"Hey! Please! I have a plan!"
As I was breaking free from the knights' grip, I screamed with all my might.
Carlex, who was about to rush in with his sword again, stopped and turned to me.
I can't use him as a shield again.
I won't let him face monsters alone anymore.
“What's your plan?”
His gaze towards me exuded steadfast belief.
Only then did I realize: Carlex had always listened to my opinions and ideas seriously and attentively.
“Lend me a dagger, please.”
Without asking why, Carlex ordered one of the nearby knights to bring him a dagger.
As soon as I received the dagger, I quickly began tearing the train of my skirt into long strips.
Carlex instinctively stepped forward to block me from view, while the men avoided looking at us in embarrassment.
Even the foolish Crown Prince made a face, which surprised me.
“Erica, what are you doing?”
Carlex asked me in a surprised tone, but I didn't have time to pay attention to his reaction.
I tore the ends of the skirt into long, thin strips, then rolled them up and tied them around the arrowhead.
I took out the dish of oil from the lantern hanging on the tent, then dipped the arrowhead well in the oil.
“Miss Erica, are you planning to attack with fire?”
Ludving was quick-witted, so he immediately asked questions.
“Yes. Werewolves hate fire. I will shoot a fiery arrow to distract the monster, while His Highness the Duke and the guards attack. I will take this opportunity to deploy a protective shield to protect the people.”
"It's a dangerous plan! Do you want us to risk our lives based on that girl's words alone? We must evacuate His Highness the Crown Prince immediately!"
Count Lawrence protested violently, waving his arms. Other nobles joined him by raising their voices of objection.
I ignored their noise and focused on the task of making fire arrows.
Ludving looked at me for a moment, then a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
“It would be a shame to escape after seeing such bravery. Duke Reinhardt, follow through with the plan as Miss Erica suggested. Saving them is our priority now!”
Count Laurence and the nobles cried out in unison:
“Your Highness!”
“I refuse to become a cowardly prince who runs away, abandoning his people. This is worse than death for me. Hurry and grab your swords.”
Ludving held his sword tightly.
Led by the Crown Prince, the nobles exchanged glances and then took out their swords with a determined face.
Count Lawrence stepped forward and nodded gravely.
“I will carry out Your Highness’ wish. I will protect you until the end.”
No sooner had Count Lawrence raised his sword, than the grey-haired elderly nobles raised their swords simultaneously.
This great spirit suited the veterans who had defended Ruberia for many years.
Ludwig smiled satisfied.
“It seems that I will witness Mr. Lawrence’s skill after a long time, don’t exaggerate, you should take your age into account.”
Ludving turned his gaze to me.
“Miss Erica, are you ready?”
“Yes. I'll start now.”
I stepped forward after igniting the oil-dipped arrowhead.
The flame of fire on the arrowhead was hot, but it was bearable.
Carlex approached me.
He stared at the werewolf in front with a cold gaze.
“I will protect you so that no monster comes close to you. Don’t worry, focus on shooting the arrow.”
“I thought you would object.”
He was always getting angry and telling me to be careful, so it seemed strange that he agreed with my opinion so easily.
Those clear eyes directed at me were brimming with loyalty and trust.
“لأنني أثق في حكمك وشجاعتك.”
His words dispelled my fear and hesitation.
My arms, which were heavy as rocks, became light.
“Let's make sure I don't accidentally hurt you.”
I shot forward, aiming the fiery arrow.
There is no time for hesitation or fear.
I have to save Michael and the people.
The monster appeared in front, threatening people and trying to pounce on them.
I pulled the bowstring firmly up to my ear and then released it all at once.
The mass of fire shot out at a blazing speed.
Fucking!
Kawaaak!
The fiery arrow accurately hit the werewolf's back.
The monster that turned into a fiery mass staggered and fell into a black heap.
I rushed to the nearby campfire and lit more arrows, then fired them at the next targets one by one.
The sudden attack confused the monsters and they let out a howl.
Whenever Carlex's sword pierced the darkness, the monsters fell like autumn leaves.
Upon seeing this, the werewolves let out an angry howl and pounced.
Carlix repelled the attack in front and cooperated with his knights.
The nobles were protecting Crown Prince Ludfing while carrying their swords.
I took advantage of the monster attacks being directed at them, and rushed in with all my might, grabbing the jewelry box.
When I arrived near the large campfire, I saw Michael's pale face behind the crowd.
Michael, everything is fine now.
I will save you...!
I tried to throw the jewelry box with all my might, but a black shadow swooped before my eyes.
I didn't have time to extract an arrow.
A huge werewolf, over two meters tall, was looking at me, baring its sharp fangs.
Two red eyes full of evil stared at me.
The stench of the animal emanating from its harsh breath pierced my nose.
The monster's claws seemed sharp enough to tear my body apart with just one strike.
I was like a herbivorous animal defenseless in the face of a predator, unable to scream or escape.
I at least tried to throw the jewelry box, but the monster was blocking my path, so it was impossible.
Although I was the one who proposed the plan, it failed miserably.
Haha...it's so funny that I laugh.
The black night and the twinkling stars behind the werewolf's head seemed contradictory in their safety.
A werewolf on a night without a full moon is unreal
In the end, it all ended like this.
I didn't want to die in front of Carlex and Michael.
“Erica!”
"my sister!"
Carlex's blood-wracked scream and Michael's wail rang in my head.
Sorry, Carlex.
I didn't want to be your nightmare either.
Tears filled me, but I kept my eyes strong.
I didn't want to miss that moment.
I wanted to remember him to the end, rushing desperately as the monsters fell.
I feel grateful that I was able to see you through to the end.
The monster growled menacingly, raising its hair.
His claws rose.
I closed my eyes, feeling the end.
But…
Nothing happened.
The monster just jumped over my head.
Then he attacked Carlex fiercely.
Why?
Didn't he intend to attack me? Why did he go like that?
Carlex jumped from the ground towards the attacking monster.
The moment the sharp claws tried to strike him, his cold sword preceded and struck the monster's head.
Behind the fallen monster, sprinkling blood on the ground, Carlex looked at me with horrified eyes.
During the short seconds that I made eye contact with the monster, I felt a strange feeling instinctively buzzing in my head.
The monster was a being that should not exist in this world.
The same was true for me.
I felt an unpleasant identification with the monster.
The black monster's body collapsed and vanished.
Black ash passed over my cheek and faded into the night sky.
"Erica, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Carlex grabbed my shoulders.
I instinctively took a step back because of his movement that looked like he was going to hug me.
I felt his confused look, but I turned away immediately.
“I'm fine. I'll deploy the protective shield. Please protect me!”
"It's dangerous! I'll do it myself!"
"There's no time! Master Michael must be saved!"
Yes, what happens now is important.
I started running, avoiding Carlex, who tried to catch me.
When I pressed the red gem encrusted in the jewelry box firmly, a magical yellow light swirled around it.
I threw what was in my hand with all my might towards the place where the people were.
From the jewelry box floating in the air spread out a hemispherical shield with bright lights.
At the same moment, the werewolves broke through the knights' attacks and pounced on the protective shield.
“Hello… the monsters are coming!”
"Ah! Save us!"
The people inside the protective shield screamed in terror.
The moment the monster's claws collided with the protective shield, a light exploded like lightning.
The monster fell to the ground with an explosion.
The knights who were protecting the people were confused by the sudden appearance of the protective shield, but they quickly reassured themselves and began to fight vigorously against the monsters.
“Form an attack formation! Kill all the remaining monsters!”
The knights moved with discipline, following Carlix's order.
They formed a defensive formation and stood against the werewolves that were jumping from all sides.
The knights ceaselessly raised their swords and struck, while the monsters splattered with blood and turned into black ash.
Carlex was also in the midst of a fierce battle with the werewolves.
There was a sound of his sword colliding with the werewolf's claws.
In the original work, he is described as a great hero who possesses tremendous power as a sword master.
So I thought his fight would be amazing and brilliant.
But the reality was different.
He was rolling on the muddy ground, covered in monster blood.
His arms were covered with scratches and stab wounds.
His white jacket was dyed red.
His sharp sword was cutting down monsters without hesitation, but his blood-covered face was full of pain and agony.
Carlex's gaze was not directed to the monster in front of him, but to what was behind it.
Certainly he was seeing his father who couldn't protect him seven years ago.
He was haunted by the ghost of that person who would never return, taking eternal revenge, even if he killed hundreds of monsters.
I became short of breath.
My heart was aching as if it were being squeezed, to the point that I couldn't bear it.
It was said that he fought ferociously for seven years. He was still killing monsters in his nightmare, and slowly killing himself as well.
How awesome!
The monster that received the blow turned into black ash and disappeared.
As this ended, the blue dawn replaced the pitch black and dissipated.
“It's all over.”
Ludving looked around the event square with a satisfied smile.
The knights finally sat down with a reassured look or leaned on their swords, panting heavily.
The magical protective shield automatically disappeared, and the people who were trembling in fear and observing the situation rose to cheer.
Carlex and I rushed towards Michael as if we had agreed.
The baby burst into our arms, smiling brightly.
As soon as I smelled the soft sunshine emanating from Michael, I finally knew it.
The horrific night was finally over.
“Brother, sister Erica, are you okay?”
“Yes, it's all over. Rest assured, I'm glad you're safe.”
Carlex sighed deeply as he stroked Michael's head.
It seemed as if the tight rope of tension had finally loosened.
Michael had a sad expression on his face at the sight of his bloodied brother.
His eyes were red as if he was about to cry.
“Brother, you fought… a difficult battle. You are very tired.”
Michael swallowed his tears with a firmness worthy of a young noble of the Reinhardt family.
Instead, he squared his small shoulders and looked at Carlex with eyes full of respect.
Then the young noble's gaze turned towards me.
“Miss Dale, thank you for saving me and saving people.”
What is this? Why is he suddenly using this formal respect?
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation