Under the Oak Tree

261 Chapter The onlookers erupted into thunderous applause. The bard bowed, a pleased grin lighting his face.

As Maxi breathed a sigh of relief, she heard Ulyseon grumble, “The lyrics are subpar. It is clear the composer did not know—”

Maxi stomped on his foot with all her strength. She met his baffled look with a glower, warning him not to say another word. ????n????????ea????. ????????????

Blinking in confusion, he asked, “Are you unwell, my lady? Was there something wrong with the food?”

Kuahel Leon, who had been silently resting his head against the wall with his eyes closed, chose that moment to speak.

“I suggest you all get some rest now.”

Maxi felt her cheeks burn when the knight’s stony gaze briefly met hers. She would have been less mortified had he teased or laughed at her like the mages. But, as always, the Temple Knight’s face was almost spitefully indifferent. Opening a leather pouch, Kuahel tossed the bard a coin before rising from his seat.

“For entertaining my companions.”

“Thank you, sir!”

As if their objective had been payment all along, the bard got up immediately. He went upstairs with his troupe, coin clutched in hand. Maxi had been waiting for a chance to flee. She shot to her feet at the opportunity.

“I-I shall excuse myself as well. I’m feeling rather tired.”

With that, she hurried up the stairs, Anette following closely behind. When Maxi turned warily to look at her, Anette slapped on an innocent expression.

“There are only nine rooms, so you and I will have to share. Sidina and Miriam will take another.”

“I-I was hoping to share with Sidina.”

Maxi dropped her gaze past the banisters, where Sidina was as drunk as a fiddler. She debated whether to haul the inebriated girl to bed or to endure the teasing of the mischievous Umri mage. While she was tossing up which option would be worse, Anette hustled her up the remaining stairs.

“Now, now, off to bed we go. I really must get some sleep.”

“…”

“On another note, I had no idea the Giant of Nome Hall was such an extraordinary mage. No, wait. Should we call you the flame-haired angel from now?”

Maxi clutched her forehead. No doubt the song would be fodder for Anette’s teasing for at least a month. She heaved a sigh at the thought.

***

The expeditionary party’s journey continued smoothly, so much so that Maxi questioned if monsters really were growing in number. They reached the old capital of the Roem Empire earlier than expected. The bard had been right about the banquet; long queues wound from the city gates, and merchants crowded the streets.

Maxi took in the sights and sounds as they passed through. Balbourne was a majestic city, an ostentatious vestige of the old empire that had once ruled over the entire Roviden Continent. Feeling as though she had entered a legendary land, her eyes roamed over the clean road and towering buildings. Though every structure was remarkably sophisticated in design, none came close to the basilica, which stood at the heart of the city.

They passed through an arched entrance and onto an immaculate, shrub-lined road. The sight of the grand basilica at the end left Maxi awestruck. It stood nearly twice as large as Drachium Castle. Over a thousand stained glass windows adorned its imposing stone walls, contrasting with its impeccably white pillars and brilliant blue-tiled roof.

Maxi gazed up at the church that Darian the Monarch, the first emperor of the Western Continent, had dedicated to God. The Basilica of Osiriya possessed an ethereal beauty different from the Mage Tower. As she was marveling at its design, clerics in black habits filed out to welcome them.

“What a great journey you have made. His Holiness has been eagerly awaiting your arrival for days.”

“Father Lugias. It has been a long time.”

Kuahel Leon dismounted and bent to one knee before the slight, elderly cleric. Maxi’s eyes widened when he reverently kissed the cleric’s wrinkled hand. Since paladins were knights as well as high-ranking clergymen, the elderly cleric was at least a high priest for the commander of the Temple Knights to show such reverence.

“I am sure coming here was no easy feat,” Father Lugias said, turning to the mages with a benevolent smile. “Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Lugias Talleman, a servant of our divine master.”

Prodded on by Anton, Calto Serbel dismounted from his horse and replied in a curt but civil tone, “Thank you for your welcome. I am Calto Serbel, leader of this expedition, and these are the mages under my command.”

The cleric studied each of their faces and nodded. “I thank you all for coming. His Holiness has been looking forward to meeting you as well.”

Maxi glanced back and forth between their leader and the high priest with keen interest. It appeared that the Mage Tower and the church had come to some sort of agreement before they had formally joined forces for this expedition. Though she was not privy to the details, she could hazard a guess that they must have reached an understanding. It was the only explanation for being able to work together after years of animosity.

By joining the expedition, the mages would not only protect their reputation, but they would also get information on the dark mages. What did the church stand to gain from this partnership? Maxi was mulling this over when Kuahel spoke in his usual dry tone.

“I heard His Eminence, Father Garis, is holding a banquet. Does he have His Holiness’s approval?”

Maxi saw grim concern flash across the elderly cleric’s face. His reaction seemed to suggest Father Garis was a source of headache for the church.

“The Orthodox Church greatly opposed this expedition,” Father Lugias said with a sigh. “As such, concessions had to be made to placate them.”

“That may cause problems in the future.”

“It cannot be helped,” the cleric said resolutely before turning to the mages with an apologetic smile. “Dear me… I have kept our guests standing in the cold. Please allow the clerics to take your horses and follow me. I shall show you to your rooms.”

“We shall alert His Holiness of our arrival.”

Without a second glance at their traveling companions, the Temple Knights entered the basilica. Maxi watched them leave before following the high priest. He led them through the chapel to the right and into a large building that appeared to be a school for novitiates. The spacious arcade, connected to a vast garden, was full of noblemen and darkly-robed clerics.

Maxi’s eyes widened in surprise. Though she had known that the best university in the continent was located in the basilica in Balbourne, she had not expected it to be of this magnitude.

“The University of Osiriya teaches theology and a variety of other fields,” said one of the young clerics, his voice full of pride. “Not only to hierarchs and Temple Knights capable of divine magic, but also to the scions of the Seven Kingdoms’ noble houses. Commoners may also study here if they so wish. A true repository of knowledge.”

There was a subtle stiffening of movement around him, and Maxi nervously studied the faces of the senior mages. Calto shot them a warning look before they could speak. Starting many days prior to their arrival, the elder had ceaselessly reminded them to guard their tongues. But, of course, one could not expect the mages of the Mage Tower to submissively follow orders.

“A school where anyone can learn?” Albern muttered cynically. He was a senior mage of Kabala. “How astonishing. Do you accept mages too?”

Their guides’ faces darkened, and one of them coldly regarded Albern. “If they wish to study here, they may indeed. God’s teachings are open to all.”

“Seems we won’t be bored during our stay,” Anette said lightly.

Maxi jabbed the girl in her side. Though their displeasure was clear, the clerics pretended not to hear and continued walking. The atmosphere remained chilly even as the mages were shown to their rooms. Maxi opened the door to her assigned chamber, thoroughly spent. She had just trudged over to the bed when Ulyseon spoke.

“My lady,” he said, hovering by the doorframe. “I must leave you for a while to send word to Anatol. Do you think you will be all right on your own?”

“Ulyseon… I am not a child who needs a guardian. Besides, what could possibly happen to me inside the basilica?”

In a rare display of doubt, Ulyseon gave her a skeptical look. “But you seem to get yourself into trouble the moment I take my eyes off you, my lady. I specifically requested the room next to yours so I could be near at all times, but I was told men and women are not permitted to stay in the same building. I will likely be in the knights’ quarters. I beg you, my lady, please be careful.”

“Y-You seem to keep forgetting, Ulyseon… that I am five years your senior!” Maxi exclaimed incredulously.

Ulyseon shook his head. “This has nothing to do with age, my lady. I am here to protect you in Sir Riftan’s stead.”

With a smug look, the young knight turned to leave.

“Try not to be alone if you can help it, my lady. Stay with the other mages once you’ve changed. I will be right back after meeting our informant.”

All Maxi could do in response was silently open and close her mouth as she watched him go. She had initially thought only his outer appearance had changed, that he was still the same seventeen-year-old boy from years ago. Nowadays, she found herself occasionally rendered speechless by his arrogance.

She closed the door with a sigh. If the Remdragon Knights insisted on treating her like a child, she would have a difficult time functioning as a mage even after her return to Anatol. Feeling deflated, she threw her bag aside and started massaging her calves and thighs, which were stiff from a full day’s ride.

...

Shortly after, the female clerics brought her a hot kettle and burning brazier. Maxi removed her dirty robe and heavy armor and wiped herself with a wet towel. Though she tried to groom whenever she could, maintaining a neat appearance while traveling was next to impossible.

She furiously scrubbed herself clean, shivering from the cold, and washed her hair as best as she could with the remaining water. Looking presentable was the least she could do if they were to have an audience with the pope. After changing into the cleanest clothes she could find, she carefully combed her hair. A knock came at the door just as she was finishing.

Maxi hastily pulled on a robe and cracked the door open. Standing in the corridor was a woman with an impish face, tanned skin, and short, boyish hair. She did not immediately recognize her. As she tried to place the vaguely familiar features, the woman, who appeared equally as stunned at first, smiled brightly.

“I doubted my ears when I heard you were at the basilica,” she said, grabbing Maxi’s hand and hopping in excitement. “Yet, here you here! I can hardly believe it! To think we would meet here… What an amazing coincidence!”

Maxi’s eyes widened.

“I-Idsilla? Is that you?”