Chapter 6: Kind and Cruel
About a month had passed since I successfully qualified to stay in the Heilon castle as a mage. Since then, my title had changed from the simple “Lady Fiona” to “Prodigy Magician Lady.” The dramatic scene of the thunderbolt’s abrupt release, with its resounding explosion and the sizzling scorch mark left on the slate gray stone walls, had impressed them enough to warrant this new title. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Additionally, because I was the only child in the castle, the employees doted on me quite a bit. They gave me snacks whenever they saw me, so my pocket was always full of treats, making me look like one of those squirrels that hoard food for winter. Of course, it wasn’t just because I was the only child. Abel had issued a special order to all the employees due to my slight figure. He had commanded them imperiously, “She’s too small for a child of thirteen. Feed her.”
It didn’t bother me a bit. Even the thought of delicious food brought me happiness.
“Jeron, come here, I’ll give you candy.” I placed a brightly colored candy in the middle of his palm while he was walking down the hall. Like a zombie, he appeared haggard and scrawny. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. He was so thin that I was absolutely sure that hidden underneath the black fabric of his outfit, his ribs stuck out prominently, similar to a xylophone. It was clear that he must have been robbed by Abel just now. This poor aide.
“Oh. Thank you.” Jeron smiled at me exhaustedly, the already deep wrinkles around his eyes growing extensively. I gave him a toothy grin.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m headed to the fourth wall. I heard there was an attack this morning.”
“Oh…I see.”
The monsters were relentless, attacking both day and night. Reports about the state of the second wall in the northern area indicated some improvement, but the rest of the walls were in dire straits. Gazing at the chaos around me, I felt exhausted. Would this really continue until the beginning of the original story, for six long years?
“Just in case, I’ll come with you.”
“Is that okay?” Jeron responded anxiously.
I patted my chest as if to remind him of my capabilities. “Of course, no problem!”
I suspected Jeron was worried that I might be traumatized by the events of three weeks ago and that a visit to the battlefield might trigger those memories. However, it was inevitable. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. The sight of dead monsters was less distressing than the lifeless bodies of soldiers. In fact, shortly after I defeated the monsters three weeks ago, I had clung to Abel’s cloak tightly, running around the battlefield. Unlike Jeron, who was worried like a mother hen, Abel had laughed at me. After his raucous laughter had subsided to a mere chuckle, he picked me up and carried me in his arms.
Reflecting on it now, I felt a sharp pinch of annoyance.
“Then will you keep it secret from the Duke?”
“Of course.”
For some reason I couldn’t fathom, Abel enjoyed bothering me but wouldn’t tolerate it from anyone else. He was so peculiar. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t decipher his thoughts.
“Alright, let us go.”
“Indeed.” I answered confidently.
Soon after, I slightly regretted my decision.
***
The fourth wall was a scene of devastation. Having been attacked since the early hours, the battlefield was littered with the corpses of both soldiers and demons. The air shimmered with heat as flames spread everywhere. The rancid stench of burning flesh rose to the top of the rampart. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I wasn’t fazed much. Seeing this scene again, I felt somewhat accustomed to it.
Due to a particularly vicious attack at dawn, the soldiers had been organized into groups of three for efficiency. There was much to be done before the next wave of forces arrived. They were cleaning the area as best they could—some burning demon corpses, others transporting wounded soldiers and fallen comrades to safety. They would return the dead to their families, devoid of the vitality they had once had. Additionally, soldiers from other walls had arrived to help fortify the area, which was now lacking in manpower. The situation was controlled chaos.
Jeron calmly wove his way through the crowded battlefield, pausing at different groups of soldiers to ask if they needed anything.
Though I tried to follow him, my small legs couldn’t keep up with his brisk strides. I lost track of him amid the chaos. When I clumsily bumped into one of the warriors, Jeron’s figure disappeared into the sea of soldiers. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I looked around, then sighed deeply as I got up, brushing off the dirt clinging to me from my fall. I decided not to chase after Jeron, knowing it was impractical for him to carry me while managing his duties. Moreover, unlike Abel, carrying me would be too much of a burden for him.
Well, if I couldn’t be next to him, I could still help on my own. I could use my powers to assist the soldiers in burning the remains of the dead monsters. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
As I drew closer, I recognized some familiar faces among the soldiers. They greeted me with nods.
“Magician.”
“There’s no need, I’ll burn the body.”
After declaring my intention, I concentrated for a moment. With a graceful flick of my wrist, a hungry fire erupted on a few of the demon corpses scattered nearby, like dolls tossed carelessly in a tantrum. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. The soldiers who witnessed this moved away, staring at me with awe and respect.
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