The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 22.2

Deeply moved, the village head shouted, “Thank you, Your Highness! We’ll make a rescue team this instant-”

Ilya cut him off by pointing to the middle of the mountain.

“What is that? That’s the only thing that’s intact.”

“That red-stoned building over there? I heard it was a villa that belongs to a noble of high status.”

A villa in the middle of a mountain…? Who in their right mind would build a summer house right next to the Black Forest? Since he’d arrived, the building strangely got on his nerves. Ilya, who was staring at the building standing alone on the ridge, turned his head. He had to focus on the rescue of survivors.

“There’s a body!”

The knights who were digging up a pile of mud in the pouring rain shouted. Ilya stared blankly at the raindrops running down the knights’ faces and bodies.

Tatar wasn’t the only living hell.

Ilya called to the village chief who was on the verge of tears.

“Follow me. We have to confirm the identity of the deceased and discuss how to proceed with the rescue operation.”

Ilya let out a long sigh as he looked up at the sky. It was as if there was a huge tear. He’d promised to return quickly, but it seemed it would be difficult to keep his promise again.

***

At night, the rain stopped for a while. The knights who were immediately mobilized for the rescue operation were exhausted as they had no time to rest. Ilya asked the village chief standing across from him, “Is there a place we can rest?”

This village at the entrance of Mt. Benning was at the intersection of two territories, the Earl of Edith and the Viscount Summit. Officially, it stood on the land of Viscount Summit. Most of the villagers made their living by gathering herbs or hunting on Mt. Benning behind the village. It was neglected because it was sparsely populated and economically unsatisfactory.

When Ilya announced that he would lead the knights here, Viscount Summit was surprised and offered to provide their castle as lodging. However, the distance was far too long, so Ilya politely declined the offer.

“Yes, there is a place used by the town guards as accommodation. Please follow me.”

Ilya and the knights followed the village chief. The guard’s quarters were a short distance from the village. As they walked along the muddy dirt road, they saw several shabby huts clustered together.

“It’s a shabby place. I don’t know if a man of your caliber should stay there.” The village chief said with a troubled expression.

“We’re fine, but…”

Ilya sighed as he looked back and forth between the old cabin and Rene, whose pale blue lips were trembling. Rene, noticing his concern, deliberately spoke cheerfully,

“I want to stay with you and Nazz. What if a mouse decides to pop out?”

Ilya chuckled and took Rene’s sleeping bag and entered the wooden building. Nazz smiled at the sight of Ilya walking slowly to match her steps.

When Nazz beckoned, the knights split into groups and entered the cabin. Silence settled in the once noisy space.

Entering the building, Nazz almost laughed out loud. Ilya brought a bunch of straw from the corner and was spreading out a sleeping bag. It was clearly the sleeping bag Rene would use.

When he had just gotten married, he and her majesty went to the lakeside and did the same thing. He was quite gentle when he wanted to be. Nazz giggled to himself as he recalled the memory.

“Nazz, do you smell something?”

Rene, who had been standing idly by Ilya, sniffed the air.

“Hmm? I don’t-”

A smell that stimulated everyone’s appetite blew into the cabin along with sounds of chatter. Nazz rushed to the window. When he opened it, he saw a row of servants unloading something from a large wagon. Next to it, clamoring knights were gathered in twos and threes.

“Your Highness, there is a wagon outside.”

“A wagon? Was it sent by the vice-captain? It shouldn’t be here yet.”

Ilya looked confused.

“I’ll see what’s going on.”

Before Nazz could reach the doorknob, the door burst open. Surprised, he reflexively drew his sword.

“Who are you?”

The knight answered as soon as the words dropped, “Your Highness, Countess Edith has sent a cook and food!”

“Countess Edith? I didn’t even ask for support. What a surprise.”

Ilya slowly got up. He walked to the door and threw the half-open door wide open. His sharp eyes scanned the situation outside. They narrowed as he watched the servants carrying the food. Nazz’s eyes, which followed his gaze, also shone sharply.

“Are those people from Count Edith’s?”

“Yes, they’re the cook and servants in charge of the meals.”

Ilya’s and Nazz’s eyes met and they shared a meaningful smile.

“Your Highness, a letter from Countess Edith.”

The knight handed a letter to Ilya. Seeing the name written on the envelope, he frowned.

“It’s not from Countess Edith… it’s from the Countess of Glenn.”