Ah !

A small exclamation escaped Herietta's lips. Her dagger was clutched in the man's hand. The dagger she had thrust deep into the wolf's scruff to save him.

The man silently looked down at the dagger. The originally small dagger looked even smaller now that it was held in the man's large hand.

The man's attitude as he looked down at the dagger was too cautious. It naturally arouses curiosity in those who look at it.

It was a gift from Bernard, a member of the royal family, so she thought it would be of some value, but that was all. The blade was exceptionally sharp, but in terms of appearance, it was closer to being simple and rugged rather than flashy.

'Could he be asking me to hand over that dagger in return for saving my life?'

But if that's the reason, since she saved his life, wouldn't they be on equal ends? Herietta vigorously shook her head as the man took a dry rag from his chest and wiped the blade of the dagger. Then he turned the dagger so that the hilt was pointing towards her and slid it toward her.

As Herietta didn't immediately take the dagger and stared blankly at him, the man shook it slightly. Perhaps telling her to take it quickly before he changes his mind.

Seeing that hand gesture, Herietta suddenly woke up. Anxious for fear of offending the man by fumbling around, she quickly took the dagger from his hand.

Thank you.

She bowed her head almost automatically, thanking him once again. This was already the second time since she faced him.

The man said nothing. He just kept his eyes on Herietta, remaining silent. There was an awkward, uncomfortable silence that took her breath away.

'I think I need to say something more.'

Herietta was seriously thinking about whether she should say something, but the man suddenly stood up. As the tall man stood in front of her, a shadow naturally fell over her head.

Then he disappeared.

Step, step. Along with the sound of footsteps, the man's presence faded away.

Herietta raised her head quietly. Then, with his back turned to her, she saw the man's back moving far away. There was no hesitation in his gait, as if he had nothing to do here anymore.

Herietta looked at the man with a slightly lost face. What just happened? Before she could grasp the situation, he completely disappeared among the bushes. He didn't say a word to her.

As soon as the man's presence disappeared, a calm silence came. Even so, she did not know how to get up, sitting there for a long time.

It felt like a midsummer night's dream.

After she parted ways with the enigmatic man, Herietta continued walking in the direction the villagers had pointed out before. Even so, she wondered for a while whether she was going the right way or not. Because it seemed that whenever she walked, only the same scenery unfolded.

But she didn't give up. She remembered that in order to get out of the village limits through the woods, she would have to walk steadily for at least half a day.

Besides, she has come too far to go back now. Even if she wasn't sure, she had no choice but to move forward first.

'That ?'

Herietta, who had been walking hard for a long time without stopping, noticed something in the distance and stopped. A large tree planted beside a flowing stream. And two elongated rocks that stand beyond it.

The two rocks seemed similar in size and shape to each other. Standing side by side, they reminded her of rabbit ears standing upright. Herietta narrowed her eyes. Before she left the cave, the villagers explained.

'If you go a little further past that rock, you can go straight out of the forest without going through the village.'

Herietta took another step again, recalling what she had heard from the villagers. Her heart, which had sunk infinitely heavy, became a little lighter. Like she had found a dim light as she walked through a dark tunnel.

'After leaving the forest, first go to a nearby farmhouse and get a mount.'

Uh.

She hurried her steps, planning for the soon-to-be future, when a strange sound came from somewhere.

Huu.

The strange sound carried by the wind was thin and dangerous, so thin it would break at any moment. And it caught Herietta's ankles. The flow of her thoughts was interrupted. She stopped in place and looked around.

'This sound is clearly.'

Herietta frowned as she listened.

It was faint, but she could make out right away. It was a human groan. It sounds like they are gritting their teeth and trying to endure the pain somehow.

Who was seriously injured? At first glance, the sound was not unusual. Although nothing was visible, it must have been coming from somewhere nearby.

Uh-ugh.

Herietta soon realized that the sound was coming from the rock. For some reason, she felt chilly. Suddenly, she saw a stream flowing beside it. The color of the water, which should have been clear and transparent, was red and muddy.

'Did they get attacked by a wild beast?'

She remembered the pack of gray wolves she had just seen.

'If not.'

Herietta cautiously moved her steps. Slowly. Very slowly

Keeping a certain distance from the rock, she went around in a circle. She was prepared for the unexpected.

Herietta's eyes widened as she spotted a person sitting leaning against a rock.

Silver armor and a green cloak. A familiar ancient pattern elaborately embroidered with gold thread and a long sword lying on the floor.

Herietta was greatly frightened. And she was sure at the same time.

That this is a knight of Kustan.

Herietta held her breath and hid herself behind a tree.

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