Mission - I

"So, tell me more about Count Franke."

That was Clay's attempt to break the silence in the lavish carriage. The view outside blurred past as the wheels rolled along the dirt road, the orange sky casting long shadows over the trees.

Cedric pecked his wing on Clay's lap, preening loose feathers with focus. Across him sat a young butler who had introduced himself as Johnsen, his posture straight and composed. Beside Johnsen, Tobias dozed, his head tilted slightly back, his mouth barely hanging open with drool. His messy hair and worn-out attire did not help—he looked like a stray dog.

'I need to gather as much intel as possible.'

"Oh, curious about His Lordship, aren't you?" Johnsen's voice was smooth and refined yet surprisingly approachable. "Well, Count Franke oversees all the mana-crystal mines of Eredir, hence his title as the Energy Minister. He frequently hires adventurers like yourselves for escort, rescue, and transport missions."

Hearing that gave Clay some ideas.

Eredi sat at a higher altitude than other nations, making crystal mining dangerous and inefficient as pure mana generally condenses deeper within the continent. In contrast, the Rostov Empire—Clay's homeland—stood lower. Its rich mana reservoirs made it the continent's largest exporter of mana-crystal. The long-standing conflict between the two nations made it unsurprising that Eredir's Royal Family needed a risky alternative—building their own mines.

Johnsen noticed Clay's contemplative silence.

"You seem like a thinker—quite the opposite of Mr. Fitzroy." He subtly gestured to the sleeping Tobias mid-speech. "His Lordship sponsored this big guy a season ago after he saved the Count's crystal miners on a rockslide incident in the west mines. Mr. Fitzroy is... rather rough around the edges but somewhat reliable."

Clay glanced at Tobias, who let out a snore.

"Well, if you're worried about the meeting, rest assured. The Count is a charitable man. If Tobias vouches for your abilities, he won't hesitate to extend his trust." The young butler paused, giving a short smile. "Lady Lillian—your party's mage—will be pleased to meet you, too. Unfortunately, the party's last member quit yesterday. So it's just you, Tobias, and Lady Lillian." He continued in a whisper as if talking to himself. "Well, the situation in the mines is hectic and..."

The carriage rolled by Count Franke's manor, a grand estate between fields and a sprawling garden adorned with mana-lit lanterns. The intricate iron gates stood at the entrance, their design displaying the noble crest of House Franke—a pair of crossed mining hammers.

With a faint creak, the gates swung open, and the carriage crossed before halting smoothly. Johnsen stepped first, holding the carriage door open as Clay followed. Tobias groggily shuffled after them, rubbing his eyes with a yawn.

"This way," said Johnsen, leading them through the vast courtyard and up the stone steps to the entrance. The double doors opened, revealing a grand interior of polished marble, velvet carpets, and golden chandeliers infused with mana lights that made Cedric on Clay's shoulder gaze around the scene.

Johnsen soon guided them into a richly furnished office. The scent of parchment and ink filled the space, and a wooden desk stood at the center stacked with papers and reports neatly arranged.

Behind the desk sat Count Franke, a tall, slender man with neatly combed yellow hair and a tiny mustache. Dressed in a navy blue noble's coat, he exuded an air of elite as he inspected a document—a mine report from the east—courtesy of Clay's sharp eyes.

To the side, sprawled cross a luxurious coach, a young woman slumbered, one leg dangling over the edge. Her long yellow hair cascaded over the armrest, and her half-open ornate book rested against her chest.

Clay frowned at reading the title.

The Unfathomable Secrets of the Evernight Princess: A Saga of Celestial Prophecy and Forbidden Revelation

'Yeah, no.'

Johnsen cleared his throat. "My Lord, Mr. Fitzroy has arrived."

Count Franke acknowledged them with a nod before turning slightly in his chair. He let out an intentional cough—one, then another.

The young woman stirred.

"Eh?" With a sharp inhale, she jolted upright, quickly fixing her posture to appear graceful as if she had never been asleep in the first place. "Ah—yes! Father, I did but take a short slumber! I was merely… engrossed in my studies, pondering the unfathomable mysteries of the arcane." She flourished a hand dramatically while closing her book. "Verily, that is so."

The Count sighed. "Mr. Fitzroy, is he the one?"

Tobias, entirely unfazed, flopped onto the couch. "Yeah, old man."

Clay blinked.

'Did he just call the Count... an old man?'

Lillian shot Tobias a venomous glare, scooting away as if nearness against the swordsman might tarnish her dignity. "Mind thy distance, cur! You are in the presence of Princess Lillian Celestia Franke, the resplendent beacon of this esteemed abode and the guiding light of our future endeavors!"

'...'

'So...'

'The Count's daughter is the party's mage?'

Tobias exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, yeah, whatever, princess."

Lillian gasped. "You dare to address me in such a manner?!"

Johnsen, carefully neutral, refilled the Count's tea.

Count Franke rubbed his temple while Clay watched the exchange in silence. Cedric, who perched stiffly on Clay's shoulder, tilted his head as he let a confused hoot.