Chapter 51 – Fox Hunt (4)
Blood pooled rapidly, forming a small puddle on the ground.
They must have already hunted down every beast in the forest.
The Crown Prince is truly worse than an animal.
Only humans were capable of taking a life without reason.
…I’m scared.
And now, a living demon stood right before Mio’s eyes.
Even in the darkness, the Crown Prince’s gaze gleamed as he licked his lips at the sight of her shining silver fur.
“Such a tempting specimen. Make sure you handle it carefully—I don’t want a single hair damaged.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will only knock it unconscious.”
A man approached, a dozen rabbits tied to his belt. He smirked and raised the back of his knife as if to strike Mio on the head.
“Stay still and I won’t hurt you. Alright?”
— Grrrr. (Cut the nonsense!)
Mio bristled, fur standing on end as she revealed her claws.
Now that her strength had returned, her body looked significantly larger.
“Oh! It’s without doubt a mystical beast!”
They couldn’t hide their amazement at the special ability she had shown.
“A marvelous creature indeed! Capture it alive at all costs!”
The hunter targeting Mio drew close, close enough to grab her—but she had no way to escape.
Then there’s no choice.
She steeled herself, ready to leap at the hunter.
Whoosh—!
Just then, an arrow flew in from somewhere.
“He’s been hit in the shoulder!”
The struck hunter grabbed his shoulder and shouted, and the surroundings erupted into chaos in an instant.
“Your Highness! The Duke has appeared!”
…Geoffrey?
Realizing who had fired the arrow made her emotions twist strangely.
And with his arrival, she suddenly understood the meaning behind the Crown Prince’s earlier words.
…So this “real hunt” was—
Her ominous intuition had never once been wrong.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Mio leapt at the hunter’s face, slashing it mercilessly with her claws before jumping off his head and charging toward the Crown Prince’s horse. She couldn’t bring down a beast that big, but she could certainly startle it.
Neigh—!
Startled, the horse reared, and the Crown Prince fell to the ground.
Without hesitation, Mio sprinted in Geoffrey’s direction.
“Catch it! Kill it if you must!”
The fallen Crown Prince screamed, and a pack of hunters began chasing after her.
Faster! Just a little faster!
Mio ran through the blood-scented forest, desperately trying to catch Geoffrey’s scent.
But her path was blocked by a waterfall, and her steps faltered as she gasped for breath.
Am I hallucinating…?
Her vision wavered from exhaustion—yet she saw a familiar figure standing before the waterfall.
It really is Geoffrey.
If he stayed here, he would be in terrible danger.
The blades and arrows of these wicked men were not after the fox.
— Grrr. (Wake up, Geoffrey!)
Mio growled softly to get his attention.
He didn’t react at all.
When she crept closer, the moonlight revealed Geoffrey clearly—shot by arrows and cut by blades, his entire body dripping with blood.
In that condition… you still helped me?
Rather than riding, he looked like he was barely managing to sit on the horse.
As Mio stepped closer, a branch snapped under her paw, and Geoffrey slowly raised himself, reflexively pointing an arrow before whispering:
“So it’s you.”
Realizing who it was, Geoffrey lowered the arrow and smiled weakly.
“I’m glad you’re alive. This place is too dangerous—get out of the forest.”
He looked as if he might die at any moment.
Who was worrying about whom?
Mio felt a surge of anger seeing how weak he had become.
Only I’m allowed to torment you! No one else has that right!
The small fox refused to leave, pacing anxiously, when Geoffrey suddenly coughed up blood. He didn’t even bother wiping it away.
“Hurry… go!”
Mio stepped even closer—but then a burning smell stung her nose.
The hunters had arrived.
“The prey we were chasing is with the Duke.”
When the shabby-looking hunter spoke, Geoffrey lifted himself straight and answered:
“And you expect to walk away after something like this?”
“Duke, we should be the ones scared of you! How many lives do you have?”
The hunter bared yellowed teeth and shuddered.
Empress Katrina had arranged this entertainment for her two sons.
Under the name of Geoffrey’s welcome celebration, she had handed Ben a sword hilt. If countless assassination attempts on the frontier had failed, then eliminating him here—right before his eyes—would do just fine.
This forest belonged to the imperial family, and private troops were strictly forbidden.
So today was the perfect chance to kill Geoffrey.
The Empress hired mercenaries and disguised them as hunting staff.
Half the forest was for nobles to hunt foxes and rabbits.
The other half… was reserved for Ben’s special hunt.
Mio, unaware of all this, felt her chest tighten.
What should I do now?
If she hid behind the waterfall, she would be safe.
This is the logical choice.
With a clenched heart, she slowly walked past Geoffrey’s horse.
Just a little farther and she would be free.
You foolish man! You’re not even trying to stop me?
Geoffrey simply watched her go.
Then the hunter who had been shot in the shoulder approached and hurled a hand axe.
I can’t take this anymore!
Attacking an already wounded, barely conscious man with a crowd—utter cowardice.
Mio spun around, leapt high, and slammed the axe into the ground.
“What in—?! Has the fox gone mad?”
She planted herself before Geoffrey’s horse, baring her fangs.
— Grrr! Grrr! (If you want to live, get lost!)
The hunter picked his axe back up, snickering.
“So the Duke is the fox’s owner?”
“Bring that fox to me.”
At last, Ben appeared, his expression terrifying.
“I’ll personally skin it alive.”
The chilling words made Mio’s fur bristle.
She could already feel his hand gripping her scruff.
Seeing her stand protectively in front of his horse, Geoffrey murmured:
“Pointless.”
He leaned down, grabbed her by the scruff, and lifted her into his arms.
Even now, he showed no sign of panic.
“Ben, what’s the problem? Aren’t you the future Emperor?”
“I want perfection in my rule.”
Ben aimed to become the most absolute emperor since the founding of the Caspian Empire.
But as long as that bastard lives, it’s impossible.
Geoffrey, the one who annihilated the frontier enemies, inspired both fear and deep respect. If he wished, he could overthrow the throne—and it would not be impossible.
Though Ben was Crown Prince, he lived every day haunted by nightmares.
You carry the dirty blood of adultery.
It felt as if someone whispered those words in his ear every night.
He believed only Geoffrey’s death could end those dreams.
Ben drew a long sword.
“Not sure if you remember—this blade was forged from the tail of that monster you gifted me. They say nothing can withstand it.”
Under the moonlight, the blade shimmered with an eerie blue glow.
Geoffrey raised his own sword—one he had carefully polished but was now stained with dark red blood.
What am I supposed to do…?
Mio couldn’t help Geoffrey.
She stared anxiously ahead as Ben raised his hand.
“Archers—ready!”
“…?”
Mio expected a one-on-one duel with swords. Instead, Ben burst into loud laughter.
“You didn’t think I’d actually engage the Duke in a duel, did you? I detest sweating. Don’t worry—soon enough, I’ll personally take his head.”
Every archer aimed at Geoffrey.
If Ben dropped his arm, both Geoffrey and Mio would be slaughtered instantly.
Terrified, Mio burrowed into Geoffrey’s arms.
So this time… we die together.
She couldn’t even cry at such an unexpected ending.
Just as Ben’s eerie laughter echoed across the woods—another group of soldiers emerged from behind.
“Who goes there?!”
Geoffrey quickly pulled up his hood and backed his horse into the darkness.
From behind Ben, a man in a dazzling riding outfit stepped forward.
“Your Highness, what interesting activity is taking place here?”
“Grand Duke Urcheka… what brings you here?”
Ben stammered, visibly shaken.
“I am looking for a friend. Have you by chance seen the Duke of Caspian?”
Behind Alexei, Urcheka soldiers stood fully armed, surrounding Ben’s group.
“Soldiers are not permitted in this forest.”
Ben had no intention of losing this precious opportunity and scrambled to make Alexei leave—but the Grand Duke showed no sign of backing down.
“If I have His Majesty’s permission… is that acceptable, Your Highness?”
“…Damn.”
There was no greater disaster.
Facing the Grand Duke wasn’t possible—not with hunting weapons and being outnumbered.
“We’re retreating.”
At Ben’s command, the hunting dogs followed after him. Geoffrey, watching from the shadows, briefly exchanged glances with Alexei.
“Are you returning? I shall escort you. One never knows what danger lurks in a dark forest.”
The Grand Duke’s tone sounded kind—yet the words carried a threat.
“I appreciate your courtesy, Your Grace.”
“Move out!”
The fierce howls of hunting dogs rang through the blood-scented woods.
