisted Cecil like a sack.

“Kyaa! Help! Someone, please! Anyone!”

Cecil screamed, but no one in the alley lifted a finger. They just clicked their tongues or watched with perverse smiles.

Another man picked up Elliche.

“Let go of me! I said let go!”

She struggled, pulling a pin from her hair and jabbing the man’s hand. It did nothing.

“Teruel! Where are you? Help me!”

She called out desperately, but no answer came.

Her vision darkened. No matter how she struggled, it was useless.

Just then—

Thud. One of the men collapsed.

“W-who’s there?!”

Another shouted, but was quickly knocked out by a fist.

Soon, three of the thugs lay bloodied on the ground.

“Put the ladies down. Now.”

A stranger’s voice commanded. The remaining two dropped the women and ran.

The man didn’t chase them. Instead, he knelt to check on Elliche and Cecil.

“Are you all right?”

He offered his hand.

Still stunned, Elliche could only grasp it and slowly rise to her feet.

“Ah. You’re the duchess, aren’t you?”

The familiarity in the stranger’s voice snapped her out of her daze.

She recognized him—Gunther, the face of the information guild Gloom. Behind him stood a man in a green cloak, hood pulled low.

“G-Gunther. Thank you. We were almost… But how are you here…?”

“We were heading to Heston Square. This alley’s a shortcut. But what brought you here? Women never pass through alone.”

“There was a knight with us. He chased after a thief and… left us alone.”

“If you’re well enough, let us escort you. The square’s just past that corner. It’s not safe here.”

Gunther smiled kindly.

“Yes, please.”

Elliche nodded quickly. She just wanted to get away.

“Come on, Cecil.”

She grasped Cecil’s hand.

“Yes, my lady. I was so scared. It’s all my fault… I lost the bag… I’m sorry.”

Cecil wiped her tears as she clung to Elliche’s hand.

“No. The thief is to blame—not you.”

They comforted each other as they followed Gunther. Still trembling, they passed through the alley.

Just as Gunther said, a short turn led them to the square.

Elliche finally relaxed. She knew the roads from here. Their carriage was just a short walk away.

But the square was unusually crowded. The air felt strange.

“Execution for the traitor!”

A thunderous voice rang out.

Execution?

Elliche turned her gaze to the center of the square—her heart pounding with dread.