By Zephyria 
Cecile paused mid-step. He glanced at the arrow embedded in the ground before lifting his gaze again.
The bewildered face of Claude, the shocked expression of Yuria, and the impassive demeanor of Alexis sequentially registered in his mind.
Even in the shaded forest, Alexis’s platinum hair shone as if it contained all the light in the world. Perhaps it was because he had finally confirmed the presence of the person he had been desperately searching for. Cecile felt a sudden release of tension, and his knees trembled. He mustered his strength and took another step forward.
“What’s going on?”
Alexis asked in a cold voice. It almost sounded like a warning not to come any closer. His expression, which had been gentle just moments ago, suddenly turned as frigid as a winter’s chill.
Cecile swallowed hard. Although Alexis’s unwavering demeanor felt a bit harsh, there was something more important at stake right now.
Wasn’t boldness his specialty? Ignoring Alexis’s cold reception, he poured out the purpose of his visit without hesitation.
“Beatrice needs to be evacuated from the hunting grounds immediately. It’s dangerous for her to stay here.”
“Why?”
“The Empress’s people will be on the move. They will likely target Beatrice. We must get her to safety as quickly as possible.”
“Aren’t you one of the Empress’s people as well? If anything, you, Cecile, are the closest to the Empress. What makes you think we should trust you?”
“…Are you suggesting that I am plotting something?”
Cecile slowly wiped the sweat from his face. He had rushed here without thinking, only to be met with cold disdain.
He swallowed the rising sorrow that threatened to choke him. Clenching his trembling fists, Cecile stared directly at Alexis.
“Regardless of what you think, please just follow my lead for now. We don’t have time to waste.”
“…….”
A fierce exchange of glances ensued, akin to a battle of wills.
Alexis scrutinized Cecile’s disheveled appearance and wet hair. Although he had no trust in Cecile, for some reason, his eyes did not seem to be lying. He had no choice but to believe him.
“Claude, we’ll finish up here and head back.”
“Your Highness!”
Claude immediately expressed his opposition to Alexis’s decision. He shook his head, grinding his teeth, but the Crown Prince had already made up his mind. It was not easy to sway his resolute will.
“Yuria and I will return first, so you set off the fireworks. Then gather the remaining attendants.”
Just as Alexis was giving his orders, an arrow shot through the air, piercing the space between Alexis and Yuria before embedding itself in a thick tree trunk.
“Who is it?!”
Claude quickly drew his sword. His sharp gaze examined the arrow lodged in the tree. Given the lack of markings on the fletching, it was clear that it was not an arrow used by participants.
Proving that this was no coincidence, figures wearing black masks emerged from the dense underbrush. From a distance, they pulled back their bows, and arrows were released in a simultaneous volley.
The rain of arrows all aimed at one target. Their intent was clear.
“Yuria!”
Alexis instinctively shielded Yuria with his body. As he crouched down, arrows flew overhead, thudding into the ground behind them.
“Get down! I’ll handle the assassins, Your Highness, you need to take Yuria and get out of here quickly…!”
Before he could finish his sentence, arrows flew again, and Claude swiftly raised his shield to block the incoming projectiles. Despite the sudden onslaught, the commander handled the situation with seasoned skill.
“Yuria, are you okay? Can you stand?”
Fortunately, Yuria had been living in the Black Forest for a long time, making her braver than most women. Though her complexion paled slightly, she quickly regained her composure and nodded.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Let’s go, we need to run to where the horses are….”
“Ahhh!”
As Alexis was looking after her, he turned at the sound of a desperate scream.
The moment he saw the ruined base, he unconsciously clenched his teeth. The assassins had closed in, brutally slaughtering the attendants and the horses they had ridden.
In an instant, he felt trapped. They had ventured too deep, and it would take a long time to ride back out of the hunting grounds.
“Cecile.”
“The horse I rode is still fine.”
Without needing to say much, Cecile understood Alexis’s intent and responded. A silent exchange of glances passed between them. This was not the time for hesitation.
He gently nudged Yuria forward towards Cecile. Alexis immediately drew his Long Sword, preparing for battle.
“I’ll follow shortly. Just make sure you get out safely.”
“What about you?”
“Go now!”
With that, Alexis swung his sword. He plunged it deep into the side of an approaching assassin without a sound. His elegant and swift movements sent blood splattering in all directions. The once lush forest was soon filled with the metallic scent of blood.
Cecile, who could not bear to leave Alexis behind, steeled himself and turned back. He ran towards where he had left the horses, gripping Yuria’s wrist tightly.
“Hold on tight.”
Cecile helped Yuria onto the horse before quickly mounting behind her. As the target attempted to flee, the assassins charged, but they were repeatedly blocked by the Crown Prince and the commander.
A fierce battle ensued. There were about twenty assassins, all skilled in swordsmanship, likely trained somewhere. But they were no match for Alexis and Claude.
Cecile pushed aside his worries and gripped the reins tightly. The only thing he could do here was to get Yuria to safety.
“Hyah!”
With a powerful shout, the horse galloped forward. They quickly sped down the forest path, leaving the brutal scene of slaughter behind.
After about five minutes of running, Cecile hastily pulled on the reins, abruptly stopping the horse. The sudden halt caused the horse to rear up, and Yuria stumbled, flattening herself against the horse.
“Damn it!”
Cecile glared at the beast that appeared before him. The basilisk, which was supposed to be the only one released in the hunting grounds, had chosen this moment to show itself.
The creature was enormous, easily the size of a warhorse. Even though it was a beast released for hunting, its ferocity was unmatched.
Of course. The one who captured it would be declared the victor. It had to be a beast that no one could challenge lightly.
The basilisk lumbered forward, its thick legs moving slowly, as if waiting for the right moment to pounce.
Its black fur glistened, and its yellow eyes gleamed as it bared its sharp teeth, drooling as it eyed Cecile and Yuria.
“What do we do about that?”
“We have no choice but to run.”
Cecile answered calmly, but he was not without fear.
His grip on the reins was slick with sweat, and cold beads of perspiration trickled down his back. Would the horse really be able to outrun that thing? He tried to push the thought away. There was no other option.
As the fierce search continued, Cecile struck the horse’s flank hard. The horse, momentarily subdued by the basilisk’s presence, suddenly regained its senses and bolted in a new direction. At the same time, the basilisk’s roar echoed through the air.
In an instant, the beast leaped forward, chasing after the horse and clawing at its glistening body. The steed could not withstand the surprise attack and collapsed. Yuria and Cecile, who were riding on top, fell to the ground as well.
“Ugh!”
Cecile rolled several times before crashing into a tree trunk. His back and shoulders throbbed painfully, but he quickly pushed himself up.
Yuria had been thrown to the opposite side, while the basilisk was preoccupied with tearing into the fallen horse.
Perhaps driven mad by the scent of blood, the basilisk became even more ferocious, gnawing at the horse’s flesh. The horse, struggling in pain, eventually succumbed and lay still. In the quiet forest, only the sounds of the beast feasting and the heavy breaths of the two humans echoed.
Cecile locked eyes with Yuria, who was a distance away. Sending her a silent question of whether she was okay, she nodded, her face pale with fear. She had some red scratches on her cheeks and cheekbones, but it seemed she was not seriously injured.
Cecile, enduring the pain, scanned the surroundings. There was no one to help, and he could not shout for assistance. Now was the only chance to escape while the beast was distracted by its meal.
Cecile quietly picked up a few arrows, a bow, and a dagger that had fallen to the ground, moving as slowly and cautiously as possible. Just as he was about to kneel down.