I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 49

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 49

 

“Since all the knights are above standard level, there shouldn’t be any danger.”

 

Crown Prince Nicolaus whistled after confirming that the monster had fallen backward from the arrows shot by the knights.

 

“I didn’t expect you to be the first to want to come to this forest, Duke.”

 

Crown Prince Nicolaus spoke lightly toward Gideon, who wore a gentle smile.

 

At Gideon’s request, the Emperor readily granted permission to enter the forest. He brought along the Crown Prince as an escort, saying it would be good experience, demonstrating his trust.

 

All the knights were also highly skilled, so there was no danger.

 

“Isn’t this forest the Empire’s only dangerous place? Moreover, only a few among the nobility know the forest’s true nature, so as a noble, I must fulfill my duty to protect the Empire’s citizens.”

 

“Is that all? I also get the feeling that you came to this forest with some other purpose, Duke.”

 

He had hoped for some sign of agitation, but Gideon was still smiling.

 

“What other purpose could there be? Your Highness must feel the same way, don’t you?”

 

“…Well, I have the same feelings as well.”

 

‘How boring.’

 

Nicolaus glanced behind Gideon. The second son of the ducal house had also followed on this journey, but since he kept his mouth tightly shut, there seemed no point in testing him either.

 

They soon reached where the monster had fallen. The bear-shaped monster was still breathing, but could barely move.

 

“Are the knights’ skills high? It seems like we could sufficiently subjugate the forest’s monsters even now.”

 

“Right now there was no damage because we discovered it first and launched a surprise attack, but if we had faced it properly head-on, there surely would have been casualties on our side.”

 

An older knight with experience participating in monster subjugation explained. However, for him who had only heard about it through words, it wasn’t a story he could truly relate to.

 

“Duke, you also said this was your first time coming to the forest directly?”

 

“…”

 

Gideon looked carefully around the monster’s vicinity before slowly turning his gaze away. Though the surroundings were in disarray from the rampage, there were mixed footprints.

 

Human footprints much smaller than what would belong to the large monster, and another set of footprints stamped alongside them.

 

Ones that would perfectly match an adult male’s foot size.

 

The place where those tracks ended was.

 

“Duke. Is there something over there?”

 

“No, there isn’t.”

 

The knights finished confirming the monster’s death, and the Crown Prince and Gideon left the spot.

 

Swish!

 

No, they seemed to be leaving. Gideon suddenly parted the thicket that was beside them.

 

“…”

 

As he expected, there was a person inside the thicket. However, it wasn’t the face he had anticipated.

 

The Crown Prince turned back at Gideon’s sudden action. And his eyes widened.

 

“A woman?”

 

* * *

 

‘Damn it.’

 

She thought her heart would stop.

 

She had relaxed thinking they would just pass by, but she never expected to be discovered like this.

 

It was fortunate that she had sent Sionel to another location before they arrived.

 

‘This person is Sionel’s uncle.’

 

Ponia cautiously looked up at the man whose gentle features stood out prominently. His curved lips naturally reminded her of Sionel.

 

And the man behind him who was particularly hunched over, could he possibly be.

 

Before she could finish her thoughts, the knights’ swords pointed toward her. Ponia prostrated herself flat.

 

“I pay my respects to the distinguished lords.”

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I am a forest keeper of this forest.”

 

“A forest keeper?”

 

There was no one here who would recognize her face. At most, no one would be interested in a rural baron’s daughter.

 

“Your Highness, we keep forest keepers stationed at all times to monitor the monsters’ habitats.”

 

At the knight’s explanation, Nicolaus finally understood.

 

“Ah, now that you mention it, I think I heard something like that.”

 

Once his questions were resolved, the faint interest that had appeared on his face disappeared.

 

“What, so she was just a commoner.”

 

“…”

 

“It’s surprising that you’re alive.”

 

His manner of speaking made one worry about the Empire’s future. This Crown Prince also had quite the personality.

 

“Why were you hiding?”

 

“Well… I was on patrol when I heard sounds and came over, but there were more people than I expected, so I instinctively hid. Please forgive me.”

 

Even while having irreverent thoughts, Ponia answered dutifully. Dealing with the arrogant Crown Prince was actually easier.

 

“Are you alone?”

 

Ponia turned her head.

 

Right, what she needed to be wary of now was Gideon, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her once since the moment he discovered her.

 

“Yes, I am.”

 

Right now, Ponia was just a commoner who was nervous from encountering the Crown Prince and nobility. She shouldn’t be too conscious of Gideon.

 

Suppressing the urge to escape this situation immediately, Ponia lowered her eyes. Just from his gaze alone, she felt as if a snake was coiling around her entire body.

 

The Crown Prince interjected as if he had thought of a good idea.

 

“This forest keeper can guide us.”

 

“…I’m not sure if someone as lowly as I could be of help.”

 

“That’s for me to decide.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

There was no choice. Even so, why did she want to object to the Crown Prince’s command?

 

“Guide us to a safe area where we can camp.”

 

“Yes.”

 

As Ponia stood up, the Crown Prince gestured with his chin for her to lead the way.

 

‘Ah, I see.’

 

He resembled her immature sibling, Albio.

 

Though he was five years older than Albio, his actions and attitude were exactly the same. Especially in how he relied on his status to enjoy privileges and tried to show clumsy authority.

 

“This way.”

 

Following Ponia’s guidance, the procession began to move. However, Aren, who had been behind Gideon, turned around.

 

“…”

 

A small light entered his hazy sky-blue eyes.

 

* * *

 

“But are you really a commoner? Your hair texture looks just like a noble’s.”

 

Her red hair was pulled back. Nicolaus examined it with curiosity.

 

“…I was born with it.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

He didn’t let go of her hair. Because of this, her steps slowed.

 

‘Let’s think of it as a bug attached to my head.’

 

“For a commoner, your appearance is quite decent too.”

 

“…Thank you for your kind words.”

 

“Though that’s only among commoners.”

 

‘Why is he ominously taking interest in me?’

 

Thinking she should avoid keeping her head up as much as possible, Ponia soon guided them to the clearing where the cabin was located.

 

The Crown Prince pointed at the cabin with his hand.

 

“What’s that haunted house?”

 

“It’s the cabin where I live.”

 

“…People can live in that place?”

 

“It was damaged by heavy rain, but it’s safe.”

 

Ponia politely gestured toward the cabin.

 

“If it’s acceptable, you’re welcome to use the cabin freely.”

 

With the pretty face that Nicolaus had praised as decent for a commoner, Ponia gave a coquettish smile. The Crown Prince, who had been showing interest, recoiled in disgust.

 

“…It would be better to go back rather than sleep in a place like that.”

 

The Crown Prince’s party set up tents near the cabin.

 

* * *

 

When night fell, knights surrounded the tents in a circle to stand guard against possible monster attacks.

 

There was nothing for her to do among them. Nevertheless, whether the knights didn’t trust her or not, they kept her nearby under surveillance while giving her menial tasks.

 

Thanks to this, she was able to overhear information unknowingly.

 

They would stay in the forest for four days. The official justification was that the Devonham Duchy had joined the Crown Prince’s unofficial schedule to protect the Empire’s future peace.

 

But there was a high possibility that the Duke was deeply involved in this schedule.

 

‘I don’t know how far the Imperial Court and Gideon have joined hands.’

 

Not knowing how much to trust, she couldn’t reveal Sionel’s existence either.

 

Sionel would probably spend the night in the cave.

 

She still couldn’t forget the expression on Sionel’s face when he discovered Gideon.

 

As soon as Sionel spotted his uncle, he had tried to rush forward while drawing a dagger from his chest. If Ponia hadn’t held him back, he probably really would have…

 

One of the knights approached her.

 

“You. Follow me.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

‘What are they going to make me do this time?’

 

Grumbling as she followed the knight, he led her to the warehouse of the cabin.

 

“Go in.”

 

The atmosphere felt strange. But with the knight roughly pushing her, she entered the warehouse.

 

And there, Gideon stood alone.

 

“Ah, there’s something I want to ask you.”

 

And he pointed to bandages with traces of bloodstains and men’s clothing.

 

“Was there someone else here with you besides yourself?”

 

“…”

 

“Looking at the blood stains, it seems like someone was wearing these clothes.”

 

Though it was in the form of a question, he was already certain.

 

That Sionel had been here.

 

Now she understood why the knights hadn’t left her alone earlier. They hadn’t given her time to erase the traces.

 

She had been relieved thinking they weren’t paying attention to her since the afternoon, but Gideon had been suspecting her all along.

 

‘What should I say?’

 

She knew that the longer the silence dragged on, the more it would turn his suspicion into certainty.

 

Ponia’s mouth slowly opened.

 

“–!”

 

“!”

 

A commotion broke out outside.

 

And.

 

Slam,

 

“Ah, so you were here?”

 

“…”

 

“Nia.”

 

Chad had returned.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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