The day before the Founding Days hunting competition, Ricardis arrived early at the venue. Walkways covered in luxurious carpets had colorful and beautiful makeshift tents lining them. It felt more like a garden with ornamental trees than a mountain forest, and various foods for the upcoming competition filled the tables.

Rosaline wandered around, admiring the enormous banquet hall that had appeared in the forest. Ricardis and the Knights of the White Night were the only ones of high rank among the mercenaries and servants hired for the hunting competition.

As for the reason they arrived a day early

Im not satisfied. Find somewhere else.

It was to explore the mountain. Ricardis sat on his horse and haughtily ordered the mercenary guide to lead the way. For the twelfth time, Ricardis complained and expressed dissatisfaction about the narrow paths, the broad areas, the multitude of trees, and the constant flow of people. Even though this was the twelfth time, the mercenary could only bow his head repeatedly, seemingly astonished.

The mercenary group called Lasso was one of the many groups hired to prepare the mountain for the hunting competition. Even if the Imperial family hired them, they usually didnt receive direct requests from high-ranking individuals. They only received instructions from the subordinates of subordinates of those high-ranking individuals. But this time, something unexpected happened.

In front of them stood the 2nd Prince Ricardis, known to possess the most extraordinary holy power ever recorded in history; the one who had achieved only victories in dangerous wars and whose radiant beauty had blinded three thousand people! That very Laurel of the Snowfield, the 2nd Prince Ricardis!

The leader of the Lasso Mercenary Corps, with a face that seemed like it would shed tears, engraved Ricardis statement of Im not satisfied deep in his heart. It was a formidable face that seemed ready to take his words as a testament.

He didnt give much thought to why Ricardis asked for a place that fulfilled oddly specific conditions: in the forest, a vacant space where the participants of the hunting competition wouldnt step foot, and a simple path thats easily memorizable.

After about two hours of searching, the leader found a suitable location that met the customers demands. With Ricardis approving remark of Good, the leader returned to his group with tears streaming down his face.

Ricardis dismissed the members of the Knights of the White Night and surveyed the area with Rosaline. Macaron, who had followed them, sat on a tree branch, eavesdropping on the conversation.

Tomorrow, you must come to this place, Sir Rosaline. Can you remember that?

Rosaline narrowed her eyes and reflected on the places they had passed. The shapes of trees, rocks, terrain, and bushes flashed through her mind.

Yes.

You must never leave this place.

Yes. But why cant I leave?

I heard from Sir Calyx that something dangerous is after you. If I were the attacker, I would not miss this opportunity. Were at an event where its natural to carry a weapon. Tomorrow will be a good opportunity for him, as you, who have always been with your comrades, will be alone.

Rosaline let out an ah. It was an expression that conveyed understanding. The dangerous thing that was said to be after me, I know it. However, she couldnt directly mention the true identity of It, so she hesitated and stumbled over her words, mindful of Ricardis reaction.

Ah, that Its dangerous? I understand.

Ricardis smirked. It seems like she couldnt say much since the information was limited.

I heard that even their face is still unknown. If we wait, your attacker will soon reveal his appearance.

Rosaline nodded.

A collision is inevitable. Prepare yourself mentally, Sir Rosaline.

Mentally prepare What do you mean?

Do you know who will reveal themselves here? What if I take out my weapon and rush at you? What if its Raymond? Calyx? Will you obediently take the hits?

Rosaline gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Just imagining it was too shocking and painful. Her pupils shook restlessly. Ricardis chuckled, leaning against the tree.

Its just a hypothetical situation. We dont know who it is. So no matter how close and good that person might have been to you, dont ever trust them.

Yes

Just anticipating an incident will occur wont give us the upper hand in the situation. Thats why we chose this location.

Rosaline looked around. This place? Wasnt it to avoid drawing attention from others?

You can avoid immediate danger by not participating in the hunting competition. But then the problem will become even more serious. You wont know when and where someone with an unknown face and identity will target you. The situation in Illavenia is currently precarious, and its likely to worsen. We cant postpone the danger any longer. We have to choose the lesser evil to avoid the worst-case scenario. I want to protect you, Rosaline, but youre also the bait. There will always be danger.

Its alright.

Its not alright. Thats why we need safety measures.

As Rosaline tilted her head, Ricardis didnt answer but instead looked toward Macaron sitting on a thick tree branch.

I need your help.

Rosaline turned around, and Macaron also followed suit. The Knights of the White Night were nowhere to be seen in the distance. Only Ricardis, Rosaline, and Macaron were in this place filled with trees.

Sir Macaron.

Rosaline quickly turned her head and looked at Ricardis.

If you keep following Rosaline, that person may not reveal themselves. Since theyre also someone within the Imperial ground, theres a possibility they know that the eagle following Rosaline is the same as them. Its good to protect Rosaline, but we must catch even a glimpse of that persons tail in this hunting competition. So Rosaline has to walk alone in tomorrows affair.

Rosalines mouth gaped open. Huh, huh? [Theres a possibility they know that the eagle is the same as them.] More than the content of the words, she was astonished that Ricardis was the one saying them.

The eagle stared silently at Ricardis before finally speaking.

Should I only pursue them after this child is dead?

If we miss this opportunity, the danger will only grow.

While its natural for you to feel anxious and discouraged, thats no excuse for you to underestimate the abilities of those currently present because of your fears.

We need to consider the worst-case scenario. The opponent is someone who once killed the previous Rosaline. And you also know their abilities, dont you? Im not underestimating you, but we must push the limits of what we can imagine about their abilities.

Rosaline glanced back and forth between Ricardis and Macaron during the conversation.

Wait, the conversation is flowing so naturally. Isnt something strange? Why isnt Macaron surprised that theyre speaking and carrying on so smoothly? Macarons identity is exposed, so why are they so calm? Uh, uh

Sir Rosaline.

Yes! Rosaline is present! Rosaline jumped in surprise and answered.

Its true that you cant detect them without using magic, right?

Yes, thats correct.

And using magic is necessary to enhance your hearing and make your senses more acute?

Yes, but even without using it, we can hear better than other people.

Then its likely that person cant use much magic while following you. They wouldnt want to expose themselves. At least until you meet them.

Ricardis pondered with his arms crossed. Of course, there was no guarantee that something would happen tomorrow. But there was also no guarantee that nothing would happen. They had to prepare for the worst rather than hope for the best. Therefore, he devised a plan which assumed a dangerous individual was following Rosaline.

Rosaline would come here when the hunting competition began tomorrow. Although there may be doubts about the absence of her eagle, their assailant would not miss this golden opportunity to harm her. Ricardis had two requests for the mercenary group Lasso.

One, they were to find a suitable location that meets his conditions, and two, when the hunting competition begins, they should station their members at every corner of the path Rosaline walks down.

Even if they couldnt use magic, one had to consider the possibility that their senses were much sharper than those of ordinary humans. They must not pursue them directly. The mercenaries should covertly appear as one of the many scattered around the mountains for the sake of the competition.

In the meantime, Macaron would be there, appearing as a human. They had spoken to the leader of Lasso, and the two parties agreed Macaron would wait in the forest, pretending to be one of their new members. Macaron would move upon hearing from the mercenary members that someone was chasing Rosaline.

Of course, they couldnt rule out the possibility that it was someone who wanted to meet the famous Rosaline. Thats why Macaron should only act after sensing magic. Whether the user of magic was the pursuer or Rosaline herself, it meant that the situation was dangerous to that extent.

The mercenaries would wait for twenty minutes after Macaron left. If Macaron didnt return, they would move to a designated location. If a fight broke out and Rosaline and Macaron could not resolve it during that time, then the opponents power was beyond their imagination.

The mercenaries were not particularly strong, but their numbers made up for it. They provided extra pairs of eyes. The eyes of ordinary people, whom the attacker usually hid from, would serve as a powerful deterrent to suppress them, more so than Macaron and Rosalines powers.

After Ricardis briefly explained the plan, Rosaline glanced at him and stammered.

M-Macaron is just a good eagle

What do you mean Macaron should transform into a human? Your Highness, that doesnt make any sense. Macaron is just an ordinary eagle. Youre taking the joke too far. It seemed like she wanted to say something like that.

Alright, alright, a good eagle it is. Macaron will only need to be in human form for tomorrow. Starting from the day after, Macaron can go back to being a good eagle.

Ricardis smiled affectionately and patted Rosalines shoulder. Rosaline looked bewildered while Macaron let out a chuckle.

[T/N: The cats out of the bag so smoothly that even I was dazed. Also, Ill use They/Them for Macarons pronoun no matter their form starting from Book 4 because sometimes it feels awkward describing events using It. This whole pronouns thing is so confusing, we dont have em where I came from.]