Episode 23
The signal for the start of the hunting festival echoed, and participants scattered into the forest, each searching for formidable monsters that could be their prey.
Although today, due to the dense atmosphere of the forest, some dangerous monsters appeared, participants did not hesitate, especially during the Karsian hunting festival.
After about half an hour, Ludwig, who had undoubtedly hunted an outer-horned wolf, at least an intermediate-level monster, wiped the thick blood splattered on his cheeks and set out to find another prey.
Ludwig, who had hunted deeper into the forest, where more dangerous monsters were known to appear, went further than others would venture.
The more dangerous monsters he dealt with, the more his score would exponentially increase, so he didn’t hesitate.
Having swiftly dealt with monsters until now, Ludwig was undoubtedly a strong candidate for victory, and unless there were any unexpected developments, winning was well within reach.
It wouldn’t be long before Ludwig’s hidden skills became known to everyone.
However…
Ludwig, who had been exploring the moss-covered surroundings as if untouched by human footsteps for a long time, suddenly stopped in place, accompanied by a strange sensation.
The arm holding the sword felt numb as if paralyzed, and it did not move as he intended.
It was only the beginning, and gradually, unpleasant pain followed in his limbs.
Instinctively, he realized that he had been poisoned.
“All participants, please drink the wine.”
Alphonso, the head of the elders and the representative of Karsian, had poured wine for each participant before the tournament began.
With an unpleasant smile, he even offered a cup to Ludwig at that moment, and Ludwig narrowed his eyes, recalling that moment.
“It was then.”
This was not an ordinary poison; it was the venom that had killed his mother several years ago.
Only that poison could make someone like him, with Hylten blood, like this.
That poison had taken his mother’s life in an instant.
In contrast, Ludwig’s body felt numb, extreme pain accompanied, but even after a few minutes, he didn’t lose his life.
“It seems like the lethal dose wasn’t used.”
It seemed as if the poison was intentionally ingested, and the effect appeared after some time had passed.
The intention was clear.
They used the poison not just to make him go berserk but with the deliberate intention to do so.
It was obvious who was behind this.
The Elders’ Council. They were repeating the same actions again.
Strength tightened in the grip of the hand holding the sword.
Now, even standing was difficult for Ludwig.
Having already ventured deep into the forest, there were intermediate-level or higher monsters lurking behind him, ready to pounce at any moment.
He first stiffly moved his body to find a place away from the monsters and lifted his foot.
Before long, he arrived at a vast clearing that seemed to have been untouched by human footsteps for a long time.
In the center, a giant waterfall was pouring down refreshingly.
“Heuk, heo-eok…”
Ludwig waited there for a while.
When the pain became so unbearable and his mental strength became precarious, it became difficult to maintain his sanity.
Anyway, going berserk was unavoidable.
In that case, he planned to head to the Karsian stronghold where the Elders’ Council would likely be before completely losing his sanity.
Even as his vision dimmed, and his mind seemed to fly away, that thought remained firm.
If he were to turn into a monster due to the berserk, the ones who should pay the price were there.
The Elders’ Council overlooked one crucial thing—Ludwig possessed a teleportation magic stone connected to the Karsian stronghold.
Exhaling heavily, Ludwig took out the magic stone from his chest.
“Haah…”
The revenge he desired was not in this direction.
Those people had to live a lifetime with suffering worse than death.
If he were to lose his life in an instant by going berserk, wouldn’t that be a death far too comfortable compared to the suffering his mother had endured?
Above all, he didn’t want to become a monster.
He didn’t want to lose his sanity, engage in senseless slaughter, and revel in bloodshed against his will.
That was what Ludwig feared the most.
Moreover, he didn’t want countless eyes to look at him in horror, especially thinking of Sierra in that mix.
“…”
However, even then, staying here might result in the sacrifice of innocent people.
Despite venturing deep into the forest, if he were to go berserk, he might instinctively head toward where people were.
In the worst-case scenario, monsters might feel a threat instinctively and rush out of the forest.
Even though the knights of the Ducal family were guarding the front, there might be minimal damage to the outdoor banquet venue.
Having made his decision, Ludwig tried to activate the magic stone.
If Sierra’s voice hadn’t reached him from afar.
“Ludwig…?”
“Si, era… Why are you here…?”
Someone who shouldn’t be here was right in front of him.
He even doubted if he was hallucinating, but that was undoubtedly Sierra.
He didn’t want to show such a side to her.
Certainly, she would be frightened of him, just like during the banquet.
She would try to run away again.
Although he had finally eased his guard from that day, Sierra, unlike Ludwig’s thoughts, didn’t run away, instead looking at him with a worried expression.
Even in a situation where going berserk wouldn’t be strange, there was no sign of fear in her eyes.
“Snap out of it, Ludwig!”
Sierra’s clear voice echoed in his ears.
“…”
Somehow, upon hearing that voice, the confused mind seemed to clear up little by little.
Like dark clouds parting.
Sierra looked at Ludwig with her pink eyes, seemingly trying to calm him, her gaze akin to a serene ocean.
Suddenly, the red crescent moon pattern deeply engraved on Ludwig’s collarbone felt warm, as if responding.
It recognized the presence of its own symbol nearby, appearing delighted as if recognizing its owner.
Sierra’s body felt refreshing, like that of a water manipulator.
Even amidst the terrible pain, Ludwig instinctively yearned for her embrace.
‘My symbol. The one who came to save me…’
Feeling the warm comfort, Ludwig gradually released the tension that was keeping him upright.
He blinked slowly, feeling his breathing returning to normal.
The feeling was like the quiet calm after a fierce storm.
The pain from the poison had disappeared completely.
“Sierra.”
Calling her name, Ludwig noticed a slightly moist pink gaze that looked at him with surprise.
“Ludwig! Are you back to your senses?”
Ah, this person is truly my savior.
Ludwig raised his hand and gently wiped away the tear-streaked eyes of Sierra, who seemed quite astonished.
During the banquet, he had thought about the symbol engraved on his neck, considering it as a gesture of gratitude for Sierra’s kindness.
But he was wrong.
It was not just gratitude for a favor; it was a deeper and more profound emotion.
Ludwig, who had defined the name of that emotion, innocently smiled at Sierra, who was staring at him with wide eyes, unaware of anything.
* * *
Somehow, Ludwig regained his senses on the brink of going berserk.
“Sierra.”
The voice calling him steadily brought a sense of relief, and tears almost welled up.
Ludwig’s hand wiped away the tears on Sierra’s eyes.
“I’m okay now. Thanks to you.”
Thanks to me?
What did I do?
It was an incomprehensible statement.
However, Ludwig had started to stabilize when he encountered me in the midst of the initial signs of his berserk state.
‘Why is that?’
Without time to ponder the question, Ludwig spoke to me.
“Why are you here?”
I had to explain the chain of events leading to my presence in this perilous place, responding to his contemptuous tone questioning why I would come to such a dangerous place.
From meeting Jeria to being chased by a wolf-like creature.
Especially, the part about being chased by a monster until I ended up here made Ludwig sigh deeply.
“It’s a miracle you’ve been unharmed until now.”
It was natural. It would indeed be a miracle to have my limbs intact after encountering a wolf-like monster.
Standing up, Ludwig reached out to me.
“Let’s get out of here first.”
I awkwardly took Ludwig’s offered hand and stood up.
“Is it okay to move like this now? You can recover a bit more before we go.”
Ludwig led me behind him while holding my hand, pulling me closely.
“It’s okay now. Don’t go more than a step away, holding onto my clothes.”
He didn’t seem to be lying, so I obediently followed his words.
The only person I could trust here was Ludwig.
Walking behind him, the only thing visible was his broad back.
As he led the way, Ludwig effortlessly defeated any monsters we encountered, creating a path.
‘He can use aura?’
What I unexpectedly learned was that Ludwig could wield a sword.
In the Empire, sword wielders were rare.
To wield a sword, an innate talent and acquired effort had to come together, making it a faint probability.
Ludwig using a sword wasn’t mentioned in the original work, so it was surprising to discover.
While lost in such thoughts, a spider-like monster silently approached from behind and rushed toward me.
In that moment, Ludwig embraced me with one arm, swung his sword, and the monster split in half, falling to the ground with a thud.
“Wow….”
The surprised chest heaving with a significant motion was evidently conveyed to Ludwig, who asked with a worried voice, “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine; I just got a little startled, that’s all.”
“We just need to go a little further now.”
In response to Ludwig’s words, I nodded slightly and tried to grab onto his clothes again.
But this time, Ludwig extended his hand instead of his clothes.
The warmth of his large hand reassured my startled heart.
Relying on that warmth, I walked with Ludwig.
As we got closer to the outside, the monsters appearing became scarce.
Finally breaking free from the seemingly endless forest and stepping outside, I felt a sense of relief and wiped away tears.
“Huh?”
At that moment, warm gazes were felt from somewhere.
In the outdoor venue, all the participants were already lined up.
“It seems the hunt is over.”
Ludwig’s words were accurate.
Whether it was the participants on the raised platform or the nobles gathered in the venue, everyone was looking at us.
And amidst those gazes, I spotted Jeria with a disheveled face as if she had seen a ghost.
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