Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Commander Erica!

At the call of her subordinate, Erica put down her documents. It was rare for any commotion from her subordinates to be good news since she came here

Countess Mary and her son Chel have been found!

What?

But this time, it was different. A most unexpected piece of excellent news! Ericas eyes shone with elation.

Where?!

Well, its at the northern gate. They dashed past the soldiers who were going to check them, riding two horses. There were four of them in total, and they split into two groups as soon as they left the gate.

Four people? Are you sure its Mary and Chel?

They had their hoods on, so I couldnt see clearly, but one of them had the reddish hair of a boy who hasnt reached adulthood yet. The woman also resembled Countess Mary and looked middle-aged. We suspect that the riders may be surviving knights.

Erica briskly walked to the table and spread out a map. If they passed through the northern gate and then split into two directions, those directions were completely opposite: east and west. Mary and Chel would not want to separate from each other.

What about the chase?

The soldiers at the gate are currently chasing them, but it looks like we need to send reinforcements quickly.

Reported location?

They are suspected to have reached this point so far.

Wait a minute

Erica traced the traces of Mary and Chel slowly with both hands. The two seemed to be heading continuously north after splitting to the left and right. North? North, then A sharp thought flashed through Ericas eyes.

Exclude Merellof. They walked to the gate to avoid entanglement, so

Next was Shailon, a city famous for commerce. Though next made it sound close, it was a place that would take more than ten days to reach by land.

Considering that it takes a fortnight from Bratz to the central region, it was a ridiculous estimated time. This was because they had to cross the Denba Mountains.

Theyre likely to go through Shailon.

Shailon connects to various other territories. If they ride, they could reach Fontrol, the maternal home of Countess Mary, within a day.

Fontrol, good. Send a message.

How many should we send for the pursuit?

For now

Erica hesitated for a moment. The appearance of allies bothered her. While Dergha was imprisoned in the dungeon, it was strange to have surviving knights. She had little knowledge about this remote foreign land. What if they had hidden troops?

Mary and Chel could also be leading them into the mountains.

Send about twenty people.

Erica glanced out the window as she commanded. Some unfamiliar beast cubsKusilre or whatever they werewere frolicking in the garden. If she exhausted all her forces, the beast tribe could seize control of her mansion. For now, this was the limit.

Even if theyre knights, itll be hard for a woman and a child to face twenty men. If theres a problem, tell them to continue the pursuit and send another letter.

Yes. Understood.The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.

Capture them alive if possible, or if not, bring back their corpses. No, even their heads will do. You understand?

I will make it clear.

Her subordinate hurriedly left after receiving Ericas order. They couldnt run far, not for long at least.

Erica looked at the map and smiled contentedly. As long as she captured Mary and Chel, she could easily crush the annoying Ian and the beast tribe.

What she didnt know was

That the laughter would only last for three days.

* * *

Over here!

This way!

Split up and run in both directions!

Tadak-tadak!

Two horses darted between the enormous trees, which stood like pillars holding up the world. Pursuing them were the central armys chasing unit. The warriors of the Cheonrye tribe effortlessly weaved through the trees, making it look like they were the ones being chased.

Damn it!

Observing this, the central army increasingly suspected that these warriors were knights from Dergha. It appeared that unlike the inexperienced chasing unit, they knew the roads well.

The pursuit team has been annihilated.

How on earth

It was knights from Dergha. They seemed to have some special abilities; their movements were extraordinary. They seemed like dark sorcerers or something. We couldnt identify their faces, and we couldnt recover the bodies of our comrades either.

She could only let out a sarcastic laugh as her lips tightened. There were twenty of them, after all. Even if the opponent was a knight, they should have gathered some kind of clue. It was unbelievable that they were so utterly defeated.

The location?

I remember it.

Are you sure it was Mary and Chel?

Yes, certain. Their hoods were knocked off a couple of times during the chase. Its definitely Chel and Countess Mary.

Damn it. Form a second pursuit team.

Erica-nim, if I may, it seems like sending another team wont do. Were barely able to move with our current force

Erica blinked at the soldiers words. Who didnt know that? Obviously, a full-scale assault would be easier and better. However, they had superiors who couldnt afford to vacate their estates.

IIm sorry.

You may leave.

As soon as the soldier left, Erica angrily swept the table clear. It was fortunate that they had identified Mary and Chel, but it was problematic that the conflict was dragging on.

Damn it, really! Why are the responses from the center so slow?

Its probably because theyre coming by land

For reports and simple commands, they could use messenger birds, but a letter bearing the Emperors seal had to be hand-delivered by an official in a carriage.

And of all the things, it had to be an appointment letter that was considered important, likely arriving in a flashy golden carriage forsaking all efficiency.

Any word from Ian and his group? How are they doing?

Theres nothing particularly suspicious. Theyre preoccupied with rebuilding the village.

Those dog-like bastards. They should take better care of their own land.

Unlike the Central Army, which was frantically chasing after Mary and Chel, they were focused on erasing the traces of battle in their domain. They were rebuilding collapsed walls, fixing roofs, and moving the injured, among other things.

How ridiculous.

Erica was mentally berating Ian but then hesitated. She had an odd, uneasy feeling.

Mary and Chel broke through the wall on horseback?

Yes.

Where were they before that then?

They had scoured their domain as if hunting for a mouse, but couldnt find them. And suddenly they escaped on horseback, carrying an accomplice? Given the current situation in Bratz, the number of people who could command horses was limited, wasnt it?

Surely not.

Is Ian involved?

Summon the stable manager immediately.

Yes, understood.

Besides the horses managed by the Central Army, there were other privately-owned horses in Bratz. Why hadnt they checked that before? Annoyed at her own negligence, Erica ruffled her hair.

Knock, knock.

Erica-nim.

However, the person who entered the room first was not the stable manager but Ian. He had come up after confirming that his subordinate was heading to the stable.

Whats going on?

Piles of documents were scattered all over Lady Marys room, completely out of place. Ian entered the room with a grin.

Any progress in the pursuit of Lady Mary and Chel?

Why do you ask?

Would you look at this? Erica leaned her arm on the back of her chair and tilted her head back. Neither were her legs numb, nor was this the time for such a question, was it?

Of course Im curious. If by any chance Lady Mary and Chel survive and plot something, I wont be safe either.

Erica nodded her head, as if to say continue. Both were smiling and assessing each other, but it was Erica whose expression hardened first.

Things r getting more n more interesting