ADLG 45

Chapter 45

After I Died, My Child Groom

Johann pulled Nadia behind him to shield her, while the other knights formed a layered wall around them, holding their ground against the mercenaries.

“Wh–what the hell are these bastards?”

Whether the Baron Barden’s heir was panicking or not, Nadia pointed at him.

“That man must be captured alive.”

“Yes, my lady.”

A tense standoff stretched on, followed by a brief clash. The Baldwin Knights were exceptional. Even though they were outnumbered, they slowly managed to separate the baron’s heir from the mercenaries.

The baron’s heir found himself cornered against the wall, panting heavily. For all the harm he had inflicted on others, it seemed he never imagined it would come back to him.

Nadia fixed her eyes on him—not merely looking, but peering deeper, at his mana itself.

His mana shimmered a dark blue, but occasionally flared red, as if consumed by fear and rage at once.

…What is that?

From the core of his being—likely where his mana core resided—a black energy was seeping out. It wasn’t the darkness of the night sky, but the pitch-black of a bottomless pit.

So ominous, so dreadful…

Nadia braced herself against the nearest wall with trembling hands. Her mana seeped into the rough stone and surged fiercely toward where the baron’s heir stood.

It erupted near him, bursting into flames.

He recoiled in horror, trying to retreat, but his hands seemed to burn; clutching them, he doubled over in pain.

A nearby knight swiftly bound his body tight.

Thankfully, the sinister mana shrank back and was sucked into his core again.

“Y–you crazy wench… Your core hasn’t even fully opened yet—!”

The baron’s heir glared at Nadia, his body trembling violently.

He had underestimated her, thinking her incomplete core made her harmless.

In truth, Nadia hadn’t intended to use magic again, but the moment she saw that black mana, she couldn’t endure it. It was instinctive, an overwhelming fear.

Since the immediate danger was past, Nadia quietly slipped back behind Johann.

Her head swam a little, but it wasn’t unbearable.

Vivian’s going to scold me for this…

She resolved not to push herself further. Luckily, the sound of deer hooves echoed from the cave entrance.

The ambush team had arrived in response to the signal.

Heinrich entered the cave with sword drawn.

“Vivian, take your lady to the back.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Vivian immediately moved to protect Nadia, guiding her toward the cave mouth.

Shouts and the clash of steel rang out deeper inside.

The battle didn’t last long.

Even skilled mercenaries stood no chance before the Baldwin Knights.

One by one, the mercenaries were bound and lined up, while the knights rescued captives from the depths of the cave.

Though weary from hunger and cold, none of them bore serious injuries.

Most of all, Nadia rejoiced to see the five young men from the Hesse territory safe and sound.

“My lady!”

The young men rushed to her, surrounding her as they broke into sobs.

“My lady, you saved us!”

“We—we were fools. Truly…!”

“To come all the way out here into the freezing wilds… We’ll never forget this kindness!”

Truthfully, Nadia’s head throbbed after casting magic, and their loud wailing only worsened it. Yet perhaps because of her relief, even the pain felt oddly welcome.

Smiling, she patted their shoulders.

“You’re safe, and that’s enough. Your families are worried sick, so you must hurry home. I won’t scold you, but they’ll surely give you an earful.”

“As long as we get to see them again, that’s all that matters!”

“Hey! Keep your voices down. You’ll split our lady’s ears!”

Vivian stepped in to scold them at last. Even as they clamped their mouths shut, the young men beamed with joy at the thought of returning home.

Once the cave was secured, Heinrich ordered the victims placed on deer or sledges to be sent back first.

Yet the five young men refused to leave before Nadia. If she insisted, they said they would at least go in the last group.

When only the final group remained, Heinrich approached Nadia.

“The victims are all on their way back. You should return as well, my lady.”

Nadia glanced around, then drew Heinrich aside to the wall. Best not for too many to overhear.

“Your Excellency, the Baron Barden’s heir seems able to see people’s mana cores.”

“Cores? You mean a mage’s heart?”

“Yes. I don’t fully understand, but my core seemed valuable to them. That’s why they were so intent on taking me. And… this part I’m not certain about…”

Rising on her toes, Nadia whispered softly into Heinrich’s ear.

“Question him about black magic.”

His gaze sharpened.

Very little was known about black magic. Non-mages thought of it only as a sinister curse.

The books Nadia had read merely described it as a forbidden art that shattered the harmony between magic and nature—never in detail.

But the moment she saw that black mana, she was convinced it was black magic. Still, with her limited knowledge, she couldn’t claim it outright.

“…I’ll follow your advice. I’ll keep you informed as things progress. For now, return to the lodging. I’ve prepared a large inn so the victims can stay as well.”

“Yes. Please take care of yourself, Your Excellency.”

Heinrich nodded and tugged the reins of a nearby deer.

Nadia, who had never ridden one, froze in hesitation.

One of the young men noticed and started forward to help—but his eyes suddenly widened and he stumbled back.

A low voice came from right behind her.

“My lady, forgive me.”

Heinrich gently wrapped an arm around Nadia’s shoulders and lifted her up in one effortless motion.

In an instant, she was atop the deer’s back. Reflexively, she clutched his arm and shoulder.

Beneath her fingers, she felt the solid bulk of his muscles.

The child groom she had always thought of as just a boy… while she slept, he had grown into a strong man.

She had known this in her head, but feeling it beneath her skin sent shivers down her spine.

Unaware of her thoughts, Heinrich calmly instructed her:

“Lower your legs slowly. Hold the reins with your hands.”

“Ah, um… y-yes.”

Struggling to hide her fluster, Nadia pressed close to the deer’s neck.

Fortunately, Vivian climbed up behind her at once, and Heinrich’s arm withdrew.

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

She belatedly offered her thanks, and Heinrich gave a slight nod.

With the last group of victims, Vivian guided the deer forward. The cave where they had just been quickly receded behind them.

As she handled the reins with practiced ease, Vivian asked anxiously:

“My lady, you must be shaken. Your body’s stiff as a board. The road is rough—what if your legs bruise?”

“I—I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

Uncharacteristically, Nadia shook her head firmly. Each time she did, the cold northern wind lashed her cheeks.

Her face stung, yet she felt relief.

The heat spreading from her nose to her ears could be mistaken for nothing more than the windburn.

Heinrich imprisoned the baron’s heir and the other criminals in the dungeon beneath the Crimson Count’s estate.

He immediately summoned the Crimson Count, still in the capital, back to the territory to assist in the investigation.

In the meantime, Heinrich and Nadia busied themselves—sending victims home, interrogating the criminals.

The baron’s heir, greedy but utterly without loyalty, confessed readily. He said the Crimson Count had ordered all of this, and had granted him passage north without authorization.

But whenever asked about cores or black magic, his lips sealed tight.

He was afraid of something.

Even under threat of death, he only wept and stayed silent.

What could be more frightening than death? Is the Crimson Count truly so terrifying?

Then, one day, a letter arrived for Nadia.

The sender was unnamed, the handwriting neat, the message brief:

Forgive me for all the trouble. Such a thing will never happen again.

As soon as she finished reading, the edges of the paper blackened and burned. Startled, she tried to shake it out, but the fire wouldn’t stop.

She could only watch helplessly as the ashes scattered across the floor.

Just then, Vivian burst into her room, breathless.

“My lady! My lady, terrible news! The Crimson Count—he’s dead!”