It was around dawn when Fenrir opened his eyes.
"..."
Fenrir rose from his seat and looked down for a very long time at Presepe, who was sleeping peacefully in bed.
Unlike when he saw her at the mansion not long ago, Presepe was sleeping soundly. Without letting out a single painful groan or tossing and turning.
Is it because you distanced yourself from those dreadful people?
Or is it because you feel safe being with me?
Fenrir, lost in his own thoughts, let out a low smirk.
"It will gradually decrease one by one."
Those who tormented and violated you.
"So, get a good night's sleep."
A large hand with blue veins gently stroked Presepe's protruding forehead. He quietly caressed the innocent face a few times like that, then slowly left the lodging.
Carefully, lest Presepe wake up.
The person who greeted Fenrir as he came outside was Kevin, who was waiting in his armor.
"All soldiers assembled in front of the Forbidden Forest, except those who were ordered to be stationed in the village."
Kevin slowly touched his lips.
"I have firmly instructed those who will remain in the village along with Lady Presepe, so it seems you need not worry."
"Okay."
Fenrir nodded as if to say he understood.
As Kevin said, one-third of the soldiers remained in the village, and the remaining two-thirds were assembled in the Forbidden Forest.
Since he was moving with Siegfried and the Knights, the possibility that they could do anything to Presepe was low, but she absolutely could not be left alone while they were away.
He wanted to station everyone there, but no one knew what would happen in the Forbidden Forest.
To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that we don't know what might happen in the process of eliminating Siegfried.
"What are the movements of Siegfried and the Knights?"
"There was nothing special. They say they are waiting after checking only the entrance to see if any new monsters have appeared, just as they always do. However..."
Kevin trailed off for a moment, then quickly scanned his surroundings. After thoroughly confirming that no one was around, he continued speaking in a low, whispering voice.
"I am a little worried. After all, the Grand Duke, I, and the soldiers are not accustomed to the terrain of the Forbidden Forest."
"..."
"If they happen to escape, the situation is going to get a bit complicated."
It was only natural that Kevin was so worried.
If Fenrir were to instantly cut off Siegfried's lifeline, the job would be done cleanly. There would be suspicious people, but since it was the Forbidden Forest of all places, it would be easy to pass it off as the work of a monster.
But what if Siegfried, injured in the attack, manages to escape?
So, what if he joins the other Knights, survives, and reports what happened in the Forbidden Forest to Dietrich?
The consequences were obvious. Fenrir would become a traitor and be executed immediately.
"It’s a shame for Siegfried, but that won’t happen."
However, Fenrir parted his lips with the same normal expression as usual, showing not the slightest trace of worry.
"He needs to keep his head attached so he can escape."
"..."
"It can't be that you don't know, Kevin. How I got to where I am today."
Fenrir was right. Kevin knew it better than anyone. The fact that Fenrir had never once failed to eliminate a target.
“When I give the signal.”
Fenrir said in a low voice.
"Deal with the Knights. I'll take care of Siegfried."
“Yes, I understand.”
Watching Fenrir mount the horse without a moment's hesitation, Kevin swallowed hard to himself. Then, he sincerely prayed that he could return to the village safely with him today.
***
When she opened her eyes, no one was to be seen around. It seemed that Fenrir and Kevin had gone to the Forbidden Forest, just as they had said yesterday.
And around noon, Malea arrived cautiously with food in her hands.
"These are things Vanessa liked. Please give them a try."
To be honest, the food was completely different from what was eaten at the Imperial Palace or Fenrir's mansion.
Things like hard bread that would have been as dry as a rock even when freshly made, with nothing but butter to eat with it, or steak made of cheap meat that is incredibly tough, or fruit juice that is sour enough to make your tongue tingle.
However, Presepe ate the food Malea prepared with gratitude and relish.
...It is not difficult to imagine how much Vanessa, who simply loved such simple food, must have missed her hometown while eating the delicacies of the imperial palace.
"Would you like to take a look around Vanessa's house?"
And when Presepe finished her meal, Malea asked with a big smile.
"You said you wanted to go. I can guide you..."
They said that soldiers were guarding every corner of the village. And since Fenrir also said she could roam around freely, it seemed like that much would be fine even without Kevin.
"Yes. Then I'll do that."
Since it was the house where Vanessa had lived before going to the Imperial Palace, there might be a clue there. So, Presepe nodded, and not long after, she left the old house with Malea.
Vanessa's house was located near the west side of the mind.
"..."
Presepe, standing there blankly, just stared at the small house for a moment without saying a word.
"It's very worn out, isn't it?"
Malea muttered, making a needlessly embarrassed expression.
"I understand your surprise. Since you have only ever lived in the Imperial Palace, a place like this must be very unfamiliar to you, Lady Presepe."
It would have been a relief if the house could be described simply with the short word 'old.' However, Vanessa's house looked like a ruin itself.
It wasn't just because no one lives there now; it seemed like it would have been like this even when she was alive.
"Shall we go in first?"
As Presepe nodded, Malea reached out and opened the closed door.
As expected from the claim that it was being used as a village warehouse, there was no lock on the door.
As the old door opened with a creaking, eerie sound, a musty smell wafted out.
"It's a bit cramped. It was always like that, but people have brought all their unused belongings here."
Indeed, all sorts of stuff were shoved inside. Worn-out farm tools, or dusty bundles of unknown contents.
"Watch your step. There are mice."
No wonder she heard a thumping sound. Feeling slightly intimidated, Presepe entered Vanessa's house.
"I roughly packed Vanessa's things, but now everything is all mixed up, so I think I need to check them again."
Malea looked around the messy and unkempt interior.
"Please stay seated, Lady Presepe. We must not let you get hurt."
Presepe did not give any answer.
Instead, she stared at the narrow staircase in front of her, which was completely pitch black because not even a single star was shining through.
"Malea, could you check here to see if Mother's things are here?"
"Lady Presepe?"
"I'll go down there."
Malea's gaze followed Presepe's gaze.
"Ah. But there probably isn't much to see there. It was used as a warehouse even when Vanessa lived there, and now it's really packed full of other stuff..."
"I'll just take a look around. Please let me know when you find my mother's luggage."
"Then shall I go with you? That place is too dark and dirty."
"I'll take this. I can manage on my own."
Presepe picked up one of the two candles Malea had brought and spoke.
"Yes. Do you have to call me right away if anything happens?"
Although worry was still visible on Malea's face, it seemed there was nothing more to add since she said she would go alone. Besides, it was right around the corner.
“See you later.”
Presepe left a short answer and began to carefully descend the dark stairs.
'It wouldn't be strange even if a ghost popped out.'
The rotting wooden stairs creaked with every step. Carefully descending to the bottom, he saw a slightly ajar door. The basement door opened without resistance, just as it had when he entered the house, and soon an intensely pungent smell of mold enveloped Presepe.
"This..."
Presepe, covering her nose with one hand, carefully put the candle down.
The cramped basement was packed with stuff, just like the floor upstairs. Rusty shelves here and there were piled high with items, so much so that it was a miracle they hadn't collapsed, and in the cobweb-covered corners, old, yellowed books were stacked.
Presepe began to slowly scan the luggage, swallowing even the dust.
And, not long after...
She felt something brush against the top of her foot.
As Malea said, it was impossible to tell whether it was a rat or a bug.
Presepe let out a short scream of shivers and spread her legs, but tripped over her luggage and fell straight down.
“Ugh!”
There was no need to say more about what happened afterward. The shelf, which had been precariously supporting itself, collapsed helplessly like a domino, and thick, acrid dust filled the entire field of vision.
“Cough..."
It was the moment Presepe covered her mouth and scowled intensely, thinking that Vanessa, the neighborhood people, and everyone else must all be mixed up by now.
"...Uh?"
Presepe's distorted eyes narrowed.
That innermost corner.
Very finely, over the hazy dust.
However, it was because of a faint light that was clearly visible.
"..."
Presepe carefully walked to the front of the corner and slowly bent over.
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