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chapter 3
“I must really be crazy…”
I felt so embarrassed that if there were even a mouse hole, I’d want to use a shrinking spell and hide inside it immediately.
Whether he noticed my state or not, he looked down at me and said,
“You should move to your employer’s house, where safety and meals are guaranteed.”
“Right now…?”
“Yes. Right now.”
Rudels said this firmly yet gently, expressing exactly what he wanted, then smiled again and stared at my hair.
Wait, my hair is that interesting? It’s not even a particularly beautiful color.
I nodded, and he clapped his hands and beamed.
“You’ve made a good decision, Iriel. I’m so pleased.”
Heh heh heh. You’re pleased? I should be the one thanking you. Just please don’t harm me, employer.
Almost on the verge of tears from making such a brave decision, I headed to my room to pack my things.
I had stayed in this house for nearly a year, and over time, the things I’d used had accumulated in all sorts of ways.
Since I couldn’t take everything, I carefully packed only the items I could easily carry—clothes and magic books—into boxes.
While watching the items magically fill the boxes, I opened the door slightly to peek outside.
The cold air was thick, and a few large men in suits, seemingly acting as bodyguards, stood around Rudels.
He sipped the tea I had prepared as if he were the master of the house.
Who was the master and who was the guest… I shook my head internally, then checked the perfectly packed boxes before opening the door.
At that sound, Rudels approached me with a smile that bloomed like a flower and asked,
“Are you finished already?”
“Yes… but how should we move all this…”
“Don’t worry, Iriel. I can handle it all.”
He said that, then nodded toward the men. At his signal, they entered my room and came out briskly, each carrying two boxes in their hands.
‘Those… are pretty heavy. Even adult men would struggle with them. I used magic to move these boxes before. How are they doing this?’
I was so shocked that I covered my mouth and stared blankly at the four strong men. Rudels explained to me like a teacher.
“Iriel, don’t forget that we are beastmen. That weight is nothing, like a bowl of soup.”
Ah… so they weren’t human—they were beastmen.
I silently thanked the wolf for reminding me of what I had completely forgotten and stared at him. Rudels leaned forward to meet my gaze.
“Shall we go now, Teacher?”
I extended my hand and followed as he led.
From here on, it was survival.
In the rattling carriage, I began to wonder whether this was a dream or reality.
I was definitely in a log house with large, bear-like men and Rudels.
I vividly remembered stepping outside to call a carriage after everything was ready, and to my surprise, a carriage appeared out of nowhere in the yard.
The surprising part was that Rudels smiled with satisfaction and, instead of finding it strange, escorted me.
In such a suspicious situation, I looked at Rudels, who was grinning at me.
Seeing all the preparations, goosebumps ran across my skin.
This man… was he going to kidnap me if I refused to go?
I began to harbor rational suspicions.
I curled up in the corner of the carriage, tense.
He just stared at me silently.
I tried to avoid his intense gaze, but I couldn’t bear it, and finally said,
“Um… could you… ease up on that look?”
“Oh? Teacher, was I being too burdensome?”
“No, it’s just…”
“Then can’t I just keep looking like this?”
“Why… exactly?”
“Because you’re cute. I’ve never seen such a cute witch before.”
He smiled ridiculously, giving that explanation.
How could a beastman be so… beautiful?
As a woman, I couldn’t help but feel a kind of defeat.
I wanted to ask him not to say that, but I could only nod with difficulty.
With that baby-like, bright smile, I admired the wolf beastman and looked at the scenery outside the carriage.
I let out a small sigh at the view marking the border between the Human Kingdom and the Beastman Kingdom.
The fortress at the border was covered with plants like a jungle, but it looked even more beautiful, making it impossible to look away.
I had heard that beastmen formed communities without damaging nature, but I hadn’t expected them to build such a stunning structure.
As I gaped at the fortress, Rudels asked me,
“Is this your first time seeing a fortress like this?”
I nodded.
“I don’t usually go outside. I’ve only read about them in books.”
I laughed awkwardly and scratched my cheek—a habit when I felt embarrassed.
He listened and crossed his arms, watching me.
“So, Teacher Iriel, everything is your first time, isn’t it?”
“Eh? Ah, yes… it’s my first time…”
“I see. Everything is new to you.”
He smiled slyly, giving me a mischievous look. A ticklish feeling made me flinch and scratch my neck.
His gaze made my whole body tingle, almost like frozen skin thawing.
He muttered,
“Then there will be many firsts for us together.”
“Eh?”
“No, I mean it’s good. It’s good that there are many firsts.”
I tilted my head, confused, as he murmured and looked out the window.
Leaning on the window frame with his hand over his mouth, I noticed the faint curl of his lips.
For some reason, I felt better, and since his gaze was directed outside, I had a moment of comfort during the ride.
Soon, the carriage stopped for inspection.
“Hello, Mr. Rudels.”
“Inspection?”
“Yes.”
“Go ahead and check, but make sure the lady inside isn’t startled.”
Rudels naturally addressed the guard outside with authority.
‘A young wolf beastman with skills. My employer really is someone important.’
I swallowed hard. If the guard outside were a beastman, he would detect that I was a witch by scent.
Since my employment contract promised protection, I trusted that nothing would harm me.
I closed my eyes tightly, holding my racing heart, and waited quietly.
Soon, a lizard beastman opened the carriage door and inspected inside.
He glanced at me but showed no reaction, finished the inspection quickly, and saluted Rudels.
Rudels nodded briefly and stared ahead proudly.
The carriage started moving, the clattering wheels bringing a moment of silence. I was slightly puzzled by the smooth inspection.
‘They must have known I was a witch. So why was it so quiet?’
Amid my questions, a voice pierced my thoughts.
“Iriel, your face looks dark. Was it uncomfortable?”
Startled, I looked at him.
Though smiling with his lips, his eyes were sharp like a wild animal, scrutinizing my expression and actions.
I waved my hands defensively.
“No! It’s not that! I’m just… a little amazed.”
“Hmm? What made our Teacher go pale as snow?”
His leisurely tone made my heart flutter.
This was a thriller beyond any thriller.
“I-I’m a witch… and no one… says anything…”
“Ah, I see. As your guarantor, who would dare say anything?”
He looked at me as if thinking, Is that all you thought?, smiling beautifully.
Like a rich young master who lives for his own charm, I was speechless.
How much wealth, honor, and power does one need for a foreigner like me to enter so easily?
Wolf beastmen are said to be the strongest among beastmen, but only one family had all three—wealth, honor, and power. But which family was it? The one most hateful toward witches…
‘Huh?’
I recalled the name he gave when introducing himself.
“My name is Rudels, Rudels Iphin.”
Wait. Iphin…
‘The family that killed the most witches during the war! One of the founding families of the Beastman Kingdom, with ties to the royal line!’
I felt a thunderbolt hit my brain and my blood pressure rise.
I wanted to go back in time and give past me a hundred hits for making a contract with the most dangerous place.
‘I’m crazy, I’m crazy! Iriel Lottis! Are you in your right mind?’
The place I just got employed at was one of the most witch-hating households! And I willingly went there!
I tore at my hair, cursing internally.
How could I remember this now and realize it too late?
Rudels, noticing my panic, grabbed my hand to calm me.
