DLRV 15

Without realizing it, a sneer escaped me. The Roam family excels at external propaganda. So if they had formed a search party, they would have put someone convincing at the forefront.

My busy father or my sister Frizian might find it difficult, but they would surely have placed someone with ties to me on horseback for all to see.

Arin? With what shamelessness do they dare put forth a knight who stabbed his master in the back?

The situation was obvious. Arin, who testified to a false rumor about me, was imprisoned—not for the truth of his words, but for the fact that he had betrayed his master.

However, after things unfolded like this, the family must have pulled him back out. He would now be searching desperately for me in order to reclaim his place.

To others, it would appear as the noble devotion of a knight yearning to find his lady.

“There’s no way we can pass through with the search party spread out like that.”

Xenon, who was hiding in the bushes and observing the distant soldiers, let out a sigh. If he could still use magic, we might have found more options, but unfortunately, Xenon was now just an ordinary person.

The rural village we had passed through was now crawling with Roam soldiers. I wasn’t sure how they had arrived, but they had clearly picked up a scent.

Perhaps the farmers who tried to capture me had reported something. They might have seen the wanted poster and recognized me.

“Do you have some kind of relationship with that knight up front? He’s desperately searching for you, Lady Annelie.”

“…He was my knight.”

“A knight… Doesn’t that mean he was like your right hand? Then wouldn’t it be better to seek his cooperation?”

Right hand… I had heard someone describe it that way before. I twisted my lips as I replied.

“The last image I remember of him is his face as he testified before the Roam family, claiming that I brought men into my bedroom every night.”

Xenon, his mouth opening and closing as if at a loss for words, cleared his throat awkwardly.

“…I spoke nonsense.”

“I’m glad you realized.”

I responded cynically, then turned my gaze toward the distant village. Right now, they were only searching through the village, but soon, they would expand into this forest. If they searched the mountains, they would surely find traces of our camp.

To reach Gelburn, we had to pass through that village, but there were other routes. Still, could we be sure the search party was only there?

What if they were coordinating and sharing information?

No, that was unlikely. If I knew Roam—and if I knew the imperial family—they would monopolize the information and try to capture me themselves first.

“We’ll have to take a detour.”

“Which way would be better?”

There were two paths around the village. One led to the river, the other to the plains. Riding through the plains would be fast, but we would be easily spotted.

“For reference, there might be monsters near the river…”

“Let’s take the river.”

“Did you hear what I said correctly?”

“You said there are monsters. If they came based on a tip about me, they wouldn’t think I’d be crazy enough to head straight into a monster habitat.”

The people of the Roam duchy knew better than anyone that I had no real abilities.

Besides, they believed I had barely survived being kidnapped by a wyvern. They wouldn’t expect me to willingly enter a monster-infested area again.

“Besides, compared to people, monsters are far more reliable.”

Xenon’s eyes widened in shock at my words.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Hah, my master had the same mindset.”

Really? Someone who realized this truth of life without having to die first?

“Whoever your master is, they must be quite wise. Though it’s unfortunate they had such a lousy disciple.”

I muttered indifferently, and Xenon shot me a dissatisfied look.

“Excuse me, but do you know who’s been helping you this whole time?”

I stared at him for a moment before letting a small smile slip.

Are all mages this simple? I remembered the mages from the Tower assigned to Gelburn as being more strict and rigid.

Even the imperial court mages I had met before were all cunning snakes beneath their exteriors.

“I know, Xenon.”

Honestly, this kind of straightforwardness was better than being needlessly secretive. I smiled and stood up. Enough chatting—we needed to escape before we were tracked.

I avoided riding to prevent drawing attention, so we proceeded on foot. Then I noticed Xenon standing still, frozen in place.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”

Xenon hastily shook his head and stumbled forward in a fluster. What’s wrong with him? Did he step on a hornet’s nest or something? Pushing aside my curiosity, I continued walking.

The closer we got to the river, the stronger the fishy smell became. Perhaps because my senses were heightened, the stench was particularly pungent.

The rough sound of rushing water was somewhat refreshing. We were almost at the river. The area was thick with vegetation, so once we crossed, we could easily hide.

[No smell of blood. No pursuers.]

Thanks to Nesi checking in occasionally, we were able to move more swiftly. As the thought that we were nearing our destination settled in, my body grew tense with urgency.

Licking my dry lips, I focused on the approaching path ahead. The sound of the river grew louder beyond the dense undergrowth. We were almost there.

Almost there…

“Stop.”

Xenon hesitated at my sudden restraint. At the same time, Nesi bared his teeth and stared ahead, as if sensing something.

In a crowded city, it would be harder to notice, but in a forest or by a riverside like this, my keen senses were quite useful. It made it much easier to detect human presence—just like now.

Nadav snorted unhappily.

[Captain, I sense an unpleasant presence.]

I still didn’t believe that the search parties were working together. Neither Roam nor the imperial family would want to share information with each other. If a third party from another country got involved, they would be just as secretive.

But I had failed to consider that the temple might be different.

“What’s wrong?”

Xenon looked puzzled at my frozen stance as I stared ahead. If I turned and ran now, they would surely follow me.

“They’re after me anyway, so take the hint and run. You know the destination, right?”

“What?”

“I’ll pay later, so buy the goods in advance and wait.”

[The enemy’s presence is strong. I will protect you.]

Nesi stepped forward bravely. I glanced at him and gave a faint smile.

“I appreciate it, but first, protect the weak male of your pack, Nesi.”

I slowly stroked Nadav’s back and took a deep breath.

Alright, I can do this.

“Wait, Annel—”

“See you later, Xenon.”

Gripping Nadav’s neck tightly, I leaped with all my strength. In an instant, I mounted him and pulled the reins, feeling the sudden stir of movement ahead—whoever had been waiting silently by the river had just reacted.

“Run, Nadav!”

Nadav kicked off powerfully and surged forward. The sudden start threw me off balance, but I lowered my upper body as much as possible and braced against the wind pressure.

Behind me, I heard chaotic shouting and clattering. Amidst the noise, one voice stood out—one I knew all too well.

Damn it, Samuel. How does that bastard keep finding me?

[Captain, more people are gathering ahead!]

It seemed the pursuers behind me had signaled the search party in the village. Gritting my teeth, I held onto the reins as tightly as I could.

“Can we break through?”

[Ordinary weapons cannot wound me.]

Nadav’s speed was faster than that of a normal horse. If I hadn’t regained my health after my resurrection, I would have fallen off long ago.

“Then push through.”

Ahead, I began to make out the silhouettes of people. The soldiers who had been trying to block my path hesitated when they saw Nadav charging at full speed without slowing down.

Some brave ones stepped forward, raising their weapons. Clenching my teeth, I lowered my body as much as possible.

The soldiers flinched at the sight of the massive horse approaching them at breakneck speed. At that moment, Nadav leaped over them in a single bound.

The soldiers, realizing too late what had happened, tried to strike with their weapons, but Nadav dodged them effortlessly and continued forward.

“Lady Anel!”

The hood I had worn to hide my identity had come loose in the commotion, fluttering behind me. My poor attempt at dyeing my hair had been useless—Arin recognized me immediately.

“Lady Anel, it’s me, Arin!”

The soldiers couldn’t stop Nadav. Even if they threw themselves in the way, it wouldn’t be easy—especially when Nadav looked far more robust and intimidating than an ordinary horse, making them hesitate before even trying.

Good. Now I just have to push through and get into the mountains.

“Nadav, that way!”

I sensed a few riders trying to catch up. Not that it mattered. I kept my eyes fixed forward and continued to race ahead.

My plan was to keep riding deep into the mountains, all the way into the monster-infested forest. It was right there in front of me. I had been lying low on Nadav’s back the whole time, but now I raised myself slightly.

I had memorized the map, but perhaps because of my urgency, I couldn’t recall the exact terrain right away.

If I just keep going straight, then turn at the right spot, I should reach the forest—the same one where I first met Nadav.

Familiar trees flashed past my vision. There it was—the forest. Soon, the trees would completely obscure us.

If I could just get through the forest, then…

“Ugh!”

A sudden burning pain shot through my arm, abruptly cutting off my train of thought. My grip on the reins loosened, and my body swayed dangerously.

[Captain!]

On a galloping horse, losing balance was deadly. As my body tilted, Nadav, startled, began to slow down—but by then, I was already flying through the air, crashing into the underbrush.

The thick foliage, about half my height, softened the fall slightly.

Even so, my vision flickered, and a dull ringing filled my head.

Was this it? Was I really going to die this time?