The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 94

‘Well, this is fine.’

It was better than letting the atmosphere turn sour. To be honest, I couldn’t care less anymore. There had been too many unexpected variables to lament over such things now.

“For now, get some more sleep. There’s still time before dawn.”

Among all the variables, the biggest one was the man standing before me. The Knight Semeion.

“You’ve sweat quite a bit. Are you thirsty?”

He flew over with a glass of water and handed it to me.

Yes, he flew.

Because he now had wings on his back.

“...”

That wasn’t the only change. His size had also drastically reduced.

Originally, I had to look up to see him, but now I could see his entire body at a glance, even up close. Even if he approached right up to my face, it would be the same. His current size barely exceeded the palm of my hand. It made sense that he flew around, despite having perfectly functional legs.

“It’s called soul transplantation.”

This was another method devised by Markatis.

It was a spell that allowed a soul to possess another body. Specifically, it connected consciousness to an artificial body. I didn’t fully understand the exact principles. What was clear was that the small form fluttering around now wasn’t his real body.

This situation began when Semeion requested his body be sealed alongside mine. He seemed to want to prevent his health from deteriorating further during the period my body was sealed. But Markatis shook his head and refused. He said there would be no significant benefit in sealing a body that had already weakened substantially.

“There is another way.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a spell created by an old friend of mine. It’s a bit restrictive but quite useful. Given your current situation, it seems this method would be the best.”

“What do you think? Want to give it a try?”

I thought he would refuse. Connecting consciousness to an artificial body sounded dangerous and dubious, to say the least. But Semeion agreed without much hesitation, and the result was what you see now—a tiny fairy-like Semeion.

“Just so you know beforehand, it’s difficult to replicate your exact appearance. You might end up smaller.”

He had explained that upfront. Still, I hadn’t expected it to result in such a significant change in form.

‘Small is an understatement.’

It was fortunate that Semeion didn’t seem to mind. Initially, he appeared shocked, but now he seemed fully adapted and unbothered.

“It’s not too bad, aside from the change in perspective. I can do more than I expected.”

He even joked that he felt like a Guardian, despite the fact that he couldn’t summon his own Guardian. He didn’t seem particularly concerned about it. He mentioned that it was fine as long as the consciousness was connected. Given the harsh times he had endured, his adaptability was impressive.

‘Yet he was hesitant about Markatis taking his body.’

But that was non-negotiable. We couldn’t leave his empty shell in that dilapidated old house.

For that reason, Semeion's body is now being safely cared for in Markatis's cave. I could easily imagine Markatis, just as he once did with me, placing him under sunlight, watering him, and feeling content.

‘...’

Hmm, it’s better to stop thinking about that.

Feeling that even the last remnants of drowsiness had been chased away, I decided to get up. Semeion, dragging the edge of the blanket with his tiny body, blinked up at me.

“Are you not going to sleep more?”

“No, I think it’s time to get up.”

I opened the window to cool off the sweat, letting the cold wind rush in along with the view outside. Large and small buildings filled the city within the high walls. It was a familiar sight—the capital of the Aslan Empire, Retia.

‘I didn’t expect to see this sight again.’

A journey that would have taken months was completed with a single gesture from Markatis. It was the last favor he granted before leaving. While it was fortunate to save time, I couldn’t help but feel a heaviness in my heart.

‘‘I didn’t expect to return so soon.’

This tedious city, had it not been for this incident, I would have never visited again for the rest of my life.

Following a sigh that scattered like cigarette smoke, I raised my head. Far in the distance, I could see the towering city walls along the hill. From within there was the imperial palace and the main government offices of the empire—an inner citadel. No one could enter or exit recklessly. Only those with the proper qualifications were allowed passage.

Inside that very place was the person I needed to meet.

* * *

Late afternoon sunlight filtered in, bathing the room in a gentle glow. Inside the busy office, urgent footsteps echoed, drawing immediate attention.

“We’ve found Ramphius!”

It was news significant enough to make everyone stop what they were doing and turn their heads. The man reviewing documents at the head of the table promptly stood up.

“Where is he?”

“He's in Namryeong, at the Fortuna territory.”

“Camille, come with me.”

“Yes.”

Upon the command, Camille got up quickly and followed closely behind. Meanwhile, the report continued efficiently.

“While returning to the Mage Tower, he made a brief stop at Fortuna and joined the Lord for lunch. He's now heading back towards the Mage Tower, but we're still confirming his exact route.”

“Who accompanies him?”

“Besides the attendants, there's a young boy around his age with him. We haven't identified him yet.”

“He's not part of the Mage Tower, then?”

“He was wearing the Mage Tower’s cloak but isn’t a registered mage. There was no one among the apprentices matching his description either. But Ramphius seems very fond of him.”

“Find out more about this companion for now.”

“Yes, sir!”

The agent saluted and swiftly left, with Camille taking his place. His superior, who didn’t even glance back to check if his subordinate was following, continued walking relentlessly. Camille, having become accustomed to this process over the past few months, easily matched his pace.

“Are we heading to His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Yes.”

Though the Security Department usually reports directly to the Chief, the National Defense Department, which is directly under the Crown Prince, is an exception to all procedures.

Even as they walked, the Head of the Defense Department, Edmil, briefly scanned the documents the agent had provided and then handed them to Camille. Camille, who received them with practiced ease, quickly examined the contents. Inside were a brief progress report and portraits of two individuals. One was a boy with short hair, and the other had long flowing hair.

“Have you ever seen Ramphius?”

“No, I’ve never seen him. Is one of these Ramphius?”

“The one on the left. Memorize his face well.”

Camille examined the boy with short hair again. He had a gentle appearance, but nothing particularly distinctive. A face that nine out of ten passing by would call ordinary.

But if this individual was indeed Ramphius, one couldn’t judge him by appearances alone. He was someone capable of even disguising his normalcy.

‘Head of the Mage Tower.’

A title reserved for the most exceptional mage among those with innate magical abilities.

‘Especially this current Ramphius, who assumed the position in his teens.’

He was said to be a prodigy who had used magic since birth. That was all the information publicly available.

Even within the reclusive Mage Tower, Ramphius rarely engaged in external activities. Only his appointment was known, nothing else was disclosed. His origin, status, and exact age were unknown. Very few people knew his face, and there were even rumors that the one who appeared publicly was not the real one.

“There’s a chance this individual isn’t Ramphius, right?”

It was natural to follow up with such doubts.

“The Crown Prince will make that judgment.”

The reply was neither a confirmation nor a denial. Camille shrugged and tucked the reviewed documents under his arm.

’At least we found something.’

The Security Department had realized a few months ago that Ramphius was missing. They had been tracking his whereabouts ever since, but with no clues.

Ramphius was always reclusive, but it was unprecedented to find nothing at all. During this time, the sudden closing of the Mage Tower had added to the complications.

As a result, Camille couldn’t remember the last time he had a proper rest. When was the last time he lay down to sleep? He sighed as he recalled the atmosphere in the office, so tense that even a needle couldn’t fall without being noticed.

He had heard of the grueling workload during a crisis, but living through it was another matter. He almost longed for the days back at the academy, running drills until he tasted blood in his mouth from carrying iron weights.

‘Well, I should have gone to the Imperial Guard.’

It felt as if someone not present was mocking me.

It's all your fault.

Even if I wanted to grumble, it was a futile resentment since I was never told to come in the first place. The one who had ensured he ended up in this position had already fled and disappeared long ago, and that was the reality, adding to my frustration.

“Lord Camille!”

A voice calling out brought him back from his thoughts. He instinctively turned and furrowed his brows upon recognizing the speaker’s face. It was not a welcome sight.

‘Dewey Lavant.’

His cousin, completely unrelated by blood, was standing there hesitatingly.