The black bear stamped the ground and roared.

“Roar!”

Dust clouds were swirling, and a black bear revealed itself. It looked like a dark evil spirit. Its red eyes flashed, and one eye was torn, making it even more gruesome. The rallying point rang with the bell that alerted an emergency situation, and knights gathered.

“What, what’s this commotion!”

The black bear opened its mouth wide, dripping saliva. Someone shouted.

“This beast eats people!”

“Aim for the neck! If you don’t want to be torn apart by the black bear’s teeth…!”

Charlotte blinked her eyes in a daze.

The rain grew more intense. Her ears were ringing, and she felt trapped alone in a silent world. Everything was buried in the sound of rain.

Down below was chaos.

The black bear opened its mouth and struck its head down. A man pinned underneath the bear thrust a knife into its mouth and howled.

“There were no deaths here……”

Charlotte loaded a bolt into her crossbow.

Fzzt—The gunshot was drowned out by the rain.

The bullet pierced the center of the bear’s head.

“What a mess. All of it.”

Charlotte imbued each bullet with her anger.

One with mourning, two with sadness, three with regret.

It was mourning, sadness, and regret sent to ‘me,’ Charlotte, who died in her previous life.

The gunshots rang out three times in succession. A chilling silence followed.

No. It was a silence allowed only to Charlotte. Her ears were ringing.

The rain poured down ferociously. Rainsoaked hair flowed down past her waist.

“You’ll catch a cold.”

Katarina stood holding an umbrella.

“Use it. The view is blurry because of the rain.”

“……”

“It’s raining, isn’t it?”

“You’re strange.”

“Which part are you talking about?”

“I thought you’d scold me for being foolish.”

“That’s beyond my authority.”

Katarina sensed a melancholic anger from her young lady. It seemed like bottledup emotions were about to explode.

‘What’s this? What does this mean?’

Her young lady was fragile yet strong, seemingly delicate yet firm and resolute.

Katarina realized instinctively.

Anything would do now. The priority was to keep hold of her young lady’s consciousness.

“The black bear’s movements have slowed down.”

“……Is that so?”

“You’re skilled with a crossbow.”

“Yes. I’ve used up all the spare bullets.”

“The guards will handle that much.”

“……”

“Don’t overdo it. Your body is cold too.”

Charlotte moaned like she was in pain. They were in the forest.

“……He’s here.”

“Who are you talking about?”

Charlotte’s arm, still holding the crossbow, trembled. Her strength seemed to have left her.

“Benjamin.”

Rain soaked her head. It became quieter and quieter.

Benjamin mounted the back of the black bear, twisting its neck. The skin was tough and firm. He narrowed his eyes and twisted the blade. The black bear rolled to the side, and Benjamin jumped off from behind it.

The mud splashed with rainwater. Benjamin squinted his eyes and asked.

“Has it not eaten anyone yet?”

“No, Your Highness!”

“Then we’re fortunate.”

Even while the black bear was rampaging, aside from a few novice knights who were hit by it, the casualties were minimal.

“Take the injured outside.”

Cesar pulled out the injured who were sprawled on the ground.

“Why is the black bear here?”

“It’s not unusual for a herd of beasts to come down from time to time.”

Benjamin grabbed the neck of one of the injured and tossed him to Cesar.

“Your Highness. Please handle the injured carefully.”

“What about our child? Where’s our child?”

Aster appeared belatedly, scanning the surroundings.

“Charlotte! Where are you!”

The fierce beast took its last step.

“Roar!”

The dying bear lowered its body.

“It’s over.”

Benjamin drove his knife into the black bear’s neck. As he applied force to his wrist and twisted the knife, the tip twisted inside. When Benjamin lightly pressed the back of the knife, it stopped breathing.

“The injured have been moved.”

Benjamin looked around carefully.

“The dead?”

Cesar sheathed his sword and replied.

“None. It all ended with injuries.”

“Brother! I don’t see our child!”
“He must be at the barn…….”

“What if the child got caught up in it!”

“Don’t interrupt, Aster. There’s no damage towards the barn…….”

“Charlotte! Charl! Where are you!”

“Calm down a little. It’s raining; surely the child wasn’t outside?”

Benjamin Visennov glanced down at Aster and chuckled.

“Send someone to the barn…….”

His words trailed off as his eyes narrowed. The bear’s carcass was strange. The gunshot wound in the bear’s head. It was a bullet mark.

“You overdid it again.”

Benjamin looked around thoroughly, his eyes knowing exactly where to find. He found Charlotte at once.

“She’s there.”

Benjamin set down his sword and ran his fingers through his hair. His gaze was blatant.

“Charl.”

Charlotte smiled faintly in the rain.

“Why are you here, risking yourself?”

“I just took a walk.”

“I told you to hunt small animals, yet you almost greeted Charl after the bear had appetizingly digested her.”