Chapter 63: The Beginning of The Change (2)
Abel approached Duke Ernest. Compared to the knights, Ernest’s injuries were minor. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I’m fine, so take care of my subordinates’ wounds first.”
Duke Ernest was aware of this. He wasn’t the kind of man to place himself above his wounded subordinates.
“What happened?” Abel asked. If the knights had been injured so badly, they must have encountered more than just normal low-level monsters.
Duke Ernest stuttered as he spoke. “I saw a dead, black land.”
Abel frowned slightly. “Where?”
“Beyond the control line.”
“Oh my…”
That explained why no dead land had been found inside the hunting grounds. It appeared beyond the control line. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Is that the Darkness the scholars have been fussing about?”
“That’s right. I’ve never seen it in person, though. If you had arrived there a little earlier, you’d be dead.”
The moment Darkness appears, nearby living things die. Since Duke Ernest survived, it meant the Darkness had already vanished, leaving only the dead land behind.
Ernest grimaced as he grasped the implication. “Hmm, that must be a disappointment for you.”
Abel grinned widely. “That may be so. In any case, I need to evacuate the headquarters as soon as possible.”
“Yeah, those monsters… they’re really strong.”
If the proud Duke Ernest said this, then it must be true.
Abel nodded and looked away. He spotted his adopted daughter, Fiona, standing nearby. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘I told her to get ready to leave; why is she still standing there?’
But she seemed unusual. She was focused on something as if she were unaware of what was going on around her. Considering Fiona’s usual demeanor, this was surprising. Abel followed Fiona’s gaze involuntarily. At the end of her line of sight was a noble girl, treating a badly injured knight. At first, Abel didn’t recognize her, but he soon realized who she was. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. He had heard of the ‘saint of the rumor,’ a mysterious girl with healing powers from a rural baron’s family. Was her name Eunice Arlyn? Abel had once considered the advantage of attracting a noble lady protected by the Temple to his side.
‘Is she Fiona’s acquaintance?’
Since they were the same age, the two might have met at a banquet or tea party. Still, it was odd that his adopted daughter appeared so surprised.
Abel then walked over to Fiona. “Fiona.”
The girl looked surprised. “Yes, yes?”
“What are you so mesmerized by?” Abel glanced toward Eunice. “Do you know each other?”
Fiona shook her head. “No, I just saw her for the first time today.”
“But why are you so surprised?”
“Uh… because she’s so pretty?”
Abel asked, dumbfounded, “What?”
“Well, she’s really pretty. I was just surprised when she passed by.”
Abel, momentarily speechless at her absurdity, placed a hand on Fiona’s head. “I have so much to say, but… anyway, the situation is urgent right now, so don’t make yourself too visible.”
Fiona blushed slightly as she belatedly realized the gravity of the situation. “Yeah.”
Abel chuckled to himself. ‘Maybe her taste is in that direction.’
Fiona seemed unfazed by Sigren’s handsome face, which drove girls her age wild, but she was completely mesmerized by the girl she had just met today. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘Ah, my dear disciple has become a little pitiful…’
Of course, he didn’t mind; it was quite entertaining to watch. But it was a pity that the current situation was so dire; otherwise, he would have teased Sigren immediately.
‘Come to think of it, where did that guy go?’
Usually, in dangerous situations, Sigren was always close to Fiona, like a guard dog.
“The monsters are coming!”
The voice of the person Abel was searching for echoed through the headquarters at just the right moment. Unfortunately, the content of his message was far from reassuring.
“They must have followed the smell of blood,” Fiona muttered.
With so many people wounded, it would have been easy for the monsters to track them by scent. Sigren must have immediately grasped this, so he likely went off to investigate. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“If you can’t fight, raise your arms.”
At the prince’s command, people’s movements became frantic. The headquarters of the hunting ground was now filled with not only knights but also many noblemen and noblewomen who had come to watch the competition.
Abel debated whether to let Fiona fight. His adopted daughter was already somewhat exhausted, and this battle was going to be tough. Moreover, in such chaos, it was challenging to distinguish between friend and foe while using magic.
“Fiona, you—”
“I will fight!”
“I was just about to suggest you get some aid.”
“It’s a waste of manpower!”
With a brave shout, Fiona quickly ran toward Eunice, who was still treating the injured.
Abel sighed as he watched her go. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
When Fiona reached Eunice, she hesitated for a moment before awkwardly speaking. “Lady Eunice, the monsters are coming. You should leave and get to safety.”
Eunice slightly raised her head, a cold sweat on her face. She spoke in a voice as delicate as a little bird. “But if we try to move him now, it will be dangerous.”
As she said, the injured man Eunice had been treating was seriously hurt and poisoned. It seemed moving him would only be feasible once all the poison had been purged.
Fiona noticed the white light flowing from Eunice’s hand. The treatment was slower than expected. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘Because it’s the beginning of the original story.’
At this point, Eunice was still unable to fully control her power.
“Haa… thank you for the reminder. You should hurry and evacuate too, Lady.”
Eunice seemed not to fully grasp who she was addressing.
‘Well, it’s the first time I’ve seen Eunice too.’
Fiona thought this and then spoke up. “I’m fine. I don’t need to avoid it.”
After all, this was a battlefield.
Fiona pondered for a moment whether to summon Sigren. Shouldn’t the male protagonist typically protect the female protagonist in such dangerous situations? But there was no time to call Sigren. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Mo… a monster has appeared at the southern entrance!”
“Non-combat personnel, go to the central barracks!”
The monsters had already reached the hunting competition headquarters. Eunice instantly looked scared upon hearing the cry, yet she remained focused on her patient.
Fiona clenched her fists subconsciously.
‘As expected of a female lead!’
Of course, unlike Fiona, Eunice was still terrified.
“Ev… evacuate quickly, Lady…”
Fiona smiled brightly. “It’s okay. Isn’t being alone scarier?”
“But if that’s the case, then you will be… aahhhhhhh—!”
At that moment, a monster suddenly jumped out beside her. Eunice screamed and closed her eyes tightly. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
KIIEEKK!!
The high-pitched cry of the monster echoed, but that was the end of it. Eunice was not attacked or injured.
“It’s okay now.”
Hearing the gentle voice, Eunice slightly opened her eyes.
“Ah…”
In front of her was the corpse of the monster that had been about to attack her. Fiona was examining the body, rummaging through it.
“The strength of the transformed monster’s skin is harder than I expected. To kill them instantly, using moving mana power seems to be more effective and could cause a very strong explosion…”
Eunice didn’t fully understand what Fiona was saying, but she knew Fiona had saved her. As she looked at the monster’s corpse, she was shaken by the realization that the girl in front of her was not an ordinary noble. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Who are you, my Lady?”
Fiona turned her gaze and responded with a sweet, pretty smile, in stark contrast to the chaotic situation. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I’m Fiona Heilon.”
***
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