Solskjaer's laboratory lay in the south, where his studies leaned heavily toward fire magic. The sweltering climate of the southern lands naturally brimmed with fire elements, far richer than elsewhere. To pursue fire magic in the icy wastes of the north would be, while not impossible, somewhat akin to inviting trouble.
Du Wei made his decision swiftly and acted without delay.
Solskjaer was promptly released from the dungeon. His mage's robe, along with his gear—a collection of bottled powders, magic crystals, and parchment scrolls inscribed with incantations—were all returned to him. Naturally, the robe was freshly tailored.
The castle's old butler was initially stunned that the young master had managed to recruit a mage as a follower. But when he learned Solskjaer was merely a first-level mage, his surprise faded. So that's how it is.
When Du Wei proposed a journey, the butler could hardly refuse. Just that morning, he had suggested the young master tour the family's holdings across their lands—a far more vivid experience than poring over dull ledgers in the castle. Preparations were made with haste: carriages, horses, and supplies were readied. Unlike the modest entourage that had accompanied Du Wei south from the capital, the butler ensured this expedition was far grander. After all, for the eldest son of the Rowling House to travel shabbily within their own domain would be a disgrace.
Marde, as ever, served as Du Wei's personal steward, now with ten castle servants under his command to tend to the young master's needs. From the castle's guard, two cavalry squads were assigned to protect him. Leading them was the guard's deputy captain, a true knight of considerable skill named Robert. This Robert was no mere titleholder—he bore the official badge of a fourth-level knight, certified by the Knight's Association.
One cavalry squad was Robert's own men, while the other consisted of the guards who had escorted Du Wei from the capital. Robert himself cut an imposing figure: broad-shouldered, barrel-chested, with a square jaw that spoke of unyielding resolve. His demeanor toward Du Wei was one of utmost respect, marking him as a straightforward warrior. Du Wei took an immediate liking to him.
Among the entourage was another knight—Rolynn, the first follower Du Wei had personally recruited to serve under him.
As they set out southward from the castle, Robert proved his worth. He meticulously arranged scouts to ride ahead and organized vigilant watches during stops. When Du Wei, on a whim, suggested camping under the stars one night, Robert offered no protest, merely nodding and setting about arranging night patrols with quiet efficiency.
A true soldier, Du Wei thought, noting Robert's disciplined bearing. The man had surely served in the imperial army. Many knights in the Rowling House, a family renowned for martial valor, shared such a background.
Compared to the old butler, whose scheming ways grated on Du Wei, this loyal and dutiful knight was far more to his liking.
Seven days.
For seven days, they traveled at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights. At last, they reached the southernmost town in Kurt Province. Beyond this point lay lands outside the Rowling House's domain.
Du Wei was thoroughly pleased with what he saw of the Rowling lands. The fertile Rowling Plain unfolded in vast fields and prosperous farms, where carefree farmers toiled under open skies. Even the occasional larger town they passed buzzed with contentment. As their caravan rolled by, bearing the Rowling banner, farmers by the roadside would doff their hats in respectful salute.
The Rowling House clearly held the people's hearts here.
Robert, too, saw through his young master's intentions. This was no inspection of family holdings—Du Wei was simply sightseeing, roaming the lands for pleasure. But for a thirteen-year-old boy, Robert found this unsurprising. Could one so young truly manage estates? His duty was clear: protect the young master and nothing more.
When they reached the southernmost edge of the Rowling lands, Du Wei unexpectedly declared his wish to continue south. Robert found the request odd but raised no objection. It was, after all, a journey for enjoyment, and if the young master wished to press on, so be it.
Besides, south of Kurt Province lay Lille Province, where the governor held the Rowling House in high esteem. The young master's travels there would surely be met with hospitality. There was little cause for concern.
Du Wei quickly grew fond of this obedient knight. Robert commanded respect among the cavalry, too. During camps, younger soldiers often sought his guidance in martial skills. Robert's prowess was evident—Du Wei watched him wield a massive broadsword with astonishing strength, fending off seven or eight sparring opponents with ease, none able to draw near.
Even Rolynn's burly squire, a warrior dubbed the Bull, held Robert in awe after the knight toppled him with a single-handed sword strike in a friendly bout. A fourth-level knight's strength was no small matter.
Intrigued, Du Wei's curiosity stirred. He asked Robert to teach him some martial techniques. Robert was taken aback—surely the son of the Rowling patriarch would train under the family's finest knights, not a mere cavalry captain like himself. Still, he agreed readily. His methods were standard imperial army techniques for cultivating battle aura, no guarded secret.
Yet, as Earl Raymond's old guard captain had once concluded, Robert soon confirmed: Du Wei lacked any talent for martial arts. His body, frail from childhood illness, was ill-suited for such pursuits.
Du Wei took the verdict in stride. He harbored no dreams of becoming a master warrior. Still, he reasoned, some exercise wouldn't hurt. If he couldn't be a fighter, at least he could strengthen his health. Under Robert's tutelage, he began learning basic techniques, mostly exercises to build stamina. This slowed their southward march even further.
On the ninth day, they arrived at a small city in the northeastern corner of Lille Province—Half Horn City, named for the crescent-shaped valley cradling it.
The city thrived as a hub along a bustling trade route, its streets alive with activity. To Du Wei's surprise, they even encountered a band of some twenty mercenaries escorting a merchant caravan, lodging at the same inn as his party.
Lille Province, under direct imperial rule rather than noble governance, had no high officials in a city this small. Du Wei preferred the freedom of an inn over dealing with local bureaucrats, so their arrival went unnoticed by the authorities.
At midday, as Du Wei's group dined in the inn's common hall, the merchants occupied the opposite side. Suddenly, the clatter of hooves rang out, followed by a commotion. The doors swung open, and three knights clad in the armor of the local garrison strode in.
Their leader, bearing a knight's medal on his chest—another fourth-level knight—wore the insignia of a senior officer. He marched toward the merchants and bellowed, "Hear me! I am Knight Spann, captain of Half Horn City's second cavalry squad! By the Empire's Local Defense Law, I hereby requisition your escorts! We face a shortage of men and require their aid for a mission in the Half Horn Valley. By imperial law, you cannot refuse!"
His voice carried authority, his stance unyielding. Glancing at the mercenaries, he continued, "I know you're sellswords. I'm drafting you for this task, and the imperial army will compensate you. You have half an hour to ready your gear and horses. Assemble at the inn's entrance then!"
The mercenaries grumbled but knew better than to defy imperial law. Payment softened the sting. The merchants, however, panicked at losing their hired guards. One, with a shrewd glint in his eye, sidled up to Spann, murmuring offers of leniency.
"No!" Spann cut him off. "I regret the delay to your journey, but I assure you, it won't be long. By tomorrow, your escorts will return. You may stay an extra day here, and the army will cover your lodging. Say no more—this is a military matter, and I won't be swayed. Keep your coins; bribing an officer is a grave offense!"
Dismissing the merchant, Spann turned toward Du Wei's group, intending to issue the same order. But as he approached, he faltered. Du Wei's attire, and that of his entourage, spoke of wealth. More telling was Robert, standing tall behind him, clad in armor unlike the imperial standard—noble heraldry, unmistakably private.
Drafting a noble's private guard was far beyond a mere captain's authority.
Spann hesitated, his urgency warring with caution. The mission was pressing, his men too few. Steeling himself, he stepped forward, bowed as a knight should, and began, "Honored sir, I—"
His words caught. His eyes landed on the badges pinned to the light armor of Du Wei's guards: the unmistakable crest of the Rowling House.
Spann's heart sank. The Rowling House? Here in Half Horn City, unannounced? To requisition their men was unthinkable—folly that could cost him dearly.
"Please, continue, Knight," Du Wei said lightly, raising his mug for a sip. The local ale, faintly sweet like rice wine from his past life, pleased him.
"Forgive my presumption, sir," Spann said, his tone now deferential, his posture slightly bowed. "Might I ask… are you of the esteemed Rowling House?"
"Indeed, we hail from the Rowling Plain," Robert answered, stepping forward, his towering frame looming half a head over Spann. "This is my master, Du Wei, eldest son of Earl Raymond of the Rowling House."
Spann bowed again, deeper this time. The son of Earl Raymond held a status equal to a provincial governor.
"What troubles you, Knight?" Du Wei asked with a smile.
Spann weighed his words before speaking. "I've received urgent orders requiring some hundred men. But with spring maneuvers underway, most of our garrison is two hundred miles south. I have fewer than twenty left. By imperial law, I must conscript local warriors to serve temporarily."
Du Wei nodded. "So, you meant to draft my guards as well?"
"No, no, I wouldn't dare!" Spann blanched. He had entertained the thought, but knowing Du Wei's identity now, the notion was absurd. Earl Raymond was the empire's second-highest military commander. If harm befell his son due to a lack of guards, Spann's life wouldn't suffice to atone.
"Then what's the matter?" Du Wei's curiosity piqued. "If something's amiss here, I'd like to know. We're in this city too, after all."
Spann hesitated, then relented, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "It's an odd affair. The Half Horn Mountain outside the city has always been tranquil. The hill's modest, its woods shallow—no large beasts roam there. Our garrison hunts it clean every so often. Yet yesterday, out of nowhere, a… magical beast appeared!"
Du Wei's eyes gleamed. A magical beast?
"It's unconfirmed what kind, but it's a big one—hunters saw its tracks, clear as day. What baffles me is why a magical beast would appear so close to a human city. They belong in the wilds of the empire's southern frontier, not here. Lille Province hasn't seen one in decades. I don't know where this thing came from." Spann gave a wry smile. "My men and I are tasked with slaying it, but a beast that size will take at least twenty soldiers to bring down. And to scour a mountain that vast? We'd need a hundred, at least."
A magical beast… how intriguing.
Du Wei's interest surged. Ever since glimpsing the path to mastering magic, he'd grown fascinated by anything tied to it. A rare magical beast in the empire's heartland? This was too good to pass up.
"Very well!" Du Wei declared, his tone noble and resolute. "I have forty guards, all elite Rowling cavalry, led by a fourth-level knight. I'll lend them to you for this task. A magical beast running rampant goes against my principles."
Spann blinked, stunned. "You'd… lend me your entire guard?"
"Master, that won't do," Robert interjected, his first objection. "You cannot be left unprotected. If we must help, I'll take twenty men."
Robert's knightly honor compelled him to assist, but his duty to Du Wei came first.
"No need to worry," Du Wei said with a grin. "I'll go with you. What safer place than by your side?"
Both Robert and Spann protested at once.
Spann, especially, regretted his candor. Take him along? Catching the beast was secondary—if the young master met the slightest mishap on that mountain, Spann's career, perhaps his life, would be forfeit.
"No objections," Du Wei said firmly, cutting them off. "And don't fret about my safety. Have you forgotten? I have a formidable mage by my side."
He gestured to Solskjaer, who stepped forward reluctantly. While no prodigy, his mage's title was genuine.
Spann's eyes lit up. A mage? With a skilled sorcerer's aid, this mission might just succeed.
Still… the young master's safety…