Chapter 7

There really is no more time. Thinking this, I desperately tried to recall the place where Mariabel might be.

"The name of the mountain... no, I don't remember it."

Even though I had read it many times, I had skipped over the name of the mountain, and there was no way I could remember it.

"Hey, how many mountains are there near here?"

"From the capital, there are Figis Mountain and Novak Mountain."

"......"

Even hearing the names of the mountains didn't feel right. In the end, I couldn't remember anything more, so I opened my mouth again.

"If a criminal were to kidnap and kill someone, which one?"

"Then it would be Novak Mountain. Figis Mountain has a good view and is always crowded with tourists."

If that's the case, it must be Novak Mountain. I stood up from the bench and took Evan's hand.

"Evan, I have a favor to ask. Can you come with me to Novak Mountain without asking any questions?"

"Are you saying I'm going to be killed?"

"No, that's not it! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that."

I don't have time to explain the details, and even if I did, it's not the kind of story that would be believed.

Still, there's one thing I have to say.

"I want to go save Mariabel."

– The worst villainess, Grace, only became Zain's lover because Mariabel died.

If that hadn't happened, she would have been ignored, and he would have certainly disliked her.

That's why trying to save Mariabel here is a bad move. It's not just a bad move; it's like going out of my way to destroy the main route.

Of course, I'm afraid of war and death, and I want to avoid them at all costs.

But I couldn't bear to just wait for Mariabel to die and use it to get close to Zain.

"I'm sorry, is it okay?"

Because she is alive in this world.

Even though it's only been a week, I can't think of the people in this world as just characters in a novel. Evan and Yana, everyone is a living person.

If I do nothing here, I will definitely regret it for the rest of my life. I can only think about what happens after I save her.

"Alright, let's go."

"Huh?"

"I'll go borrow a horse quickly. Please change into something more suitable in the meantime. I'll be waiting at the main gate."

"O-Okay! Thank you."

Even though it should have made no sense to want to save Mariabel, Evan immediately went to the stables after saying that. His unusually reliable appearance eased my fear and tension a little.

After that, with Yana's help, I changed into riding pants and met up with Evan, and we got on the horse.

I also considered bringing more knights or seeking help, but there was no time, and there was no evidence. It would be strange if anyone believed me.

Still, I asked to send an anonymous letter to Zain, informing him that Mariabel might be imprisoned in Novak Mountain.

It might be wrong, but Zain wouldn't make it in time anyway. It's better than doing nothing.

"Horses are so fast...!"

"I'm faster, though."

"You're competitive again."

I'm not used to riding horses, and I'm not good with speed, so I'm tense. By the way, Grace was apparently skilled at riding horses.

I gripped the reins of the two-person horse tightly, wishing that Mariabel was safe.

"Anyway, Mariabel should be imprisoned in a cabin somewhere in the mountains. The criminal is alone and controls monsters."

"Controls monsters? Is that even possible?"

"......Yes. Such incidents will increase in the future."

In this country, tools to control monsters will gradually become available.

And in the second volume of the novel and beyond, the mastermind will appear, but of course, Zain and Charlotte will defeat them.

"But will you believe such a story?"

"Whether I believe it or not, I will follow your orders, so it doesn't really matter."

"You're easy to understand, Evan. Thank you."

While thanking such an Evan, we arrived at Novak Mountain. Because it was a mountain path, we left the horse at the base to avoid being attacked by monsters and climbed on foot.

"I didn't realize I had this much stamina."

"You also exercised to maintain your figure."

"I see..."

Grace's perfect beauty was not just a gift but also the result of hard work. Thanks to that, I didn't get too out of breath while climbing the mountain path.

Wiping the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve, I kept moving, hoping she was still safe.

"Hey, by the way, how strong are you, Evan?"

"Me? I'm—"

Just as he was about to say that, a group of monsters came running down the mountain path.

The sight of these monstrous creatures, which looked like mangled wolves, was terrifying.

However, Evan remained calm, with a cheerful smile on his face.

"There are only a handful of people in this country who can do that."

In the next instant, Evan drew his sword from his waist and attacked the monsters. In the blink of an eye, the monsters turned into pieces of flesh.

I was speechless at his overwhelming strength. Perhaps his claim of being one of the strongest in the country was true.

I had thought it was strange that Grace's doting father only assigned one guard to her, especially after such an incident.

– It must be because he trusts the abilities of the knight, Evan Hale.

"Shall we go?"

Evan, who had quickly defeated all the monsters, returned to me, turned his back, and crouched down.

"I probably took care of most of the monsters around here, so let's run through. Get on."

"Huh? Thank you."

"Make sure to hold on tight."

"Got it—ahhhhhh!"

I hesitantly climbed onto Evan's back and grabbed his shoulders, and my vision blurred.

Suddenly, Evan started running at a speed like a roller coaster.

"See, I told you I'm faster than a horse."

"Y-You're right! I'm sorry for doubting you!"

"I'm a wind mage, so I can move by wrapping wind around my feet. It's not suitable for long distances, though. Be careful not to bite your tongue."

The speed was so fast that I couldn't even see the surroundings clearly. But he seemed to see clearly, and eventually, he stopped.

"Is that the cabin?"

"Ah, you're right! That's good, let's go."

Finding a wooden cabin that looked like it, I felt relieved, but then a high-pitched scream echoed, and I felt a chill run through my body.