episode_0055

Located beneath the Flang Mountains in a deep forest, the abandoned Beorn Manor’s derelict mine.

Normally devoid of any human presence, the quiet forest surrounding the abandoned mine was filled with unsettling cries that echoed through the morning woods.

Sssiiiyah-

The spider, Shelob, raised its two front legs high, sending a threatening signal to the human standing before it. It was a display of strength, the wild movements etched into its body as it swelled to emphasize its power.

Unlike animals, Shelob wasn’t particularly afraid of humans. With its massive size, Shelob had grown by preying on lost humans nearby, feeding on their magic to replenish itself.

However, this prey felt different somehow. With several of its kin already ruthlessly slaughtered, the raised legs of Shelob towards the human were a mixture of bluff and fear.

Ssuaek-

Thus, Shelob’s best move was made.

Shelob swiftly brought down its raised legs. The speed was almost imperceptible to the eye, but Yulrian, the silver-haired male, gracefully sidestepped the spider’s attack with a gentle movement of his body.

As Shelob stood bewildered by Yulrian’s swift evasion, Yulrian quickly maneuvered himself between the spider’s legs.

In an instant, Yulrian’s saber moved towards the hairy front leg of the spider, its smooth black carapace glistening. The sharp blade passed between the joints, severing each segment smoothly.

With a single strike, Shelob lost all its front legs and crumpled to the ground. Yulrian didn’t miss the opportunity.

The dozens of crimson spots, resembling his own, instinctively triggered a sense of revulsion. Between the chattering teeth below, Yulrian thrust his blade, tainted with venom, into Shelob’s mouth.

Kiaaaah-

Shelob’s outer screams reverberated through the mine. Yet, similar sounds were echoing within the mine already.

The dreadful red spots quickly lost their vitality. The eight trembling legs ceased their movements.

Yulrian withdrew his saber from the spider’s mouth, shaking it in the air as he flicked off the sticky mucus and acrid green blood that stained the blade.

“How much longer?” Yulrian asked wearily, his voice strained. However, Christian’s response was filled with excitement.

“Well… Hmm? I think once we clear out the few hiding inside, we should be done. Eushya!”

Christian replied, lifting the greatsword that moments ago had been striking Shelob’s head onto his pauldron.

Christian’s combat style contrasted with Yulrian’s. While Yulrian’s swordsmanship was elegant and refined, more for show than practicality, Christian’s was purely destructive.

Swinging his massive sword, Shelob was nothing more than a mere bug in front of him.

As his sword cleaved through the air, Shelob’s giant legs fell to the ground. Each strike caused Shelob to emit a horrible sound as it crumpled.

Seeing the sticky mucus dripping beneath the green-stained greatsword, Yulrian remarked, “Ease up, Christian. Blood is splattering everywhere.”

Christian, masking his usual good-natured laughter, responded, “Haha. Why worry about this! Besides, I’m feeling frustrated because of someone’s orders from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Huatcha!”

Once again, Shelob’s head met his greatsword.

“I need to release stress like this. Otherwise, I might unknowingly storm your mansion and challenge the Emperor in front of you all.”

“Haa. With a friend like him, who’s the only one, losing his mind like this.”

Yurian stood behind Christian, watching him walk ahead with his head bowed. Though he spoke those words, his gaze was markedly different. Trust filled his eyes as he had always protected him at the forefront.

Meanwhile, farther back, Ernst was crouched in front of Shilov’s body, collecting something.

“Well, it’s not as much as I thought. But this should be decently usable.”

Beneath his lightly furrowed brow, a transparent liquid sloshed inside the glass bottle he held. Sharp dagger marks remained on Shilov’s body sprawled behind his lean frame, above the venomous stinger.

#.

“Elli! Where is Elli!”

Albrith burst into the room so forcefully that the heavy wooden door seemed to shatter. However, upon seeing Dmitri seated on the sofa, staring at him, he faltered, bowing deeply in surprise.

“Your, Your Highness.”

“Good morning, Albrith.”

Immediately, those following Albrith also bowed deeply towards Dmitri.

Dmitri turned away from him to look at those standing behind. Considering the number of people who had hurried over since dawn, he could tell how much Albrith despised his younger sister.

“Is there anywhere you’re hurt, Your Highness?”

“Thank you for asking, but your concern seems lacking.”

Dmitri replied with a nonchalant smile. Then, he raised his hand resting on the armrest, signaling them to stand straight.

Albrith, looking puzzled, bowed deeply again before nervously ascending the stairs.

Following him were the maid with ivory-colored hair and a man who appeared to be a physician.

Dmitri watched Albrith ascend the stairs with a puppy-like expression.

“If I were in Hilda’s shoes, would I have acted the same way?”

As he heard the footsteps fade, Dmitri smiled slyly. He then glanced at Dorio, who was completely flustered by the sudden influx of knights into his home.

“You should go up as well. After all, you treated the princess.”

“Oh, yes. Then I shall go up as well.”

Last night, he had mocked the Grand Duke of the North. Now, he faced the knights of the Bearn family like this.

Despite his sly smile, Dmitri’s mind was far from at ease.

#.

“What do I do… I really…”

It had been quite some time since Dmitri left the room. Yet his presence still lingered around.

His touch on her forehead felt feverish, as if she had fallen ill. The woody scent of Dmitri still enveloped Eleanor on the bed, making her feel as though he was still there.

Curled up under the covers, Eleanor tried to calm her trembling heart.

“This is why you’re trying to see Dmitri differently from now on, Eleanor. It was just an accident caused by intoxication. Yes, I wasn’t in my right mind then!”

The rediscovered peace did not last long. Even from behind the closed door, one could tell that Aurabi, Albrith, was shouting his name loudly.

“Ellie! Where is Ellie? Ellie!”

Eleanor, who had been wriggling under the blanket, soon stuck her head out and quietly slipped outside.

“Ailey.”

The orange-haired girl who had been tidying up the room for a while looked at Eleanor.

“Yes, Miss.”

“Yes. Someone noisy has arrived. You better be discreet and stay out. It’s obvious they might come after you too.”

“Thank you for your concern, Miss.”

Ailey replied with a smile.

Perhaps because Eleanor had been inside the blanket since Dmitry left, her face was even redder than before. However, her voice remained as clear and pure as ever.

Albrith probably won’t worry too much now.

Soon, a knocking sound was heard from outside the door.

“Ellie, it’s your brother. Can I come in? No, I’m coming in?”

Oh, really. He calls himself a brother. How embarrassing. Suppressing a laugh, Eleanor gently nodded to Ailey looking at her. Then, the closed door cautiously opened.

“Master Albrith, here she is.”

Ailey politely welcomed Albrith. However, Albrith was not in the mood for such things right now. As he entered the room and saw Eleanor lying on the bed, tears welled up in his eyes as he approached her.

To be honest, a man tearfully approaching her was not a pleasant sight.

Maybe it’s because he’s family… It wasn’t like this with Dmitry. Hmm. Anyway!

The feeling didn’t last long. Albrith took a step closer, carefully embraced Eleanor, and a lump formed in her chest at something indescribable beyond his warm embrace.

“Ellie. I was really… really worried.”

Finally, Albrith’s voice echoed in her ear.

Normally, she would have been startled and pushed him away. But Eleanor couldn’t do that.

Was it because of the unfamiliar moist aura of Aurabi’s voice or meeting a familiar person in an unfamiliar place like with Dmitry earlier?

Feeling Albrith’s rough touch around her shoulders, Eleanor gently rested her head on them. Touching his cheek with her unscathed left arm, different from her own, she embraced his large back.

“I’m sorry, big brother. For making you worry like this.”

They seemed like siblings.

Unintentionally, Eleanor’s voice was as moist as her brother’s.