“Will everything… be okay no-now?”
“The commander of the monster army who leads devices and their tactics is gone. The coalition of the monster army has fallen to the ground. Although there is still a considerable number of trolls encamped in the north, sooner or later, they too will meet their end.”
Despite the promising sound of the princess’ words, the concern and apprehension did not disappear from Max’s face.
“It seems as if you have lost confidence in the allied forces.”
“It’s not that I have lost co-confidence in them…”
Max muttered but hearing the hesitation in her tone, the princess couldn’t help but give her a bitter smile.
“Don’t worry. The honor and pride of the allied forces have taken a devastating blow because the monsters have outwitted them that they are now more vigilant than ever. And seeing the Remdragon knights in their fury, Balto’s forces have stayed out of trouble as well.” The princess then wrinkled her nose. “Well, it figures, you’d have to be a lunatic to dare get on Riftan’s nerves right now. Even during the dragon subjugation, he wasn’t as riled as he is now…”
Max clamped her mouth shut, reached into her pocket, and touched the shekel anxiously with her fingers. As soon as Riftan left, Max went and picked it up from the corner where he threw it. As she recalled Riftan disposing of something he had kept for more than a decade with an undecipherable expression on his face, the corner of her heart tightened. Agnes, seeing Max sink into depression, quickly lit up the atmosphere with a joyous beam.
“Let’s stop talking about wars now. Just focus on recovering your health. Maximillian pushed her body to the limit, you should rest now.”
“Thank you… for taking care of me to this extent.”
“Don’t mention it.”
The princess gave her a warm smile and tucked her in. Max blushed, embarrassed for being treated like a terminally ill patient. There were men there who had suffered much more serious injuries. Compared to those who lost their limbs and are now disabled for life, suffering a shoulder dislocation and some broken ribs paled in comparison. However, her strength was returning at a snail’s pace. All of her wounds had gone thanks to healing magic, although she received recovery magic, she was still tired and lacking in energy as a result of completely depleting her mana.
Feeling like a dry well, Max rubbed her sore, dizzy head.
“We are ready to depart!”
A loud voice called out from outside the carriage after a moment. Princess Agnes left the carriage and went out for one last inspection before returning. Soon, the trumpets sounded to signal their departure. With the princess’ help, Max sat up and looked out the window, hoping to see Riftan, but he was not in sight. She bit her lip anxiously and wondered if he wouldn’t even bid her goodbye. Her heart filled with anxiety and disappointment.
It was not unreasonable for him to be so outraged after she broke her promise not to be reckless and got seriously injured. However, if she hadn’t done what she did, Ethylene would have been invaded by the monsters. And in the end, didn’t she come out generally fine as well?
She thought to herself, ‘wounds can be solved with healing magic… so isn’t it alright for me to get a little hurt?’
Max’s face suddenly clouded as she remembered the pain that flashed in Riftan’s eyes that she felt guilty of her thoughts. She was then overwhelmed in a mixed feeling of confusion and discouragement and her shoulders dropped. At that moment, Max saw someone running to the edge of the carriage. Looking out, her eyes widened. Yulysion exclaimed his words as he followed closely beside the slow-moving carriage.
