Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 45: Storm over the North (1)
Five wagons and twenty mounted fighters advanced toward the Duchy of Ziemeld through pouring rain.
Half of Kelvim’s private soldiers and clergy remained behind to defend the territory. At Lionel’s suggestion, Dolph’s party, the mercenaries, the remaining clergy, and the others traveled as a volunteer force under Lionel’s command.
They were acting without Duke Ziemeld’s permission and on the testimony of one injured knight. Calling themselves volunteers would help prevent the territorial deployment from becoming a political dispute if the report proved false.
After two additional days of preparation, we departed.
The judgment and speed of people accustomed to battle astonished me.
I had worried that I would be a burden and considered remaining in Kelvim. But a marching force had abundant work for noncombatants, so I accompanied Dolph and the others.
That proved true. Establishing camp, cooking, washing clothes, repairing armor, and managing supplies were only some of the tasks. The more I observed, the more ways I discovered to help.
If I could contribute anything, I wanted to remain at Gilbert’s side—and beside everyone else.
Because those riding in the rain became soaked and cold, Barbara and I sewed simple changes of clothing while we traveled.
At the edge of my vision, Gilbert was making something again.
“Gilbert, what are you making this time?”
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise!”
Barbara giggled. Even the clergy riding with us appeared amused.
Dolph and Barbara believed that even in grave circumstances, it was best to laugh and enjoy one another’s company. The wagon’s atmosphere reflected that belief.
Between tasks, I found myself touching the hair ornament Gilbert gave me and the brooch at my breast.
Beautiful wood grain patterned the delicately carved flowers. Careful sanding made them pleasant to touch. Their fragrance, warmth, and every other quality delighted me.
Most of all, I knew Gilbert had made them with focused effort.
That knowledge made me happy. Whenever I had time, I touched and admired them.
Several days later, as we entered Ziemeld, that calm gradually gave way to unease. Our first destination was a city large enough to be called the northern trade center, but not a person remained. It appeared abandoned.
“I found and questioned several remaining residents, but the stream of evacuees seems endless…”
A private soldier returned after gathering information.
“Well… You certainly can’t miss that.”
Gilbert murmured in shock. The rest of us fell silent and stared in the same direction.
I couldn’t judge the distance. In the forest south of Ziemeld’s capital stood a vast wall of red light, hideously out of place in the landscape.
“That’s a sorcerer’s barrier, entirely different from a priest’s.”
“A sorcerer’s ……”
I was surprised at Mr Dolph’s words, it was my first time hearing it, Barbara added,
“I told you that sorcerers differ somewhat from magic users. A sorcerer doesn’t draw upon the Goddess’s blessing, but uses magical energy to manifest spells.”
A priest of the Western Grand Church traveling with us, Sydney, explained further.
“Every living creature is born with some magical energy. Beasts transformed by especially powerful energy are called magical beasts. Humans able to wield their energy as spells are called sorcerers.”
“Sorcerers are far rarer than clergy, so most become court mages.”
“Even rarer than clergy!”
Though joking, Father Sydney appeared grim.
“They knew the clergy would never help capture undead beasts. So they used a sorcerer’s barrier…”
“Ziemeld was an independent country only a century ago. It’s unsurprising that sorcerers still serve it.”
Dolph looked equally troubled.
“Can human sorcerers maintain a barrier of that scale? I understood the magical energy within one person to be limited.”
Lionel’s expression remained tense as he asked.
“Sometimes, sorcerers do things that defy their nature.”
Sydney murmured sadly.
Soon, several knights bearing Ziemeld’s shield arrived with the private soldiers who had ridden ahead.
“Thank goodness! We feared returning to Kelvim with the report would take too long. You have all come—but why?”
The haggard private soldier who approached had been sent as Count Kelvim’s messenger several days earlier.
After Lionel explained, the accompanying Knights of Ziemeld knelt.
“We can no longer claim loyalty to our lord. That barrier has nearly reached its limit. Please help us!”
His voice was desperate and his face exhausted.
Lionel nodded firmly, his expression grim, then immediately hurried toward the red barrier.