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Chapter 75
I saw Idorian again when I reached the foot of the mountain.
He was checking each house one by one, as though searching for us—starting from those closest to the forest.
I swung my arms and tried to walk faster, though it didn’t actually make me any quicker.
“Your Highness.”
Even though my call was quiet, Idorian flinched in shock and spun around hurriedly.
“Why are you here?”
He frowned deeply, scolding me with his tone. Yet, he grabbed my wrist firmly and pulled me close.
“I was worried you’d get lost coming down from the forest, so I waited here.”
I pointed to the small storage shed attached to the house he had just come out of.
Idorian was covered in zombie remains again—he must’ve rolled himself in them once more on the way down to mask his scent.
His right arm hung bent and stiffly pressed to his chest.
“Come on. Let’s go to where the others are.”
He looked at me as if asking for directions.
Feeling strangely embarrassed, I pointed to a house.
“Um… over there.”
Even if I hadn’t told him, that would’ve been the house he checked next—he had been searching the empty homes in order.
My fingers fell limply. Would Idorian think poorly of me?
I’d been hiding in a shed because I was worried about him, yet I hadn’t even guided him properly.
“Let’s go.”
Idorian started walking without another word—as if none of that mattered.
Clunk.
As we approached, something rattled by the door—the sound of a latch being removed.
Creak—
The door opened.
Uben covered his mouth with a trembling face, on the verge of tears, and stepped aside to let us in.
Idorian gestured for me to go first.
Once Idorian entered last and barred the door, Uben threw his arms around him.
“Ugh.”
Idorian let out a pained groan as the child brushed his right arm.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
I pulled Uben away from him.
“Y-you’re hurt?”
The boy froze, startled by the unexpected sound of pain.
“Just a little,” Idorian replied shortly, then patted the boy’s head with his good hand.
“Everyone’s safe, right? Where’s Lumi?”
“Idorian, I’m here.”
Lumi’s voice came from atop the stairs.
“You’re hurt?”
When I looked up, Lumi was carefully descending, supporting herself along the wall.
“Yeah… I twisted my leg.”
A shadow passed across Idorian’s face.
“We’ll come up. Don’t come down, Lumi.”
He stared up at her a moment longer, then headed for the stairs—deciding it was better to talk somewhere less exposed.
At the top, Idorian sank down with a faint sigh. Even that small movement seemed to hurt; his face contorted.
“Your arm is injured…” I murmured.
“The situation isn’t good,” he replied curtly.
He leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes, exhaustion written all over him.
Lumi rummaged through a backpack lying nearby and pulled out a shirt. Sitting beside Idorian, she supported his injured elbow with her left hand and folded the shirt lengthwise.
“Ugh…”
Even touching his arm gently made him wince.
“I’ll be as careful as I can,” Lumi whispered, moving closer.
She looped one end of the shirt behind his neck.
“If it’s too tight and you can’t breathe, tell me.”
Idorian only nodded.
Lumi tied the ends securely, then checked again to make sure his arm was immobilized.
“There. That should feel better.”
“…Thank you.”
Though he expressed gratitude, worry still clouded his eyes.
“Lumi…” Idorian said, glancing at me, then at Uben.
“Your Highness, you should rest first,” I cut in.
Outside, night had fallen thick and heavy. Rest was the only sensible choice.
Idorian had endured far too much today. He needed at least this one night of peace.
“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“…All right.”
Strangely, he agreed without resistance.
“So… this is all because of the bear?”
Uben finally spoke, struggling to form the words. His face said he had dozens of questions.
“Yes. But the blow wasn’t direct, so it’s not as bad as it looks,” Idorian answered, pressing lightly on the boy’s arms and legs.
“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“…No. I’m fine,” Uben murmured—then suddenly, “So the Lady defeated the bear?”
“What?” Idorian blinked, confused.
“The Lady saved Your Highness, didn’t she?”
Idorian’s eyes fluttered slowly, as if he were trying to piece the idea together.
“Uben—” Lumi tried to stop him, but the question was already out.
He must’ve been shocked when he saw me carrying Lumi down the mountain. He hadn’t said anything then, so I assumed he hadn’t processed it—but apparently, he had.
And since Idorian returned injured while I was untouched, the boy clearly assumed I was the reason.
“Yes. Thanks to Penelope,” Idorian said simply—neither embarrassed nor bothered.
Uben’s eyes widened in awe, now filled with worshipful respect.
I opened my mouth to correct the misunderstanding, but Idorian spoke first.
“That’s enough. I want to sleep.”
Uben sprang up.
“Your Highness didn’t sleep at all on the island. You must rest!”
He dashed downstairs and returned with blankets and pillows piled in his arms.
“I’m fine! The three of you use these.”
“Night gets cold here,” Idorian said, seating Uben beside him. “We’ll all share.”
There wasn’t a single candle in the house—only moonlight through the window.
With nothing else to do and all plans postponed until morning, we lay down quietly.
Uben whispered a soft goodnight beside me.
Thoughts drifted through my head as I stared into the dark.
Lillia and Heresdon must be worrying sick.
With Idorian and Lumi injured, I should be the one to gather food tomorrow.
It wasn’t pleasant, but… at least it meant I no longer had to fear beasts in the forest.
This was a village now—no predators here.
…Had Lumi treated her leg properly?
Come to think of it, it was the same leg she’d injured because of Heresdon before.
Maybe it was weak from that and got sprained again.
“Penelope.”
Idorian’s voice cut through the silence.
“Yes?”
But he didn’t speak again for a long moment.
Beside him, Lumi shifted, turning toward us as if she sensed something strange.
Then—
Idorian opened his mouth once more.
