Chapter 125. How Dare You Touch My Woman

Thirty minutes earlier, in the Olen Forest of Rheinfelden, where the hunting competition was in full swing.

The urgent sound of galloping hooves shattered the stillness of the moment when a target was being aimed at. Enoch, who was about to shoot a fox he had just discovered, lowered his gun and looked over his shoulder.

Haley and Richard, the knights assigned to Ellen’s protection, and Jasmine, Ellen’s personal maid, were rushing toward him with pale faces.

“What’s going on? Where is Ellen?”

Sensing that something was wrong, Enoch approached them and asked. The three of them looked like they were about to burst into tears. Jasmine was the first to speak.

“Her Highness… Her Highness has disappeared… Laila too…”

As soon as he heard the words, Enoch’s face hardened.

It felt as if a cold, fierce wind was swirling around him. The three of them, as well as the surrounding nobles, were startled by the intense aura emanating from him.

Enoch asked in a voice as deep and cold as the abyss.

“…Disappeared? Ellen?”

“…Yes, that’s—”

“Explain exactly what happened, in detail.”

Under Enoch’s fierce demand, Jasmine nodded vigorously, trying to hold back her tears. Her tightly clasped hands were trembling.

“We were taking a break in the middle of the forest when suddenly, a strong wind blew. A very strong wind… The wind enveloped Her Highness and Laila, lifting them into the air… Before we could react, they vanished in the blink of an eye. Really, in the blink of an eye…”

Jasmine, who had been on the verge of tears, finally broke down and started crying. Haley, who was standing next to her, put his arm around her shoulders and added his opinion.

“That strong wind was definitely magic, Your Grace. In my opinion… it seems to be the work of Atreos.”

“…If it’s magic that creates a strong wind…”

Enoch’s eyes darkened as he muttered, then a sharp glint appeared in his golden eyes.

“…Pyrene Castile.”

“…Castile, you mean… the royal family of Atreos?”

“Yes. And more importantly, she is Navaroa’s betrothed and closest confidante. Pyrene Castile wouldn’t act alone. Navaroa must be behind this. That bastard dared…”

A chilling killing intent emanated from Enoch. It was a sharp, cutting aura that seemed to slice through the air. With eyes filled with madness, he looked at Haley and the other two and gave orders.

“Form a search party immediately. Inform His Majesty the King about this. Stop the hunting competition at once. Jasmine, go to my armory and bring the combat weapons and the magical tools I’ve prepared.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

“At once, Your Grace.”

Shortly after the three left on horseback, Henry arrived at Enoch’s side. The news of the Grand Duchess’s disappearance spread quickly among the hunting competition participants, and many were trembling with fear at the mention of Atreos’s involvement.

“Enoch, what on earth is going on?”

“Navaroa has kidnapped Ellen. That’s my guess.”

“What? …My God, if that’s true… This is insane…”

Henry ran his hand over his face in shock, looking like he was about to lose his mind. Enoch had already lost his.

He appeared calm and composed on the outside, but it was just the calm before the storm.

When he finally found his prey, he would sink his teeth into its neck without hesitation. Enoch was determined to end Navaroa’s life once and for all.

‘If Ellen has even a scratch on her…’

That bastard would never die peacefully. He would make sure Navaroa’s healing magic was useless.

Not dying until the healing magic was exhausted? Then he would kill him repeatedly until that power was gone. If he caught him this time, he would make sure of it.

Daring to take what is mine, my ‘wife’— the price for such audacity would be paid with his life.

‘Ellen…’

Thinking of Ellen made his insides burn black. What could she be going through now? What situation was she in? Dozens of terrible scenarios ran through his mind, fueling his murderous intent towards Navaroa.

How dare he, Ellen, my woman.

‘I’ll kill him. I’ll make sure his body can’t return to Atreos intact. I’ll tear him apart and burn him…’

“Enoch…”

“Henry, I’m—”

“No, look over there!”

“……?”

Henry’s urgent voice snapped Enoch out of his frenzy. Frowning, he looked up to see silver strands fluttering in the air. They were as soft as silk.

It was hard to believe it was human hair.

“Your Majesty, the King of Freuden, and Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”

The silver-haired man bowed respectfully to them. He was dressed in white and exuded a mysterious and gentle aura. Yet, there was something about him that felt overwhelming.

He was clearly no ordinary person.

After all, he had appeared out of thin air.

‘…Silver hair, silver eyes. Long hair. Androgynous appearance.’

Enoch scrutinized the man, his eyes narrowing sharply. He compared the man’s features to the description Ellen had given him of the ‘mysterious mage who helped her.’

It was an exact match.

Even the otherworldliness aura was spot on.

‘He matches Ellen’s description perfectly.’

Half-convinced, Enoch asked without hesitation.

“Are you the mage who helped my wife?”

“You recognize me right away. Yes, I’ve been aiding Her Highness for personal reasons.”

“Personal reasons?”

“I cannot disclose them. I’m sorry.”

Enoch let out a wry laugh at the mage’s polite but firm attitude. Standing next to Enoch, Henry asked curiously.

“Are you a mage?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your name?”

“Hmm, you can call me ‘Silver.’”

It sounded more like a nickname or alias than a real name.

Enoch had many questions, but the most important thing right now wasn’t the mage’s identity. The crucial thing was whether he was an ally or not. And…

“Your Grace!”

His retainers returned with what he had requested. The search party and proper combat weapons, along with magical tools for battle.

Enoch donned the magical tools in the form of rings, bracelets, and earrings. He placed the throwable bead-like magical tools into the pouch on his belt. Then, he strapped on knives, a longsword, a pistol, and a rifle.

After preparing himself, he mounted his horse once more and looked at the silver-haired mage. The mage stood there with a serene, almost picturesque smile.

Enoch asked him.

“How can I trust that you’re an ally?”

“You don’t need to trust me. I intend to help find Her Highness regardless.”

“Whether I trust you or not, you’ll do as you please?”

“Yes.”

Ignoring Enoch’s click of the tongue, the silver-haired mage grabbed the butterfly-shaped pendant around his neck and gently shook it.

A butterfly made of light emerged from the pendant and fluttered away, leaving a trail of light in the air.

Watching the glowing path, ‘Silver’ spoke.

“Follow that butterfly, and it will lead you to the Grand Duchess.”

Tearing his gaze away from the butterfly, Enoch looked at him intently and spoke.

“…Just one question.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“What is Ellen to you?”

It was essentially a variation of the question ‘Why are you helping Ellen?’ but it touched on the essence.

‘Silver’ remained silent for a moment before smiling faintly. With a hint of nostalgia, he uttered a name he hadn’t spoken in a long time.

“Petra Raman.”

“……!”

“She was my friend. A long time ago.”

Then, he mounted a nearby horse and began to follow the trail of light.

Enoch Bayern would inevitably follow this path. He had the instincts of a wild animal.

Silver, or rather, Nov, was certain of this as he rode without looking back, a slightly crooked smile on his face.

The sound of hooves echoed behind him.

* * *

“…It seems,”

After a long silence, Navaroa finally spoke.

“That you don’t understand my grand ambition, Ellenore.”

He sounded somewhat disappointed, as if he had genuinely hoped Ellen would understand his ambition to some extent.

Really. Ellen couldn’t hide her bafflement and let out a chuckle. What did this man think of her? Did he think she would feel a kinship because they were both mages?

“It seems Freuden society wasn’t a good place for you. So I thought you might sympathize with my plan to change the world. But I guess I was wrong.”

Like a madman, he spouted absurd ideals, thinking that his grand plan would impress her.

“Unfortunately, if persuading you is difficult, I’ll have to use other methods.”

The mention of ‘other methods’ felt ominous. Ellen, who had been staring at him, cautiously asked.

“…Other methods?”

“I plan to take you to Atreos and brainwash you.”

“…What?”

Ellen’s breath caught in her throat at the unexpected answer. What was this lunatic saying? Brainwashing?

“Brainwashing is easier than you think. In just a month, you’ll think and act like a perfect Atreosian. And you’ll marry me.”

“What… what?”

Ellen gasped. The words coming out of Navaroa’s mouth sounded like a horrific nightmare.

“And I plan to make sure you bear my child as soon as possible. Your bloodline is precious. We must have descendants. Don’t worry, Ellenore. By then, you’ll love me as your husband. Accepting me won’t be a problem.”

“……”

It felt like she had been hit with a sledgehammer or a boulder.

Ellen seriously considered biting her tongue and ending her life right then and there. Before that bastard could gag her…

Just as she pressed her front teeth into the center of her tongue.

“…! Brother, there’s magic nearby…! A mage is approaching!”

“I know, I felt it too.”

As they spoke, a flow of magic was felt from somewhere. Ellen tensed up and scanned her surroundings.

Another mage, who could it be? Someone here to help? Or an Atreos mage?

“It’s fine. No matter who comes, it’s impossible to break through this maze magic.”

“But, Brother, the space is shaking. At this rate—”

At that moment.

There was a sound like something breaking. Like a window shattering.

And where there had been nothing, suddenly appeared dozens of horses and people.

“Jackpot.”

A soft voice cut through the wind.

Ellen saw a shimmering silver. And right behind it.

“Ellen!”

Enoch, riding his black horse, Philip, shouted her name with fierce intensity.

The moment their eyes met, a tear rolled down Ellen’s cheek.

“Enoch…!”