CHAPTER 89………………………….
Perhaps because the snowstorm wasn’t as fierce as yesterday, climbing the mountain was much easier this time.
Thanks to that, it only took us a few hours to reach our destination.
The dwelling of the Aksion tribe was an enormous tree—so huge that no matter how far I craned my neck, I couldn’t see its top.
It was astonishing that such a massive tree could grow in a desolate, snow-covered mountain range.
Feeling slightly embarrassed for gawking too long, I turned to my side and felt oddly comforted when I saw Loren standing there, jaw practically hanging open.
“Woooow… This is insane…”
I quietly whispered to Luce, who was following behind us.
“What do you think, Luce? Sensing anything?”
Luce closed her eyes and focused for a moment before shaking her head.
“I don’t sense any magic.”
“Could it be that divine power is interfering with detection magic?”
“That’s possible.”
That meant we’d need to improve our detection accuracy while staying here in the Aksion tribe’s territory.
Would that require casting detection spells while moving through this enormous tree? That didn’t sound easy.
“What the—?”
Just as we were about to enter the tree, a sharp voice rang out.
Looking up toward the source, I saw a figure perched on a branch—at least three times my height off the ground.
“A servant of the Demon God, huh? You’ve got guts, setting foot on this mountain.”
It was a boy. He had long, reddish hair like dried roses and red eyes.
Three claw-like scars ran across the side of his face.
That alone was enough to guess his identity.
Red eyes—the mark of the Aksion tribe.
Luce chuckled lightly, completely unfazed by the boy’s sarcasm, and beckoned him with one finger.
“Here, kitty.”
“Hisss!”
The immediate hiss that came back sounded exactly like an angry feline.
The boy leapt down effortlessly, landing on the ground. His sharp fangs were bared as he circled us warily, though he didn’t attack.
“As expected of a beast—good instincts. It’s smart not to pick a fight you can’t win.”
“Let’s see if you can still talk after I tear your throat out.”
A chilling sound of grinding teeth followed.
“Reed. Enough.”
A calm, clear female voice stopped him.
The girl resembled him—same red eyes—but her hair was white as snow.
“Sol…!”
“What kind of behavior is this in front of guests? Straighten up. Show some manners.”
“…Tch.”
The boy—Reed—grumbled but obeyed, straightening his back.
“I am Lihasol Aksion. My younger brother has been rude.”
“…Reed Aksion.”
Unlike his sister, Reed only gave a curt nod. Knowing that even that was difficult for a divine beast, I bowed deeply in respect.
“I am Linnegrim of Count Peahil’s family, honored to meet the divine beasts of the Aksion tribe.”
“I am Loren of Count Dalia’s family, honored to meet the divine beasts of the Aksion tribe.”
“Ethan Croyt, Commander of the Holy Knights, honored to meet the divine beasts of the Aksion tribe.”
Reed looked fairly pleased with our polite greetings, until he noticed Luce—still standing upright and silent. His brows furrowed.
“Sol—uh, Sister. That guy’s not even bowing. Can I bite him?”
“No. Quiet, and follow me.”
Lihasol took Reed’s hand and walked gracefully forward. She stopped in front of Eve.
“Hello, Lady Evenis. Have you been well?”
“Hello, Sol. Yes, I’ve been fine. You look well too.”
The two divine beasts greeted each other warmly. But judging from the way Sol hesitated, she clearly had more to say.
“I’ve been well, thanks to you. And, um…”
“Reikis is doing well too. He wanted to come along but couldn’t. He asked me to send his regards.”
“R-Really? Lord Reikis asked about me?”
Lihasol’s pale face turned bright red in an instant.
“T-to be honest, when Lady Lunaris sent word, I begged Father to let me visit the palace! I knew I couldn’t, since Mother’s about to give birth, but still—I just couldn’t help myself. I was so disappointed not to go, but knowing that Lord Reikis felt the same way…!”
Please… breathe.
Overcome by emotion, Lihasol rattled on, clutching her flushed cheeks.
Wait a minute—if the message came from Lunaris, wasn’t that the one about suspecting Aksion as the faction behind the royal palace intruders? And even after that, she wanted to go to the palace—just to see Reikis?
“Once Mother gives birth safely, I’ll be sure to visit the palace!”
“Sister…”
Reed gave her a look that clearly said, Is she for real?
“Anyway, Lady Evenis. Who’s the mage? I wasn’t told one would be coming.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I can vouch for him. He’s a court magician stationed at the palace to coordinate with the Tower.”
“With the Tower, huh…”
Though Reed accepted Eve’s words, his lips twisted in distaste.
I just hoped nothing went wrong while we stayed here.
“Lady Linnegrim?”
“Yes! That’s me!”
A soft, lilting voice called my name—sweet enough to melt my eardrums.
Lihasol was gazing at me with wide, curious red eyes.
“I heard you’re one of Lord Reikis’s vassals.”
“Yes. Thankfully, I’ve been granted that honor.”
“My goodness. Lord Reikis’s first vassal! You must be very talented. I was amazed to hear a human volunteered to assist with my mother’s childbirth.”
…Was it just me, or did that sound like ‘You’d better be useful, or I’ll kill you’ wrapped in a polite smile?
“I’ll do my utmost to ensure Lady Harisa’s safe delivery…”
“Ten years ago, they just sat sick children down and recited prayers all day. I hope to see some progress this time. You must be tired from the climb—let me show you to your rooms. You can greet the chieftain later.”
“Yes. Thank you for your kindness.”
Loren and I were assigned to the same guest room and followed the servant inside. Once the door closed, we exchanged bewildered looks.
“…It’s not just me, right?”
“You felt it too?”
So it wasn’t my imagination.
The heir of the Aksion tribe, Lihasol Aksion…
“Seems to really hate humans. Especially administrative officers.”
Loren nodded vigorously.
“Linnegrim, you’re lucky to be Lord Reikis’s vassal. I swear I felt killing intent from her when she looked at me…”
I remembered what Nilson had warned me before we left the capital.
“Be careful. The Aksion tribe’s gaze will be colder than the mountain wind. No matter how capable you are, don’t let your guard down.”
Turns out old men give good advice sometimes.
But what do I do now, boss? I didn’t let my guard down—and I still got hated.
“For now, Senior, should we just… keep a low profile?”
“Yeah… sounds like a plan.”
“Right…”
So Loren and I lay down on our beds and pretended to be dead.
Morning came just like that. A servant knocked on the door, saying the bathwater was ready.
“…Senior, wake up.”
“Ugh… already morning? I barely slept, the bed felt so different…”
“You might want to wipe the drool off your mouth first.”
“Ss–!”
“Go wash up first. I’ll tidy up the room.”
“You’ll do mine too? Thanks~”
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Loren left the room.
I made the bed, opened the window for fresh air, and unpacked my bag.
Everything made of cloth was soaked from yesterday’s snow. I had to dry and repack it.
As expected, the bandages, gauze, and wrappings around the medical tools were all damp. Thankfully, the dried herbs sealed in bottles had survived.
I asked a servant for hot water and clean cloth, then picked up my scalpel and needles. After soaking them in the hot water, I wiped them dry. If only I could sterilize them properly with the Eternal Flame—but since we were inside the tree, I didn’t dare use fire.
“I’ll just ask Luce later.”
“How about now?”
I looked up—and saw Luce sitting casually on my bed.
Only then did I realize I’d said his name out loud.
“Why do you always put me off until later?”
“…Because you always say weird things.”
“Weird? Like what?”
“J-just… stuff. Anyway, since you’re here, could you heat this for me? I need to sterilize it.”
Whoosh. Without warning, blue flame flickered to life. Luce’s fire swept over the tools neatly, sterilizing them before vanishing without a trace.
“Thanks. Oh, and—did you sense anything last night?”
“No magic.”
“No magic? Then… something else?”
“Divine power. It was pulsing.”
I gasped. Leaning closer, I whispered into his ear, one knee on the bed for balance.
“A pulsing divine power—does that mean there’s a heretic here?”
“Who knows.”
His hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer. Startled, I steadied myself by pressing a hand on his shoulder.
“What do you mean, ‘who knows’? You must’ve sensed something! Was it dark, or corrupted, or—something?”
“It felt like this mountain.”
“…This mountain?”
“Yeah.”
What was that supposed to mean? That the divine power was vast—like the mountain itself?
As I bit my nail, lost in thought, his hand trailed up my back to the nape of my neck, his warm touch making me relax.
And then—the door burst open.
“Linnegrim! I’m back! You have to try the hot springs, they’re—”
Loren froze mid-sentence, eyes trembling violently.
“Wow. That’s… wow.”
She gave a big thumbs-up before backing out and closing the door.
“…What’s wrong with her?”
“You’ve got a good senior.”
Loren was a good senior. I just had no idea what that had to do with the current situation.
