Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

[Vernge County]

[Oak Town]

Old Majiya Milock woke up very early, but he just lay stiffly in bed, silently staring at the darkness of the ceiling.

His wife was the same.

In the spacious bedroom, only the soft breathing of the two could be heard.

After what seemed like a long time, finally, a sharp and loud rooster's crow broke through the oppressive silence.

Soon after, a series of sounds came from downstairs, and old Majiya listened in silence.

The morning noise that others heard drew vivid pictures in his mind:

The elderly personal valet, old Tasso, yawning and humming, pushed open the unlubricated door, pounded his equally unlubricated knees a few times, dragging his heavy steps, slowly moved towards the stable;

The live-in maid shuffled to put on her coat, tiptoed through the corridor, holding a milk jug, headed to the cowshed;

The hunting dog outside and the distant guard dogs seemed to be greeting each other, barking back and forth;

The cowherd shook the bell, driving the herd into the pasture...

Surrounding this beautiful two-story wooden building, also awakened by the rooster's crow, was the most expansive, fertile, and beautiful farm in Oak Town—the Majiya Manor.

Old Majiya listened carefully, not missing even the slightest noise until the sun rose.

As the first ray of light shot into the bedroom, old Majiya immediately mechanically got up from bed, pushed open the window, and as usual, inspected the manor in the morning light.

His old wife silently walked to the wardrobe, took out the clothes prepared the night before, and carefully helped her husband dress neatly.

"I will bring him back." Old Majiya said woodenly, his back to his wife, as if making a promise.

His wife didn't speak, just touched her husband's hand.

Tasso, who had served Majiya Milock for many years as a personal valet, brought out the four best horses in the manor.

The horses had been fed in advance and were all full of energy, certainly able to endure a long journey.

But Majiya Milock carefully inspected the four slender, muscular, glossy horses and changed his mind at the last moment.

He shook his head and told Tasso: "Prepare the tailless horses."

The old servant couldn't help but widen his eyes: "Those old horses are not capable, if we ride them, we can't get home before dark."

Majiya Milock gave no explanation.

The old servant, accustomed to his employer's taciturnity, mumbled as he led the four good horses back to the stable, and shortly after, brought out four tailless inferior horses.

The inferior horses were old, aware they were going on a long trip, and were nervously biting the iron bits, white foam dripping relentlessly.

Majiya Milock, with a saber in hand, approached them. He lightly patted the horses' necks, then with a press of his left hand on the horse's back, mounted the saddle.

Seeing this, old Tasso also tightened the belt with the sword hanging from it and mounted the stirrup.

Mrs. Majiya walked out holding a saddlebag, personally handing it to her husband.

There was no farewell, no send-off, Milock and Tasso, the master and servant duo, each with a reserve horse, left the manor before the sun fully rose, setting off towards [Artemis].

The horizon was still tainted with night, the roads sparsely populated, with only a few shepherds driving their flocks out to graze.

In the past, Majiya Milock and Tasso might have encountered caravans and travelers also heading to Artemis, perhaps cheerfully joining the latter for company.

But now, the master and servant duo did not wish to meet any "companions."

The war had profoundly altered everything around them:

Villages and towns had become closed and exclusive, building high walls to reject strangers;

The exchanges between settlements no longer existed, only malicious bandits and lawless deserters roamed the wilds;

Isolated farmhouses would turn to ash overnight, and once-orderly farmers might, in a moment, turn into devils without order;

As for travelers who must journey, they all kept their weapons at hand, ears pricked, and remained vigilant of every rustling within their vision.

However, the sun hadn't yet reached the treetops when Majiya Milock was caught up with by someone.

"I'll go with you!" Majiya Laor declared loudly, gasping for breath: "Dad!"

Old servant Tasso glanced at the steed under Laor and couldn't help but cross his arms, curling his lips.

Majiya Milock stared wordlessly at his youngest son, scrutinizing the youthful innocence in his eyes, the absence of a beard, and the hunting outfit soaked in sweat.

Laor, under his father's gaze, felt discomfort all over, an unaccountable shame and anger filling his chest in an instant, he drew the saber from the saddlebag with a backhand, angrily showing his color: "Don't underestimate me!"

Old Majiya was silent for a moment, asking: "You… know where we're going?"

"To Artemis." Laor fearlessly met his father's gaze.

Old Majiya asked again: "You know what we're going to do?"

"To redeem someone." Laor pressed his lips, replying in a low voice: "Or to redeem a corpse."

"You know who we're going to see?" Old Majiya asked again.

"I know." Laor avoided his father's gaze, looking towards the tips of their boots: "That person."

Old Majiya, like a carved statue with facial features yet expressionless, asked: "Who?"