Chapter 63

(How far are they taking me?)

Viera sighed as she felt the carriage sway. Her hands and feet were bound with ropes, and her eyes and mouth were covered with cloth, leaving her unable to resist. The only sound she could hear was the noise of the wheels, leading her to believe she was in a private carriage.

On the first night of the expedition, Viera woke up to the sound of a key turning in the lock. Her head ached, and her sleep had been light. She quickly noticed the intruders but, being a weak and powerless mage, her only option was to throw pillows or bags. She was quickly captured by the two masked figures.

Perhaps because it was a high-end hotel, the room was well-insulated, and no one seemed to notice her cries for help. She was lifted and carried away, and before she knew it, she was in the carriage, which soon set off.

She had to consider herself lucky that they hadn't intended to kill or assault her—she kept telling herself this to suppress her fear. She curled up into a ball, swaying with the carriage. She couldn't think of anything she had done to make someone hate her, and everyone knew that the Yubert family was poor and couldn't provide a large ransom. Could it be that the Ambrosch Duke's family wanted something because of her engagement to Lucash? But if that were the case, targeting a mere fiancée would be less effective than going after a blood relative.

She thought about various possibilities, but none of them made sense. The smoothness with which she was taken suggested a well-planned operation, and she sensed some kind of organization behind it. But the purpose remained unclear.

(Why me...)

Confusion and loneliness welled up, and her eyes began to sting. The image of her beloved fiancé appeared in her mind.

(I want to see Lord Lucash... Please help...)

Whenever she felt despondent about finding a husband, when her father's true condition was unknown, or when her magic power ran out, Lucash had always been there to help her. She hoped he would come to her rescue again. Fortunately, the pink diamond necklace she wore under her clothes had not been taken. She clung to the thought that they were connected, drawing strength from it.

Just as her sense of time began to fade, the carriage suddenly stopped.

"Ugh..."

She rolled and hit the wall. It hurt, but with her hands and feet bound, she could only endure. Then, she heard shouts and the sound of metal clashing from outside.

(Are they fighting? Maybe it's help... No, it could be bandits. Please... let it be help!)

She huddled and prayed, waiting for the commotion to subside. Soon, the sound of a key turning in the lock reached her ears.

"Hey, there's a woman in the carriage!"

A man's voice called out from a distance. The man's presence approached Viera.

"We are the patrol team. Who are you...?"

He gently removed the cloth covering her eyes and mouth. A bright light shone in her eyes, and she closed them. When she squinted to open them, she saw that the light came from a magic lantern. The man holding it wore a high-quality uniform, had a clean-shaven face, and a sharp expression. He seemed to be a member of the patrol team. The others peering from behind him were also in uniform.

Viera felt a wave of relief.

"I am Viera Yubert, a palace mage in the Technology Department. I... was sleeping at my hotel when I was captured and taken away..."

"A palace mage!? What a disaster... We will take you to a safe place immediately."

The patrol team member quickly untied the ropes on Viera's hands and feet. There were bruises from her struggle at the hotel.

"I'll arrange for a doctor."

"Thank you. What about the people who captured me?"

"We have apprehended three people, including the carriage driver and two others. We have called for reinforcements and will take them to the patrol station later. So, Viera, we will keep you in the carriage for now."

"Understood. Thank you."

Viera was still in her nightgown. She was grateful that they were considerate enough not to expose her in this state. The patrol team member took over as the driver and set the carriage in motion.

Through the small window, Viera could see the scenery. It was approaching night, and the sky was turning indigo, pushing out the orange hues. The road was well-maintained, as the carriage's movement was smooth. On both sides, a dense forest stretched out. There were no landmarks that could help identify the location.

The carriage climbed a gentle slope, and by the time the orange had disappeared from the sky, it stopped in front of a two-story mansion. It was a small mansion, not much different from the Yubert family's.

"Viera, please come this way."

Viera was led into the mansion by the patrol team member. Inside, a man was waiting. Viera recognized him.

He had calm brown hair and green eyes, and was the former leader of the Barrier Division's second team—Levan Sargred, the manager of a barrier stone in a certain territory. He skillfully moved his prosthetic leg and rushed over.

"Why is Viera here!?"

"This is your mansion, isn't it, Levan? I was attacked at my hotel—"

Viera briefly explained what she knew, and the patrol team member added details. They had stopped the carriage to warn it because of its high speed, even though it was in the city. When the carriage didn't stop, they chased it and were attacked in the forest. They captured the attackers and found Viera in the carriage.

From the conversation, Viera learned that it was the second night of the expedition, and they were in Granista, a town next to the city where her hotel was located. Levan looked distressed and draped his jacket over Viera.

"Indeed, it's better to protect you here than at the station with the criminals. What a terrible ordeal. I will contact the palace about Viera. Additional patrol team members will be stationed here, so you can rest assured. Would you mind lending Viera some clothes for her stay?"

The maid nodded without hesitation.

"Of course."

Granista was a town that took two days to reach by carriage from the capital. It would take a few more days for someone to come for her. Yet, Levan and the maid showed no signs of inconvenience, accepting her as a matter of course. Their consideration was greatly appreciated.

"I will be in your care for a while. Please, take care of me."

"Of course. I will inform everyone to make your stay comfortable."

"Thank you."

The room she was shown to was more luxurious than the hotel. The bedding looked soft, and there was a dedicated lamp on the desk. Of course, there was a toilet and a shower.

Given the size of the mansion, this must be a top-tier guest room.

"Is it alright for me to use such a nice room?"

"Levan has given his permission. Please feel free to use it. I will bring you some clothes and dinner shortly."

The maid bowed as if to a noble and left the room.

"...I'm glad."

Viera collapsed onto the bed, feeling relieved. She had been worried about what would happen, but now she was just grateful to be safe. The moment her tension eased, a wave of sleepiness hit her. She hadn't slept since she was kidnapped, and her body was exhausted from the constant stress.

(I know the clothes and dinner will come, but...)

The overwhelming sleepiness was similar to when her magic power had run out. At that time, Lucash had carried her. But he wasn't here now. Viera gripped the necklace at her chest through her clothes and let her consciousness slip away, almost fainting.