Upon hearing this, Ainola panicked and tried to back away.
‘Could it be that Anderson has snapped and wants to strip me and turn me into a Drinking Vessel Maiden?’
“Don’t be afraid.”
Anderson frowned, pressing down on Ainola’s restless leg as he spoke.
“I’m just going to help you bandage it.”
“You think I’d believe that? You perverted Prince.”
After being touched by Anderson, Ainola clearly didn’t believe a word he said.
In her mind, Anderson not only wanted to touch—he wanted to look too.
So there was no way she would let his plan succeed.
She clamped her legs tightly together like a frightened cat tucking its tail.
Unfortunately, a kitten’s strength could never match that of a big gray wolf like Anderson.
Those large hands easily forced her legs apart, lifting her skirt slightly.
Of course, Anderson had no intention of exploring her Secret Garden.
He was holding a bundle of bandages and genuinely just wanted to treat her wound.
After struggling for a while, Ainola seemed to realize either that resistance was useless or that Anderson truly meant no harm.
Her resistance gradually weakened.
In the end, she turned her flushed face away, one hand pressing down on the center of her skirt to block his view.
“Maybe you got cut by something while falling?”
After disinfecting the wound, Anderson began wrapping the bandage.
Ainola’s thigh ended up being touched again and again.
On the surface, the Prince looked calm.
But inside, his thoughts were already in complete chaos.
The sensation of the girl’s thigh was unexpectedly perfect.
Smooth like chocolate, with no excess fat whatsoever.
Even just bandaging her felt like an unbelievable indulgence.
“Fortunately, the wound isn’t deep. Disinfecting it should be enough.”
After finishing, Anderson even felt a slight sense of regret.
Ainola only let out a soft snort, turning her head away and ignoring him.
“Stay here and rest. I’ll go check where we are.”
After setting up a Defensive Barrier around Ainola, Anderson left, seemingly heading to a higher place to determine their location.
Once he was gone, Spark revealed herself.
“Well, well~ He didn’t turn you into a Drinking Vessel Maiden. That’s surprising.”
“Forget that for now. While Anderson’s gone, we need to find a way to escape. Spark, do you have any ideas?”
Faced with Ainola’s question, Spark shook her head.
“The rope binding you is an Anti-Magic Rope. I’m just a spirit without a physical body—I wouldn’t dare touch that thing.”
“Spark, what use are you…”
Ainola muttered in frustration.
Then she noticed two green-skinned creatures wandering nearby.
“Those are… Goblins?”
“Yes. They look like scouts. They haven’t noticed you.”
While Spark was still explaining, Ainola suddenly thought of a plan.
After pondering for a while, she said:
“Help me lure them over here.”
“Oh? In your condition, you want me to lure Goblins? Aren’t you afraid of being turned into a Cream Puff?”
Even though Ainola was protected by a barrier, attracting a large group of Goblins would still be dangerous.
“Don’t worry. I have a plan. Just bring them here.”
“Fine… If something happens, I’m telling Anderson.”
With that, Spark removed the barrier beneath Ainola and flew toward the Goblins.
After a series of strange chattering sounds, the two Goblins came over.
The moment they saw such a beautiful girl, they let out indescribable shrieks.
Seeing this, Ainola put on a pitiful expression.
“N-no… don’t come any closer!”
“Gii-li-gu-lu! Gii-li-gu-lu!”
The Goblins cried out excitedly as they rushed toward her, attempting to do something.
At that moment, Ainola suddenly spoke as if she had resigned herself.
“A-at least change the position… this one… hurts.”
Faced with such a cooperative “prey,” the Goblins froze.
Then they cried out even more excitedly.
They pulled out a shabby Dagger and cut the rope binding her to the tree.
Clearly, in the minds of these low-intelligence Goblins, Ainola was just a helpless girl with no threat.
The moment her arms and legs were freed—
Ainola grabbed the Dagger beside her.
With lightning-fast speed, she pierced both Goblins’ throats.
Thud
As their heads hit the ground, Ainola regained her freedom.
“Before running, I should deal with these two bodies.”
Luring the Goblins here was also part of her plan.
It would mislead Anderson into thinking Goblins had captured her.
That way, he would definitely go looking for a Goblin nest.
And that would be her best chance to escape.
“Time to go…”
After retrieving her equipment, Ainola disappeared into the forest.
***
On Anderson’s side, he had no idea that Ainola had already escaped.
He was studying the map, trying to determine his location.
After careful examination, he came to a piece of good news.
They were still within the borders of the Glory Empire.
Which meant Ainola wouldn’t be able to escape very far anytime soon.
The nearest town was Clear Spring Town, about 30 kilometers away.
To be honest, Anderson wasn’t familiar with this area.
For now, the best option was to stay put and wait for the Temple Knights’ support.
After deciding this, he returned the way he came.
He planned to wait at Ainola’s location for reinforcements.
But when Anderson arrived—
He froze.
Ainola, who should have been tightly bound to the tree, had completely vanished.
There were only some Goblin footprints left on the ground.
“Hm? Where is she?”
Given the situation, had Ainola been taken by Goblins?
But logically, Goblins shouldn’t have been able to break the barrier.
At that thought, Anderson began to feel restless.
He knew exactly what would happen to a woman who fell into Goblin hands.
He didn’t dare think further.
He could only follow the footprints, hoping to find her quickly.
But then—
He noticed a piece of white cloth with red stains hanging on a tree.
When Anderson walked closer, he realized—
It was Ainola’s missing underwear.
And it was stained with blood.