Chapter 108

‘I, Bernard Cenchilla Shane Pascourt, the second prince of Velicia, will help you, Herietta Mackenzie of Brimdel.’

There would be no one in the world to help her, yet there was a man who reached out his hand without hesitation to her, who was so discouraged.

Bernard Cenchilla Shane Pascourt

Someone who would have married Herietta and become her husband had things not gone halfway.

As a result, her life became more miserable, but because of that, she was able to rise again over the misfortune. He was both the problem provider and the solver. Thinking back, it was ironic.

‘No need to worry about that. Not just ten years, but twenty years, I won’t forget your name, Herietta.’

Despite being notified of the sudden separation, Bernard was confident that he would not forget her for a very long time. Above all else, Bernard was nobler than anyone else while Herietta was a mere daughter of a fallen nobleman.

Bernard was always like that. He reached out to Herietta, who was of no use to him, and helped. He was brusque and sometimes played practical jokes, but looking back, he was always there to help her.

The kind of person who she had received so much from that she never dared to give it back.

“I’m sorry, Lucas.”

Before long, Herietta stroked Lucas’ head and apologized to him.

“But I must go. I already made a promise.”

If Jonathan doesn’t come back within three days, then Herietta will go to Arrowfield and tell the situation.

Even if it is a path of suicide with little chance of success.

“So until I come back, you should stay quiet here and listen to the adults. Got it?”

She wouldn’t know unless she tried it.

* * *

After getting out of the cave, Herietta eagerly walked in the direction the villagers had given her. But the forest was much bigger than she expected, so the way to get out of it was also very complicated.

It seemed that she had walked for three or four hours, but she still couldn’t see the end of the forest. The scenery around her also looked similar, so she couldn’t even tell if she was moving forward or if she was just going in circles.

As time passed, Herietta grew more and more anxious. She, of course, thought it would not be an easy journey, but she never knew that she would struggle so much just to get out of the forest.

Herietta looked around as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

It was a very dense forest with small gaps between trees. If she was a native of the village, or someone unfamiliar with the geography of the forest, it seemed likely that she would wander deeper and deeper into the forest for a long time.

Suddenly, she remembered Jonathan, who was trying to get out of this forest before her. She wondered if he, like her, had lost his way while wandering in the woods. Moreover, he had to leave as soon as possible, so he headed into the forest without even receiving proper directions from the villagers.

‘I don’t think I’ll run into Sir Jonathan, who hasn’t left the forest yet.’

If so, how embarrassing would that be? While Herietta was imagining such an absurd idea, a strange sound came from somewhere.

‘What?’

At first she thought it was the wind noise. Or maybe it was the sound of leaves shaking in the wind. But she soon realized that wasn’t the case.

Wooo, woooo.

It was the sound of an animal howling. Along with that, she also heard a sound like the wind getting cut violently. Aside from the chirping of grass insects and the tweeting of birds, it was a sound that did not go well with the quietness of the forest.

‘What is that sound?’

Herietta tilted her head. It must have been a big wound, as the sound of the animal crying was unusual.

Did it get caught in a trap set by a hunter? After thinking for a while, Herietta took out the head covering she had prepared in advance from her chest and put it on her face.

Her face and head were completely covered except for her eyes, so it was a little stuffy, but she couldn’t help it. She could not completely rule out the possibility of encountering unwanted people. There was nothing wrong with being cautious at this point when everything was confusing.

‘This should be enough.’

Herietta, who had finished her preparations, began slowly moving her steps. If her predictions are correct, there must be a trail marked by hunters going in and out of the woods around here. If only she could find that path, getting out of this maze-like forest would have been a piece of cake.

Rustle, rustle

Herietta, keeping her footsteps as quiet as possible, approached the source of the sound. As she approached, the animal’s howl grew louder and louder. The sound of the wind, which she felt was foreign, also grew louder.

Grrrr.

Wooo, wooo!

The cry she thought was one was suddenly divided into several. In addition to the tearing howls, there were also ferocious growls and aggressive sounds.

Herietta stopped her steps. Maybe her prediction was wrong? If it was simply caught in a hunter’s trap, there was no way she could hear so many cries. Unless some foolish beasts were entrapped en masse.

‘Should I turn around and get out of here now?’

When she was seriously thinking about it. The sound of something moving quickly and violently came from beyond the bush.

The sound of something sharp cutting.

The sound of something being stabbed.

It was an artificial, strange sound that could not be expressed in words. And the more she heard the strange sound, the more and more often the animals howled.

‘This sound must be…… ?’

She could tell by listening closely. The identity of the sound of the wind that Herietta thought was alien. At the same time, she had some idea of what was going on beyond the bush. And if that prediction was correct, a situation completely different from what she had initially thought would be unfolding.

Herrietta, who had hardened like a statue, immediately pulled out the dagger from her chest. Before she left the capital, Bernard had forcibly placed it in her hand, telling her to take it just in case.

Herietta took a deep breath to calm her trembling heart. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she slowly parted the bushes that were blocking her path. Before long, her eyes widened.

Beyond the bush, there was a man.

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