Evenel couldn’t take her eyes off the arrow made of light.

‘The arrow was formed.’

As soon as Hibru released the bowstring, the swift arrow accurately pierced where the core was. The Laphirin fell weakly to the ground.

“Where’s the next core?”

“Left ankle.”

With an unwavering gaze, he cleanly hit the core again. The situation was perfectly resolved with just two shots.

She simply stared at him, bewildered. The feeling was entirely different from Shuher, but she felt immense power nonetheless.

Soon, Hibru extended his hand toward the sitting Evenel.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re not. The timing was perfect.”

Evenel smiled and took his hand to stand up.

“How did you do that? It was really amazing.”

“To be honest, I’m not sure. Seeing you in danger, I just moved instinctively.”

The moment he was running with Evenel behind him, he halted at a scream from behind. He felt that he would regret it forever if he ran away leaving her.

He hated that. Running away, doing nothing and giving up.

The moment that resolution set in, he simply moved as instinct guided him. The bow felt like an extension of his body.

“I don’t know what I was thinking either. My hands moved first, wanting to save you. Sorry, does it not make sense?”

“No, I think I understand. I’ve had a similar experience.”

Because it was a similar situation to when she moved to save Lia, Evenel could understand what Hibru was trying to say.

Perhaps that urgency had created another miracle.

“That must be the power given to the Ferthi family. You were truly incredible, especially that arrow.”

“Actually, this is the first time I’ve shown it in front of someone else. Even during training, I wasn’t certain.”

“It’s a shame you’ve hidden it until now.”

Evenel meant every word. She felt a strong power in the arrow made of light. She was sure it could become an unmatched weapon with further refinement.

At that moment, it was as if all tension left Hibru; he suddenly slumped down, seemingly drained of all energy.

At the same time, he felt a sense of pride that he, who always fled from monsters, had accomplished this.

“Are you okay?”

“I guess I focused too much on using my power. My legs gave out.”

Even trying to stand was difficult. Seeing this, Evenel placed his arm over her shoulder and helped him up.

Hibru seemed flustered and tried to pull away, but she held him tight.

“I’m fine.”

“Let’s go. Everyone must be worried.”

“Alright.”
The two took steps, leaning on each other for support.

Rushing to find Evenel, Shuher had joined Renel midway. After hearing the situation from Raul, he could no longer just wait and had dragged his unwell body here.

“What are you saying. Hibru fell off a cliff?”

“Fortunately, he’s safe, and he’s with Lady Evenel right now. They should be on their way here.”

“Just the two of them?”

Despair was deeply etched on Renel’s face.

The path was one that even seasoned knights struggled with. Moreover, Hibru had always been particularly afraid of monsters.

‘Perhaps I shouldn’t have forced him.’

Yet he had been even stricter. He thought it was the path for his son.

“Your Lordship, wait here. We’ll go and…”

“Your Majesty.”

At Demil’s call, he looked where he was pointing and saw figures walking from a distance. Recognizing them as Evenel and Hibru, Renel quickly approached them.

“Hibru!”

“Father.”

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m just drained. Thanks to Lady Evenel, I could return safely.”

Following him, Shuher saw an Evenel who looked worse than before. Completely wet, her clothes were torn here and there, and her injuries were much deeper than Hibru’s.

It seemed they had fought with monsters, as he had feared.

Standing while supporting Hibru, she met Renel’s gaze and spoke the words she had longed to say.

“We’ve returned safely without leaving anyone behind, Your Lordship.”

Renel could say nothing. He was struck by the fact that she had struggled to keep that promise even in this battered state.

She had upheld the very words he had once scoffed at.

“Let’s go back to the mansion for now.”

“That would be best.”

Watching Hibru being supported by a knight and walking away, Shuher approached Evenel.

“You’ve returned safely, Your Majesty.”

“You look terrible.”

“Is that so. Certainly…”

“Are you okay?”

Caught off guard by his unexpected words, her gaze met his.

It was the resentful statement Evenel had directed at him. He had thought she’d just let it slide, but surprisingly, she remembered it.

Upon seeing her battered appearance, Shuher blurted that question out before anything else, quite naturally, without even realizing it.

Even if it meant nothing, it had more than that value to her. Enough to make the difficult journey feel rewarding.

In this way, he couldn’t wholly be blamed.
“Yes. But I’m a bit tired…….”

Upon seeing his face, the mental thread Evenel was clinging to snapped, and she collapsed. Shuher quickly caught her falling body.

“You!”

“I’m really fine. Just tired. You wouldn’t just leave me here, would you…….”