It was a small mercy that Ruemus had survived. The previous night, two Black Knights had stormed into his house. The entire private army of the estate had been mobilized to stop them, resulting in the death of six knights whom Ruemus cherished like brothers. Fortunately, the Black Knights seemed to have been called away…

The Grand Rock, a gathering of sorcerers in Carnelock, was located in the southernmost area of Rock’s city. While it couldn’t compare to the Tower of Lutia, the tower here also boasted a grandeur that could claim the authority of the sorcerers. It was probably the largest tower on the continent. Undoubtedly, the building below…

Narbeni was right. The Council members were more active in the meeting, unlike two days ago. The consensus was forming that preparing for the enemy should be the priority if an enemy was approaching. The mere attendance of four or five members of the Council was not enough to bring about such a change. There…

The breakfast provided within the knights’ order was the finest meal they had eaten in nearly a month. Even Tanya, who had never commented on food before, mentioned how good it was to have a proper meal after so long. Despite Tanya finally speaking up after a long time, Kassel was not pleased. “Was yesterday’s…

On the early morning of the day they arrived in Rock, Kassel was washing his face with water pooled on a rock, with a towel draped over his shoulder. When he lifted his head after splashing water on his face, Heder was squatting on the rock, looking down at him. Kassel almost screamed. “Good morning,…

“Master!” Romnor, who had been sitting at his desk for a while, opened his eyes at the butler’s urgent voice. Now nearing seventy, he often dozed off without realizing it. Yet he had no sleep at dawn. At such times, he felt his age anew. He missed the days when he was confident he would…

After the Administrator of Seresmus left noisily, the four remained silent. Kassel sipped from a lukewarm beer and stared into space. He turned his head to follow the floating dust and then glanced at Tanya. She was also silently drinking. Throughout their week-long journey from Tachisel, crossing the Sky Mountains, Tanya had been quiet. Occasionally,…

The village of Leofio in Carnelock was a poor excuse for a fortress guarding the south. The walls were low enough to climb over with bare hands, and so rickety that a good kick could dislodge the bricks. Parts of it had been left in disrepair for months. But it could afford to be. This…

A snow-laden wind fiercely poured into the room through the broken window. It was the topmost room of the Ice Castle, where the floor, walls, and ceiling were all made of ice. Ice shards carried by the wind literally tore at the skin. Lofin stood with a sword in one hand. Blood flowed down his…

Azwin lay on a bed, covered with a rough blanket provided by the Lemifs. A Tachisel woman Lemif had carefully placed food beside her and left, but Azwin didn’t touch it. She intended to sleep and wake up early to see Kassel off tomorrow, but she couldn’t sleep. The magic powder Lofin had sprinkled had…