It took several days to complete the preparations for the delegation's departure. As the matter concerned going outside the walls, Cornelia decided to listen to the margrave's opinion. Any advice that did not state the need to cancel or postpone the mission was good advice. Nolden, who had the most experience in dealing with the outside world in the Castro kingdom, assigned around two dozen soldiers and three dogs and provided additional supplies and the latest maps. The princess left most of her escorts with the margrave. They were all chosen by Kroghan, but only a few had recent and considerable experience fighting with nymphs. This was quicker than teaching everyone the required skills, like shooting.

Cornelia glanced at the guy who was riding beside her. Nolden also tasked Sieg to assist the delegation. Having a Magic Snatcher with them cheered the soldiers from the wall, but not those she brought with her from the capital. They were good enough to keep their opinions to themselves, but not at hiding the emotions that were showing all over their faces. Her guards’ faces tightened as they observed their master’s amicable interaction with a human weapon. She felt the soldiers' stares as Sieg happily offered his help in teaching her to shoot.

"No need. I shoot well, like any member of the royal family. It’s a part of education," she instantly declined back then.

‘Maybe it was better to play along,’ thought Cornelia, remembering how her words had made the guy feel down and dejected.

Despite being focused on scanning the surroundings, Sieg sensed her gaze and turned towards the princess.

"Is something the matter, Your Highness? Are you tired?"

"No, not at all." Cornelia berated herself for staring. It was rude, not to mention it always led to unnecessary attention from soldiers. At least Dr. Winda followed them in a carriage. She wasn't fond of horses and preferred reading or sleeping while sitting among packages of supplies.

The princess distracted Sieg's attention from her own fluster with a question, "How is the area? Are there any nymphs?"

"No, at least none of those who are using magic at the moment." The guy's face turned serious right away. It was a miracle that they were lucky enough to avoid any fights so far. They changed course twice, going around a group of oreads and a single dryad. Losing some time was a better solution than risking their lives and health in a needless fight. But Sieg was still frowning. "If they don't use magic, I won't be able to find them. And I believe they know this too."

"Yet nymphs can't imagine their lives without magic. It would be unbearable for them not to use any, so don't worry," assured him Cornelia. "And don't frown so often. You look much more handsome when you smile."

Sieg blinked, staring at the princess. Fortunately for him, his mare continued walking despite its rider’s confusion.

"Me?" Just in case, Sieg asked, "I’m handsome?"

"Of course you are!" The answer burst out before Cornelia could think. Her sudden boldness made the girl quickly change the topic. "I’ll go ahead and find out about the current situation. I think we’ll arrive soon."

Without waiting for his response, the princess urged her horse into a trot. 'God, what am I saying?' She concentrated on riding. At least that way, she could calm her thoughts. 'I rarely make such mistakes. Why now?'

But the answer did not come. All these questions seemed pointless. As a member of the royal family, she had a duty to treat everyone with kindness and justice, regardless of their background, be that a servant, a subject or a foreigner. However, this ideal was still beyond her reach. 'I suppose it’s a sense of guilt. Even if he said an apology wasn’t necessary, it doesn’t erase what my family has done to him and to other Magic Snatchers.'

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The group wasn’t big, and she quickly reached the vanguard. It was the duty of the margrave soldiers to scout the area ahead. Those who had come from the capital were guarding the carriages with supplies, trade goods, and doctor’s luggage. Today, the soldier who carefully checked the surroundings ahead of the delegation looked rather young. He had chestnut hair and some freckles on his nose and cheeks. Although the summer had already passed, his fair skin was still tan.

"Is it the entrance to the caves?" Cornelia asked when she caught up with him.

The plain wasteland seemed endless. For days, all they could see were grey rocks sprinkled with white sand and low bushes that barely reached the knees. There were almost no large animals here, at least during the day, and no water sources, not even a tiny brook. In this flatland, a pile of whitish-yellow cliffs could be seen from far away.

"Ah, yes," the young soldier flinched. Despite the sound of hooves, the appearance of the princess startled him. "Yes, your highness. It’s the entrance, I believe. I haven’t been there myself, you see."

This was expected. The margrave might have contacts with the Indivisibles, but the number of such contacts could not be significant. And the trade parties were probably smaller and comprised veterans.

"I still can’t believe we reached it without any fights," said Cornelia. Soldiers from the capital were wary of Sieg; similarly, those from the wall were ill at ease with the princess. She hoped the conversation would ease the young man’s mind a bit, but he was still clutching the reins and biting his lip. "The path to the Indivisibles is rumored to be extremely dangerous. Has the margrave cleared the way or something?"

"I have no information about that, Your Highness."

Cornelia slowed her horse; further questioning would feel like an interrogation. It took an hour until they reached the cliffs, and this time, the princess repeated in her mind all the things she knew about the Caves and their inhabitants.

However, the sight they arrived at was too different from the pictures in books. The caves depicted in paintings and stories were small and narrow, like giant tunnels burrowed by giant animals. The Indivisibles Caves looked more like a canyon with a ceiling. Standing in front of the entrance, humans gazed at an immense crater surrounded by cliffs. A long, gentle slope led into darkness. They could not bring carriages there. Reorganizing supplies, soldiers hid empty carriages between cliffs. Delegates continued on foot, leading loaded horses and carrying lamps.

Going down, the humans could feel how gradually the dry, dusty air became moist. Cornelia breathed deeply, trying to recognize the smell. It felt like something between a greenhouse and a basement, with the fragrance of some plants and damp earth. Eventually, the initially bare, yellow-brown walls became covered in blue moss and pale plants. The latter resembled a strange hybrid of a mushroom and grass with thick white stems and smoked-colored leaves.

"Please, doctor, you can’t keep the whole delegation waiting for you."

Cornelia turned around. Dr. Winda’s interest in the local flora wasn’t just admiring gazing. She had already started to collect samples. The princess could understand the anxious soldier’s feelings, but it felt insensitive to stop a scientist full of enthusiasm.

"It’s fine. A few minutes won’t change anything," assured the soldiers, Cornelia. They had already reached their destination, though it had taken much longer than expected. It was the end of September - the month they had planned to return to the wall. Even a whole day’s wait makes little difference at this stage.

The dogs they brought sniffed the surroundings. Unlike humans, who were all cautious and tense, these three animals wagged their tails in excitement. Sieg petted the closest one to him. The black dog’s tail moved even faster. As the guy looked up to meet the princess’s gaze, he softly remarked, "The further we go, the stronger the magic feels. These caves are full of it. I’m afraid I won’t be able to detect nymphs at this rate."

His concern was understandable. Apart from the problem of spotting nymphs, humans were at a disadvantage, trapped in an enormous, yet still closed space.

"We will have to rely on information that the nymphs detest sharing the same territory with Indivisibles," said Cornelia, and glanced at the doctor. Winda finished collecting the samples, and they were ready to go. "Let’s be vigilant, but ensure your weapon remains holstered. We are guests here. We must not scare or anger our hosts before negotiations even begin."