The dawn was breaking, but the chilly wind was harsh.
Before long, a blizzard was rising.
The evacuation convoy that had departed from the manor quickly increased in personnel. It was a lucky escape that a route for evacuation had been prepared in advance.
Fortunately, numerous refugees from the territory were participating in the convoy.
Of course, their expressions were not bright.
They had to leave their beloved hometown as if in flight. There was no one, including Viscount Percus, whose complexion was not gloomy.
Especially when the restraining devices were being placed on Liya’s hands and feet, Celin raised her voice in protest.
“No matter what, you shouldn’t treat her like a criminal…!”
“Then what do you propose we do?”
Of course, Arthur simply returned her with a calm tone.
“The test subjects of the Dark Cult still pose a risk of rampage. Otherwise, would you prefer to face that monster?”
As he spoke, Arthur cast a glance aside.
Beyond there, the Corpse Giant was stomping heavily.
Fear flickered across the faces of those who had been eavesdropping on the two’s conversation.
How could one confront such a monster?
Celin clenched her fists tightly, trembling, yet she had no rebuttal.
It might have been different had I-an accepted her proposal.
However, I-an made a cold choice, and most people would say that decision was correct.
Anyone would, upon seeing that evil being’s retinue.
Arthur let out a deep sigh as he glanced at the frustrated Celin.
“…At least, safety of that level must be assured before we can remove the restraints.”
Thus, the somber march continued.
Of course, amidst it all, there was a figure displaying anxiousness.
The lovely girl, Elsi, wearing a hooded hat, raised her voice.
“So, uncle, we need to dispatch the magic troops quickly…!”
“Who will save whom?”
Reynold’s voice facing Elsi remained cold.
He subtly directed his blue eyes toward her.
“Prince I-an is stronger than you, and even our Rainelle Clan’s magic troops. He’s not someone who needs protection in the first place.”
“What about the villagers?!”
“If Prince I-an can’t protect them, we won’t be able to either… It’s already time for Prince I-an to sweep the outskirts.”
Then Elsi became even more frustrated and began to stomp her feet.
Though it might have appeared cute at a glance, the words escaping her lips were far from it.
“No, seriously… But the master hasn’t returned?! Is the old man’s brain already starting to get full of holes…?”
“Watch your words, Elsi.”
Despite her rude remarks, Reynold showed no sign of being flustered.
It was a familiar demeanor.
Instead, those watching from the side looked on with exasperation.
In fact, it was surprising that Reynold had even made a comment about ‘watching your words.’
“To call someone who might become your fiancé ‘master,’ how can you still call yourself a Rainelle?”
“Th-that’s… Anyway, they might become my fiancé!”
“…Please hold on for just a little longer.”
His tone even held a hint of irritation.
Elsi still maintained a fierce glare, but she appeared as if she would listen.
Reynold suppressed a chuckle at her expression.
The brat who once obeyed when it came to the clan’s commands had grown up enough to stand toe-to-toe with a great archmage like Reynold.
It was both a curious and bitter realization.
In the end, a high nobleman’s life could not stray far from the will of the clan.
That was also a phase he had gone through.
Perhaps, it would not be long before Elsi too would have no choice but to realize.
The true meaning of the saying ‘the fate of Rainelle is determined by Rainelle.’
No one could escape from that restraint.
Reynold let out a light sigh, as if feeling a sense of pity.
“If you just wait a bit longer, everything you want will be fulfilled, won’t it? Starting with the engagement, you’ll continue to attend the Academy, and above all, Prince I-an’s friends have already set out to find him.”
“…Just a little longer.”
It was still a voice that didn’t seem to be beaten down.
Reynold scoffed as if to say do as you wish.
“Just wait a bit longer, and if it really comes down to it, I’ll go myself.”
“The evacuation convoy is long, and every escort is crucial. And how could Prince I-an be in danger?”
Reynold pointed with his eyes at the massive silhouette looming in the distance.
Elsi’s expression hardened as she gazed at the mythical monster.
She had already seen horrors, including the Flesh Nest, but the Corpse Giant was an exception, being an extraordinarily hideous and formidable foe.
“Surely you won’t try to confront that monster…?”
It was a whisper to herself, yet Reynold shook his head as if her words were absurd.
Elsi could not deny it either.
To her, that monster was indeed a terrifying opponent that one could barely think of facing.
Ever since she was young, Elsi had feared the strong and had thus relied on someone else for her own identity.
She understood well how much courage was required to confront the Corpse Giant.
No matter how strong the master was, there could be no facing against that monster.
The thought alone made Elsi shudder in fear.
Seeing that Elsi offered no rebuttal, Reynold seemed quite satisfied.
Then, he suddenly took a pouch out from his robes as if recalling something.
It was a pouch adorned with luxurious patterns.
As Elsi received it, her eyes filled with curiosity.
“Since you are also a mage of Rainelle, you should carry at least a rapid healing potion. You never know what enemies you might face during the evacuation.”
A rapid healing potion.
As the name suggests, it was a potion that rapidly replenished mana.
Just as swordsmen typically took a healing potion, mages also packed rapid healing potions.
Though Elsi, who was born with immense mana, had never done so herself.
Elsi peeked into the pouch.
Being a direct descendant of the Rainelle clan, quite a considerable quantity was inside. Yet, given its small size, it seemed to be a spatial expansion pouch.
Still holding the potion, Elsi wore a disgruntled expression.
It seemed she still had lingering attachments as she furtively scanned the direction of the village.
Reynold clicked his tongue at the sight.
“Elsi, with that temper of yours, do you think you’ll be able to get married and raise kids? That’s why Prince I-an is saying all these things about you…”
“…What did my master say to me?”
Immediately, Elsi perked up her ears, focusing intently.
Reynold looked at her incredulously for a moment before continuing.
“Last time, Prince I-an came to the inn. He asked if you would consider an engagement…”
Just then.
A thunderous noise erupted like a clap of thunder, shaking the ground violently.
Some of them nearly stumbled as they let out startled cries.
All eyes, filled with panic, turned toward the source of the sound.
It was the Corpse Giant.
The Corpse Giant, which had been walking quietly until now, let out a rough growl of discontent.
Sensing the unusual occurrence, Reynold narrowed his brows.
The blue aura sparkled in his eyes as he began to scrutinize his surroundings.
Before long, Reynold was able to discover the cause of the Corpse Giant’s agitation.
His voice, stunned, escaped him.
“…Prince I-an?”
Upon hearing that name, Elsi’s eyes urgently followed Reynold.
In that place, a man was rushing through the city.
Incredibly.
Memories overflow, blending into the surrounding scenery.
It was amidst a burning forest.
The Great Forest was humid year-round, with the air sticky. Such a place would not naturally catch fire like this.
It was an artificial fire.
A few blackened corpses lay around.
They had once dwelled in the Great Forest.
Disciples who could no longer endure the training of the Archwitch fled.
They wielded their swords backward.
In exchange for releasing the vampires from the Great Forest, they promised to pay a price to the Dark Cult.
Indeed, it seemed that the Dark Cult had duly compensated them.
No matter how many there were, the apprentice was still an archmage. Even if a bunch of misfits gathered, they wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.
Yet, the results before my eyes were entirely the opposite.
Before I could even quiver with betrayal, I gently brushed the girl’s cheek with my trembling hand.
The woman was sliding down the tree, her back against it.
The blood trail testified to her descent. My eyes and throat were now filled with moisture.
My consciousness felt as if it were drifting.
It was hard to grasp reality, almost like experiencing a dissociation from my surroundings.
No sensation could be felt.
Even if my skin was sizzling, I wouldn’t have noticed.
Whether she knew my heart or not, the girl in the hooded hat wore a faint smile.
Blood trickled from her lips.
Then it felt as if blood was flowing from my own chest.
“Why are you crying…? It hurts my heart.”
It was the man’s first farewell and final conversation.
