Saulskaya's laboratory was located in the south, a logical choice given his focus on fire magic.In the warm southern climates, fire elements were naturally more abundant. While it wouldn't have been impossible to study fire magic in the frigid north, it would have been akin to swimming upstream—a task both challenging and inefficient.
Duwey acted swiftly once he made up his mind.
Saulskaya was promptly released from the dungeon. His mage robes, equipment, vials of powders, magic crystals, and spell parchments were returned to him. Naturally, the robes were newly made.
The elderly castle steward had been initially astonished that the young master could recruit a mage as a subordinate. However, upon learning Saulskaya was merely a first-level magician, the old steward's surprise waned—such mediocrity explained everything.
When Duvey announced his intention to travel, the steward, though reluctant, could not refuse. He even suggested Duvey take the opportunity to visit family estates within their territory, arguing that it would provide a more direct understanding than poring over dull account books in the castle.
Preparations were swiftly completed. Carriages, horses, and luggage were readied, but this time the entourage's arrangement was much grander than the modest procession during their journey south from the imperial capital. After all, within the Rolin family's domain, the heir to the family name traveling in a shabby manner would be unseemly.
Mad, still serving as Duvey's attendant, now commanded ten castle servants to care for the young master on the journey.
Two squads of cavalry from the castle's guard unit were assigned to protect Duvey, led personally by the guard's deputy commander, Robert, a seasoned and imposing knight certified by the Imperial Knights Association with a fourth-level insignia.
One squad was Robert's personal unit, while the other consisted of those who had accompanied Duvey on his earlier journey south. Robert, with his broad shoulders, square jaw, and powerful physique, embodied the ideal knight: steadfast and respectful to his young master, winning Duvey's approval with his straightforward demeanor.
The party included another notable figure, Duvey's first official subordinate, the female knight Rowlin.
The group traveled leisurely southward. Robert meticulously handled arrangements, from scouting ahead to organizing security during stops. Even when Duvey whimsically suggested camping outdoors, Robert consented without hesitation, diligently assigning sentries for the night.
A model soldier through and through—this was Duvey's appraisal of Robert. Evidently, Robert's background included military service, a common trait among the knights of the martial Rolin family.
Compared to the meddlesome and tiresome old steward, this loyal and dutiful knight was far more agreeable.
Seven days passed as the group meandered across the Rolin Plain, a fertile land brimming with expansive farmland, prosperous estates, and contented farmers. Even the larger towns exuded a sense of well-being. As their procession passed by, farmers often greeted the Rolin family banners with enthusiastic waves of their hats.
Clearly, the Rolin family commanded considerable goodwill in their domain.
Robert surmised that Duvey's travels had little to do with inspecting family holdings. It seemed the young heir was simply enjoying a scenic adventure. Given Duvey's age, this was hardly surprising—how could a thirteen-year-old boy manage estates? For Robert, his duty was to protect, not question.
On the seventh day, the party reached the southernmost town of Cort Province, the edge of the Rolin domain. Beyond lay the Imperial province of Leir.
Satisfied with the state of his family's lands, Duvey's curiosity was piqued when he learned that Leir's governor was friendly to the Rolin family. As such, continuing south seemed an enticing prospect.
During their travels, Duvey grew fond of Robert, who commanded great respect among the soldiers. At campsites, younger knights often sought his advice on combat techniques. Robert's prowess with a broadsword was astonishing; even the robust warrior "Bull" found himself no match for the knight.
This sparked Duvey's interest in learning combat skills, though Robert quickly assessed that Duvey lacked aptitude for martial training. Despite this, Duvey viewed the sessions as a means to improve his health, not to become a warrior.
On the ninth day, the group arrived in Half-Crest City, a small but bustling trade hub due to its location on a significant commercial route.
This small city, situated along a major trade route in the northeastern part of the Lier Province, bustled with prosperity. Remarkably, Duwei and his companions even encountered a band of around twenty mercenaries in the town. These mercenaries were escorting a caravan heading north and happened to lodge at the same inn as Duwei and his group.
Lier Province was not a noble's domain but a directly governed imperial province. In such a small city, high-ranking officials were absent, and Duwei had no intention of interacting with local administrators. Staying at the inn offered more freedom and comfort, and their arrival caused no disturbance to the local authorities.
At lunch, Duwei and his group were in the inn's main hall, while the caravan rested on the opposite side. Suddenly, the sound of urgent hoofbeats echoed outside, followed by a flurry of noise. The door swung open, and three knights in local garrison armor strode in.
The leader, wearing a knight's medal symbolizing his rank as a fourth-level knight, was clad in armor bearing the insignia of the local garrison. Evidently, he was a senior officer. He marched straight to the caravan and declared loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Knight Span, captain of the Second Cavalry of the Half-Horn City Garrison. By order of the Empire's Local Military Equipment Act, I officially requisition your escort team to assist us in a mission in the Half-Horn Valley outside the city. Refusal is not permitted under imperial law."
His booming voice left no room for negotiation. He glanced at the caravan's guards and added, "I know you are mercenaries. You will be compensated by the imperial military. Prepare your equipment and horses; you have half an hour to assemble at the inn's entrance."
Though reluctant, the mercenaries had no choice but to comply with imperial law. After all, there was payment to be had. The caravan's leader, however, was visibly distressed at losing their hired protection and hurried forward, attempting to reason with the officer.
"No!" Knight Span refused flatly. "I apologize, but your journey will be delayed. I assure you it will be brief—your guards will return by this time tomorrow. The military will cover your additional lodging expenses. Please withdraw your gold; bribing an officer is a severe crime!"
Dismissing the caravan leader, Knight Span turned to approach Duwei's group. He had initially intended to requisition Duwei's guards but hesitated upon noticing their attire—and more importantly, the emblem on Robert's armor. It was unmistakably the insignia of the esteemed Rowling family.
Requisitioning the private army of such a powerful family was beyond the authority of a mere garrison captain. Recognizing this, Knight Span hesitated, then approached cautiously. Bowing slightly, he addressed Duwei, "Honored sir, may I inquire—are you a member of the great Rowling family?"
"Indeed," Robert interjected, stepping forward. "This is my master, Master Duwei, eldest son of Earl Raymond Rowling of the Rowling Plains."
Knight Span immediately bowed more deeply. The son of an imperial military luminary commanded immense respect.
"Sir Knight, may I ask what predicament you face?" Duwei inquired, sipping his drink with a serene smile.
After some deliberation, Knight Span confessed, "We received an urgent mission requiring at least a hundred soldiers, but with most of our garrison participating in spring drills two hundred miles south, I have fewer than twenty men remaining. Thus, I am compelled to requisition local fighters."
Duwei nodded thoughtfully. "And were you considering requisitioning my guards as well?"
"No, sir!" Span exclaimed, alarmed. The idea had crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it upon learning their identity. The notion of endangering the son of Earl Raymond was unthinkable.
"Then what exactly is this urgent matter?" Duwei pressed, his curiosity piqued.
Span explained with a mixture of frustration and anxiety. "It's a bizarre situation. A magical beast—a rare occurrence—has appeared in Half-Horn Mountain. This mountain is typically tranquil, devoid of even large wild animals, but hunters have confirmed the presence of a massive creature through its tracks. This is unprecedented in our region."
A magical beast? Duwei's eyes gleamed with intrigue.
"Fascinating," he mused. "I have forty elite guards and a fourth-level knight. I am willing to send them to assist you. Allowing a magical beast to wreak havoc would be unconscionable."
Span was stunned. "You would lend me your guards?"
Before he could accept, Robert interjected, "Master, this is inadvisable. Your safety must not be compromised. If necessary, I will take twenty men to assist."
Duwei dismissed the concern with a wave. "You need not worry. I will accompany you. Surely, being surrounded by such capable fighters is the safest place for me."
Both Robert and Span protested, but Duwei silenced them with a firm decision. "Do not fret for my safety. Remember, I also have a skilled mage by my side." He gestured toward Solskjaer, whose magical prowess, while modest, was undeniable.
Span's eyes lit up at the prospect of a mage's support, even as he internally lamented the risk of bringing a noble heir into danger. Still, Duwei's interest in magical beasts was unwavering, and his resolve was clear: the expedition would proceed, and he would be part of it.
Duwei's attendants could not dissuade him, and much to Robert's frustration, the young master seemed resolute in his desire to venture into the mountains to glimpse the fabled magical beast for himself.
Robert's gaze towards the knight, Spahn, grew increasingly hostile. To him, all this trouble stemmed from the man's actions. If the young master were to suffer even the slightest injury or fright, the full weight of responsibility would fall squarely on Robert's shoulders.
Although Robert had grown fond of the approachable and kind-hearted young master during their journey, he still found this decision—trekking into the mountains to observe a magical beast—a childish folly. Sighing deeply, Robert resolved that once they entered the mountains, he would remain by the young master's side without fail. With his sword at the ready, he was confident in his ability to ensure the master's safety. Besides, he reasoned, magical beasts of significant size in this plain region were unlikely to be of high danger.
This reasoning offered Robert some comfort. The peculiar reality of magical beasts on the Roland Continent lay in an inverse relationship between their size and threat level. Typically, the larger the beast, the less dangerous it was. Conversely, the smaller ones often posed the most peril. Spahn had mentioned a massive creature sighted nearby, which Robert felt he could manage with his martial skills.
For his part, Spahn found himself in a quandary. While the magical beast posed a genuine concern, his greater worry was the safety of the young scion of the Rowling family. Yet, Duwei's determination left him no room to refuse. Even if Spahn declined the young master's offer of additional guards, Duwei had made it clear he would proceed with or without consent. Thus, Spahn reluctantly decided it was safer to accompany him with an organized group.
The mercenaries, commendably efficient, gathered within half an hour, fully armed and assembled outside the inn. Leaving a handful of servants behind, Duwei departed with two squads of cavalry and a light suit of armor, which, though it failed to mask his frail appearance, reassured his attendants slightly. Roelene, an experienced adventurer, knew well the nature of such a task. Hunting magical beasts and exchanging their remains for gold was a livelihood for many adventuring teams on the continent.
From the local garrison, Spahn summoned an additional twenty soldiers, bringing their total to nearly ninety. Though still insufficient, the sight of the Rowling family's armored and well-equipped guards offered some consolation. After discussions between Spahn and Robert, the group was divided into three squads, each blending local troops, mercenaries, and Rowling guards. This arrangement ensured balanced capabilities across the units, with a mix of melee fighters and archers in each.