(TL Note: Warning, this chapter is quite dark.)
Latilda couldn’t calm herself and continued to pace the lobby. Only when evening arrived did the cavalry who had been patrolling return. As if it was only natural, they rushed to her instead of Bene and made their report.
“A small army was here, and signs of their stay remained, but by the time we arrived, there was nobody there.”
“Ah, I understand. Keep the guard up, just in case…”
At Latilda’s awkward command, the soldiers immediately saluted and departed.
With a trembling voice, Latilda spoke to Loyal.
“They would have reported to me up until now, wouldn’t they?”
“Probably.”
“But I don’t remember any of it. Can I really not remember anything to this extent?”
“Ordinary people forget many things they pass by in daily life. I have a friend who remembers everything like that. Sometimes he can’t understand why no one else remembers that the frog on the fifth stair railing was gold-colored. There are also people who can recall events from a few years ago as if they were just ten minutes ago. Maybe you’re the opposite, Latilda?”
Loyal’s words were so serious that it was hard to distinguish if he was joking. He shrugged his shoulders as he finished.
“But it’s strange to me too. I’ve never heard of someone forgetting that much.”
Loyal stood by, watching Latilda, who was trembling.
‘I don’t know if I’m scared because of the fact I just learned, or because of the Black Lion’s army.’
The soldiers of Denmoju were all assembled at the castle gate, and soon, all the torches in the castle were lit.
“It’s the Black Lion’s army, isn’t it?”
“It must be.”
“Have they invaded?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“I can’t be certain, but if they know our military strength here, they will not hesitate.”
Loyal answered all of Latilda’s questions honestly.
“Bene. How many troops are staying in the castle right now?”
Latilda asked, biting her nails, as Bene was just entering the lobby and immediately approaching her.
“Just over fifty.”
“My father left only the minimum number of troops.”
“They are all carefully selected soldiers and have long sworn allegiance to the Johnstein family. They are by no means minimal. But your father was certain of victory in this war, and since he is winning on the battlefield, he thought there was no way the enemy would attack Denmoju, so far from the war zone. He didn’t neglect Denmoju’s defense.”
“I understand. I wasn’t blaming my father. Set up guards from the outskirts of the village. And if they invade, evacuate all the villagers into the castle and lock the gates. With our current forces, that’s the best we can do, right?”
“Yes.”
Bene agreed.
“You agree because it’s really the right strategy, not just out of politeness?”
“Unless there is some other genius strategy, I think that’s the best we can do. What do you think, Loyal?”
“I think so too. These walls are very high and sturdy. If the towers were completed, fifty could even face a thousand.”
Latilda finally sighed in relief.
Bene asked Loyal,
“But how do you think the enemy would come here? Usually, they wouldn’t have the leisure to attack here. Especially after losing the Drupho Plain battle and being attacked at Leang?”
“It means there’s an excellent strategist on their side. And someone must have told that strategist that this place was empty.”
“I just thought that someone might be you, Loyal.”
Latilda was the first to become angry.
“You’re suspecting Loyal now?”
Loyal held up his hand.
“Bene is right. I am the only person in this castle whose identity has not been proven, who knows the internal affairs of the castle, and moves freely without control.”
“So, do you have a way to prove your innocence?”
“No.”
“That’s interesting.”
Bene burst into laughter and left.
Loyal, watching Bene ascend the stairs, spoke nervously,
“Uh, I really said that because I have no way to explain…”
Latilda smiled faintly, and then her face quickly fell into a gloomy expression as she asked,
“What should I do now?”
“First, rest a bit. It will be a long night.”
“I suppose so.”
Latilda also went upstairs to Anna’s room.
In the dark room, Anna was lying asleep on the bed. Latilda carefully approached and sat down, taking Anna’s hand. Anna’s sleeping face, emitting only small breaths, looked uncomfortable as if she was having a nightmare.
Latilda lay down beside Anna and wept quietly.
“I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry.”
No matter how many times she apologized, it felt inadequate. She didn’t know why she felt such guilt towards Anna, but now she wanted to apologize unconditionally. She wept for nearly an hour before falling asleep with a snuffle. Just before falling asleep, she heard a voice, unable to tell whether it was Anna’s or her own.
“It’s already too late.”
Latilda could not respond to those words. She couldn’t get up or move. As if by magic, she was pulled into a dream. Perhaps she was just fatigued from not sleeping well for just two days. But all that Latilda could think was that the dream was pulling her in.
In the dream, Latilda became a girl in her nightgown. It was so vivid that it was hard to distinguish whether it was reality or a dream. The only indication that this wasn’t reality was the eerie silence. By now, there should have been the loud shouts of the guards or the noise of moving equipment, but she heard nothing.
Latilda fluttered her arms as she descended the stairs. Her white feet moving down one step at a time looked cute as a doll’s. Latilda wanted to see herself in a mirror. She thought her figure, dancing and walking in a white nightgown, would look beautiful.
The basement door glittered, adorned with gold threads, like the entrance to a ballroom. The way down was neither dark nor damp, and it was brightly lit with lanterns and carpeted.
Latilda hummed, singing like a child to an unknown tune.
Deep in the basement was another door, which magically opened without her even touching it. Inside, countless people were there to greet her. Beautiful Latilda, our goddess. With ecstatic faces, they welcomed Latilda. Her heart swelling with joy, she danced again. How beautiful she must look, dancing like this, that they all prayed with such enchanted expressions?
She wanted to see a mirror. But there was no mirror anywhere.
Latilda undressed layer by layer in front of the multitude. How beautiful her naked body must look? Women came forward and bathed her with warm water. Each touch of the water felt thrillingly pleasant. More, pour more. Latilda commanded.
With warm water pouring over her head, she was enraptured and burst into laughter.
Bring more. More, I want to be warmer! Latilda commanded.
Every command was executed instantly. If she needed warm water, it was poured over her head. Everything here went exactly as Latilda wished.
Bring me a mirror. I want to see myself.
The mirror was promptly presented. Latilda looked at herself in the mirror and thought, ‘Ah, beautiful’.
In the mirror, Latilda saw herself wearing a dazed look and covered in blood. The warm water was not water at all, but deep red human blood.
“Ah!”
With a shock like someone had struck her head, Latilda opened her eyes and fell to the side, retching.
It had all been a dream. But she could not muster the courage to look into a mirror, so overwhelming was the realism.
‘I was bathing in human blood!’
It was more horrifying and scarier than all the nightmares of the Black Knights she had ever had combined.
Latilda’s hands trembled as she felt for the bed, wanting to hold Anna’s hand and share the dream so that the terror might ease a little. But the bed was empty.
Anna was not there.
☆ ☆ ☆
Latilda immediately dashed out of the room and ran across the living room and down the stairs, just as she had in the dream.
‘No, that’s not it.’
Latilda felt as if she were reaching into her memories, which were as fleeting as a day, yet at some point, she found herself unable to move forward, wandering through a dense fog. She ran, believing that Anna would undoubtedly be in the basement, taking a bath to soothe her fatigue.
There was no one at the basement door. Latilda grasped the handle, but an instinctive fear prevented her from opening it.
“Latilda.”
Loyal followed her down the stairs.
“I heard a scream. What’s happening?”
Latilda pointed to the basement door.
“Anna went in there.”
“Did you see her go in?”
Latilda could not bring herself to describe the scene she had seen in her dream.
“It’s just… a feeling. Anna disappeared from the bed, and I couldn’t see where she went, but I just have this feeling.”
“Understood. Let’s go in.”
Gratefully, Loyal did not question her further and reached for the door latch.
Latilda, irrationally scared, grabbed Loyal’s sleeve.
“Could it be dangerous?”
“When I went in before, there was nothing dangerous.”
Loyal swung the door open. Latilda asked,
“This door, has it always been open like this?”
“Yes. I’ve seen Linke come and go, but I’ve never seen it locked. So, I went in too.”
“When did they start leaving it open?”
“Perhaps it has never been locked? Have you ever tried to open this door, Latilda?”
“No, but…”
“Did you know that the Twelve Thorns’ knights smoke Zookhla inside this castle?”
“Really?”
Latilda looked at the still-open basement door, her voice filled with fear. Bene, descending from the upper floor, answered for her.
“That door has never been closed. Loyal is right. There’s just a rule that you shouldn’t go in without reason. Of course, according to Miss Latilda’s command.”
Latilda asked forcefully,
“That can’t be. I don’t remember giving such a command.”
“I find that part puzzling too. Since then, you have never mentioned the basement again, Miss. All the employees were told to keep quiet. If someone were to mistakenly mention it, you would faint and then completely forget the memory.”
Bene spoke calmly, as always.
“Fortunately, you’re not saying anything now, Miss. And the Count has sent the letter I expected.”
Bene extended the letter he was holding. Latilda couldn’t bring herself to take it, so Loyal accepted it for her.
“Shall I read it to you?”
“Please do.”
Loyal slowly unfolded the letter and read. It wasn’t long.
“If Latilda wishes to know, let her know. If she wishes not to know, let her not know. From the beginning, the choice was Latilda’s, and everything should be according to Latilda’s will. P.S., henceforth, you, Onfrud, shall serve Latilda as your master…”
Latilda pursed her lips, furrowing her brow.
“What’s wrong, Latilda?” Loyal asked.
“It’s just… ‘Everything according to my will’… I’ve heard that somewhere before,” Latilda replied, her voice strained.
Bene, who had been listening silently, asked,
“Shall we go down to the basement now? The Black Lion’s army has not yet attacked, and if they do, we’ll hold them off for a long time. We have plenty of time.”
Latilda took a step towards the basement and asked,
“You really think I’ve been down there before, Bene?”
“Of course.”
“But you want me not to go in, don’t you?”
“It’s not precisely that. I just think it might be better to go down once you’ve regained some emotional stability. Perhaps choose a more comfortable day, not now.”
“I’m fine. I have to go now. And I’ll take Loyal with me.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
“Don’t call me that! It sounds like you’re mocking me.”
“I assure you, I have no intention of doing so.”
Bene replied politely.
‘He’s still making me feel like he’s deceiving me.’
Latilda pulled Loyal’s hand.
“Bene, lead the way.”
Bene grabbed a lantern from the living room and took the lead.
“Watch your step on the stairs, and follow me.”
The stairs were not lit by splendid lanterns as they had been in her dreams; they were merely a dimly-lit, spiral structure on the worn wall.
The footsteps of the three echoed slightly as they walked down the winding stairs. The lower they went, the colder it became. Latilda, who had expected flames of hot hell to ascend, wrapped her shoulders in a strange chill.
‘I don’t need to worry. Loyal said there’s nothing much in the basement. There’s no secret in this castle. The only one who created a secret is me,’ she thought.
Bene, who was leading the way, spoke.
“From now on, I will show you everything I know. But Miss, you know more than I do, and you know it more precisely. Perhaps that’s why the shock of the truth was so great.”
“It doesn’t matter. Show me everything you know and tell me everything.”
Latilda responded confidently but coldly, tightly gripping Loyal’s shoulder due to her uneasy heart.
Bene only looked forward as he spoke, busy lighting the way with his lantern.
“Count Johnstein was always a sickly man, but at that time, we truly thought he was on his deathbed. His wife had long since passed away, and his only heir, his daughter, was too young to inherit or marry. Though he now owns this magnificent castle, back then he was nothing more than a poor nobleman struggling with debt. Thus, the Count was enormously concerned about his only daughter, even while bedridden. But you, Miss, probably know this better than anyone.”
“I know. It was a tough time for everyone. And his final decision was to ‘leave everything to my daughter, and if necessary, sell the castle,’ right?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Right after handling that matter, we discovered Zookhla.”
“What does a drug like that have to do with my father’s illness?”
“It’s not a simple drug. Though I’m not a medical expert, I know that it becomes an intoxicant when smoked, a medicinal herb when ground and applied to wounds, and a tonic when boiled and drunk. It’s also the medicine that alleviated Count Johnstein’s illness.”
“My God, I thought he overcame his illness with willpower, but he relied on drugs?”
“As I said, I don’t know everything.”
“My father said he gained new insight after recovering from his illness, as if he was reborn. I was disappointed with his current warmongering behavior, but his confident demeanor after overcoming his illness was almost saintly.”
Loyal picked up from Latilda’s words.
“He also showed me the religious symbol of this village, saying he saw the future. I thought the Count’s strength was some kind of faith, but I was wrong.”
Bene continued.
“Either way, the catalyst was definitely Zookhla. But Count Johnstein quit it immediately after recovering. Despite its remarkable efficacy, it had a terrible addiction, needing daily consumption. At first, one root was enough, but later two were required, and after a few months, even three or four roots didn’t show effects. As you know, Zookhla is not a common plant and can’t be artificially grown.”
At the end of the stairs, there was a small wooden door. The worn doorknob gleamed, evidence of many people’s use.
Bene opened the door and went inside. The wooden corridor was dimly lit by candles on rusty candlesticks.
“Is this the cave where my father found the Zookhla?” Latilda guessed easily.
“Actually, I found it. It was a natural cave, but with the risk of collapse, we erected pillars and walls through several constructions. Yes, just as you are thinking. This is the natural habitat of the Zookhla.”
As they passed through the corridor and opened the last door, small plants reflecting candlelight sparkled like dew on the stone walls. The finger-length moss-like grasses swayed in waves with the wind coming through the cave; they were Zookhla. Four middle-aged women were squatting along the wall, digging up the sufficiently grown grass with small shovels.
“Even after weeding, they grow back in a couple of months. The Count was so satisfied with the efficacy of the Zookhla that he’s generous in letting the villagers use it. It’s part of the reason why the village people follow the Count so loyally.”
The women who had been working set down their small shovels and stood up, greeting Bene and Latilda. Latilda casually raised her hand in acknowledgment.
Loyal spoke on behalf of Latilda, who was lost for words.
“I think it’s not just the villagers who use it. Zookhla is incredibly expensive.”
“A considerable amount is traded outside.”
“A tremendous amount of money was made.”
Bene nodded.
“I never thought that the army was maintained solely by the sale of wheat and the profits from intermediate trade. The Count didn’t seem to hide it either. He told me he would show me this if I joined the Twelve Thorns.”
Loyal continued, as if a new understanding had dawned on him.
“I understand now why they recommended Zookhla to me. The immediate challenge after I refused, and the newfound life that Linke found after meeting the Red Rose Count…”
“I think it’s mostly related to this.”
Loyal again sank into thought and then shook his head.
“There’s still too much that doesn’t make sense with just this.”
Latilda interrupted Loyal’s thoughts.
“That’s enough about Zookhla. Where is Anna?”
“I don’t know either. If she’s here, she might be further inside.”
Bene led them deeper into the cave. The smell of burning Zookhla became more pungent, and now the smoke was dense enough to see. Latilda coughed briefly.
“It’s an effective plant in many ways, but basically, Zookhla is a drug. If you don’t control the dose, it can cause serious side effects. I investigated Anna’s case separately, and her father became like that. Those with severe addiction symptoms are brought in here and their Zookhla intake is controlled until they recover. It seems Anna came to find her father and met with an accident.”
Inside the cave, many people sat with dazed expressions. There were familiar faces from the village, and maids from the mansion were also visible. A young woman, her upper body bared, was seen laughing cheaply among the men.
Bene turned to Latilda and said,
“Truth be told, Miss, part of the reason you don’t remember the faces and names of the servants here is that so many have been fired due to addiction.”
Latilda’s eyes narrowed as she stood and asked,
“That doesn’t explain why Anna came up the stairs, bloodied. Why is that?”
Bene looked steadily into Latilda’s eyes for a moment.
“You really want to know the truth?”
Latilda tightly grasped Loyal’s hand.
She didn’t want to know the truth. But if she didn’t hear it now, she felt she could never accept it. She looked to the man holding her hand tightly as her last fortress.
“Loyal.”
“Yes, Latilda.”
“You’ll protect me, right?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll stay by my side no matter what I look like, no matter what past I have?”
“Yes.”
“Then tell me the truth, Loyal.”
A thumping sound came from the stairs. A soldier, panting for breath, arrived and opened his mouth halfway when he saw Bene and Latilda. But Bene held out his hand to stop him.
The soldier retreated, mouth agape. Inside, only the hallucinating patients, Latilda, Loyal, and Bene remained.
Latilda asked again,
“Loyal, who are you?”
Loyal inhaled deeply and spoke,
“I’m Loyal Wolf, one of the White Wolves from Aranthia.”
“Less surprising than I thought.”
“Is it?”
Loyal and Latilda looked at each other and smiled.
Only Bene was left with his mouth agape in surprise. His face was one of real astonishment.
“Now you can tell us, Bene. What happened here?”
Bene called back the soldier.
“There seems to be urgent business…”
The soldier came in again, his gaze awkwardly fixed between Bene and Latilda, unsure who to report to.
“The enemy has advanced right up to Denmoju.”
Bene’s face paled.
“It started sooner than I thought. What about the attack?”
“It hasn’t started yet.”
“It will soon. Go on up.”
Sending off the restless soldier, Bene spoke:
“But I must explain to the lady before I leave.”
Latilda nodded silently. For her, what was happening now was more important than the enemy’s invasion. Bene also seemed in no hurry, perhaps because there was little for him to do above.
“Miss Latilda is the spiritual pillar of this village.”
Latilda almost burst out laughing, but Bene’s explanation continued:
“You may not care, Miss, but all the residents of Denmoju revere you like a goddess. I understand how ridiculous this might sound, but their fanatic belief has brought peace to Denmoju.”
“It’s thanks to my father’s efforts.”
“Law and order, strict control, economic prosperity. But even with these things, the village needed a spiritual pillar to bind and lead them together. That’s you, Latilda. If you were to go out, you must know how many villagers would come out to the streets to catch a glimpse of you.”
Latilda lamented her own foolishness. She had taken such fervent cheers as a simple welcome.
“There is a large space underground in this cave that we call the ‘Holy Place’.”
Bene’s explanation, confident at first, was gradually shrinking. Even the speaking Bene was trembling.
“There, Miss Latilda has always led the villagers in faith in a somewhat dazed state.”
“I did?”
Latilda covered her mouth with one hand.
“Wasn’t that a dream? I saw myself in a dream, looking like that…?”
“I never attended those gatherings, so I don’t know what you looked like, Miss. I only wanted to serve you as my master, not worship you as a goddess.”
“It’s impossible. That I danced wearing flipped pigskin? Me? Me? Me? Me? That I did that? Me?”
Latilda instinctively backed away. Her voice, choked with sobs, was mixed with pain. Had Loyal not caught her, she would have retreated endlessly until she hit the wall.
“Once, Miss Latilda hosted such a gathering and woke from the trance. The moment you saw yourself, you screamed and ran out of that place. Then, covered in blood, you gave us an order: not to send you to the basement.”
The image of Anna, fallen in front of the stairs, covered in blood, came to mind.
“For the next year, the underground Holy Place was closed. But the villagers, regardless of gender, were eager to worship you, and it seems they found Anna as an alternative, being the closest woman to you. Anna was dragged into the holy place, wearing pigskin to become your substitute. I swear I didn’t know about it. If I had, I would have forbidden it, of course.”
Latilda clutched her trembling face with her hands. The shock was too great; she was writhing, refusing to accept it.
“Enough.”
Latilda commanded, and Bene obediently closed his mouth. Loyal, wrapping his arms around Latilda’s waist as she seemed unable to stand properly, added:
“Let’s go up.”
“Now’s not the time for more.”
Latilda felt even more terror at Loyal’s considerate words.
‘There’s more? There’s still more left?’
Retracing her steps, leaning on Loyal, Latilda noticed one more large door. It seemed to be the entrance to the sanctuary Bene had mentioned. Memories began to surface bit by bit, but Latilda struggled with all her might to block them.
Above the entrance, the faintly engraved words on the stone looked sacred and archaic:
‘Let all things be done according to Her will.’
☆ ☆ ☆
The enemies were approaching Denmoju cautiously but swiftly. Contrary to expectations that they would exploit the darkness for a night attack, they approached the castle gates openly, carrying torches. Bene, who had been considering a surprise attack, expressed his anxiety:
“Even though our forces are few, I can’t understand such a move. Are they planning to lay siege, considering these walls?”
“It’s unlikely. The enemy’s numbers are overwhelming, but they don’t have the forces for a siege.”
The villagers were rushed into the basement of the village hall as the enemy’s approach was faster than anticipated. They were left at the mercy of the forces of Denmoju.
“Isn’t the hall in danger?” Loyal asked.
“If they were a wicked band of mercenaries, perhaps. But these are regular troops under a count’s command. They won’t take prisoners. Their target must be this castle and Lady Latilda, the sole heir of the Red Rose Count.”
Bene looked back with a worried gaze. Latilda was sitting behind Loyal and Bene, nervously wringing her hands.
“Shall we take her inside? They’re not likely to shoot arrows or throw stones just yet, but this place isn’t safe.”
“Is that really necessary? I’d rather be near the noisy battlefield at this moment,” Loyal said in an uncertain voice.
“If anything should happen, I trust you to look after the lady.”
Bene’s eyes were filled with trust, and he then asked about what had happened earlier.
“The White Wolves?”
“Yes.”
“You’re quite an interesting young man.”
“Why?”
“You neither deny being a spy nor boast about the White Wolves.”
Loyal blinked, clearly not understanding the question, and Bene asked with curious eyes.
“So, what are the White Wolves?”
“I’m not sure how to explain it.”
“It was a question about swordsmanship. Stupid question, I apologize. Pretend you didn’t hear it.”
Bene chuckled, genuinely apologetic.
Loyal also laughed and said, “I have four more friends who are White Wolves.”
“Hmm, so?”
“If they were all here, I’d go to Lady Latilda and tell her it’s safe.”
“That sounds terrifying, knowing that there are over three hundred enemy troops. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
Bene only shrugged his shoulders.
Loyal then thought back to the situation in the basement.
Count Johnstein had always been sickly, and six years ago, he fell ill. Zookhla had saved him on his deathbed, simultaneously granting him immense wealth. Around the same time, Regeni met Latilda. They were engaged, and Count Lumerier gifted them lands.
Then, for some reason, Count Johnstein unilaterally called off the engagement. When Count Lumerier gifted the lands, Johnstein was a noble with little foundation, hardly worthy of the extravagant title of the Red Rose. But now he had started a war, trusting in the Zookhla? It was hard to believe.
‘If Count Johnstein started the war? Then it must have started when he didn’t return the lands. If Count Lumerier started it? He must have tried to forcibly take back the lands he gifted. Johnstein’s choice was a natural one. He couldn’t send the goddess of Denmoju to another man.’
Though someone else might have found an answer quickly, Loyal had been mulling over this for days. Yet he never tired of it.
‘Count Lumerier’s choice also seems right. If the lands were stolen, naturally, they should be reclaimed. Legally, Lumerier’s actions are just.’
Loyal groaned in frustration.
‘It all has nothing to do with Zookhla.’
Loyal looked at Latilda’s profile while lost in thought, gazing into the distance. Even her tear-streaked face, eyes reddened, looked beautiful. Loyal had always thought Sanadiel, the Queen of Aranthia, was the most beautiful in the world, but now it was different. While the Queen’s beauty made him feel warm, happy, and content, Latilda’s beauty made his heart race and made him want to give her everything.
‘You won’t truly find your fangs until you’ve watched over someone.’
Why had the queen come to him specifically the day before he left for Camort to say those words? Loyal still didn’t know. Subtly influenced by the queen’s words, he had willingly taken on the task of guarding Latilda. But now, the duty of protecting Latilda had become more than just saving a woman’s life.
“Shall we have a cup of tea? It will be a long night.”
Bene offered the cup of tea that a soldier had poured to Loyal.
“I’m fine. I’m used to staying up all night. Although I do fall asleep unexpectedly sometimes.”
Loyal thought of the time he had lost his sword.
“Youth is strength at times like this.”
Bene faintly smiled and took a sip of tea. A soldier cautiously offered tea to Latilda as well. Just by looking at him, it was clear that the soldiers were not treating Latilda as a mere count’s daughter. Respect and love were in their eyes.
Latilda’s beauty wasn’t something that could be described simply as pretty. If she wielded it as a weapon, the Red Rose Count would not have to take action; she could create a sensation in the country all on her own.
Whether it was because Loyal was insensitive to a woman’s appearance or because he had seen her right after waking up, scratching her head in her pajamas, and stumbling around, he didn’t know, but any man who had only seen her in her party dress would probably have traveled days to propose to her. And the person who knew that fact best was her father.
‘What if the Red Rose Count had considered using his daughter as a weapon? In other words, if Regeni’s love wasn’t a coincidence? Then the engagement, receiving lands as a gift for the engagement, and breaking off the engagement were all intentional.’
Loyal began to deduce once again.
‘Of course. Did only Regeni propose? As soon as Latilda made her debut at the party, many young nobles must have been agape, sending letters and gifts. Count Johnstein’s job was simple. He only had to choose the most easily targeted guy. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t Count Lumerier’s son, but luckily Regeni fell into the trap.’
As a mob of torches that had been wandering near Denmoju finally entered the village, guards began to buzz everywhere.
The total number of the approaching army was about two to three hundred. Being night, there were no horses. At first glance, there were no siege engines either. To occupy this place, they would need at least three times the current forces. The enemy, with Red Rose’s swift cavalry, had to occupy this place before they returned to Denmoju to fulfill ‘some purpose.’ That meant they had to finish the attack tonight, and Loyal was curious about how they would do it.
“May I ask you something?”
Loyal asked Bene in a soft voice. As the mob of torches approached, Bene repeatedly clenched and unclenched his hand, an unavoidable sign of anxiety despite his belief that they would not be able to scale the walls.
“Ask.”
“How many sons does Count Lumerier have?”
“Three. Two now since the youngest died. Why ask that?”
Latilda’s eyebrow arched as she overheard. Loyal only nodded and did not answer.
‘Then there was no need to focus on Regeni alone. If you want to attach the name of strategy to the uncertain gamble of love, you need at least three.’
Loyal wrapped up his deductions.
‘Did Count Johnstein recover his health with Zookhla and secure wealth to prepare the groundwork for the war by engaging Latilda and Regeni?’
Something still didn’t fit.
‘Was everything resolved with Zookhla? There’s no such thing as a cure-all in this world.’
The goddess Latilda. A village that deified a living woman and believed in her, the war of the Black Lion and Red Rose.
Loyal continued to puzzle over the complexities.
‘I need one more clue. That the count recovered his health with Zookhla, that Latilda became the owner of Denmoju and this castle, that Regeni and Latilda met, there must be a link that ties everything together.’
The enemy soldiers carrying torches, who had been passing through the village, didn’t approach within range of the arrows. Shortly afterward, they extinguished their torches one by one. It seemed to be simply a matter of conserving them. Since the castle was already brightly lit, they wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the darkness for a surprise attack.
“It doesn’t look like anything dangerous will happen for the time being. Loyal, will you take Miss Latilda back to safety?” Bene spoke.
Loyal, who had been lost in thought, answered absentmindedly, “Yes, let’s go in, Latilda.”
As he turned to leave, holding up a weak Latilda, Bene spoke from behind.
“Remember the castle’s emergency alert system. If something strange happens, the horn will be blown once. If there’s an invasion, it will be blown twice. In that case, help will be needed, so come back here. But if it’s blown three times, it’s an extremely urgent situation. Bring Miss Latilda to the lobby. I’ll be there shortly.”
Loyal quickly memorized it and returned to Latilda’s room.
Despite the chaotic situation outside, Latilda’s room was quiet.
“Where has Anna gone?” Latilda asked softly.
“She must be in a safe place,” Loyal tried to comfort her, but he wasn’t certain.
‘Where in the world has Anna gone?’ he wondered, feeling pity for Latilda, who couldn’t say a word. So much had happened in just one day. Even the strongest person would find it hard to cope with such continuous shocks.
“Latilda, when did you start having nightmares?” Loyal asked, as the thought suddenly struck him.
“Loyal, I’m tired. I don’t want to talk about it right now,” Latilda pleaded.
Loyal didn’t know how to comfort a woman at a time like this. He wondered if he should just hold her, or watch over her in silence, or do something else.
When Loyal fell silent with these complex thoughts, Latilda, feeling apologetic, began to speak.
“I started having nightmares when my father fell ill. Then again, not long ago…” Latilda’s voice trailed off.
Opening her mouth once more, Latilda looked surprised, just like she had in the basement.
“Why did I start having nightmares again? What caused it?”
Loyal had found a clue that connected all the mysteries that had been troubling him so far: Latilda’s nightmares.
“Loyal, you’ve figured something out, haven’t you? I don’t understand. So many things have happened. So many thoughts are crowding in. Why did you suddenly ask about the nightmares?”
Loyal couldn’t hide it. He couldn’t bury the truth and pretend nothing had happened, not even to be considerate of Latilda.
“The war in Camort started because of you, Latilda. The strange events in Denmoju also center around you. And now, the Black Knights that have emerged in Camort’s war, they came from your nightmares.”
Latilda opened her mouth to say something but stopped. She continued to be speechless and, gripped by extreme fear, stretched her arms forward like a frightened child. Seeing Latilda in this state, all Loyal could do was hold her.
“I’m sorry, Latilda. I shouldn’t have said…”
He could feel Latilda’s ragged breath against his chest.
“Loyal.”
Latilda spoke in a weary voice.
“Who am I?”
Suddenly, the sound of a horn startled them, and they broke their embrace. Soon, a second horn blast rang out. Through the window, Loyal witnessed the guards on the castle tower shooting arrows, and torches from the village outside Denmoju rushing towards the inside of the castle.
He hadn’t expected something to happen so quietly and quickly that night. There were no attempts to climb the walls or break down the gates. Though he couldn’t see the exact situation in the darkness, he could clearly see that the castle gates were wide open.
Soon, the sound of a third horn rang out.
Latilda and Loyal ran down to the lobby. Latilda, staggering, couldn’t keep up. Loyal wanted to carry her but held her hand instead.
‘If this really is an emergency, it’s better to let Latilda walk and recover on her own,’ he thought.
Latilda seemed to barely manage her steps as she descended the staircase, but eventually stumbled and fell forward.
Loyal had barely caught her in time, preventing her from tumbling down the stairs, but Latilda was unable to rise. Cold sweat ran down her forehead, dripping onto the carpeted stairs. She struggled fiercely to suppress memories that rose unbidden, her efforts in vain.
“Latilda, listen to me. Whatever you’ve done in the past, forget about it now. You can overcome what happened then. Right?” Loyal tried to find words of comfort, though he couldn’t convince himself.
Latilda shook her head.
“I don’t know. If everything comes back, I don’t think I can remain myself.”
Tears or sweat, Latilda couldn’t tell, but her eyes glistened as she spoke.
“I will protect you, no matter what happens. I am a White…”
“Wolf. I know. You will fend off any wicked demon that appears before me. But…”
Latilda continued, her voice trailing off into a smile filled with loss and emptiness.
“What if that wicked demon is me? Can you protect me from myself?”
She asked again, her breath hot and heavy.
“Can you protect yourself from me, Loyal?”
Their strange conversation was interrupted when Bene suddenly burst into the lobby. The doors swung open, and screams and shouts mingled in the quiet night.
“What’s happening?” Loyal asked.
“The gates are open,” Bene reported, immediately approaching Latilda.
“The lady?”
“She’s struggling.”
Latilda lay in Loyal’s arms, her eyes closed like a child sick with fever. Loyal turned his gaze to Bene.
“You mean the gates just swung open? They weren’t forced?”
“Looks like we have a traitor among us. The five soldiers guarding the gate were all dead. Someone opened it from the inside. I saw someone fleeing the gate, but I couldn’t make out their face or clothing.”
Bene squinted as if blaming his old eyes.
‘A traitor in a place where everyone reveres Latilda like a goddess?’
It would have been easier to believe if the enemy had blown up the gates with magic and stormed in with dragons. Bene muttered, “It can’t be,” shaking his head.
“Our defenses won’t hold for more than a few minutes with the gates open,” Bene said, looking down at Latilda.
“We must flee with the lady.”
“Where to?”
“There’s a back door.”
Bene grabbed the slim, long sword hanging on the wall and headed for the basement entrance.
“The basement of this castle connects to the outside. We can escape safely while the enemies are searching inside the castle.”
He continued, almost as if reassuring himself.
“Nothing in this castle is worth exchanging for the lady’s life. We can retake the castle and rebuild the village, but not Latilda.”
His words were more than a loyal servant’s vow to protect his master, or a devotee’s excessive pledge to his deity. It was like a father’s promise to protect his daughter.
“Understood, Bene. Take Latilda and go ahead.”
“And you?”
“The gate opened with help from within. I don’t believe the traitor will be unaware of the back door.”
Bene quickly grasped Loyal’s intent.
“Understood.”
He supported Latilda and walked towards the basement. She looked back, startled.
“No, Loyal! Come with us.”
Bene forcefully held her.
“We don’t have time, my lady.”
“No! I want to go with Loyal.”
Bene exchanged glances with Loyal.
“Will you go? Shall we switch roles?”
Loyal shook his head.
“I don’t know the way to the back door.”
By now, a few of the Black Lion soldiers who had breached the gate were rushing towards them.
“But I can hold off a few dozen coming this way.”
Bene nodded.
“Alright. Let’s go, my lady. The faster we go, the sooner Loyal can follow.”
Latilda was persuaded by those words and offered no further resistance.
“Loyal, you must hurry and follow me.”
“Don’t worry, Latilda. I promise to protect you, and I will keep that promise,” Loyal said.
Led by Bene, as Latilda descended the stairs, she kept looking back, as if gazing at a lover she would never see again.
Loyal couldn’t bring himself to look away either. But after her figure disappeared beyond the spiral staircase’s wall, he laboriously closed the door to the basement.
In the lobby, only Loyal was left once again.
☆ ☆ ☆
Running through the basement with Bene, Latilda gradually regained her strength. Little by little, she was able to walk on her own and soon was able to run, even freeing herself from Bene’s hand. At first, she kept looking back as she walked, but later, she even walked ahead of Bene.
The sound of their footsteps grew louder as they reached the end of the cave. Fresh air wafting in from outside tickled their noses. Latilda, as soon as she stepped outside, slumped to the ground.
From a distance, the voices of soldiers battling around the walls could be heard. Bene gave her a moment to catch her breath. Latilda spoke in a still weak voice.
“What if the enemies see the Zookhla and take some action?”
Bene was relieved that Latilda asked such a question. It was far better than her being utterly defeated and collapsing, as before.
“They’ll retreat within three days. This is a strategy to kidnap the daughter of the opposing lord, but also to momentarily suppress the losing battlefront. With their numbers, they won’t have the strength to occupy Denmoju for long, so they’ll leave soon. They won’t have time to realize the utility of the Zookhla in such a short period.”
Latilda barely lifted her head and said,
“Do you really think I’m qualified to become the master of Denmoju, Bene?”
“I know better than anyone how hard you’ve studied, Miss.”
“Studied?”
“You didn’t directly focus on Denmoju, but didn’t you conquer all the books the Count had read?”
“Is there anything about this castle you don’t know, Bene? How surprising. So, do you think I’ll have to use this Zookhla, even after succeeding my father?”
“Do as you please.”
“I’ll burn it.”
Latilda reached out her hand.
“Support me, please. We’re not safe yet, are we?”
Bene smiled and helped her up.
“Just a moment, Miss.”
He stopped Latilda, who was about to walk again, and drew his sword.
The artificial noise of armored knights moving mixed with the sound of forest insects. It was distinguishable even among other sounds.
A lantern suddenly illuminated the surroundings. Bene turned his head, dazzled. When he looked again, three lanterns were lit.
Six knights of the Black Lion were waiting in front of the cave. Bene immediately stepped forward, aiming his sword. The knights did not approach carelessly. Only one of them calmly reached out his hand to Bene.
The handsome face, waving golden hair even under the moonlight, was conspicuous enough to recognize. Bene dropped his sword with a low groan.
“So it was Count Lumerier who had you. I should have accounted for someone like you pulling off this kind of tactic…”
It was Bading.
“Yes, Onfrud. I heard you’re still serving Count Johnstein.”
Bading first bowed to Bene, not Latilda.
“It’s been a long time, Master.”
☆ ☆ ☆
‘You won’t really get your fangs until you watch over someone.’
Queen Sanadiel had said. Loyal felt a surge of defiance and asked,
‘I already have my fangs. The fangs of the White Wolf, the techniques Master Quain taught me surpass even Master Grandol, who was said to be the strongest among all the White Wolves.’
‘You call that your fangs?’
Sanadiel asked teasingly.
‘That, that thing? Then what skill can be called fangs?’
‘You will soon realize. And you’ll gain your own fangs. Otherwise, you’ll be driven out of the White Wolves soon. By whom? By yourself!’
Loyal was left speechless at the queen’s words, as if she knew everything. And her prophecy-like words were slowly coming true.
Loyal was hiding his body beside the stairs. If the soldiers of the Black Lion Knights were unaware of the basement, there was no need to fight them.
Shortly after, three soldiers dressed in the Black Lion Knights’ uniform rushed in.
‘Go up the stairs. Search for Latilda. Then I’ll secretly lock the basement door and follow Latilda.’
Loyal’s wish was not granted. They glanced around and went straight to the basement door.
“Here it is! This is the way to the basement.”
One had a shoulder injury, their sword was bloody, and all three were very excited. They seemed ready to kill a maid of the mansion without question.
‘The traitor who opened the gate knows where the back door is, too. Someone who knows the geography of the castle as well as Bene.’
Loyal revealed himself from beside the stairs. The soldiers only discovered Loyal after they kicked open the basement door. All three simultaneously thrust their bloodstained swords forward.
“Who are you?”
Loyal only rested his hand on his sword and did not reply.
“If you do not put down your weapon, you will not leave this place alive.”
Their voices echoed through the lobby, and their filthy, blood-soaked feet did not fit in this quiet and clean space. This place was Latilda’s sanctuary, apart from war; it should not be defiled. Loyal thought so.
“I will only warn you once.”
Loyal said as he drew his sword.
“The only ones who have seen the fangs of the White Wolves and survived are the White Wolves themselves.”
Loyal knew from experience that no persuasion would work on the soldiers excited by the sight of blood. Loyal allowed his opponent to swing first and immediately swung his sword three times. Three sheathed swords clattered to the floor, and the pretty white wallpaper was stained red with blood.
Loyal sheathed his sword and approached the door the soldiers had come through. Outside, the situation was laid out like a painting under the bright torchlight. In the blooming rose garden, the soldiers of the Red Rose and the Black Lion were entangled, killing each other. Red blood was staining the garden, and the well-tended rose bed was trampled by everyone’s feet.
Loyal closed the door and grabbed the handle of the basement door.
“?”
The three soldiers had gone straight to the basement. The information from the traitor who knew even the back door made it possible.
“Good Lord, what a fool I am…”
Even Bene, in his haste, must have forgotten to think of that.
The number of enemy soldiers who entered through the open castle gate was not many. Since they knew the exact strength of the place, only a small elite had come in.
Their purpose was not to subjugate Denmoju. If they wanted to destroy Count Johnstein’s base, they would have burned the fields and villages without entering the castle. Destroying a castle with nothing but stones and rose gardens has no meaning. After all, as Bene said, their goal was only Latilda.
‘Then, of course, wouldn’t they know the back door that Latilda would escape through?’
Loyal opened the basement door and rushed in. Unlike the first time he walked slowly, fearing something dangerous, or the second time when he was taking frightened Latilda, he ran down the stairs at full speed. Two, three steps at a time, and if necessary, he would have even slid down.
When he opened the wooden door and crossed the Zookhla field, Loyal stopped for a moment. The foul smell that always filled the unventilated interior was there.
One corner of the small cave was still filled with lying addicts. The caregivers, not yet aware of the situation above, looked at Loyal with puzzled faces.
There was another door next to it.
‘Let everything be done according to Her will.’
The words were inscribed above the door. Moreover, the symbols of the Twelve Thorns, the Red Rose Count, and some of the village people’s necklaces were depicted with fine engravings on the massive door. At first glance, it might have been easy to overlook, but now it appeared particularly pronounced.
To craft it into a necklace, the symbol had to be simplified. However, the carving here was much more detailed. Contrary to what Loyal had initially thought, it was not merely a cross with a round circle attached.
The top of the cross was precisely shaped like a sword handle. It was a sword.
The round circle with the sword thrust into it depicted a human heart with blood spurting out.
In other words, it wasn’t a cross, but the image of a sword thrust into a heart.
☆ ☆ ☆
Bene looked at Bading and was momentarily lost in thought.
‘He looks as handsome and strong as ever, unchanged from the past.’
Bading had surpassed his master with only a few lessons, pledging to achieve greater things and had left his tutelage. Whenever Bene heard of the fame of the Black Knight Bading, he rejoiced as if hearing of his son’s growth. Even when he heard Count Johnstein talk about losing a battle to Bading, Bene couldn’t hide his pride. Of course, Count Johnstein knew this fact and even praised it.
‘If I had both Linke and Bading with me, the battles wouldn’t have been this exciting.’
Upon seeing Bading, Latilda stood tall, glaring at him. As a lady, she mustered all her strength, enduring as much as she could, but she could not speak out loud. In the past, she would have confidently yelled and been arrested, but now standing was her limit.
“It’s been a long time, Bading. Why have you come so far, when you should be guarding Count Lumerier?”
She managed to get the words out, but her voice trembled at the end. Bene belatedly placed a hand on his chest, bowing to Latilda.
“Leang is not a weak place that will crumble without me. Moreover, even without me, my lord has excellent bodyguards.”
Bading did not forget his knighthood even in this place.
Latilda spoke with renewed strength.
“This is a secret entrance that I didn’t even know about until this morning. I wonder how you found out.”
Bading bowed his head slightly, like a knight guiding to a banquet.
“Let’s talk about that on the way, Lady Latilda. If you surrender and come under my custody right now, I’ll escort you comfortably to Leang. If you want, I’ll spare the life of one person beside you.”
Bene shook his head.
“Keep your absurd offer, Bading. I will refuse.”
“I don’t want to cut down my old master. Step back.”
The armored knights waiting behind took a step forward.
Bene immediately extended his hand.
“Stop. Can’t you see I’m still talking to your captain?”
Bene’s voice echoed again within the cave, and the knights stopped, pushed back by his force. Bading also extended his hand, stopping their advance.
“Wait! These two are not people to handle recklessly.”
Bading commanded sternly, then asked with a smiling face.
“Is there something you wish to say, Master?”
“I want to know the traitor on our side who opened the gates and guided you here.”
“That’s not difficult. She’s right here.”
Bene looked at the woman who had come up beside Bading and closed his eyes. Latilda covered her mouth, stifling a scream.
“How… How are you…”
Latilda couldn’t continue.
The person standing beside Bading was Anna.
Anna was looking at Latilda with a colder expression than any she had ever seen before. Dressed exactly as she had been when she disappeared from the bed in her nightgown, her hands clasped demurely before her, she looked like she was neatly dressed and ready to entertain guests.
“Miss…, if you had a grudge against us…,”
Bene, too, struggled to comprehend, stuttering his question.
“…you could have poisoned our food. Why would you do something like this, Anna?”
Anna turned to Bene, her expression unchanging, and spoke rigidly.
“Why me? How dare a lowly maid like myself touch our precious goddess and lady?”
Anna had been the most diligent, trustworthy, and intelligent child Bene had ever seen. If he had to entrust the secrets of the castle to one servant, he would have chosen Anna without a second thought.
“Then why?”
Bene asked, deliberately keeping his voice short to not betray his agitation.
“Well, maybe I did it to quickly awaken our lady who feigns kindness, weakness, and plays coy?”
“You wretch! Can’t you speak plainly?”
Bene shouted, but Anna did not flinch.
“Why do you even ask for the reason when you don’t know why I’m doing this? Miss Latilda, no, our goddess, our lovely lady! Telling us not to go into the basement? You don’t even remember what you did to deserve that warning? How convenient. You erase the unpleasant memories and pretend to be the pitiful daughter of a warmongering father.”
Latilda was still stammering.
“Anna, what did I… No, I really can’t remember. If you would just tell me whatever…”
“Tell you? Tell you?”
Anna suddenly burst into laughter. Her harsh laughter made even Bading’s subordinate knights shudder and hunch their shoulders.
“Miss Latilda, you are surely kind, but have you ever cared about the servants in the castle or the villagers? You were always wrapped up in your own problems, never caring about the affairs of the village. Then, pouring all your attention and stories to the suddenly appeared Loyal, now you want to regain your memory? No. I won’t let you. Live your whole life without knowing what memory, what heinous act you committed.”
Latilda staggered back, clutching her cheek. Against the six armored knights, she had held her own as a lady, but she couldn’t stand against Anna in her nightgown. Latilda retreated with a terrified look on her face.
“Live. Live your whole life without remembering.”
Anna pulled a dagger from her bosom. And without anyone stopping her, she thrust it into her own throat.
“Everything is at your ladyship’s will!”
Anna slit her throat with no hesitation. Red blood spurted skyward before splashing to the ground. It sprayed as far as Latilda’s face, standing ten paces away.
“Aaaaah, aaaaah, aaah!”
Latilda fell to her knees, screaming and clawing at her face.
“Aaah, uaaaah, aah!”
Bene rushed over and held Latilda, but she didn’t stop screaming. She continued to shriek as she stared at Anna, whose throat was gushing blood like a waterfall. Bene covered Latilda’s eyes, but it seemed as if the image had already been etched into them.
Anna fell like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Bading, the Black Lion’s knights, all were paralyzed by the sudden turn of events. Latilda’s screams continued.
☆ ☆ ☆
There was a loud noise from the top of the stairs. The entrance door to the basement had been broken.
Despite the lack of time, Loyal opened the door in front of him. A chilling breeze rushed at his face. It was too dark to see clearly. However, the foul smell of Zookhla smoke that he hadn’t noticed before now drifted in.
The smell of blood.
This was the place. This was Denmoju, where Latilda’s followers worshipped her as a goddess.
‘Is that all? A place where ignorant and weak-minded people gather to worship a living person as a god?’
Loyal felt a chill run down his spine.
From afar, he heard a woman’s piercing scream. It was Latilda’s voice. Loyal quickly came out of the cave.
“Over there!”
This time there were four of them. Loyal raised his sword and shouted to a nearby villager.
“Run away.”
Loyal charged first, attacking the four soldiers. In the narrow passageway where even two people could hardly stand, the numerical advantage of four meant nothing. Loyal cut and stabbed them down in succession as they charged at him. They could neither stop nor retreat because of their momentum, becoming helpless victims. The fourth soldier managed to flee but was cut down by the neck.
The fourth soldier clutched his wound, looking back at Loyal with a terrified face.
“Do not follow me. If you do, I’ll spare you,†Loyal warned.
The soldier quickly nodded and ran off, clutching the wounded spot.
“Which way leads outside?†Loyal asked one of the villagers.
A frightened woman pointed to the right.
“And the left?â€
“That leads to the village hall.â€
“Did Latilda go to the right?â€
“Yes.â€
“If the chasing soldiers ask, tell them she went to the left.â€
“Understood.â€
The woman spoke with responsible eyes.
Loyal immediately ran to the right. Soon, a cool breeze blew, and the moonlight outside the cave came into view.
‘I’m too late.’
Loyal felt dizzy at the sight.
At least ten or more had lingered, leaving only their tracks. By the size of the footprints in the sand, about six were heavily armored. The only traces visible in the moonlight were those footprints and two corpses. Even in the darkness, he could quickly tell who the two were.
Loyal couldn’t understand the situation.
‘Why?’
☆ ☆ ☆
Tears flowed endlessly from the large unblinking eyes. The screams had stopped. But Latilda was like a person out of her mind, unable to do anything. She just sat down stupidly, casting an empty gaze.
“It’s not true, Miss,†Bene said, holding Latilda.
“It’s not like that. You mustn’t listen to Anna’s words.â€
But Latilda would not listen.
“You are neither a Lady Commander nor a goddess. Miss Latilda is…â€
Bene couldn’t finish his words. The sight of Latilda sobbing silently was more pitiful than wretched.
‘How much pain has this child suffered today? And how much more torment will she bear in the future?’
Bene stood up.
“I cannot hand over the Miss, Bading. Stand back.â€
“I can’t do that, Onfurd. I admit that I’m somewhat perplexed by her suicide, but I must finish my duty.â€
“Isn’t this unnecessary?â€
“Why would fighting for my lord be unnecessary?â€
“I was once your master. Can’t you see it? You’re not fighting for the Black Lion Count’s victory.â€
Bene extended his sword forward.
“You’re not that foolish child.â€
The barely-smiling Bading’s expression crumbled.
“Stand back, Master. I do not wish to kill you.â€
“I cannot do that.â€
“You shouldn’t die for something like this.â€
“You wouldn’t understand my feelings.â€
“You don’t understand me either, Master.â€
“Then there’s no helping it.â€
Bading also drew his sword. His knights stepped forward, but Bading stopped them.
“Do not interfere.â€
Bading approached Bene, positioning his sword near his face.
“Black Lion’s Guardian Knight Bading challenges Red Rose’s Guardian Knight Onfurd to a duel.â€
“I accept.â€
Bene also raised his sword and spoke.
They both stepped back a pace, saluted, and swung their swords simultaneously. Bene skillfully deflected a frontal attack to the side. Bading, knowing Bene would deflect, immediately retaliated.
In the darkness with only a few lanterns lit, Bene’s thin blade was so fast it was almost invisible. Bading narrowly avoided it and swung his sword, but Bene had already swiftly retreated beyond range.
Both had figured out each other’s techniques, and both knew the fight wouldn’t be easy. Even Bading, hailed as the strongest in Camort, couldn’t fully fend off Bene’s sharp attacks, getting cuts on his shoulder and cheek. Had he not been wearing armor, Bene’s blade would have pierced his heart long ago.
Bene calmly parried Bading’s attacks, but eventually, his strength waned, and he could no longer lift his arm. He could clearly see Bading’s blade coming but couldn’t dodge it. He managed to thrust out his sword but knew what would follow.
‘Old age must feel like this.’
Bene glanced sideways at Latilda. Her stunned gaze, once fixed on Anna’s corpse, was now watching Bene’s last moments. The pain in his chest grew as he met Latilda’s vacant, sorrowful eyes.
‘Don’t look at me like that, Miss. My time has come.’
Bading’s sword shattered Bene’s and flew towards his throat. But Bene didn’t see the attack. He was remembering a beautiful scene from twenty years ago.
The newborn child was as light as a doll and as tiny as a puppy. Johnstein and Bene held each other and cried.
‘My daughter. My daughter. Can you see?’
Choked with emotion, Bene cried with joy.
‘Yes. The Red Rose Count’s daughter.’
Not only the Count was delighted with the growing Latilda.
‘Bene, Bene. Look, I made this.’
Eight-year-old Latilda proudly held up a ragged piece of cloth, insisting it was a rabbit. Bene was secretly thrilled that she showed it to him first and not her father. He even kept it a secret from the Count.
‘Take care of Latilda.’
The dying Count grasped Bene’s hand with the last of his strength.
‘Be Latilda’s father.’
Such a request wasn’t necessary. Bene had long considered Latilda his daughter.
Death was neither painful nor unjust. The only regret was not being able to see Latilda live happily.
‘Stay strong, Latilda.’
Bene’s head fell to Bading’s blade.
Latilda’s vacant eyes stayed fixed on Bene. Her trembling hand reached for Bene, but it was caught by a rough hand.
“Hurry up.”
Bading commanded. The Black Lion Knights carefully assisted Latilda, her gaze fixed on the dead Bene, unable to look away.
☆ ☆ ☆
Loyal checked Anna and Bene’s corpses. Latilda was nowhere to be found. Dragging marks led to the bushes.
Loyal immediately followed them.
‘It was Anna. But why would Anna betray us? And looking at the wounds, she killed herself.’
Loyal couldn’t understand any of it. The evidence left in the dimly-lit place showed that Bene had lost in a one-on-one duel.
‘A duel in this situation? I don’t understand. I don’t understand anything.’
Before Loyal could get out of the forest, something whizzed by. He twisted his head to dodge, rolling to avoid the arrows that followed. Several arrows thunked into the ground where Loyal had rolled.
Loyal hid behind a tree, brandishing his sword.
“Who goes there?”
A hidden archer asked. Loyal knew that the question wasn’t an attempt to identify him but to pinpoint his location in the darkness. Otherwise, the archer would have asked before attacking.
“I’m a knight guarding Latilda. Where are you taking her?”
Loyal shouted and quickly moved to another tree, following the bushes. He heard archers changing positions from a distance, two swordsmen mingled among them.
“You have no need to know.”
A voice came from another location, continually shifting. Loyal marked all the sounds and moved positions. He approximated where they would stand to attack his last spot. Loyal snuck behind that location.
He found two archers at the anticipated spot, pulling their bowstrings.
Loyal charged, striking one’s neck and stabbing the other. More archers were hiding, quickly discovering Loyal and releasing their arrows.
The arrows that flew were barely visible as small dots in the darkness. Loyal had deflected almost half of the four by sheer luck, and for the arrows he failed to notice, he simply hoped they would pass him by. Fortunately, one missed, and another merely grazed his cheek.
There were four arrows in total. This meant that somewhere, four more people were hidden.
The plan to infiltrate the castle was meticulous, as was the process of abducting Latilda. The decision to position archers in the rear guard, and placing them in the forest, was all part of that careful planning.
Loyal hid behind a tree again, attempting to locate the archers. From a distance, the sound of a horn rang out, followed by several resounding drumbeats. Though he didn’t understand the enemy’s signal system, he roughly inferred that it was a retreat command.
Loyal crept through the bushes once more. An arrow grazed his back as he ran, but he continued to dart between trees, lunging at the two archers concealed in the darkness. One was startled, dropping his arrow, while the other turned and fired. Dodging an arrow at such close range was impossible.
Loyal swung his sword just as the bowstring was released. The arrow snapped in two on his blade, and his sword continued its arc, slashing the arm that pulled the bowstring. One archer retreated, screaming, and Loyal pursued, stabbing him in the back.
But the blade went in too deep, and he struggled to withdraw it. The delay was only a second, but once out from the cover of the trees, Loyal became an immediate target.
Four more archers, who had been hiding and waiting for Loyal, revealed themselves. Loyal abandoned his sword and rolled aside. However, an arrow unexpectedly came flying from behind him.
‘Another hidden enemy? But I didn’t detect any presence?’
Loyal thought he was surely dead. But the arrow flew above his head and struck one of the archers, who was pulling his bow. Before the struck archer even fell, another arrow flew, and a second archer was downed. The remaining two archers fired not at Loyal but behind him.
Hidden swordsmen, now panicked, exposed themselves and charged at Loyal. He pulled the dagger tied to his ankle, slashing one’s throat and parrying the sword of another. In the meantime, more arrows continued to fly, precisely felling the fourth archer.
‘Who is this? In this darkness, someone who can shoot four arrows and kill four men, such a master archer.’
Loyal cut down the last swordsman, then crouched low.
As skilled with the bow as this person was, even more astounding was this person’s ability to stand behind Loyal, fully concentrated, without being detected. If this person had targeted Loyal, there would have been no recourse. But once the enemy was dispatched, the man revealed himself to Loyal.
Loyal let out a sigh of relief.
‘It’s good there’s not another guy with such incredible skill.’
Loyal raised his hand in greeting towards the man.
“Dunmel!â€
☆ ☆ ☆
Dunmel approached, leaning tiredly against a tree beside the exhausted Loyal.
“What’s going on? Shouldn’t you be in Normant?â€
‘Everyone’s waiting for your return. Originally, I was to come with Captain Kassel, but I broke away in the middle and came here first.’
Loyal struggled to understand Dunmel’s sign language after so long apart and had to ask him to repeat it twice.
“What happened?â€
‘There’s no time for a long story. Whose soldiers did we just fight?’
“The Black Lion Count’s army. Didn’t you see Latilda on the way here?â€
‘The Red Rose Count’s daughter? I saw her being forced into a carriage, and they hurriedly left.’
“Did she look okay?â€
‘It didn’t seem like they were hurting her.’
“I suppose so.â€
Loyal caught his breath for a moment before speaking.
“Dunmel, I’m sorry, but I can’t go back yet.â€
‘The situation in Normant is grave. We need to return quickly.’
“Don’t misunderstand me. You know how precious you all are to me. But right now, I must go to rescue Latilda.”
‘Is there some task I’m unaware of?’
Dunmel asked, without malice.
“A task?”
Loyal’s eyes were brimming with tears. Dunmel was quite surprised and touched his shoulder as if to ask if he was alright. Loyal wiped away his tears before speaking.
“Queen Sanadiel told me I must fight to protect someone else. Only then will I obtain the White Wolf’s Fang.”
Though he wiped his tears, they continued to flow, giving him a sense of confessing guilt.
“Dunmel, unlike the rest of you, I didn’t take the White Wolves’ test. The third test. I couldn’t pass it. Because I don’t have the White Wolf’s Fang.”
‘What are you talking about? You are the strongest among the White Wolves. I know the skill that becomes your Fang.’
“That’s not true. Being the most skilled in swordsmanship doesn’t make one a White Wolf. My skill is simply the art of killing people most effectively; it’s not the White Wolf’s Fang.”
Loyal slowly stood up from his seat.
“This is my third test.”
Dunmel nodded his head.
‘I respect your choice. Do you need help? I’ll go with you.’
“That would be good. The horse?”
‘There’s one tied up near the stream outside the village.’
“Then find one more and… no, never mind.”
Loyal suddenly stopped speaking.
“I have something to ask you. And something I need you to do.”
Loyal summarized the lengthy story of Denmoju, the Red Rose Count, and above all, Latilda.
Dunmel was increasingly astonished as Loyal’s story unfolded.
“Go to the castle’s basement yourself and investigate what happened there on my behalf.”
‘Understood.’
“By the way, where did that temporary captain you set off with go?”
‘To Enoa Count’s territory of Ambrue, to call for reinforcements. We were moving together initially but discovered the Red Rose’s army moving this way. Thinking something was amiss, I took a shortcut here alone on the captain’s orders. I objected, but he was so stubborn there was no choice.’
Dunmel looked at Loyal preparing to fight again.
‘You’re not planning to dive into the army to rescue that woman, are you?’
“Can’t I?”
Loyal asked seriously.
Dunmel chuckled silently.
‘Don’t be reckless. Ride my horse and secretly follow the army. If you’re lucky, you might find an opportunity along the way, but it’s better to wait until the woman is imprisoned. The moment that seems most guarded is often the most unguarded.’
“Thank you. I’ll do that.”
Loyal slowly walked into the forest, then turned, thinking Dunmel might have something else to say. Dunmel did not follow but gestured.
‘Come to Normant as soon as it’s over. We need your strength now more than ever.’
“Tell everyone I’m sorry.”
Soon, Loyal’s figure vanished into the forest.
Dunmel had never before seen Loyal look so sorrowful and troubled.
‘This is ominous. Nothing is going as planned.’
In Dunmel’s soundless world, the hustle and bustle inside the castle walls were palpable through the vibrations in the air and the movement of torches.
The army that had been staying in Denmoju’s castle was now retreating. They’d achieved their goal, so there was no reason to stay.
Eventually, Dunmel parted ways with Kassel and Loyal. He felt uneasy, not because he feared physical danger for them — Loyal would be fine, even if he failed to save the Count’s daughter. The problem was something else.
Kassel and Loyal were both emotionally shaken. What could bring them down wasn’t likely an external enemy. Dunmel’s anxiety was because of this.
‘But what about the Lady of the castle?’
Dunmel headed towards the cave leading to the basement, tasked with handling Loyal’s request.
–TL Notes–
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