36: A Farewell
When the party was at its peak, Lockheed, the centaur warrior, stands on the clearing a bit further away from the bonfire. He waved his hands at Darius, beckoning him to come.
Darius jogged toward the centaur whose back and sides were latches with leather bags various provisions and necessities for a very long journey.
On the other hand, Maria was also fully kitted from head to toe, she dressed like a travelling young man, she even cut her hair very short, just above her jawlines, and dyed it black to cover her identity as a woman, and more importantly, as a Roseflame.
"Maria, your hair…" Darius caressed the hair on her cheek with one hand.
"It will grow back eventually, don't worry." She smiles back at him.
"Right… If you don't mind then so be it. You are still as beautiful, though. In fact, it's kinda suit you better for some reason."
Darius put his forehead against hers, kissing her soft and dainty lips gently.
"Darius…" Maria's eyes went droopy, filled with an urge to kiss him deeper.
However, before they went too far, Mathilda chimed in right when they were about to go for a more infatuated kiss. "Gosh… Get a room, both of you. Or perhaps, should we postpone the departure until you sated this brat's libido?" She pointed at Darius' crotch.
The young couple parted away in a flash, they stood like statues with a red beet face respectively.
"It-It won't be necessary. Besides, we promised to do 'it' after we are officially married." Maria says in a such adorable stutter.
Darius rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.
"Oh, dear… You two looks so cute together, fufu." Mathilda giggles gingerly.
Waving her sleeve, she takes out a peculiar sigil from her Storage Ring and gave it to Maria. Lockheed frowned his lush eyebrows upon recognizing the sigil. It's Vrabia Empire's Imperial Academy Sigil which could only be possessed by an individual who has the highest authority within the Imperial Academy.
"My Lady, is this really okay?"
"It's perfectly fine. My golem will recognize the sigil. Also, I've sent her a mental message that my cute Acolyte will enroll herself in the academy one year for now."
Maria tilted her head, "Your golem?"
"Erm, you'll immediately know once you meet with her, I have no leeway to fill you with everything. Lockheed, I trust you to bring Maria straight to the academy without fails."
"Certainly, milady. I will protect her with my life."
"Good." Mathilda turn to Maria. "Lockheed will teach everything that you need to know to become a mage, he might not look like it, but he's an Earth Elemental expert. With your talents and unparalleled will, you should be able to reach Rank 1 Mage by the time you arrived at the Imperial Academy."
Maria nodded amicably as Mathilda put the sigil in her hand. She grip it firmly as if her whole life depends on it.
Afterward, Maria climbed onto Lockheed's sturdy back. There's no need for elaborated goodbye between Darius and Maria, after Darius and Maria exchanged a smile, Lockheed galloped toward the darkness of the night.
"See you again in two years." Darius murmured under his breath.
He feels a tad heavy around his chest, but he knew it's need to be done to ensure Maria's safety. Although their parents wished them to live an ordinary life, they couldn't avoid their fate entirely. They must face it whether they like it or not.
"That was quicker than I thought." Mathilda chimed. "Are you sure to send her off just like that?"
"Yes." Darius replied, curtly.
Mathilda noticed tears beading in the corner of his eyes as she glanced at him. She tapped his shoulders and smiled gently.
"Let's go. We still need to finalize our plan."
"Mathilda," Darius says. "Promise me that you will tell me everything about what happened to my parents and hers after we fend of the enemy."
Mathilda nodded. "I promise."
With that has been said, Mathilda flew to the sky, she hovered above the fortress. Her hands were busy drawing intricate patterns of magíc circles. Once the spell was completed, she activated the [Dome of Serenity]. A powerful Illusion Array that could conceal a vast area and make it unperceiveable even by a Rank 4 Mage.
The fortress was slowly cocooned in a massive dome. The villagers were gasped in awe as the bluish Illusion Array climbs up from soil and merged above their heads for hundreds of feet.
When the dome was completed, it tells the people that party was over. Every warrior went into their respective posts. The caravan members who has the experience in the battle also eager to show off their skills.
The elderly, women and children were being guided by the Snow Wolves toward the forest beyond the wall.
Afterward, Mathilda descents from the sky and landed on Darius's side. He immediately understands the reason why Mathilda deployed the Illusion Array.
"With the Illusion Array, it will conceal the fortress from the outside view. Henceforth, keeping the enemy oblivious of our capability and walk into the trap. Sigh, I should have more thoughtful. I only focus on defending the village."
Mathilda chuckles impishly, ruffling his hair. "I'll admit that you are very talented in magic. However, you still have a lot to learn, kid."
"Sigh… I am not a kid anymore!" Darius swat Mathilda's hand away.
"Haha! Rebellious phase, is it?"
Darius grumbled. He then opted to call his trusted villagers, which has been delegated by him to take care of various areas during the past week after he awakened his magic.
Mr. Barley, Fredrik, and Anderson trotted hastily, they might not have a battle prowess, but their bravery knows no limit.
Bjorn and Skallgard walked shoulder to shoulder towards Darius, each carrying their weapons of choice. Bjorn hauled a massive war axe on his back, his big and burly stature was so intimidating.
Meanwhile, a sizable war bow fit diagonally on Skallgard back. His sharp hawk-like eyes emits a faint glint of ferocity amidst the darkness.
Andhrimnir, the butcher, walks behind the two with a such terrifying killing intent. Two curved blades sheathed snuggly in the scabbards, dangling back and forth on his hips.
"I never thought that I will use these blades in the battle after such a long time." He quipped, bloodlust oozed out from his body.
"Like the good old time, huh?" Bjorn smirks slyly. He was looking forward to the enemies who would end up on the other end of Andhrimnir's blades.
Darius only knew little about their background and past. However, Darius was certain that they were not simple individuals.
Huggin and Muggin, swoop down from the sky. They then perched on Mathilda's shoulders.
"I saw the enemies! I saw the enemies!" The noisy raven announced aloud.
Muggin, meanwhile, quietly whispers in Mathilda's ears to relay the intels.
"Okay, according to my Ravens, the Baron's fleet will reach the shore by the first light. They are going to land on the beach with the dinghies."
"Good, stick to the plan and let them approach the village. We have the advantage, we know heir position, their numbers as well as their strength. Fredrik, Anderson, tell some of your men to standby at the galley, make it looks like that you all are checking our boat. Retreat immediately when they dropped their dinghies."
The master and apprentice duo nodded in unison and left. "Understood!"
"Good. Bjorn, Skallgard, Andhrimnir. You know what to do right?"
"Naturally."
"Great. I think that's everything. Dismissed."
"Yes sir!" They all answered in unison.
The enemies didn't attempt to attack at night; this let most of the impromptu soldiers get their precious night's rest albeit it's very short. The sun will rise in about two hours or so but Darius didn't feel tired in the slightest.
Mathilda descended from the sky and went to Darius' side. She noticed there's black, half circles below his eyes. "You should have some rest, Darius."
Darius exhaled a long sigh, he then sit in a meditating position. "No need to wake me up. I just need to relax my mind and muscle for two hours."
Mathilda shook her head, she still couldn't believe how tenacious Darius was. She then made Darius drink some Mana Potion to replenish and refresh his fatigue body which was very needed by him.
Before long, series of booming sounds resounded from the shore. Dozens of cannonballs flew high past the wall and obliterates the houses.
Fredrik and Anderson as well as the other carpenters did their job pretty well, convincing the invaders to land on the beach.
"I want to see this filthy village flatten to ground by midday and fetch me that red-haired bitch!"
Magic-empowered voice echoes from the battleship, a big and fat figure of a man stands haughtily atop the deck. Roars of the raunchy pirates reverberates in the air as they jumped into the dinghies.
On the other side of the map, Darius opened his eyes. His cultivation has been advanced!