Chapter 67

I was confident I wouldn't die.

After all, I had lived and overcome crises in previous episodes.

In earlier episodes, I had faced situations far worse than this.

Surviving alone after running away from home as a child was no easy feat.

Well, at that time, I was older than three.

'The best thing would be if they gave up and left while I wait here.'

Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. This place isn't suitable for hiding for long.

"Find it quickly! There's an unusual presence over there!"

"It's... my partner... is dead..."

"Damn, what does it matter if one jellyfish dies? My partner is dead too!"

Fortunately, the assassins seemed to be spreading out and moving away.

I waited until all sounds had completely disappeared before lifting my head.

'At least I can walk without much trouble, but combat will be difficult.'

I might be able to handle a brief encounter...

'But a prolonged battle is out of the question.'

Naturally, walking for a long time would also be tough.

'I need to find a place to hide.'

I need to move to a new location. Staying here too long would be risky.

I carefully observed my surroundings as I moved to a new spot.

Since I'm moving in the opposite direction from where the assassins disappeared, I should have some time.

A place where I can hide deeply would be ideal.

A suitable hollow or cave...

But not a place that's too obvious.

As I walked, considering each option...

Squish.

I stepped on something and quickly regained my balance.

What was that?

Whistle!

At the same time, a strange sound, like a whistle or a baby bird's chirp, was heard.

'Sound!'

I hastily grabbed the unknown thing and covered its mouth.

"...What is this? A snake?"

It was a snake, but...

"Is it a worm?"

Beep!

I quickly stifled the cry that was about to escape.

"I get it, I won't call you a worm, so be quiet. There are assassins in this forest who kill anything they encounter. If you stay with me, you'll die too."

I suddenly realized this creature had some intelligence.

Because it became quiet as if by magic.

"Good, you listen well."

I quickly examined it and tilted my head.

"But why does a snake have horns?"

Do snakes have horns?

Since I became a merman, I was only familiar with aquatic animals.

'And the scales are blue...'

I couldn't think of any merman that matched, so I was curious about its identity.

But now wasn't the time to think about it.

My nose was three feet long. I decided to just think of it as a snake.

"Time is short, so I'll be quick. You seem intelligent, so you understand me, right? I'll let you go, but be quiet and go far away. A battle will break out here."

I put the snake down and moved on.

Soon, I found a suitable spot.

A small cave where I could barely fit.

Moreover, if I covered it with branches, it would be almost invisible.

'This reminds me of the past. In the third episode, I ran away and lived in the forest, collecting similar hiding spots.'

Sigh, I never thought I'd be doing the same thing again at three years old.

I quickly gathered branches from nearby and placed them in front of the cave before entering.

After settling down, I sighed and turned my head.

"What, why did you follow me?"

The small snake, like a worm, had followed me.

I didn't have time to yell, so I let it be, but I needed to hide first.

Beep!

"Be quiet. I can sense someone."

Whoosh.

Well, look at that. When I told it to be quiet, it only made a hissing sound.

I smiled and quietly observed the outside.

Sure enough, footsteps were heard nearby.

"Didn't you hear a strange cry?"

"That princess must have encountered a wild animal."

"But how could a child leave no trace or footprint? It's as if she's lived in the forest..."

Well, I have lived in the forest for quite a while.

'But I can't keep hiding like this.'

The time they spent searching for me and the time I spent moving to a new hiding spot...

A considerable amount of time has passed.

It's about the time it would take to get here from where I saw the carriage.

'Can they really find me?'

The situation wasn't in my favor.

Moreover, I soon realized something else.

This cave had a previous occupant.

Thud, thud!

What I thought was a clump of dirt behind me started moving.

'It's a rabbit!'

The wild rabbit, startled by me, started digging and quickly ran out.

"Snake, if you want to live, run away or stay in my pocket quietly!"

I quickly grabbed the snake and followed the rabbit outside.

'If I'm discovered in the cave, I have nowhere to run.'

Sure enough, when the rabbit appeared, the pursuing merman became agitated and started running this way.

"There! There it is!"

"It's the princess! Run!"

I ran quickly, but it wasn't a fair match.

Even if I had better stamina, it wouldn't matter.

Our body lengths were different.

Soon, I faced a dead end in a small clearing among the dense trees.

A giant tree stood before me.

"Finally found her."

"No time, get rid of her quickly."

...No time?

"Almost in the forest!"

I took a fighting stance. My ankle tingled, but I gritted my teeth.

If I can get through this, I'll meet the Dragon Duke.

Please, I'll be more careful and cautious from now on.

Just this once, let luck be on my side!

Whoosh!

I dodged left and right, but I couldn't avoid all the daggers coming at me.

Fighting an adult is different from fighting a skilled child.

If I hadn't had countless experiences, this life might have ended here.

'Damn, why isn't anyone coming to help!'

When the fight paused, I secretly threw the small snake from my pocket behind me.

I should have left it in the cave.

"Run."

I brought it here for nothing.

'Sigh, I have no choice. If I can't see it again...'

I felt a bit sad.

This time, I know the method, so I can meet the Dragon Duke repeatedly.

I'll have to form new connections and meet people who have no memory of me.

But that's a different matter.

"Are you a branch of the Bayyan family? There should be a jellyfish with Migi, and a loach too?"

"How... how do you know that...?"

The loach's hiding ability is exceptional among merman who specialize in stealth.

"Stop wasting time, kill her quickly! We don't have time!"

"Right, the kid is already exhausted!"

I tried to buy time with conversation, but a sword flew forward.

I wasn't exhausted, but my aching legs held me back.

Oh, I'll have to take a hit...

As I thought this and moved my body halfway back, the sword seemed to hit something and bounced off.

"Ah... It's the prince."

"Damn...!"

Everyone turned to see Belus standing calmly.

He looked at my dirty state calmly and waved his hand.

Not as powerful as my father, but a stream of water shot up.

"Damn, the plan failed, everyone retreat."

"But...!"

"No one among us can break through that power!"

The assassins tried to run, but I quickly moved and kicked the last one with all my strength.

No way, I need one as a witness!

"..."

Then, I turned my head and saw the assassins who were trying to run all lying on the ground, twitching.

Red paint stained the green grass.

I exhaled and sat down.

Oh, I'm exhausted.

As I sat, a shadow fell over me.

"..."

Belus was staring at me from a distance.

I could feel the killing intent slowly building.

I lifted my head.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"Maybe."

Indeed, this would be the perfect opportunity to kill me.

If I die here, who would know if it was the assassins or someone else?

"Belus, if you kill me here, you'll regret it. Do you know why?"

"..."

"Your father will definitely know it was you. Then you'll die too."

"..."

Beep!!!

The snake, reacting to the killing intent, prepared to jump at any moment, and started crying as it leaped into my chest.