Chapter 69.1
Regardless of what people said, Erna rode the fastest horse from the Grand Castle to Ilgees Forest as she led wizards, believing the demons would be taken care of quickly as the most powerful wizards and the strongest knights would be hand in hand. The next day, however, there was a shocking rumor circulating in the Grand Castle.
The grand duke and the grand duchess were missing. They were presumed to have been caught up in the passageway of an ancient ruin, and currently, the passageway of the ruin had disappeared.
How could they have gone missing at the same time? How could the passage have disappeared with them inside the ancient ruin?
Those who were well-aware the features of the ruin stood motionless upon hearing the news. Among them was Council Chairman Vanessa, whose face was blanched.
All of the remaining wizards, to Ilgees Forest! Council troops too. Lets go! To find the hidden passage around us, ordered Vanessa urgently. She, and a force equivalent to that of most of the people in the Grand Castle, headed to Ilgees Forest.
Normally, this was something that should never happen. Because whatever the situation, it was a principle to leave a minimum number of troops to protect the Grand Castle.
However, Vanessa was adamant to bring with her as many as she could. A few council members had cautiously asked her if she was taking it too far, but they had no choice but to turn around when she left only the words of hope that Erna and Kalion would return safely.
Seeing Vanessa unable to fall asleep as he waited for the news with an anxious face in the council room, her secretary said, I hope at least one of them survives.
The secretary recalled Hessenguard when the grand dukes position was officially vacant. The demons were constantly invading the two kingdoms. It was a period of confusion as to whether the empire would disappear with too many monsters.
The secretary unknowingly quivered in fear, wondering if that time had come again, when she heard Vanessas mumbling.
No, this cannot happen twice
She was about to inquire on the meaning of her words when she heard hurried footsteps along the hallway.
I have a message from assistant Orp. She said she is looking for the two of you. She is on her way to the Grand Castle now, and Madam Erna has blacked out, so she is asking to send knights
Prepare them now!
Without delay, Vanessa bolted out of the meeting room.
The maids gathered in Ernas room and prepared the necessities to tend to their master, and all the doctors of the Grand Castle nervously anticipated the arrival of the royal couple.
The delegates of Haband had complained that the knight which took care of Marquis Canavan hadnt returned, but the people of the Grand Castle merely answered half-heartedly, saying they would look into the matter, but never even bothered sending a doctor to the marquis.
After a few hours of anxious waiting, a trumpet sounded at the Grand Castles gate.
The royal couple was returning.
As soon as the door opened, one horse bolted inside like crazy. The people knew that was a sign of Kalion riding on his horse.
Lord Kalion.
When he arrived in front of the main building, Vanessa and the other council members greeted him.
Kalion disembarked from his horse, his appearance very disorderly. He normally would walk around in a neat robe even after training with the knights. He was never jittery aside from when he ran into Erna.
Now, however, Kalions clothes were stained with sweat, and dust covered his hair which had been disheveled by the gusts of wind. Even his face was pale from having not eaten or slept properly, but his bloodshot eyes were frightening still.
When the people who greeted Kalion became bewildered and didnt know what to do, he yelled out, Doctor!
Kalion would be the one to greet them briefly first, but he simply ignored the audience before him as he hastily scanned his surroundings for a doctor.
In Madam Ernas room!
When Vanessa, who immediately followed him, shouted an order, Kalion immediately ran upstairs. As soon as he entered Ernas room, the maids took her over from his arms and laid her on the bed. The doctors immediately examined her.
Kalion asked the oldest woman among the doctors, Why is she sick? Is it a disease?
The doctor lightly clicked her tongue and said to him, From now on, I must examine her to know the cause. So please step out, Lord Kalion.
What?
Do you think yelling and screaming are good for a patient? Also, if you remain dirty like this, Sir, you too will catch something. Apparently, you also need treatment and some rest. So I hope you get some rest after you leave here and wash up.
What does that!
While Kalion stood frozen, dumbfounded, Orp and Cedric, whod followed him, came into the room panting.
The doctor gestured to them as she said, Please assist Lord Kalion so he can get some rest.
In short, take him and leave. The quick-witted Cedric and Orp understood what shed said. Cedric grabbed Kalions back and pulled him away.
My Lord! You must wash up first, Sir.
I cant leave her alone!
Cedric usually bolted away at Kalions blow, but with Kalion being fatigued he wasnt as strong as he usually was. On top of that, from the moment Erna was handed over to the people, his tension had eased and he had no more strength in him.
When not only Cedric but even the rest of the knights whod followed him rushed in and grabbed Kalions arms and legs and left, Ernas room became quiet.
The maids hurriedly took off Ernas clothes and wiped her face with a clean towel. Even then, there were still reddish marks left on her body.
Pretending not to see them, the doctors, maids, and even Orp fake coughed as they dressed her in clean clothes then scanned her body. Orp looked at Ernas body on the bed with a worried face. Then, there was something she suddenly thought of.
Excuse me, this is a mere guess, but..