Chapter 14: A Fateful Encounter

In no time, his wound had healed. Lara couldn’t believe her eyes as she slightly opened her mouth, and at that moment, Creon’s eyes twitched. When he opened his eyes, the first person he met was Elina II.

“Oh, you’re awake? Are you alright?”

“……”

Creon, who had pressed his nose against Elina II’s hand, sniffed and then backed away. Something was off about what should have been the image of a big, loyal hound. Just as Lara was thinking that, Creon’s gaze shifted to her.

“…grrrr.”

A fierce growl echoed from his throat. Lara flinched at his glowing golden eyes and quickly hid the bloodstained book behind her back.

‘No matter how you look at it, he isn’t the typical hound hero, is he? There’s something odd about this guy.’

‘What do you mean by that?!’

Lara, startled by the sight of the hound hero almost leaping toward her to bite, shielded her head with both arms.

At that moment, Elina II quietly stepped in front of Lara. Then, as if to subdue the hound, she glared fiercely at him and slowly advanced toward the man larger than herself. Anxious Creon let out a low growl as he hesitated and slowly backed toward the wall.

“Backing off means you’re downright terrified right now.”

Without a hint of retreat, Elina II closed the gap, blocking Creon’s path. She extended her leg to ensure he couldn’t slip away, maintaining a tense standoff. It was as if a seasoned trainer had taken over.

“You can trust me.”

“…grrr.”

“I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“…sniff.”

Perhaps remembering the one who had once cured him, Creon cautiously inched toward Elina II. The usually timid creature accepted her affectionably.

“That’s right, you’re such a good boy. Not only are you big, but you’re also quite gentle.”

Lara, still a few steps behind, watched as Creon gently rested his head on Elina II’s shoulder. Suddenly, their eyes met as Creon parted his lips to reveal sharp fangs.

“…grrrr.”

It looked as if he needed a sign warning ‘Beware of Fierce Dog’ on his back.

‘Everything’s going too well… After all, a hound hero sticking only to a heroine is such a cliché.’

Lara mused as she walked, deliberately ignoring the heavy panting emanating from behind her.

He was a truly wild beast with hardly any human qualities. Even just watching him decide whether or not to bite was nerve-wracking; few masters of the art of push-and-pull could handle that.

Elina II simply pitied him—after years of living as a slave among other races and being treated less than human, his condition was understandable.

“I want to help him live with a bit more dignity.”

“You mean…”

“He has no guardian, no place to return to. I don’t know if I can be his rock, but I’ll help as much as I can.”

Lara watched Elina II’s earnest expression and was reminded once more of her true self.

Determined to find either her beloved hero or Lady Elina III, Lara stepped out into the corridor. But Creon, excited by the new surroundings, couldn’t stay still.

“You can’t go that way!”

“……?”

At Elina II’s firm shout, Creon hesitated before turning away. He then began to circle in place, pressing his nose against the wall as he sniffed.

Lara felt a wave of fatigue. Watching Elina II chase after him to keep him in line was impressive. Not wanting to pay too much attention, she walked straight ahead, but when the corridor suddenly grew quiet, she glanced back.

She saw Creon, wearing a collar around his neck, obediently walking by Elina II’s side—as if he were a dog out for a stroll with his owner.

“…What’s up with that leash?”

“Oh, this? I thought it’d be handy to have a dog leash, so I picked it up when I found it on the floor.”

‘Helping someone live with dignity, is it…’

A slight frown creased Lara’s brow. Could she really entrust the heroine’s fate to her? More than that, it was odd enough to find a dog leash lying in the middle of the corridor. Although the hero was the stranger here.

‘Ah, that’s right. They have something like that…’

‘I never said it was ridiculous…’

Feeling that everything was just too much, Lara resolutely kept her focus on what lay ahead. After turning a corner three times, she finally saw a group of knights stationed in front of a massive door.

Thankfully, she didn’t recognize any of them. Judging by the heavy concentration of people at this location, it looked like a slave auction was taking place. After a quick adjustment of her dress, Lara approached the knights. Instantly alert like true knights, they all turned their heads at the slightest sound.

“A princess, isn’t it?”

“Princess! It’s a relief you’re safe!”

“Please, come with me to the Duke’s estate.”

‘…And right next to her is Lady Elina III, isn’t she?’

The knights’ expressions softened as they spotted Elina II. They must have been anxious after two princesses had gone missing.

“And what about Elina III? Where is she?”

Grasping the end of the leash, Elina II approached the knights. Ignoring the curious stares of the men regarding the brawny, growling blond man, she proceeded undisturbed.

“Well… we haven’t found her yet.”

“This is serious. We have to find her immediately. Silpid!”

A small whirlwind swirled in from somewhere—perhaps summoned by the Spirit King? While Elina II earnestly addressed the air, serious reports echoed from the opposite side.

“I’ve checked the ledger recording recent sales, and it’s confirmed that Princess Elina III has been sold to a wealthy merchant named Rekal.”

“Rekal…?”

“Yes. He’s a rotund old man obsessed with money and women. He apparently frequents this place. Famous for buying up slaves in bulk, he’s treated like a high-status guest here.”

From the brief description, it was clear he was a repulsive, perverted old man. To think that Princess Elina III was sold off to someone like him…

‘Relief my foot!’

Lara unexpectedly recalled Princess Elina III’s face. Although they didn’t share many happy memories, they were still friends. The mere thought of her suffering, should the hero show up too late, sent chills down her spine.

“Lara, let’s go.”

A firm yet gentle grip seized her wrist.

“We’re going to rescue Elina III.”

Before Lara could protest, Elina II grabbed her wrist and bolted. Even Creon, mistaking it for a leisurely walk, happily bounced along. The knights quickly fell in behind to safeguard the princess.

Soon, the narrow corridor was a chaotic marathon of people. Even if it were a final battle with the Demon King, the sheer number of people heading out to fend off a perverted old man was excessive.

Just as the crowd began to jostle and threaten to engulf everyone, a man appeared in the open front gate, bathed in moonlight.

“Leave the princess to me. I’ll bring her back.”

‘That voice…!’

The impact was immense. Everyone halted and stared in his direction. Although Lara was lost among the crowd, she immediately recognized him. No one but Knight Commander Diches could command the knights like that.

“And you shall come with me as well.”

Suddenly, a deep voice resonated from directly ahead. Diches, having removed his reading glasses, was looking down at her. Judging by how the crowd split on either side of him, it seemed each person had fought their way through to reach him.

‘Could it be… me?!’

For a moment, she wondered if he had mistaken her for Elina II, but his piercing black eyes singled her out. Soon after, he withdrew her wrist from Elina II’s grasp and leaned in close as if to whisper to a lover.

“Do not ever think of straying from me, Raan.”

“Why must you whisper in my ear…!”

“It’s a shame you’d try to escape me even dressed as a woman. I’m dying to know what scheme you’ll come up with next to amuse me. One thing is certain: not even death can free you from me.”

His hot, moist breath sent goosebumps along her earlobes. The intensity of his possessiveness was less romantic and more terrifying.

“You are like the scorching sun in the desert. The closer you get, the more you make me thirst.”

‘Stop it already, it’s embarrassing!!’

Ignoring the stares around him, he began to drag Lara along with force. At that moment, even Lara didn’t know how terrifying a superior’s unwanted obsession could be or how dangerously far it might escalate.

* * *

Though she was seated on a top-notch sofa, Lara felt as if she were sitting on a bed of nails. Her breath was choked off. With eyes pinned on her like arrows, she felt as if her face were the bullseye.

“Tell me, why did you try to run away from me?”

“It wasn’t so much from you, sir. I escaped out of sheer frustration at being wrongly accused—I couldn’t be confined any longer.”

“You think that pitiful excuse will free you from me?”

His piercing glare was unforgiving.

“Yes…I truly am sorry for not living up to your expectations. Today, I’m quitting.”

Despite God’s chiding, Lara stood her ground like a determined person. From the beginning, this was how things should have been. Who knew what riches she might have enjoyed had she joined the Knight Order?

“I’m not cut out for this, and honestly, I don’t even know how to handle a sword properly.”

“Do you really think that excuse will let you escape me?”

“It’s not an excuse; it’s the truth. And besides, I…”

After a long hesitation, Lara finally managed to speak.

“I’m a woman. I deceived everyone when I joined.”

“Do you really think that excuse will let you escape me?”

“No, it’s not an excuse—it’s the truth! I don’t know how being a woman is supposed to be an excuse…”