Chapter 7……………………..
Panake’s Companion
Panake. A monster in the form of a bird.
Because Panake is the daughter of the God of Life, the tears it sheds are the finest antidote, capable of neutralizing any poison.
However, Panake is also the daughter of the God of Death. Inside its massive beak lie teeth said to contain ten thousand kinds of poison—poison that cannot be cured by anything except Panake’s own tears.
Ellexena had first met it when she was sixteen, just as she had begun her journey as an adventurer, full of youthful vigor.
At that time, she had disguised herself as a man, which also led many princesses to seek her help.
The country she arrived at after crossing the sea—Alecton—was in despair. King Aisklephos of Alecton had been bitten by a giant sea serpent and was on the brink of death.
“Lady Ellexena, please… save our father.”
Since the serpent’s venom could not be cured by human antidotes, the king’s daughter begged through tears for Ellexena to retrieve Panake’s tears.
Ellexena accepted without hesitation.
The reason was simple. She had already been treated as an honored guest in Alecton, and refusing the plea of a beautiful princess was not something a “man” should do. Of course, she was only disguised as one.
“No! Going to find Panake is like walking straight into the gates of death!”
The musician who traveled with her cried and tried to stop her.
And his words were reasonable.
The place where Panake lived was the Simena Strait, a sea that had sent countless sailors to their deaths. Panake lived atop a towering reef, snatching humans who approached and swallowing them whole.
And just north of its dwelling lay a violent whirlpool zone. Countless ships had been wrecked there, and its force was so great that even the god of the sea feared it.
In other words, going to Panake meant enduring both Panake itself and the raging whirlpool.
But Ellexena could confidently say that accepting the princess’s request was one of the best decisions of her life. It was the first time she had ever seen such a powerful monster.
She brought her ship to the southern edge of the Simena Strait.
Panake, crouched atop the reef, unfolded its body and flashed its eyes.
—Who are you?
Even that single short sentence seemed to make the sea tremble.
Its wings were longer than a fully grown man’s outstretched arms, its feathers gleaming like bronze. A body so hard that even blades could not pierce it. And razor-sharp tusks capable of turning a human neck to dust in an instant.
That overwhelming strength was almost beautiful.
Ellexena was captivated by that beauty in an instant.
“I am Ellexena, son of Stephanos. Panake, may I take your tears?”
She revealed her name to the strong. That was respect given to an opponent.
—Have you not heard from the sailors? The fate of those who enter my nest!
—Then I suppose you won’t give them willingly. In that case, I will take them by force.
Panake, daughter of two great gods, did not obey human words easily. A battle was inevitable.
After a brief exchange, Panake took flight, and Ellexena drew her sword.
But the fight was never finished. As they battled, both were swept northward into the violent whirlpool.
‘In the end, that’s how we ended up traveling together.’
They had nearly killed each other—but if she called, Panake would still come running.
Panake was her irreplaceable friend.
Having finished her thoughts, Ellexena looked at Yutino, who had brought her clothes.
“Yutino, have you ever assisted someone with dressing before?”
“Y-yes! I have!”
“Good. Then help me.”
“Yes!”
Yutino awkwardly helped her into the hunting clothes. Ellexena flexed her arms once dressed. The fitted garments of this era felt somewhat unfamiliar.
“Yutino, bring me a map if there is one.”
“Yes!”
Yutino quickly returned with two maps—one of the entire country and one of the capital.
At a glance, Ellexena knew.
This was her homeland, Palakium.
How fortunate.
She let out a faint laugh.
The forests and fields of Palakium were so clear she could draw them with her eyes closed. Even though the city had changed, she could still recognize it immediately.
“So this is where the duke’s estate is.”
“Yes.”
She studied the map of the capital and traced a route with her finger.
To summon Panake, she needed to move somewhere uninhabited.
The place where she had once met Panake was a forest about three hours by carriage from the old royal palace. It was a dangerous region filled with boars twice the size of a grown man and serpent-like monsters the size of houses.
From the map, it seemed that forest still existed. In fact, it may have even grown larger.
Ellexena rolled up the map and tucked it into her pocket. Then she spoke coldly to the maid waiting beside her.
“Yutino. Listen carefully. I am leaving the duke’s estate without informing my family.”
“What?!”
Yutino’s eyes widened.
But Ellexena ignored her reaction.
Being caught sneaking out was not a major issue. At worst, she would be punished or confined indoors. Compared to that, an uninformed maid causing trouble was more dangerous.
“I don’t care whether you belong to my mother or not. You may go tell her immediately that the mad princess has run off—I won’t stop you.”
“N-no! I belong to you, my lady! I’ll keep everything secret!”
Yutino nodded frantically, though she met Ellexena’s gaze directly.
Ellexena gave a faint smile.
“Good. Then I will trust you. I will return by dawn.”
A forest where boars could swallow a grown man whole and serpents larger than houses roamed.
And the meeting place chosen by Ellexena, daughter of Stephanos, and Panake, daughter of gods.
In the center of that forest, there was a signal only the two of them knew: three long whistles, followed by three short ones.
When Ellexena had once lived as a prince of Palakium and stayed at the palace, Panake would return to its nest during those times.
—Call me when you are done.
That was what Panake always said when they parted.
As the daughter of the God of Death, Panake had access to paths where death itself passed through. It could travel anywhere it wished.
That was why they could always meet again, no matter where they were.
Ellexena placed her fingers in her mouth, shaped them into a circle, and blew.
Whistle— whistle— whistle—
Whistle. Whistle. Whistle.
The sound echoed through the entire forest.
But then—silence.
No wind. No rustling trees. Nothing that should have followed Panake’s arrival.
It did not come.
Why?
Her heart tightened.
Panake had never failed to come when called.
Never.
“Panake… if you can hear me, come out!”
Her voice shook the forest like thunder. Even the monstrous beasts within it hid in fear.
Still—no answer.
Something was wrong.
“Ellexena…?”
Then—
A gust of wind struck.
A massive wing cut through the forest air.
A presence like the sea itself surging in.
A gigantic bird descended.
Its crimson eyes locked onto her.
—To speak that name in my presence… have you prepared yourself for death?!
Panake had arrived.
