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Around that time, inside Charles's office.
Iana waited with Charles for Mule to return from District 3 of Ervin.
Outside the window, a long line of Imperial Army troops, ready to depart for the capital, stretched out.
Flap-.
A large red flag, signifying the transport of prisoners, was planted on the carriage that Iana and Charles would ride.
For nearly ten days, Carrion and the Imperial Army soldiers had received treatment.
In particular, Carrion's condition, with his broken leg bone, was so severe that they had been unable to depart for the capital until now.
Whether it was because Carrion was in a lot of pain or because her threats worked, fortunately, he hadn't sought Iana out after the first day.
Knock knock.
With a rapid knock on the door, Mule burst in, opening the door wide.
"Your Highness! I've made a magic bow!"
Mule appeared with an arrow in one hand, looking disheveled as if he hadn't slept for days.
However, the arrow looked ordinary except for the arrowhead, which had a deep purple glow.
"You've already made a magic bow?"
Charles looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Is magical smithing something that can be done so easily?"
Iana was also unconvinced.
It had taken the Rechelles family over ten years just to develop magical smithing for their magic bow.
"If magic bows were easy to make, everyone and their dog would be making them."
Mule waved his hand dismissively as he slumped onto the sofa.
"Then?"
Charles asked, and Mule continued with an excited expression.
"Goldsmiths carve magic stones to make jewels, and in the process, magic stone powder is produced."
"But even using magic stones as they are in magic bullets doesn't create that much explosive power. Wouldn't making them into powder reduce the explosive power even more?"
Charles asked with a questioning look.
"But when I dissolved the magic stone powder slightly in water and dipped the arrowheads in it like this, the explosive power was incredible. I've already distributed them to the Ervin archers who will be going to the capital with us."
"You've worked hard, Archmage Mule."
Iana and Charles examined the arrow closely.
"I'll continue to research magical smithing while Your Highness is away. Don't worry and have a safe trip."
At Mule's reassuring words, Iana cautiously asked.
"Archmage, has Ru been looking for me at all?"
"He seems to have forgotten about you and is playing very well with Annie. But didn't you give Ru to Annie?"
Mule said teasingly.
"Give Ru to someone? Who would I give Ru to!"
Iana stood up, flustered, and Charles chuckled, trying to calm her down.
"It seems he means that Ru is doing well, so don't worry."
"Ah..."
Iana was embarrassed and quietly sat back down.
Knock knock.
Ervin Family Senior Knight's voice was heard from beyond the door.
"Your Highness, Count Dietrian is departing now."
At the Senior Knight's words, the three of them left the office and headed towards the entrance of the main castle.
As Iana and Charles appeared, the Imperial Army opened the door of the carriage with the red flag.
The Imperial Army commander approached and said politely.
"Please get in here, both of you."
"I, as an Archmage, will lead the way and switch to a carriage at the outer castle."
At Iana's words, Charles added.
"You saw when we entered Ervin, didn't you? An Archmage must move at the forefront to prepare for monster attacks."
Just then, Carrion's voice was heard from behind.
"Principles are principles."
Carrion walked slowly, with bandages on his leg and a cane in one hand.
"According to Imperial law, prisoners must be transported in the designated carriage. That is the principle, Your Highness."
"But still..."
Iana was about to speak, but Charles stopped her.
"If that is Count Dietrian's wish, let's follow the principles."
Charles strode towards the carriage door and offered his hand to Iana.
She deliberately took Charles's hand and climbed into the carriage.
As the carriage door closed, Charles quietly spoke.
"He wants to show the people of Ervin. The sight of you and me being taken to the Imperial Palace as prisoners."
"Count Dietrian doesn't know what's important even after being attacked by Krikan."
Iana sighed deeply as she looked at Carrion through the carriage window.
"Let's do as Count Dietrian wants."
Charles, who had been sitting facing her, sat next to her.
Carrion glared at the sight with displeasure.
Iana looked up at the sky, as if to divert her gaze.
A flock of birds flew quickly across the sky. Their wings fluttered anxiously, as if they were being chased by something.
✦ ✦ ✦
The carriage carrying Lady Riel drove towards the Imperial Garden.
Swish-.
Was the sky helping her? The rain fell even harder.
A short while later, the carriage stopped in front of the closed gate of the Imperial Park.
The closed gate was rusted, as if it hadn't been used for a long time.
The Havel Family Senior Knight, who had whipped her, opened the carriage door with an umbrella.
Riel stepped lightly out of the carriage.
A woman wearing a simple, pure white dress and holding a small bouquet of wildflowers.
In a pitiful and innocent appearance, atoning for her father's sins.
The Senior Knight put an umbrella over Riel and pointed to the closed gate.
"Someone will be waiting inside to help you. And if you are discovered, you can say that you secretly entered through this gate."
"I understand. And one more thing..."
Riel stopped speaking, and the Senior Knight looked at her.
Slap-.
At that moment, Riel slapped the Senior Knight across the cheek.
"....!"
The Senior Knight's face twisted.
He was furious, but he seemed to be trying his best to hold back.
Riel said calmly.
"That was just one hit."
"..."
"I'm feeling generous before a big event."
Riel pushed past the Senior Knight and walked forward.
Swish-.
Riel's body was soaked by the cool rain.
Revealing the curves of her body and her bare skin.
The Havel Family's escort knights, who were standing in front of the closed gate, were embarrassed by Riel's awkward appearance.
"Move aside."
Riel opened the heavy closed gate herself. As if she had chosen the gates of hell herself.
The moment she stepped inside the closed gate.
A scream-like crow's cry echoed through the Imperial Garden.
✦ ✦ ✦
The carriage carrying Iana and Charles passed the lake near the outer castle and headed towards the entrance of the Forest of Mages.
As Carrion had expected, the carriage carrying the two of them greatly shocked the people of Ervin.
However, Charles paid more attention to the movements of the birds than to the people's attention.
Iana asked with a puzzled expression.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
"Birds are the most sensitive to movement in places where monsters frequently appear. But the birds' movements are different from usual."
At Charles's words, Iana also looked out the carriage window.
A flock of birds was flying erratically in the sky.
"It's really strange."
"By the way, once the investigation is over in the Imperial Palace, go straight to the Rechelles family. Didn't you say you found a witness who will reveal Lady Riel's atrocities?"
"Yes, this time we must properly hold her accountable."
Iana's eyes turned sharp.
It was then.
Screech-.
The moment the procession entered the Forest of Mages. The carriage stopped abruptly.
Charles hugged Iana, who was jostled by the large recoil.
"Are you alright?"
Charles checked her condition.
"I'm fine. It seems like a monster has appeared."
Iana and Charles looked out the carriage window.
The Imperial Army soldiers were staring intently at one spot, as if a monster had appeared, but they didn't run away.
Then, the Imperial Army commander ran up, opened the carriage door, and said with a grim face.
"It seems like you two need to see this."
At the Imperial Army commander's words, Iana and Charles got out of the carriage. Soon, they pushed through the crowd and walked towards the entrance of the Forest of Mages.
At that moment, an unbelievable sight unfolded before their eyes.
"That is..."
Iana and Charles watched the scene with horrified expressions.
Hundreds of birds, perhaps, were lying dead on the ground.
It was a bizarre sight that could not be ignored.
"Your Highness, what's going on?"
At Iana's words, Charles seemed to have a premonition and shouted loudly.
"We must return to the Ducal Palace now. Quickly!"
"Yes?"
Everyone looked at Charles with bewildered faces.
Bang!
The front carriage door opened violently, and Carrion got out, shouting back.
"That is not allowed! We have already delayed too much time in Ervin."
While Charles and Carrion were arguing.
Iana heard something cutting through the wind from inside the forest.
'What is that?'
It wasn't the sound of goblins or orcs, nor the flapping of Krikan's wings.
"Get out of the way!"
It was the moment Iana shouted and created a fire barrier.
A giant snake with a blue glow sprang out from the entrance of the forest.
Iana's fire barrier and the giant snake's blue glow clashed violently.
A black body with fine thorns like hairs.
It was a monster that she had never seen even in Ervin's bestiary. As Iana carefully examined the monster, she realized after seeing the fine thorns.
'That's not a snake, it's a mutated arica vine.'
Iana waited with Charles for Mule to return from District 3 of Ervin.
Outside the window, a long line of Imperial Army troops, ready to depart for the capital, stretched out.
Flap-.
A large red flag, signifying the transport of prisoners, was planted on the carriage that Iana and Charles would ride.
For nearly ten days, Carrion and the Imperial Army soldiers had received treatment.
In particular, Carrion's condition, with his broken leg bone, was so severe that they had been unable to depart for the capital until now.
Whether it was because Carrion was in a lot of pain or because her threats worked, fortunately, he hadn't sought Iana out after the first day.
Knock knock.
With a rapid knock on the door, Mule burst in, opening the door wide.
"Your Highness! I've made a magic bow!"
Mule appeared with an arrow in one hand, looking disheveled as if he hadn't slept for days.
However, the arrow looked ordinary except for the arrowhead, which had a deep purple glow.
"You've already made a magic bow?"
Charles looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Is magical smithing something that can be done so easily?"
Iana was also unconvinced.
It had taken the Rechelles family over ten years just to develop magical smithing for their magic bow.
"If magic bows were easy to make, everyone and their dog would be making them."
Mule waved his hand dismissively as he slumped onto the sofa.
"Then?"
Charles asked, and Mule continued with an excited expression.
"Goldsmiths carve magic stones to make jewels, and in the process, magic stone powder is produced."
"But even using magic stones as they are in magic bullets doesn't create that much explosive power. Wouldn't making them into powder reduce the explosive power even more?"
Charles asked with a questioning look.
"But when I dissolved the magic stone powder slightly in water and dipped the arrowheads in it like this, the explosive power was incredible. I've already distributed them to the Ervin archers who will be going to the capital with us."
"You've worked hard, Archmage Mule."
Iana and Charles examined the arrow closely.
"I'll continue to research magical smithing while Your Highness is away. Don't worry and have a safe trip."
At Mule's reassuring words, Iana cautiously asked.
"Archmage, has Ru been looking for me at all?"
"He seems to have forgotten about you and is playing very well with Annie. But didn't you give Ru to Annie?"
Mule said teasingly.
"Give Ru to someone? Who would I give Ru to!"
Iana stood up, flustered, and Charles chuckled, trying to calm her down.
"It seems he means that Ru is doing well, so don't worry."
"Ah..."
Iana was embarrassed and quietly sat back down.
Knock knock.
Ervin Family Senior Knight's voice was heard from beyond the door.
"Your Highness, Count Dietrian is departing now."
At the Senior Knight's words, the three of them left the office and headed towards the entrance of the main castle.
As Iana and Charles appeared, the Imperial Army opened the door of the carriage with the red flag.
The Imperial Army commander approached and said politely.
"Please get in here, both of you."
"I, as an Archmage, will lead the way and switch to a carriage at the outer castle."
At Iana's words, Charles added.
"You saw when we entered Ervin, didn't you? An Archmage must move at the forefront to prepare for monster attacks."
Just then, Carrion's voice was heard from behind.
"Principles are principles."
Carrion walked slowly, with bandages on his leg and a cane in one hand.
"According to Imperial law, prisoners must be transported in the designated carriage. That is the principle, Your Highness."
"But still..."
Iana was about to speak, but Charles stopped her.
"If that is Count Dietrian's wish, let's follow the principles."
Charles strode towards the carriage door and offered his hand to Iana.
She deliberately took Charles's hand and climbed into the carriage.
As the carriage door closed, Charles quietly spoke.
"He wants to show the people of Ervin. The sight of you and me being taken to the Imperial Palace as prisoners."
"Count Dietrian doesn't know what's important even after being attacked by Krikan."
Iana sighed deeply as she looked at Carrion through the carriage window.
"Let's do as Count Dietrian wants."
Charles, who had been sitting facing her, sat next to her.
Carrion glared at the sight with displeasure.
Iana looked up at the sky, as if to divert her gaze.
A flock of birds flew quickly across the sky. Their wings fluttered anxiously, as if they were being chased by something.
✦ ✦ ✦
The carriage carrying Lady Riel drove towards the Imperial Garden.
Swish-.
Was the sky helping her? The rain fell even harder.
A short while later, the carriage stopped in front of the closed gate of the Imperial Park.
The closed gate was rusted, as if it hadn't been used for a long time.
The Havel Family Senior Knight, who had whipped her, opened the carriage door with an umbrella.
Riel stepped lightly out of the carriage.
A woman wearing a simple, pure white dress and holding a small bouquet of wildflowers.
In a pitiful and innocent appearance, atoning for her father's sins.
The Senior Knight put an umbrella over Riel and pointed to the closed gate.
"Someone will be waiting inside to help you. And if you are discovered, you can say that you secretly entered through this gate."
"I understand. And one more thing..."
Riel stopped speaking, and the Senior Knight looked at her.
Slap-.
At that moment, Riel slapped the Senior Knight across the cheek.
"....!"
The Senior Knight's face twisted.
He was furious, but he seemed to be trying his best to hold back.
Riel said calmly.
"That was just one hit."
"..."
"I'm feeling generous before a big event."
Riel pushed past the Senior Knight and walked forward.
Swish-.
Riel's body was soaked by the cool rain.
Revealing the curves of her body and her bare skin.
The Havel Family's escort knights, who were standing in front of the closed gate, were embarrassed by Riel's awkward appearance.
"Move aside."
Riel opened the heavy closed gate herself. As if she had chosen the gates of hell herself.
The moment she stepped inside the closed gate.
A scream-like crow's cry echoed through the Imperial Garden.
✦ ✦ ✦
The carriage carrying Iana and Charles passed the lake near the outer castle and headed towards the entrance of the Forest of Mages.
As Carrion had expected, the carriage carrying the two of them greatly shocked the people of Ervin.
However, Charles paid more attention to the movements of the birds than to the people's attention.
Iana asked with a puzzled expression.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
"Birds are the most sensitive to movement in places where monsters frequently appear. But the birds' movements are different from usual."
At Charles's words, Iana also looked out the carriage window.
A flock of birds was flying erratically in the sky.
"It's really strange."
"By the way, once the investigation is over in the Imperial Palace, go straight to the Rechelles family. Didn't you say you found a witness who will reveal Lady Riel's atrocities?"
"Yes, this time we must properly hold her accountable."
Iana's eyes turned sharp.
It was then.
Screech-.
The moment the procession entered the Forest of Mages. The carriage stopped abruptly.
Charles hugged Iana, who was jostled by the large recoil.
"Are you alright?"
Charles checked her condition.
"I'm fine. It seems like a monster has appeared."
Iana and Charles looked out the carriage window.
The Imperial Army soldiers were staring intently at one spot, as if a monster had appeared, but they didn't run away.
Then, the Imperial Army commander ran up, opened the carriage door, and said with a grim face.
"It seems like you two need to see this."
At the Imperial Army commander's words, Iana and Charles got out of the carriage. Soon, they pushed through the crowd and walked towards the entrance of the Forest of Mages.
At that moment, an unbelievable sight unfolded before their eyes.
"That is..."
Iana and Charles watched the scene with horrified expressions.
Hundreds of birds, perhaps, were lying dead on the ground.
It was a bizarre sight that could not be ignored.
"Your Highness, what's going on?"
At Iana's words, Charles seemed to have a premonition and shouted loudly.
"We must return to the Ducal Palace now. Quickly!"
"Yes?"
Everyone looked at Charles with bewildered faces.
Bang!
The front carriage door opened violently, and Carrion got out, shouting back.
"That is not allowed! We have already delayed too much time in Ervin."
While Charles and Carrion were arguing.
Iana heard something cutting through the wind from inside the forest.
'What is that?'
It wasn't the sound of goblins or orcs, nor the flapping of Krikan's wings.
"Get out of the way!"
It was the moment Iana shouted and created a fire barrier.
A giant snake with a blue glow sprang out from the entrance of the forest.
Iana's fire barrier and the giant snake's blue glow clashed violently.
A black body with fine thorns like hairs.
It was a monster that she had never seen even in Ervin's bestiary. As Iana carefully examined the monster, she realized after seeing the fine thorns.
'That's not a snake, it's a mutated arica vine.'
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