Five days had already passed since the two began traveling together. To expedite their journey, they had minimized both eating and sleeping. Thanks to that, they were almost at Lobero.

Meeting Mergus on the way back after obtaining medicine had also greatly helped to cut down the time.

Terminus turned his head to look at the sky beyond the distant forest. If they set off now and ran without stopping, they might be able to arrive by tomorrow night.

〈Make sure to come within a week, understood? One week.〉

Sila’s words kept circling in his memory.
There was no way to know why she had set a one-week deadline, but it felt like something irreversible would happen if they exceeded that time, just as she said.

Idrish lay half-reclined on the grassy field, chewing jerky rigorously. Not far from him, Terminus sat with his knees up. Unlike Idrish, he only sipped water, barely nibbling at the jerky.

He frequently held the small glass bottle he had received from Mergus a few days ago, examining it from various angles.
There was no way to confirm right now whether it was indeed the antidote. It was simply the only method they could rely on, so they had no choice but to follow it.

Last time, just as Cecilia had said, they confirmed that the grass near the spring had dried up and turned a spotty brown. The silver bowl was no different. There was not a single aspect of their words that seemed false.

‘Except for the fact that the man is Idrish Atigrado.’

Terminus cast a fleeting glance at Idrish.

Feeling the gaze, Idrish looked back at him. A sharp, wordless look came his way.
“What’s the rush? We’ve been running since yesterday, and it’s our first break today.”

“Rest at ease. This is your last rest for today.”

“Dreadful.”

Despite saying that, Idrish drained the remaining water in one gulp and stood up.

“We leave immediately. We’ll head straight to Robero without a break tomorrow.”

“Will you be alright?”

“It’s not like I’m a starved wolf to be worried about.”

He was referring to the perpetually famished Terminus. Terminus briefly bowed his head before looking up again.

“Why are you going to such lengths to help me?”

Terminus didn’t know.
Could he truly be offering assistance out of pure intent?

That infamous Artigrado would go to such lengths to help him and his father?

They were the ones who slaughtered all the beast-people who were raising their voices to survive. Baekho’s race had always been emotionally indifferent and devoid of altruism. The number of wolf beast-people who died back then was not small, either.

“I’m not helping because I particularly want to.”

“Then why?”

“I’ve become curious about a more fundamental truth.”
Idrish began to prepare to leave after saying that. Tesmilion, not understanding Idrish’s words, silently stared at his broad, wide back.

Then Idrish turned his head. With patches of black missing here and there in his disheveled hair, Idrish looked at Terminus.

“Instead of running without rest, check on Silla’s well-being as soon as we arrive.”

“But going to the Lord is more urgent.”

“For me, checking on Silla is more important.”
“……Fine. We’re only in a single mansion, so it won’t take long. However, from now on, no breaks until we arrive.”

“Don’t fall behind yourself. Starved wolf.”

After the last words, the harsh cry of a tiger echoed through the forest.

Tesmilion hastily pursued Idrish, who had already set off.

It had been a week since the two had left. In the novel, the Lord died on the seventh day. Thus, they were supposed to return today.

Yet, beyond the window, there was only stillness.

“When will they come…….”
I paced by the window the whole time.

This was Robero’s mansion. Though the bedroom was comfortable, there were guards outside, so I couldn’t leave.

It wasn’t tough, but time dragged on. Concerns kept me from a good night’s sleep.

I wondered if fighting with Terminus might cause a problem.

What if Mongoose and I miss each other and can’t get the antidote?

I also worried about Idrish, who could be suffering from an intensified curse without me.

I’m going insane. Maybe I should have just gone along.
“No, they’ll definitely come today. I had earnestly implored them to come within a week. So…. Huh?”

I pressed my forehead close to the window. A flock of birds rustled in the forest and flew away. What did that mean?

I opened my eyes wide. It seemed as if Baekho would appear from the forest entrance at any moment.

Just then, a tiger burst out of the forest, as if grasping the air and propelling itself. The dawn sunlight gleamed off its dazzling white fur. Black stripes were embroidered on its artfully moving muscles. It looked like a divine beast.
Idrish rapidly crossed through the territory. A few people on the streets were seen fleeing in terror.

After Idrish had passed, they sat down hesitantly, unable to rise, rubbing their eyes. They appeared to be questioning whether they had dreamt it all. However, just then, a wolf as large as an ox burst out from behind them. They seemed slightly less startled than before, but they were still in disarray.

Meanwhile, crossing the street, Idrish drew closer to the mansion of the territory’s lord.
I flung the door open. The dozing knight jolted upright.

“Idrish and Ternya are here! Do you want to go down and see?”