IHDOE Ch 60

She hadn't even poked him that hard. Yet, he tumbled to the ground with a startled yelp. Laughter burst from her at the sight of him sprawled on the dirt, utterly dazed.

[Satina] "What are you doing? What were you talking about that you didn't even notice me approaching?"

Flushing bright red, he pushed himself up and dusted off his clothes.

[Tyron] "...Shut up."

Damn it. This wasn't the plan.

He had been discussing how to withdraw his troops without Satina catching on. When he had followed her into the forest, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

I was debating when to reveal myself to tease her the most. I never imagined she would defeat those beasts with a single slave.

The slave's skill was astonishing, but her strategy of luring them into another beast's territory was equally impressive.

[Knight] "Having that slave handle the beasts alone... Isn't that too dangerous?"

[Knight] "Well, he's merely a slave anyway. Sacrificing one slave to save our knights is a bargain, isn't it?"

Though he could wield a blade, he was still an uneducated slave. How long could he possibly endure as bait?

Tyron expected the slave to perish quickly against the Sreans, after which the beasts would return to the cave and attack Satina and her knights.

Yet, the slave's swordsmanship far exceeded expectations. Coupled with Satina's clever scheme, it changed everything. Even the knights he brought had watched with skepticism at first, only to fall into admiration.

[Knight] "To think she would pit the beasts against each other..."

[Knight] "That strategy required a precise understanding of both the Sreans' strong pack loyalty and the Leptan's territorial aggression."

[Knight] "I had no idea Lady Satina possessed such vast knowledge of magical beasts. How unexpected."

Overhearing their praise, Tyron snapped in irritation.

[Tyron] "Quiet, all of you!"

He had intended to mock her when she fell into dire straits, yet his own men were marveling at her cleverness instead.

I hate this. I absolutely hate this.

Bringing his knights had proven entirely pointless, as Satina resolved the whole crisis with a single slave. Far from mocking her, he had made a fool of himself for dragging his men all the way out here.

We retreat in secret. Stealthily, undetected by anyone. Especially her!

Yet somehow, Satina had navigated straight to their hiding spot. She slowly glanced around at the knights surrounding him.

[Satina] "Tyron, what brings you here? And what are all these knights for?"

[Tyron] "Shut up. It's none of your business. Do I need your permission to deploy my own men?"

[Satina] "Of course you don't need my permission. But I can't help being curious about what people who claim to have no time to sleep are doing so idly out here."

[Tyron] "What else would knights be doing here? Subduing beasts, obviously."

[Satina] "You, in person?"

He averted his gaze, his earlobes and neck flushing crimson.

[Tyron] "Because it's a dangerous monster."

[Satina] "What did you come to hunt? Should my knights offer some assistance?"

[Tyron] "Mind your own business. I don't need those useless fools."

[Satina] "I can't speak for the other knights, but Katan is skilled enough to handle beasts alone. He might even be stronger than you."

[Tyron] "Ha! Don't make me laugh! Just because he killed a single Leptan—!"

[Satina] "How do you know he killed a Leptan?"

Tyron froze at her question. Satina narrowed her eyes, looking up at him as if she knew exactly what he had been up to.

He bit his lip. She provoked me just to test me.

Setting a trap like this, she indeed had a sharp mind.

[Satina] "How do you know he killed a Leptan? I certainly never mentioned it to you."

[Tyron] "I saw the Leptan's corpse on the way here."

[Satina] "Ah. So you followed that path and saw the remains Katan left behind."

[Tyron] "Exactly!"

She tilted her head slightly.

[Satina] "We scouted that route yesterday, and there were no beasts to clear."

[Tyron] "You just missed it!"

[Satina] "Then what was the name of that beast?"

[Tyron] "Would you even recognize it if I told you?"

[Satina] "Well, when it comes to magical beasts, I might know more than you."

[Tyron] "Stop talking nonsense."

[Satina] "Do you know the Flameforge's weakness?"

[Tyron] "The Flameforge? That's... well..."

He cursed internally. He remembered hearing the name before, but since it wasn't a common beast around here, he couldn't recall the details.

She burst out laughing as she watched him squirm, trying to remember.

[Satina] "Forget it. Why strain yourself? Even without all that effort, I already know you followed me."

[Tyron] "Who followed you?!"

[Satina] "Just admit it honestly. What are you trying to hide now?"

He gritted his teeth, glaring at her, before shifting tactics.

[Tyron] "Fine! I followed you to watch you get devoured by beasts and mock you! Happy now?!"

She shrugged casually.

[Satina] "You should have said so from the start. I almost misunderstood and thought you followed out of concern for me."

[Tyron] "W-What?! Are you insane?! As if I'd ever worry about someone like you!"

[Tyron's affection has decreased by 2.]

Watching him flush red up to his neck and yell in fury relieved her lingering stress.

[Tyron] "Listen closely. I didn't worry about you in the slightest, not even a fraction! If you died, I had a party ready to celebrate, so don't entertain such ridiculous delusions!"

[Satina] "Right, I understand. Then why don't you escort us on the way back?"

[Tyron] "Get lost!"

[Satina] "Aren't we heading in the same direction anyway? Ah, unless you plan on making an unnecessary detour just to avoid us?"

The banter between Satina and Tyron carried over to the knights of House Bersabet standing a short distance away.

[Knight] "I wondered who was hiding there, but it was Lord Tyron."

[Knight] "Hearing their bickering reach all the way here, they truly don't get along."

While the knights chatted idly, Katan stood apart, gazing silently toward Satina. His dark eyes sank into deep contemplation.

---

Meanwhile, the western fortress, left quiet in Satina and Tyron's absence, was receiving an unexpected visitor.

[Serpens] "So this is the western fortress."

Though he had ridden without rest, securing permission from the Temple had delayed his journey significantly.

The guards securing the fortress called out sternly at the sudden arrival.

[Guard] "Halt! Who goes there?! Remove your hat and identify yourself!"

He removed his hat.

[Serpens] "Ah, my apologies."

Under the setting sun, soft, pure silver-white hair came into view. Though dust and sweat stained his appearance from long travel, his clear, pristine countenance naturally compelled onlookers to clasp their hands in reverence.

However, unlike his usual gentle smile, his emerald eyes held a faint trace of anxiety. His gaze passed the guards, fixing upon the fortress gates, as if longing for someone beyond them.

[Serpens] "I am Serpens Santorel. Please open the gates."

---

Satina led the knights back to the fortress. Running around after so long left her entire body weary.

Tomorrow, I'll use my holy power to restore the knights and order them to gather plenty of cure ingredients. Then, after making the cure, I'll return to the Sreans' cave.

Too occupied with rescuing the knights, she hadn't investigated thoroughly, but she had distinctly felt a strange presence inside the cave.

First, I'll wash up today. Wash up and sleep...

Yet, the atmosphere inside the fortress felt unusually strange. A chaotic, excited commotion stirred subtly, grating against her nerves.

What is it? Did something happen?

The source of the commotion soon revealed itself. Hair of such pure, immaculate silver-white was not something one encountered easily.

The moment she spotted that striking face in the distance, she froze in her tracks.

[Serpens] "Ah, so using this net prevents insects from intruding. I see... I understand the method well."

The man, listening attentively to a fortress servant, sensed a presence and raised his head. The moment his gaze met hers, his emerald eyes trembled uncontrollably.

[Servant] "So even while sleeping, we can rest easy..."

Ignoring the servant speaking to him, he stepped slowly toward Satina.

Under normal circumstances, he would never commit such an impoliteness. But the moment he confirmed the presence of the woman he had yearned for throughout his journey, reason abandoned him.

He approached with measured strides.

Ever since his affection notifications stopped fluctuating multiple times a day, Satina had anticipated his arrival.

I expected to meet him back in the capital, though... I didn't think he would travel all the way to the western fortress.

It indicated how desperate he had been. And that desperation would yield favorable answers for her.

He stopped right before her. When she looked up, her eyes met his steady, unwavering gaze.

As if greeting a high noble lady, he gently kissed the back of her hand.

[Serpens] "...I missed you."

His voice resonated with deep yearning and affection.

[Serpens] "Satina."

---

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