Chapter 47

“Did she step out for a walk?”

 

The rabbit was absorbed in its delicious snack. A small laugh escaped Nazlee at the cuteness.

 

“You shouldn’t just wander into places like this.”

 

At her words, the rabbit perked its ears. Nazlee approached the bed, picked it up, and stroked its head with her fingers as she headed out of the tent.

 

“Let’s go meet Lady Lilithia. I really want to introduce you to her.”

 

Nazlee scanned the campsite, but Lady Lilithia was nowhere in sight. At the hunting festival, other than the tents, there were only a few indoor places one could enter. She wanted to ask the attendants if they’d seen Lady Lilithia, but they all looked far too busy.

 

“Maybe she went to the small-animal hunting grounds?”

 

It was possible she’d missed her while chasing after the quick-footed rabbit. Nazlee hurried to the hunting grounds.

 

“She’s not here…?”

 

No matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t find the young lady. Flustered, she approached a group of young noblewomen chatting together.

 

“Excuse me—have any of you seen Lady Lilithia?”

 

“You mean Lady Lilithia Baimery?”

 

“Yes.” Nazlee nodded.

 

The young women tilted their heads and answered,

 

“We haven’t seen her around here.”

 

‘If she’s not in the tent and not at the hunting grounds, then where is she…?’

 

The sky was darkening, heavy with clouds that promised rain.

 

‘Her body isn’t in good condition…’

 

Seeing Nazlee’s worried face, one of the noblewomen spoke.

 

“If you’re concerned about where she is, why don’t you try the main hunting-festival headquarters?”

 

“The headquarters?”

 

“Yes. They can see the footage from the scrying orbs installed throughout the forest. If you visit, you might be able to find out where Lady Lilithia is.”

 

“Wow! That’s such a good idea, my lady!”

 

Nazlee beamed.

 

“Then I’ll go check right away!”

 

She quickly headed toward the headquarters, rabbit in her arms.

 

 

***

 

 

Freyer reached the rocky cliff of the forest at high speed. When he saw the black panther standing atop the cave, he dismounted and hid his horse behind a tree. At the faint sound, the black panther fixed its gaze on the forest where he stood, baring its teeth.

 

Grrr—

 

“As expected of the forest’s ruler. You’re on a different level.”

 

The reason monsters rarely invaded Spruce Forest was this black panther. It reigned supreme in a brutal world of survival.

 

Its size far exceeded that of a normal panther—its sharp fangs, chilling eyes, and overwhelming aura were unlike anything ordinary beasts possessed.

 

Thump—!

 

From atop the cave, the panther leapt down with force. Freyer drew the sword at his hip and advanced.

 

“I’m busy. I don’t have time to play with you.”

 

His unwavering presence made the panther hesitate before crouching low.

 

In the next instant, the panther crept forward and lunged with claws bared.

 

Roar—!

 

Freyer blocked its sharp claws with his blade. When its attack failed, the panther recoiled with surprise, narrowing its eyes with a curious glint.

 

“You’ve never faced someone like me, have you.”

 

As Freyer raised his sword and took a step forward, the panther sprang again, jaws wide to tear into his hand. He swung in a wide arc.

 

Roar! Grrr—

 

Dragged by the arc of the blade, the panther crashed to the ground. It struggled but rose again, tense.

 

Freyer tightened his grip and approached. The panther lunged again—only to slice through empty air.

 

Whine—!

 

It rolled across the ground. Wounds streaked its body, and the once-fearless eyes were shaken by terror.

 

When Freyer stepped closer, the panther leapt back and bounded up a rock.

 

“Damn.”

 

Freyer’s expression hardened. It was trying to flee. He glanced at the darkening sky.

 

‘I can’t waste time.’

 

There’d been no message from Jaybil. Something could have happened at the camp.

 

Freyer vaulted up the rock after it.

 

The panther’s movements were lightning-fast—there was a reason it was called the ruler of the forest. It dodged his blade again and again as if predicting his strikes.

 

“You can’t run any farther.”

 

Cornered at a dead end, the panther roared and leapt. Freyer’s blade flashed with blue aura as he struck.

 

Their clash was sharp and decisive.

 

The panther collapsed, struck in the vital point between its shoulder and neck.

 

Thud—

 

Freyer sheathed his sword and knelt beside it.

 

“…Sorry.”

 

He closed its still-open eyes. Then he pulled out a storage artifact and activated it; the body was absorbed and vanished.

 

“I didn’t think it would take this long…”

 

Chasing the panther had dragged him deep into the forest. He had to return immediately.

 

Freyer tucked the artifact away and whistled. Hearing the sound, his horse galloped over. He mounted swiftly and took the reins.

 

“Back to camp.”

 

 

***

 

 

When he reached the camp, Freyer’s brow furrowed. Even from afar, the campsite was in disarray.

 

“The hunting festival shouldn’t be ending yet.”

 

The sun was setting, but midnight was still far off—and on his way back, he’d seen participants still hunting. Something was wrong.

 

“Your Highness…!”

 

Jaybil rushed over as Freyer dismounted, words spilling out.

 

“The communication orb wasn’t working, so I had no way to reach you… I’m relieved you’re unharmed.”

 

“The communication orb malfunctioned?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Jaybil swallowed, then gathered his courage.

 

“Your Highness, that isn’t the main issue. About that rumor earlier—that a mage collapsed…”

 

“?”

 

“I learned it wasn’t a mage. It was Lady Lilithia Baimery who collapsed.”

 

Freyer’s eyes tightened.

 

“Where is Lilithia now?”

 

“That is… it seems Lady Lilithia is not inside the camp at all.”

 

“…”

 

Jaybil lowered his head.

 

“I searched every corner of the camp—every tent, every space. I didn’t find even a strand of her hair.”

 

“Damn it.”

 

Freyer’s fist clenched, trembling with anger. In his absence, the Crown Prince had made a move against her.

 

“Is there any clue?”

 

“Lady Nazlee Idarand seems to know something, but I can’t get close to her.”

 

“Nazlee Idarand?”

 

“Yes…”

 

Jaybil pointed toward a group of nobles. Nazlee was at the center, crying, surrounded by concerned young ladies.

 

Freyer headed straight toward her.

 

“Ah—? Y-Your Highness the Second Prince…”

 

The noblewomen stepped aside immediately.

 

“Lady Nazlee must’ve just mistaken what she saw—”

 

At their words, Nazlee’s eyes flew wide and she shouted,

 

“I saw it clearly with my own eyes! The scrying orb showed Lady Lilithia collapsing in the forest!”

 

“Lady Lilithia couldn’t possibly be in the forest.”

 

“It’s true! You can check the orb if you don’t believe me!”

 

“But you heard it’s broken—that its recording function isn’t working, so we can’t verify anything.”

 

“…”

 

Nazlee burst into tears. The noblewomen tried to soothe her.

 

“We passed your words to the attendants—they’re searching the whole camp right now for Lady Lilithia.”

 

“But what if she isn’t in the camp? Then we have to go into the forest to rescue her—and the sun is already setting…”

 

Nazlee looked up at the darkening sky, her eyes trembling.

 

“Let’s calm down and wait a little—”

 

“How can I calm down! Lady Lilithia collapsed while moving through a gate. If she’s out there and something happens to her—”

 

She squeezed her eyes shut as if the thought alone was unbearable, then stood abruptly.

 

“I have to go save her! If no one else will, then I will!”

 

“My lady! Where are you going!”

 

The young ladies grabbed her in panic. Nazlee struggled but couldn’t break free.

 

“Let go of me… I need to go save Lady Lilithia right now—”

 

Tears streamed down her face.

 

“I’m the one who asked her to join the hunting festival. If something happens to her, what am I supposed to do…”

 

“Nazlee Idarand.”

 

The noblewomen looked up in alarm as Freyer stepped close.

 

Nazlee turned, meeting his gaze.

 

“Where did you see Lilithia collapse.”

 

His voice was sharp, rough—not the gentle tone she’d heard before.

 

“Once more. Where exactly did you see her.”

 

His urgency snapped Nazlee back to focus.

 

“Th-the place in the orb… all the locations looked similar, so I’m not exactly sure… There were lots of trees…”

 

“Anything unusual. Remember.”

 

Pressed by his intensity, Nazlee flinched and searched her memory.

 

“T-there were stones nearby. Pebbles, I think!”

 

“Is it a stream?”

 

On the map, a stream ran along the northeastern forest.

 

Freyer looked up at the sky. It was getting dark, and the air was becoming humid.Freyer’s heart pounded with urgency. Just as he was about to turn quickly—

 

Kwoooohhhhh—!

 

A large tremor accompanied by a monster’s roar echoed from the forest.

 

“Damn it.”