The sky was filled with gray clouds as if it had never been clear. As the heavily laden clouds began to drop raindrops one by one, the two arrived at a large lake. When the sound of hooves galloping fearlessly along the mountain path ceased, a cold silence descended. Purr, Hari stroked the horse that was pawing at the ground, then took Achilleon’s hand to dismount from the saddle.

“This is Lake Arondos, known as El’s habitat.”

It was in the southern region of Mount Odepotos. Hari lifted her robe that covered up to her nose and looked up at the sky.

“The weather suddenly turned cloudy.”

“The weather becomes more unpredictable as we get closer to the new moon.”

Heavy fog lay all around. Despite the world being completely hazy, they could clearly see the translucent, light blue deer-like animal walking dance-like between the green leaves.

The sacred beast seemed more like a mystical spirit than an animal. Its body, like the Milky Way, held various colors and reflected light like a rainbow. A low, humming wave occasionally flowed through the dew-covered forest. Following that strange wave, the flow of air was subtly changing. Feeling the temperature around the sacred beast that was like clear spring water, Hari took a careful step forward.

“Can you understand it?”

Hari shook her head. She didn’t like being in a situation rarely outside her control. However, she soon had to acknowledge it. The spiritual creature, which even priests couldn’t easily tame, showed an almost indifferent response to Hari’s approach. It just quietly watched as Hari approached. Even when Hari stroked its fur, it only let out a purr and showed no particular wariness.

Then, watching Hari skillfully mount El’s back as if they were one body, Achilleon chuckled.

“Right, I suppose you don’t need to learn how to ride a horse.”

“It runs away when you approach, but it listens well to me.”

It was an undeniable fact. The beast, difficult to capture even when tracked and driven, obediently listened to the woman’s words. His calculations were indeed correct. The priest of Galate must possess a ‘divinity’ that those born and raised in Hitais land do not have. Margharita had many talents, making his initial doubts about her usefulness seem foolish. Though her lyre playing was worse than even a street children’s band…

Achilleon’s eyes narrowed as he watched the woman gently kiss the deer’s nose. The woman’s figure communing with the animal was reflected in the calm water surface. Her calm movements were ethereal, like dancing. Suddenly, the thought occurred to him. Would she not suddenly disappear, riding that beast? Even without reins and a saddle, the woman handled the sacred beast as skillfully as though it were part of her body, so it wasn’t entirely impossible. Though even if she tried to escape, he would never let her go. Erasing the sudden suspicion, Achilleon reached out and placed his hand behind Hari.

“Hold on tight.”

There was a sound of wind cutting through the air, and in an instant, the man mounted behind her. She could feel his solid chest pressed close against her back. Just as he was about to quickly put reins on the sacred beast before it could escape, Hari felt a sharp blade brush past her cheek.

Thwack—

The arrow that struck the ground glinted. The subsequent attack that followed pierced precisely through the sacred beast’s body. However, this was clearly aimed at the two people.

“It seems difficult to expect to live out one’s natural lifespan by your side, Your Highness.”

“You shouldn’t forget that it was I who extended your life.”

Achilleon snorted and pushed Hari behind a tree. With unfavorable rumors spreading in the royal palace, he hadn’t expected there to be no events at the hunting festival. Hari pulled out the arrow stuck in the ground and examined it.

“Like before, it has purple dye on it.”

One by one, as the presences approaching silently increased, her heart pounded heavily. The man’s premonition that she would need to use the sword before cutting Achilleon’s throat had finally come true. The assassins with covered faces didn’t hide their murderous intent. They drew their swords as they lightly landed on the ground.

Could it be Antor, or Karnos?

Clang-! The sound of clashing metal broke the forest’s silence. Looking at Achilleon’s back as he confronted the masked man, Hari gripped her dagger. During the temple arson incident, Achilleon had received the same arrow attack. Given that the attackers left their mark before attempting their attack, they seemed to have no intention of hiding their identity.

At that moment, a man clutching his blood-soaked shoulder aimed his bowstring at Achilleon. However, Hari was faster. Ping, the arrow that left the string instantly lodged in the man’s thigh. As the man screamed and dropped his bow, Hari didn’t miss the moment to aim a second arrow. Judging himself cornered, the man threw away his weapon and began to flee. Perhaps they could find a clue. The trail of those behind this would become a weapon for Achilleon.

“Galate wench!”

The man who failed to dodge Hari’s dagger fell with a scream. His bloodshot eyes glared at her fiercely.

“Should have gotten rid of you sooner. Then at least half the bounty would have been… cough!”

“Who hired you?”

Unlike her pounding pulse, her voice came out cold and calm. It was fortunate. Hari gripped the sword handle tighter to keep from trembling. As she brought the blade close to his artery, the shuddering man began to gasp for breath.

“Hey, you’re not really thinking of killing me, right? I’m just moving as ordered. Come on, put the sword away and let’s talk, huh?”

“Speak.”

When Hari didn’t back down, the man finally spat out harsh curses.

“You… f*ck, why should I tell you anything? Can’t you put that damn knife away?!”

If he wouldn’t comply with the request, there was no need to keep him alive. Hari raised her knife and unhesitatingly plunged it into the man’s thigh. As if he hadn’t expected her to actually stab him, the man convulsed and screamed.

“Save me. Please save me!”

Just as she was about to raise the knife again.

“Aren’t you ashamed of being an enemy general’s concubine? You Galate woman who spreads your legs like a dog, relying on the enemy’s mercy while Galate burns. If it were me, I’d rather tear that man’s throat out than submit like a dog and open my legs.”

The man with half-rolled eyes foamed at the mouth. Having taken in his final struggle with her eyes, Hari stood up still holding the knife. The man flinched and squirmed in the awkward silence. Hoo, letting out a light sigh, Hari spoke.

“Since it seems you have no intention of speaking, any further conversation appears meaningless. And…”

The clouds covering the sun cast a dark shadow over Hari’s face. Red eyes gleamed in the darkness.

“What does it matter even if I beg like a dog?”

“You filthy thing without pride or self-respect…”

“Aren’t you also writhing like a worm worse than a dog, trying to save your measly life?”

Hari adjusted her grip on the knife.

“Are you finished speaking?”

“Sa… save me. Hey, wait! Let’s resolve this through dialogue. You still need to find things out from me!”

She would be covered in blood again, like that day. Repeating that horrible sensation of the swung blade sinking into soft flesh. Hari erased her final hesitation by closing and opening her eyes tightly, then raised her knife. She didn’t know that moment of hesitation would become an arrow aimed at herself.

The man gathered his last strength and lunged. The whites of his eyes gleamed red as he mounted Hari and strangled her. Though she struggled and clawed at the hands around her neck, she couldn’t overpower an adult man intent on killing. Her breath rose to just below her chin.

“Ack!”

A single scream was heard just before her focus began to invert. She felt the strength slowly leaving her neck. The man who was shot by the arrow rolled away, raising dust. The man turned pale seeing Achilleon approaching with his sword lowered. Blood from his self-bitten tongue dripped between his lips.

“Margharita!”

Breathing roughly, Achilleon supported Hari’s limp back in his arms.

“…If he hadn’t died, we could have uncovered who was behind this.”

Despite trembling with fear, the woman was trying hard to remain calm. Achilleon’s face contorted.

It was the same then too. Even when he was contemplating how to deal with her, Hari grabbed his collar while pretending not to tremble.

“Thank you for helping me.”

He now knew that even her forced smile was just a hard shell. Achilleon tore his clothes and wrapped them around Hari’s bleeding arm. Bright red blood was dripping from the wound where her skin had been roughly scraped against the ground during the struggle.

Hari stood up trying to appear composed but staggered as she was about to collapse again. Achilleon reflexively reached out, but Hari drew a line by refusing his approach.

“There must be clues. Look at this.”

On the paper found in the dead man’s clothes was drawn a compass showing the location of the two people.