Chapter 3

"It's so quiet..."

As I ventured deeper into the forest alone, I gradually realized that the sounds around me were fading away.

To be specific, I couldn't hear any insects or birds.

There wasn't even a hint of any animals, let alone monsters. The only sound was the crunch of leaves under my feet.

"..."

I gently placed my hand on the hilt of my sword.

Being from the countryside, I often ventured into the forest for what I called adventures.

My now-deceased parents, who were worried about me back then, taught me a lesson:

When the sounds of living creatures around you disappear, slowly leave the area.

Animals have sharper senses than humans.

When a dangerous presence approaches, they are the first to flee.

So, the fact that the sounds have stopped here means there must be an absolute predator somewhere.

(It's okay, there are no footprints around. That means no monsters have come here.)

I crouched down and carefully examined the ground.

If this was a place where the monster often appeared, there would definitely be footprints.

"Why were there only one set of footprints in the first place?"

A sudden question popped into my head and slipped out of my mouth.

I had been distracted by the size of the footprints and hadn't considered this simple question.

It's impossible for a monster that walks on the ground to leave only one set of footprints.

So, the answer must be...

"!"

At that moment, a shadow passed over my head.

Looking up, I saw a huge flying object through the gaps in the trees.

"Why is something like that here in this area...?!"

I started running after the object.

The direction it was heading was where the footprints were... where Bram and the others were.

"Uwaaaaaah!?"

A scream rose from the direction it was heading.

The footprints didn't continue; there was only one set.

That's because it didn't need to walk on the ground.

There is only one type of monster that can fly and leave footprints of that size.

"What am I supposed to do with something like this?"

I stopped and returned to the original spot.

"Roooooar!"

The creature that had descended from the sky was a dragon.

Also known as a dragon, it has a ridiculous danger level of A, the lowest.

The dragon in front of me had feet the same size as the footprints, huge wings on its back, and claws like logs on arms that could easily crush a human.

"It's a... dragon?! I didn't hear about this! Don't mess with me!"

Bram was shouting something.

Because he wasn't giving orders, his subordinates were in chaos, unable to attack or retreat.

The dragon, seeing the immobilized knights, swung its claws in a rage.

It happened in an instant.

The upper bodies of the knights, supposedly covered in sturdy armor, were blown away by the claws.

Blood spurted from the remaining lower bodies, and they slowly fell to the ground.

It was unclear how far the upper bodies had flown or if they had disappeared.

What was clear was that the lives of about five knights had been lost in this short time.

"Captain! Give us orders!"

"Damn it! We're retreating! Everyone, retreat! Get back to the carriage!"

Following Bram, who was running to the carriage, the knights also retreated.

They might be unqualified as knights, but I don't want to die either.

While the dragon was rampaging in the same place, I also ran towards the carriage.

Still, something about that dragon seemed off.

It seemed... anxious. Or... scared?

No, that's impossible.

Dragons are the strongest species. There is nothing in this world that they fear.

I must be losing it from fear.

"Roooooar!"

Just as I was about to get into the carriage, the dragon's roar echoed again.

Not good, it's coming after us.

"Damn it! I'm not dying here!"

Bram's eyes widened as he shouted.

At that moment, a strong impact hit my body.

I lost my balance and fell to the ground, just as I was about to get into the carriage.

"Scum, this is your chance. Use your worthless life to buy some time for your comrades."

"What?!"

"You were a terrible scoundrel, but I'll tell them that you sacrificed yourself to give your comrades time to escape!"

For a moment, I didn't understand what was happening, but I quickly realized that I had been kicked out of the carriage and used as bait.

"Unbelievable..."

The carriage was moving away.

The dragon was approaching.

I had no more will to run.

All I felt was resentment towards Bram and the others for abandoning me, anger at my own weakness, and regret for the life I had lived.

"If this is the kind of life I have..."

—I wish I had never been born.

I turned around.

There was the dragon, about to blow me away like a bug.

The very claws that had just killed five people were now coming towards me.

"At least, if I had been needed by someone..."

I accepted my death and closed my eyes, helpless against the impending violence.

However, the pain I expected never came.

I cautiously opened my eyes.

An unbelievable scene unfolded before me.

"Roooooar!"

The dragon's arm flew through the air and fell to the ground.

The cleanly severed arm was gushing blood.

"Are you okay?"

As I stood in shock, something landed softly beside me.

Looking up, I saw a silver-haired woman pass in front of me.

She had a beautiful face but was expressionless, with long, slender legs and a chest that pushed up her iron breastplate enticingly.

I knew I shouldn't be observing her calmly in this situation, but I was captivated by her charm even in such a dire situation.

"Stay back."

"Eh, h... huh?"

She ran towards the dragon with an expressionless face.

The dragon, initially confused, roared in anger as it realized an enemy was approaching.

My legs started shaking from the sound, but she jumped without hesitation.

"I won't let you escape."

"Roooooar!"

The dragon roared and swung its remaining claw.

She swung her sword once.

I had expected her to be blown away by the dragon, but I was stunned to see the dragon's arm flying through the air again.

"Roooooar!"

The dragon let out a cry of agony.

The severed arm fell to the ground, and the dragon, now without both arms, staggered backward.

She landed gracefully on the dragon's snout.

"R... Roooooar."

I realized it.

The dragon's eyes were filled with fear.

Fear of a much stronger opponent.

So, that's why this dragon was here.

It had fled from another area, from this woman.

It had been flying in the sky to avoid the ground.

"That's the end."

She fell from the dragon's head and swung her sword at its neck as she descended.

The dragon, unable to resist, had a line carved into its neck.

The head was severed and slowly fell to the ground.

She landed on the ground as the head fell and turned to look at me.

"Are you hurt?"

"N... No, I'm not."

She sheathed her sword and walked towards me.

As I watched her graceful movements, I remembered a rumor about a certain person.

It was said that her martial prowess was equal to an entire knight's order, and she could handle S-rank monsters like infants.

It was said that she had silver hair almost white, and a beauty that was unforgettable once seen.

The rumors spread, and eventually, she was known by this name:

"The Silver Princess" ——.

"Good. I'm Ray Silverhorn. What's your name?"

She introduced herself as Ray and extended her hand to me.

I took her hand naturally and was pulled up forcefully.

"I'm... Theo. Just Theo."

"Nice to meet you, Theo."

Ray tightened her grip on my hand slightly and smiled faintly in her expressionless face.

—Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've been called by my name.

This was the meeting between me and "The Silver Princess," Ray Silverhorn.