MDRH 50

Chapter 50

With a creaking sound, the heavy carriage door closed.

The inside of the carriage was cramped—five children assigned to the special squad were all squeezed into one.

But Lucillea actually felt relieved.

Thank goodness…

At the very least, for the duration of the journey, she wouldn’t have to be alone with Elbadin.

Although he had changed the way he addressed her—from calling her “kid” to now “Lucillea”—that only made her more uneasy.

Instead of keeping the distance she had planned, she oddly felt herself getting closer to him.

He’s strangely perceptive… I’d better be careful.

If her guard slipped little by little, she might end up making a mistake—

And then he’ll find out I’m his daughter.

Just then, Lucillea’s gaze shifted to Raiden, who was sitting across from her.

“Why did you come along?”

Raiden beamed brightly.

“Because you’re going.”

“…”

At his words, the other children in the carriage turned their eyes toward Lucillea.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

In truth, although this was the Empress’s birthday banquet, young noble ladies and lords weren’t strictly required to attend.

So Raiden could have easily stayed behind at the ducal residence, resting comfortably without issue.

If it were me, I’d just stay at the estate, eating and lazing around.

Why on earth would he risk the dangers of this trip? The mind of a wealthy noble’s son was beyond her comprehension.

Forget it.

Pretending not to have heard his answer, Lucillea turned her head to the window.

At that moment, the carriage jolted and started moving.

Watching the ducal estate’s scenery fly past outside, she reviewed in her mind the information she had memorized over the past week in the library about the northern mountain beasts, as well as the combat magic Noah had hurriedly taught her.

— Among the monsters of the Northern Mountains, the most difficult to face is without a doubt the Frostfang Wolf. It blends into the icy cliffs of midwinter, leaving only its howl in the blizzards. It drains body heat and can freeze its prey in an instant.

Others include the Satyr, which mimics human speech to lure victims, the kobolds and goblins—creatures resembling a mix of dogs and reptiles…

The variety of monsters in the mountains was greater than she had imagined.

That alone wasn’t the real problem. Each monster had different attributes, and therefore each had to be dealt with differently.

Noah had explained it to her:

— The Northern Mountains are mostly home to water- and earth-attribute monsters. Since you haven’t chosen your elemental affinity, your destructive power is weak. So instead of attack spells, you should learn supportive magic. Attacking can be left to Irnel, Kaelyn, and Serdian.

So Lucillea had learned a few support spells from him—

Magic to briefly immobilize monsters, or blur their vision.

— For these kinds of spells, duration is everything. Duration depends on concentration and the amount of mana you have. Which is why they’re perfect for you.

Since she couldn’t suddenly master attack magic, support spells were her best option.

Still, I learned something useful!

From her talks with Noah, she realized this field training wasn’t only dangerous or grueling.

There was also an opportunity: they could acquire alchemy materials by defeating monsters.

Lucillea lovingly stroked the box placed at her side.

I’m going to fill this box with materials and bring it back!

While she reaffirmed her plan with determination, the air inside the carriage grew stiff and awkward.

Then, Serdian took something out of his coat and distributed it to the children.

It was a small, transparent crystal shard the size of a thumbnail. A faint bluish light swirled within it like mist, and when touched, it gave off a gentle warmth.

Lucillea tilted her head as she received it.

“What’s this?”

“A magic artifact.”

A magic artifact? She blinked, and Serdian continued:

“The protective enchantment on your necklace will block one fatal blow, but among the northern monsters, there are some that use poison. This artifact will guard against that.”

“Oooh!”

Lucillea quickly took out an old ash-gray pouch embroidered with silver stars from inside her cloak and tucked the artifact into it.

“Thanks!”

Serdian’s fingers twitched when he saw that pouch. It was the same charm pouch he had given her when she collapsed unconscious.

He quietly nodded and turned away, a faint relief softening his lips.

Then he continued:

“When monsters appear and battle begins, Raiden and I will take the front. Irnel, Kaelyn, and Lucillea will support from the rear.”

Because this was her first real fight, Serdian warned her firmly:

“At first, everyone panics and gets scared. But this mission is about moving as a team. It begins with trusting your companions. Just believe in us and hold your position.”

Whoa… he’s especially cool today. Is that why it’s called the special squad?

Lucillea nodded in agreement.

After that, Serdian fell silent, staring out the window. Raiden watched Lucillea with curiosity, while Irnel and Kaelyn exchanged only brief glances without speaking much.

Speaking of which…

Lucillea sneaked a look at Irnel and Kaelyn across from her.

It’s the first time I’ve seen the other children up close since… that day.

Since running into that rude brat Tessian and his gang, she hadn’t interacted with others much.

Especially the girls.

Judging from their staffs, they’re both mages.

Thinking of her own shabby little wand that barely fit inside her cloak, Lucillea sighed.

I should’ve pestered them harder for a proper staff.

Just then, her eyes met Irnel’s.

Sky-blue hair and golden eyes?

Was that what people called mysterious?

Should she ask about her attribute? It wouldn’t be rude, would it?

But then—

“What are you staring at?”

“…”

Kaelyn, sitting next to Irnel, suddenly cut in.

What kind of education does this ducal house give? Every chosen kid’s personality is like this.

Lucillea turned her head away without replying.

Silence once again settled over the carriage.

Using that quiet as a lullaby, Cookie—perched on her shoulder—began dozing off.

Who knew how long they traveled like that.

As the carriage entered the narrow paths of the mountains, the jolts grew rougher.

Then—

Neighhh! The horses pulling the carriage suddenly shrieked wildly in unison, rearing in terror.

Urgent shouts rang out from the knights riding escort outside.

“Frostfang Wolf ahead! Hold formation!”

Thud! Thud!

The carriage rocked violently, tossing side to side.

“Wh-what’s happening!”

Kaelyn shrieked, her face pale.

Irnel instinctively pulled out her staff, and Raiden’s grin vanished from his face.

Screeech! With a piercing grind of the wheels, the carriage screeched to a halt.

And in that instant, all sound vanished.

As if the world had lost its voice, an ominous silence pressed down inside the carriage.

The children held their breath, stealing glances at each other.

Then—

A massive shadow fell from above, darkening the carriage roof.

“Above! Watch the roof!”

The knight’s desperate warning had barely escaped when a piercing roar split the sky directly overhead.

“KyAAAAAHHH!”

At the same time—thud! A heavy impact crashed onto the carriage roof, and the thick wooden planks ripped apart like paper.