TFPW 90

Chapter 90

As the screams drew closer and closer, everyone’s eyes turned toward the alley. Amid the people frantically fleeing from inside, a monster appeared.

A monster?

Eluana was bewildered by the sudden appearance of the monster, but figuring out why it was there could wait until later. For now, she focused on the monster that was crushing the wall of a building with its forepaw.

It had a massive body that looked like a cross between a lion and a leopard. Its menacingly grown fangs and silver beard fluttering beneath its muzzle gave it an imposing presence.

Eluana swallowed hard.

This was the moment when she had to decide whether to fight or run.

“Thing, is it a monster you can handle?”

Thing answered energetically.

“It’ll be as easy as eating cold stew. It’s just a cub. Shall I take care of it?”

Eluana was bewildered that something so enormous could be called a cub, but if Thing could handle it, that was fortunate.

“I’ll protect Anne and Ring.”

Just as Eluana took out and grasped the silk pouch she had received from the Spes Duke—

Ring spread both arms and stepped in front of Eluana, while Fotio suddenly ran into the alley.

Fotio was heading toward a young boy who had fallen after being knocked over by the fleeing crowd.

It was the pickpocket boy from earlier.

The monster turned its head toward them.

Eluana shouted urgently.

“Thing! Hurry!”

“Yes!”

Thing closed the distance in an instant and pulled out his whip.

The monster opened its jaws wide as if it intended to swallow Fotio and the pickpocket boy in a single bite.

Thing’s whip wrapped around a sign attached to the building. Using the recoil, Thing leaped through the air and landed lightly on the back of the monster’s neck.

Then he plunged his sword straight in.

Green blood poured like a waterfall from the monster’s mouth, drenching Fotio and the pickpocket boy as its head was pierced through.

The monster trembled violently without even managing to cry out before its enormous body toppled sideways with a heavy thud.

Thing jumped down from its back and asked,

“Are you all right?”

Fotio and the pickpocket boy opened their eyes in the pool of blood.

The moment the boy opened his eyes, he slowly began to run away, while Fotio brushed his blood-soaked hair back.

“I’m not dead yet.”

Eluana arrived a moment later and shouted,

“What were you thinking?! You could have actually died!”

“I suppose I could have.”

“What?”

“I just thought that kid had more reason to live than I did.”

What kind of ridiculous thing was that supposed to mean?

This wasn’t about whether he was a noble or not. Anyone who was a person had the right to live.

Fotio got up from the pool of blood and continued,

“That kid is doing whatever he can to survive. I’m living so that I can die.”

“Are you going through puberty?”

“Is that what it is?”

Fotio chuckled.

Strangely enough, his smile, stained with green blood, seemed sad.

“If you’re going to live anyway, then live well. Don’t live just to die! And don’t let people take advantage of you! And don’t live a reckless life, either!”

“It’s strange. Everyone who knows me always nags me.”

“There’s nothing strange about that.”

Wouldn’t it be stranger if someone looked at Fotio and didn’t nag him?

The city guards arrived a little later and asked Thing what had happened.

While Thing gave them an extremely detailed—and extremely long—explanation, Fotio stared for a long time at the monster lying there, blood pouring from the hole in its neck.

“It looks like it was still a young monster. What a shame.”

“You feel sorry for a monster?”

Eluana had always known there were all kinds of people in the world, but this was the first time she had met someone who felt sympathy for a monster.

“It was only guilty of being born a monster. Humans eat other animals too. Cows, pigs, chickens, things like that. The monster was simply treating us as prey.”

“That’s strangely convincing. But we can’t exactly let ourselves be eaten. The monster lived its life as a monster, and we lived ours as humans. We just happened to be stronger.”

“That’s true. But being stronger doesn’t mean everything is permissible.”

“That’s true, but this was self-defense.”

“That’s true too.”

The more Eluana talked to Fotio, the more she felt as though she were wandering through a labyrinth.

When the monster stopped vomiting blood, Fotio turned around.

“I should go wash myself. For now, thanks for saving me.”

“You know you almost died, right?”

“I only thought that if I were killed by a monster, maybe someone would finally stop her.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Puberty nonsense. Be careful of my sister.”

Fotio warned her once again.

It seemed Shavia was really out for blood. That must have been why she had even prepared that grudge.

“I already saw her yesterday. Her Majesty the Empress invited me.”

“So you were summoned back because of those infamous romance rumors.”

“That’s about right.”

Fotio smiled languidly and was about to turn away when he suddenly stopped.

“Wait. Didn’t you take some kind of medicine? My sister packed some medicine before she went to the Imperial Palace yesterday.”

“No. I’m perfectly fine. I took an antidote too.”

“It might not be classified as a poison. My sister’s medicine is… If you feel like something is wrong, go see a healing priest immediately.”

Judging by Fotio’s reaction, it seemed she really had eaten—or nearly eaten—something yesterday.

Kayrun’s earring seemed to have taken care of it, but just in case, Eluana decided she should get herself checked.

Still, the situation felt strange.

“Why are you telling me all this, Fotio?”

“You seem like someone who suits being alive.”

“Thanks for the blessing.”

“My sister needs to experience some failure. She’s accomplished everything far too easily. She’s reached the age where she should accept that there are things that won’t go the way she wants.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll do my best to give her a taste of failure.”

“Just don’t torment her too much. She’s soft-hearted.”

“Shavia?”

“I’m leaving.”

Fotio flashed her a mischievous smile before strolling away in the opposite direction.

With every step he took, drops of blood fell from his body, staining the dirt green.

Then Eluana sensed someone approaching.

She turned toward the presence and saw Kazhar, who had appeared before she knew it.

“I wondered what all the commotion was about, and sure enough, you’re here.”

“I didn’t cause it. I’m the one who dealt with it. A monster appeared in the street. Fortunately, it was only a young one, so Thing took care of it immediately, but people could have been hurt.”

Feeling awkward about seeming like a troublemaker, Eluana hurriedly defended herself.

“Why was there a monster here?”

“I don’t know. Something strange is happening, just like in Aden.”

The incident involving the monster that had appeared in Aden had yet to be properly resolved, and now another monster had appeared.

Kazhar turned around first and said,

“Let’s talk while we head back.”

As Eluana started walking, Thing and Ring immediately followed.

Unlike Thing and Ring, who walked along cheerfully, Anne had a strange expression on her face.

During the crisis just now, Anne had been the only one who had been unable to do anything.

Thing had dealt with the monster, while her lady had even stepped forward, declaring that she would protect them.

Ring had spread his arms and stood in front of Eluana as though he were protecting her.

Anne alone had been unable to move a muscle.

Of Thing and Ring, Anne was the only person who knew that Eluana was Kantio.

Her grandmother had revealed the secret to Anne and added,

‘I decided there should be at least one person around my lady who knows her secret. His Grace the Duke of Spes hopes that you, Anne, will take on that role.’

And yet she had done nothing.

Anne stared blankly at Eluana and Kazhar walking ahead of her.

Kazhar spoke as he walked slowly.

“Is it Marquis Pegimul again?”

“I’m suspicious of him, but Young Master Pegimul almost died too.”

“Was Young Master Pegimul here?”

“Yes. It was probably just a coincidence, right?”

“You should be careful around Pegimul.”

“I suppose so…”

Eluana noticed the Spes knights who had followed Kazhar lingering around them and changed the subject.

“How did the investigation go?”

“I heard there was an iron mine inside the mountains in Root Territory. A merchant bought it several years ago. Ever since then, people who look like knights have been blocking the entrance and controlling access.”

“A merchant?”

“We haven’t found out who it is yet. Rain is going to meet with a member of Edelweiss and get the details. Tomorrow, we’re planning to use a stealth artifact to get inside.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

At Eluana’s answer, Kazhar stopped walking.

“…You’re going too?”

“It’s an iron mine. Then I have to go.”

“No.”

Kazhar spoke unusually firmly.

Anne, who had been watching anxiously, felt relieved.

Since Kazhar was opposed to it, Eluana would surely have to remain at the villa like she had today.

But Anne’s mouth fell open at his next words.

“Fine.”

At her rebellious response, Kazhar rubbed his face wearily.

“If I leave you behind, you’ll secretly follow us anyway, won’t you?”

“Yes.”

Eluana’s expression seemed to say, Why would you even ask something so obvious?

Kazhar let out a deep sigh.

“Those people probably didn’t treat the kidnapped children well. It won’t be a pleasant sight for you.”

“Have you forgotten where we first met?”

“Even so.”

“If it’s an iron mine, I won’t be a burden.”

“…Will there ever come a day when I can actually stop you?”

With Kazhar’s resignation, Eluana’s participation was decided.

Eluana grinned and started walking, but suddenly stopped.

“That’s right. Kazhar.”

“Yes?”

“I think I took some strange medicine.”

Hasem’s cargo wagon entered Aden.

The territory residents who spotted him waved enthusiastically.

“Isn’t that Hasem?”

“He’s not due yet.”

“Got any good stuff?”

They approached Hasem with their rough greetings.

Hasem stopped the wagon and put on his usual friendly expression.

“Hello, everyone.”

When Hasem climbed down from the wagon, more people began gathering around him.

Hasem came by once every season, making him a welcome guest to everyone.

The people working in the nearby fields gradually gathered, eager to see what goods Hasem had brought.

Hasem removed the waterproof cloth covering the wagon.

Inside were grains, vegetables, fruits, and dried meat.

There were even a few spices.

A woman approaching while wiping her hands on her apron said,

“Now that the Vita siblings have left, there’s no one left to buy spices like these. Bring grains instead next time.”

“I didn’t bring these to sell today. I’m giving them all away.”

At Hasem’s words, everyone gathered around him suddenly became serious.

“What happened? Are you suddenly sick? Like, terminally ill?”

“Exactly. They say when a person starts doing things they normally wouldn’t, it means they’re going to die.”

“Have you developed dementia?”

Hasem gave a hearty laugh at their worried expressions.

“I’m perfectly fine. I just made a promise, and I intend to keep it.”

A man with a sharp, sparrow-like face asked again,

“Are you really saying we can divide all this among ourselves?”

“Of course. But make sure you divide it evenly. No household should be left out.”

The people hesitated, unable to step forward immediately.

They all knew, at least from what they had noticed, that Hasem wasn’t exactly well-off himself.

But there wasn’t anyone who would turn down something offered for free.

When someone finally picked up a sack of grain, Hasem continued,

“Just take the wagon around the village. You can make a full circuit. I prepared sacks of grain according to the number of households and loaded them inside. For the vegetables, fruit, and spices, each household can choose one kind.”

“Are you really sure? You’re not sick or anything, are you?”

“I told you I’m fine. I’m going to get some rest. I have to head back today.”

“Then have dinner at our house. My wife’s cooking is something else.”

“I’d be happy to. Go make your rounds.”

Hasem gave them a grin before heading toward the hill.

It was a place where he would sometimes rest whenever he came to Aden.

There was no inn in Aden, nor were there any shops, so there was nowhere particularly suitable for him to rest.

He lay down casually on the hill and looked up at the blue sky.

Wild, nameless weeds that had grown haphazardly poked at his cheek.

When the breeze ruffled Hasem’s bangs, the scar hidden beneath them was revealed.

“Nice weather.”

Hasem lay there for a while before getting up.

By then, the wagon and the people had disappeared from sight.

He immediately headed toward the forest north of Aden.

After walking for quite some time while pushing through weeds that had grown up to his waist, Hasem arrived at a hill in the middle of the northern forest.

In the distance, he could see a massive magic circle.

But the stone statue that should have been standing alone inside it was nowhere to be seen.

“Huh? Serus is gone.”

Hasem rubbed his chin before turning around and walking back down the hill.