Chapter 104
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Chapter 104: Rose Mountain City
A few days later, a plain-looking black four-winged carriage quietly crossed the territory of the Asreks family under the protection of ordinary mercenary guards.
The caravan moved southward, detouring around Hertonmar until entering the Hamilton family’s domain.
The Hamilton family—leaders of the Queen’s faction and the oldest powerful house in the duchy.
Their territory spanned the southern Belmar Duchy with convenient transportation routes. To the north lay Sais family lands, while the Stormy Sea bordered the south with its large port mirroring Faero Bay in the east. Backed by mountains and facing the sea, this fertile land with dense population marked the territory of the duchy’s most influential family.
Moreover, the half-day journey to capital Hertonmar meant Iron-Blood Duke often ruled directly from there. Many believed the duchy’s capital existed merely as Hamilton family’s plaything.
At the core of this noble territory stood an unassuming yet ancient city—
Rose Mountain City.
The Hamilton family’s heart.
Birthplace of Fina Hamilton.
"After crushing my arrogant magic teacher at seven and being named first heir by Grandfather, this city became my enemy," Fina remarked flatly in the carriage as ancient walls emerged on the horizon.
Though brief, Midi easily pictured the pressure on a ten-year-old girl becoming heir to such a tangled family.
Iron-Blood Duke’s authority might silence opposition. His power could shield Fina from ambushes. But nothing more.
Whispers, cold stares, isolation, hostile words—these invisible attacks pierced even the strongest shields. Her own parents likely resented her too, for inheriting directly from the Duke meant crushing their generation’s ambitions.
Yet Fina’s voice held no anger, sorrow, or loneliness. Instead, she smiled slightly. "But it helped. Genius needs pressure. Without it, I couldn’t have grown strong enough… to stand beside you."
The usually confident girl showed rare vulnerability, pale cheeks warming pink.
A confession?
This had to be a confession!
Midi’s throat tightened at her shy expression, words choking in his chest.
"Besides, if you can’t keep up, that black-clad girl definitely can’t," she added like cold water dousing his emotions.
"Black-clad girl" meant Alice—left guarding Eagle’s Nest.
Now Midi understood: Fina only spoke freely because her rival wasn’t present. This confession skirted romance, overshadowed by her Alice-related caution. Annoyance prickled him.
*Am I not man enough to make you blush? Since when do you praise Alice behind her back?*
But watching Fina’s playful smile replace shyness, Midi reconsidered. After countless shared battles and memories, weren’t they past friendship—almost lovers?
Why else would she tease him this way?
Otherwise, how could she make such an enchanting girlish expression?
While Midi was lost in thought and wondering if he should test the situation, the carriage suddenly shook and screeched to a halt.
"Everyone out now for inspection! Resisters will die!"
A shrill voice pierced through the carriage, ruthlessly shattering the intimate atmosphere Midi had hoped to maintain.
The crimson flag matching Fina’s long hair bore three majestic golden lions – the unmistakable symbol of the Hamilton family recognized across Belmar Duchy.
But this hostile group wasn’t military. They resembled noble youths on hunting trips, their most notable feature being spotted leopards keeping pace with the knights.
For nobles, everything’s a competition – reputation, poetry, estates, wealth, women. Yet after centuries of rivalry, such common trophies lost their charm. Recent years favored items money couldn’t quickly buy.
Like purebred horses or hounds requiring decades of breeding. Or rarer still – purebred leopards.
One glance through the window at those gracefully running leopards told Midi everything.
These were spoiled brats.
"This is Hamilton territory! Who dares hide from me?" The shrill voice demanded again, its owner too arrogant to give his name.
The speaker appeared somewhat handsome – a pale-faced man about twenty, clearly weakened by excess. His fine hunting clothes couldn’t hide the lustful gaze roving over Odel and Alyn. The sensitive half-Elves immediately darkened their expressions.
Inside the carriage, Fina’s face also clouded. Not because of the noble’s crude intentions, but what they implied.
The Iron-Blood Duke’s critical condition was top secret. Few in Belmar Duchy knew, even within the Hamilton family. Only the Grand Duke’s closest aides and Fina as first heir possessed this information.
This knowledge gap was crucial for maintaining stability.
Thus the normally bold Queen of Magic traveled discreetly this time. She’d left Alice managing the Hawk Brigade at Eagle’s Nest, brought no identifying items or escorts – not even the famed Nightblade Leopard Cavalry. Only Midi’s selected adventurers accompanied this unmarked caravan.
Escorting Hawk Brigade leader Fina to Rose Mountain City became the brigade’s inaugural mission – one that might decide the duchy’s future.
The gravity made status-conscious adventurers embrace their roles as noble guards completely, performing duties without complaint. Their competence and low-profile approach let the caravan speed through mutated monsters and bandit raids unhindered.
Even genuine nobles avoided confronting this mysterious group guarded by high-level adventurers amidst current territorial chaos.
But now?
On Hamilton lands, they encountered troublesome nobles. Fina vaguely recognized this particularly meddlesome branch family member with complex political ties.
Coincidence?
Or design?
Fina began analyzing.
"Someone’s directing this puppet," Midi observed lightly, watching the red-haired girl’s furrowed brow. "We’ve been watched since entering the territory."
"Why?" Fina asked.
"No prey. Those leopards are too energetic – never hunted today." Midi shrugged.
Spoiled nobles ignored small kills, hunting only for impressive trophies. Empty-handed returns meant nothing. But the leopards’ condition revealed the truth.
Fina flushed, embarrassed she’d missed this detail on home soil.
Now understanding their opponents, the path forward cleared.
"Let’s confront them," Fina decided.
"Appearing now will announce ‘The Queen of Magic has returned’ across the duchy," Midi warned.
"Doesn’t matter. If enemies know Grandfather’s condition, hiding’s pointless." Fina stood, voice ringing with familiar confidence. "Remember – I lead the Hawk Brigade. I fight beside my team!"
