Chapter 12.1

—

“He didn’t seem like a mage, though?”

Arina muttered, recalling Arad cooking at Jack’s inn.

“No, he definitely wasn’t a mage.”

“That’s correct. While he did have some magical energy, it wasn’t enough to qualify as a mage.”

“Even if he studied magic, he’d barely manage to conjure a small fireball.”

“With that level of magic, he’d be better off integrating it with craftsmanship and learning swordsmanship instead.”

The knights unanimously offered their evaluations of Arad’s potential.

“can I see the list of items he’s purchased?”

Arina, out of curiosity, requested the list.

“Here it is.”

Balzac immediately handed her a sheet of paper.

The list detailed all the items Arad had purchased from Haven’s merchant guilds and adventurers.

“…”

As Arina scanned the list, her brow furrowed.

“Some of these items are flagged as contraband. And the amount of magic stones he’s bought—it’s technically illegal for an individual to purchase so many.”

Parts of the list irked her meticulous adherence to rules.

The guards and officials of Haven must have given Arad significant leeway.

“The free stew must have worked wonders. Could he have planned this?”

After scrutinizing the paper for a few more seconds, she set it down.

“I’ll let it slide.”

Exercising rare flexibility, she decided to overlook it.

The items weren’t overly problematic, and she valued Arad’s loyalty—especially after his creation of Arad Salt and his desire to serve her.

“What could he be planning?”

“Hopefully something as remarkable as Arad Salt.”

“So, should we leave him be for now?”

“For now, yes. The necromancer in the Demonic Realm is our priority.”

Thus, a potential crisis for Arad passed without his knowledge.

—

The meeting at the inn was approaching its conclusion.

“Prepare reserves in the High Tower and Haven, just in case. Also, instruct them to coat their weapons in silver.”

The major decisions had been made.

Arina was now confirming the smaller ones.

“Understood.”

“Good. We’ll inspect Haven’s defenses before leaving with the reinforcements.”

The forces being prepared in the High Tower and Haven were primarily reserves, meant for emergencies.

“It’s unfortunate that Sun and the Frostshield Legion are out on an expedition at a time like this.”

One of the knights sighed, lamenting the absence of Renslet’s main forces, who were currently subduing extreme northern orcs and barbarians.

“Even if Sun and the Frostshield Legion were here, it wouldn’t change our strategy, Sir Roj.”

Arina shook her head at the knight’s murmur.

“Numbers mean little against a necromancer.”

The Grand Duke and her knights were the only ones who could truly deal with the necromancer.

Necromancers, black mages who commanded the dead, were best handled with precision strikes by an elite team.

Bringing a large force would only provide the necromancer with more bodies to animate.

“Your Grace, perhaps it’s better if you remain in Haven with the reinforcements?”

Balzac cautiously suggested to Arina.

“This is no ordinary hunt in the Demonic Realm. It’s extremely dangerous.”

But Arina rejected Balzac’s careful advice.

“If I start avoiding danger for this or that reason, it’ll never end. I’d quickly become a coward, and the North’s unity and resolve would crumble.”

“But… if anything were to happen to you, Renslet would be annihilated. The North would fall into the Empire’s hands.”

The North had no successor, especially after the previous Grand Duke, Baikal, had died in battle.

Despite the North’s tradition of rulers leading from the front, Balzac felt that Arina needed to prioritize her safety this time.

“The danger is exactly why I must go. I’m not just a Grand Duke—I’m a knight and a Swordmaster. My presence increases our chances of success.”

Such reasoning, grounded in chivalry, left no room for Balzac’s objections.

“Hmm…”

“Her Grace is right.”

“With two Swordmasters, there’s no mission we can’t accomplish.”

The knights couldn’t strongly oppose her, especially since her logic was sound.

Arina, the youngest unofficial Swordmaster, had already surpassed her late father in skill.

“Not being able to join the northern expedition was frustrating, but I’m glad I can make up for it this way.”

This added weight to her resolve. She wouldn’t back down.

“…”

“…”

In the end, the knights failed to convince her.

Balzac and the others could only shrug in silent defeat.

“Then… perhaps…”

“Speak, Sir Eote.”

As Balzac’s suggestion was dismissed, another knight, Sir Eote, cautiously spoke.

“What if we brought the witches of the High Tower with us? Their elemental magic would be useful in the Demonic Realm, especially against a necromancer skilled in curses.”

“Spring is near; enlisting the witches would disrupt their work, Sir Eote.”

Doyle quickly voiced his concerns.

“Exactly. The Witches’ Coven is busy right now, and most witches aren’t accustomed to combat magic. Besides, ordinary witches wouldn’t survive in the Demonic Realm.”

Arina supported Doyle’s concerns.

“The Grand Witch of Spring could be helpful in battle.”