* * *
I widened my eyes innocently, as if I hadn’t noticed a thing, and looked up at the man before me.
A knight with a sharp expression had already drawn his sword and was watching me closely.
We weren’t quite at the forest entrance yet, but this area was still off-limits.
It made sense they’d be cautious with a stranger showing up.
Still, his stance was a bit sloppy.
If I had a sword, it wouldn’t be hard to knock aside the hilt and charge in.
“Ah, well…”
“Don’t move.”
The knight’s tone was firm.
The tip of his sword trembled slightly, as if ready to strike should I disobey.
Even though I wasn’t armed, he remained on alert—perhaps suspecting I might be a mage.
A sloppy lie now would only make things worse.
It might lead to another lie down the road to cover up the first.
Slowly, I raised my hands in surrender and gently pushed my hood back.
“I’m Adrian, married to Klen Valuncio.”
“……!”
Because I was telling the truth, I didn’t have to fake a thing. I could remain confident.
The knight, who had been studying my face, quickly bowed his head.
“Ah! I’ve seen you from afar before. What brings you here?”
Thankfully, he must’ve caught a glimpse of me around the time of the wedding.
His tone softened, though he didn’t fully sheath his sword.
It lowered slightly but still gleamed sharply.
“I wanted to see the forest where the sacred beasts live.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I came to see the forest.”
“…I see. I can escort you to the edge, but I cannot allow you inside.”
He tilted his head, but it wasn’t his first time dealing with something like this.
He turned and began walking, and I followed behind him, observing my surroundings carefully.
Grass, trees, animals wandering nearby. But there was nothing unusual.
Eventually, we reached the entrance without discovering anything out of place.
At the entrance stood a watchtower and several knights guarding the path.
The moment they saw me, their hands instinctively went to their sword hilts.
“Who is that?”
“Hey, who did you bring?”
“Watch your words. This is Lord Klen’s spouse.”
Their eyes blinked rapidly.
Etiquette forgotten, they scanned me from head to toe, then stared at my face like they were trying to burn it into their memory.
“This person?”
“He is good-looking…”
“Wait—did the young master really marry a man?”
“Hey, hey! Don’t say that in front of the lady—no, the spouse!”
Unlike the knight who brought me, these men didn’t seem very concerned with affairs at the estate.
“Whoa?!”
The one who looked like the squad leader smacked the back of his subordinate’s head and pushed him forward.
One by one, they were forced to greet me.
“M-my apologies. Please forgive their rudeness.”
“It’s fine.”
“I heard you were from the Caldrich family.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
After their forced greetings, the knights regained their composure and placed a hand over their chests as they bowed properly.
Their eyes sparkled, probably recognizing who I was.
Of course.
My father, Count Caldrich, is hailed as a war hero alongside Count Valuncio.
“Even if you are Lord Klen’s spouse, you’re still not allowed to enter.”
Only the squad leader remembered his duty.
“I know. I just…”
My gaze shifted past them.
Past the Valuncio territory, to the south, lay a massive rocky mountain range.
Nestled in one of its valleys was the entrance to the forest, protected as though by a fortress.
It wasn’t a narrow entrance—and the majestic sight visible even from here was enough to take one’s breath away.
Truly, the phrase “endless forest” didn’t seem like an exaggeration.
That enormous tree towering near the center of the forest—without a doubt, that’s where the protagonist and the elder will one day meet.
It’s also likely the inspiration for the Valuncio family crest.
And yet, despite being so clearly visible, in the entire story, only the protagonist ever sets foot there.
‘Haa…’
Becoming a member of the family guarding such a mystical place—it was starting to sink in.
“As a member of the Valuncio family, I simply wanted to see the forest.”
“We understand your feelings.”
“Everyone who visits the city takes at least one look.”
“You may observe from here, but you absolutely must not enter.”
I gave a small nod, though regret lingered.
If only I could step inside and see the forest with my own eyes.
The novel described it in vivid, elegant prose—but how different would reality be?
I smacked my lips softly.
“Because of the sacred beasts and spirits?”
“Yes.”
“But not just to protect them.”
I turned my head toward him.
The knight continued with a solemn face.
“It’s dangerous. They’re not exactly friendly, and once you enter, it’s not easy to come back out.”
Spirits exist elsewhere, but sacred beasts are only found here.
They’re notoriously temperamental and difficult to deal with.
One must approach with extreme caution.
If chosen by a sacred beast, one becomes a Beast Knight.
If bonded to spirits, a Spirit Master.
Spirit Masters are rare, and a Beast Knight hasn’t appeared in over a hundred years.
I wandered the area, studying the forest from outside.
Neither spirits nor sacred beasts were fond of humans.
I couldn’t feel a trace of their presence near the entrance.
Nothing seemed off here either.
“Not yet?”
It’s hard to believe the spell hasn’t been cast yet.
Or maybe I just can’t recognize it?
“……”
Even if I searched more thoroughly, I likely wouldn’t find anything.
And since I wasn’t here officially, lingering any longer wasn’t wise.
I turned back and stood before the knights once more.
“It’s a shame I can’t go farther. Keep up the good work guarding the perimeter.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Of course!”
They answered firmly, looking dependable enough.
Still, they probably wouldn’t notice the existence of any spellcraft.
Finally, I looked each one in the eye.
Lowered my lids slightly, then raised them, focusing hard.
Imagining monsters standing before me, I glared—and saw the knights flinch.
Maybe the rumors of my weakness haven’t spread here yet.
I locked eyes with the squad leader.
“I only came out of curiosity. I don’t want this becoming idle gossip. Don’t mention my visit to anyone.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
His voice cracked from how stiffly he straightened his back.
Good.
Looks like I intimidated them just enough.
“I’ll be watching just how tight-lipped the forest’s knights really are.”
“You have nothing to worry about!”
And finally, I ended it by meeting each of their eyes one by one.
Among those looking my way, there were a few gazes that trembled ever so slightly.
I gave a faint smile, as if to let them know: I’ve memorized all your faces.
Then I quickly mounted my horse and pulled my hood back over my head.
“Well then, I’ll be back again. Report immediately if anything suspicious comes up.”
“Yes, sir!”
I gave a light wave to the knights, who placed hands over their chests and bowed with military precision, and spurred my horse forward.
I rode off with perfect posture, showing them my confident and practiced form without holding back.
Once I was far enough that the knights were out of sight, I slowed my pace and let the tension drain from my body.
No one tried to stop me as I passed through the castle gate at a casual trot.
‘That should do it, right?’
I had no way of knowing how well they’d keep a secret.
But even if a few of them talked, it wouldn’t be a problem.
My words would carry more weight than a knight’s anyway.
It’s obvious whose version people would listen to.
* * *
