Under the Oak Tree



Chapter 82: Chapter 82

Maxi pulled back the curtains of the carriage window and took in the passing scenery. White birch trees flanked the well-paved road in wide rows. Warm sunlight streamed through the branches like rain. The princess smiled as she listened to the chirping of the birds.

“I’m glad it’s sunny today. I was worried when I saw the rain clouds yesterday. Fortunately for us, they moved westward.”

The princess stuck her head out of the window to enjoy the cool breeze before turning her gaze back to Maxi.

“Might I ask where our first destination is?”

“I was… thinking of… the village square, Your Highness.”

The square was the busiest part of the village. It was also close to the market, so Maxi was certain there would be a lot to see. The princess nodded, content with Maxi’s answer.

“We passed the square on our way to the castle yesterday. I noticed that there were a lot of taverns and street vendors there.”

“Your Highness, surely you are not intending to drink away the day at this hour?”

The royal attendant’s tone was stern. It was the first time the well-groomed attendant sitting next to the princess had spoken. Maxi looked at the man quizzically. The attendant cleared his throat and stroked his neatly trimmed beard before offering an explanation.

“Her Highness has a penchant for alcohol. There is not a town she visits without dropping by their taverns.”

“Her Highness… visits… village taverns?”

Maxi had heard that knights occasionally visited commoners’ taverns to rest, but she had never heard of a noblewoman doing so.

When Maxi glanced at the princess in surprise, Princess Agnes gave her a coy look. “Goodness, I visit taverns to gather information, not for the drink. They are frequented by travelers, so one hears all sorts of rumors.”

“Your Highness, you could always entrust such a task to your knights. Let us admit it is because of your love of overindulging. You go out of your way to join the knights every time they gather… Your actions make me too ashamed to face His Majesty, Your Highness.”

“I have never done anything shameful,” the princess retorted with a hint of annoyance. “I do not like being left out. I can’t bear it when the people I risk my life for are having a ball without me. Comrades are supposed to share in all happiness and sorrow.”

She raised her elegant chin and continued, “I believe it is such trust that spur men to overcome adversity as one.”

The attendant did not back down.

“I do not think alcohol is the only way to foster such trust, Your Highness.”

The princess’s lip quivered as if she wanted to snap back, but she flicked her hand in annoyance instead.

“Heavens, enough with the nagging, Sybil. I don’t intend to trouble Lady Calypse by insisting on going to a tavern.”

Not knowing how to react, Maxi let out an awkward laugh. The princess apparently lived no differently to a knight. The title of sorceress allowed her freedoms that were normally inaccessible to noblewomen.

Maxi wondered if she would also be able to travel freely and visit taverns like the princess if she became better at magic. It did not seem possible. Riftan would never allow such a thing when he was already hesitant about allowing her to roam their own lands.

The panel behind the front seat opened, and Maxi heard the coachman’s voice.

“The road ahead is bumpy, my lady. Please brace yourself.”

The four passengers grabbed onto the handles mounted on the walls.

True to the coachman’s warning, the carriage soon began rattling violently. Maxi shifted her weight onto her legs to stop herself from slipping off. The scenery outside now seemed to be shaking as if they were in an earthquake. They cleared the forest path before long, and a brisk stream, watermill, and wide bridge came into view.

The carriage descended a hill and crossed the bridge. On the other side, they were greeted by wooden buildings, colorful tents, and stalls lining the wide, paved road. Maxi was surprised when she saw that the village was livelier than she had anticipated. Large baggage wagons and carriages clogged the road along with people leading donkeys and horses.

“There are quite a number of large buildings,” the princess marveled, staring out of the window.

The princess was right. All over Anatol were large establishments one would not expect from a small village at the bottom of the continent. The construction of the three-story buildings had begun last autumn and was now complete, and more land was being paved to expand the congested road.

“More shops opened after the Leviathan Merchant Guild started bringing in more goods,” Ludis explained in a soft voice. “And since a large number of mercenaries come to Anatol around this time, the taverns and inns, as well as armorers and blacksmiths, are able to make good profits.”

Princess Agnes stared out of the window.

“I have heard that the population here has increased… but I did not expect to see such a flourishing village,” she muttered in a low voice.

The princess appeared to be deep in thought. Maxi threw her furtive glances. Why on earth had the princess come to Anatol? Her peculiar reaction made Maxi nervous.

“I was told that Riftan left the castle at dawn to visit the quarry. Is he planning on expanding the castle?”

The princess’s question was abrupt after a period of silence spent gazing out the window.

“I-I heard that… he is planning to build an extensive road… connecting Anatol to the ports. That must be why… he went to the quarry.”

Princess Agnes’s eyes widened before her whole face grew serious.

“If he succeeds in constructing this road and renovating the ports, he will be creating the shortest route connecting the Western and Southern Continents. Anatol would instantly be transformed into the most important trade center.”

From her tone, Maxi got the impression that the princess was not too pleased about this fact. Her heart sank. Had Riftan earned the ire of the royal family? Was that the reason the king had sent the princess to inspect his land? It was a mere assumption, but Maxi felt cold sweat trickling down her back.

As if sensing her unease, Princess Agnes quickly changed her expression and added lightly, “Though, of course, he would have to do something about the monsters first. If he doesn’t clear them out of Anatolium, it would not be easy to convince the big merchant guilds of the Southern Continent to come to Anatol.”

“I suppose a lot will depend on how much influence Sir Riftan’s reputation holds in the South,” the attendant chimed in.

Maxi quietly studied their expressions, then turned her gaze to the intricate roads and dense buildings passing by the carriage window.

Could Anatol truly grow into a thriving city? Although it was bustling with people, Anatol was still a small land that had yet to completely shed its rural atmosphere.

While the area surrounding the main road leading to the square and the castle gates was thriving, only old cottages occupied the outskirts of the village. The people who dwelled there mostly managed small orchards or raised livestock such as sheep, goats, chickens, and geese. The thought that this peaceful and simple country environment could disappear left Maxi feeling a little disappointed.

“I would like to look around the market. Shall we get off and walk from here?” the princess suggested when the carriage had driven halfway around the village.

Maxi nodded and opened the panel to ask the coachman to halt the carriage near the market. Soon after, the carriage pulled to a stop at a quiet corner of the road. The knights opened the door.

“Are you going to the market, my lady?” Hebaron asked as Maxi stepped out.

When Maxi nodded, he turned to Ursuline, who was standing behind him.

“Take the horses to the watering trough. I’ll escort Her Highness and her ladyship.”

Ursuline furrowed his brow. “Why do I have to-” he stopped mid-objection, glanced at Maxi, then clenched his mouth shut. Without saying another word, he led the four horses to a fenced area near the market.

Hebaron tossed a coin to the coachman and told him to find a meal nearby, then led the other knights behind the princess and Maxi as they entered the market.

The place was busier than the last time Maxi had visited with Ruth. Tightly crammed stalls lined either side. Merchants hawked their wares alongside mercenaries with their monster bones and magic stones.

The princess was languidly perusing the items for sale when she pointed to a tent in the corner.

“Why don’t we have lunch over there?”

Inside the tent were rickety tables fashioned from wooden boards placed over wine barrels. Judging by their worn garments, the men who sat playing cards as they ate were a group of travelers. Surely the princess was not suggesting that they eat at such a place?

Maxi gawked at the dingy establishment. The plump woman who had been roasting meat in front of the tent’s brazier lowered a rooster from the ceiling and placed it on a chopping board. Maxi hastily looked away as the woman raised a cleaver.

The rooster’s last cries rang around the market, and soon the newly decapitated bird was once again roped upside down to the ceiling. Maxi cautiously turned her gaze back to the tent. The woman calmly placed a bowl under the rooster to collect its blood and wiped her hands on her apron.

Feeling sick, Maxi covered her mouth and turned away from the stall.

“I-I think… it is a bit early… for lunch…”

“Come now, we can just taste the food. Nothing beats the taste of freshly roasted chicken.”

Princess Agnes, it seemed, was not sickened by the ghastly sight. Maxi broke out in a cold sweat. It was Sybil, the attendant, who came to her rescue.

“Your Highness, how could you even think about dining in the marketplace?”

The attendant shook his head in exasperation and strode past the tent.

“I hope you have not forgotten, Your Highness, that you are here on official business on behalf of the king and not for personal pleasure. We should not tarry in this crowded place.”

“Oh God, what a nag,” the princess grumbled.

She pursed her lips before following Sybil, dragging her heels. Maxi released a sigh of relief and walked behind them. The princess took her time looking through the market. She assessed the attire of the Anatolians as well as the quality and prices of the goods they traded. As she did so, she periodically directed questions at Maxi.

“How is the village protected?”

“Th-The sentries… patrol the village… three times a day. The knights… also take turns… to guard the ramparts. And visitors are expected… to go through thorough inspection… before they are allowed entry. People… without proper credentials… conferred by the church…. are denied entry.”

“How do you punish criminals?”

Maxi stared dumbly at the princess, flustered by the unexpected question.