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After multiple discussions regarding the marriage registration with Shione, we finally reached the brink of the operation, just as Siabel mentioned. We prepared ourselves diligently for battle since morning and stepped out of the annex to meet Diolia afterward.

Why was that? A remark made by a knight from the Count’s House, who still remained unmarried past thirty, suddenly slithered back into my memory.

—”Lady Shione, be cautious. If someone you wish to take as a partner appears, you must seize the moment and hold their heart tightly. Otherwise, you may end up like me.”

Still living as a dedicated single knight, Diolia.

The reason her words resurfaced now was clear without needing to ponder much.

“Ray, I have something to ask…”

Shione, who had been with us throughout our journey, was staring at Diolia’s back and side profile with such intensity that it startled even the seasoned knight.

Sometimes, a determination not to become like that. Other times, a sorrowful gaze full of pity. And whenever that strange obsession surrounded her atmosphere and she turned to look at me, how could I not think of those words?

As a result, Diolia was in a situation where she couldn’t endure the various peculiar glances from her superiors.

“I came out neatly prepared with my armor and sword. Is there something on my face? It seems like Lady Shione is in a bad mood today…”

“There’s nothing disheveled about you, so you needn’t worry. She seemed a bit off because of something that happened the other day, but she’ll be fine soon.”

“Is it about yesterday? It would be strange not to know the troubles your knight is facing while guarding you. Can you enlighten me?”

If I were to reveal the truth, she’d likely feel as hollow as a beaver whose nest had been wiped out overnight. I couldn’t just convey it plainly.

I glanced at Shione, still lost in thought, before replying.

“It’s truly a trivial matter, so you needn’t worry, Lady Diolia. If need be, I’ll have a separate talk about it.”

“Well, still—”

“Could you please take care of my spirit while I have a brief chat?”

“If you say so, then it must be. That spirit… may I look after it for a moment?”

Surprisingly weak against cuteness, Diolia instantly shook off any anger as our Cotton Puff appeared.

I summoned Orna and placed her in Diolia’s hands before moving next to Shione.

“Lady Shione, are you still thinking about that?”

Caught off guard, Shione froze, as if realizing she had been secretly observing me and Diolia.

“What…? You mean the marriage registration? Like I’d be thinking about such a thing today, of all days…”

“No, not that.”

“…?”

“About the wooden column.”

“Oh, really…!”

Flushed, Shione shot a resentful glance at me upon hearing my whisper.

But what can I say? With a punchline this good, I have no choice but to tease her regularly; that’s all Shione’s fault.

Having taken another hit, Shione retaliated with a feeble counterattack.

“Isn’t pinching the back of my hand a bit too much? That hurts a little.”

“…You’re the one being excessive, Ray, by calling it a wooden column in such an open space.”

Walking behind Diolia, who was smitten with Orna, I finally arrived at the meeting place agreed upon with the other knights.

The destination was the western region of the Kalia Marquis Family. The knights who had gathered to cleanse Allen Kalia from our midst were taking their positions, among whom were Siabel and Eunice Kalia.

‘Siabel seems unchanged… Eunice Kalia is brimming with venom.’

Siabel was in her comfortable demeanor, indicating that she had already planned multiple strategies in collaboration with excellent tacticians, not here in her territory.

Eunice Kalia was, on the other hand, extremely sharp and energetic. After all, she’d be angry due to having one useless little brother ruining the family. Having seen the events in the Great Forest, it was no wonder she seemed even more engulfed in fury.

“Everyone’s gathered. I guess we might be the last.”

“Indeed, we should head to Siabel first.”

I figured Eunice Kalia would also be nearby Siabel. Approaching Siabel would mean we could finalize all checks and begin our mission.

When Siabel spotted me and Shione, she welcomed us warmly. After a brief chat with Eunice about the day’s operation, we finally mounted the steeds prepared by the Marquis family.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a horse.’

I typically used a carriage to travel, stepping off to move about. I recalled being on a horse perhaps only a handful of times in this world. However, I had ridden enough before my death, so I held no fear of it.

In fact, I had been more skilled at shooting arrows from a horse than from the ground. The sensation now felt all the more precious and special.

Thanks to that, while I comfortably stroked the horse’s mane, Siabel approached me, encouraging the knights just before departure.

“Ray.”

“Lady Siabel, I’ll be dismounting soon.”

“No, you should listen here.”

Siabel stopped me from dismounting and grabbed the reins of the horse, saying.

“How is it, can you ride the steed? While they are outstanding steeds, they may still be challenging to handle.”

“Yes, I am capable of riding them well enough not to trouble others.”

“Good to hear! If riding becomes difficult, stick close to Shione. Although she’s my sister, I’ve never seen anyone who could ride as well as her when she was young.”

“You mean Lady Shione can ride?”

“Yes, I’m not sure how she fared now, but if my memory serves and it isn’t an illusion, she rides just as well now. She handled her horse almost instinctively.”

She could ride splendidly back then.

When I first saw Shione, she couldn’t even approach a horse; it would be no surprise if the horse kicked her away. It seems like this was a tale from before she holed herself up, munching on snacks.

She had never told me before, and I had assumed she had little interest aside from flowers. It was quite an unexpected story, so I decided I would ask her about it later.

Getting back to the point, Siabel gazed up at me with a calm yet serious look in her eyes.

“I’ve informed Lady Eunice and the other knights… Ray, as I mentioned before, your display of skill is crucial for this operation.”

“Our family’s knights include both myself and Shione, so I believe we are well covered. You’re probably worried about how the Marquis family’s knights will react.”

“Seeing their reactions, I guess my instincts were correct. Don’t worry, Ray. After all—”

Siabel’s smirk rising in a playful manner could be seen as a scoff yet also pure confidence.

“Right now, the Kalia Marquis Family is beneath Lady Shianella’s Count House.”

*

Having exited both the interior and outer fortifications of the marquis family, we entered the mountainous western region.

At the forefront were Eunice Kalia and the knights belonging to the Marquis family, familiar with the terrain. The knights from the Count’s house were arrayed at intervals between them, forming a united front.

We were moving slowly yet surely toward the area where we anticipated enemies would be lurking.

‘The forest is eerily quiet.’

Aside from the sounds of armor and the hooves of the horses, there were no other sounds to be heard.

No chirping of insects, no birds singing. The wind wasn’t even blowing, making the silent forest chillingly ominous.

As we distanced ourselves completely from the outer fort, we entered deeper into the quiet woodland.

At that moment, Shione suddenly halted her mount and directed her gaze to one side.

“Ray, look there.”

“…That’s a deer carcass. But that one—”

A deer lay cold and lifeless in the distance. The issue was the condition of the corpse.

“It looks like it was killed by a predator but hasn’t been consumed. It doesn’t seem to have been dead for long, yet its bitten side is particularly dark… Lady Shione.”

“Exactly. It seems like it was hunted down by a monster.”

Shione seemed to have caught the lingering scent of magic, likely emitted by the monster.

Our Lady Shione could sense not only the scent of sweet treats but also the aroma of magic like a ghost; thus, I trusted her judgment wholeheartedly.

As Shione alerted Eunice Kalia about the situation, an unusual occurrence unfolded.

“Lady Eunice, and Ray—”

I immediately drew an arrow from my quiver upon seeing Shione’s tense expression.

“…Something is off. It feels like a monster, but not quite like one; it gives off a horrible vibe.”

“Lady Shione? Could you explain further?”

“Of course. However, before that—”

Shione pointed at the thick weeds and the fallen wooden column behind them.

“Ray, over there.”

“Beyond those bushes?”

“I can sense something beyond there. Can you keep a lookout?”

Currently, from my position, it was hard to line up a decent shot, but—

“Of course.”

It was just a matter of standing atop my mount.

As I focused my gaze on the area Shione pointed out, the underbrush began to move, revealing something terrifying that resembled neither a human nor a beast.

“Run!”

With a jolt, the horse bolted forward, snorting vehemently and charging ahead without hesitation.

While gripping onto the mount that surged forward, I strung my bow and drew an arrow.

‘It’d be wise to lower my posture.’

Given the many bulky branches obstructing my line of sight, it was better to crouch down.

I lowered my waist. Leaning towards the left side of the horse, I pushed strength into my lower body and core to avoid falling off.

Just as my gaze locked onto the hideous creature, the arrow reached its peak, and I released.

Whoosh—!

With a Sliding Release, the arrow soared smoothly, and I was convinced it would embed into the creature’s forehead.

I repositioned myself, slowed the galloping horse, and turned back to check if it was dead. Naturally, it was essential to confirm its state on my return.

Upon returning from the brief yet thrilling encounter, I found everyone staring at me in disbelief.

Unable to resist the intensity of those gazes, I moved beside Shione and whispered.

“…What is it? Have you never seen a horse archer before?”

“No, that’s not it…”

Shione stuttered, glancing back to where Diolia and the other knights were trailing behind, her expression suddenly vexed.

“…Don’t show off unnecessarily in front of others.”

“Oh, yes.”

She told me to behave while simultaneously ordering me.

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