AEIRSMLAG Chapter 029

Now it’s full-blown spring.

The weather has gotten a little warmer.

I was really excited to reach the real ending last night.

“The villainess Tyria has nothing to fear anymore! This is the real ending! Lulu Lala!”

I was eating my salad for breakfast, humming a strange song softly.

Since my mother and Tibon were out, it was just me and my father at the breakfast table.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

I quickly changed the subject, as last week’s ambush was a secret.

“W-well, the flower shop is doing well.”

My father smiled contentedly at my response.

“I was worried because of that strange newspaper article, but as expected, my daughter is amazing. They say it’s thriving?”

“Oh, you saw that article.”

I laughed, breaking out in a cold sweat.

“It was just a courtesy from the prince.”

“That prickly fellow should behave a little now that he’s married. He’s acting like some kind of brat. If he makes Lili cry even once, I won’t let him off.”

“Father! People will hear you.”

Though I was startled and tried to stop him, my father clicked his tongue with a disapproving face, clearly not fond of Pedro.

Despite Pedro’s good treatment of Count Dilucia, my father couldn’t stand him for some reason.

Perhaps he saw Pedro as a thief who had taken away Lilian, whom he had raised like a second daughter.

“By the way, Tyria, are your preparations going well?”

Surprised by my father’s sudden question, I blinked while about to eat my broccoli.

“Preparations?”

He casually asked while breaking the shell of an egg with a small spoon and eating it.

“Yes, there’s the hunting competition at the Marquis of Leon’s estate in two weeks. I trust you’ll do well, but have you secured a hunting dog?”

“Oh.”

I dropped my fork.

With the opening of the flower shop, receiving Ludwin as a gift, being attacked by beastmen, capturing Loren, and Ludwin’s unexpected request, I had completely forgotten.

‘I forgot.’

Although there was still enough time to prepare clothes and gifts, it was impossible to get a hunting dog now.

I naturally thought of Ludwin when hunting dogs were mentioned, but quickly shook my head.

Usually, in hunting competitions, it was optional to bring a dog to assist in hunting, but in the Gu Kai Mountains, the hunting grounds of Marquis Leon, where monsters live, bringing a dog was essential.

There was nothing better than an animal’s instincts for detecting approaching monsters. The animal didn’t necessarily have to be a dog though.

‘Come to think of it, Tibon recently brought his hawk.’

Although that ill-tempered hawk was currently at home, it wasn’t easy to handle unless it was Tibon.

‘I completely forgot.’

One couldn’t participate in Marquis Leon’s hunting competition without a hunting animal.

Even though I wasn’t good at physical activities, I couldn’t skip the hunting competition when attending as the family’s representative.

“Well, even if you haven’t found one, there’s nothing to worry about. Although he’s not a trained hunting dog, you can take Lu, He listens to you well.”

Startled by my father’s nonchalant suggestion, I spoke up.

“F-father!”

“Hm?”

Father widened his eyes as if wondering what was wrong, but I could only smile awkwardly.

I glanced at Ludwin. Fortunately, he seemed too engrossed in his meal to notice our conversation.

He was busy performing a magic trick where, every second, a steak the size of my palm disappeared.

“Lu doesn’t seem to like hunting.”

“He’s so robust, there’s no way.”

“There’s a rabbit in my room, and he shows no interest in it.”

I tried to protect Ludwin’s pride by mentioning Loren.

“Ah, that explains why your maid has been pulling weeds lately. You brought in a rabbit.”

Nodding fervently, my father made a thoughtful ‘hmm’ sound. Before he could suggest taking Lu again, I quickly interjected.

“I’ll find one myself. Don’t worry.”

How could I use a sword master who volunteered to protect me as a hunting dog?

I’d do anything to save Ludwin from such a humiliating experience.

I was determined.

At that moment, Ludwin nudged my shoulder with his black nose.

“Lu?”

Turning around, I saw Ludwin’s black tail wagging gently.

His large, round eyes stared straight at me, as if he wanted something.

Given the context, there was only one possibility.

I laughed awkwardly, suspecting the unbelievable.

“Lu, do you want to go to the hunting competition?”

Before I could finish my sentence, his tail wagged more vigorously. His amber eyes sparkled brightly.

“Really? It’s for hunting.”

Woof!

His reaction was as if he was asking why I was questioning something so obvious.

I was the one who ended up more bewildered.

‘My Lord, do you want to hunt animals?’

I imagined Ludwin standing atop a mountain of hunted game, smiling broadly with blood-stained fangs.

Then, a realization struck me.

‘Ah, he said that when he was in animal form, his reasoning becomes clouded. In other words, his instincts become stronger… So, Lu wants to hunt.’

Even ordinary pet dogs play hunting games such as fetch or tug-of-war. Hunting is an essential activity for dogs to relieve stress.

‘If that’s the case, then even the rabbit at home…’

I recalled the white rabbit from this morning, who had been chewing on tough weeds with dead eyes in the room next to mine.

I envisioned the rabbit trembling and fleeing as Ludwin approached, only to be caught and played with like a toy.

After briefly picturing this, I shook my head.

‘I can’t feed Lu such junk food.’

“That’s great. Since Lu wants to go, you can take him. Seriously, whoever gave us such a smart dog must be a really nice person.”

My father laughed heartily, clearly pleased with Ludwin, and finished the rest of his meal.

Woof.

Ludwin, seemingly excited about the hunting trip, wagged his tail beside me, his mouth slightly curled in a joyful expression.

‘He seems really happy.’

Since he wanted to go so much, I couldn’t refuse.

Though worried about when he might change back to human form, it was hard to say no when he was so enthusiastic.

‘I have to go anyway.’

Given that Leon’s territory was close to Drew, there were bound to be rumors.

Social circles spread news faster when I moved in person rather than relying on the Laplace Garden.

‘Ah!’

The word ‘rumor’ triggered a bright idea. A brilliant plan came to mind.

I looked at Ludwin with a satisfied smile.

Seeing my sparkling eyes, Ludwin backed away a couple of steps as if he had seen something frightening.

“Lu, then let’s go together.”

He seemed scared for some reason, but it must have been my imagination, right?

Suddenly, I started to look forward to the hunting competition immensely.

 

***

 

In a deep forest on the outskirts of the Dilucia territory.

In the dark, shaded area where the sun did not reach, people wearing dark brown coats covered in injuries were lying down, using tree roots as pillows.

Among them, the man with the smallest build who seemed to be in the most serious condition groaned.

He was holding his forearm, despite being tightly bandaged, the bandage was soaked with fresh blood, indicating that the bleeding was not stopping.

─The place where I was bitten hurts so much.

A fierce-looking man sitting opposite him threw down a wooden canteen and shouted in beastmen language.

His legs were also in bad condition.

─Shit, shit! I should’ve just killed her!

The largest man who heard the sound stopped him with a low growl.

─ We can’t. Have you forgotten why we came here?

─Damn it, what can I do about the pain!

The thinnest of them opened his mouth in a low voice.

─Loren ran away. We have to find him and kill him first. If he informs the humans, it will be troublesome.

─How far could that bastard rabbit run? His nephew is here. The bastard probably ran to the human country to protect the illegitimate child, without any pride.

The fierce-looking man opened his bag, revealing a small rabbit panting inside.

As the bag lit up, the little rabbit’s red eyes faintly opened.

Squeak.

The rabbit soon closed its eyes again, its breath heavy, indicating it wasn’t in good condition.

However, the man scoffed and closed the bag again.

─That’s why it’s just a rabbit.

The large man continued his words.

─I slipped the drug into his pocket. He’ll transform soon, and we’ll find them both and deal with them. That’ll be the end of the Bolsha family’s request.

The thin man sighed briefly.

─The bigger problem is those people.

─Damn it.

─We need to secure them quickly.

─How?

─We’ll modify the plan. If Ludwin isn’t possible, we’ll take the woman first. As long as we have her for negotiations with the king…

Before he could finish, the man suddenly stood up and scanned the surroundings warily. Sharp claws had grown from his hands.

─What’s wrong?

Scanning the area keenly, the man shouted.

─Enemy!

With that one word, the beastmen’s eyes glinted, their pupils elongated. They had drawn out their animal instincts to the fullest while retaining rational judgment.

Unlike the shady spot where they were hiding, there was a middle-aged man standing with his back to the bright sun.

“That sounds like an interesting conversation.”