After several days of trying to sense magic, she finally had a moment when she could make the magic stone emit a very faint light.

As soon as that happened, Margaret, like a ghost, started talking about the gem, and she couldn’t help but be startled.

When Adele stared at it, Margaret spoke casually.

“Sometimes it looks like it twinkles in the dark.”

“…Ah.”

“Even now, it seems somehow self-illuminating, especially in the dark.”

Adele laughed, feeling a little awkward. Worried that Margaret might inquire further, she tensed up and began to think of an excuse, but Margaret quickly lost interest in the gem.

It seemed like it sparkled on its own. Adele laughed, feeling a bit relieved.
It seemed to be a remark made without any particular intention from the beginning.

Margaret quickly began to gaze out of the carriage window with a face that neatly forgot about the gem.

“Lady, aren’t you curious?”

“A little. But it seems we still have a long way to go to reach the walls of Ingrida….”

“Well, who knows. I don’t know if we can get there today. It feels like we’re crossing the Jiklo mountain range now.”

“If it’s not possible, we might have to march all night again.”

Even though it was a forest path, Talia’s roads were well-maintained, so there wouldn’t be a big problem even if they rode all night.

How much farther had they gone? Adele felt the carriage’s speed gradually slowing down. She woke up with a start.

It was hard to believe that I had even nodded off.

Now, even the shaking carriage and the presence of soldiers and knights guarding it without a gap had become familiar.

“What’s going on?”

“Well, the speed suddenly dropped. Are we near a village?”

Margaret began to sniff the window, putting her needlework down in the basket.

But it was still dark outside to say that the village was near, and the trees were dense. Then, there was a sound of someone knocking on the window.

“Lady, are you okay now?”

Adele opened the window slightly. Although it was early spring, the refreshing night air rushed into the carriage.

“What’s going on, Donavan?”

“Ahead, many trees and rocks have fallen, blocking the way. It seems to be the aftermath of a landslide or earthquake. You may have to wait a moment until it’s cleared.”

“And after it’s cleared, can we continue right away?”

“Yes. It seems so. Everyone is leaning towards pushing a bit harder, as the capital seems to be getting closer. It’s when the longing for a comfortable bed and well-cooked food starts to kick in, even if it’s a bit tough.”

“Is that so….”

Seeing her dark expression, Donavan asked cautiously, “Are you worried?”

“I think everyone might be pushing too hard. After resting at the inn last time, we rode for two days straight. Is it okay not to rest…”

“Ah. Isn’t there someone else you’re worried about, Lady?”

Claus, who had approached unnoticed, interjected.

Seeing him with logs in both hands, it seemed that he intended to light a fire and prepare simple food while waiting.

Fires were already burning here and there, slightly away from the main road.

“His Highness seems to be in very good condition. He volunteered for reconnaissance around the vicinity.”

“Reconnaissance?”

“Around two knights followed as an escort. Since this is still a land where monsters appear, I think he wanted to take a look.”

She gazed at the dark forest path.

She knew that Valentin was not an ordinary human, but the unseen forest felt eerie somehow.
“Don’t worry. His Highness had tremendous stamina from the beginning, and since he woke up again, it feels like… how should I put it? In a good way, he seems to have far surpassed the limits of a human? Anyway, he’ll be back soon.”

She nodded as if understanding, but soon, unable to overcome her anxiety, she got off the carriage.

Since there probably wouldn’t be ‘lessons’ tonight, she thought she might as well help with something. Carry firewood or take care of the horses…

Margaret would put on a stern expression whenever she did that, but the memories of her stepping forward to help for years couldn’t be easily erased.

Water was poured over the blazing bonfire. Donavan, who began to boil water, scooped out a cup and floated dried herbs, offering her a cup.

“Please drink. It will warm your body and aid in recovery.”

“Now that you mention it, it’s fascinating.”