***
Amarion shut her mouth and stared ahead at the dark forest path.
She realized something during this subjugation period. She could do quite a lot with a sword. Thanks to the support of the nobles and local residents who thanked her for what she did, she gained a little confidence.
But then she remembered the people of Fidelburg, who died helplessly to Chimeras. She also remembered her hometown, Amari, where people died every winter. The Northern winds still blew in her mind.
So she couldn’t fully accept that statement.
“I am not a genius.”
A genius was someone who could turn a country upside down by themselves. They were a person who could change the lives of tens of thousands of people in an instant.
Like the great healer who invented fever medicine, the blacksmith of the Southern kingdom who developed the printing press, the bard who compiled epics from all over the continent, or the knight who expanded the borders of the Empire, ‘Walking Death’.
Such people were geniuses. She didn’t deserve to be called that. She couldn’t even properly protect a small estate.
The knights did not speak for a long time. Suddenly, Sir Leonard opened his mouth.
“I wandered all over the continent with his highness. I met countless warriors and knights.”
“…”
“But no one like him.”
He asserted.
“He was strong as a child, but after losing his older brother, his skill became indescribable. It truly made me want to quit swordsmanship.”
Leonard’s tone, as always, was blunt. But since he was more serious about swordsmanship than anyone else, she felt compelled to believe him.
He asked Amarion.
“You’re the same, aren’t you?”
Amarion couldn’t say anything. Because it wasn’t a lie.
Victor was a really great swordsman. He was perfect in strength, stamina, and even technique. But she thought she could reach his level if she tried. He was a realistic goal for her.
Sir Raoul smiled as he watched Amarion, who couldn’t deny it.
“So that’s why you’re also a genius. Perhaps in Amari, Madame was as praised as she is here.”
“I don’t know, was I?”
Amarion laughed bitterly.
She couldn’t understand. In the end, Amarion drew her sword.
“I don’t want to be great, I want to keep everyone safe.”
The gloomy forest path that she had discovered during the day was in front of them.
＊ ＊ ＊
They lowered their voices and followed the path.
The monsters did not walk along this road as they did during the day. She could see fire wolves’ eyes from afar, but they didn’t even howl. It was as if everything on the rocky mountain was holding its breath.
After traveling for a long time, the horses suddenly stopped. Trembling as if they were terrified, they had to unload the horses and release them. The horses disappeared down the road at tremendous speed. They would probably return to the castle’s stable, but it bothered her that even well-trained war horses were running away.
The desire to send the two of them back became more intense, but they wouldn’t listen even if she ordered them.
At that time, Raoul whispered quickly.
“Madame, look at that.”
Amarion looked at where Raoul’s finger was directed to and bit her lip.
“Why is there a Serpent in such a place…?”
There was a huge Serpent.
The Snake Serpent, also called a water dragon because it was as big as a house, was a huge monster that was hard to find even in the North. They usually lived in large lakes or rivers, but there were variants that could fly.
And it was that kind of variant. The large wings lost their strength and were drooping. That meant…
“…It is already dead.”
Amarion carefully examined the Serpent.
It must have been quite some time since it died, since the body had hardened. The scales were broken, and there were traces of something grabbing it, shaking it and throwing it away.
Were there any monsters that could do this?
Serpents were very strong and belligerent, and one of them could dominate several lakes and mountains.
“Did a Hydra kill it?”
Asked Raoul.
“Hydra’s teeth are not that sharp. Besides, if its wound is this big…”
‘Doesn’t it look like it’s been attacked by a dragon?’
Amarion swallowed her words.
There was no need to make the knights anxious for nothing.
Leonard beckoned, holding up his torch.
“There are bloodstains over there.”
The serpent’s turquoise blood was smeared up the mountain. They cautiously followed the trail. Amarion gripped her sword firmly in her hand.
If their opponent was truly a legendary dragon, there would be nothing left but chunks of meat. And if they did encounter a dragon, they would have to throw away their swords, draw its attention, and run away.
Amarion crossed the mountain pass, hoping that such a situation wouldn’t happen.
As they ascended, the scenery became more gloomy. The dark forest smelled damp, and the shadows moved as if they were alive.
And soon, they reached a dark cave.
“…What’s inside?”
Amarion cautiously stepped into the cave. The cave between the large rocky cliffs was so dark that its depth was unknown.
It felt so ominous.
Judging from the scratch marks at the entrance, it was something quite vicious.
It would be nice if it was a variant Orc.
Amarion slowly made her way into the cave.
Then, suddenly, an eerie aura ran down her spine.
“Stop!”
At her sharp words, the knights paused.
Raoul gripped his axe and asked quickly.
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“Madame, why?”
“Look ahead.”
Leonard held out his torch slightly.
What seemed to be black darkness wriggled weakly. In fear and astonishment, the knight muttered.
“Maybe this is a–”
“Yes.”
It was a monster.
Amarion whispered and looked up at the huge mass that filled the entire cave.
A gigantic snake, whose size was difficult to even estimate, was asleep on its back.
A terrifying silence engulfed them. She couldn’t say anything out of overwhelming shock. She had never seen anything like this. She now understood why her instincts were constantly sending out danger signals. She took a deep breath.
‘There is no dragon. Haven’t we been sure of that for more than 20 years? This is just a common monster.’
Amarion calmed her mind and looked at the beast, trying to determine whether or not it was a snake.
Brilliant black scales, large wings, and forelimbs with sharp claws.
She realized it very slowly, with the senses that she had honed by fighting all her life.
‘What is this and what should I do?’
“…Go back to the castle.”
Leonard clenched his teeth at her command.
“I can’t obey you this time, Madame.”
Amarion could hear his heavy sword moving.
“No knight ever leaves a colleague in a place like this. At least let me guard your back.”
“I feel the same way. Please rethink it.”
Raoul also raised his giant axe. But she couldn’t respect their wishes.
This time, she couldn’t be sure of victory.
“People with families shouldn’t fight.”
Amarion exhaled firmly.
“Go back. It is an order.”
The knights’ faces distorted. After a long silence, they finally took a step back.
Amarion didn’t even look at them. No matter how hard it was, she had to stay alone.
Even if she died, she was planning to block this deadly monster alone. Because if one person could sacrifice themselves to protect everyone, that was the right thing to do. She left the comfortable estate to protect them. If their eyes met, such determination would falter.
Amarion swallowed her words and gave them one last order.
“…If I don’t come back by tomorrow morning, come back with Victor.”
The knights exchanged bitter glances.
They nodded and quickly exited the cave.
＊ ＊ ＊
How much time had passed?
Amarion sat down and tried to count the time. The moon couldn’t reach the depths of the cave, so there was no way to estimate the passage of time. It was just her, the sleeping monster, and heavy silence.
Numerous thoughts ran through her mind.
‘Did they reach the castle safely?’
‘They’re not that weak, so they’ll be fine.’
‘The Count and Lady Julianna will send reinforcements as I requested, and other knights will follow out of concern.’
‘What if Mary worries too much? I said I’d come back safely.’
‘And Victor…’
‘What if he can’t fall asleep because of worry?’
Amarion struggled to shake off the bad thoughts and tried to think brightly.
‘Will Catalina get well soon?’
‘When we get back, we can drink tea together in the castle, and she’ll be happy to help with the preparations for the ball. She might have gotten attached to Sir Carlz after arguing with him.’
‘And I might be able to finish Volume 3 of .’
‘According to what I’ve been reading recently, Dordophin was looking for the Grand Duke at Flamberge’s request. Will Dordophin finally find out the identity of naughty Flamberge? Or will he cut off the head of her father?’
Anticipating various things, she raised her head.
“…”
Amarion was honestly scared.
It was the first time she had ever seen such a monster.
If her prediction was correct, this was a very rare and strong variant.
The only weakness was its eyes and mouth, and if you made eye contact, it would cast a spell. Even her swordsmanship would be useless against it, and she knew that her life would be blown away by a single mistake.
She didn’t think she’d ever be able to kill it, but she knew what she had to do. She didn’t want to attract anyone close to her.
Victor or anyone else.
She put on her cloak bitterly. She couldn’t fight right now because if she forced the monster to wake up, it might go crazy. It was even more painful to imagine waiting for it to wake up.
Even a few months ago, the most difficult thing in her life was the contempt of ladies. Now that she thought about it, she didn’t know how full of worry she was.
Her life used to be like that. But everyday was one step closer to death. It was cold and lonely, especially when you had people to protect.
‘Yes. Until he shows up.’
“Marion!”
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“Victor?”
She was startled and raised her head.
***
Kofi shop updated till chapter 79.