The silent morning in the convent.
The sunlight filtering through the window illuminated the dining hall floor made of gray stones.
"They say there's a squire in the Bayezid family making a name for itself."
"I heard he used aura in Deomar?"
Although it was a convent made of heavy gray stones, the atmosphere wasn't so oppressive, perhaps due to the lively chatter of young girls who had not yet become nuns.
Moreover, the rumors circulating within the convent were enough to warm the atmosphere.
"But they say that squire is incredibly good-looking."
"Blond hair and blue eyes. Perhaps of noble birth."
Because of the stories circulating about someone who stimulated the pink fantasies of young girls.
'Blond hair?'
The red-haired girl, who was crouching down and brushing the floor, heard the words she missed from the girls next to her.
"He used aura at such a young age, so he might become a knight for sure."
"Maybe he will become a knight representing the North in the future."
'...That can't be.'
Zemina, who had pricked up her ears to listen, lost interest in the extravagant stories that were gradually reaching her ears.
Blond hair, blue eyes, and a boy dreaming of becoming a knight.
Although she heard words close to Vlad, the moment all those things came together, the possibility of being him clearly diminished.
The boy who had barely escaped from the back alley couldn't possibly be thriving like that already.
It would be nice if he could live a healthy life.
Thunk-
Zemina, momentarily smiling as she thought of the blond boy.
Something fell beside her.
"Hey, red-haired."
"..."
One of the girls who had been chattering approached Zemina, dropping the broom she had been holding and said,
"You do everything else. We've done enough, haven't we?"
"Yeah, that's right. You're not even contributing to the support fund. You're getting free meals, for crying out loud."
"You have to work for the rest of your life to repay just what you received that day. Be grateful that we're giving you an opportunity."
The girls laughed heartily as if they had delivered a good blow.
However, Zemina didn't react, silently going about her tasks.
'They're right.'
The girls were right.
There was indeed no one here to contribute funds for her to live comfortably. If the convent hadn't accepted her that day, she didn't know what would have happened.
It certainly wouldn't have been better than now.
"After all, you have to spend your whole life here. There's nothing to do outside, and there's no one to help you out. So, isn't it better to get used to the work here in advance?"
"..."
This, too, was true.
Even if Zemina left here, she had nowhere else to go.
The tragedy of the nest getting destroyed wasn't experienced by the boy alone.
Like anyone else, the girl who survived in the back alleys was not the type of person to give in to such harassment or bullying, but she decided to endure it for now.
"Well then, we're off."
"Do everything before lunch!"
If she acts like her usual self, she will be kicked out of the convent.
If that happens, she wouldn't be able to face Madame Marcella, who sacrificed herself for them that night.
"...It's a good thing I learned it in advance."
Zemina, who had also taken care of the cleaning at the shop, sat alone in the dining hall and wiped the floor as if nothing happened.
However, the memory of that day wouldn't be erased no matter how much she wiped.
The scene of a woman who forced her into the convent walls and dragged her into the darkness by her hair.
They shouldn't have sent her away like that.
"Ugh..."
So, the girl pushed the broom harder.
She wanted to push away the memories that wouldn't be erased.
A girl swallowing tears again in her large eyes.
The red hair of the girl, not yet fully settled, swayed awkwardly on her shoulders.
※※※※
"You've really experienced aura, right?"
"..."
It was a cheerful voice, but for the person listening, it wasn't a pleasant sound.
If that voice continued to chatter incessantly, it would be even more unbearable.
'Isn't he tired?'
Vlad was barely holding his position on the cart that was shaking back and forth.
There was a woman driving a horse next to him and constantly talking to him.
"How can you use an aura and still not be able to ride a horse? Even if the order is changed, doesn't that change too much?"
".... Well, you know, in life, all sorts of things can happen."
Vlad turned his head to look at the woman who kept talking to him.
Jet-black hair, jet-black eyes, and even jet-black ears that twitched.
"What are you looking at?"
White fangs were visible between her pulled up lips.
They were too sharp to be called human fangs.
Vlad didn't like those fangs.
Rutger's knights were laughing heartily next to them while listening to the bickering.
Perhaps he had become a target for them since the peanut incident.
'Just endure it.'
He had to endure.
Though it wasn't intentional, in a way, it was a mess he had caused.
The boy had endured a lifetime of mockery like this.
'This is what it looks like because I went on a vacation that didn't work out.'
However, even the boiling sigh from within was an unavoidable task.
Currently, Vlad and Potree were following Rutger.
When Vlad said he was here for a vacation, Rutger suggested going falcon hunting together.
"If you don't follow this time either, I'll send two boxes of peanuts to Josef."
"..."
It wasn't a threatening threat, but as someone with a history, Vlad had no choice but to accept.
The head of the Kanoor family, who had generously fed him meat, was looking at him with earnest eyes.
From his perspective, it was a golden opportunity to connect Potree and Rutger.
"Do beastmen always this talkative?"
"Are you discriminating against the race now?"
If she had been a normal maid, he might have quietly told her to shut up. However, she wasn't that kind of person.
Beside Peter, the head of the Bayezid family, was Lagmus, a mage and advisor.
And beside Rutger was the girl with pointed black ears.
She, who was twitching her black ears, was a mage.
"Don't scratch too much, Dorothea. He is a borrowed guy, after all."
"That brat makes a disgusted face every time he sees me."
"Anyone would if they were harassed like that."
The way she answered Rutger with her black tail swaying, contrary to how she treated Vlad, was not pleasing from Vlad's perspective.
'Cat-like bitch.'
Not only did she look like a cat, but her behavior also resembled a cat Vlad disliked. He could only furrow in response.
"I guess this is enough."
"With the surroundings so open, it should be visible from anywhere."
"Indeed."
Rutger seemed to have finally reached their destination, looking around and surveying the surroundings.
"······?"
He was just observing the area.
The falcons that could be used for hunting weren't even taken out of their cages.
"There it is."
"I see."
As if searching tirelessly for something, Rutger and his knights finally found what they were looking for and pointed in that direction.
'Hmm.'
Vlad also casually examined the direction they were pointing.
Although it was distant and somewhat blurry, there were people walking across the meadow.
People dressed entirely in white from head to toe.
They were priests.
"To come across a pilgrimage group, how fortunate."
"Yes, this must also be fate."
'······It seems like they purposely came here.'
Listening to Rutger and his knights conversing cheerfully, Vlad realized that this hunting trip had a different purpose.
"Raise the flag. Show our intention and reassure them."
"Understood. Lord Rutger."
As soon as Rutger gestured, a knight next to him took out a flag and hung it on a pole, as if he had been waiting. It looked like they had brought the poles just for this purpose.
"Shall we slowly go and look for our prey?"
Even though they were talking about hunting, no one in this place was preparing for it.
They were simply walking along the ridge, seemingly protecting the pilgrims walking below.
The pilgrims walking below must have seen the flag that Rutger had hung up, so they hung a flag on a pole and began to move.
The symbols hanging high on the poles.
The symbol on the flag was similar to the emblem engraved on Vlad's identification card.
As the group began to move slowly, Vlad quickly jumped down from the carriage and distanced himself from Dorothea.
It was better to avoid her if he couldn't confront her.
"Ugh, I feel nauseous."
"Are you okay, Vlad?"
Maybe it was because of the jolting cart instead of a carriage, but his chest continued to pound.
"Do you feel like vomiting?"
"Not really."
Still, feeling unwell, Vlad followed the voice's suggestion and plucked a leaf from nearby, putting it into his mouth.
[Remember this herb. It has a mild awakening effect.]
'What was this guy?'
Every time the voice spoke, Vlad found himself surprised anew. His knowledge and insights surpassed not only those of well-educated nobles but also experienced knights.
'I'll find out one day.'
Vlad thought that time would eventually reveal the identity of the voice.
Chewing on the bitter herb, he looked down at the expansive meadow below.
Although not everything was smooth, at least the scenery pleased him.
The vast, open meadow stretched out to the horizon.
Vlad breathed in deeply, refreshed just by the sight.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Vlad's attention was drawn to a group moving in the distance.
Something was moving rapidly.
Thump-thump—
"A herd of wild horses."
Rutger also noticed them, he frowned and focused his gaze on the herd of wild horses running towards here.
It was a wonderful sight, but it was not something Rutger was happy about.
Unforeseen situations like a herd of wild horses suddenly appearing were burdensome, especially when escorting someone.
"But why are they moving south?"
".... That's right. At this time, the herd of wild horsess usually migrate north rather than south."
The knight's observation was correct.
During the season when the meadows flourished, the animals would typically migrate north to where the fresh grass sprouted.
However, the herd of wild horses was rushing south toward the group and pilgrims.
Moreover, they were charging at full speed.
Thump-thump—
As the herd of wild horses approached, Vlad's heart pounded violently.
"Hmm..."
Vlad, like Rutger, stood on the hill and looked at the herd of wild horses running, recalling a similar experience.
The wild horses, full of vitality, with muscles flexing and galloping freely across the meadow, were a sight that could evoke admiration. However, at this moment, there was not a single person marveling at the spectacle.
Instead, they watched with concern, wondering where the horses were headed.
"They seem to be heading towards the pilgrims."
"Their movements are oddly urgent, as if they are being chased by something..."
Thump-thump—
Vlad gripped his chest, trying to calm his racing heart.
"...?"
Their eyes met.
Although the figure was blurry in the distance, it felt like Vlad locked eyes with the leader of the charging herd.
An entirely black creature.
Although it was impossible for them to make eye contact in the first place, the two clearly exchanged glances.
"..."
Vlad couldn't explain it, but it felt as if the black horse was somehow communicating with him.
It felt like that
"Lord Rutger!"
One of the knights, sensing something suspicious in the behavior of the wild horses, hurriedly approached Rutger.
"What's going on?"
"The ground is shaking!"
Thump-thump—
Even the boy, locking eyes with the horse, could sense it.
The wild horses were terrified.
Krrrrrr—
As soon as the knight finished shouting, the ground shook like an earthquake.
The pilgrims in front of them collapsed, startled by the shaking.
Kraaaaaa—
Along with the earthquake, a massive scream echoed across the meadow.
The ground cracked open, and from there, something enormous emerged.
Hiiiiing—
Caught in the upheaval, the black horse, which had been at the forefront of the charge, let out a pitiful cry.
"It's a Death Worm!"
The wild horses were gruesomely torn apart by savage teeth.
The blood of the poor horses pouring down like rain.
"······!"
While Vlad's heart continued to pound, what surrounded him was not the warmth of blood but a chilling sensation.
The herd of wild horses was fleeing.
They were pleading for help.