12.

On a bright afternoon.

The stream surrounding the Hunt camp rippled, reflecting a dazzling shimmer.

Following the water upstream, one could see sheer rock walls rising as if to pierce the sky.

Between the steep rocks, amidst the barren landscape, tender leaves sprouted with vibrant life.

Clouds hung sparsely around the mountain’s waist, seeming to protect it.

The scenery surrounding the encampment was a breathtaking view that one could admire all day without boredom.

But below, a gloom that didn’t match the landscape at all enveloped the Hunt family.

“Sigh…”

“……”

A sigh mixed with anguish and worry broke the quiet stillness.

The knights trembled with overwhelming fear.

It wasn’t because they were attacked by monsters, nor had there been any casualties.

Cedric’s choice was excellent. The high cliffs of the encampment prevented monsters from approaching, and the narrow entrance was perfect for defense.

In fact, when orcs and ogres had rushed in several times, they were all killed at the entrance without even setting foot inside the camp.

The Hunt Knights were able to remain unscathed.

Rather, thanks to Hector allowing the use of aura, they flew around excitedly.

The Edwards Knights, who had suffered a disgrace that wasn’t really a disgrace, gritted their teeth and made efforts. With the Wilkins family joining in, the extermination of monsters was accelerating.

At this rate, they would be able to return within the Blessing Period.

Luke also stayed with the Hunt family, escorting Charlie and spending his days in self-reflection.

Yes.

In this peacefulness where there was nothing to worry about, what drove the Hunt family into terror was none other than Charlie.

“Sigh…”

“……”

She’s truly worthy of being Hector’s woman.

From that relaxed posture with one leg shaking uncontrollably to the curses muttered under her breath.

Moreover, despite certainly having no magical power, Charlie’s surroundings were gloomy as though they were enveloped in aura.

[Reconnaissance.]

Even the great Hector would run away, so she was indeed an extraordinary woman.

Percy, who was observing Charlie, signaled to Leon with his eyes.

“……?”

Percy, meeting Leon’s eyes, bumped his fists together and then mimicked horns on his head.

It was a question asking if they had fought with Hector.

Leon shook his head, indicating that wasn’t the case.

“……”

This time, Leon, lost in thought, turned to look at Luke.

Come to think of it, didn’t Charlie start acting strange as soon as she heard Luke’s real name?

Also, even though she was told, Charlie called him Luke, not Louis.

[That name… Don’t even mention it.]

And she said it with a very fierce expression.

“……”

Luke shook his head vigorously, as if to say it wasn’t because of him.

Since taking on the role of Charlie’s escort, Luke had been living like a transparent person, barely noticeable.

Then what could be the reason?

The knights’ attention focused on Charlie all at once.

It was then.

“F*ck.”

“……!”

Sam, startled, was about to gasp when Leon covered his mouth.

Did she hear? Did it upset her?

Leon and the knights’ hearts not only fluttered but pounded.

Unaware of this, Charlie brushed back her hair and let out another deep sigh.

“Haa…”

What good was knowing the original story when it didn’t even appear in the content?

What’s more, there was no way to turn back the past.

[Luke thinks his family died because of the Wilkins Knights.]

This was how it all started.

Long ago, there was an incident where poison was found in tribute offered to the imperial family. Unfortunately, the village where Luke lived was included.

Kaisis’s father, who was the emperor at the time, was greatly enraged.

It was because the crown prince, Kaisis, had consumed it and collapsed.

The emperor not only executed all those involved but also withdrew the imperial army guarding the village.

With the shield that protected the imperial citizens along with the imperial army gone, it was obvious that monster attacks would follow.

Thus, the small rural village where Luke lived was devastated in an instant.

At that time, the Wilkins Knights were inspecting the surrounding area.

Luke’s village was located between the south and east, close to the Wilkins duchy.

Naturally, the villagers asked the Wilkins Knights for help.

But the Wilkins Knights cruelly ignored them. They would have nothing to gain by helping a village punished by the emperor.

Luke’s mother could use teleportation magic.

However, she had depleted her magical power after teleporting all the villagers to where the knights were. Even the fate of her husband, who had gone out to fend off the monsters, was uncertain.

There was no time, and the situation was urgent.

In the end, his parents chose to make a sacrifice for their child.

Luke’s mother gathered her remaining magic and teleported only Luke to a nearby village.

And that was the last memory with his family.

Luke was only nine years old at the time.

[We searched the empire thoroughly on Your Grace’s orders, but couldn’t even recover the bodies. Unfortunately, the village was attacked by man-eating ogres…]

‘They must have died.’

Recalling Leon’s words, Charlie clutched her head.

This was almost on the level of being the enemy who killed my parents.

It wasn’t a problem that could be solved by persuasion and understanding.

Nor could they go to the Wilkins family to demand an apology.

While it might not have been morally right, they hadn’t committed a crime.

No. Even if they apologized, it wouldn’t bring back the dead.

But leaving things as they were was like having a walking time bomb.

She had considered saying honestly, “I’ve seen a bit of the future…”

‘Then he’ll kill Noel.’

The option of driving Luke away was even more out of the question.

‘At least if he’s in sight, we can stop him.’

Luke was already family to the Hunts.

The moment Luke kills Kieran and is killed by Noel, it’s clear that the Wilkins and Hunt families will be at odds.

“Cha…”

“This is really f*cked up.”

“……!”

The Hunt knights were shocked by Charlie’s rough curse.

Hector, who had been approaching quietly, once again spread out a teleportation magic circle and disappeared.

* * *

The Hunt family had now launched a grand operation to cheer up Charlie.

Mateo’s carrot festival was canceled by Hector’s order.

“Miss Charlie, how about venison steak for dinner tonight?”

Percy, who had returned from reconnaissance, showed Charlie a large male deer.

“I caught a really fine one.”

The thick antlers and plump body made everyone’s mouths water.

The knights couldn’t help but marvel at how he had managed to catch such a thing in this monster-infested place.

But Charlie just glanced at the deer with a blank expression.

“Steak is nice…”

Then the bright red blood of the deer caught Charlie’s eye.

How did Luke kill Kieran?

No, putting that aside, why did he kill her in the first place?

And why now, of all times?

Usually, doesn’t someone who wants to avenge their parents sharpen their knife and seek revenge as soon as they grow up?

That’s how it was in movies and novels.

If Luke wanted revenge, he would have had countless opportunities by now.

‘What on earth happened between those two?’

Charlie’s brow furrowed at this question.

“Thank you.”

“……”

Is, is this not it?

The corners of Percy’s mouth trembled slightly.

He clearly heard that Charlie really enjoyed the venison served yesterday.

“Then how about rabbit stew?”

Gerard hurriedly presented a rabbit he had caught nearby.

“Rabbit…”

Again, Charlie’s expression was lukewarm.

Seeing the rabbit reminded her of herself, powerless and incompetent despite being a transmigrator.

And in the first place, what did it matter what she ate?

However, the knights, unaware of this, all froze.

“……”

Hector waved his hand behind Charlie, as if to say clear it away.

[No. Nothing’s wrong.]

Even when Hector asked, Charlie remained silent.

He wondered if it was because of Luke’s punishment, but it wasn’t that either.

[Reinstating his position as the deputy commander is not possible. Absolutely not.]

Moreover, since Charlie had entered that state, there had been no skinship between her and Hector.

[I’m not in the mood for that right now.]

Sss- The gradually spreading black aura merged with Charlie’s darkness, creating an eerie atmosphere.

“……”

As the atmosphere steadily worsened and the knights were trembling, Charlie suddenly called for Luke.

“Sir Luke.”

“Yes!”

Luke quickly stretched out his neck, as if to say he was here.

Since her mood had deteriorated, Charlie had been calling for Luke like this at all hours.

Not only that, but he even moved his quarters next to Charlie and Hector.

Still not satisfied, Charlie asked Hector to place a darkness ability so that she could immediately sense if Luke went beyond a certain distance.

Of course, Luke was unaware of this fact.

“Don’t go far away. You must stay close to me.”

Charlie smiled sweetly.

“……”

“Understood?”

From Luke’s perspective, he would have preferred to be scolded by Hector.

Charlie seemed like a completely different person.

With her eyes wide open and only her mouth smiling, it was so creepy that Luke couldn’t speak and quietly nodded.

* * *