DSMBL Chapter 46

Chapter 046

Cassius scanned the ground with sharp eyes.

Beasts always leave traces—footprints, scents, droppings. But monsters were different. They rarely left evidence, making them harder to track.

This one, in particular, was an expert at hiding itself.

Giverny scoffed.
“This thing is playing with them. It’s driving the beasts like mice.”

Cassius nodded in agreement. 

This monster was keeping the snow beasts on edge, driving them into one place. It was like a cat toying with a mouse in its paw.

That meant it was highly intelligent.

They had found the gate from which the monster had emerged. This time, their opponent was a Lycanthrope—a werewolf.

Among the creatures that crossed through the gate, this was one of the most dangerous. They never moved alone and were skilled hunters. If they weren’t careful, they could end up being the hunted instead.

Judging by the way it manipulated the snow beasts, this was no young or inexperienced werewolf. It was a seasoned killer.

A large basilisk might have been easier to deal with.

But the worst part was that werewolves were affected by the full moon.

In just five days, the full moon would rise. When that happened, werewolves would be driven by instinct, consumed by bloodlust.

Then a true massacre would begin.

They would lose all reason to think, turning into mindless, undead-like creatures that attacked everything in sight until the moon disappeared.

“We have five days until the full moon. We have to kill it before then.”

If they failed, the entire northern territory could become a sea of blood.

Cassius’s expression turned ice-cold. His sharp eyes scanned the darkness.

The werewolf was out there, watching them.

He could feel its killing intent prickling his skin like needles.

The others didn’t seem to notice, but Cassius could sense it clearly.

It was in his blood—It was a gift from his Istheria bloodline. Cassius gripped his sword tightly.

He couldn’t afford to lose anyone to those creatures again.

He steadied his mind once more.

***

Luckily, Cassius returned in time.

Theo and Stephanie, who had been anxiously waiting, were relieved.

They had been desperate to leave, but I had told them we couldn’t go anywhere until Cassius arrived.

“Waaah! Brother, what took you so long?!”

“You’ve finally arrived, human!”

Cassius frowned slightly at their enthusiastic welcome.

“Go wash up first, Cassius. You promised to take us to the night market.”

“…Ah.”

Cassius finally understood why they were so excited.

He took off his sword and handed it to me.
“We’re only going if you behave.”

“Brother! Can’t you wash up later? We’ll have to wash again after coming back anyway!”

“Yes! I agree with that logic!”

Cassius smirked.
“If you keep whining, we’ll leave even later. Is that okay?”

“Nooo!”

Theo immediately stepped aside.

Stephanie, seeing this, quickly pressed herself against the wall.

Cassius let out a low chuckle before heading upstairs.

Now, I was finally free from the kids.

I planned to leave everything to Cassius and rest at the inn. I secretly made my own little plan.

After playing with the kids all day, I deserved this much.

Of course, that was just my dream.

The moment Cassius came downstairs, Theo grabbed my hand and dragged me outside.

“Hurry up! Get up!”

“What?”

I reluctantly stood up at Theo’s urging.

Why was he suddenly acting like this? He was playing just fine with Stephanie a moment ago.

Stephanie, meanwhile, was staring at Cassius like a predator eyeing its prey.

Theo held my hand tightly.

“I made a bet with Stephanie.”

“A bet?”

A chill ran down my spine. Seeing Theo smiling while gripping my hand only made me more uneasy.

“A running race! But racing with just the two of us would be boring, so you and Cassius have to join.”

Could they at least ask for my opinion first?

“But… I’m not good at running. I’ll definitely lose.”

“That’s why we decided to give you a head start!”

“What?”

“Now’s the time!”

Theo grabbed my hand and sprinted out of the inn.

His small, fragile hands—once barely strong enough to hold onto me—were now gripping mine tightly.

He had grown so much.

I felt proud and emotional, but—

“Huff, huff! S-slow down! Theo, slow down!”

Panting, I struggled to keep up. Any sentimental feelings I had for him disappeared.

Why was he so fast?

I was taller, and my legs were longer, but keeping up with Theo was not easy.

Training with Stephanie had really paid off for him.

“Come on, Charlotte! You can do it!”

I never thought Theo would be the one saying that to me.

Eventually, with Theo pulling me along, we reached the finish line.

Cassius and Stephanie were already there, waiting for us.

“Why are you so slow?”

Cassius ruffled Stephanie’s hair.

“You can’t compare Charlotte to you two. You’re not even in the same category.”

“Not in the same category? But she’s a human, just like you.”

At times like this, Stephanie was such a dragon.

Since she had spent most of her life alone in an egg, she didn’t fully understand humans or the world.

“Even dragons are different from each other, right? It’s the same thing in humans.”

Theo’s words made Stephanie pause, deep in thought.

“I don’t know… I’ve never met another dragon.”

“Then just trust me. We’re different.”

Stephanie tilted her head, still confused but nodded.

“…So, what’s the prize for winning?”

“This!”

Theo grinned widely and pointed to a large restaurant.
“This is a popular place. The winner of the bet gets to choose the menu!”
“Ah.”
“But… can we even get in without a reservation?”

Cassius frowned, predicting what would happen.

As expected, they were turned away and had to wait for two hours.

***

Simply sitting and eating wasn’t Stephanie’s style.

After quickly finishing her food, she slipped away.

She sniffed the air.

“This smell… sulfur?”

It was familiar—a scent from her homeland.

Her chest stirred with a strange, nostalgic feeling for a place she had never seen.

Slowly, she followed the scent.

“Huh?”

“…It’s been a long time, Princess.”

A voice, like metal scraping against metal, came from the darkness.

Stephanie sniffed again.

There was a strong scent of blood in the air.

“What are you doing?”

She asked coldly.

“Tell me what you’re up to, and I might let you live.”

“We should be the ones asking, Princess. Why are you with humans?”

A pair of yellow wolf-like eyes glowed with murderous intent.

“Are you being held captive? If so, I’ll tear them apart with my claws right now.”

“Ridiculous. They are my companions. If you touch them, I won’t forgive you.”

Stephanie spoke with dignity.

The werewolves laughed.

“Companions? Humans? They’re weak and foolish. They’re our prey.”

Stephanie stomped her foot.

Boom!

The ground trembled.

“Are you asking to die?”

Her body wasn’t fully recovered yet, so a fight wasn’t ideal.

But showing weakness would be worse.

If she seemed vulnerable, they would attack.

And she wasn’t ready to die.

She still had so much to do, so much to experience.

“Do you think you can fight with us all? You look incomplete.”

“Do you forget who I am?”

Stephanie raised her voice. Thankfully, the werewolves backed off. They hadn’t come to fight yet, just to test her strength.

There would be other chances to kill her.

The yellow eyes gleamed with bloodlust.