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Chapter 7
The carriage shook nonstop.
Ilyin tried to endure the freezing cold while forcing herself to sleep, but it was impossible.
Her feet had already gone numb.
She rubbed them repeatedly with her hands, trying to bring warmth back.
Even inside the raging snowstorm, the carriage only moved faster.
There was no way to know the time anymore.
The sun had completely disappeared behind thick clouds and blizzards.
The carriage passed through what looked like caves buried beneath snow.
Then suddenly—
The carriage lurched violently.
“!”
Ilyin tightly grabbed the seat as the carriage swayed dangerously.
But it did not stop.
Breathing hard, she looked outside the window to see what happened.
And immediately covered her mouth.
She nearly screamed.
Red creatures were chasing the carriage through the blizzard.
They were huge four-legged beasts with terrifying appearances.
Even through the heavy snow, they easily kept pace with the speeding carriage.
Monsters?
Ilyin did not know exactly what they were.
But even the knights of the capital would probably fear creatures like these.
“We’re speeding up!”
The horseman’s voice barely reached her through the roaring wind.
The creaking carriage and shrill cries of the monsters drowned out half his words.
It’s alright.
Ilyin tightly shut her eyes and covered her ears.
“I haven’t dreamed of my death.”
She repeated the words desperately in her mind.
Something scratched violently against the carriage.
Then the sound faded briefly as the carriage accelerated again.
But the monsters continued chasing them.
It’s alright.
Her heartbeat became faster and faster.
The first night from her dream—
That future still existed.
Suddenly—
BANG!
Something slammed against the carriage window.
Ilyin’s eyes flew open.
And she saw it face to face.
A monster.
Red scales covered its face.
Snow clung to its body.
Its tiny black eyes moved sharply as it stared directly at her.
Then its mouth slowly opened in excitement.
“—!”
The carriage suddenly turned sharply.
The monster lost balance and desperately clawed at the side of the carriage.
Thankfully, the window did not break.
Only deep claw marks remained behind.
Ilyin trembled violently.
Cold sweat ran down her back.
“I’m not going to die yet…”
Even while saying it to herself, fear completely overwhelmed her.
Her body shook from both terror and cold.
She tightly covered her ears again and shut her eyes.
There was no way for her to fight monsters that could run this fast.
The horses continued galloping desperately through the storm.
Then—
Castle walls appeared ahead.
Biflten Castle
They had arrived.
Relief briefly filled her chest.
But immediately after—
“Damn it!”
The horseman cursed loudly.
Ilyin looked outside again.
And froze.
Some monsters were already climbing the castle walls.
Others completely surrounded the carriage.
The horseman forcefully turned the carriage sideways, trying to avoid the creatures blocking the front.
SCRATCH—
Something clawed against the back of the carriage.
Ilyin’s shoulder slammed against the door.
She froze completely.
She did not even dare scream.
She feared the monsters would notice her.
The carriage suddenly slid across the snow before finally stopping.
Outside—
The horseman fought desperately.
His sword clashed against the monsters’ claws.
But Ilyin immediately realized the truth.
No matter how skilled he was—
He could not protect the carriage forever.
The monsters slowly turned toward her.
There were simply too many.
With trembling hands, Ilyin grabbed the carriage door handle.
If things became worse—
She would have to run.
Her lips trembled as she bit down hard enough to taste blood.
There was nowhere to escape in this snowstorm.
Still—
“I haven’t seen my death in my dreams.”
That thought alone kept her standing.
If death truly waited for her—
She would not quietly sit and wait for it.
Long ago, she had already considered ending her own life in the Arlene mansion.
But she feared death.
And more than that—
She feared dying alone.
BANG!
A monster crashed into the carriage.
At that instant—
Ilyin opened the door and jumped out.
Cold white mist escaped from her lips beneath the blue cloth covering her face.
The freezing wind slashed against her bare hands.
Even the snow felt sharp enough to cut skin.
She could not remain standing still outside.
So she ran.
As fast as she could.
Then suddenly—
Something icy brushed across her face.
