Chapter 37
Ceres let out a short sigh and gently comforted the sobbing Yulia.
“How could Uncle… how could he do that to Dave…?”
“Because he’s insane.”
Yeah, insane.
What else would you call a man who murdered his wife and child because he suspected her of cheating?
He didn’t just suspect her — he’d interrogate her every day, accusing her that Dave wasn’t even his real son.
In front of others, he acted like the most loving husband and father imaginable — but at home, he was a monster.
As if Dave wasn’t his own child… ridiculous.
Even after being dragged to the guards, Knox screamed that he’d only acted out of blind rage when he found out about his wife’s affair.
Ceres could only scoff.
Anyone could tell that Dave was his son — the boy was the spitting image of his father.
How could a man look at a child who looked that much like him and still believe otherwise?
Did his suspicion blind him that completely?
“I miss Dave…”
“…Let’s go see him later, together. We’ll bring his favorite snacks and some flowers.”
Ceres gently patted Yulia’s back.
Knox had confessed in detail how he’d dealt with the bodies of his wife and son.
Bit by bit — over several days — he’d carried them up to a nearby mountain… and finally buried them there.
“I’ll take you there, okay?”
Dragged off by the guards, Knox had confessed everything — half willingly, half by force.
His trial would be soon.
He’ll be sentenced to death, obviously.
No point thinking about it anymore. Just made her angry.
Seeing Yulia still crying uncontrollably, Ceres didn’t say another word.
Telling a child not to cry over a dead friend would’ve been absurd anyway.
She wasn’t good at comforting people — never had been.
But she could at least stay beside the kid until the tears stopped.
— KIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!
“……?”
At that moment, a chilling scream filled the restaurant.
Even the sniffling Yulia widened her eyes in shock.
“…What’s crying now?”
Ceres knew that sound.
It was the strange alarm device made by Tower Lord Cheian — and it was shrieking wildly from the corner of the shop.
As soon as everyone realized what that sound meant, their faces went rigid.
— KIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!
The alarm screamed without pause.
That alarm only went off when—!
Thud!
Every mercenary in the tavern jumped to their feet and grabbed their weapons.
Their eyes turned sharp and alert — so different from how they’d been just moments ago.
“Heh, so the Black Forest finally shows up in the middle of the capital, huh?”
“Damn it, my day off…”
“You’re unlucky anyway.”
“Shut up! You’re one to talk!”
Even as they joked, their hands tightened on their weapons. Moments later, they all rushed out of the shop.
“U-Unnie…”
Yulia’s voice trembled as she covered her ears with both hands.
Ceres patted her lightly on the head, then shouted toward Jay.
“Write it all down in the ledger.”
“Huh? What?”
“The ledger — write down everyone who just ran out without paying.”
“Oh…”
Like hell she’d let them skip the bill.
Ceres recalled every face that had just dashed out and untied her apron.
“Colin.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Outside, darkness was spreading fast. The surrounding area was being swallowed by the Black Forest.
Towering black trees shot up to the sky, blotting out the sun — a sight enough to strike terror into anyone.
“Take care of Yulia. Everyone else, stay put and don’t go anywhere.”
“What about you, Miss? You’re not… going outside, are you?”
“You can’t!”
Jay and Mark quickly tried to stop her.
The building wasn’t exactly safe, but stepping outside now would be suicide.
None of them had ever experienced the Black Forest firsthand, but they’d heard enough stories.
Outside would soon be swarming with monsters.
The only way to survive was to hide, stay quiet, and wait for rescue.
“Well, I guess going out like this is a bit much.”
“Of course it is!”
“Miss, it’s dangerous— please, this way—!”
CRACK!
Jay and Mark froze mid-sentence.
Ceres had just stomped on a perfectly fine chair and shattered it.
“Hm.”
This’ll do.
She picked up one of the broken chair legs, looking satisfied.
“M-Miss Ceres? What are you…?”
“Thought I should at least have something to use as a weapon.”
“Huh?”
A stick? Instead of a sword? What good was that supposed to do?
They all looked at her like she was insane, but Ceres only stared out the window — where the darkness had deepened even more.
The monsters would appear soon. She didn’t have time to waste.
“……”
Just as she was about to step outside, she stopped.
Yulia was still staring at her, terrified, her hands clamped over her ears.
Ceres turned around and headed into the kitchen.
Why the kitchen?
Everyone watched, puzzled, as she soon returned.
“Catch.”
“What’s this?”
“A defense stone.”
“A… defense stone?”
Colin looked down at the small black stone in his palm.
“Break it if things get dangerous. It’ll create a barrier — keep you safe for a while.”
Only about three hours, but still better than nothing.
It was something Artea, a former Tower Lord, had given her long ago.
Should’ve grabbed a few more back then.
She hadn’t thought it’d be useful, so she’d only taken one to humor him — and tossed it into her subspace storage.
Luckily, she’d remembered it just now.
Too bad it was the only one.
“Stay quiet, alright?”
Three hours should be plenty.
Ceres gently stroked Yulia’s head one last time.
“A-are you really going out? Why? You’re safe here!”
They even had the defense stone — why leave?
Jay stomped his feet in frustration.
“Gotta collect the debts.”
“…Huh?”
“Can’t collect if I’m dead.”
So she’d just make sure she didn’t die.
With that, Ceres stepped out into the darkening street.
“Ah…”
Everyone could only watch, stunned, as she strolled into the thickening darkness — as calmly as if she were going for a walk.
“What?”
“What did you just say?”
“They reported a Black Forest has appeared on Dellashi 1st Avenue.”
“What the—!”
Thud!
Cheian, the Tower Lord, who’d been lounging around his office grumbling about work as usual, shot up from his seat at Luca’s words.
Beside him, Crown Prince Asseraian’s face instantly hardened.
“A Black Forest… in the capital?”
Dellashi 1st Avenue — that was the center of the capital.
Recently, Black Forests had begun appearing in areas near the city, but never inside it.
They’d been keeping an eye on it just in case, but to think the worst had actually happened…
“There, that’s…”
Cheian muttered blankly, then abruptly cast a spell.
“Cheian! Wait—!”
Before Asseraian could stop him, Cheian vanished.
“…What the hell’s gotten into him?”
Normally, the man barely reacted even when a Black Forest appeared nearby — so why was he suddenly panicking?
“It’s probably because of his favorite restaurant.”
“Favorite…? Oh, that stew place?”
“You knew about it too, I see.”
Of course he did. Typical brother complex — Asseraian already knew all about Cheian’s recent hangouts without ever being told.
“What’s so great about that place that he’s freaking out like this?”
“Beats me. Every time I show even a bit of interest, he hisses at me — says not to follow him.”
“…Is he a cat or something?”
Strange. Was there something more to that shop than met the eye?
“Shouldn’t we get moving, Your Highness?”
“Right.”
Asseraian shook off his thoughts. There were more urgent matters at hand.
The first Black Forest inside the capital — they had to mobilize immediately to minimize casualties.
Unlike the border regions, every second counted here.
Just thinking about how much damage might already be happening made his head ache.
“I’ve prepared the teleportation circle.”
“Thanks.”
Thanks to Luca’s quick work, Asseraian was able to act at once.
He patted Luca’s shoulder lightly, then followed the waiting mages out of the room.
“Hmm.”
Left alone, Luca quietly stared at the spot where Cheian had vanished moments ago.
