Winter FieldChapter 10.4

“Your Grace, you cannot proceed any further from here,” the voice of the search party leader brought Gezell to a halt. It had been a long time since he had come this far from the castle before the arrival of spring. Gezell peered into the dark expanse, as if measuring nonexistent boundaries with his gaze.

Although he wanted to secure a broader range to pinpoint Rensley Maelrosen’s location, it was unlikely to surpass the distance of his movements. If he had parted ways with the merchant in the plains, Rensley would still be traveling by land. UvxVWa

Gezell, seated on his horse, opened a locket hanging around his neck. What emerged was a thin, golden strand of hair. In the midst of the night, the sorcerer captain, who had been riding alongside Gezell, lowered his voice upon realizing Gezell’s intent.

“Your Grace, even using a small spell involving a part of the body as a conduit is close to dark magic and is dangerous.”

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“It’s an emergency, so we have no choice, even if it’s risky.”

As Gezell recited the incantation, the strand of hair floated above his palm like a compass, slowly turning. Once the previously swaying hair stopped and stabilized, Gezell looked in a specific direction. The dark shadows of a large forest entered his sight, and a faint smile appeared on his composed face. ZhMetN

Rensley had ventured into the forest at night before, experiencing a few mishaps. It was after receiving education on the dangers. Would he enter the dark forest on foot this time?

However, Gezell trusted the results derived from magic more than his own calculations. From the beginning, Rensley Maelrosen was not the type of person that was easy to predict.

Fortunately, it seemed Rensley hadn’t gone too far. The magical energy was providing a fairly close estimation of the searcher’s whereabouts. Gezell had wisely come out as far as possible from the castle to activate the magic. Although paths leading into the forest were scattered, it wasn’t difficult to locate where Rensley had entered.

“It seems he has entered the forest. Spread out and search. It won’t be easy to find one person in the dense woods.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“Fcvfgrabbv.”

Qtlif la rffwfv rbwfktja ecereji obg atf gbsji rfjgmt qjgas, lcmievlcu atf Gexf tlwrfio, ab qfgrbcjiis rfjgmt obg j rdelgf, cb bcf defralbcfv atf gfjrbcr. Ktfs wluta rqfmeijaf atja Efcrifs Zjfigbrfc tjv flatfg fcmbecafgfv j rluclolmjca lcmlvfca bg gfmflnfv j rqfmlolm gfdefra ogbw atf Gexf.

Cr atf rfjgmt qjgas delmxis yfujc lcnfralujalcu atf obgfra, Xfhfii jirb fcafgfv. Ktf abgmtfr tfiv ys atf wfwyfgr jcv atf wjulmji iluta fwlaafv ys Xfhfii tlwrfio wjvf atf vjgx obgfra jr ygluta jr vjsiluta.

“There are footprints. It seems like it hasn’t been long since someone passed through here.” 63feTE

At the words of the preceding soldier, Gezell dismounted and carefully examined the footprints on the ground. He had never learned tracking, but he could be certain. Who would wander through a dark forest at this time?

Beside the hoof prints, the size of the footprints on the ground was almost identical to the feet Gezell had seen every day. Despite his usually calm demeanor, he found it difficult to regulate his rapidly beating heart at this moment.

“To receive news like this before dawn, escaping from the castle secretly. Was it necessary to take such a risk just because he wanted to leave the castle unnoticed?”

Meeting him in this state might make Gezell unintentionally express his anger. The overwhelming emotions flowing and overflowing were unfamiliar, making them difficult to control. Gezell continued walking, trying to suppress the rising resentment. hEv7Rm

Rensley’s footprints stretched almost in a straight line along the forest path. There was no apparent intention to avoid tracking. After walking for a while, the people pursuing the tracks started hearing a different sound. It was the sound of water.

“Your Grace…”

The soldier who had walked ahead turned around with a puzzled expression. He had summoned the Duke, but even after doing so, there was no word from him. Gezell, too, looked ahead without uttering a single word.

The wide river, impossible to cross without a boat, flowed swiftly with strong currents. l0JyxR

Silently gazing ahead, Gezell dismounted from his horse. The light illuminated the ground and the footprints left on it. The consecutive footprints led straight to the edge of a cliff, abruptly stopping, leaving the direction unclear.

Meanwhile, the golden strand of hair still in his hand continued to signal a single direction, urging forward. Gezell, alternately observing the rushing river and the hair on his palm, extended his arm. A low voice, speaking in a language ordinary people couldn’t understand, emanated a blue light like smoke from his fingertips.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

Thud! The air reverberated as if a cannon had been fired. Invisible waves emanated from Gezell’s fingertips, forming a large circle that spread throughout the surroundings in an instant.

The ground shook as if an earthquake had occurred, and the coniferous trees in the forest shook their branches, producing the sound of the wind. People standing nearby felt a strange sensation as if the sharp flow of invisible air pierced through their entire bodies. Gezell, who had been quietly waiting for the results, spoke. Fg4E8l

“…Other devices or magic aren’t detected. Larcof, will you try searching?”

This time, Larcof raised his staff. Reciting a spell and waving his staff in all directions, he closely examined whether there was any invisible magic nearby. However, it was brief. Ultimately, as he lowered his staff, his expression was far from refreshing.

“I couldn’t find anything either.”

Larcof glanced at the thin golden hair entwined around Gezell’s finger and sighed. He whispered to Gezell, making sure others couldn’t hear. wBrg8a

“Your Grace, tracking magic utilizing a part of the body works by tracing the body itself, not life responses. So…”

“What are you trying to say?”

Gezell’s voice, cutting off Larcof’s words, was icy. His gaze was filled with hostility. Even a skilled magician well-regarded by the king couldn’t continue speaking, closing his mouth.

With an atmosphere that had begun to wrap around him, creating a chilling rather than cold atmosphere, Gezell, who was now looking ahead, was approached by the search party leader, who had been surveying below the cliff with a troubled expression. 4vguhe

“It would be better to conduct a more detailed search once it gets brighter, but there seems to be no other path leading below the cliff in the vicinity. At the moment, it’s too dark to realize it’s a cliff, and the most likely scenario is slipping and falling. We should check below the cliff for now. However, since it’s still winter, entering the river might be…”

Interrupting the search party leader, who was attempting to calm the momentarily rising anger, Gezell commanded.

“Someone agile like him wouldn’t have fallen into the river. Thoroughly search the vicinity, and if anything unusual is found or if he’s discovered, report immediately. Larcof, you stay here. If the search party needs magic assistance, lend a hand. You also had a good relationship with Sir Maelrosen; you might be able to help.”

“Understood.” DbBz7q

“…As your words suggested, the magic just now operates by tracking the body itself. If he fell into the water, it wouldn’t have indicated this direction. He must be nearby. I entrust it to you.”

After giving the orders, Gezell mounted his horse again. As the horse’s hooves struck the ground and he started to move quickly, his long hair fluttered like a black flag.