Chapter 44

Crisis (5)

“You were the one who got hurt. I was treated.”

“I’m sorry.”

She bent her head reflexively and grabbed the end of the sheet more tightly. Nothing came out of her mouth but an apology.

“So why are you apologizing?”

A corner of her heart rattled at the calm anger she heard from Ragnar’s voice.

“Angry……Aren’t you?”

“Well, it’s difficult if my fiance gets hurt all the time.”

The word “difficult” could be interpreted in many ways. If she suddenly gets hurt or dies, their contract will be terminated. That would be really difficult.

“I, I was certain that I would not die.”

It’s a lie. It doesn’t matter if she’s dead. But she had to tell a lie because she didn’t want to be caught.

“Yes.”

As she saw him sighing and pressing under his eyes, she felt emotional.

“Are you okay now?”

Her healing ability increases her regeneration. However, the more serious the injury is, the more pain that comes after regeneration. It used to take about a week for an injury of this severity to recover. The pain was also concentrated because it was done in only a few hours.

However, it was fine because she looked fine on the outside. Her regenerative barrel is in the domain of ‘okay’ for her.

“As you can see.”

She forced her left hand to open and close. However, she could not hide the reflexive spasm of her fingertips.

“You’re not okay.”

“There’s no problem.”

Then Ragnar grabbed Christa’s left hand.

“Look, you can’t even use your strength.”

“It’ll be all right in a little while.”

“I said it isn’t.”

Rather, it was Ragnar who was injured. Christa plucked up the courage and pulled her left hand. It’s already the second time.

“Don’t do this next time.”

“It’s up to you to do it.”

There were several stages of guiding. The most basic step is mental communication. It was kind of like meditation. The next step is physical contact. The stronger and deeper the contact, the stronger the effect. The most effective procedure is the exchange of body fluids.

A guide’s blood was the main component in the inhibitor given to Esper above Class C. Therefore, it is said that Espers kidnaps guides and extracted only their blood.

Ragnar was already the only guide who’s a complete soldier, but usually, guides were commoners.

“So don’t come back injured.”

“I can’t help it this time…….”

Christa had to close her eyes slightly, mesmerized. She can feel warm energy between her wrists. She can smell a strong scent. It was strange. The pain in her fingertips, which had been throbbing for a while, is gradually disappearing.

She wanted more of this. She took a deep breath again as if she didn’t want to miss this scent at all. The senses of her body awakened sharply. Heat ran through her body.

She feels the coolness when her breath gets tight from the heat. It was perhaps because his hands were this cold, or because Christa’s body was heated. The coolness exhilarated her. She felt like she was going to lose her mind. To get more of this, she wanted to dig through the inside of his skin right away.

She breathed in again. She wanted to gobble it up. She had to put up with it. She slightly moistened her dry lips. She licked her lips a few times. She was nervous.

At that moment, a soft breath touched her lips. They indulged in each other; it doesn’t matter who started it first. His tongue filled her mouth as soon as her colorful, excited breath burst out.

****

“Yes, Sebek is here.”

Ragnar carefully grabbed Christa’s left hand and put it on his cheek.

“Is it common for demon beasts to appear in this forest?”

“It was common, if it was about 50 years ago.”

Sebek was originally a marsupial in the swamp. There were no swamps in the imperial forest, as they know it. However, there were more than one or two things that were unclear from the appearance of such a beast. Plus that corsage. It was a very strange incident.

“I have one more question. Can you tame a demon beast?”

“A demon beast?”

It was impossible in Christa’s common sense. A demon beast was something that never followed a person’s will. Even if they were locked up and raised, they quickly died of illness.

“At that time, the demon beast moved as if it was aiming for something. It’s not just about attacking people, it’s about certain things…… it aimed.”

“Even if you can’t tame a demon, you can make it aim for something.”

At least he knew someone who could do such a thing. After the destruction of the ether, the mage devoted himself to such research. Anything that can replace magic.

“I’ll have to investigate a little more.”

Ragnar says so and puts his face close to Christa. Christa was embarrassed for a moment and pushed Ragnar.

“Don’t we have to go to the banquet?”

“You don’t have to go out.”

“No, it’s fine. I can move far enough now.”

Her headache is gone, too. In addition, the goal of today’s hunting festival was to announce their wedding. She had been preparing for this day, so she couldn’t skip this.

After arguing for a long time, she finally pulled a string and called the maids. Soon Hilda and Annette came in and picked up a dress and jewelry.

The dress that she decided to wear to the banquet was a red dress that she had set before. The somewhat provocative color and bold design matched Christa’s eye color and were beautiful.

“Maybe we’ll see something interesting in the banquet hall.”

“What is it?”

“The demon beast that you caught has become the greatest prey on this hunting festival.”

In the aftermath of the demon beast’s appearance, a large beast disappeared. Even Ragnar went after it. Unofficially, of course.

“Oh, is that so?”

Ragnar chuckled at the answer.

“Oh, is that so? What do you mean? Don’t you want to see how much our reputation has gone up thanks to you?”

Isn’t a reputation acquired without her even realizing it should not be called a reputation, but a bad reputation instead? Her shoulders shrank automatically.

“I was going to dedicate the best game of the year to my fiance…….”

“…….”

“On the contrary, you took it.”

Somehow her face burned like it’s on fire.

“I, I’m sorry.”

“I should be the one apologizing. But thanks to you, things became easier.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s probably the best scenario. There’s never been a woman who’s sworn her love in the hunting festival in history.”

She didn’t intend to swear her love in particular, but there seemed to be such a rumor.

“That…….”

“As expected, I should have made a ribbon too.”

The two giggled.

****

The banquet was able to be held because Christa’s injury was thoroughly hidden. The seven-day hunting festival was shortened due to the appearance of the demon beast, but the banquet was held as scheduled.

However, it was a humble banquet in many ways. Because of the appearance of the demon beast, all the prey has disappeared.

Wouldn’t it be too shabby an achievement to give a sword of victory to the knights who have caught squirrels and rabbits? In the end, the royal family had no choice but to acknowledge Christa’s contribution.

The female knight who took care of Sebek, a demon beast. It was even an act to save the Countess who was in danger. Her weapon, at best, is a dagger the size of the palm of a hand. She deserves to be praised for her knightly act.

It was customary for the winner of the competition to dedicate the game of the year to their lover.

“My fiance brought the best game, so it’s up to her to propose.”

Besides, Ragnar kept on saying this. In a good or bad sense, the two stood out.

Many at the banquet speculated that the cold-blooded woman could not have caught the demon beast with just a dagger.