Abel approached Duke Ernest. Compared to the knights, Ernest’s injuries were minor.

“I’m fine, so take care of the wounds of my subordinates first.”

Duke Ernest was well aware of that fact. He was not a man without enough sense to put himself above his wounded subordinates anyway

“What happened?” Abel asked. If the knights had been hurt that much, they wouldn’t have been dealing with normal low-level monsters.

Duke Ernest stuttered while opening his mouth. “I saw a dead, black dead land.”

Abel frowned lightly. “Where?”

“Beyond the control line.”

“Oh my….”

That was why no dead land was found inside the hunting grounds. So it appeared beyond the control line.

“Is that the Darkness that the scholars have been fussing about?”

“That’s right. I’ve never seen it in person though. Well, if you had arrived there a little earlier, you’d be dead.”

Because the moment the Darkness appears, nearby living existence dies. Since Duke Ernest survived, it meant the Darkness had already disappeared, because only the dead land remained.

Ernest grimaced as soon as he understood the meaning behind it. “Hm, that must be a pity for you.”

Abel grinned wildly. “That may be the case. Well, in any case, I must evacuate the headquarters as soon as possible.”

“Yeah, those monsters… they’re really strong.”

If the proud Duke Ernest said this, then it would be true.

Abel nodded and looked away. He spotted his adopted daughter, Fiona, standing nearby.

‘I told her to get ready to leave, why is she still standing there?’

But she was strange. She was concentrating on one thing as if she had no idea what was going on around her. Considering the usual Fiona, it was impossible. So Abel followed Fiona’s gaze involuntarily. At the end of her gaze was a noble girl. A girl who was treating a badly injured knight. He didn’t know at first, but soon realized who she was. He did hear of ‘the saint of the rumor’. A mysterious girl with healing powers was born in a rural baron’s family. Was her name Eunice Arlyn? He once thought that it might be useful to attract the noble lady who was protected by the Temple to his side.

‘Is she Fiona’s acquaintance?’

Since they were the same age, maybe the two have met at a banquet or tea party. Nevertheless, it was strange that his adopted daughter was so surprised.

Abel then walked over to Fiona. “Fiona.”

That girl was surprised. “Yes, yes?”

“What are you so mesmerized about?” Abel glanced toward Eunice. “Do you know each other?”

Fiona shook her head. “No, I just saw her for the first time today.”

“But why are you so surprised?”

“Uh.. because she’s so pretty?”

Abel asked her, dumbfounded. “What?”

“Well, she’s really pretty. I was just surprised when she passed by.”

Abel, who was speechless because of her absurdity for a moment, placed her hand on Fiona’s head. “I’ve so much to say, but… anyway, the situation is urgent right now, so don’t show your face too much.”

Fiona slightly blushed after belatedly realizing the situation. “Yeah.”

Abel chuckled. ‘Maybe her taste is over there.’

Fiona was fine when she looked at the face of Sigren, a face that made girls of her age go crazy, but she was mesmerized by the face of the girl she saw for the first time today.

‘Ah, then my dear disciple became a little pitiful…’

Of course, he didn’t mind, it was quite fun to watch. But it was a pity, if the current situation had been a little better, he would have made fun of Sigren right away.

‘Come to think of it, where did that guy go?’

Usually, in a dangerous situation, Sigren was always next to Fiona, like a dog guarding its owner.

“The monsters are coming!”

The voice of the guy Abel was looking for echoed inside the headquarters at the right time. And the content of his sentence was not very enjoyable.

“They must have followed the smell of blood,” Fiona muttered.

There were many wounded people. It wouldn’t have been difficult for the monsters to follow the smell.

Sigren must have noticed the fact immediately, so he seemed to have gone on an investigation.

“If you can’t fight, put your arms up.”

Hearing the prince’s words, the movement of the people became urgent. The headquarter of the hunting ground right now was full of not only knights. There were also many noblemen and nobleladies who came to watch the competition.

Abel had been thinking about whether to let Fiona fight or not. His adopted daughter was already a little tired, and this battle was definitely an uphill battle. Also, in a chaotic situation, it was difficult to distinguish between friendly and foe while using magic.

“Fiona, you—”

“I will fight!”

“I was just about to tell you to get an aid.”

“It’s a waste of manpower!”

Fiona, who shouted bravely, quickly ran toward Eunice who was still treating people.

Abel sighed at her departing back.

After Fiona got closer to Eunice, she hesitated, and then she awkwardly opened her mouth. “Lady Eu..nice, the monsters are coming. You should go and escape from this place.”

Eunice slightly raised her head, there was a cold sweat on her face. And then she spoke in a voice as delicate as a little bird. “But if we try to move him now, it will be dangerous.”

As she said, the injured man who Eunice had been treating was truly seriously injured and poisoned. It seemed that moving the man would be possible at least when all the poison had been purged.

Fiona saw the white light flowing from Eunice’s hand. The treatment was slower than expected.

‘Because it’s the beginning of the original story.’

This was when Eunice was not yet able to fully control her own power.

“Haa.. thank you for your reminder. You too, Lady, you should hurry up and evacuate.”

Eunice didn’t seem to know who she was talking to.

‘Well, it’s the first time I’ve seen Eunice too.’

Fiona thought so and opened her mouth. “I’m fine even if I’m not avoiding it.”

After all, this was a battlefield.

Fiona pondered for a moment whether to summon Sigren. How should she put this, wasn’t it the norm for the male protagonist to protect the female protagonist in this kind of dangerous situation? But she didn’t have time to call Sigren.

“Mo.. a monster appeared at the southern entrance!”

“Non-combat personnel go to the central barracks!”

This was because the monsters had already arrived at the hunting competition headquarters.

Eunice instantly looked scared after hearing the cry. Still, she didn’t give up on the patient.

Fiona clenched her fists subconsciously.

‘As expected of a female lead!’

Of course, unlike her, Eunice was still terrified.

“Ev.. evacuate quickly, Lady…”

Fiona smiled brightly.

“It’s okay. Isn’t being alone scarier?”

“But if that’s the case, then you will be..aahhhhhhh—!”

At that moment, a monster suddenly jumped out to her side. Eunice screamed and closed her eyes tightly.

KIIEEKK!!

The high-pitched cry of a monster was heard. But that was the end of it. Eunice was not attacked or injured.

“It’s okay now.”

Hearing the gentle voice, Eunice slightly opened her eyes.

“Ah…”

In front of her was the corpse of the monster that was just about to attack her.

However, Fiona was just looking at the corpse while rummaging it.

“The strength of the transformed monster’s skin is harder than I expected. So to kill them at once, the moving mana power seems to be more effective and could cause a very strong explosion…”

Eunice didn’t know what Fiona was talking about, but she knew Fiona had saved her. She then looked at the corpse of the monster Fiona was rummaging around, and her body was shaken. Because it was only then she realized that the girl in front of her was not an ordinary noble girl.

“Who are you, my Lady?”

Fiona turned her gaze. She then responded with a sweet, pretty smile, in stark contrast to the chaotic situation.

“I’m Fiona Heilon.”

***