Chapter 46……………………………………
Time passed, and at last the day came for the subjugation of the demonic beasts.
Because they would have to camp out in the forest the whole time, thorough preparation was essential.
“Winter forests are very cold. But your movement mustn’t become sluggish, so instead of wearing a thick, heavy coat, it’s better to layer several thin garments.”
Arsene personally helped her get dressed.
After she put on her layers meticulously, she donned the custom-made robe as the final touch.
The inside was lined with fur, and the outer fabric was made from the lightest material, so it hardly weighed anything.
Only after the robe was perfectly settled on her shoulders did Arsene show a satisfied expression.
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“It’s better than I thought. It’s really warm.”
“It’s made from a fabric with excellent insulation. I’m glad you find it warm.”
Compared to the fully bundled Evelina, Arsene’s attire was simple.
A shirt, pants, and his robe—that was all.
“Arsene.”
“Yes.”
“Aren’t you cold…?”
“I’m used to it. And I naturally run warm.”
Since the person himself said he was fine, she couldn’t argue further.
When they stepped outside, everything was already prepared.
Since they had to travel on horseback—not by carriage—inside the forest, Evelina had squeezed in time to practice riding.
Fortunately, her compatibility with horses was good, and she learned quickly.
Evelina mounted her horse with practiced ease.
Seeing her climb up on her own, the knights behind her widened their eyes in surprise.
It was quite an unexpected sight.
Karina took Evelina’s hand gently.
“Travel safely, dear. Don’t get hurt.”
“Yes, Mother. I’ll be back soon.”
Karina felt proud of her.
When she had first arrived, the girl had always shrunk back and nervously scanned her surroundings. But at some point, Evelina began to seek out things she wanted to do on her own.
There was one reason Karina hadn’t opposed Evelina accompanying the subjugation team.
Simply because Evelina wanted to.
As long as the girl wasn’t jumping into hell itself, Karina intended to support anything Evelina wished to do.
Finally, they headed into the winter forest.
Though it was a subjugation force, moving with too many people would be inefficient, so only the elite had been selected.
The moment they stepped beyond the main gate, the warm air vanished and a biting wind swept past them.
Checking the weather, Arsene spoke.
“It’s so cold that the movements of the beasts should be sluggish. I suppose that’s fortunate.”
“We’re lucky.”
Arsene simply smiled softly.
The knights widened their eyes at their commander’s smile.
One man even rubbed his eyes intensely, as if unable to believe it.
But Arsene’s smile did not fade.
The knights whispered among themselves.
“I think His Excellency has finally gone mad.”
“I’d heard he was utterly smitten with the Lady Grand Duchess, but I didn’t know it was this bad.”
The knights had never once seen Arsene and Evelina together.
Evelina had no reason to go where the knights stayed, and the knights rarely came to the estate.
And though they didn’t show it outwardly, they were displeased that Evelina had joined the subjugation.
She was sure to be a burden.
Behind Arsene’s back, they quietly whispered that his judgment had been clouded.
Whether Arsene knew of their thoughts or not, he was far too busy watching over Evelina.
However, whenever he thought they were going too far, he didn’t forget to send them a warning glare.
The knights instantly shut their mouths like clams under his icy gaze.
A clear signal telling them to shut up.
Evelina looked around.
The forest was silent—eerily so.
Aside from the clopping hooves, the knights’ murmurs, and Arsene’s voice, nothing could be heard.
“Is it normally this quiet?”
“…It’s definitely a bit strange.”
Arsene slowly nodded as he scanned the surroundings.
At that moment, a faint thudding sound reached their ears—and it grew clearer and closer.
Something was approaching.
The knights quickly dismounted.
Arsene and Evelina also dismounted slowly.
Well-trained horses would flee and return when called later.
Evelina swallowed hard.
“What could it be?”
“Judging by the heavy sound… perhaps Tree Tails, or Stone Spinners.”
It was her first real battle, and she trembled.
She wasn’t scared of the beasts themselves—after all, she’d seen plenty through illusion magic—but she feared making a mistake.
Arsene took her trembling hand and spoke firmly.
“Do not fear. Demonic beasts instinctively attack those who fear them.”
“…Alright.”
Evelina took a deep breath.
The ground began to shake.
Soon the trees cracked and splintered as Tree Tails appeared.
“To your positions!”
Arsene barked sharply.
The knights moved swiftly without needing instructions.
“Evelina, no matter what happens, do not leave my side.”
“Okay.”
Tree Tails weren’t just coming from one direction.
They were approaching from all sides.
Evelina stuck close to Arsene, barely daring to breathe.
She didn’t want to act rashly and cause trouble for him.
In a heartbeat, one of the massive roots of a Tree Tail whipped forward.
A heavy crash echoed as it slammed into the ground, leaving a deep crater where it struck.
If someone had been hit by that, they would’ve been crushed flat.
Evelina swallowed again, tense.
She glanced around—everyone seemed familiar with the process, swiftly pairing up to take down the beasts.
She wondered why Arsene fought alone, but seeing him in action, she realized there was no need for a partner.
With a single blow, he shattered the Tree Tail’s core.
“Wow…”
His leap was high, his strike precise—his sword pierced straight into the core.
Clean, efficient, and done in under a few minutes.
As its core shattered, the Tree Tail let out a twisted scream and collapsed.
When Arsene landed, Evelina rushed over.
“Are you okay? You’re not hurt, right?”
“I’m fine.”
Evelina let out a relieved breath.
The others were nearly finished as well.
Once the last Tree Tail fell, the knights regrouped.
“How many were there?”
“Twelve.”
“We’ve still got a long way to go.”
Arsene muttered as he sheathed his sword.
Hesitantly, Evelina took small steps toward the knights.
“Um…”
All their heads snapped toward her.
Startled by the sudden attention, Evelina asked with concern,
“Is anyone hurt? Even just a little? If so, please tell me—I can heal you.”
She smiled gently.
Unaccustomed to women, the knights awkwardly cleared their throats and avoided her gaze.
Alexis, the captain of the knights, stepped forward.
“It’s an honor to meet you for the first time, Lady Grand Duchess. I am Alexis, captain of the order.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Alexis.”
Evelina smiled warmly.
“And… we have no injuries.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Receiving such heartfelt concern for the first time in their lives, the knights wore strange expressions.
No one in the knight order worried about them—it would be considered embarrassing.
Alexis cleared his throat, his words stumbling.
“Thank you… for your concern, my Lady.”
“You don’t need to thank me—it’s only natural.”
Just then, a knight raised his hand.
“Forgive me, but earlier, you said you could heal injuries. May I ask what method you use?”
“Oh, I—”
Evelina began to answer, but the ground suddenly trembled again with a loud thud.
The previously relaxed knights instantly grew tense.
Yet no beast appeared.
The sound had been loud enough that it couldn’t have been a mistake. Something was wrong.
Arsene’s brow twitched—and he shouted.
“Below!”
He grabbed Evelina’s waist.
She reflexively clung to his collar.
Moments after they moved, the ground where they had stood caved inward.
And something shot up from below.
A man-eating plant—Neferdia.
Its mouth dripped saliva between rows of razor-sharp teeth.
The acid-based drool sizzled on the ground wherever it fell.
Arsene clicked his tongue.
Because of that acid saliva, Neferdia was a troublesome beast to deal with.
And there wasn’t just one.
“Stay here. It’s dangerous.”
“…Alright.”
After emphasizing the warning, Arsene drew his sword.
Evelina hid between trees and pulled her hood low, afraid her silver hair might catch the beasts’ attention by reflecting sunlight.
She pressed the hood tightly to conceal her hair, then cautiously peeked out to observe the battlefield.
But things only got worse.
Stone Spinners appeared as well.
Evelina counted the beasts.
‘Ten Neferdia… ten Stone Spinners…’
Her small figure was hidden well by the trees.
And since the beasts were focused on the other knights, none of them looked her way.
Which meant this was a perfect opportunity.
Evelina quietly conjured a bow.
Neferdia’s weakness was fire.
She drew an arrow.
The fire-infused arrow burned a bright red.
I can’t fail.
She saw the knight captain—who had spoken to her gratefully just moments ago—fall into danger.
Without hesitation, Evelina aimed the arrow toward him.
Everything had to be done in one shot.
Her eyes sharpened.
She read Neferdia’s movements—
—and finally let the bowstring snap free.
