It's been three nights since I fought the putineers of the Order, and I've been thinking about my experience. It was a really good hunt. The enemy was strong and cunning, I managed to fight better and smarter than them, and my predatory part was used in the service of a well-executed plan. That's as it should be. Glemgle, Perry, and you, the nameless mage, may you rest in the afterlife.

Between hunting parties, patrols, and the occasional lone traveler, I kept my fill and didn't let anyone dry up. Including tonight.

I was walking through a meadow when suddenly, something caught my attention.

Not far to my left, I felt a powerful aura, not from a person, but from a spell. This one doesn't track or warn, it's a polite invitation.

How curious. Making a phone call in the middle of nowhere?

I don't perceive any malice or any coercive effect in my work. In fact, this is the equivalent of a merchant in the market shouting at the top of his lungs to sell his goods.

Although it may seem like nothing is wrong, it is prudent to move on. Curiosity kills cats, while vampires only have one life......

I'm getting bored too. I should have brought a book, a romantic tale about a rich gentleman and a poor but witty woman. Ah, alas, I was so worried about my physical health that I didn't take my mental health into account.

It's probably not too bad.

Just a quick look.

I walked towards the source of the magic. Whoever designed it ensures that it won't be missed. I still struggled to get off the trail and get closer to the edge of the grove I encountered. A few minutes later, I came to the edge of a vast wilderness.

This is the largest valley I've seen recently. Even though the sky was overcast, I could see a mile away in any direction, so I wouldn't miss the strange building thirty paces away from me, or the three locals approaching it.

The structure is a wooden pillar covered with carvings from top to bottom. I made out several human and animal heads and body parts, covered in bright colors. The branches were drilled into limbs and could hold a wide variety of objects, including spears and drums. This is the magic lighthouse.

The three eventually stopped in front of it. They are a nice group of people.

The first man staggered, supported by the other two. I was not familiar with the local customs, but his clothes seemed to be worn casually, as if he had opened a drawer and piled together everything he could find. Despite the wide variety of cuts and fabrics, he managed to bare his chest in near-freezing temperatures.

He was also very drunk.

The second person is dressed in a mix of Chinese and Western clothes, glasses and a bowler hat. I appreciate the effort you put into making it stylish. He looked scared.

The last one is a warrior. Had it not been for the eagle's feathers, spears, and javelins that exposed him, his anger and muscles would have been exposed. He has an expression like a person who has completely lost patience and will quarrel at the slightest mistake in saying a word.

I watched them with fascination. What are they doing here at such a late hour?, why?

The drunk knelt in front of the statue and began to grunt and scream curses in a language I didn't understand. His frantic gibberish culminated in a sentence in which he screamed at the top of his throat.

"Let's eat."

What!?

What?!

This clown really... No way. Unbelievable. This must be a coincidence, right?

This man quickly proved me wrong. He grabbed a bowl from the recess of his clothes and poked his arm hard, and soon, the recipient was bleeding a few times. Then he knelt down and offered his offering in the general direction of me.

The warrior couldn't take it anymore, and he was about to make a move when the bespectacled man stopped him. They began to argue, gesturing at kneeling madmen, statues and where they came from.

I smelled blood, and even though I was being fed, my fangs were sticking out. There is a powerful magic in this man's blood. Drinking it will be very beneficial, not to mention delicious.

Right here, cool in that bowl.

It's a shame to let it go to waste.

After one last checking my surroundings, I left the safety of the woods and quietly approached the madman. My gut tells me that it's safe and that the supplicant shouldn't go unnoticed.

Yes.

After a while, I drank the water from the bowl and licked the wound. The madman looked at me with brown eyes full of amazement, and I realized that he was much younger than I had imagined. He waited for me to let go of his arm and smile like fangs.

This was not the reaction I expected. Anyway, the beacon and the offer mean they have an offer, and now I'd love to hear about it.

"You can say it, supplicant."

The other two finally noticed me, jumping and screaming. Before the warrior realized anything, he immediately pointed his spear in my direction. His eyes changed from anger to fear, and he didn't resist when his companion pushed the weapon down.

I waited motionless, and the madman rested his head on my lap and sighed. I hated physical contact with strangers, but his posture was so innocent and harmless that I decided to tolerate it.

I placed an exclusive hand on the young man's head.

"Huh?"

The two looked at each other, and the man in the hat raised his hat and greeted me in French.

"Good evening, ma'am, I am Iscani, from the Choctaw. We invite you to come here because we humbly ask for your help. ”

He clutched his hat nervously. I motioned for him to continue.

"Our tribe was hunted by a giant cursed alligator. It is said that the beast was as long as three men and was as black as night. It comes out every month to eat a man or a child. We cannot allow this to continue.

My chief, Minko," he pointed to the warrior, "led several hunts for this creature, but without success. It hides and turns a deaf ear to the challenge of the brave hunter. The warrior crossed his arms, as if to make me dare to laugh at his efforts.

"Our shaman, Nashoba, had a vision. He said maybe there was a pale man willing to help. The man swallowed in fear. He knows what we are capable of. He also knew that he was standing in the wilderness without weapons or plans.

However, I was curious about this beast.

Baudouin told me that vampires can't feed on animals, and in fact, the blood of beasts lacks the vitality I crave. That being said, I managed to suck blood from werewolves, but I don't quite believe that a seven-foot-tall, fur-covered wolf hybrids still qualify as Homo sapiens.

Sure, strictly speaking, he's a cursed human, but with that form......

Can I feed on magical beasts and become stronger?

I'd love to give it a try. At least I can use it as a distraction.

"What do you offer in exchange?"

The interpreter turned to his chief, and the two argued for a while, before finally the leader pointed at Nashoda with a smirk. His companion frowned, but still made a request.

"Minco said that if you kill the beast, we will let the shaman drink it for you."

I remained silent and did not move. This is not right. Only a free person can be a supplicant. Only what is available for free can be put to good use.

My non-response yielded the desired results. The two men began to move nervously, Minko holding his spear and the wood creaking.

I turned to the kneeling shaman.

If I do as your princes say, you will willingly give me your blood.

"Forgive me, pale man, our shaman can't speak......"

"Sacrifice your blood and put earrings on you, so that you may hide better, thorn and hungry child."

He blinked slowly, first one and then the other, like a wave. One of his pupils is much larger than the other.

The young man was as mad as a March hare, and I had to be cautious not to believe every word he said. This is wrong. No sooner had I walked to the clearing than Nashoba appeared. Considering our respective speeds, he may have left his village before I noticed the lighthouse. It is no coincidence that he also spoke in tongues twice.

It is said that genius and madness go hand in hand. Maybe there is some truth to that.

He also gave me something I didn't ask for. Earrings that can help me hide them? Does he know why I need these things? Does he see my future?

This person is dangerous. Maybe I should have killed him before he betrayed me.

No, it's not right, and the supplicant shouldn't be harmed. What was I thinking?

"Agreed."

The shaman nodded, as if my agreement was beyond doubt. He stood up and gestured to one side of the valley, which went deeper into the native land. A low slope leads to a sparse canopy with occasional glimpses of grey water.

As a gesture of kindness, I nodded to his two companions, but they just stared at me in horror. It's a bit rude, although I'm not resentful. Their fears are not unfounded.

I grabbed my backpack and set off, and so did they.

As soon as I was out of sight, I changed into a combat uniform. The clothes that used to be spotless now have bloody knife wounds, bloody gunshot wounds, blood stains on the left shoulder, and burn marks. So it smells a bit stinky too. I really need to stop and do some laundry.

Ariana, the vampire who washes the bloody rags in the moonlight. Maybe I should sing too.

I soon reached the edge of the swamp. Now, how do you proceed? My prey is either in the water or next to a body of water that can hold it. Even taking into account the exaggeration, this beast should be huge, and only the largest ponds are suitable for its habitat. I have reason to believe I can feel the magic of it.

My plan is already in place. I'm going to walk along the pond mentioned earlier, keeping my senses sharp. I'll start on the left, go around the swamp, and go inside. I'll use this opportunity to find a hiding place if this mission proves too hard for a night.

I nodded to myself and off I went, spending hours searching. At this time of year, the swamp is unusually quiet. Wisps of mist swirl over the water and around the bare trees. Their jet-black limbs stretched out like the withered hands of old women, ready to snatch and strangle. Only the sound of my travel boots in a strange pool broke the ominous silence. Finally, I found the first trace of my prey.

Under a knotted root, I found a broken arm. Only a keen sense of smell led me to a relatively fresh appendage. Its shoulder was cut off, and I pushed it with one shoe, staring at the terrible wound.

I counted three tooth marks. The whole shoulder.

Aha.

I slowly backed away, and when I stepped on a hole, I almost lost my footing. I cursed as I quickly regained my balance, and I stopped when I realized what I had walked into.

It's a footprint.

It...... Quite large.

It's really big.

Sure, it won't be that big, right? When Iskani said that the creature was the length of three people, he was joking, right? It's poetic indulgence, right? Its feet are very, very large. Right?

Oh my God.

That thing must be as big as a damn elephant! Leave my rifle alone; I should have brought a naval cannon, no, a frigate, fully equipped naval forces!

Do I really agree to go to this behemoth? Am I crazy?

Forget it, it's better to coat the entire swamp with black tar and set it on fire. Problem solved.

I stayed like this for a few seconds, but my cold would soon come back. It's a hunt. Prey is deadly, and so am I.

I fastened my backpack, took out my pistol, and loaded it with a silver bullet. If the beast attacks me, I will rely on my speed to shoot and stab it in the eye. Alligators have small brains and no armor for their eyes. OK.

I hope.

After a few more minutes, I stopped when I saw something promising. Farther inland there is a small lake, and parts of the shore of the lake have little vegetation. I tiptoed closer, and my suspicions were confirmed. There were some stumps and dead trees, as if something huge had passed by a few times. This could be the nest of my prey. I started walking along the edge until I picked up something, an aura of life.

When I realized two problems, I left the water's edge. First of all, it doesn't come from the water, but from the woods a few steps away. Secondly, this is wrong.

This aura doesn't feel like what a swamp animal should be. Yes, it is powerful, but as strong as a mountain, as strong as steel. It's indestructible, it's indestructible, and it's ancient.

I turned to the source of fire, aimed the pistol, and pulled the trigger. Without prompting, a nightmarish form stood up.

Up, up.

In order to...... ......

It's an abomination! An insectoid creature covered in moss and withered grass, with two arms and legs, and ......

Oh.

It was a very tall, very strong man, dressed in a strange black iron armor covered with camouflage.

"Are you alright, little girl?"

With an annoyed click, I shut my mouth and put my pistol in my holster. I must have looked like a terrified hillbilly just now. What a shame! Giant insects? Please.

"Well, yes, I am, thank you for your greetings, sir?"

The man in front of me is a force of nature. He's the tallest person I've ever met, and his shoulders match the rest of his body. What can be seen uncovered by the armor are scarred muscles and tanned skin. The armor itself is a magical thing. It looks like it was built with a locomotive, with a large number of rivets and attachments, and is shaped like a giant beetle. There are even gauges and buttons everywhere. He wears a conical half-helmet and a pair of glasses that look like tinted monocles, and I can't see his expression. The rest of his face was covered with a thick beard, which was located under a large, rosy nose.

Very personal!

"Rose of Scolag, girl, it's a pleasure to meet you."

The man's voice was deep and cultured. It was much softer than I expected, even with a bit of gritty texture.

"Ariana," I replied as I bowed. It's new and exciting!" May I ask what you want to ambush here?"

"Of course. I'm on the hunt for a giant alligator that has been terrorizing the locals. ”

I froze.

Is it?

"Maybe the three Choctaws made you do this?"

"Ah, did you see their ads too?"

Hi! Of course! They just take all those who have a chance and then throw them at their questions. Is this a scam? Am I being scammed?

"May I ask what compensation you received?"

"A few pieces of obsidian. Don't be too fancy. What about you?"

"A trinket and I can also drink shamanic water."

Oops, I said it in such a hurry! Instead of answering, he made a whirring and clicking sound from his helmet, and the lens of his left eye was replaced by a red one.

"Ah, a vampire. I never thought it would be so far from the big settlement. Well, to be honest, I'm more interested in the scales of the beast, which, unfortunately, refuses to come out and attack me. I was going to wait where it went, but your arrival changed everything. Tell me, how did you notice me, girl?"

"I ......"

I hesitated. The man held up a hand.

"I apologize for my faux pas, vampire. It's been a while since I've had a proper discussion, and understandably, I'm rusty. ”

He stood straighter, his armor creaking and making noises, like an old barn holding him. That thing must have weighed a ton!

"Hmph, hmph, I, Ross of Scolag, would like to invite you to cooperate in the hunt. Since our prizes are different, there is no reason for us to compete. Instead, I would like to ask you to perceive my presence with your keen senses. In return, I will cover you and provide ranged support to defeat the beast. ”

I didn't see the man with a field gun.

"Tell me, then, what are you going to use to pierce its thick leather?"

"I thought you'd never ask, little girl."

Loth turned and leaned forward. There were a few jingles, a few grunts, and finally he turned around and proudly showed me his weapon, which he placed in front of his hip.

"Oh my God, it's so big!"

He smiled as I admired his gear. It looks like a harpoon launcher taken from the deck of a whaling ship. It is huge and no one has been able to use this monster.

"yes, wait for me to shoot."

My poor pistol was not enough in comparison. Oh, what an unpleasant feeling.

"Before I agree, I want to ask you a few questions. Buzz. You're not human, are you?"

The man stopped moving.

"What...... What exposes it?"

"Hmph, you have an aura, but you're not a mage, and your size, your strange armor, oversized harpoon......"

"yes, well, what about my voice?" How I talk and behave? Close your eyes for a moment and imagine us having this conversation in a nice salon, okay? Am I going to look weird?"

"This conversation? The one where we hunted a giant magical alligator together at night on the Choctaw's territory in exchange for blood and obsidian shards?"

He nodded frantically.

"Ahh

"Strength! You've made me worry for a while, girl. It's been three months since I've had a presentation this long! I was worried that I would look special. Do you know? Edge? Crazy? Isolation will make you like this. ”

"I ...... I understand. Wait, you haven't spoken to anyone in three months! What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm looking for a magical hide."

“…”

“…”

"Magical crocodile skin?"

"Yes, miss, that's fine, that's why I need your help!" When I saw the towering magic pillars that those lads had erected and heard their marriage proposals, I thought I was blessed. But the beast is cunning! It will dodge crowds and things that are too big. I move around; Foul language that can be heard from here to the North Pole, even showing my ass, but it was all in vain! Beasts won't take the bait. I've been trapped in that armor for three days now! Do you know how hard it can be when your heart is tickling......"

Is there anything to blame for this man?!

"Are you alright, girl?"

With a click, I shut my mouth. I just want to know what he is! How did we talk about his itchy crotch? Parameter!

"Oh, you ask me what it is. Well, I'm a vampire. ”

I stared silently.

"Hey, don't look at me like that!" I'm telling the truth. I'm probably the only Devre on this continent, well, the only one of pure blood, who knows what he is. ”

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we have a very low birth rate, and yes, we're very close to humans and most people can't see it, so many of us just marry into human families. Why, my second wife is human!"

"What's wrong with her?" Where is she?"

"She's dead of old age!" That was about 300 years ago. ”

"What? How old are you?"

"yes, little girl, that's a bit personal, isn't it?"

Isn't it a personal vendetta to tell me about the condition of his panties? Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons! Man, I swear.

"We are close to stone and steel. It always has been. We love metal and magic, and we use it well! Hey, I made that thing myself! By the way, we also like good wine. Girls, boys! Ah, we can live a long time. My maternal grandfather, Locke, may God bless him, he was already an adult when Rome fell to the Hun nouveau riche. He might well be alive, if it weren't for his banshee's wife......"

I spent three full minutes listening to the man talk about his cousins in Norway and Rabony, and things like that, and I became more and more worried. I believe that the people of the Choctaw tribe will not speak of me, not because I believe in their honesty, but because not a single worthy warrior will admit to having asked a foreign woman for help.

I'm going to kill Rose, though. He has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can't keep his mouth shut. However, the more he said, the more I understood the issue.

Loth is a battle-hardened veteran who wears magical armor of his own making. I'd rather try my luck with a crocodile with my bare hands.

Can I wait until he lets his guard down? He'll be able to get out when the hunt is over. I can still kill our prey with him, though I don't like to murder someone who fights alongside me.

Then after three weeks, their wives found out that the twins had switched places, hahahaha! Lok

i and Takk are really pranksters!"

"Roth of Scolag?"

"Huh?"

"I suggest we kill the crocodile together. Take as many skins as you want, and I can taste its blood, and then we'll go back to the tribe and claim our respective rewards. Do you agree?"

"Yes, of course, girl, it works for me. We've dragged it on long enough. ”

Whose fault is this, you long-tongued woman! Hi!

"Then let's go."

I walked forward, closer to the water's edge, and Loth covered me from farther away. When I asked him this question, he replied that trolls would only chase "cute, juicy targets" and that I shouldn't worry about my "pretty head" because it could "put Francesca (F.) a hundred paces away."

a

cisca) into the nostrils of the trolls". , whatever that means, so I'm "guarded like a dragon's ball." Since then, I've decided not to ask any more questions.

Loth is blunt, vulgar, and talkative, but when I give him my back, I have no doubt that he will only protect mine. My gut instinct agrees.

I don't want to fight him, but I don't want to fall into the hands of vampires again......

We went around the whole pond without success, and the stranger took me to another lake, where our goal might have been to rest.

"You know, there's a wetland tree on the east side of here, and its roots are bare. If you want me to say, it's a bit indecent. If you think about it, they will show their bare legs to everyone. ”

"You know, this mud reminds me of Aunt Gerda's cooking. She couldn't cook a decent meal to save her life. We used to say, spit it out and it will taste better a second time! I remember even that hungry fox......"

"You know, I think the vampire should have said last night, because it was never yesterday technically."

He never shut up.

I know a few nasty words can shut him up. I didn't say. It would be unwise to oppose him now.

Who am I lying to, I understand him perfectly. He spent three months alone, and now he has someone with whom he can talk about what happened 200 years ago without being seen as crazy.

He is also the only Dwig in the neighborhood. I know I'm supposed to avoid the other vampires like the plague, but at least they're still there. I'm not the only one of my kind. I have Jime

a。 I have my father and Ancha. Loth was alone.

How can someone so old still be so lonely?

"Okay, classmates, I hope I didn't bother you because of my nonsense, right?"

"Not at all, Rose. Should we continue as before?"

"Understood, that's all. Keep your eyes open, I think it's right. ”

Let's keep walking. The stillness of the swamp upset me. At the same time, I felt more and more sluggish. Monotonous searching and active hunting are not the same, because I eat almost as soon as I wake up, so I ......

There was a voice behind me. I turned around.

Huge chins.

Impossible, impossible! I didn't feel anything?!

I move, and it will compensate. With a snap, it shut.

Her husband knows.

Dragging. Stuck. Trapped. It must be cut.

This thing was so fast, its skin was so thick, it dragged me away. My head was submerged. I have muddy water in my mouth; I have muddy water in my lungs. It hurts my heart. My leg hurts.

Ignore the pain and kill the fight.

I grabbed the silver dagger and stabbed it wherever I could: in my nostrils, in my gums, in a broken tooth. I fought like a fury. I grabbed my chin and tried to push it away.

Suddenly, I surfaced.

I managed to open its nightmare stomach and save a bleeding leg. I crawled away. The beast remained motionless.

I coughed up a mouthful of slightly salty liquid. I turned around again. It's dead. I coughed harder.

"Ariane".

I'm fine, I'm okay, I'm okay...

"Ariana! You're safe, classmate, it's all over. We killed it. ”

"Ahem, I'm ...... Ahem, I didn't feel it coming at all! Cough!"

"Yes, I understand now that it can hide its existence. I kept looking at the water and didn't see anything. Its eyes should be visible. ”

I stared at the carcass of the beast. The crocodile is as large as expected, and its scales are completely black. The darkness is so intense that it seems to devour the light. Even the corridors of the arena have never been so dim. The behemoth had a huge harpoon stuck in its eye on the hilt of the sword. A clear liquid slowly drip from its side.

It's an incredible shot. Ross did what he said.

After a pause, the man continued.

"Taste the blood, and then we can go back. I'll skin it at dawn tomorrow. ”

Yes, I shouldn't allow myself to be distracted by the near-death experience of a giant lizardman.

I picked up a knife and stabbed it in the throat. A thin trail of blood dripped down. I had to hurry up before the energy wore off.

I swallowed.

“Ble

gh.”

So bitter! It's completely undrinkable! I can feel its power, but I can't stand its medium.

"Yes, I think it may be. I met vampires in Boston, you know? Some of them can extract essence from the blood of magical beasts. I think it's weird that you want to drink it raw. ”

He looked at me, frowning.

It's bad and I don't want him to...

"We should go back to my camp. I have rain. Let's wash the worst parts clean. ”

I looked down at myself.

The dress was completely ruined. A huge tear from the waist down to the bottom, showing my pale left leg on top of the existing damage. It's also disgustingly dirty. The walk back to camp felt like an eternity, forever spent weeding from my hair. Eventually, we returned to where we first met.

"Come, sit."

My mind is not clear. I'm exhausted now. I still have to pack my gear and find a place to stay. It's going to be a phone closer than I wanted...

I put my knife on and put down my holster. I need to wash them thoroughly, preferably before going to bed. I really need to spend a night on supplies and cleaning... It's so annoying.

Loth grabbed a whole barrel of wine and slowly slammed it upside down on my head. I wash my hair and face. I removed the worst part of the skirt. I need clean clothes.

"Hey, girl, that hunt was a bit anticlimactic, don't you think?" We had all the anticipation, all the nervousness, and then with a bang, it was over in a second. It's a bit disappointing, you know. I hope there's something that gets the blood pumping. ”

It dawned on me that I was weak and completely unarmed. He...... He won't ......

"I know what I want to do to get a little bit of a thrill, and it's a challenge if you will. I've heard that vampires are good at this. ”

No, he wanted real hunting. I can't beat him, I'm not in good shape right now, he's dangerous, even deadly! The dagger must be restored, distance created, hidden, first aid ...

"Hey, let's do it!"

what

What?!

"What?!" I said angrily.

"yes, to celebrate this hunt, to celebrate that we're alive and the beast is dead, isn't it?" We Dve

gu

……”

His hand caressed my shoulder......

I'm crying. The placket of my dress is torn, but my right arm is still there. I grabbed around. I found a stone. This abomination has stopped moving. It's staring at me, seeing if I dare to act.

"Go ahead and try."

With a cry of defiance, I smashed the rock into its temple. I might as well hit an iron door.

"I don't think you need that arm anymore."

A heavy hand grabbed me by the shoulder.

“NOOOOOO !”

I jumped up, grabbed the knife, and swung it in front of me.

"Stay away from me!"

At first, he looked too surprised to move, then he slowly raised his hands and appeared harmless.

"You, stay away from me, don't touch me. Don't touch me. Leave. ”

"Okay."

"You, you're not near me."

"I'm not going to come closer. I'm going to sit down. ”

He did, but at the same time, he was also discouraged. I know he's the same age as me, but he looks like he's going to fall. Slowly raised his hand, opened something, and then took off his helmet, which fell to the ground with a thud. Then he waited in silence.

I realized I was out of breath. Ariana, the only hyperventilated creature that doesn't need air. Lamentable.

I'm pathetic. I was weak. I was weak. We killed the crocodile? What a joke. He killed the crocodile. I just struggled like an idiot. I'm still largely the monster who only lived four days before being abandoned by its owner. Undesirable. Bargaining chips. The laughing stock of this damn joke. Damn it.

We spent some time in this strange stalemate. I stood there with a knife in my hand trying to regain control of myself while he sat quietly, God knows what was waiting for.

"I'm sorry, Ariana."

I looked up and measured him for the first time. Now that his head was exposed, I could see that Loth had a pleasant face, a rugged gentleman's look. His hair was black, cut short, and his chestnut eyes were staring at me. Now, he looks like a defeated dog. A harpoon-equipped, heavily armed, beaten dog.

I didn't say anything.

He waited.

Why is this happening? I've been touched before, too, without triggering any memories, without turning into a trembling mess.

With the exception of my father, I have never been touched by a man who is not a cow or a beggar. They're all under my control.

To me, they're not men, really aren't. Unwilling. He is mature and strong, and we are not bound by oaths or covenants.

What am I going to do?

Overwhelmed, I looked up to the silent watchman. Once again, its quiet gaze gave me a little bit of self-control.

"You're a fugitive, aren't you?"

Okay, that's it. He saw through me. Things have come to this point. I shouldn't have agreed to a truce, I should have fought him on the spot.

I stood up.

"What if I were?"

"yes, don't twist your panties. I'm asking you because, well, because I can help you. ”

I scoffed. Does he think I'm stupid?

"Why would you do something like that?" We've just met. ”

I had to run. Even with his helmet off, I don't believe I'll be able to take him off.

Rose's expression hardened. He stood up, took a step back, and methodically removed the gauntlet. I watched as he picked up a knife and slit the palm of his hand, and I was fascinated. Blood wells. It smells good.

"I, Ross of Scolag, hereby swear that I will protect Ariana's life, liberty, and happiness until midnight next year, or I will die for it."

A powerful wave of magic swept over me. It tasted like snow, like mountains, like hard metal, all the things I wasn't familiar with, but I felt like they were familiar to me. The strength of the blood oath is staggering.

Dvigur closed his fists and kissed him, keeping his eyes fixed on me.

What? What just happened?

I don't know what to say. I certainly didn't think of that. Roth of Scolage, warrior and craftsman, if necessary, he would die to protect me. I know this as surely as I know that the sun will rise in the east. It's inevitable.

"But why?"

"Maybe I felt like a fool and ignored all the obvious signs. Maybe it's my ruthlessness that has made you go through this, and I owe it to you. , perhaps......"

He paused for a long time, and I waited quietly. This moment feels important. To interrupt him is blasphemy against him.

"Maybe I'm feeling lonely."

I pondered this strange confession for a moment. I don't understand what he's saying. I couldn't make them match my impression of him.

"I don't understand. Why are you alone when you look and speak as a human being, and you can drink, and you can eat, and you can walk in the sun?"

"You asked me such a question at such a young age...... Tyr, I should have known. "I should have noticed. Yes, humans make great companions. Did I mention my second wife, Agna?"

I nodded.

"I stayed by her side until her head turned white. Eventually, she couldn't walk anymore and could barely see. She never resented that her body would collapse, and I was going to keep going. ”

It was a heavy pause. The pain in his eyes was sobering.

"I was very sad when she died. I promise myself that it will never be the case again. By then our kids were all grown up, so I picked up my stuff and left. I spent a century in the mountains honing my craft. But it didn't help. To this day, I can still see her smile as a young girl, a mother, a mature woman, and me holding her hand because she can't see me anymore. If you live long enough, you'll know it too. Human life shines brightly, but it will soon fade away. I can't allow myself to be burned like that anymore. ”

"Maybe I'll die in two weeks. Fugitive, remember?"

"Maybe you won't, especially if you accept my proposal. To the effect that, maybe a hundred years from now, you will still be here. Humans won't, and there's nothing I can do. Just knowing is enough. ”

"Not to mention, when you talk about your nephew Rollo showing his ass to Edward I, people start to wonder how old you are."

"Yes, little girl, you stumped me. Rollo, two bearded men, we'll call him later!"

"Well, after listening to those words you said and your oath, I thought...... I think I'd like to hear your proposal. ”

"I'll tell you tomorrow. Now that you're all sleeping, we're going to have to find you a place to hide. ”

"Yes...... I'm afraid you'll have to carry me. ”

"That's not a problem...... Don't you want to change your clothes?" You're covered in swamp water."