Craning her neck, Maxi studied the group ahead. About thirty knights in silvery gray armor blocked the road. The person who had spoken was a middle-aged man on a chestnut horse. He clearly had the highest standing among them, for he was the only one mounted while the others were leading their horses on foot.
Riftan directed Talon to trot over to the man. After a short silence, he said coolly, “It has been a while, Grand Duke Druik Aren.”
The duke let out a hearty laugh. His tone promptly lost its formality, as though he were talking to an old friend.
“I’m honored that you remember my name. How long has it been since you beat my brother to a pulp? Six years? No…another year has passed. Must be seven.”
Maxi grew tense at the man’s words despite his lighthearted tone. Did this nobleman mean Riftan harm?
Her fears were put to rest when the man steered his horse sideways and extended his hand with a genial smile.
“I’ve heard that you’ve become an even greater knight. What a man indeed. Sejuleu will have a fit when he sees you’ve grown even bigger than him.”
Riftan lightly shook the man’s outstretched hand. “Is Sejuleu Aren in Louivell?”
Duke Aren’s smile faded as he nodded gravely. “He has gathered the scattered coalition army and is fighting the trolls.”
“How many reinforcements have come?”
“Including you and your knights, a total of three thousand five hundred men. A thousand five hundred sent by the Royal House of Wedon, and two thousand sent by Balto. All of them left for the battlefield as soon as they arrived.”
Riftan gave a nod of approval. “What about the Temple Knights? Have they not yet arrived?”
“The knights sent by Osiriya are traveling by land, so it’s taking them some time to get here.” The duke rode up next to Riftan and turned his horse around. “We should head to the palace first. We have prepared a welcoming ceremony forthe Remdragon Knights. After the ceremony, you should get some rest.”
Riftan shook his head. “I do not wish to waste time. We’ve had more than enough rest on the ship. I intend to stop by the basilica to make preparations and then depart immediately for Louivell.”
“Impatient as always, I see.” The duke sighed. “If that is your wish, then I shall escort you to the basilica.”
With a wave of his hand, the Livadonian knights turned their horses in unison and began leading them across the road. The crowd gathered around them split in half, opening a path for them.
Making sure not to stray from the line, Maxi followed the Remdragon Knights. Laurel trees and rustic stone buildings lined the wide flagstone road. After quite some time they reached the basilica, which was situated in a large square. Broad stone steps led up to the entrance.
Stopping at the foot of the stairs, Duke Aren gave the Remdragon Knights a brief orientation.
“This is the grand basilica. There is a refuge for pilgrims behind the church to the right; the guardhouse is to the left. Rooms for the knights have been prepared behind the guardhouse.”
The ancient basilica was a magnificent structure of rough-hewn yet elegant architecture. It seemed to radiate tranquility, and Maxi gazed up at it in awe. Six ivory pillars supported a large, jade-colored dome engraved with images of Darian the Monarch, the first emperor of Roem, and Wigrew surrounded by the first twelve knights. Their protector, the Holy Dragon, was also engraved there.
Maxi was staring at the strikingly detailed carvings when Ulyseon cautiously addressed her.
“My lady, please allow me to help you dismount.”
Maxi quickly lowered her gaze from the basilica. Riftan and the knights were already walking toward the stairs.
She hastily dismounted with Ulyseon’s assistance. At the top of the stairs, she saw clerics dressed in monastic habits hurrying out of the basilica.
Rem snorted and pranced in place, clearly anxious in the unfamiliar place. Maxi gently reassured her before handing the reins to a cleric. The rest of the campaign party had already handed over their horses and entered the church. Maxi hurried up the stairs after them.
Unlike conventional churches, there was something sensuous about Livadon’s basilica. Murals painted in the ancient style covered the arched ceiling, and colorful streams of light poured in through towering stained-glass windows.
In contrast, the habits of the clerics were markedly humble. They wore floor-length robes made of coarse dark brown cloth, cinched at the waist with cords woven from straw.
An old cleric who appeared to be the most senior among them stepped forward to greet Riftan and Duke Aren.
“We welcome you to the sanctuary of our God.”
Duke Aren gestured toward the campaign party. “These are honored guests who have come to aid Livadon. Would the church allow them to stay in its care until they depart for Louivell?”
