I took a step toward the north, leaning on my cane.
The footprints of the horseshoe and the demons were deeply engraved on the ground, continuing in the same direction.
The traces were clear, and gradually became more recent.
I had a feeling that someone was not far from here.
As time passed, the forest grew darker, and the light that was faintly seeping through the leaves gradually faded.
When I listened to the sudden sound, I heard a distant roar.
It wasn’t just the leaves swaying in the wind or the cries of animals.
It was someone’s clear voice, a rough and disorderly sound.
The voice was faint, but gradually became clearer and closer.
I quickly lowered my body and hid myself in the grass.
I held my breath and turned my head in the direction of the sound.
I saw orcs with green skin and ugly fangs.
Five orcs were walking toward me, armed.
The orcs had the emblem symbolizing the Demon King’s army engraved on their shoulders.
I clenched my teeth and gripped my staff.
I held my breath as much as I could and prayed that the orcs would pass me by.
However, it was only an optimistic expectation, as one of the orcs suddenly raised its head and looked around.
A low, rough breathing cut through the air and rang in my ears.
They seemed to have noticed my presence.
The orcs slowly began to explore the surroundings.
As their heavy footsteps drew closer to me, my heartbeats grew louder and louder.
A foul stench pierced my nose.
The smell of rusty iron and the unique smell of orc sweat mixed together, making my stomach churn every time I inhaled.
The staff in my hand felt like it was slipping from the sweat.
The cruel stories of the orcs I had heard in the royal capital flashed through my mind like a panorama.
Torn flesh, howling screams, trampled lives…
It was a rumor that they would tear apart and kill anyone, regardless of whether they were children or old people.
Soon, the grass swayed, and one of the orcs fixed its gaze on me.
Red eyes flashed eerily.
There was no time to run away.
In the first place, I couldn’t run away on these legs.
“I found it!”
The largest of the orcs shouted roughly and raised his club high.
My whole body froze at that sound.
I exhaled deeply and gripped my staff more tightly.
I thought of Flora’s face.
I felt the dragonheart tremble as if responding to my emotions.
“I will save Flora.”
I whispered that and slowly stared at the orcs.
The orcs thought I was weak because I was limping and using a staff, so they let their guard down.
There was still a chance.
I took out a silver dagger from my bosom.
There was no hesitation.
I swung the dagger with all my might and aimed it at the chest of the orc closest to me.
I wanted to aim for the neck, but it was the best option since I couldn’t reach his height.
The intricate patterns engraved on the silver dagger glowed red.
The dagger melted hotly as soon as it stabbed the orc’s chest and seeped into the wound.
“Kwaaak!”
The orc let out a scream of disbelief and collapsed.
The orcs following behind stopped for a moment at the sudden situation.
I could read their confusion in their eyes.
I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
I took out a small bomb from my bag and threw it with all my might among the orcs.
A loud explosion and thick smoke rose up.
I caught my breath for a moment, hoping to finish it off.
But the next moment, an axe blade appeared in the smoke.
The orc, who had lost one of his arms as if caught in the explosion, ran towards me with an angry look in his eyes and a scream.
I discovered it too late.
There was no way to avoid it.
I turned my gaze to my right hand.
A rose pattern embroidered with red thread.
I didn’t have time to think about my choice.
The moment I focused my attention on my right hand, just like when I took out the hatchling’s emblem,
a sharp metallic sound rang out.
The knight blocked the orc.
A bright silver armor flashed before his eyes.
The kingdom’s emblem was engraved on the armor’s chest plate, and a strong will was visible beneath his tightly closed lips.
“Are you okay?”
A loud voice struck his ears.
The orc flinched for a moment at the unexpected interruption, but immediately charged forward, baring his thick fangs.
The knight swung his sword as if to confront him.
He was clearly much larger than me, but the knight’s movements were nimble and skilled.
The blade relentlessly aimed at the orc’s heavy torso, and with a dull crash, red blood splattered across the orc’s green skin.
The next moment, the knight’s sword flashed again.
This time, the sharp blade dug deep into the orc’s thigh.
The orc staggered with a beastly scream.
The knight did not miss the gap and cut deep into the orc’s nape.
With a dull sound, the orc fell to the ground helplessly.
The moment the knight slowly put his sword away and turned toward me, the face revealed under the helmet was filled with a look of surprise.
“Your Highness, Duke Peridot von Winterfeldt…?!”
The voice was low but clear.
I was embarrassed by the knight’s attitude of calling my name so politely.
I have never received such respect in the kingdom for a long time.
The knight’s voice was slightly trembling, but he quickly straightened his posture and opened his mouth again calmly.
“It is an honor to meet you. His Majesty is looking for you.”
My breath caught in my throat at the knight’s words.
‘Looking for me? That king?’
My mind was confused.
I could understand if Sister Fiora was looking for me.
However, the king and the first prince were not the kind of people who would blink an eye if I disappeared.
‘No, rather, didn’t they want to erase my existence?’
The knight took a step closer and said,
“I will take you to a safe place. There is a royal army camp nearby.”
The knight’s attitude was firm, but there was a hint of caution and caution at the end of his words.
As if he was dealing with a fragile piece of glass,
every action was filled with excessive consideration and caution.
Everything about the knight’s attitude confused me even more.
‘Why? Why is this knight treating me so politely?’
In the palace, I was always ignored because I was an illegitimate child.
The king and the first prince considered me a thorn in their side, and the nobles treated me as if I did not exist.
But now, this knight was showing respect by calling me ‘Duke’.
I could not guess why.
The knight spoke carefully once again.
“Your Majesty, this place is dangerous. Please follow me to a safe place.”
The knight’s voice was filled with desperation.
An unknown emotion surged through me.
A feeling as if warmth was being felt in my chest.
I couldn’t tell what it was, but I felt like I could trust this knight.
I slowly nodded.
I started walking after the knight, leaning on my cane.
After a while along the forest path, an open space came into view.
The flames of the torches flickered, and the faint sound of metal clashing against armor could be heard.
There were several tents pitched in the camp, and two soldiers stood guard at the entrance to the center, holding spears.
As the soldiers approached, they straightened their postures and stood on guard, but the moment they saw me, they looked noticeably flustered.
They soon returned to their stern expressions, raised their spears, and saluted sharply.
As I entered the camp, more soldiers came into view.
Those training with swords, those preparing their armor and equipment, and Even those gathered around the campfire, chatting, seemed to be faithful to their roles.
But when we appeared, they all stopped what they were doing and looked at me.
Their gazes were sharp, full of caution and surprise.
A familiar air of contempt passed through them.
“Your Majesty, please rest here for a moment. I will bring the captain in soon.”
The knight spoke politely and stepped aside.
Inside the tent, there was a simple table and a few shabby chairs.
On the table was a cheap teacup, filled with a cloudy liquid that was faintly steaming.
I took a sip, but it tasted nothing.
‘As expected.’
I shook my head and put the teacup down.
I remembered the sweet scent and taste of the tea Flora had made for me.
The sweet tea that barely stimulated my ruined taste buds.
Outside the tent, it was still noisy.
The smell of sweat and cheap leather mixed in, and the sharp sound of metal clashing continued endlessly.
And then, a sound that seemed to tear the air rang in my ears.
A loud commotion arose outside the tent, and an intense light spread into the tent.
“What the!?”
“A summoning magic circle!?”
“Damn, this should have been reported in advance…!”
The knights’ urgent cries were heard.
The magic that emitted such strong magical power was not a simple teleportation.
The magic that could unilaterally come to a location where there was no magic circle set up was not something that could be used by anyone other than royalty or a high-ranking official.
When the light faded, a man was standing there.
Blonde hair and blue eyes.
A man with a sturdy build, wearing a worn-out cloak and heavily armored in silver armor.
A sword was tucked into his waist.
He was a warrior.