Idsilla’s objective assessment only heightened their anxiety. The women returned to their rooms with faces as pale as ghosts. Maxi shakily made her way to her room as well, where she immediately collapsed onto her bed.
Her heart was so full of anguish and anxiety that, for the first time, she regretted her choice to come here with the knights. Had she remained in Anatol, she would not have been consumed by such extreme worry. After witnessing the terrors of war with her own eyes, not knowing if Riftan was safe drove her mad.
That night, Maxi completely lost the peace of mind she had only just managed to regain as her nightmares returned. When she forced herself out of bed the next morning and stepped outside, she was met with faces as ashen and haggard as hers. It was obvious that no one else had been able to have a peaceful night, either.
The exhausted women filed out of the monastery like a row of specters. Once they passed through the garden, Maxi saw clerics bustling about in all directions. She surmised that they must be preparing to join the campaign.
Suddenly, someone yanked her arm. It was Idsilla. The young noblewoman placed a finger over her lips and motioned with her head for Maxi to follow. Confused, Maxi trailed after her.
Idsilla led her to the orchard. When she was certain that they were alone, she leaned forward and spoke in a hushed voice. “I apologize for taking you aside so suddenly, but there is something I wish to discuss with you privately….”
Maxi tilted her head. “Wh-What is it?”
Idsilla was so uncharacteristically hesitant that Maxi grew concerned. After a moment of silence, the girl began to talk rapidly.
“I went to question all the clerics I knew yesterday because I simply could not sit still. I was told that the support unit will travel northeast to Serbin Castle. They intend touse the castle as their base and assist the coalition army from there.”
Maxi blinked. She did not understand why Idsilla was sharing such information with her so secretly. When she gave her a questioning look, Idsilla hesitated before continuing.
“As the name suggests, the support unit is the division of the army that assists the fighting forces from the rear. They’re required to do all sorts of tasks like treating the wounded, washing the laundry, preparing food for the men, identifying the dead, and so on. I believe a large number of women will be joining the campaign this time. Since most of the healthy men have already been conscripted, the clerics say that female clerics must resolve the shortage.”
Sensing that the conversation was veering strangely off course, Maxi swallowed dryly.
Idsilla took a deep breath and declared, “I intend to go with the female clerics.”
Maxi gaped and immediately tried to dissuade her. “Y-You mustn’t! I-It would be too dangerous.”
Idsilla’s eyes gleamed with defiance. “I am the daughter of a knight. I have the means to protect myself. Besides, I would not be fighting on the front lines. I would simply be helping with menial tasks at the rear. I think I am fully capable of that. After all, it’s not much different from the work we’ve been doing at the shelter.”
Maxi frantically shook her head. “Th-That is not the same! Following them to the battlefield—”
Idsilla grew alarmed at Maxi’s raised voice and hastily clapped a hand over her mouth. “Please, keep your voicedown. If Alyssa were to hear of this, she would have me dragged home like a foal.”
Maxi decided then and there to inform Alyssa right away.
As if reading her mind, Idsilla narrowed her eyes and said solemnly, “I tell you this in confidence, Lady Calypse. You would not do anything to betray my trust, would you?”
Maxi hesitated. “Idsilla, p-please reconsider. You are only…e-eighteen.”
“Which means it has been two years since I have come of age,” Idsilla retorted. “I am a grown woman who can take responsibility for my actions.”
Seeing the determination in the girl’s eyes, Maxi was at a loss for words. This girl who was four years her junior seemed to be a hundred times more confident.
Maxi looked away with a troubled expression. “I-Idsilla…you have no reason to go there.”
“And is there a reason for me not to go?” Idsilla shot back. “Because I am of noble birth and a woman? Both were not my choice.”
Maxi winced at the girl’s tone. “I-If anything were to…happen to you, Idsilla…y-your family would be devastated.”
“That goes for everyone,” Idsilla said firmly. “All who march to war must leave their families behind. We all bear the same pain.”
Maxi clenched her mouth shut. Everyone did not bear the same pain. The Duke of Croyso and Rosetta would not care in the slightest if she were to die. Still, at least Riftan would mourn for her.
Maxi suddenly felt her throat constricting. She could almost hear Riftan’s voice telling her that she was his one andonly family. What on earth was she doing here when the only family she had was out there risking his life in a perilous war? Even if she were blessed to live to a hundred, what would be the point if she were never to see him again?
She was immersed in this depressing thought when Idsilla began recounting her story.
“My brother injured his right arm in a jousting competition two years ago. He was healed with divine magic, but damage from the injury remained, and his arm sometimes goes numb. When he said that he would participate in this campaign, all of us tried to stop him, but he still left to uphold his knightly honor. What reason is there for me not to do the same?” Anger simmered in Idsilla’s voice.
