Sigrid - 18

The caretaker of this place either didn’t know about the greenhouse’s existence or was too lazy to maintain it.

All the glass was shattered and gone, and the plants inside had grown wildly. The framework alone suggested it would have boasted considerable elegance in its original state, but now it gave off an eerie feeling.

‘Have they not arrived yet?’

There was no sign of anyone. Beramund dismounted and glanced back at the carriage, signaling them to wait, before approaching the greenhouse and calling out.

“Is anyone here?”

But again, there was no answer.

Only the plants that had grown haphazardly through the rusted framework swayed gently in the breeze.

‘Did we arrive early?’

As Beramund thought this and turned around, a sensation of his entire body’s hair standing on end washed over him. It was like the feeling you’d get if someone suddenly shoved a snowball down your back in the dead of winter.

Reflexively, Beramund flattened his body, and something large whooshed over his head.

“Neigh!”

When Beramund raised his head, he saw a massive magical beast swallowing a horse. The horse’s four legs, lifted into the air, struggled before going limp with a cracking sound.

The magical beast looked somewhat like a giant monkey. Or was it an alligator?

As it shoved the limp horse into its alligator-like mouth with both hands, blood trickled down its jaw. The sound of chewing was distinct.

After a moment of silence, the horses hitched to the carriage began to panic wildly. Two horses tried to run in different directions before finally settling on one direction. The magical beast stood up on its hind legs and looked at the carriage.

“Separate the carriage from the horses!”

Beramund shouted. Even for a maintained hunting ground, this area was quite rough. If they continued like this, the horses’ legs would break, and the carriage would overturn.

The people inside the carriage wouldn’t be safe either.

The soldier acting as the coachman was quite experienced and reacted immediately to Beramund’s order. In urgent situations, when reason might not prevail, training always shines through.

The soldier struggled to calm the horses with one hand on the reins. With his other hand, he drew his sword and struck the connecting joint between the carriage and the horses in one swift motion.

Clang!

With a loud noise, the two horses, delighted by their newfound lightness, galloped off at full speed in different directions. The carriage continued moving due to inertia before slowly coming to a stop. Having confirmed this, Beramund drew his sword and charged at the enormous magical beast.

Pitch-black aura instantly enveloped his sword. The magical beast tried to block Beramund’s attack with its hand but ended up getting its hand sliced and roared, baring its teeth. While Beramund engaged the magical beast, the soldiers drew their swords and surrounded the carriage.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, but what about His Highness?”

Erial hurriedly checked on Serios. Serios sighed and said,

“I’m fine, except for nearly having my heart jump out of my chest.”

“A magical beast in the imperial hunting grounds……”

Erial was still trembling all over. She couldn’t even properly see her cousin fighting outside the carriage window. In contrast, the magical beast looked incredibly large and grotesque.

It was not a sight a noble lady’s heart could bear.

“I hope Duke Fienscha hasn’t fallen victim……”

Serios muttered. He wasn’t too worried. Beramund would soon finish off a magical beast of this level.

But if Duke Fienscha had been attacked, that would be a major problem—

Bang—!

“Kyaaa!”

“What the—?!”

Something crashed into the carriage. It was certainly not small. The carriage wheels lifted off the ground before settling back into place.

“It’s a magical beast!”

“Protect the carriage!”

Amid the commotion, Serios hurriedly opened the window on the opposite side. A massive foreleg reached in through that window, causing Erial to faint on the spot, while Serios pulled out a dagger and stabbed the foreleg.

“Kieeek!”

With a scream, the foreleg withdrew, and Serios closed the window.

“Your Highness!”

Beramund was startled, and his momentary distraction created an opening, which led to an injury. Struck by the magical beast’s hand, Beramund’s body flew about five or six meters before hitting the ground.

“Keh, kuhuk.”

Beramund coughed as he got up. If he hadn’t been protecting himself with aura, that single blow would have ruptured his internal organs and killed him. Beramund glared at the magical beast, which seemed to be smiling. Glancing sideways at the carriage, he saw a second magical beast fighting with the soldiers.

No, it couldn’t even be called a fight.

The soldiers were futilely hacking at the magical beast’s body with their swords, which had no effect. Yet the trained soldiers, rather than fleeing in fear, struggled to somehow separate the magical beast from the carriage. And they were becoming one-sided victims of the magical beast’s slaughter.

The second magical beast also looked monkey-like, standing slightly over three meters tall, with four arms. Disregarding his own safety, Beramund started running towards the carriage. The first magical beast wouldn’t miss this chance. Its alligator-like yellow eyes glinted.

The enemy had turned its back.

Due to its large size, the magical beast caught up to Beramund’s back in two or three strides.

Got you!

Feeling elation, it reached out its hand, but it didn’t touch the prey’s back. Soon, tremendous pain swept through the magical beast’s entire body.

“Kieeeeek!!!”

The magical beast, its wrist cut off, clutched its hand and wailed.

“Go.”

A clear and firm voice.

“Sigrid?”

Beramund muttered in a dazed voice without realizing it. Sigrid glanced back at Beramund and said,

“Aren’t you going?”

At those words, Beramund said “Ah” and turned to run again. The magical beast clinging to the carriage was no match for Beramund for long. After blowing off the magical beast’s head, Beramund hurriedly opened the carriage door.

“Are you alright?!”

Serios, who had been holding his sword, saw that it was Beramund who opened the door and slumped onto the carriage seat with relief, nodding.

“We’re fine, except for Erial fainting.”

At those words, Beramund also felt all the strength leave his body.

“Kueeek~!”

Hearing the scream, Beramund turned his head. He saw the giant magical beast slowly falling. Sigrid approached the fallen magical beast and delivered the final blow.

‘It took too long.’

Sigrid frowned.

Entering the hunting grounds with only the geographical information of ‘the imperial hunting grounds on the outskirts of the capital,’ she found the hunting grounds to be unexpectedly vast. Sigrid, who had no hobby of hunting, was flustered and had frantically searched the entire hunting grounds, thinking it fortunate she had arrived early.

‘Still, I’m glad I wasn’t too late.’

Sigrid approached the carriage with relief. Beramund and Serios were standing in front of the carriage.

“What brings you here?”

Beramund asked with a suspicious look.

“I was training nearby.”

“Training?”

“Yes, training aura in the forest improves sensitivity better.”

Sigrid briefly recited the excuse she had prepared in advance.

“Well, anyway, we survived thanks to you.”

At Serios’s response, Sigrid knelt on one knee and bowed her head.

“Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you. May you enjoy endless blessings.”

“It’s a bit funny to receive such a greeting in this state.”

Serios lightly sighed and ordered, “Rise.” He was curious about this female knight’s identity, but that could wait. He turned to Beramund and said,

“I hope a third and fourth monster won’t jump out now that we’ve let our guard down.”

“Let’s leave this place before that happens.”

Beramund said firmly. The groans of the injured could be heard faintly. The number of dead soldiers was also considerable.

“Duke Fienscha……”

“How would I know?”

Beramund cut him off, making Serios frown.

“All the horses have run away, and we’re surrounded by injured. How do we get out of here?”

Though he didn’t argue with Beramund’s words, Serios pointed out the reality. Beramund suddenly turned to Sigrid and said,

“Horse.”

“Pardon?”

“You didn’t walk all the way here, did you? Your horse.”

“Ah.”

Sigrid was about to call for her horse but lowered her hand, and Beramund also turned away abruptly. Serios asked quietly,

“What is it?”

“Get back in the carriage, Your Highness.”

At Sigrid’s words, Serios obediently got back into the carriage. Beramund whispered to Sigrid,

“How many?”

“Four, five, six, seven, no, about ten, I think.”

“Sigrid.”

“Yes.”

Sigrid listened carefully. Left? Right? Which side should she take?

Beramund leaned his upper body close to Sigrid and whispered in her ear.

“I’m glad you came.”

“!!”

Feeling his breath on her ear, Sigrid frowned and quickly turned to look at Beramund. He was grinning. Ignoring him, Sigrid raised her voice.

“Gather the injured behind the carriage. Those with uninjured limbs, protect the wounded. We’ll handle the enemy.”

“Hey, do you realize you’re taking over my command authority and giving orders right now? I’m the leader here, you know? Me?”

“The leader here is His Highness. And I also have the authority to command the soldiers.”

“But I’m the only one who can give you orders.”

“You seem to keep leaving out His Highness.”

“Anyway, you’re my subordinate right now.”

Sigrid acknowledged this fact with a disgruntled face.

“That’s right. Temporarily.”

“See?”

Beramund grinned. Sigrid examined her sword, where the magical beast’s blood was starting to dry, and said,

“This repays my debt.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll return the temporary position once this situation is over.”

“Wait, you can’t just—”

“They’re coming.”

Beramund clicked his tongue.

But he was also aware of the approaching enemy. Beramund started walking forward, and Sigrid followed behind him.

It was an exquisite distance selection, ensuring the fight’s impact wouldn’t reach the carriage while keeping it within their protective range.

‘He’s certainly capable.’

Though his personality was irritating, his ability was undeniable. Sigrid swallowed her complaints and looked at the approaching enemy. Though they were dressed entirely in black, the weapons they carried were far from cheap.

All ten enemies wore the same clothes and carried the same weapons. Moreover, their attack wasn’t that of common thugs. It was a trained coordinated assault.

‘These are supposed to be mountain bandits?’

If such bandits were common in the empire, she would have to seriously advise His Majesty to mobilize the entire knight order for bandit suppression.

Sigrid clicked her tongue and matched her movements to Beramund’s.

Sigrid had fought with Beramund hundreds of times. She was familiar with his sword and had no trouble matching him. It was Beramund who was surprised.

‘This is comfortable.’

It was their first time coordinating, yet it felt as if they had always fought together. The sword moved in and out exactly where and when it was needed. When one turned, the other was already moving out of the way.

It was exhilarating.

He couldn’t help but smile even in the midst of battle.

After cutting down the last person, Beramund exhaled shortly and looked at his blade. It would probably need to be sharpened.

“These people must have come on horseback too, right?”

At Sigrid’s words, Beramund grinned.

“I suppose so. But Sigrid.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you think our coordination was amazing?”

No, that was just me unilaterally matching you. It’s my ability.

Sigrid thought this but didn’t say it out loud. She didn’t know what kind of response she might get if she did.

Beramund put on a serious face and said,

“Don’t you think we’d match well in bed too?”

Sigrid opened her mouth for a moment, then recalled Marie-Chez’s advice.

“That’s not appropriate.”

“Huh?”

“Please don’t do this.”

“……”

Beramund opened his mouth slightly, then started laughing hysterically while Sigrid frowned. Beramund kept chuckling as he retrieved the enemies’ horses. Just when it seemed he had calmed down, he burst into laughter again while hitching the horses to the carriage.

As they entered the capital, Sigrid said, “I’ll be taking my leave,” and bowed. She looked straight into Beramund’s eyes and said,

“Thank you for the temporary appointment, Lord Lunatil. I’ll now return that honorable position.”

After speaking firmly, Sigrid turned around. Beramund chuckled and muttered,

“Ah, what to do. I really don’t want to let her go now.”

He took a deep breath. The smile disappeared from his face, replaced by a brief look of fatigue.

Now he had to escort the Crown Prince and Princess back to the palace, entrust the injured to the healers, and do the paperwork for the deceased. The loss of soldiers due to this unexpected incident was painful.

Serios would provide generous compensation, but that was more consolation than compensation; nothing could truly compensate for death.

‘It’s going to be a long night.’

Beramund sighed.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

“Do you really think it was a coincidence?”

At Serios’s words, Beramund, lying stretched out on the couch, briefly answered, “Maybe?” With the back of his hand covering his eyes, he was clearly broadcasting ‘I’m tired’ with his whole body.

But Serios wasn’t one to let it go.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Right at that moment? In a hunting ground where no one else was around? It’s suspicious. Plus, when I investigated separately, I found out her spending has suddenly increased lately.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Buying a house, buying clothes, where did the money come from?”

“Maybe she saved up.”

At those words, Serios chuckled and said,

“What… Saved ninety percent of a knight’s salary? Say something that makes sense.”

“So what do you want to do?”

“I want you to probe her a bit.”

Beramund sighed and sat up. After attending funerals consecutively, he was exhausted both mentally and physically.

“You look tired.”

“Whose fault is that?”

Beramund rubbed his face dry. Even for him, dealing with wailing bereaved families was draining.

“I compensated them generously, didn’t I?”