TRWVPS 31

 Chapter 31

Erin sat on a tree stump with her eyes closed, taking a brief rest.

Ferdin stared fixedly at her. Even within the territory of the Wolf Tribe, she showed no signs of fear.

Normally, anyone who entered this land of the fierce and warlike Wolf Tribe would be terrified.

No—in the first place, no one in their right mind would even think of entering these lands.

“Whenever I look at you, I feel a strange sense of familiarity.”

“……”

“It feels like… I’ve forgotten something important.”

Ferdin said it almost impulsively.

But those quiet words were enough to shake Erin. The tips of her fingers trembled faintly.

Ferdin, oblivious to her reaction, continued.

“Something… very important, as if I’ve lost it.”

The moment he spoke, Erin was reminded of Ferdin’s special ability.

In the past, when it was revealed that he possessed the “Eye that Sees Truth,” the emperor had persecuted him even more harshly.

She had thought it was merely the ability to see into others’ pasts. But… was that not the case?

Could it be… that he had seen her past?

Erin grew afraid.

If he had seen those tragic futures… if he realized that he had died because of her…

“Sir Erin?”

At the sound of his voice, she snapped back to her senses. His clear blue eyes were fixed on her.

Seeing her reflection in those eyes, Erin pressed her lips tightly together. She looked like a stray puppy abandoned by its master.

Surely, to Ferdin, it must have been an unpleasant sight.

With difficulty, Erin forced herself to answer.

“What do you mean by that?”

“…Forget it. My head must have gotten muddled from nerves. After all, this isn’t exactly a safe place.”

Only then did Ferdin realize he had spoken carelessly. To Erin, it must have been a deeply unsettling thing to hear.

Erin chose to pretend ignorance and changed the subject.

“Are you worried about what the Wolf Tribe might do to us?”

She rose to her feet and stood before him, looking down at where he sat.

“Then why did you come here?”

“I couldn’t just leave you. Amon, Lillia, and you—you all came here because of me.”

“……”

“So many people have sacrificed themselves to protect me. I couldn’t stand by and let that happen again.”

“No one would think of it that way.”

At her words, Ferdin smiled faintly.

“If that’s true, I’m glad. Still, if I’m here, then Lillia and Amon won’t die. Even if I’m taken hostage in their place, once they realize my identity, they won’t dare kill me so easily.”

“Most likely, anyway.”

As he added this, his fingers played with the pendant at his neck. Then, with a bitter smile, he looked at Erin.

And she—she was gazing at him with eyes full of sorrow.

At some point, Erin had begun to look at him like that, with such sad eyes. Ferdin couldn’t tell exactly when.

For a time, he had even wondered if the rumors were true—if perhaps Erin liked him.

But when she said she wanted to break off their engagement, he realized that wasn’t the case.

Perhaps… Marquis Lysus, who had always remained neutral, had secretly sided with the emperor. And perhaps Erin had been forced into this engagement just to watch over him.

If that were true, then her wish for annulment made sense.

And yet—he could not forget the sight of Erin, bloodied, as she protected Amon and the princess. He could not forget the way she had told him to hate her.

At the time, he had not understood what those words meant.

But her eyes—he had understood the meaning in them.

Though her words told him to hate her, the emotions in her gaze had been painfully clear.

Ferdin was used to the stares of those who idolized him or claimed to love him.

Even strangers would confess their love, unprovoked.

But Erin’s gaze was different. If he were asked to name the emotion in her eyes, even Ferdin could not put it into words.

That depth of feeling… was beyond comprehension.

“Sir Erin, why do you wish to annul our engagement?”

Erin shut her mouth tightly.

“I… don’t wish to annul it.”

The wind stirred, ruffling Ferdin’s hair.

As the sunset painted the sky, his golden hair was tinged with red.

With his resolute lips and his beautiful blue eyes—Erin felt her chest turn over.

She tried to make sense of what she had just heard.

Was this a dream? What had Ferdin just said…?

“Why…?”

Why do you look at me with the same eyes you once did…?

With such gentle eyes, why… do you make me misunderstand again?

Erin parted her lips to speak—but suddenly, she froze. She felt the presence of others.

Ferdin sensed it too and quickly rose to his feet. Their eyes turned toward the same spot.

“Run!”

“Hurry up, move!”

Several members of the Wolf Tribe were gathered there. And before them was a small child.

Every time they moved threateningly, the child whimpered softly. Erin could see that his body bore no uninjured spot.

The Wolf Tribe dragged him along mercilessly.

The child tried weakly to defend himself, but it only brought him more wounds. His thin arms flailed pitifully.

Erin looked into his eyes. They were already half-empty, devoid of the will to live.

Curly black hair, crimson eyes. Erin recognized him instantly.

This boy—he would one day stand at the head of the Wolf Tribe and massacre countless imperials. A mage drenched in blood.

Her eyes met Ferdin’s. He was thinking the same thing.

Together, they silently followed the Wolf Tribe.

Every time the child let out a short scream, Erin’s stomach twisted with disgust.

She had suspected that the mage who had slaughtered humans in the past was originally among the refugees. But she had never imagined he had been treated like this.

His figure resembled her own past all too much.

Erin felt nausea rise within her.

This is… too cruel.

Her body twitched, yearning to rush out at once. But with superhuman restraint, she suppressed the urge.

“What about the intruders who came into our land?”

“We were told to leave them. Once this work is finished, the chieftain will deal with them.”

Erin’s body stiffened.

In the future she had seen, the Wolf Tribe’s mage had been blind. Now, she finally understood why.

Ferdin grabbed her arm as she started forward.

“To force him into this… Why?”

“We have to follow.”

“There’s no chance of victory, Sir Erin. If we go, we’ll only be captured and taken hostage.”

Erin froze. His words were harsh but true.

To follow them now would be no different than asking for death.

And yet—his next words filled her with a feeling she could not name.

“Sir Erin, find Lillia and Amon and escape. I’ll draw their attention. That way, we can save that child’s eyes too. No matter what, my father will never allow me to be left to die at the hands of beastfolk.”

“……”

His eyes shone, clear and resolute.

Erin closed her mouth, staring at him.

Such a kind man. Just as he had been in the past.

The Wolf Tribe led the boy into a large clearing. Nearly six of them were already gathered there.

One of them, holding a whip, shoved the boy roughly to the ground.

Erin’s face twisted in anger as she watched.

In their hands was something searing hot, glowing from fire.

If they hesitated even a moment, something irreversible would happen.

Ferdin could not yet coat his blade in mana, but his swordsmanship was strong enough that he was close to reaching the rank of a high knight.

As for Erin—she had set her own “genius” ability to roughly that same level.

Still, two high knights against nearly ten Wolf Tribe warriors would be a desperate fight.

And if Ferdin saw her fighting at full strength, he might grow suspicious.

But there’s no choice.

It had to be done swiftly. Erin gripped her sword tightly.

“Let’s finish this quickly. The chieftain said he captured a mage girl and a knight man. And there are intruders too, apparently.”

“An intruder? Does he have a death wish?”

The Wolf Tribe warriors laughed as they advanced toward the child.