"Alright, alright! Over here!"

"My goodness, is all of this weaponry delivered from the Weapon District? They say the master there is extremely picky, yet he provided such support...!"

Two days later.

A long line of wagons stood right in the middle of Roswebel Street.

Passing aristocrats began whispering among themselves.

"Is that Agavert?"

"Yes. They say a magic crystal has appeared again at the site of the old palace. They’re going to storm it together with the Luminel family."

"Heaven forbid magic crystals start appearing on aristocratic streets as well..."

"Don’t say such ominous things! If that happens, the Holy Knights will handle it!"

"But they say there are more and more magic crystals outside the capital, right? What if they have to send forces there to destroy them?"

"Ha! Why would the Holy Knights care about places outside the capital?! Their duty is to protect the Ancient Border here! If even one unit is sent out, I won’t let it stand!"

Ribia, leaning against a wagon, smirked.

She nudged Allerik with her elbow and muttered:

"Hey, these capital aristocrats are completely insane, aren’t they? Afraid a magic crystal will pop up next to their homes?"

"They can hear you, Ribia."

"Let them hear! They’re fine with hundreds dying every day outside the capital? But near them, they absolutely won’t allow it? Are only their lives important?!"

Allerik sighed.

Ribia puffed her cheeks and fell silent.

Meanwhile, in another wagon behind them, Bale had seated Tie on his lap and was arguing with her.

"Brat! I told you—wear something comfortable. We don’t know what’s waiting for us!"

Tie, her cheeks squished, turned her head away in protest.

"But Tie wanted to wear a princess dress!"

"How long are you going to go on about that dress?! Do you think you’ll be able to run in it if magical creatures start chasing you, huh?!"

"She can! Tie will tear it beautifully and run!"

"Why would you tear it in the first place?! Who taught you that?!"

"She saw it on TV! Bale is a stupid bore!"

Every time Tie shouted, Pupu secretly struck Bale—thump, thump.

Nearby, Marbas, looking utterly exhausted, shoved his head into Tie’s bag.

"Twenty reinforced portals in three days... I’m burned out..."

Over the past three days, Marbas had worked five times more than usual for this siege.

Of course, whenever his strength ran out, Tie shared her magic with him.

Even so, he looked as if his entire wooden structure had dried out.

At that moment, Tesetan climbed into the wagon.

Tie’s mouth fell open, while Bale glared at him irritably.

"What are you doing getting into this wagon?"

Tesetan did not even glance at Bale and sat down in the corner.

"Looks like Basto didn’t tell you."

"Tell me what."

At that moment, Basto climbed into the wagon and answered:

"We’ll go over the plan on the way."

Bale frowned.

"Plan? What plan. Aren’t we supposed to do everything together with Luminel?"

"That’s why we’re here."

Leonardo appeared from behind Basto.

And behind him—

"I hope there’s enough room."

The Chairperson of the Association, who had recently joined the mission.

Bale sighed and muttered quietly so only Tie could hear:

"...We’re riding all day in a wagon to save on portals. Forget about a peaceful trip."

Everyone took their seats.

The wagon, meant for six people, quickly filled up.

On one side sat Basto, Tie, and Bale.

Opposite them—Tesetan, Ardiana, and Leonardo.

'...This is so fun!'

Tie, squeezed between Basto and Bale, swallowed.

She knew they were heading to siege a magic crystal.

But sitting diagonally across from Papa...

Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

Lately, Papa had become much kinder and no longer treated her as coldly as before.

As soon as the wagon started moving, Leonardo spoke.

"We plan to set up camp about fifty dayo from the ruins of the old palace."

'Camp?'

While Tie blinked in surprise, Basto replied:

"Isn’t that too close to the crystal’s location? Magical creatures with a wide range could close the distance quickly."

Leonardo nodded.

"That’s why we’ll set up a barrier. Not just mine—if we layer it two or three times, it will be safer."

He looked at Tesetan.

Tesetan replied:

"Allerik can do it. Camouflage."

"Tie can do it too!"

Tie immediately raised her hand.

She quickly formed a round barrier around the moving wagon.

"Like this—very strong!"

Leonardo smiled and patted her head.

"If we need help, we’ll be sure to ask."

Tie puffed out her chest proudly and leaned back.

The barrier must have impressed him—Tesetan held his gaze on her for a moment.

The adults continued their discussion.

"Do we have enough weapons?"

At Bale’s words, the Chairperson nodded.

"The master from the Weapon District provided even more than necessary. There are enough consumables as well. Are we planning for a one-month siege?"

"For now, yes. If it drags on, we’ll have to use portals to replenish supplies."

"What about sending supply groups back to the capital? That would be faster."

"For that, we need to confirm there are no other magic crystals along the route."

Bale snorted and suddenly looked at Tie’s bag with a predatory gaze.

Marbas’s head had just poked out from inside.

"Maybe we should squeeze him a bit more? Moving without portals costs both strength and money."

Marbas squeaked and hid back inside.

Pupu, watching him, snorted quietly.

"How are we dividing the combat groups?"

"First, we’ll assign Agavert and the Holy Knights based on their specialties. Plus the thirty soldiers Tie brought, and five more from the Chairperson..."

The complex discussion grew lulling.

Tie began to nod off.

When her head tilted, Tesetan glanced at her with slight annoyance.

The next moment, Tie almost fell forward.

Bale quickly caught her and rested her head ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) on his arm.

Tesetan, who had already started to extend his hand, silently withdrew it back to his knee.

Tie opened her eyes in the darkened wagon.

She looked around—somehow, no one was inside.

Voices came from outside.

"Damn it, my whole body is stiff. I told you we should travel by portals."

"...How many times do I have to say it, we need to conserve resources, Bale."

"Did Tie handle the trip okay? It’s been a while since we traveled this long. She’s not tired?"

"Old man, you worry too much. She slept the whole time and she’s still sleeping now."

A smile formed on Tie’s lips.

'Break time!'

She got up from her seat to go outside.

At that moment, the door opened, and two people entered.

For some reason, Tie immediately shut her eyes.

Peeking them open slightly, she saw Papa leaning against the wall, looking tired, and beside him Ardiana carefully sorting through a bag.

"Isn’t it stuffy?"

Papa suddenly said quietly. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Pretending to sleep, Tie watched.

In the darkness, he was looking at the Chairperson.

"Not really."

She replied.

They looked at each other.

Papa spoke again:

"Will you be like that at the siege site too? Covering your face all day—you’ll get tired."

Ardiana calmly looked at Tesetan.

"That is my choice. And you seem overly interested in other people’s faces."

Tesetan frowned slightly, then smirked.

After a moment, he said:

"Isn’t that natural? When you look into your eyes, even if there was no interest, it appears."

Ardiana froze.

The part of her cheeks visible above the mask flushed red.

"W-what are you—"

"It’s just surprising how completely unremarkable they are."

Tesetan said it softly and leaned back against the opposite wall.

Ardiana, momentarily at a loss, flared up:

"How rude...!"

Tie watched them curiously.

It was dark, but she saw it clearly.

At the corners of Papa’s lips, there was a faint smile.

Tie tilted her head.