If the search party was thoroughly searching the forest, I should be able to find a member of the search party by going in a bit. I would then inform them of Esmeralda’s location and return immediately to enjoy a peaceful sleep.

With a sword in one hand and a magic book in the other, I cautiously entered the forest path.

However, things didn’t unfold as expected.

Unable to call out loudly for fear of monsters, and no matter how far I walked, I couldn’t find any members of the search party.

The forest, once peaceful when I was with Kyrion, felt eerie when I was alone. The darkness untouched by moonlight was oppressively silent, and it seemed like there was no one else in the forest but me.

In the end, I turned back. While finding Esmeralda was good, it wouldn’t be useful if I died in the process.

“Huh.”

But the path I had taken was nowhere to be seen.

Instead of the straight dirt path, there were only thorny bushes. I stretched my hand, thinking it might be an illusion, but it stung.

I looked around, wondering if I had mistaken the direction, but there was no path. The only way was deeper into the forest.

What a nasty prank.

“It’s like a trap.”

Drawing the sword, I struggled to cut through the thorny bushes. The moment the thorns touched the sword, the bushes entwined it as if alive, clinging to the blade.

With all my strength, I pulled the sword, barely managing to free it.

I reluctantly began walking along the path.

“Soon, I’ll see someone.”

Even though there was only one path.

No matter how far I walked, I couldn’t see anyone.

When I reached near the spring, I eventually deviated from the path and hurried towards the sound of flowing water.

It was intuition.

Even if I walked here a hundred times, I wouldn’t find any servants.

In that case, looking for Esmeralda would increase the chances of leaving here. At least Esmeralda had magical abilities.

With my magic book, I should be able to get out of the forest using Esmeralda’s magic.

“She must be able to do something.”

As if agreeing with me, an owl hooted in the distance. I almost ran, urging my steps.

It didn’t take long to cross the spring and arrive at the courtyard. As expected, Esmeralda was there.

Perched on a rock, Esmeralda held a magic book and hopped down. When she gripped the magic book, her body floated a little, but she soon fell.

“Ouch.”

Wincing from the bruise on her buttocks, Esmeralda rubbed her waist, but she quickly started climbing the rock again.

She was so focused that she didn’t notice my presence until I was right next to her.
When the branch underfoot snapped, Esmeralda suddenly lifted her head. It was hard to see in the darkness, but there seemed to be an expression of expectation on her face.

“Gong[Dash].”

However, as she recognized me standing in the courtyard, her face turned dark with disappointment.

“You’re the lady.”

Esmeralda climbed down from the rock.

“What are you doing here at midnight?”

Esmeralda said what I wanted to say. The irritation I had suppressed all along burst out.

I’m searching the surroundings of the Duke’s mansion and even came to the forest because of someone. And now, I can’t even get out because of some strange thorny bushes.

“You’re dangerously doing something here, Your Ladyship. Don’t you know people are in chaos looking for you?”

I called Esmeralda with an irritated gesture.

“Come quickly, let’s go back.”

At first, Esmeralda, who seemed to follow my words, abruptly stopped a few steps away. When Esmeralda looked up again, her eyes held a strange determination.

“Your Ladyship, please go back. I need to train.”

Esmeralda, holding a magic book, breathed slowly.

“Your Ladyship may not know; she has never had to do something desperately.”

After saying this, Esmeralda, who seemed to have hurt herself again, hunched her body.

When I sighed deeply, Esmeralda hunched even more.

“Right. I don’t know. I’m useless; I can’t do magic, can’t wield a sword, stupid, and anyway, I don’t know anything.”

The owl hooted mournfully again.

“If you stay here, both of us will die. You know that as well as I do.”

I gestured again.

“So, stop talking nonsense and come quickly. I can’t get out without you, Esmeralda.”

Strictly speaking, I couldn’t get out without Esmeralda’s magical power.

A faint breeze blew in. Even my hair moved just slightly, indicating a very subtle change in the air flow.

As if made by the silent flapping of tiny wings, such a wind.

Without looking up, I sensed it.

It’s already too late.

I quickly squeezed my body between the rocks, pressed my back against them, and drew my sword. The rocks protected my sides. The sword was still awkward, but just holding it should make it difficult for an attack head-on.

Esmeralda, who still seemed unaware of the situation, continued to wander around. When she hesitated, I pulled her to sit next to me.

“Light spell.”

“Yes?”

Esmeralda blinked her big eyes as if she didn’t understand.

I must be a fool for thinking that this girl, who can’t even understand English, would be useful with magic.

“If it’s light, quickly turn on anything.”

I pointed to the still silent sky.

“Even if there’s no sound of flapping, somewhere, there’s an owl flying.”

As if it were a quiet night with no sound of an ordinary owl, there was no sign of a magical owl.

Finally realizing the situation, Esmeralda hastily opened the magic book.
The dimly lit fire confirmed my suspicion.

A giant owl. Its wingspan looked easily twice my height, gracefully circling above us.

“Eek!”

As Esmeralda let out a small scream, the owl abruptly flew towards us.

Forcing myself to keep my eyes open, I raised the sword to prevent it from getting too close.

Right before the collision, the owl changed its direction.

Now we were safe, shielded by the rocks and the sword, but I didn’t know when the situation would change.

I tossed my magic book to Esmeralda.

“The back pages. Any suitable spell.”

However, instead of opening my magic book, Esmeralda…

Sprinted away.