Chapter 7 Part 8
Elia disguised herself as a spirit shaman who had defected to the north to join the expedition to the marshlands. She covered herself with a robe, used voice alteration magic, and feigned severe burns on her face.
‘I thought it would be better to check inside.’
It would be nice if it were just monsters that were rampant in the spring, but having experienced an incident at the hunting grounds, she couldn’t help but be suspicious.
Elia glanced at Aksion, who was far ahead of her.
‘They seem to be more organized than I thought.’
The knights appeared accustomed to marching. Elia also knew well that Aksion and Duke Tartan did not get along. However, the separation of their forces seemed more distinct than she had judged.
‘It’s not just that they hate each other…’
There seemed to be something Elia was unaware of. While she was gathering her thoughts, the vanguard signaled their entry into the Grueorg Marshlands.
“We’re entering now.”
The marsh was located in the center of the Rentus Forest. Before the knights moved, Elia rode forward on her horse.
“Wait a moment.”
Elia summoned Sasha. The knights were captivated by the sudden appearance of a purple butterfly.
“Sasha, create a wall of illusions.”
At the spirit shaman’s command, the butterfly turned into light and then multiplied into dozens, forming a broad purple barrier that covered the knights. The barrier soon became a mirror. Unless attacked first, the knights would be invisible in the forest.
“It’s done. Now, the monsters won’t be able to see us.”
“Is that possible?”
Jacob asked in astonishment. Even in Mahart Castle, there were magicians, but they could only conceal presences, not render someone completely invisible.
“The spirits I command specialize in illusions. But if you step outside the formation, you’ll be exposed, so please be careful.”
Exclamations came from all around. Especially Chelsid, who had previously stepped back from Elia, now gave her a thumbs-up.
“I wondered when we would reach the marsh while dealing with monsters, but thanks to you, we can enter much more comfortably!”
“Isn’t your reaction completely different from earlier?”
“Good things are good!”
Chelsid laughed heartily. Elia chuckled inwardly, finding his personality endearing.
As Elia said, the monsters in the forest couldn’t see the knights.
“Is that a Kroworsk?”
The most common monster in this forest was the Kroworsk, a wolf-like creature with webbed feet. As a lower-class monster, it traveled in packs, with one howl bringing a group of thirty.
One Kroworsk prowled nearby but passed by the knights without seeing them.
“We’re really invisible.”
Chelsid couldn’t hide his amazement.
“So this is the power of a mental-type spirit.”
Jacob and the other knights were equally impressed. With no need to fight, the march sped up.
The distance they expected to cover in two days was reduced to one, and by nightfall, the knights set up camp nearby.
“You can release the spirits now. You’ve worked hard today, Spirit Shaman.”
Jacob spoke as he checked the barrier stones placed around the camp. Though barrier stones could also conceal presences, they were static and useless outside designated areas. But for outdoor camps, they were unparalleled. Elia, reassured, sent Sasha back.
“You worked hard as well, Commander.”
“Thanks to you, all we did was walk. We’ll head to the marsh’s center tomorrow. Get some rest.”
Elia nodded. As she was about to turn away, Chelsid approached her.
“Spirit Shaman, could you show me that spirit again?”
Up close, Chelsid looked much younger than when he was on horseback.
“He is young indeed.”
As the youngest of the knights, his eyes sparkled even at the campsite.
Just as Elia was about to respond, a hand reached out and pressed Chelsid’s shoulder.
“Weren’t you on watch duty?”
It was Aksion. Startled by his sudden appearance, Chelsid fled with wide eyes.
“I-I’m sorry!”
Watching this, Jacob clicked his tongue, as if expecting Chelsid to get scolded.
“I should take my leave as well.”
With the commander’s words, the remaining knights dispersed to their posts. Only Elia and Aksion were left.
‘He has that side to him too.’
Elia looked at Aksion with newfound eyes. Commanding the knights with such poise, he seemed quite impressive, stirring different thoughts in her.
“Commander, shall we take a walk?”
It wasn’t appropriate to call him by his name at the camp. Aksion nodded at Elia’s suggestion. They walked side by side, stepping out of the barrier stones. The butterfly Elia had summoned fluttered behind them like a guardian.
“It’s dark at night.”
Though she had brought a small lantern, it was hard to see ahead. How far had they walked from the campsite? Elia tripped over a tree root, her body lurching forward. Just as she closed her eyes in surprise, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
“Watch your step.”
Aksion lifted her lightly and set her down on clear ground.
“Thank you.”
Without him, she would have fallen clumsily. The forest at night wasn’t just silent. The sounds of small insects and rustling leaves in the breeze created a symphony.
Elia looked up at him.
‘Doesn’t Aksion feel anything for Sharon?’
The heroine she met at the hunting grounds suddenly filled Elia’s mind. In the original story, Aksion loved Sharon so much that he courted ruin for her.
‘He even let the dark power run rampant, which Sharon had suppressed with her holy power.’
Letting the darkness consume him was a quicker way to gain immense strength. But that was when Aksion had been saved by Sharon.
Elia wondered what he was thinking now that they were connected.
“I will demote Chelsid.”
“What? Suddenly?”
Elia’s eyes widened at the unexpected statement.
“Even if Elia is hiding her appearance, his rudeness is unforgivable.”
His words suggested that Chelsid had been bothering him all day. Elia, who wasn’t bothered, chuckled softly.
“He didn’t know. He’s still young.”
“Young or not, he’s a man and a knight.”
Aksion’s intent to demote him seemed serious, making Elia laugh at his stubbornness.
“Are you punishing him for a real mistake or… are you jealous?”
His unusual demeanor made her tease him. Instead of denying it as she expected, Aksion remained silent.
Seeing this, Elia murmured to herself.
“I was jealous.”
“What? What do you mean…”
“The saintess we saw earlier. Wasn’t she beautiful?”
Sharon, smiling kindly under the shimmering forest, looked like a scene from a fairy tale. It was as if the heroine from the novel he read resembled her.
“In the end, she said, ‘I know he’ll come back to me.'”
Sharon’s words before they left the forest kept bothering her.
Elia lowered her gaze. Just then, Aksion pulled her close.
“I don’t even remember. You’re the only one for me, Elia.”
Her cheek pressed against his firm chest. The sound of his heartbeat under his warm body reassured her.
‘I must have been anxious.’
It wasn’t until she was in his arms that she realized. Elia leaned silently against Aksion.
How could she refuse such a man?
It was irresistible.
Fireflies gathered around them, lighting up the dark night like moving stars.
‘What I saw then…’
Elia’s gaze shifted downward. The dark night didn’t reveal shadows. The time when Aksion’s shadow looked like a black beast must have been an illusion.
