Chapter 42: Shadows in the Forest

Within the depths of the lush forest, beneath the canopy’s shade,

Evrys and Iris rode.

Neither seemed particularly interested in the hunt, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Iris, her expression stoic, watched Evrys as they rode. Evrys’s silver hair, tied up high, bobbed like a horse’s tail with every movement.

The similarity in their hairstyles struck Iris as odd.

She pushed the thought aside and recalled her meeting with Amelia.

It had taken place in the same cafe she and Evrys had visited.

But unlike the pleasant outing with Evrys, this meeting left a bitter taste.

Amelia, sipping her tea leisurely, had greeted Iris warmly.

Then proceeded to reveal a startling claim.

She claimed to have knowledge of the future.

A future where the empire, and indeed the entire world, would be destroyed if they didn’t act.

Naturally, Iris didn’t believe her.

It sounded preposterous.

‘Those strange questions at the banquet…’

‘Is the princess delusional?’

Amelia, seeing Iris’s disbelief, offered to prove her claim.

Iris, deciding she had heard enough, made to leave.

But Amelia stopped her with a single name.

Evrys.

Amelia claimed something would happen at the Royal Hunt.

Today.

And that Evrys knew about it.

Even if Iris didn’t believe Amelia, surely she could trust Evrys.

Intrigued, Iris decided to wait and see.

Though another thought weighed heavier on her mind.

‘Does Evrys know something, too?’

‘If so, why hasn’t she told me?’

‘…Does she not trust me?’

‘But Amelia knows.’

Iris had been on the verge of asking Evrys countless times.

But the words caught in her throat.

She had a feeling that if she voiced her questions.

She would lose something precious.

The image of Evrys smiling as she held up dresses.

The way her face lit up when she tasted the cake.

Iris couldn’t bear the thought of losing those moments.

So, she remained silent.

Iris looked around.

Despite her inner turmoil, the weather was beautiful. Casting long shadows across the forest floor.

Nothing seemed amiss.

Except, perhaps, for the scarcity of animals.

The other hunters, eager for a prize, ventured deeper into the forest.

‘Was it all nonsense after all?’

Iris touched the hilt of her sword.

Then, it happened.

There was no commotion.

No warning.

Evrys simply rode up to Iris and whispered.

“Iris, we should go back.”
“…Suddenly?”

Evrys’s words echoed Amelia’s warning.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Then let’s return.”

Evrys shook her head.

“You go back first.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’ll look around a bit and then follow.”
“…”

‘What’s going on?’

‘Did Evrys know about this, too?’

‘Along with Amelia?’

The fact that Evrys might be involved didn’t bother Iris.

She had always suspected Evrys had some hidden purpose.

But if Amelia was involved as well…

That changed things.

Iris clenched her fists.

‘Am I not worthy of your trust?’

‘Amelia…’

“Just go back!”

Before Iris could respond.

Evrys turned her horse and disappeared into the dense undergrowth.

Iris looked around.

The servants who had accompanied them were fidgeting nervously.

With a sigh, Iris ordered them to return.

They hesitated.

Then, a scream echoed from the depths of the forest.

Their faces paled, and they fled.

A signal flare shot into the sky.

Something had happened.

Iris watched the flare arc across the sky.

Then turned her horse and followed the direction Evrys had taken.

Her face, hidden beneath the shade of the trees, was grim.

The hazy memories coalesced.

Evrys remembered.

The Royal Hunt.

And the unexpected attack by a large, unknown monster.

The details remained fuzzy.

It wasn’t something she needed to get involved in.

But remembering the strange incident with Amelia in the forest.

A sense of unease settled over her.

‘Something similar might happen here.’

That was why she had sent Iris away.

She didn’t want Iris to get hurt.

And… perhaps she also had a naive belief in her own invulnerability.

Evrys followed the direction the fleeing hunters had taken.

Her horse, sensing something ahead, began to tremble.

Evrys soothed the animal and continued towards the source of the signal flare.

‘Did Amelia know this would happen?’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t understand her motives.’

‘This could have been prevented…’

‘Why didn’t she do anything?’

Pale-faced hunters continued to stream past Evrys.

Their faces etched with panic.

Some shouted at her.

Asking her why she was going towards the danger.

Their words made Evrys hesitate.

She had acted out of concern for Iris.

But was it just a pretense?

‘…It is a pretense.’

She was aware of the contradiction in her actions.

‘I’m thinking about going back after the world ends…’

‘But I don’t want anyone around me to get hurt…’

Evrys shook her head.

Dealing with the immediate threat was her priority.

Then she heard the sound of hooves behind her.

‘Some glory-seeking fool…’ she thought, turning to see who was following her.

It was Iris.

‘So brave…’

‘No, wait.’

‘Why is she back?’

‘She was supposed to leave!’

They were close to the source of the signal flare.

So, Evrys slowed down, allowing Iris to catch up.

Iris’s face was shadowed.

‘Is it because of the trees?’

“…I told you to go back.”

Iris remained silent for a moment.

Then spoke, her voice thick with emotion.

Even with her sword at her side.

Evrys was taken aback by the intensity of Iris’s feelings.

“Am I… not worthy of your trust?”
“What?”
“The princess said something would happen. And it seems you knew about it as well.”
“…”

‘…So that was Amelia’s plan.’

Iris’s voice rose slightly.

“Why did you keep it a secret from me?”
“I was worried about you…”
“Is… that all?”
“…Yes.”

It was true that she was worried about Iris.

But to explain why she had kept it a secret without revealing her true nature…

She would have to lie.

She was afraid that if she told Iris the truth.

She would be forced to leave.

‘If I didn’t have my sword…’

‘I’d probably be making a pathetic face right now.’

Iris’s expression darkened further at Evrys’s words.

This wasn’t the reaction Evrys had wanted.

“…I won’t be a burden. Please, let me come with you.”

There was more to Iris’s words than she let on.

She seemed to be holding back.

Normally, Evrys wouldn’t have noticed.

But Iris’s emotions were unusually transparent right now.

Evrys felt a pang in her chest.

Despite the reassuring weight of her sword.

She couldn’t send Iris away.

“…Fine.”
“Thank you.”

‘I just hope nothing else happens…’

Iris’s face brightened slightly.

But the shadows remained.

‘How did things get so complicated?’

‘Let’s just deal with this first.’

Evrys gestured for Iris to follow.

Then urged her horse forward.

Towards the source of the commotion.

Iris followed without hesitation.

‘I’ll have a lot to say to Amelia after this is over.’

As they rode deeper into the forest.

Their horses began to falter.

They dismounted and continued on foot.

Dodging trees and undergrowth.

They finally reached the scene.

The fate of the overconfident hunters was a gruesome sight.

A massive bear-like creature was feasting on their remains.

Unlike a normal bear, this one was completely black.

Its fur shimmered like burning embers.

Even its eyes were black.

As if dripping with ink.

And it was the size of a house.

Evrys tried to recall the event description from the game.

But there was no mention of this monster.

‘I guess I’ll have to find out the hard way.’

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Prioritize your own safety.”
“…I’ll try my best.”

With that, Iris drew her sword.

The weight in Evrys’s chest intensified.