Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 152: The Avalanche

Chapter 152: The Avalanche

"We don’t have enough time to notify the other knights who were left in the castle," Tillian remarked, his gaze returning to the forest with a mix of concern and determination. "I must admit, this feels like a rather desperate situation. We don’t have enough manpower to both stop the beasts and put out the fire, and I don’t want to involve the villagers in this either. However... If the forest is destroyed, the beasts will have no place to return and will start roaming freely across The North; it will be mayhem."

Aideen, sensing the urgency of the situation, refused to yield to despair.

Moving her horse closer to her husband, she declared,

"I think we can do it, Your Grace. I can help."

Her words drew surprised looks from everyone present. The Duke was the first to voice his confusion,

"You can help?"

His wife nodded firmly,

"Yes, I believe so. I have been making quite good progress with the Eye of The Storm ability. Maybe if I try really hard this time, I can evoke an avalanche from the Dragon Mountain which will stop both the fire and the beasts. Then, you’ll only have to dispatch your men to catch the ones who have already escaped."

"Out of the question!" Tillian’s narrowed eyes seemed to intensify with the bright fire burning within them. "Although I admit that this is a good idea in theory and appreciate your desire to help, this is too dangerous. I cannot allow you to risk your life like this!"

"But we have no time!" Aideen’s emotions were now beyond her control. "So many people are in grave danger. Do you really want to leave this to the grace of fate?! We don’t have the privilege of debating over this, Your Grace. We have a chance to stop this, and I insist we take it!"

Duke Valentine could not help but acknowledge that, despite his prowess as a strategist and a fighter, when it came to his wife, he found it difficult to make a decision, no matter how logical it might be.

Yet, he knew that the princess was right. Using her abilities was their best chance. Thus, albeit reluctantly, he finally relented,

"Alright. I will go with you to ensure your safety, while the rest of the knights will scatter and look for the beasts."

"No," Aideen moved her horse to the scouting knight and added, "I want Sir Noah to go with me. He managed to come here quickly, so he will lead me to the forest faster. Besides, you are the most skilled fighter among the rest. It will be faster for you to catch and slay the beasts."

Although Aideen truly believed that Tillian was the best beast slayer in The North, her main reason for refusing his company was her concern for his life.

’I have no idea what I can do with the Eye of The Storm... If worse comes to worst, both of us can die, and I can’t allow this. He has to live and become the King.’

"Your Grace, Lady Aideen is right," the knight rushed to agree with the princess, "it is best to have you hunting the beasts. You alone can do the job of a dozen knights. I will make sure Her Grace is safe no matter what, I promise."

Pressed by the urgency of the matter, the Duke released a long sigh and nodded,

"If anything happens to my wife, don’t bother returning to the order."

He then approached Aideen, covered her lips with his, leaving a hot mark of a passionate kiss on them, and concluded before leaving,

"At the first sign of danger, you are coming back. Do you understand me? Promise me you will come back."

"I promise."

***

As Aideen and Sir Noah ventured towards the forest ablaze, the urgency of their mission became increasingly apparent. Moving forward, Aideen relied on her mana, her senses reaching out like tendrils of light in the darkness. She strained, pushing her magical vision to its limits, desperate to gauge the extent of the danger ahead. At last, she was able to see it. The forest, once a peaceful although dead place, was now drowning in flames, a spectacle both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

"We can stop now, Sir Noah! I think I can do it from here."

The two of them stopped their horses and although the source of the calamity was still far ahead, the distance was quite safe and the knight decided to trust his lady.

Recalling the lessons imparted by Ahspid, the princess steadied her resolve. She focused her frantic mind and with a silent chanting, summoned forth the power within her, channeling it into the ancient magic taught by her mentor. The air crackled with energy as she urged the Dragon Mountain to respond, beseeching it to unleash the avalanche that would quench the fire.

But her first attempts faltered, the magic slipping through her grasp like water through clenched fists. Doubt gnawed at her resolve, threatening to extinguish the flickering hope within her heart. Yet, she refused to yield, drawing strength from the memory of her training and the promise she made to Tillian.

’I am not doing enough... I cannot give up before giving it my everything.’

With a final, desperate effort, Aideen summoned forth the full force of her magic. She felt the earth tremble beneath her feet as the mountain finally responded to her call. And then, with a deafening roar, the avalanche cascaded down the slopes, a torrent of snow and ice racing to meet the flames below.

As the fire was quenched and the forest fell silent once more, Aideen collapsed to her knees, her body wracked with exhaustion. Yet, amidst the overwhelming fatigue, she felt a glimmer of triumph. She had faced the challenge and emerged victorious, her magic proving to be a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.

With Sir Noah’s support, Aideen rose to her feet, her gaze lingering on the smoldering remains of the forest. Though weakened, she knew that she had fulfilled her promise to Tillian.