Chapter 45 Part 2: The Wolf Hunt, A Long Night

The day of the Great Hunting Festival, Cabresius, dawned.

Hawks flew in the blue sky.

A platform was set up near a huge tree.

Several people are lined up in front of the white platform.

Theicia, Ritzel, and Variang, etc.

They are all influential figures in Elchen who rule a territory.

Cayron walked through them and stood in front of the altar.

Armor with a black sheen, a red cloak draped over his shoulders.

A clanking sword hilt at his waist.

He looks like a black knight.

Cayron, with a subdued expression, stood on the altar.

Everyone held their breath as if on cue.

The hunting ritual is simple.

It is to declare that it is not just for entertainment.

Long ago, the people of Elchen learned to hunt for survival.

Because the barren and cold land made hunting more important than agriculture.

However.

Many people also suffered accidents while hunting.

In other words, the once-a-year hunting festival is not just a festival.

May we be safe this year too.

May we not suffer any accidents while hunting.

It is a sacred ritual to offer prayers with such wishes.

Humans coveted the products of nature while at the same time fearing and worshiping nature.

It may seem contradictory, but that’s the way of the world.

Cayron went through the established procedures, such as sprinkling alcohol on the ground and observing a moment of silence.

Then he turned around and declared.

“With this, the ritual is over. We will refrain from meaningless killing, and we will always approach hunting with a serious attitude.”

Clap clap-

With the sound of applause, the head of the Theicia family climbed onto the platform.

He was a middle-aged man with a lion’s mane-like blond hair and deep purple eyes.

“Everyone. You have come a long way. I sincerely welcome you to this Great Hunting Festival. We have just finished the ritual.”

Now all that’s left is the opening declaration.

A total of thirteen families gathered.

So there are nearly two hundred people participating in the hunt.

“Fortunately, this place where the Great Hunting Festival takes place, the Quenril Forest, can accommodate all of our great warriors.”

It boasted such a vast area.

The reindeer with three horns, Theicia.

It is the name of a divine beast that is revered by all.

It is swifter than any famous horse, has stronger endurance than a leader wolf, and once it starts running, it can go back and forth between mountains.

This Quenril Forest is where Theicia was discovered.

The participants are all lined up in the open space in front of the platform.

Those who are not participating are watching from around the perimeter.

Noble ladies wearing thick furs, and young noble ladies who are fascinated by this spectacle.

“I have no idea what will happen.”

“Who will be the best hunter, and who will be the queen of the hunting festival. I can’t predict that either.”

“Still, there’s the Archduke. Last year’s best hunter. Isn’t he the most likely candidate?”

Such was the conversation of the young ladies.

Two old ladies interjected.

“But it won’t be easy this time..”

“The Theicia family has an advantage. Their unmarried young master is participating, and they know the geography of this forest well. Of course, other families are also formidable.”

There is a unique rule in the Great Hunting Festival.

Married couples participate together.

Whether they go together or separately.

That is entirely their own choice.

The prey caught by the husband, and the prey caught by the wife.

The organizers add up the scores of the prey and divide it in half.

In other words, married people are at a disadvantage compared to unmarried people.

“Usually, the wife stays at the entrance of the forest.”

There are no wild animals at the entrance of the forest.

That way, it’s safer for her.

It is impossible for ladies who lightly ride horses to keep up with those who only ride and hunt.

It’s a system designed that way from the beginning.

The romance of the queen of the hunting festival.

It was merely a device to make the heavy and sacred ritual more approachable.

Eventually, two unmarried men and women.

The man chosen as the best hunter presents his prey to the woman he admires.

However, everyone was surprised at the appearance of the Archduchess.

The appearance of the Archduchess, which they saw for the first time.

There were many who were surprised.

Archduchess, Rosa Anencia.

She boasted a mysteriously innocent beauty that attracted everyone’s attention.

But.

Even more surprising was her appearance in thick protective gear.

Everyone sensed that something was strange about her attitude, which seemed to be fully prepared.

“No.”

“Could it be..?”

The Archduchess went to the side of a horse.

Next to a horse that was much bigger than her, and looked quite sturdy.

Those who know a little about horses sent glances filled with interest or surprise.

Buzz buzz-

The sound of voices grew louder.

“Your Highness, the Archduke.”

The head of the Theicia family approached with a surprised expression.

Before he could even ask.

Cayron declared first.

“The Archduchess will also enter the forest with me.”

There is no problem at all.

It’s just that such cases were rare.

At everyone’s surprised expressions, Rosa finally became certain.

‘Yes. This was it.’

In the original work, Rosa was attacked while she was at the entrance of the forest.

She probably tried to shake them off at the entrance and headed deep into the forest.

[The reason is completely unknown, but Cayron was surprised by the appearance of the enemies. But the dust rising from behind, the screams of them. It was an ambush.]

It’s not the exact sentence.

But I remember it roughly like that.

So Rosa was certain.

Rather, the safest place is by Cayron’s side.

“Hmm.. I understand.”

The head of the Theicia family, Gdan Theicia.

He had a strangely stiff expression.

But there were no procedural problems.

He stepped back and headed to the platform.

Then, after everyone was roughly prepared.

“Everyone, compete in good faith! Ensure thorough safety! May Theicia watch over us!”

Two horn sounds rang out.

The people participating in the hunting festival looked at each other.

From now on, the competition begins.

Boo woo woo- Boo woo woo-

Originally, it was a signal to announce the start of a battle, but now it is a sound to announce the start of the hunting festival.

Finally, the hunting festival began.

The knights got on their horses.

The sitting hunting dogs stood up, and the servants busily moved back from behind the horses.

“Move back!”

Various hunting tools are decorated like ornaments on the saddles behind the horses.

“Depart!”

Dust rises.

The families on the far left of the open space started running towards the forest first.

The small noise gradually grows louder.

Doo doo doo-

Then it became the sound of huge hooves.

Rosa also got on the tall Lactea with a nervous expression.

“She’s really riding..”

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

Such voices are heard.

Surely it can’t be safe.

But the reason Cayron allowed it was because Rosa’s will was so strong.

[I’ll go with you.]

It wasn’t just words.

Cayron actually saw what she had been doing for the past month.

Rosa really devoted herself to horseback riding.

Not only that, but she also read books about the hunting festival.

‘Actually, with just a month’s time..’

It’s normally impossible.

But from what he saw, and from what the stable master Bender said.

If it’s just riding a horse, there shouldn’t be any problems.

If something happens, the Archduke is by her side, and probably.

[Lactea is a smart one.]

It’s really not an exaggeration.

Surprisingly, Rosa had a remarkable talent for horseback riding.

Is it because of her gentle personality?

It seems that she also interacts well with animals.

Prrr-

Lactea shakes its tail.

It snorts happily as if it’s carrying its owner that it’s been with for a long time.

Right next to Rosa was Cayron.

If an accident were to happen, he could respond.

“Let’s go.”

And it was the Archduke’s family’s turn.

A dozen knights moved in a square formation.

The flag of the black wolf fluttered as the horses started running.

Just before that short time, Cayron made eye contact with Walter Variang.

[I found out. The location where they are ambushed.]

The two have already shared the enemy’s plans.

Walter, who had said that last night, nodded without showing it.

Surely, it means that we are fully prepared.

Variang, who is only loyal to him.

Before that, they also fought against the empire.

As such, the knights, who are skilled through experience in long civil wars, will be able to carry out any mission.

“In other words, an ambush against the ambushed enemies. That’s what it is.”

Pavel said.

Just now, he explained all the brief situations to the Archduchess.

“But please don’t worry. Your Highness will be absolutely safe.”

“I know.”

Rosa answered.

In fact, even though we are talking on a running horse, she looked as relaxed as Pavel.

‘If there’s only one threat.’

Pavel noticed Rosa’s thoughts.

“As long as you don’t fall off the horse. But don’t worry too much.”

Pavel smiled and nodded.

“Focus on the reins. You must never let go of the reins.”

To the side where Cayron is saying that.

Rosa nodded silently.

It’s impossible not to be nervous.

Finally, it’s the turning point where the first accident occurs.

‘Last night, I fell asleep unusually quickly..’

I woke up early in the morning and was constantly nervous.

It’s not just because of Cayron’s appearance sleeping next to her.

In the blue-soaked air of dawn.

In a strange stillness.

I really felt that the incident was approaching.

But.

“The weather is nice.”

Cayron has his usual expression.

Surely he also knows something.

Otherwise, Pavel wouldn’t have said not to worry, that Your Highness will be safe.

Even so, he was surprisingly relaxed.

The other knights are the same.

Rather, they were surprised to see her riding a horse.

“You’re amazing. Your Highness. It’s not even that slow of a speed.”

“To be able to ride like this in just a month, that’s no ordinary talent.”

Faces I haven’t seen in a long time.

Luther with a cool impression and Natasha with red hair and amber eyes.

It was after the victory banquet.

The two escorted her from the capital to Elchen.

The reason I remember their names is because they were one of the few important extras in the novel.

As you can tell from that fact, the people here now were the elite.

All of them and Cayron were protecting her in a formation.

Somehow, Rosa felt more and more relieved.

‘Perhaps today’s hunting festival.. will pass safely.’

It must have changed a lot compared to the original work.

It seemed that her careful hints had changed something.

I’m even excited as if I’m on a picnic.

My stomach was a little upset by the vibration of riding a horse, though.

And.

“Prepare yourselves. From now on, it’s the forest!”

The hooves began to enter the green forest.

The head of the Theicia family.

Gdan Theicia’s face was completely stiff.

“This is.. absurd.”

An unexpected, simple variable.

Just that one thing threw his plan into disarray.

Originally, he was going to use the woman who was said to be a handmaiden to lure the Archduchess away.

The hunting festival where the Archduke’s attention is dispersed.

In that gap, kidnap the Archduchess at the entrance of the forest.

The former handmaiden named Reina’s person was already secured.

He was going to make her voluntarily lure the Archduchess.

It wasn’t a difficult task since he was holding her husband’s life hostage.

But.

“We need to modify the plan.”

He handed a letter to the knight.

The forest troops have not yet been completely withdrawn.

Since they were secretly assembled, they had to be withdrawn little by little at dawn.

Rather, that fact became a ray of hope.

The plan is back to its original state.

Nothing has changed much.

It’s just that the probability of success has become lower.

‘Still. If the two are together, the Archduke won’t be able to show his full ability.’

As a sudden ambush occurs, he will be frantic trying to protect the Archduchess.

“Hurry. There’s no time.”

“Yes, sir!”

The knight rode his horse roughly and returned to the forest.

The hunt has already begun.

Thud-

A deer fell.

Usually, an animal that is hit by an arrow dies from excessive bleeding.

It runs away bleeding profusely, gradually losing strength and collapsing.

Originally, I thought it was over as soon as it was hit by an arrow.

But it is said that there are cases where people are attacked by animals that have been hit by arrows.

‘Yes. I saw it that way.’

The reason Rosa knows that fact is because she has read books about hunting.

So just now, I can’t help but know the hunter’s skill from the hunt.

An arrow that hit the deer’s head precisely.

Naturally, it ended the deer’s life on the spot.

Rosa can’t help but admire.

‘It’s a scam. It’s not the main character for nothing.’

Cayron was also good at handling a bow.

The cart was already full of his achievements.

The porter skillfully loaded the spoils.

In the meantime, the sun was high in the sky, and it was late afternoon in a little while.

Quite some time has passed.

In fact, since the forest is quite large, it was not the atmosphere of the hunting festival that Rosa expected.

The hunting festival she imagined was an atmosphere where nobles laughed and went on an outing.

‘But this hunting festival..’

It certainly feels more focused on hunting and competition rather than a festival.

I couldn’t see the people from other families.

Each of them must be carrying out their own hunt.

Of course.

That doesn’t mean it’s a peaceful hunt.

Grrr-

There was a time when a pack of wolves approached, smelling the blood.

Gray fur.

The height seems to reach the waist of an average adult man.

The fangs and the way they circled around looked threatening.

“..Cayron.”

Rosa inadvertently grabbed Cayron.

Cayron rode his horse right next to her.

So naturally, it was within reach of grabbing his clothes.

The first wolf I saw was really bigger than I thought.

Rosa understands what it means to have your knees trembling.

If that wolf jumped at her, instead of moving, I was confident that I would rather close my eyes.

“Are, are we going to be okay?”

There were really not just one or two.

There were more of them than people.

“Relax.”

Cayron was unfazed.

“Still..”

Before Rosa’s words could continue.

Woof-

The hunting dogs kicked off the ground and ran.