Chapter 81
Sir Jonathan was walking through the Monster Forest with his companion.
“Today’s meal was delicious again, wasn’t it? The Saintess’ cooking.”
He slowly nodded in response to the voice beside him.
“Indeed. The food she made today seemed to seep all the way into my body. Its name was… mine… st…?”
“I think it was ‘minestrone’?”
“Oh, right. That’s the name.”
Jonathan’s face brightened at his companion Zeke accurately recalling the name of the dish he could barely remember.
“It was full of vegetables and meat in a warm broth. At first, seeing the red color, I wondered how anyone could eat something that looked like it was cooked in blood, but as expected, the Saintess’ cooking never fails!”
Even now, thinking about it made his mouth water.
Jonathan still felt a slight unease about the appearance of the dishes, but there were other knights who said, “Now, whenever we see food made by the Saintess, we feel hungry.”
Having eaten meals prepared by Priscilla over the past few days, they had gradually grown accustomed to them. He subconsciously thought he would soon feel the same way.
“…All of the Saintess’ food is delicious, but the meal today was the best I’ve had.”
“Really? Today’s meal was great, but for me, the croquette you made last time was the best.”
“Ah, the golden-brown fried ones! Yes, those were tasty too.”
“I’m really looking forward to what she will cook next time.”
“…We’re grateful that the Saintess cooks for people like us, but is it really okay to keep asking her to do this? I feel so guilty making someone capable of purifying such immense magic handle cooking…”
“…”
Dried meat that felt like brittle twigs, hard nuts, and shriveled fruits with almost no sweetness.
The preserved rations they carried in leather pouches were truly unappetizing, but they were used to such food.
The Monster Forest was their battlefield.
There was no time to leisurely cook while facing constant threats; monsters could strike at any moment. Meals were merely for replenishing energy.
Indeed, there were times when monsters attacked during meals or even during sleep. But they divided into patrol groups to scout the surroundings, so there were no casualties.
Even now, while other knights ate, Jonathan and Zeke were patrolling in pairs, ensuring that the area around their base was safe.
“Certainly, making the Saintess do such things feels wrong, but His Highness said it was okay, so maybe it really is okay?”
“Maybe…”
“You think too much, Jonathan. We just need to trust His Highness and follow orders.”
“…”
“Anyway, I want to keep eating the Saintess’ cooking if possible. Once you taste something like that, how could you go back to preserved rations?”
“…That doesn’t sound like something a knight should say.”
“…Hmm. Next expedition, we should suggest bringing the Saintess along.”
“Never say that as a joke in front of His Highness or Edwin. You’d be dead.”
“I won’t. I value my life too.”
If they said such things in front of them, Zeke’s life would be in danger, given how much they valued the Saintess’ safety.
“By the way, His Highness’ behavior is really something else.”
It wasn’t too surprising that Edwin, Priscilla’s younger brother, treated her with care.
But the way Duke Blake treated Priscilla was almost unbelievable.
He treated her like a fragile flower blown by the wind.
“Well, the Saintess is a high-ranking noble, a lady. Isn’t it natural for His Highness to act courteously?”
“Why say that? You know well that his behavior isn’t just politeness.”
Priscilla’s cooking and Blake’s changed behavior were the knights’ hottest topic lately.
Blake Fraser—a man who had spent nearly ten years in the Monster Forest, cutting down endless monsters—was the empire’s strongest.
Watching him silently slay monsters from the frontlines always inspired awe.
His skill alone was impressive, but his unshakable expression, no matter the monster or the dire situation, sometimes made him seem almost inhuman.
Yet now, only in front of Priscilla, he showed a variety of expressions.
Those who didn’t know his usual demeanor might think, “Isn’t he always expressionless?” But those who had fought alongside him in the forest for years noticed even the slightest change and were astounded.
And they wondered, “Could it be…?”
“So, you’re saying His Highness is fond of the Saintess?”
“Fond…?”
“…”
“…Hmm… I guess not exactly.”
Jonathan nodded at Zeke’s hesitant reply.
They thought it might be possible, but always ended the speculation with a skeptical, “Could it be?”
Blake and love—two words that seemed utterly incompatible.
Even to them, his gestures toward her, though remarkably gentle and careful, didn’t seem romantic.
Then what feelings did he truly have for her?
Jonathan was pondering this when a sharp, fishy, and musty smell hit his nose, snapping him back to attention.
“…A lake?!”
Before him stretched a lake so vast he wondered how he had never noticed it before.
A thin mist hovered over the water, reflecting the forest like a mirror. The dark blue surface was still, giving the illusion of entering another world.
The dangers they had faced countless times in the Monster Forest sent shivers down Jonathan’s spine.
The lake’s presence and the eerie silence were clear signs of impending danger.
“…Zeke. This is dangerous. We can’t handle this. Retreat and report to His Highness.”
He carefully stepped back, keeping his eyes fixed on the lake.
As he took a few steps back, he felt something strange.
“…Zeke?”
Why couldn’t he hear his usually talkative companion’s voice?
Turning to look, no one was there. As if he had never existed.
Jonathan’s eyes trembled with confusion.
“What… is this…?”
―Here.
A faint voice made him flinch.
It was clearly a male voice.
“Zeke? Where are you? Where!”
―Here.
Once again, the voice came, clearer than before.
It seemed to emanate from the center of the lake.
“Zeke…?! Why there, damn it! Wait a second!”
―Here.
Pale, Jonathan dashed forward and jumped into the water.
The calm surface rippled violently as he moved, shattering the reflection.
The water, which had barely reached his knees, soon rose to his waist, chest, and finally his neck.
Swimming toward the center of the lake, Jonathan’s breathing grew labored. Though cutting through water was nothing for him, the exhaustion felt like he had been fighting monsters for hours.
It felt as though something beneath the surface was holding him back.
“…Zeke! Where are you!”
―Here.
“Where! Tell me exactly where!”
―Here.
The voice grew closer as he struggled through the water. All he could think of was rescuing Zeke.
If it were normally him, he would have doubted whether the voice was really Zeke’s.
Finally, he reached the point closest to the source of the voice.
“Zeke!!”
―Here.
“Yes, I’m here! Where are you!”
―Behind you.
“What…?!”
Jonathan turned, and before him was…
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“…Nathan! Jonathan!”
“Stay awake! Hey!”
“Jonathan!”
At the voices calling him, he snapped his eyes open.
“Jonathan’s awake! Look!”
“Jonathan! Are you conscious?!”
“…”
His companions were gathered around, looking down at him.
He slowly sat up, still confused.
“…Where is this?”
“You’re awake.”
“…Edwin.”
Edwin, the successor to the mage tower captain and a member of the patrol group, watched him seriously.
“Uh… why am I here? When did everyone…?”
“…Do you not remember?”
“Hmm…?”
Edwin narrowed his eyes.
“Jonathan, you suddenly collapsed while scouting with your patrol. That’s why today’s exploration was postponed. It doesn’t seem to be from fatigue, but what happened?”
Jonathan, still bewildered, couldn’t immediately respond.
He hadn’t even noticed that a stone—previously not there—was now in the pocket of his uniform.
