The Return of Lilietta - Chapter 203

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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 203

“Even if it’s not at the level of a Great Disturbance, monsters might emerge more frequently due to the black dragon, so you should prepare defenses.”

“But is it proper to call that thing a black dragon? The black dragon is a sacred being that helped found Kairam. The name ‘evil dragon’ would suit that thing better.”

The Margrave spoke jokingly. Rita paused her breathing for a moment, then replied calmly.

“Its behavior is somewhat different from ordinary beasts. Since it has never attacked people, we’re calling it by its appearance for now. Besides, calling it a black dragon has the effect of reducing fear and confusion among the imperial citizens who witness it, and it will be convenient to weave stories connecting it to the founding myth when His Highness the Crown Prince returns.”

She recited the explanation Olivia had given her. The Margrave nodded.

“Hmm, I understand. So, what support do you need for subduing the black dragon and searching for His Highness the Crown Prince? Tell me anything, Noblewoman. Apart from repaying you for saving Winterfield, I’ll prepare everything to the best of my ability.”

“No repayment is necessary. Winterfield is Lucas’s hometown and Raskail’s neighbor, so it’s natural to help. What we need for the search is…”

She methodically stated her requests. Since she had discussed these matters with Oli before departure, she could speak immediately.

It wasn’t work that required much time, and thanks to the Margrave’s active support, her requests were resolved within that day.

Meanwhile, Rita personally met with the hunter who had last witnessed the black dragon and heard his testimony.

The hunter who had participated in yesterday’s battle on the fortress walls was extremely cooperative toward Lillieta. He wracked his memory to tell her everything he had seen, readily offered the map of the Black Forest that hunters shared among themselves, and even volunteered to serve as a guide.

Thus, preparations for entering the Black Forest were complete.

After resting for a full day, both Lucas and she had recovered from fatigue, and since finding Gideon before Pascal could cause trouble was urgent, they decided to depart at dawn the next day.

And so, at dawn on July 14th.

* * *

Winterfield has a Ranger Unit skilled in exploration and combat in forests and mountains.

And there was a Tritoma Special Forces branch of about ten members that Gideon had stationed in Winterfield and Lucas had trained in preparation for the Great Disturbance.

All of them stood in formation at the entrance to the Black Forest, fully armed and equipped with signal flares.

On the fortress walls where they appeared as dots, Winterfield’s Knight Order, defense forces, and mages lined up in combat readiness.

This was preparation in case monsters emerged again while searching through the Black Forest.

‘Searching with a small group would be safer, but that would take too long.’

And cannons that had been prepared for years following the Crown Prince’s orders and Lucas’s insistence but had never been used were positioned on the fortress walls at Lillieta’s request.

‘If Pascal comes, beasts might emerge. Cannons are the best way for ordinary people to deal with beasts.’

Last night, she had personally inspected each of those cannons. Since people of this era ignored cannons as inconvenient, slow, and unstable compared to magic and aura, she couldn’t trust that they had been properly maintained.

As expected, out of twenty cannons, only about twelve could be deployed immediately.

‘Even so, Winterfield maintained that much thanks to Luca.’

Still, twelve cannons should allow them to hold out somewhat even if a named-class beast suddenly appeared.

Lillieta stood before the Ranger Unit and Tritoma Special Forces wearing clothes similar to yesterday’s with a cloak, while Lucas wore flexible leather armor that could somewhat withstand beast transformation.

The young count who had come to the Black Forest entrance in place of the Margrave gave a short speech to the Ranger Unit, then commanded.

“Begin the search!”

Since the mission details had already been thoroughly understood yesterday, no additional explanation was needed. The rangers in dark green clothing spread out widely and disappeared into the Black Forest like seeping water.

Lucas looked toward Lillieta, and when she nodded, he shouted to the Winterfield Branch Special Forces.

“Begin the search!”

He took the lead entering the Black Forest. The hunter who had volunteered as guide followed right behind to show the way, and Lillieta walked behind him. Those bearing the ash flame emblem drew their respective weapons and followed them.

From now on, the Ranger Unit would sweep broadly through the Black Forest looking for traces of giant creatures moving or monsters moving strangely.

And the Special Forces led by Rita and Luca would first head straight to the location where the guide hunter had witnessed the black dragon, then begin their separate search from there.

Unlike the Ranger Unit that would search thoroughly from the entrance of the Black Forest, the place where they would begin searching was quite far. A deep region where only a very few among Winterfield’s hunters, who were accustomed to roaming monster-infested forests, could venture.

Following the hunter’s guidance, they rarely encountered monsters, but the forest gradually became more eerie.

At some point, almost no sunlight penetrated, making the surroundings dim even though it was morning.

The elongated conifers characteristic of the north gradually decreased, and strange trees with moss-covered trunks that looked pitch black and gnarled branches spreading like scattered hair began appearing sporadically. Ominous silence where even beasts and insects didn’t cry and humid air filled the spaces between them.

The hunter stopped at a small clearing where an incredibly tall spruce tree that seemed hundreds of years old stood. It was a place with traces of fires and chairs made from cut tree stumps.

“This is a rest area we use. Actually, you could say this is where the true Black Forest begins. We usually don’t enter beyond here unless absolutely necessary.”

He stood near the campfire traces, craned his neck, and pointed to the sky visible narrowly through gaps in the dense canopy.

“As I told you yesterday, I was resting here when I saw the black dragon flying across that sky. At first I thought it was a large bird… but as it gradually descended, I realized it wasn’t.”

The hunter moved his finger. His hand crossed the narrow sky and pointed into the dark interior of the forest.

“An enormously huge dragon crashed down that way, breaking all the trees… I was so terrified and ran away, so I don’t know what happened after that.”

“Good, you’ve done well. You can go back now. Can you manage alone?”

“Of course, it’s my profession.”

The hunter bowed repeatedly and left. Lillieta and Lucas moved with the Special Forces members in the direction the hunter had indicated.

“This is my first time coming this deep too, and it really feels like midnight. We should light some fires.”

Lucas muttered as if bewildered, then lit a lantern he had brought. Several Special Agents also lit lanterns and held them high.

Rita watched the lantern light wavering between the damp darkness and twisted tree trunks, then suddenly raised her hand.

“Over there.”

“Yes?”

“There’s a broken tree over there.”

At her words, Luca hurriedly took the lead. He soon stopped abruptly and raised his arms high above his head.

“…Whoa.”

Seeing the scene revealed in the dimly spreading firelight, he let out a groan.

A thick old tree that would require three or four people holding hands to encircle was broken, exposing its white interior.

The broken upper part was crushed as if trampled by something massive, and thick, dark red liquid had dried and stuck between the wood fragments.

Rita bent down to examine it and said quietly.

“Liquid infused with corrupted magic power… it’s beast blood.”

“This doesn’t seem to be just one tree? Everyone come and illuminate this area!”

At Lucas’s command, the Special Agents scattered and held up their lanterns, gradually revealing the full scope of the scene.

Countless old trees were broken like corn stalks and scattered everywhere, with dark red liquid splattered and dried in various places. From the extent of it, one could gauge the size of the being that had landed and thrashed about here.

“This is tremendous. Could this really be…?”

Lucas, who had never actually seen beast-transformed Gid, swallowed dryly and muttered. Rita, still bent over examining the ground, picked up something from among the broken branches.

“Look at this, Luca.”

Something sharp and charred black as if burned. Made of a material as hard as steel and thick as an adult’s forearm, at first glance it looked like a javelin.

Lillieta knew what it was.

“It’s a thorn that formed part of the black dragon’s body.”

She felt it with her fingertips for a moment, then put it back on the ground and stood up. After surveying the widespread traces and bloodstains with sunken purple eyes, she declared.

“Gid passed through here. That way.”

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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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