MHWSW | Chapter 004 – Novelish Universe Translations

Chapter 4

My task was clear.

But I couldn’t act recklessly. Father was a suspicious man, and if I tried to challenge him without preparation, I might end up caught.

‘I need to plan carefully and meticulously.’

So he wouldn’t suspect I was scheming. So that when everything surfaced, Father would be helplessly swept up in my plans.

Given the situation, I had only one strategy.

‘Another political marriage.’

In other words, a contract staked on my own body.

In any other circumstance, it would have been utterly humiliating. As the heir of the Ginevere Clan, I had always carried myself with great pride.

That pride hadn’t vanished overnight.

‘But… there’s no other way now.’

Even if I wanted to reclaim my position as heir, no one would support a non-alpha like me over an alpha wolf. And which other clan would aid me?

A discarded heir like me?

Once again, I bit my lip, confronting the harsh reality. The sharp pain cleared my mind.

‘Now’s not the time to dwell on humiliation.’

I had already endured enough disgrace earlier. It had even awakened a grim realization.

If I submitted to this situation, I would continue to face such indignities.

‘I’ll escape this clan before that happens.’

I hadn’t struggled all this time to live like that. If my clan turned its back on me, I would forge my own path, even if it meant offering myself up or borrowing another clan’s power.

With that resolve, the political marriage Father first mentioned no longer felt so repulsive.

‘If it means escaping this clan.’

Yes, if I could escape this clan, I was willing to do anything. My determination wasn’t so weak as to falter.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Returning what was done to me—that was my goal.

‘If I secure a political marriage before Father does…’

It would be fitting revenge.

It would shatter Father’s plan to control the Regulus Clan through me. And I would escape this clan.

So, my task was clear.

Before the marriage talks with Regulus progressed, I needed to approach another clan and secure a political marriage with them.

‘The problem is how to pull it off.’

Knowing Father, he was likely watching me closely, expecting some reckless move. It was so predictable it almost made me yawn.

But Father needed to understand.

What he discarded was a masterpiece crafted by his own hands.

I already had a way to evade his surveillance.

‘The perfect opportunity is coming.’

In two days, the Ginevere Clan would host its grandest festival.

‘That’s when I can move alone.’

For now, that was the best method—and the best choice.

All I had to do was wait for the day to arrive.

While preparing thoroughly.

Two days later, the sun shone brightly, the sky was clear, and a gentle breeze blew.

The lands governed by the Ginevere Clan were filled with vibrant energy.

Inside the clan’s castle, elders and all the wolves gathered, while outside, beastmen from various clans stood united, gazing at one point.

At Father, standing atop a black altar on the castle grounds. Perhaps because it was two days after an alpha’s birth, everyone wore solemn expressions.

Their faces were filled with hope, as if wishing for a miracle like the alpha’s birth to bless them too. Father, though pretending otherwise, seemed quite pleased as he observed them.

Then it happened.

A deafening bell rang, silencing the noisy estate. Scanning the quieted crowd, Father filled his eyes with authority and spread his arms wide.

“Let the Ferutius begin!”

His commanding voice reached the crowd, who threw black roses into the air and cheered. After the cheers, they paired off, holding hands, dancing, or singing.

The Festival of Black Roses and Songs, Ferutius.

It was a celebration honoring something at the northernmost part of the Ginevere lands, in the snow-covered Anrendri Mountains.

The festival was always held on the cusp of spring and summer. There was no fixed date—only the day after the brightest night when the mountain’s peak shone most vividly. It was an odd calculation, but the Ginevere estate took it so seriously that some even had jobs watching the mountain each night during this season.

Because Ferutius was no mere festival. It was an act of reverence for Ferutius itself.

Ferutius, the greatest being in these lands. To the beastmen, it was a divine creature, one of the last living dragons. Its mere presence, sleeping in the mountains, was a blessing to the land.

Indeed, the Ferutius Festival was a ritual, transformed over time, to pray for prosperity to the dragon sleeping in the Anrendri Mountains.

‘A dragon that may not even exist.’

An old tale. A single sighting of the dragon taking its true form in the Anrendri Mountains.

Thus, few believed Ferutius still existed. Yet, because the festival was a tradition born when the Ginevere Clan began ruling these lands, everyone enjoyed it regardless.

As the festival was steeped in tradition, one custom had persisted tenaciously. The most important event: a direct descendant of the Ginevere Clan offering tribute at Ferutius’s lair in the mountains. Though its meaning had long faded, the practice endured.

“And now…”

In the Ginevere Clan, I was the direct descendant tasked with climbing the mountain. And the journey to offer tribute would give me a week—the perfect time to execute my plan.

It was an unparalleled opportunity.

‘Of course, I’ll have company.’

I planned to slip away from my companions mid-journey and head beyond the Anrendri Mountains to the Snow Leopard Clan. They were as powerful as the Regulus Clan and fiercely independent.

More importantly, they had a custom of newlyweds living separately from their clan after marriage.

This was a stark contrast to the wolves, who lived together even after marriage, and it was a feature I particularly liked.

‘It’s an ideal condition for me. And I’ve prepared what I can offer them.’

Myself included. I had prepared extensively over the past two days.

‘Though preparing for the festival as acting head was exhausting.’

It had taken a toll, but I wasn’t in a position to complain.

As I reviewed my plan, another bell rang.

Father descended from the altar and looked at me. I quickly caught the intent in his gaze—he had something to say before I left. I moved to his side, waiting for him to speak.

“Go, and afterward, we’ll proceed with the political marriage.”

At first glance, it seemed like a statement for my sake, but it carried the unspoken order to devise a plan to control the Regulus Clan within the week.

“I understand, Father.”

I replied as usual. If he grew suspicious and blocked my path, it would derail everything.

Father glanced at me, satisfied with my unchanged demeanor, then turned and entered the manor. I, too, turned and headed to where my belongings were packed.

The Anrendri Mountains.

The path started gently but soon grew treacherous. Beyond the incline, the route to Ferutius’s lair was covered in cliffs and snow, making it perilous. Even I, who had made this journey annually, always prepared thoroughly.

I wasn’t going alone. With me were my trusted companions: my maid, Mary, and the knights, Rell and Aren. Mary, as always, was fussing over my clothing, securing it tightly. Rell and Aren were bickering over who would carry the luggage but were reliable allies I could trust with my back.

My gaze fell on Rell and Aren, and they turned to me. With wide eyes and flexing their burly arms, they approached the luggage behind me. The brothers always competed over trivial matters.

“Milady, I’ll carry it!” Rell said.

“No, I’ll do it!” Aren countered.

With their brown hair and bear beastman strength, they were unfazed by cold and immensely powerful. They could carry a week’s worth of supplies and tribute through this harsh terrain without issue.

“Fine, sort it out yourselves. I’ll focus on keeping myself together,” I said.

“Of course! Don’t worry about us—just head up!” Rell replied.

“Please, do so,” Aren added.

They hefted the heavy luggage and started moving. Even with their strength, the weight slowed them, so they went ahead. Their massive, bear-like frames left faint footprints in the snow, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how effortlessly they carried such burdens.

Watching them go, Mary let go of my clothes and spoke.

“Milady, we should start climbing too.”

“Wait a moment, Mary.”

“Huh?”

Mary looked puzzled. Ignoring her, I glanced back at the clan.

Part of my plan was there.

Before leaving, I had ordered my loyal subordinate to keep watch over the clan. Anyone else might have made me uneasy, but this was my secret weapon, unknown even to Father.

My familiar, Cove.

‘I hope Cove does well.’

Cove was a magical crow-like creature, a gift secretly left by my mother before she passed.

And right now, it was hidden in Father’s study.

‘Did Mother foresee all this?’

That I’d need a trusted ally to stand against Father.

In hindsight, Cove wasn’t raised within the clan. Mother had entrusted it to a place she knew, keeping it hidden. I met it during training in a small forest near the clan.

Back then, I hadn’t thought much of it, but perhaps Mother anticipated a situation like this.

‘I told it to contact me via the magic stone if anything happens.’

The magic stone was the only device linking Cove and me, allowing communication over distances.

It was invaluable now. With Cove watching the clan, it was time for me to execute my plan.

“Mary, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The journey began smoothly, no different from past trips. The weather was clearer than in previous years.

‘This might be easier than I thought.’

With that optimistic thought, I started the climb.

But the gods had forsaken me.

Who could have imagined I’d get lost?

And that I’d encounter a sheep living in the snowy mountains, of all things.

The easy part of the Anrendri Mountains’ path had ended. What remained was cautiously walking along a narrow ledge beside a cliff and slipping away from my companions when we reached a resting spot.

‘The path seems particularly dangerous today.’

One wrong step could send me plummeting. Yet, despite the perilous path beneath our feet, my companions, chatting idly, showed no signs of tension.

“Milady, doesn’t it feel good to be out here?” Mary’s voice came from behind me.

Her excited tone, like a puppy on a walk, made me chuckle despite myself.

“Yeah, it does feel nice.”

“I’m so glad!”

I knew how much Mary had been watching me since that day. She was deliberately talking to me more now. She was the one who gave me breathing room when I was overwhelmed, and I was well aware of it.

‘I’d be blind not to notice.’

Listening to Mary’s cheerful laughter, I continued walking. It was about time for the fork in the path to appear, but strangely, it didn’t. After the fork, we always rested at a certain spot where I planned to slip away.

“Rell, how far have we gone?”

Rell looked up at the sun, and I pulled out my pocket watch from under my coat. Something felt off, and Rell seemed to sense it too.

“We should’ve passed it by now,” he said.

“That’s odd,” I replied.

It wasn’t the first time this had happened. Nature was unpredictable, and landslides, heavy rain, or snow could alter the path. That’s why the journey to Ferutius’s lair took a whole week.

We had to navigate an ever-changing route. Even though I knew the path well, sometimes we had to wander aimlessly until we found the right way.

A sigh escaped me.

I needed to save time, but nothing was going my way.

‘If nothing goes my way, I at least wish my partner would listen to me.’

A fleeting thought.

Not a defective fool with a bad reputation, but someone gentle and obedient. It wasn’t the best thought to have while heading to propose a political marriage to another clan.

‘It’s just a hope.’

A path I’d already given up on.

A voice interrupted my thoughts.

“We should turn back, Milady,” Rell said, his brow furrowed since realizing we were on the wrong path.

“Alright, let’s rest at a suitable spot for today.”

Everyone nodded grimly and carefully turned around. The path was so narrow we could only walk single file.

Just as we thought we could rest—or I could slip away—it happened.

Thud!

The dirt path, fine when Rell, Aren, and Mary crossed, collapsed the moment I stepped on it. Perfectly under my feet, as if someone had planned it.

With the ground crumbling beneath me, there was nothing I could do. What good were quick reflexes when falling off a cliff? My body froze.

As the ground gave way, my companions turned, eyes wide, reaching out desperately to grab me, despite the risk of falling themselves.

But it was too late.

“Milady!”

A piercing scream, two thick hands reaching for me, and Mary’s tearful face with her dog ears out were the last things I saw, blurred. My hands and feet felt numb. All I could sense was the sound of Rell, Aren, and Mary shouting.

I fell endlessly, unable to gauge the cliff’s height. My eyes closed involuntarily.

‘The gods must hate me.’

That’s why this happened. Someone once said misfortune comes all at once.

But I never thought the end of my misfortune would be my death. I was trained to kill before being killed, always ready to strike first.

Perhaps that’s why. Facing death when no one was trying to kill me.

My consciousness faded.

Everything went black before I hit the ground.

Chirrup!

A familiar yet unplaceable bird call woke me. A distinctive sound. As I registered it, another voice followed.

“When will she wake up?”

“Hm, she’s just not opening her eyes yet?”

“Ah… I’ll change and be right back. Explain it well to her!”

The voice wasn’t quite soft enough to be feminine but not so deep as to feel masculine—it carried a shy determination. The firm tone at the end stirred me, and I slowly opened my eyes.

Night or day? The artificial brightness made me squint.

I must still be alive.

My throbbing ankle confirmed it. Without that pain, I might’ve believed this was the afterlife. No one could survive a fall from that height.

‘I won’t be able to walk. What about my plan…?’

Could I continue in this state?

I could barely open my eyes, let alone move. But I didn’t have time to lie here. If I returned to the clan like this, I’d be forced into the Regulus marriage.

‘That absolutely cannot happen.’

It was unthinkable. Even if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to the Snow Leopard Clan. Even if my injuries worsened and I died, I had no other choice.

Despair hit me like a wave.

‘If I’d been more careful!’

My plan wouldn’t have collapsed. My hard-earned hope shattered into despair. Just before I succumbed to it—

‘There might still be a way.’

I had to stay sharp. If I had time, I could continue my plan.

The priority now was assessing my situation. As my eyes adjusted to the light, my surroundings came into focus.

A well-kept, modest cabin. Luminous stones adorned it as decorations.

Luminous stones, rare gems that glowed on their own, were highly coveted by those in power.

‘Who is the owner of this place?’

A question arose. Who could afford to use such precious stones as mere decorations?

‘I need to get up and assess the situation.’

With that thought, I tried to sit up. But it wasn’t just my ankle—pain shot through me, stealing my breath.

“Don’t move like that!”

It was the voice from before, softer now.

I turned toward it and saw a figure with curly golden hair partially covering their eyes. They hurried to support my back. Up close, I saw vibrant red eyes beneath the soft-looking hair.

Their clear, vivid red captivated me.

If only it had stopped there. Was I entranced by their color?

“…Beautiful.”

The word slipped out reflexively.

Their red eyes were stunning, as if a god had carved rubies for them.

And that wasn’t all. The man’s face, seen up close, was breathtakingly beautiful.

More than anything I’d seen in my life.

Was this what it meant to be struck by something?

His neck and ears flushed red at my words, but his hands didn’t waver as they supported me. Those hands were so firm and large that I stiffened unconsciously.

Did he think I was displeased?

“Ah… I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t touch you, but I couldn’t just leave you.”

“…It’s fine. Where am I?”

“This is my cabin.”

He carefully released me, placing a pillow behind my waist. It eased my pain, letting me look at him comfortably. He smiled warmly at me.

“And I’m Didier. Please, call me casually.”

His bright smile revealed beautiful eyes framed by golden lashes. A harmless, radiant smile.

That soft smile doused my guardedness like a flame in the rain.

He had a strange innocence that could break down even the walls of someone as cautious as me.

“Oh! And I’m a sheep. So don’t worry! I won’t eat you!”

“…A sheep?”

“Yes!”