The messenger’s horse galloped through the gates of Laufen Castle late in the afternoon.
The rhythm of the hooves was faster than usual. I—Katia Laufen—was at the edge of the training grounds, testing my proficiency with Earth Magic. I heard the thud of heels against the horse’s flanks, the churning of soil, and then the rider’s voice. It seemed to be an urgent report for Father.
Normally, that would have nothing to do with me. Once the message reached Father's office, the matter would be concluded.
However, a short while later, a maid came to fetch me.
"Lady Katia. Your father is calling for you in his office."
Me? A cold sense of foreboding spread through my chest.
I unconsciously gripped the pendant at my neck—a habit of mine. The scarlet ribbon tying my hair brushed against my cheek in the wind.
◇◇◇
When I entered the office, Father was leaning his elbows on his desk, his hand pressed to his forehead.
Two letters lay before him. One had already been opened. It seemed Father had already finished reading the urgent report brought by the messenger. The other remained sealed with the wax emblem of House Werl. I had seen that seal several times before in this office.
The address on the envelope was written clearly:
—To Lady Katia Laufen.
It was addressed to me personally.
"A letter for you from Count Werl," Father said in a low voice.
I broke the wax seal and pulled out the stationery.
The message inside was brief and strictly business. It stated that an epidemic closely resembling Black Finger Disease had broken out in Ahrensberg. That the Saint had been infected. That Rein was being quarantined within the Marquis's Manor. That House Werl was sending Battalion Commander Anton ahead as a vanguard. The facts were listed dryly, line by line.
There were no requests and no invitations. He didn't ask me to come, nor did he tell me to stay away.
He was under no obligation to tell me anything, yet he had gone out of his way to inform me. I decided not to think too deeply about why. I felt that if I did, I would arrive at an answer I didn't want to face.
"Our house also intends to deploy cavalry," Father said.
"We will coordinate with the Werl Army to encircle the territorial capital. The nearby lords will secure the highways. Lutz will be in command."
As the head of a Margrave’s house, it was a logical decision. He couldn't simply stand by and watch the plague spread.
"I am going as well," I told him, folding the letter.
"No."
The refusal was instantaneous.
"I cannot send a member of this family into a plague-stricken area. I have no intention of sending myself, the heir Ulrich, Helmut, or you."
"I am going."
"I said no."
Father’s voice dropped an octave.
"Father."
"—If Rein dies, I will die as well."
A brief silence followed.
I wasn't making a threat or trying to bargain; I was simply stating a fact to my father.
Father sank back into his chair and let out a heavy sigh.
Then, he muttered under his breath as if the words were being squeezed out of him.
"...Has it really gone this far? Just how much of a demonic charm does that boy possess?"
With that, Father gave a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Lutz is the commander. You will follow his orders without fail."
"—Thank you, Father."
I gave a deep bow and left the office.
I heard the door click shut behind me.
I cannot endure a world where Rein does not exist. Having said it aloud for the first time, I finally understood that truth with absolute clarity.
◇◇◇
I was checking my horse's tack when Lutz arrived.
"Ready, My Lady?"
"Yes."
"As the Vice Leader, let me tell you this just in case," Lutz said casually while checking the saddle girth. "His Lordship told me you're to follow my lead. If you try to charge in recklessly, I’m going to stop you."
"I know."
"Oh, listen to you. Who was it that charged ahead during their first battle despite being told to wait?"
"Ugh... that was my first time on the field, I was just overexcited..."
Lutz raised an eyebrow, then gave a slight shrug.
"Well, whatever. Let’s move out."
"Right."
The sound of hooves echoed as we passed through the castle gates and onto the highway.
From the Margraviate toward Ahrensberg. It was a forced march for the cavalry that would take several days. As a commander-class officer, I was given charge of an independent unit of twenty riders. As I urged my horse forward, I found myself repeating the words of Lord Wilhelm’s letter over and over in my mind.
The mere thought of Rein falling ill sent a chill through me, even as I remained in constant motion.
◇◇◇
As the sun began to set, the walls of the Marquisate's territorial capital came into view. The cavalry unit deployed around the perimeter.
The city had three gates. We stationed a dozen or so riders in front of each. The highways had already been blocked by the forces of the neighboring territories. Our role was to encircle the city itself—to ensure the plague did not cross outside the walls.
However, that measure might not have even been necessary.
On the grass between the walls and the highway, numerous charred patches dotted the landscape. Thin wisps of white smoke still rose from several spots.
The armies from the nearby lands must have arrived first. They had likely shot down anyone attempting to flee the city with arrows before they could reach the highway, then burned the bodies where they fell. Several unmoving forms were still sprawled on the ground. Others were currently being consumed by fire. Whenever the wind shifted, the nauseating stench of burning hair, fat, and flesh reached the horses' noses. I reflexively covered my face with the back of my hand.
After seeing this, no one inside the city would dare to come out.
The rumors were already racing across the countryside. Stories of the Saint collapsing and the appearance of Black Finger Disease were spreading through merchants and travelers far beyond the local trade routes. No one wanted to go near the place.
From atop my horse, I stared at the city walls.
The imposing gray stone of the capital. Rein was behind those walls. He had to be alive, breathing under this same twilight.
And yet, I couldn't get any closer than this.
Beside the highway, another camp had been established. The Werl Army. It seemed they had arrived ahead of us. Commanding them was the man mentioned in the letter, Battalion Commander Anton—Rein's former swordsmanship instructor. I had heard his name and reputation, but this was the first time I had met him in person.
As I steered my horse toward him, Battalion Commander Anton pulled his reins as well. He stood beside me, his gaze fixed on the distant walls.
"Lady Katia, I assume?"
"And you are Battalion Commander Anton?"
"I am."
It was a brief greeting. Neither of us could find more words immediately.
After a long silence, the Battalion Commander spoke in a low, quiet tone.
"—Lord Rein is in there. This is a hypothetical, but if the order is given to incinerate the city, I have been instructed to rescue Lord Rein and flee with him for several weeks. Should that happen—will you cooperate with me?"
"...I will. But I’ll be the one to flee with him. A world without Rein has no meaning."
"I can only pray it doesn't come to that."
"Yes..."
I gripped my pendant tightly.
From outside the walls, all I could do was believe that Rein was still alive.