Under the Oak Tree - Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Translator – LN

Proofreader – Nymeria

The next day, Agnes and her men began to prepare for their journey back to the Palace. With Rodrigo’s help, Max reviewed the packing list while coordinating the servants to prepare for their guests’ departure.

The original plan was to consult with Riftan to provide a gift to the King, but the monster bones and skin took up most of the available space in the horse-drawn carriages. Besides, between Agnes’ spoils from the monster raids and the purchases she had made in town, the servants could only fit four tapestries and six ruby-encrusted wine glasses in miscellaneous places.

Max asked Rodrigo.

Max continued to scan the packing list as Rodrigo briefed her. He watched her quietly for a moment before saying nervously.

Max gave him a sour smile. Riftan’s overprotective personality seemed to have spread amongst the servants. It was now a recurring theme for someone to ask her to rest whenever she was engaged.

She moved her thin body, watching the skirt of her pale, green dress swish faintly. Did she look sickly? She knew she didn’t look particularly strong, but she wouldn’t break from standing either. Max raised her head and said assuredly.

, Max said wryly, unperturbed by the butler’s words. She turned to focus on the servants scurried around the castle. She wanted to help the busy staff and didn’t want to be treated like a weak, old man. She strode down the corridor with a nonchalant expression to look professional.

Agnes and her knights were inspecting their weapons, magic artifacts, and other equipment near the Great Hall. A knight had told Max that crossing the Anatolian Mountains in itself was already a dangerous journey, so they had to prepare for monster ambushes. The knights dressed their horses with protective armor and installed sharp blades on the flat roofs of the carriages to prevent monsters from roosting there. Finally, the knights began to check their personal armor for defects. Even the attendants were lightly armed with swords and leather armor. Instead of going home, the party looked like they were going to war.

Agnes waved at her happily.

.

Agnes viewed Max’s packing list and nodded in approval. “Looks accurate.”

, Agnes said.

Max wrote down the quantities before handing off the list to Rodrigo. The princess watched the transaction with a sad smile.

She sighed, motioning to a messenger hawk resting on one of the carriages.

Max’s eyes widened.

, Agnes rubbed her forehead.

Max’s heart fell. She remembered the Knights of Croix often leaving the estate for one of her father’s campaigns. Knights seemed to spend most of their lives on the battlefield.

Max said deeply, trying to hide her dejection.

, Agnes said with her usual, cheerful attitude, checking that the goods were secured tightly on her saddle. Max hid her face, trying to review the packing list again, but her eyes were too blurred with tears to read the words properly. She bit her lip to hide her disappointment.

Max rose her head.

Agnes tilted her head, surprised at her response.

.

, Agnes said, frowning. She seemed to have expected a more enthusiastic response from Max.

Agnes seemed so convinced about Max’s potential that even she almost began to wonder if she did have some innate talent. The princess lowered her voice to encourage Max,

Max stared blankly at Agnes’ blue eyes, at a loss for words. She had lived almost twenty-two years being called a stammering fool by her father. Since she had arrived to Anatol, she pretended to act like a distinguished noblewoman, and was often discouraged about her poor performance. Yet now, a powerful wizard like Agnes who had traveled across the entire continent said that Max had a gift. She looked at the princess nervously, trying to see if she truly meant what she had said. Agnes’ expression was tender, but her eyes were firm. She seemed sincere.

Max swallowed before saying,

, Agnes smiled, trying to motivate her, then she lightly tapped on her shoulder before checking on her knights.

You can do it. Those simple words seemed to produce a ripple in Max’s mind, as if sprouting a new idea that she could control her future.

***

An extravagant dinner was set in the dining hall as an informal farewell party for the guests. It was a bit too simple to call it a feast, but the guests enjoyed their meal without complaint. Every Remdragon Knight was present to wish Agnes’ and her men good luck on their journey. After a short farewell ceremony, the knights lined themselves outside the castle.

Agnes leapt onto her red-brown horse without delay, wanting to camp at the foot of the mountains before sundown.

, Agnes smiled at Max. She was thanking her host as etiquette demanded, as expected from a princess.

.

. The princess looked over shoulder, making sure her party was ready to leave. Three stocked carriages and her attendants were behind her, her knights to her left and right were all staring at her, ready for the command to depart. Six additional Remdragon Knights had temporarily joined Agnes’ party. They had been ordered by Riftan to escort Agnes’ safely out of Anatol. .

Hebaron, who was part of her entourage, gave a huge grin while scratching his back.

, Agnes said.

Riftan, standing in the front row with his arms crossed over his chest, muttered cynically under his breath and Agnes laughed as if Riftan’s suspicions were ridiculous.

, Riftan warned.

Agnes repeated him, bewildered.

Note – : Agnes leaving 🙁 I’ll miss this typhoon, I love seeing how she gives courage and boosts Maxi’s confidence.