Chapter 379
The Countess’ Counters [Part 1]
-Campsite-
“P-Pardon… Is it really alright?”
The Skyte hunters left behind to guard the campsite looked around vigilantly and nervously as they talked to the Countess.
“Yes, of course.”
The Countess replied with her unchanging calm and cold expression, starkly contrasting with the jittery hunters.
“U-Um, if we do this on our own accord, will we…”
‘Won’t we be blamed for this later,’ the several knights who stayed in the campsite also asked anxiously.
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“They should be able to understand if they think about it deeply. His Majesty’s return has already been delayed this much. At this point, it’s not a stretch to call this an unforeseen situation. You might feel more at ease if you stick to the orders, but sometimes, you must use your head and react accordingly to the circumstances.”
Countess Melsa Stuart silenced the hunters and knights with her words and piercing cold gaze.
“E-excuse us, Countess! M-May we depart now too?”
The coachmen and guardians from House Delacour and House Simmons, who had been listening in from a distance, stepped closer to beg for permission to leave from Melsa.
The carriages of the many students participating in the extracurricular lesson and their guardians had left the campsite under Melsa’s instructions.
The carriages still in the campsite were only those of the Royal Family and their Royal Guards, House Bell, House Stuart, and two houses currently pleading Melsa. Just as it had been lively until a few minutes ago, the now empty space made them feel more anxious.
“You mustn’t. You will be needed to help the precious young ladies of the household you are serving evacuate in the unlikely event of a battle against monsters happening here. Based on His Majesty’s personality, he would most likely wish to stay here and fight. If that were the case… the Royal Family’s, knights’, and House Bell’s carriages must not escape leaving His Majesty behind.”
If the opponents are monsters, House Stuart’s carriage would, of course, stay, too.
The chivalrous king was well-liked by the commoners, but from the perspective of the knights who had to guard him, many such behaviors became their constant source of worry.
There wasn’t anyone who could afford to persuade the bear-like king during predicaments. The king of this country was a problem child who personally fought off the opposing soldiers during the coup d’état.
“I-it’s dangerous here, isn’t it?”
House Simmons’ coachman timidly looked around the gradually getting dark area. He didn’t feel anything when this campsite was full of people. It had only hit upon him now after the campsite was deserted that before him was the forest roamed by monsters. It couldn’t be helped that the coachman felt anxious as he had been serving the noble family of a territory surrounded by the sea with zero monster appearance.
‘In the first place, why and when did our young ladies enter the forest without us realizing it?’ The Simmons’ coachman couldn’t help but be perplexed.
“I-I’ll wait… I-I have promised Master to bring Young Lady Francesca home safely. However, I will withdraw with the young lady immediately from here as soon as the young lady returns from the forest!”
Francesca’s guardian from House Delacour agreed to Melsa’s words, but he still looked around the area cautiously as if finding it creepy. Although he was a somewhat skilled guardian who also doubled as a guard, he wasn’t confident he could protect Francesca from monsters.
‘In the first place, why and when did Young Lady Francesca enter the forest without us realizing it?’ He couldn’t help but be perplexed.
“Please return safely soon. As soon as possible…”
House Simmons and House Delacour’s coachmen nodded to each other, sat on the driver’s seat, and held the reins so they could set off for even a second sooner.
The guardians stared intently at the entrance to the forest, waiting eagerly for the return of the precious daughters of their masters.
“!”
“!”
Just as the situation became tenser and tenser, a gigantic body that was completely clueless about the strained atmosphere suddenly jumped out of the forest’s entrance at high speed. The king was the first to rush out when he sensed something unusual at the campsite.
“Woah!”
“Uwah!”
The guardians from House Simmons and Delacour, who had been staring at the forest while waiting, exclaimed in surprise at the king’s vigor. They thought it was a monster because of its speed and huge body, but it turned out to be the king.