CHAPTER 54…..
Gwaaaah!
Killian’s thrown spear pierced the massive bear clean through. Without so much as a drop of blood spilling, its life was snuffed out instantly, and the Count let out a low whistle.
“As expected, my son-in-law is truly remarkable.”
“…You flatter me.”
With a hollow-sounding reply, Killian hefted his spear again.
He clenched and unclenched his fist, testing his grip, the motion brimming with unspent desire. Watching him intently, the Count made a teasing remark.
“My, my. One might think you hadn’t eaten for days.”
Whether for blood, for a meal… or for something else entirely.
That unquenched youthful vigor radiated outward. When Killian finally leapt from his horse and drove the spear straight into a predator’s skull himself, the following attendants went pale.
So this is truly a knight of Mount Fidelio.
His movements were mechanical yet precise—impossible to imitate.
Only the Count, unhurried, took out a cigarette and lazily made a gesture as if to stop him.
“We should be heading back now.”
“Just one more…”
“Adele is probably awake by now. She’s a creature of strict routine.”
The fierce aura that looked ready to sweep an entire mountain clear finally subsided.
So easy to read.
The Count smirked as he turned his horse’s head, and Killian, still eyeing the remaining prey, also pulled on his reins. Wisps of white smoke rose from between the Count’s fingers.
“I hear you were in ice water since dawn. Surely you’re pushing yourself too hard, my son-in-law.”
“…Not at all.”
“Don’t be too disappointed. There’s no shortage of beasts in the mountains—you can always come back.”
“Do you not enjoy hunting, Father-in-law?”
“…Me?”
It wasn’t even a particularly amusing question, but the Count burst into hearty laughter.
As expected, his lofty son-in-law showed no sign of being flustered.
In the midst of this, the Count’s eyebrow twitched upward at the sight of Killian stripping off his bloodstained gloves.
“Oh, I enjoy hunting very much. Not to boast, but I’ve never lost once.”
“Then why, this time…”
“Ah, that’s simply because my eldest daughter doesn’t care for the smell of blood in the morning.”
“…”
The grip Killian had on his reins tightened.
And you tell me this only now.
Only now did Adele’s words about her father ring true.
“Well, I didn’t mean to suggest you needed to concern yourself about it.”
Whether he cared or not, the Count, always a step ahead, idly tapped away his cigarette ash.
Through the thicket, Adele’s figure slowly came into view, and his red eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“There she is. My daughter, who loves animals.”
