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Chapter 12
“A pot really is cumbersome.”
And then Elia pointed out another thing.
“Felix, we have that all-purpose bag the Duke gave us.”
Campbell, the leader of the herb expedition, grinned as he showcased his backpack.
“Why carry something so heavy when we have a magic bag? Give it here.”
Campbell snatched Felix’s bag and tossed it into the magic bag. Felix’s mouth dropped open at the sight.
“Amazing, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s incredible enough to make me jealous.”
“Don’t be jealous. It’s mine,” Alexis said as he picked Elia up in his arms. Felix smacked his lips in disappointment.
“If everyone’s ready, let’s move out.”
At the Duke’s signal, the knights and Felix mounted their horses and followed after him.
“Ellie, stay right next to me. The Monster Mountain Range is truly dangerous.”
“Stop saying that, you’re making my ears rot.”
During breakfast, while preparing, and even while departing, the Duke repeatedly reminded her.
Elia’s exasperated response made the Duke chuckle.
When they arrived at the Monster Mountain Range, Elia made a request to Gaji.
‘Please, Gaji.’
[Got it.]
Gaji jumped down from Elia’s shoulder and disappeared somewhere.
“Ellie, come here.”
“Hm?”
“Get on my back.”
“Why?”
“Battle.”
Elia quickly climbed onto Alexis’ back.
“Grrr—”
At that moment, a pack of Black Wolves emerged from the bushes, their red eyes gleaming.
A battle broke out.
As expected, all the wolves were slain by the Iron Eagle knights.
Shortly after, Gaji returned.
[Let’s go. I found the path. And try not to be too surprised.]
‘Why?’
[The Star Crystal is there too.]
‘Seriously?’
She was so shocked she couldn’t speak.
Two legendary herbs in one place—it was unbelievable.
The Breath of the Unicorn neutralized all poisons, and the Star Crystal was effective for treating mana poisoning.
Mana poisoning was a rare disease caused by exposure to contaminated mana. The only current method of suppressing symptoms was through holy purification magic. But there was one way to cure it—brewing and consuming the Star Crystal.
Legendary herbs were so rare they were said to appear once in a hundred years.
‘Where is it?’
[But it’s a bit dangerous.]
‘Dangerous?’
[There’s a guardian protecting it.]
‘A guardian?’
[Yeah. It’s been guarding that spot for ages, so it’s really strong.]
‘Did you see it?’
[Just a glimpse.]
‘What kind of creature is it?’
[A snake. A Gold Snake with golden scales.]
‘Gold Snake?’
[Yeah, not just any snake—it’s a giant spirit beast!]
A spirit beast. That meant it had cultivated for centuries.
‘Both herbs are guarded by that snake?’
[Right.]
It was shocking enough that both herbs were in one place, but even more so that they were protected by a spirit beast.
Elia fell silent.
There were ancient legends that golden snakes brought wealth and prosperity.
[And I found out one more thing—there’s a dragon’s lair at the summit.]
‘A dragon’s lair?’
[Yeah, the old trees said there’s one on the snow-covered mountain top.]
‘And the dragon?’
[It returned to the gods centuries ago. Only the lair remains.]
Dragons lived for ten thousand years, and when their time came, they returned to the gods.
‘That’s insane.’
Truly mind-blowing.
‘Show me the way first.’
[Follow me.]
Gaji started moving.
“Duke, please follow me closely,” Elia said, taking the lead.
There was no choice—she had to guide the way.
Alexis stayed close behind her.
The path was narrow and rough.
It wouldn’t be strange if something suddenly popped out from the side.
“From here, goblins might appear.”
Goblins weren’t very strong monsters, but one had to stay vigilant. They traveled in groups, and some even used poison darts.
Soon after, goblins appeared.
From the sides, even up in the trees—they shot arrows and poison darts. But all were swiftly dealt with.
The Iron Eagle knights were fierce.
When Elia told Campbell the path Gaji had pointed out, Campbell took the lead.
Alexis didn’t like the idea of Elia walking at the front in dangerous terrain, so he had Campbell take over.
The trail sloped upward.
After climbing for a while, Elia’s legs began to ache.
Alexis, quick to notice, held out his hand.
“Want me to carry you, Ellie?”
He turned to offer his back.
His attentiveness was almost scary.
“You noticed my legs hurt?”
“My eyes are always on you, Ellie.”
Needlessly sweet.
Elia climbed onto Alexis’ back.
“Your Grace, I think we should camp nearby tonight. The sun is setting,” Campbell said, glancing at the sky. And indeed, dusk was falling.
“Alright.”
With approval, Campbell instructed the knights to search for a campsite.
Soon after, a flat area was found.
Campbell set up the tents and pulled out cooking gear. Using firewood from the magic bag, he lit a fire and took out rations.
Dmitri handled the cooking.
He was known for his skills in camp cooking.
He made tomato stew with diced vegetables and meat.
Elia received a bowl.
Holding the bowl in both hands, she felt its warmth.
“It’s hot, so blow on it before eating.”
“Yes.”
She took a spoonful.
The sweet and tangy flavor of tomatoes filled her mouth—it was delicious. Comforting, even.
After the meal, they assigned watch shifts.
The youngest would take the first watch. Elia entered a tent with Cartelani.
“Good night, Ellie.”
“You too, Your Grace.”
With brief goodnights, they fell asleep.
The lantern’s light faded, and darkness settled in.
With a full belly and warmth surrounding her, sleep came easily.
Morning came.
When she opened her eyes, no one was beside her.
With a sleepy face, she rubbed her eyes and stepped outside the tent—only to find the Duke cooking.
“You’re awake, Ellie?”
“Mmm, yes. What are you doing?”
“Making breakfast.”
“You’re doing it yourself?”
“Yup.”
He was roasting meat and green onions skewered on sticks over a campfire.
He sprinkled salt and pepper on them.
“I’ll give you one without pepper.”
“It’s fine. I can eat ones with pepper too.”
It seemed he was now seasoned enough to carry pepper with him. Pepper was a luxury spice, after all.
She felt proud.
“Go ahead and eat.”
“I can eat first?”
“Of course. Kids always eat first.”
Alexis handed her a well-cooked skewer. As she looked around holding it, she saw Dmitri, Campbell, and the knights smiling fondly.
“Thank you for the food.”
She took a bite of the skewer.
The meat was tender and delicious. The sweet aroma of the grilled green onions was lovely too.
“Everyone, eat.”
At Alexis’ words, the knights each grabbed a skewer. The Duke ate one too while grilling more.
One skewer wasn’t enough to fill anyone’s stomach.
Everyone ate about two or three.
“You’ve got grease here.”
Alexis wiped the corner of Elia’s mouth with a handkerchief. In moments like this, he felt more like her nanny.
After the meal, they stretched, packed up, and set off again.
They were halfway there, apparently.
“Ellie, ask to be carried if you get tired.”
“Okay.”
But she chose to walk.
If she got carried all the time, her stamina wouldn’t improve. She needed exercise too.
Plus, riding right after eating didn’t feel good.
Campbell took the lead again, followed by Elia and Gaji.
The climb resumed.
After hours of walking and with the sun high in the sky, they stopped for a quick lunch.
Then came more climbing.
Eventually, Elia got tired and rode on Dmitri’s back.
Though Alexis had offered, she chose Dmitri. She couldn’t rely solely on the Duke.
Along the way, they encountered monsters.
A group of orcs appeared, charging as soon as they spotted them.
They were quickly taken down, of course.
And so, the climb continued.
They also came across mountain trolls and grey wolves.
Again, easily defeated.
The strength of the Iron Eagle Knights was truly impressive.
