Capitulo 140

Episode 140

Aster said looking at Wilhelm.

Take the Imperial Knights and go to the Golden Forest immediately. With two hostages I wouldn’t have allowed him to go into the depths, so search from the outskirts inwards.

Yes.

Wilhelm answered abruptly, but looked into Aster’s eyes.

He’s the one who betrayed Karina, but how could he have trusted her with the search so easily?

As expected, Duke Pioneer frowned and became angry.

Are you saying you’re going to let that guy search for my daughter and not anyone else? I can’t believe it!

It was Sir Wilhelm who first told me to watch out for the Archduke today.

The duke kept his mouth shut at Aster’s words.

The distrust of him was not unique to Karina.

Wilhelm said, kneeling in front of him and placing his hand on his chest.

I swear before His Majesty and the Duke. That Wilhelm Hunt would risk his life to bring Princess Pioneer to safety.

But the Duke still did not release his expression.

For he knew all too well how light words are.

Wilhelm held out his hand to the Emperor and said:

If I break my oath, you may cut off my right arm.

Surrendering his arm to hold the sword to the knight was no different from surrendering his life.

Seeing Wilhelm’s determination, the duke remained silent.

Although he was a little dubious about his oath, he did not seem to believe it completely.

Wilhelm got up without a word and went out.

A gentleman shows himself through actions, not words.

* * *

Aster sent the knights out first and waited for Lily.

Your Majesty, the princess’s maid has arrived.

Come in.

Soon a pale-faced maid came in with a puppy.

You must have heard what happened. The princess said the dog would be able to chase her.

That…

Lily couldn’t help but panic.

No matter how smart Fio was, she wondered if he could help with such an important task since he was an animal.

She knelt on the ground and bowed her head.

Your Majesty, I also desperately want to find the Princess. Therefore, I feel a little uneasy about entrusting Fio with this job. How could this child be entrusted with such an important task?

At her words, Fio jumped out of her arms as if frustrated.

[If you leave it to me, I can do it better!]

Fio spat out those words and closed his mouth to say goodbye.

…

The Duke was almost about to faint, and Lily had already fainted.

The-the f-f-f-dog spoke!

[It’s not that important. I need to chase after Karina, so I have to follow her now!]

While the two people in the room were shocked and couldn’t say anything, only Aster grasped the situation calmly.

How can you go after Karina?

[I’m not chasing after Karina, I’m chasing after the distorted magic.]

Aster had also heard of distorted magic which is a hot topic among magicians these days.

This ‘dog’ is chasing that subtle energy that even for the owner of the tower is hard to identify.

«I don’t know if it’s exactly a dog.»

But since Karina said so, he decided to believe her for now.

Aster looked at the Duke again half in disbelief and opened his mouth.

I’ll go straight to the Golden Forest. The Duke will come to the forest with the tower master and the other mages. If they have any magical tools that can help Sir Wilhelm, bring them.

In the Golden Forest, the wizards were no different from ordinary humans, but their knowledge was different.

Aster lifted Fio off the ground, wagging his tail and looking at him.

Come on first, get the horse ready!

He had to rescue Karina as soon as possible.

The Karina he knew wasn’t the type to bow down to Andrew, even if he had a knife to his throat.

And the current Andrew wouldn’t end up pacing Karina like that.

Are you sure?

[Of course. He was a watcher in our clan.]

Are there many dogs like you?

[… I’m not a dog, I’m a wolf.]

Fio muttered a little, holding back his resentment.

Aster did not reply because he was running on horseback and could not be heard over the sound of the wind.

Personally, Fio liked Aster the best.

Unlike the rest of the boys who just had a slippery face, Aster looked good as Lily said.

Suddenly, a golden forest began to appear before their eyes.

She couldn’t see the knights anywhere.

Let’s go in first.

[Aren’t you waiting for the others?]

Anyway, the opponent won’t be able to use great magic in this forest. It’s enough for me to go alone.

He used the knight’s borrowed sword and put Fio on his shoulder.

Can you feel in which direction they went?

[Feeling faint.]

He thought they got off somewhere, but they got to the exact spot more than he thought.

[How did you know they started here?]

Aster said as he took off the heavy decorations and cloak he was wearing.

The easiest way to enter the forest is to start from here. Because he’s taking two hostages.

[Yes that’s right. I can feel the energy from there.]

When Fio pointed in the direction, Aster started running.

Even though it was a forest with many obstacles in unfamiliar terrain, it was surprisingly fast.

[There!]

Aster ran through the forest following Fio’s instructions.

Sweat was pouring down like rain, but there was no time to worry.

They ran like this for an hour?

Aster and Fio felt an energy at the same time and stood still.

You came earlier than expected, big brother.

Aster looked at Andrew with narrowed eyes.

He could feel the magic in him.

The moment he would release the magic power in his body, he would be absorbed by the forest.

Aster tested it by emitting magic power. It felt like it would be gone in an instant.

«A ring?»

Then, Andrew’s hand caught her attention. He was wearing an old, clunky ring that didn’t fit him.

Aster remembered the story he had heard from Karina. Clearly at the time, Karina said that Andrew was collecting antiques.

He thought it was a simple hobby, but he was looking for such an ancient magical tool.

You only know how to play tricks.

If you think so, you will have no choice but to suffer.

The space between the two was frozen by the magic Andrew had raised.

Fio lowered himself to the ground, shaking his body.

It wasn’t just cold. He could also feel the distorted magic in Andrew’s magic.

[Careful, that guy’s magic is also mixed with distorted magic].

Fio’s body was enveloped in light and returned to its original form.

I thought he could only talk, but I guess not.

Aster looked at Fio and muttered.

It was because there was a corner where he thought he had followed him to dangerous places and wandered recklessly.

Fio, the size of a normal wolf, looked at Andrew with his teeth exposed.

Aster stepped in between them and asked.

You told me you had other similar friends.

[Yes.]

Do they live in the Golden Forest?

Fio nodded slowly.

Aster said while fixing his sword.

I’ll buy you some time, so go and get a partner. Whenever the opponent uses magic, it’s important to have a large amount of heads.

Fio nodded at his words, turned around and disappeared into the forest.

To where!

Andrew shot an ice spear towards Fio’s back.

Aster swung his sword and slashed the ice spear.

Andrew frowned and looked at Aster.

He wasn’t an easy opponent to look at just because he couldn’t use his magic power.

You didn’t even expect this?

Aster laughed at Andrew and straightened his sword.

The moment Andrew raised his hands to initiate magic, Aster quickly closed the distance.

Surprised, Andrew tried to step back, but Aster was faster.

His sword cut deep into Andrew’s right arm.

It seems you can’t use your magic power perfectly.

Ahg.

You are weak against person-to-person combat.

It was different from Aster, who risked his life to roll on the battlefield.

Andrew, who had participated in the subjugation with the title of Grand Duke, was just standing behind him and shooting or directing magic.

What kind of confidence did you build up to want to face me?

Andrew’s face reddened at the comment.

It was a good sign for Aster that his opponent had lost his cool.

Especially when the opponent was a mage like now.

Aster began to press harder before Andrew could grasp the situation in earnest.

You should never have felt that you were in danger of dying. shouldn’t you? So that’s why you’re being so stupid.

He thought it would be an advantage, but as the situation gradually developed against him, Andrew regained his composure.

The Aster he knew was not the talkative type.

He deliberately provokes because he knows he has an advantage.

Stop playing word games!

Andrew released magical energy at once and froze the surroundings.

Cold enough to numb the bones.

Aster quickly extended the distance.

Did you forget that I almost died because you sent me to subjugation and didn’t give me proper support?

Andrew’s comment was so absurd.

Duke, I never sent you to subjugation to kill you.

How many soldiers have died because you sent them to subjugation and didn’t even give them proper support!

Aster’s gaze became colder than ever.

Do you have a dreamy idea that you will be able to save everyone while going to war?