In Ferdinand, wizards typically participated in inspections five days a week. Even showing up all five days was considered diligent, and it was common for them to miss a day or two, claiming accumulated fatigue.
Some might wonder, why not just call multiple wizards at once? But that was a big mistake.
When wizards were gathered together, all they did was shift responsibility onto one another. Even ants cooperated when grouped, so it was a pitiful sight. Whether you called two, three, or five of them, the result was always the same—utterly inefficient.
That’s why, nowadays, Ferdinand only called a single wizard. After numerous trial-and-error experiences, they had learned this was the best solution.
In contrast, since her very first inspection, Alessia had gone into the forest for a full two consecutive weeks. Most people had assumed she’d quit after just one or two outings, but she remained consistent. Because of that, the knights who had initially looked at her with little expectation were beginning to change their perception.
From Ferdinand’s standpoint—longing for a diligent wizard—this was a very good thing, but Kaon was worried. He thought Alessia might be overdoing it.
“Alessia, how about taking a break tomorrow?”
On the way back to their rooms after an inspection, Kaon cautiously suggested it.
He had never imagined he’d be the one telling a wizard to rest, but it seemed like Alessia really needed a break.
“I’m still fine. Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real. Maybe because I haven’t encountered a monster yet…”
As expected, Alessia shook her head. Beads of sweat dotted her exposed forehead. Just walking through the forest for hours was exhausting, but having to stay constantly alert in case a monster appeared must have made it even more so.
“Still, I feel like my stamina is improving, so it’s not too bad.”
Even though she clearly looked tired, she smiled as if to ease his worry, and it touched Kaon deeply.
‘How can someone be this kind?’
It was hard to believe someone like Alessia came from Ingelos. She was unlike any wizard Kaon had ever known.
Kaon even thought the Magic Tower should give her an award for breaking all the negative stereotypes about wizards.
“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved. But don’t push yourself too hard. If you sprint too much at the start, you’ll burn out.”
“Thanks for worrying, Kaon. I’ll be careful.”
When she looked up at him and said that, Kaon felt a bit bashful. By now, he should be used to it, but somehow his heart beat faster with each passing day.
“But Kaon, are you okay? Everyone else takes turns coming out, but you’re out here every day… Are you doing that because of me?”
Kaon, who had just been thinking to himself how pretty Alessia’s smile was, flinched.
The truth was, Kaon didn’t need to be out there every day. Like the other elite knights, he could have simply taken shifts.
So the reason he showed up daily was entirely to protect Alessia. The thought of letting her go alone made him too uneasy to stay behind.
He still vividly remembered the day Alessia had frozen in fear in front of the Coda.
Alessia was already small and fragile—someone who evoked a natural desire to protect—and after going through such an incident, with a real monster no less, there was no way he could relax.
But how could he admit all of that to her? That would be unbearably embarrassing.
“What? No, of course not… I just think getting real field experience is more valuable than training in the castle.”
“I see. I was really worried it might be because of me. I would’ve felt so bad. I’m glad it’s not.”
So Kaon made up an excuse, and fortunately, Alessia believed him. Kaon let out a small sigh of relief in secret.
“Where’s the wizard?”
“She won’t be coming today.”
“She was doing well for a few days. Whatever. Not like it’s the first time.”
Nils waved his hand and dismissed the soldier, then ordered a few knights who were good archers to be summoned.
The blood of monsters was toxic to humans. Since they had to fight at a distance as much as possible, different personnel arrangements were necessary when heading out without a wizard.
“Should we have Morris on standby?”
“Just in case. And assign a messenger, too.”
Kaon called in a backup unit and also arranged for a runner with a horn to be stationed, in case they needed to send a message during battle. It was standard protocol when fighting without a wizard.
“Is Lady Alessia not coming today?”
“Yeah. We’re going without a wizard.”
Nils glanced around as he asked, and Kaon replied briefly. Alessia had been so worn out from the grueling schedule that she couldn’t get up today.
Kaon had debated waking her but decided to let her rest.
She had been going out on patrol for nearly a month straight, so her stamina was probably reaching its limit. He had told her countless times to take a break, but since she never listened, this was the only way to make her rest.
“Uh? Lady Alessia isn’t here?”
“She’s resting today. Stop looking for her.”
Morris, who joined them a bit late, also looked around for Alessia as soon as he arrived. After spending a month constantly patrolling together, her absence was clearly noticeable.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait a moment!”
Just as they were about to set off, a loud voice from behind stopped their steps. Even without turning around, Kaon knew who it was. He squeezed his eyes shut.
“Lady Alessia? You came out today, too?”
“Nils, I’m sorry I’m late. I thought I had opened my eyes, but I must’ve fallen back asleep.”
“No worries. I was just surprised since Sir Kaon said you wouldn’t be coming today. We’re simply grateful that you did.”
As Kaon slowly turned around, he saw Alessia giving him a not-so-annoyed side glance—though her eyes clearly asked, “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
‘Well, because I wanted you to get some rest…’
Kaon had the answer, but instead of saying anything, he handed command over to Nils and quietly moved to the back to escort Alessia.
“Kaon, seriously?”
“I thought you’d already gone ahead.”
“Liar.”
It didn’t work—she saw right through it immediately.
Looking at him with narrowed eyes, Alessia added softly, “This won’t happen again, but if I ever oversleep… please wake me, just once.” Kaon only gave a halfhearted nod in response.
As they moved into late autumn, the temperature was dropping by the day, and today was especially cold. It was bearable under the sun, but in the shadowy forest, it was chilly enough to feel the cold seep in.
Not long after entering the woods, Kaon noticed Alessia’s body trembling slightly. She was reacting instinctively to the unexpected cold.
“Alessia, wear this.”
Without hesitation, Kaon took off the outer coat he wore over his armor and handed it to her.
“Is it okay for me to take it? You must be cold too. Your armor is cold, and…”
“There’s no other wizard today, so you’ll need to stay even more alert. Just wear it.”
“Then… I’ll take your help. Thanks.”
Looking guilty, Alessia finally accepted the coat. It was much looser than her robe, so once she wore it, she looked like a little puppy wrapped in a blanket.
Alessia was already tiny compared to Kaon, and the coat—designed to go over heavy armor—was huge.
He hadn’t meant to, but with her in his coat, Alessia looked unbelievably cute. Kaon, who had a weakness for small and adorable things, couldn’t stop himself from stealing glances.
“Is it weird?”
“Huh?”
“You keep staring. Is the coat too big?”
Alessia flapped the long sleeves and tilted her head. Thump. In that moment, something massive dropped in Kaon’s heart.
“Kaon? Are you okay?”
“N-no, it’s nothing. Just, hold on a sec…”
Kaon turned his head away in a hurry. If he kept looking at her, he was sure his heart would explode. He could already feel his neck and face burning up.
He always thought she was cute, but this was just unfairly adorable. The sheer power of her cuteness struck without warning, and it was devastating. He was pretty sure his heart had shattered.
‘What’s so special about a fleeting moment of beauty that my father had to make such a fuss…’
Kaon recalled how he used to mock his father’s obsession with love and beauty. Now, he humbled himself and admitted he had been wrong, fully repenting for his arrogance.
His father had every right to make a fuss. Whether beauty faded or not didn’t matter—what mattered was the moment itself. The overwhelming wave of emotion that now crashed over Kaon must have been what his father once felt.
“Kaon.”
“Wait, Alessia… I can’t turn my neck right now…”
His neck was perfectly fine—but he couldn’t bear to face her. The image of her tilting her head lingered in his mind, still vivid.
And he absolutely did not want to show her his blushing face. Kaon still had at least that much pride left.
“Do you hear that sound?”
“Sound?”
Kaon had been so focused on Alessia that he’d let his guard down. But at her words, he turned his head.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrroooowl.
Just as she said, a strange roar echoed from somewhere. It sounded like a bear but… something was off.
Kaon’s face stiffened at once and he shouted, “Nils!”
“Everyone, halt! Battle positions!”
At Nils’s command, the archer knights fell back, and the sword-wielding knights moved forward to form ranks.
A tense silence followed—until a massive creature emerged from the distance.
It was a monster.
