Chapter 7
From early morning, the corridors were bustling with preparations for departure.
Two days ago, the physician who had been tending to Nayeun’s wound declared that no further treatment was necessary.
Upon hearing this, Ruban, after a meeting with the knights, decided they would set out for the forest today.
Waiting in her room, Nayeun ran her fingers over the scar on her forehead.
Though the mark was still palpable, there was no pain or swelling.
So much time had passed for the torn flesh to heal.
Rising from her chair, she walked to the window and drew back the curtains she had been opening daily.
The sunlit landscape outside looked especially beautiful today.
From trembling in fear to now preparing to leave, a twinge of reluctance stirred in her heart.
Leaning against the window frame, she stepped out when a knock sounded at the door.
After hugging and bidding farewell to Roziana, who had taken care of her, and glancing back several times, Nayeun finally emerged outside the inn.
In the courtyard, armored knights were mounted on their horses, waiting for the command to depart.
Scanning the area for Ruban, Nayeun was approached by a knight named Beren, whom she had met in the forest.
“Hello. How are you feeling?”
Nayeun slightly bowed in response, her voice a bit awkward.
“I’m fine.”
“I heard you lost all your memory when you fainted. Do you really think going into the forest will bring it back?”
“I think… it might.”
Beren nodded, concern flickering in his eyes.
“I hope it does. Everything will be alright. Don’t worry too much.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Sensing the slightly somber mood, Beren cleared his throat and brightened his tone.
“We didn’t have time to prepare a separate carriage. There’s a supply wagon, but it’ll be more comfortable to ride with me. Follow me.”
Just as she took a step toward him, a voice called out.
“Inael will ride with me.”
Ruban appeared, leading a large horse, and held out his hand toward her.
“Come here.”
Without hesitation, Nayeun grasped his hand.
Ruban pulled her firmly, wrapped her waist around the horse, and mounted behind her in one swift motion.
Beren, who had been watching with wide eyes, quickly regained his composure and ran to his own horse.
At Ruban’s nod, a mounted knight beside him shouted loudly.
“Let’s move out!”
Ruban nudged his horse lightly, and the group surged forward.
Nayeun’s eyes darted across the passing scenery, each view more breathtaking than the last.
Suddenly, feeling a gaze from behind, she turned and met Ruban’s eyes.
“Sit up straight. Lose your balance and you’ll fall.”
She quickly adjusted her posture.
“If I fall from such a big horse, could I die?”
“More than dying from falling, it’s more likely you’d be trampled by the following horses.”
The clatter of hooves sent a chill down Nayeun’s spine, and her body shivered violently.
Ruban looked slightly embarrassed. He hadn’t meant to frighten her.
He tightened his arms around her waist.
“I won’t let you fall.”
Nodding slightly, Nayeun’s gaze suddenly fixed on the horse’s head ahead.
“This is the same horse, isn’t it?”
“Huh?”
“The one we bumped into in the forest.”
“…You remember that?”
“You said you remembered the moment you saved me from the wolf.”
He exhaled softly.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“No wonder it looked familiar.”
“I was running in a hurry back then and misjudged the distance. I’m sorry I hurt you.”
Guilt laced his voice.
Nayeun gently tapped the firm arms that held her around the waist.
“Don’t be sorry. If it weren’t for you, I would have been eaten by the wolf. Thank you for saving me and treating me so kindly.”
Though she could not reveal the full truth, her gratitude was sincere.
It was not until the afternoon, with the sun blazing, that the group finally entered the forest path.
The deeper they went, the less distinct the path became, and thick, unmanaged trees spread densely around them.
Being higher in elevation than the village, a chill hung in the air, and for some reason, the forest felt ominous.
Ruban, riding ahead, raised and lowered one hand, signaling the group to slow down.
Eyes sharp, he scanned the surroundings carefully, hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he spoke to Nayeun.
“Beasts are watching us. Hold on tight.”
Though she saw nothing, Nayeun’s grip on the reins tightened as unease prickled at her.
Suddenly, dark wolves leapt from the underbrush.
Dozens of them charged at once, and the panicked horses snorted and stomped furiously.
The lead knights surged forward, clearing the path like a broom sweeping the floor.
Wolves weaving between horses fell to those still following.
“Kyaa!”
Seeing a massive wolf lunge directly at her, Nayeun let out a small scream.
Ruban tightened his grip on her waist and pulled the reins sharply; the horse reared and veered away.
In a swift motion, he drew his sword, slicing the wolf, which let out a strange cry before collapsing to the ground.
Nayeun shivered, lifting her gaze through the dust cloud stirred by the fight.
The wolf, having no time to even widen its eyes, lay lifeless with its tongue out.
Terrifyingly grotesque, Nayeun flinched, prompting Ruban to pull her closer into his chest.
“It’s okay. Nothing to worry about.”
He reassured her calmly, slashing the approaching wolves with one hand without breaking stride.
After a short while, one knight smiled and pointed to the last wolf.
“This must be the final one.”
Adelion swiftly struck the wolf, and the spray of blood from its neck splattered across his armor.
“Annoying.”
He grimaced and wiped his armor with a handkerchief.
“Will that make it clean? Let’s move on. Lady Lucia, red suits you well.”
“Shut up, Beren.”
Beren’s teasing tone made the other knights snicker, joining in the banter.
Even Adelion, normally stern, seemed to enjoy the playful exchange.
Ruban, quietly smiling at them, lowered his head to check on Nayeun in his arms.
“It’s over now.”
Nayeun, curled up in his embrace, lifted her head slightly to find Ruban so close that she could feel his breath.
Her gray eyes met his, and her face flushed instantly.
Blinking awkwardly, Nayeun watched as Ruban straightened slightly, smiling faintly.
He then relaxed his arms and spoke softly.
“Let’s move out.”
Once again, they urged the horses forward.
After some time, they reached a steep forest path, revealing a cliff that stretched high into the sky.
Nayeun recognized it as the very place where she had first lost consciousness.
Her face lit up.
Finally, they could return home.
Pointing toward a narrow gap, she said excitedly,
“Ruban, take us down there.”
He guided the horse in that direction.
But as they circled the cliff, her expression gradually shifted to confusion.
No gaps appeared wide enough for passage—not even a mouse hole.
‘The path we came through… it’s gone.’
Her eyes filled with despair as she looked up at the cliff.
Ruban asked gently,
“You don’t remember?”
“Eh? Ah… I thought coming here would bring it back…”
She had believed she could return, but now feared she might never see her original home again.
If that were the case, where should she go, and how should she survive?
She knew nothing of this world, and the thought of becoming prey for beasts alone made her pale with anxiety.
Her mind spiraled into endless worries, a sense of loss weighing heavily.
Noticing her distress, Ruban said nothing, merely watching her quietly.
The knights trailing behind shook their heads, whispering among themselves.
“Seems her memory isn’t coming back. What will become of her now?”
“Indeed… she has nowhere to go, poor thing.”
“Why not take her to Blayer? From the moment we first met, His Highness seemed fond of her…”
“Stop spouting nonsense.”
Adelion’s sharp voice silenced the knights, and they fell quiet.
