Chapter Sixty-One: Jera's Choice

While Andy was still tidying up his personal belongings in the small courtyard, Bill had already slipped quietly away from his home.

He had originally planned to stay another night, then find an opportunity to confess to Gerald and Andy about his joining the Knights of the Divine Wind. Yet, today, Andy had barely stepped out when the Grand Knight Allen came to see Bill. Allen appeared somewhat anxious, but as he was about to speak, Bill’s gaze stopped him.

Allen stood awkwardly, glancing at Gerald and Bill inside the house. Gerald, seeing this scene, let out a gentle laugh and said she had some errands to run, then returned to her room. Soon after, she left Bill’s house carrying a small bundle.

With Gerald gone, Bill breathed a long sigh of relief, then turned to the oddly expressionless Allen to ask why he had come.

Allen explained the situation, and Bill’s heart became tangled once more.

The Knights of the Divine Wind were about to set out for the frontline at Silverwing Fortress. Commander Barton had initially planned to rest for a few more days in Dallas City, as there were still matters of supplies and courting the local nobility left unfinished. Thus, when Barton granted Bill a holiday, he had done so readily.

But now, sudden upheaval had struck the front lines.

Prince Will, sent by the king to supervise the army, had been assassinated!

Since Marshal Vaughn and Prince Will had long been at odds, most people instinctively suspected the marshal’s involvement in the assassination. The morale at the front had subtly begun to waver, especially among the troops loyal to the capital’s noble factions, some of whom had started openly defying orders.

Although Marshal Vaughn repeatedly declared it was all a plot by the Duchy of Sain and produced relevant evidence, a considerable number of people refused to believe it; after all, evidence can be fabricated.

What happened next placed Marshal Vaughn in an even more precarious position: somehow, the Duchy of Sain had obtained information and sent spies into Silverwing Fortress to spread rumors. Most frightening of all, they possessed proof that Vaughn had forged the evidence!

After this, Marshal Vaughn fell silent, ceasing all defense of himself and focusing solely on stabilizing the troops, awaiting the capital’s response.

Consequently, the noble factions from the capital grew even more riotous, believing the marshal had tacitly admitted guilt.

They were now actively communicating with the capital, waiting for the court to set the tone. Once that happened, they would jointly impeach Marshal Vaughn, even force him to return to the capital for trial.

They believed that with the ironclad evidence, there could be no other outcome—surely the royal family and the capital’s nobles would condemn Vaughn. Some had already begun lobbying for the next marshal.

Commander Barton understood the marshal urgently needed support, so he decided to lead the Knights of the Divine Wind back to the front as soon as possible. Knowing Marshal Vaughn, Barton was certain the man would never do something so destabilizing with war imminent. Vaughn’s silence, Barton suspected, was born of necessity.

Thus, Barton left Grand Knight Allen behind to handle affairs in Dallas City, and prepared to take the Knights of the Divine Wind to the front. Since they were leaving, it was only right to bring along their promising new recruit—Bill Armstrong.

Commander Barton now valued Bill even more than Grand Knight Allen, for Allen was unlikely to remain with the Knights much longer, whereas Bill showed hope of becoming a loyal protégé.

So, Grand Knight Allen was sent to inform Bill.

After Allen departed, Bill pondered for a long time before ultimately deciding not to say farewell to Gerald face-to-face—he would leave quietly, alone. As for Andy and Catherine, who hadn’t yet returned from packing, Bill had no intention of seeing them either.

Though he felt a surge of impulse to ask Gerald if she would go with him, seeing her grow ever more beautiful and brilliant as her bloodline awakened, hearing her avid questions about arcane knowledge, Bill resolved not to hinder her future.

He recalled Diga once mentioning that as Gerald’s blind seer bloodline awakened, her talent for mental power would only grow. Surely, she would find a better stage at Grimoire Academy in the capital.

Bill entered Gerald’s room, placed a thick letter on her desk, and left. In his daze, he failed to notice there was already a letter on the table.

Along the highway between Dallas City and Silverwing Fortress, there stood a small tavern.

The tavern offered travelers a place to rest, food and drink, and lodging. Usually, owners brave enough to open such establishments in the wild possessed considerable strength or backing.

Most patrons were mercenaries and adventurers.

Burly Cook was among the adventurers. Now, he was drinking and bragging with his companions, occasionally casting glances at a beautiful young woman seated at another table.

His companions noticed his distraction and began to tease him. Half-drunk, Cook, unable to withstand their jeers, stood and staggered toward the girl.

“Hey, miss!”

As soon as Cook spoke, the girl pointed at him, and the greasy, stained shirt he wore magically became spotless.

“Cleanse,”

The girl, having finished her spell, adjusted her glasses and looked up at Cook, asking, “What is it?” It was Gerald.

“N-nothing…” Cook stammered, sobering up considerably, and slunk back to his seat.

His companions fell silent. This was sorcery—even a sorcerer’s apprentice was not someone they could afford to offend. Who knew if she had a mentor, senior brothers or sisters, junior siblings?

At that moment, a short, gaunt youth at a nearby table spoke up, “It’s really not safe for a novice sorcerer to travel alone in the wild. Even if you have important business, you should hire someone to protect you.”

The youth was diminutive, all skin and bone, with a sickly pallor. His speech was slow and halting, as if he might expire at any moment.

Gerald turned to look at him, and after a brief gaze, she laughed softly.

“It’s fine. I’m just waiting here for a fool…”

Suddenly, Gerald looked up and said, “He’s here!”

She pulled a makeup case from her bundle, touched up her face in the small mirror, settled her bill with the tavern owner, and walked out with unhurried steps.

The skinny youth watched her go, utterly bewildered.

But soon, his ears twitched, and his face changed abruptly.

From afar, the thunder of hooves echoed…