Third Person POV
Adolfo Frost is a well known wizard that works in the palace. Even though Adolfo came from a common family, he managed to build his reputation as one of the most powerful wizards the empire has ever known, Adolfo was proud of his accomplishments but even he didn't expect that his employer would command him to go to the Northern Territory.
"You seem troubled, Adolfo." Adelaide chuckled when she noticed how silent Adolfo was.
"Forgive me for being so bold but why would you want your most powerful wizard to go to the North? Have I done something to anger you, your majesty?" Adelaide hummed.
"Not really, I just need you to make a teleportation circle at Aspen castle. It would be easier for me to visit my lover once you have done it." Adolfo sighed.
"As one of your advisors, I just need to know, Why did you choose a northerner as your lover? And a woman? Aren't you afraid of public opinion, your majesty?" Adelaide raised an eyebrow.
"Public opinion? Since when do I ever care about public opinion? As long as I'm doing my job, it should be okay right? Besides, we have the consorts now. You have no idea how happy I am that my work has lessened." Adolfo sighed as he continued to do his work.
"Adolfo, I have another mission for you." Adolfo looks up to the empress.
"I want you to lead the priests and physicians to see if you could cure the former countess. Lady Aspen claimed that she had lost her mind the moment the former count died. But I don't know how to explain these feelings whenever I think about it, Don't you think it's weird for a healthy lady to suddenly lose her mind over the death ofhar husband?" Adolfo lummed.
"I will see what I can do. Out your majesty, you re providing priests and physicians for the North as well? Adelaide nodded,
"Why? Is there something that matters? Adolfo shook his head ne
"Is there any hidden truth behind your kindness, your majesty? Because I've been working for you for years and you mly do things that would henent the empire, So forgive me for thinking this way Adelaide suddenly
"I don't have any hidden truth. It's just that I genuinely think of Lady Aspen as my lover. That reason shoul suffier, right? Adolfo hummed
"Yes, your majesty"
A few days later,
It's finally the day for the departure, Adelfe looks at his pocket watch before everyone says that it's time to leave Adolfe waits for Astoria and the empress to exchange their goodbyes before getting into the carriage, He w sure that the lady would enter the carriage with him but when she didn't, he looks cut from the window and asked the Isdy-
"Countess, aren't you getting into the carriage Asteris smiled before shaking her head
"It's fine. You'll be sharing the carriage with the priests Don't worry shout your safety, I will make sure I'll protact you all." Adolfo sięived.
"That's not what I meant though Countess! Asteris didn't hear Adel for's voice when she mounted har horse.
"Is it alright for us to let the empress lover ride on the horse where she is exposed to unforeseen enemies?" The priests who came into the corriage patted Adolfo's shoulder
"It's fine. We cought a glimpse of what tive countess is capable of. One of the reasons why she could do what she did is because of the islessing she received, we were surprised to see such a lirigit liglit emitting from her Forehead Adolfo hummed.
"And she must be excited to receive that war horse as a gift from the empress. Lot the lady be happy with her gift" Adolfo sighed.
"I guess so".
And the journey to the Worth began. In the first work, Adolfe and those who never traveled out from the capitol were mesmerized by how beautiful the countryside is They even stop of a smaller town to re-supply Audolfo had to make sure that the budget didn't exceed
In the second week, the entourage had to ge through rough and rocky roads which made the carriage ride alittle uncomfortable, Adolfo and the rest wish that they could ride the horses instead of being inside the moving
In the third work, the entourage face many challenges by oncoming monsters that are looking for food. It was easy for Astoris and her knights to deal with them. The Claymore Knights learned many things just by watching. the Northern's knights in action. They were simest spologetic to low they had trested them,
In the fourth weck, the entourage had begun journeying into the snowy alpe
"Sir Adolfe, are you slive in there?" Adalfe opened the window and looked outside. The priests trembled as the coldness greeted them,
"Sir Arthur, have we arrived yet?" Arthur nedded his haad.
"Yes. Soon we will arrive at Aspen Castle"
Adolfo was about to say something in return when his eyes landed on a beautiful white castle.
Whes
Whes indeed. This is now how I visiem the North 1 mean the town seems empty but the wastle looks rather luxurious. Sir, it seems you have a lot of work to do here Adelle sighed,
A few days later,
"Corruption- the North is dying. There's nothing we can do about this, Butler, when will the empress be here? She needs to see this for herself!" The butler pinched the bridge of his nose.
"The empress has to entertain the delegation who came from the South sea. She can't simply leave. It will take few more days for her to be here. But if we take the teleportation circle, we can ask Count Lowenstein for help".
After preparing the teleportation circle, goods and personnel from the palace arrived without any trouble, Adolfo however has been burying himself, trying to see hou deeply corrupted the North is, So far, he hasn't mot its and yet
"The countess has been leading the monster subjugation for a few days now, Do you think the Claymore Knights survive this? The butler asked.
"They have to, I hope those meathasds learn a thing or two while fighting off the monsters. Any nows from the physicians? And what about the priests? They have been healing the former countess, yes?" The butler hummed as he looked around the room,
"The former countess was not ill, She was poisoned". Adolfo looks up to the butler,
Poisoned? Is there poison to make one loss their mind?" The butler nodded.
"It was made from several monster blood mixed with dark magic." Adolfo sighed heavily.
"The knights are back." The butler announced as he looked outside the window. Adolfo decided to take a breath and join the butler to see how the knights are.
"Is that the countess?! She bleeding!" Both Adolfo and the butler ran out from the room and went to see the countess's condition.
"The empress will kill us if something were to happen to her lover!"
When the butler and Adolfo met the countess, she was smiling at them.
"Why are two running as if you were chased by ghosts? Did my uncle and aunt make a fuss when I was away?!"
Astoria was genuinely worried.
"No. They were afraid of me. But we were worried when we saw you coming drenched in blood. Any injuries, countess?"
The countess smiled before she shows the butler and Adolfo her injured arms. Adolfo sighed.
"You're lucky that I am a fairly talented healer."