Tavern "Midnight Sun"
In the basement of the tavern Midnight Sun, Alex had just defeated Melty's kidnapper.
The man lay on the ground, unable to get up. Alex stood over him, silent, his gaze filled with cold superiority — under Melty's stunned eyes.
Alex: Tch! And he calls himself strong.
He turned and slowly walked toward Melty. A chilling silence hung in the air, broken only by the faint dripping of water on the floor.
As he approached, Melty was frozen by the intensity of his deep azure eyes.
Unable to move, her heart raced wildly.
Alex made a subtle motion toward his belt, drew a dagger, knelt, and cut her ropes.
Melty was taken aback by his action. She looked up at him as he simply said:
Alex: Get up, Your Highness. You have nothing to fear. I won't hurt you.
Now stand — we should hurry. The night is already far spent.
She rose slowly, watching him without a word. He then turned and cut Judith's ropes as well before lifting her onto his back and declaring:
Alex: Let's go.
He began to move away, but Princess Melty, who had stayed motionless, stopped him.
Melty: Wait!
He turned to look at her. In a frail voice, she said:
Melty: Your... your sword. You forgot it.
Alex looked at the sword stuck in the ground and said:
Alex: Ah, what an idiot I am! How am I supposed to pick it up now?
Melty watched him for a moment, then, gaining a bit of confidence, took the sword, approached him, and said:
Melty: Don't worry, I can help. You take care of Judith.
She walked past him and started moving ahead.
Behind her, Alex stood there for a moment, stared at her, shrugged lightly, tilted his head, and followed.
A Few Hours Earlier – Ella's Room
Just after Alex had left Ella's room, the atmosphere grew heavy.
Tanya and Ella stood by the window. Tanya asked:
Tanya: Do you think he'll really find her?
Still gazing outside, Ella replied:
Ella: Surely. I've learned not to take him lightly when he says something.
Don't worry — he'll bring your little sister back.
Tanya turned toward Ella, observing her closely.
Tanya: You seem to know him quite well.
Ella looked at her for a moment, then turned her eyes back to the window.
Ella: Don't be mistaken. I barely know him. I'm not even sure we can call ourselves friends.
Hearing that, Tanya stared at Ella — until the scene was interrupted.
Knock! Knock!
At the door stood knights and a brigade captain. Ella and Tanya approached and opened it.
Before them appeared a young woman with long violet hair, a silver jacket emblazoned with the symbol of a griffin atop a mountain peak, a gentle face, small stature, and the build of an adolescent.
It was Lora Volane, Captain of the Seventh Division of the Capital's Defense.
Behind her stood tall knights clad in full silver armor.
Lora, intending to speak directly, noticed Princess Tanya and immediately bowed, along with the knights.
Lora: Good evening, Your Highness. Forgive our abruptness, but we've been sent urgently to fetch the prodigy light mage.
We need her at once. She must prepare — we're heading to the city of LURENO right now!
The Night Carriage
Hours later, Ella, dressed in a mage's robe over black pants and a white shirt, sat in a carriage with Captain Lora.
Ella: (arms and legs crossed) Well then. Go on — explain the situation to me exactly.
The captain, sitting across from her with a posture of great respect, lowered her head with a small smile.
Lora: No need to be so formal. I know the way we took you might have been... a bit awkward.
Still composed, Ella replied:
Ella: Get to the point. You wouldn't have come in the middle of the night unless it was serious.
Lora sighed lightly with a smile.
Lora: You're right. Let's get to it, then.
Her face turned serious — almost frighteningly so.
Lora: We're heading into battle.
Still inside the carriage, Lora continued:
Lora: To the east lies a small but growing town — LURENO.
It has long prospered through trade, but recently, a group has risen up, protesting against the corrupt governance of Nora's system.
Until now, they stayed quiet, but slowly, they've gathered support and have now besieged the city.
Their leader is especially capable — not only a level 7 intermediate fighter, but also clever and strategic.
Yesterday, Arthur's group — along with Silone, Furious, and even the priestess Iris — was dispatched there.
A battle broke out, but they've been unable to turn the tide.
Maxuel's rebel forces number over 500 men and 50 mages.
Arthur's team is trapped in a street, chained by hidden mages and strong warriors.
Well... I think you understand the situation.
Lora then gave Ella a sly smile.
Ella met her gaze coldly, and after a tense silence, she replied:
Ella: Count me out.
Outside, the night rolled on.
Knights on horseback surrounded the carriage, holding lanterns to light the road.
Ella's firm "Count me out" echoed.
Lora: (still smiling) May I ask why?
Ella: You already know why. I won't fight against humans.
Lora kept her amused smile.
Lora: I know that's what you said. But think it over. You're a genius — your magic, your spell control, your mastery of mana...
I've never met anyone with your potential. At sixteen, you single-handedly wiped out an army of more than four hundred monsters in a dungeon, and you graduated from the Royal Academy's Magic Division — something that usually requires being of age.
I'm certain that among Arthur's team, you're the second most powerful.
Don't deny it. You're our last hope against this civil revolt.
Ella sighed, uncrossed her arms, and said:
Ella: Anyway, this isn't a request — it's an order, isn't it?
Lora: You're free to choose.
Ella shot her a deadly glare.
Ella: What's the point of talking? We're already there.
Surprised, Lora turned her head.
Lora: Already?
Ella exhaled, reaching for a long, thin object wrapped in pink cloth — her scepter.
Ella: You're so annoying!
She stormed out of the carriage just as dozens of arrows rained toward the convoy.
Standing before the carriages, Ella tore off the pink cloth, revealing a violet scepter topped with a crystal orb.
She struck it against the ground — a magic circle flared beneath them, and a protective barrier surrounded the convoy.
Not a single arrow struck home.
Lora calmly stepped out of the carriage, watching in awe.
Lora: Impressive. You really are strong.
Ella turned her head toward her.
Ella: Shut up.
The arrows ceased.
Ella deactivated the spell and said:
Ella: That's enough. I'm going. You handle the rest.
Using a levitation spell, she shot up into the air, landing at the base of the hill before the city.
There, several armed men stood, all glaring at her.
She swept her gaze over them, twirling her scepter before gripping it with both hands.
Ella: All right... no turning back now.
Get ready — I won't hold back.
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: The Prodigy Light Mage