Chapter 131: Chapter 1 The rain finally let up at dawn. The knights were already out of their tents before first light and were busily preparing breakfast. None of them had been able to eat a decent meal last night, so they intended to prepare something more substantial before setting out. Nothing mattered more during a brutal march than sufficient rest and food. Maxi ate the bowl of potato stew Riftan brought her and got dressed. When the light grew brighter, the knights prepared for departure. Maxi was about to mount Rem when Riftan appeared at her side. He grabbed her arm. “Come with me.” Maxi’s eyes widened. “Ride on this today,” he said, pointing to the cart now free of the tar-coated cloth. Realizing that he was worried that she might still be feeling the effects of the previous night’s exertions, Maxi grew red. “I-I am all right. I can... ride my horse.” “Half of our supplies are gone, so you won’t be added baggage. You should try to conserve your energy while we’re traveling through the plains.” “Do as the commander says, my lady. You must replenish what energy you can.” The knights wholeheartedly supported Riftan’s suggestion. Though Maxi was mortified that they might be doing so because they had cottoned on to what happened last night, she feigned ignorance and bobbed her head. When she climbed onto the cart and sat down, the knights swiftly fell in line and began to lead their horses through the lush forest. Maxi watched Rem to make sure she was obediently following Ulyseon, then propped up a stack of hay to use as a cushion. The rattling cart was still more comfortable than being on a horse. Leaning back, Maxi began to nod off in earnest. They made it through the rest of the Kardikil Forest safely with no monster attacks. Having rested well on the cart for half a day, Maxi’s physical condition was much improved by sunset. Determined to contribute this time, Maxi rolled up her sleeves and went to help the knights prepare their meal. Riftan frowned disapprovingly but did not say anything to her bustling about. Maxi helped the junior knights boil broad beans in a large cauldron and skewered four rabbits over the fire. When the food was ready, the knights gathered in a circle and savored the humble yet satisfying meal. Perhaps due to spending a day at ease, the next day’s travel was significantly faster. They galloped across the field like the wind and swiftly traversed the small hill full of wildflowers. At long last, the port came into view. Maxi’s eyes widened at the magnificent sight along the foothills. The setting sun in the west made the deep blue waters sparkle as though it had been sprinkled with gold. The rim of the cape jutted out to sea like a crescent moon, and it was wrapped in a dock packed with ships. Maxi stared over the sea in amazement, then turned her gaze to the city surrounded by a high wall. Judging by the multi-story buildings jammed together between intricate roads, the city was easily two to three times more populated than Anatol. Hebaron bellowed a lively cheer as he looked down at the city. “We finally get to put our feet up. I, for one, am in desperate need of ale.” Riftan did not say anything and led the party down the hill in a flash. After going through a simple check at the gate to confirm their identities, they entered the city. Maxi’s eyes roved about the road lit with torches. Taverns lined the main road, and through their wide-open doors, Maxi could see drunken sailors and red-nosed mercenaries amongst women flaunting their bare, pale breasts. Some of the women stuck their heads out the window and whistled loudly at the knights. Startled by their drunken cackles, Maxi hunched her shoulders. Gabel rode up to her and cautioned, “There are many unsavory people near the ports, my lady. Try not to look around, or you might see something unsightly.” Maxi snapped her head forward. Riftan rode past the square toward the pier with the assurance of someone who had been to the city before. She followed him down the wide road, and soon large ships came into view. The campaign party came to a stop in front of a building opposite a dock. “Evan, let them know we are here, and get the servants.” Sir Evan Crude promptly leaped off his horse and entered the building. A little while later, servants bearing lamps rushed outside to greet them. As she dismounted, Maxi glanced up curiously at the three-story building. Riftan, who had approached without her noticing, placed his arm around her shoulder protectively and walked toward the entrance. “We will be sleeping here tonight.” Stepping inside the building, Maxi eyed the smooth stone floor, the carpeted stairs, and the neatly plastered walls one after the other. Compared to the dingy inns she had seen so far, this place was luxurious. “W-What... is this place?” “It’s an inn owned by the Verden Merchants’ Guild,” Riftan explained as he climbed the stairs. “It’s a prominent guild that manages several of the crown’s trading ships. The head of the guild, Lord Verden, is a cousin of King Reuben’s on his maternal side, so he often offers funds for large campaigns like this. We’ll also be relying on the guild to loan us a ship tomorrow.” While the servants led the knights to their respective rooms, Maxi and Riftan entered a lavish suite furnished with a large bed. Inside, Riftan pulled off his heavy armor piece by piece onto the floor. Maxi went straight to the open window and watched the sea as it swallowed the sun. The briny smell pierced her nose, and she listened to the crashing waves. An odd sense of wonder filled her heart as she gazed out at the seemingly endless horizon. The sea was far more beautiful than any description she had read in stories. “I’ve asked them to prepare a bath. Do you have anything to change into?” Turning to him, Maxi shook her head. Having cast off his heavy armor, Riftan walked over to her with light steps and brushed away a lock of hair sticking to her face. “Then I guess you will have to sleep with nothing on tonight.” The anticipation in his eyes made Maxi’s cheeks flush. He cupped her face with his calloused hands and gently planted a kiss on her lips. “Are you tired?” “I-I am all right.” In truth, she was exhausted, but she knew he would leave the room and not return until late if she told him so. Maxi wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her face against his sturdy chest. Riftan blinked, taken aback by her boldness, before a pleased smile pulled at his lips. He hoisted her onto the windowsill and carefully loosened her tight braids. Maxi relished the feeling of his long fingers painstakingly unraveling her tangled locks. Riftan combed her hair for a long time, then massaged her stiff shoulders with great care. By the time his touch was becoming gentle caresses, servants entered the room with towels and water for the bath. Riftan and Maxi managed to wedge themselves into the cramped tub and began to wash each other. She lathered his hair with soap while he gently wiped her back and shoulders with a towel. Once they were clean, they dried themselves and lay side by side on the bed, their lips locked in a lingering kiss. Perhaps it was because their march had ended safely, but Riftan was more relaxed and gentler than ever before. He took his time caressing her before he entered her carefully and began to move as slowly as a gentle wave. Maxi lost herself in his embrace. Touch after touch only heightened her pleasure. She relished the feeling of his weight pressing onto her, the sensation of his hot lips on her skin, and his burning length quivering inside her as it stretched her to her limit. They made love until they were exhausted. Then, lying on their fronts, they devoured the food a maidservant had left for them outside the door. After their stomachs were full of fresh fruit and richly-seasoned dishes, all of which was a first in a long while, they began to feel drowsy. They fell asleep with their limbs tangled together like vines, as though they were of one body. It was the first sweet and languid moment they had shared in weeks. The next day, the tranquility ended as soon as the sun rose. Riftan’s grave expression returned as he put on his armor, and it was as if the tension on his face had never eased. Maxi donned the clothes the servants had washed for her last night and packed her things. The real journey had just begun. It would take them seven to ten days to reach Levan, the capital of Livadon, by ship. After that, a long battle with the troll army awaited. ... Maxi’s face darkened as she remembered the party that had left before them. This was no time for her to be feeling relieved when they had only reached the port. She was certain that far more arduous travel lay ahead. After breakfast on the first floor, Maxi and the knights left for the pier where large ships were docked in an orderly line. Sun-tanned sailors tirelessly loaded cargo onto the vessels. Maxi also noted a few of them hanging precariously onto the masts, checking the condition of the ropes and sails. Unable to keep her head still, Maxi took in the bustling port with rapt attention. Riftan talked to the captain of a ship anchored at the end of the dock. Hebaron had explained to her that nothing mattered more in a sea voyage than a competent captain. It was why they had to make sure whoever was in charge of the vessel was trustworthy. The man Riftan was talking to calmly answered the barrage of questions without any sign of displeasure. “We finished all the preparations a few days ago. Before she left for Livadon, Her Royal Highness Princess Agnes specifically instructed that we must be set to depart as soon as you arrive.” Maxi was taken aback at the mention of the princess. Had Princess Agnes also departed for Livadon? Unlike Maxi, however, Riftan did not seem surprised at all. “When did the royal knights depart?” “They arrived four days ago and left immediately for Livadon.” “Are there any new reports from Livadon?” The captain shook his head, looking grave. “The coalition army seems to be struggling after the fall of Louivell Castle. I’ve heard that they are fighting to reclaim the lands taken by the monsters, but I don’t know the exact situation.” Riftan’s face hardened, as did the faces of the knights silently listening to their conversation. The captain broke out in a sweat as the air around them grew bleak. ... “If you wish, we can depart immediately. We already have enough provisions and hay on board.” “Is there enough room for the horses?” “Of course. I’ve prepared a stable.” After inspecting the vessel with several of his knights, Riftan elected to depart at once. The knights promptly led their horses from the inn and boarded the ship. Since there was a chance that Rem might be frightened of boarding a vessel, Maxi entrusted her to a sailor and climbed onto the ship first. Standing on the deck, her heart began to hammer with fear and a peculiar excitement. Maxi gazed out at the calm sea glittering under the sun. She took a deep breath. The saltiness of the sea filled her lungs, and her heavy heart felt a little lighter. “Maxi, don’t stand too close to the railing.” Riftan had been watching the horses board the ship, and he now beckoned her over. Embarrassed that she had been acting like an excited child when they were on their way to battle, Maxi quickly went to him.