The Northern Frontier wasn't the continent's northernmost border—that belonged to the Beastfolk, not humans. Living on the frigid, barren snowfields, they raided human border towns yearly, stealing food and slaves. To counter them, cities placed slums inland, facing the Beastfolk with towering walls and a narrow stone bridge over an icy river.

By now, it should be raid season.

The wooden gates were shut tight, but the Beastfolk's thunderous roars outside pierced through like actual thunder.

On the walls, militiamen and civilians gathered. In this crisis, helping defend was reasonable—but they barely moved, more like spectators.

Curiosity drove Rein to the walls. Being short, she squeezed easily to the front. Yet the wall's height only let her peek over with half her head. Still, she saw what unfolded below.

Countless green-skinned Beastfolk surged toward the stone bridge like a tide. They wore tattered armor or hides; some just covered privates with rags. Their weapons were shoddy—many wielded thick beast leg bones as clubs.

At the bridge's end, as far as Rein could see, stood soldiers in silvery-white armor. The coffins on their backs confirmed they were the Vindictive Knights she'd met earlier.

Before she could confirm, a forward Vindictive Knight fought desperately. But burly Beastfolk yanked him into their ranks. In less than a second, he vanished among the green skins—not even a pained scream. The attackers stripped his bloodied armor, donning it regardless of fit. One even hoisted the Knight's coffin as a weapon against those defending the bridge.

"Can't see..."

Rein couldn't make out details. Then a painfully familiar voice sounded in her ear. Unnoticed, she'd drifted near the city lord, chatting amiably with his lackey.

"These guys actually wanted to requisition my grain? Too greedy!"

"You're right, my lord, but what if higher-ups investigate? Hard to explain!"

"What's hard? They volunteered to defend outside. We're not obligated to open gates! So if they die, they die."

"But without them, defending ourselves might be..."

"We've held out many times before. What's there to fear!"

They kept chatting casually. From this, Rein gathered crucial intel. The Vindictive Knights aimed to requisition grain, not hunt someone. And they'd been "volunteered."

Logically, Vindictive Knights weren't stupid enough to face an entire Beastfolk army with a small squad—even on narrow terrain. But if the lord tied defending outside to Holy Knight virtues, it changed everything. These Vindictive Knights were straightforward—more so than orthodox Holy Knights—hence their high combat prowess.

So, should she save them?

Rein was a Mage. Their deaths weren't her concern. Saving them was a favor; not saving was reasonable. But considering the lord's nasty trick, she decided to save them—not by going down herself, but by opening the gates!

The gate mechanism was easy to operate—one person could handle it. But first, she needed to lure away the dim-looking brute guarding the lever.

He stood by the mechanism like a statue. If not for his chest rising with breath, Rein might've thought he was a wax figure.

She'd heard of him before becoming a girl. A mercenary once, a head injury turned him simple-minded. The city lord took him in. Another rumor said the lord arranged it—but the truth was unknown.

"Hey, big uncle!"

The dullard instantly noticed the little girl at the door. His face was carved in stone, unchanging.

"The city lord wants you!"

Without a word, he walked out.

The room emptied. The lever was right before Rein, within reach.

"Easier than expected."

She reached to pull it—but it was fixed solid, unmoving.

"Why so heavy?"

Rein strained with all her might, barely budging it.

"Maybe try Mental Force..."

Mental Force Manifestation solidified dispersed Mental Force through magic. With enough strength, it could move things beyond physical reach.

"Focus!"

Her Mental Force concentrated slightly, forming a translucent ring at the lever's end. With it, she could pull easily.

But then, Rein felt herself flying—not from her manifested force. She turned to see the dumb brute grabbing her like a chick.

"You lied! The city lord never called for me!"