Chapter 17
The mercenaries were quickly divided into several groups.
Since there were too many monsters roaming the area, the knights decided it would be more efficient to split up and eliminate them as quickly as possible.
I looked around as the groups were being assigned.
Please let me be with Travis.
I glanced toward him.
Fortunately, we were placed in the same group.
I quietly sighed in relief.
At least I wouldn't have to worry about fighting alongside complete strangers.
"Looks like we're together," Travis said.
I nodded.
"Thank goodness," I replied.
Our group began gathering near the edge of the forest.
I glanced around, checking who else was with us.
There were several mercenaries and a few knights.
Then I noticed who would be leading our group.
I froze.
Duke Cassian.
My eyes widened.
Why was he leading our group?
Of all the groups, why ours?
I quickly looked away before he could notice me staring.
This wasn't good.
I had been hoping to keep a low profile during this mission.
But now I was going to spend the entire mission under the watch of Duke Cassian.
I glanced at Travis.
"Travis," I whispered.
He turned toward me.
"What is it?" he asked.
"He's leading our group," I whispered, subtly glancing toward Cassian.
Travis looked in Cassian's direction.
"Looks like it," he replied.
I sighed quietly.
This was going to be a long mission.
"Everyone, prepare to move!" one of the knights announced.
The mercenaries checked their weapons and equipment.
I adjusted the sword at my waist and took a deep breath.
Travis glanced at me.
"Stay close to me," he said.
"I will," I replied.
The group began moving toward the forest.
I followed beside Travis, doing my best not to look at Cassian.
Unfortunately, even without looking at him, I could feel his presence.
Why did I have to end up in the same group as him?
I could only hope he wouldn't pay attention to me.
The group moved deeper into the forest.
We hadn't gone far when we heard a rustling sound coming from the trees ahead.
Everyone immediately became alert.
A moment later, several monsters emerged from the bushes.
They were small creatures with sharp claws and fangs.
Compared to the monsters described in the reports, these were nothing impressive.
"Monsters!" one of the mercenaries shouted.
Everyone drew their weapons.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
Before I could move, Cassian suddenly disappeared from my sight.
A flash of black passed through the monsters.
Slash!
One monster fell.
Then another.
And another.
I froze.
What...?
Cassian was already several meters ahead of us.
His sword moved so quickly that I could barely follow it.
The monsters didn't even have time to react.
Within seconds, another group of monsters appeared from the trees.
Cassian didn't hesitate.
He charged straight toward them.
Slash!
One fell.
Slash!
Another.
His movements were precise and effortless.
There wasn't a single unnecessary movement.
I stared at him in amazement.
So this was Duke Cassian in battle.
I had read about his strength in the novel, but seeing it in person was completely different.
He was terrifying.
And incredibly cool.
I almost forgot that I was supposed to be fighting too.
"Luna!" Travis called.
I snapped back to reality.
"Huh?"
He pointed toward a monster approaching from my side.
"Behind you!"
I quickly turned around and swung my sword.
The monster fell to the ground.
I glanced toward Cassian again.
He was already fighting another group.
At this rate, there wouldn't be anything left for us to fight.
Travis sighed.
"Looks like we're just cleaning up whatever he misses," he said.
I couldn't help laughing.
"Pretty much."
Cassian suddenly dashed forward again.
A group of monsters barely had time to growl before he cut through them.
I stared.
"He's really going all out," I muttered.
Travis glanced at him.
"That's the Duke for you."
Another monster rushed toward us.
I raised my sword.
"Well, we should at least do our part."
Travis nodded.
"Right."
We moved forward and began dealing with the monsters that slipped past Cassian.
Honestly...
Calling this a monster subjugation felt a little unfair.
Cassian was doing most of the work.
We were just taking care of the small fries he left behind.
I was about to move forward when a sudden pain shot through my head.
I stopped.
My hand immediately went to my temple.
The pain became sharper.
The sounds around me faded.
Then-
Darkness.
I found myself standing inside a cold stone dungeon.
I looked around in confusion.
Iron bars surrounded the room.
Someone was kneeling on the floor.
Rishima.
Her hands were bound, and her silver hair was disheveled.
My eyes widened.
Is this her memory before she was executed?
Suddenly a familiar voice came from the other side of the cell.
"How unfortunate," Celeste said.
I looked toward her.
It was Aurora.
I knew this scene!
In the novel, I remembered it as a touching moment.
The kind-hearted Saintess had come to comfort the doomed villainess before her death.
But...
Something was wrong.
Her expression was cold, and there was a cruel smile on her face.
This wasn't the kind and gentle Saintess I remembered from the novel.
She stood outside the cell, looking down at Rishima.
"You'll die without ever knowing the truth," she said.
Rishima looked up at her.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, glaring daggers at her.
Celeste laughed.
"That person is coming all the way from Solaris Kingdom just to watch you get executed in person," she said.
Rishima's eyes widened.
"From Solaris...?" she asked, confused.
Celeste smiled.
"Yes. It's where your mother gave birth to you," she said.
Rishima's expression changed.
"And once you're dead, the last loose end will finally be gone," Celeste said laughing.
Rishima's entire body trembled as she struggled against her restraints.
"What are you talking about!?" she screamed.
Her voice echoed through the dungeon.
She kept shouting at Celeste, thrashing against her restraints as if she had completely lost control of herself.
"Let me out of here!"
Rishima's voice echoed through my mind as the memory began to fade.
My chest tightened.
Was this what really happened?
I couldn't stop thinking about Celeste.
Was she always like this?
The Aurora I knew from the novel was kind and gentle.
She was supposed to be the Saintess who cared for everyone.
So why had she been so cruel to Rishima?
"Luna! Watch out!" Travis shouted.
I snapped back to reality.
A monster was charging straight toward me.
I quickly raised my sword, but before I could react-
Slash!
The monster collapsed to the ground.
I froze.
Duke Cassian stood a few steps away, his sword in hand.
He just saved me.
Cassian glanced at me.
"Focus," he said coldly. "Don't let yourself get distracted during battle."
I quickly lowered my gaze.
"Yes, Your Grace," I replied.
Cassian turned away and continued toward the other monsters.
Travis rushed toward me.
"Luna, are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine," I replied.
He looked at me with concern.
"You suddenly stopped moving," he said.
"I just got distracted for a moment," I replied.
Travis frowned.
"Be careful," he said.
I nodded.
"I will," I replied.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
But my mind was still filled with what I had just seen.
Solaris Kingdom.
Rishima's mother.
And Aurora...
I couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to Rishima's story than the novel had ever revealed.
Night had fallen by the time we made camp.
I looked around, wondering where I would sleep.
Most of the mercenaries were men, and I was the only female mercenary among them.
"Hey, you."
I turned.
The same mercenary who had insulted me earlier was grinning at me.
"You should sleep with my tent," he said. "I'll keep you warm."
This was the second time he had bothered me today.
I frowned.
"I'd rather sleep alone," I replied.
The mercenary laughed.
"Don't be so-"
He reached for me.
I slapped his hand away.
"I said leave me alone."
He glared at me and swung.
I blocked his attack.
Suddenly, a cold voice came from behind us.
"You must have a lot of energy left."
We froze.
It was Cassian.
Beside him stood a female knight.
"You should sleep in my tent," the knight said smiling looking towards me.
"I'm Vanessa," she introduced herself.
"Luna," I replied.
Cassian looked at the mercenary with his cold eyes.
The mercenary immediately lowered his head, his body trembling slightly.
Cassian turned and walked away.
"Come on," Vanessa said to me. "I'll show you the tent."
I followed her.
After we get inside Vanessa quickly settled into her bedroll and fell asleep.
I lay down as well, hoping I could finally rest.
But sleep wouldn't come.
I turned from one side to the other, staring at the darkness.
My mind kept returning to the strange memory I had seen earlier.
Eventually, I decided to step outside and get some fresh air.
The camp was mostly silent.
Most of the mercenaries were already asleep.
I walked a short distance away from the tents.
Then I heard the sound of a sword cutting through the air.
Who could still be training at this hour?
I followed the sound and stopped.
Cassian was standing alone beneath the moonlight, swinging his sword.
I quietly watched him from a distance.
His movements were precise and effortless.
"Who's there?"
I froze.
Cassian stopped swinging his sword.
"Come out before I cut your neck," he said coldly.
I quickly stepped out from behind the tree.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace," I said, raising my hands slightly.
Cassian looked at me.
"Why are you still awake?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep, so I came out to get some fresh air," I explained.
Cassian nodded slightly.
I hesitated for a moment.
"And... I wanted to thank you," I added.
He looked at me.
"For what?"
"For earlier," I replied. "You saved me from that monster."
Cassian's expression remained calm.
He stared at me for a moment, as if trying to remember something.
"Have we met before?" he asked.
My heart skipped.
I quickly forced myself to stay calm.
"I don't think so, Your Grace," I replied.
I grew nervous under his gaze.
Then suddenly, his eyes widened slightly.
"The market," he said.
I blinked.
The market?
What was he talking about?
"We bumped into each other at the market," Cassian continued.
My eyes widened.
So that's why he looked familiar.
It was him.
The man from the market.
The one with the red eyes.
I suddenly remembered how intimidating he had felt that day.
And now I was fighting alongside him.
I swallowed nervously.
.
.
.