Chapter 33
While Ray was kicking at the ground outside, an awkward silence filled the restaurant. Everyone’s gaze fell on the eggplant gratin.
What was that snow leopard doing just now?
He barely said a single word before— and suddenly he’s acting like that?
What, is he judging us for not taking care of our client properly?
The wolf beastmen, especially, bristled. As fellow escorts, they didn’t like being compared to that tall, black-cloaked man.
“Ugh, that stuff tastes bad…! Why did Ray give Perea something yucky? Perea, don’t eat it! Ew!”
Only Theo looked cheerful as he tried to “comfort” Perea by calling the dish bad. He even let out a dramatic sigh, as if sharing her pain.
To meat-loving predators, eggplant gratin might have been a terrible dish, but for Perea, it wasn’t.
Ray probably knew that she preferred mostly vegetarian meals— so he’d given it to her on purpose.
Feeling her cheeks heat up, Perea rubbed them lightly, then pulled the dish closer.
“Hm.”
Watching her, Dia’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.
He was supposed to be a leopard beastman, but… wasn’t that a hint of affection she sensed toward the human girl?
Leaning closer, Dia whispered softly so only Perea could hear.
“Perea, do you… like him?”
“W-What?! L-Like what?!”
Flustered, Perea’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. Dia smiled playfully at her reaction.
“The gratin,” Dia teased. “Your knight personally brought it to you.”
“A-Ah… yes! I like it— I like eggplant gratin!”
Realizing she’d been tricked, Perea overemphasized the words eggplant gratin.
‘Now that sounds even more suspicious,’ Dia thought, amused. She smiled brightly. Watching how their relationship changed over time might actually be fun.
If Perea’s escort knight was truly a good man, Dia even considered helping the two get closer.
“Perea! Eat this! This one tastes better!”
“Huh? Oh… should I?”
“Uh-huh! Theo says eat it!”
Theo placed a chicken skewer right on top of the gratin Ray had given her.
Perea picked it up awkwardly with her fingers, and Theo beamed happily just from watching her eat.
His little tail, hidden under his pumpkin pants, wagged in delight— making the pants puff and twitch adorably.
After leaving the market, the group got back into their carriages. In just half a day, they would reach Eclit.
Perea and Theo chatted nonstop about what they wanted to do once they arrived— watching Dia’s performance, visiting the old royal castle, and walking along the famous beaches.
“You know, you know, in Eclit there are lots and lots of masks! Perea, you’ll play mask games with me, right?”
“Of course. The fancy masks are one of Eclit’s specialties. I’m looking forward to it too.”
“Then it’s a promise!”
“Yes, a promise.”
Theo’s small, chubby pinky finger reached out, and Perea gently hooked her own around it.
Getting a yes instead of a no made the boy grin from ear to ear. His round cheeks puffed up with joy.
When he’d been traveling with only Ray, they hadn’t made any plans like this— it was all serious and quiet.
Now, with Perea beside him, Theo felt much happier.
Ray was cool, strong, and dependable… but honestly, not very fun.
Just like earlier at lunch.
How could he give Perea that ugly, black-ish eggplant thing to eat?
In Theo’s mind, eggplant gratin was as evil as any monster threatening the great Rabbit Hero.
He decided Ray had done it to tease Perea and took revenge on her behalf by secretly thumping the man’s solid calf a few times— a satisfying payback known only to Theo.
The sun began to set. The sky that had been as blue as Ray’s eyes was now turning crimson like roses.
Then, without warning, the carriage in front of them screeched to a halt.
Ray reacted instantly, pulling the reins hard. Their own carriage swerved sharply, throwing Perea and Theo sideways into the corner.
“Ah!”
Theo yelped, and Perea quickly pulled him into her arms.
Inside, the carriage was sound-proofed with magic, so they couldn’t tell whether Ray had driven roughly again or if something had happened outside.
But judging by the sudden turn and stop, it didn’t seem like it was just reckless driving.
“Sc-scary…! The carriage went screeech!”
Trembling, Theo clung to her tightly. His body shook— perhaps remembering a past accident.
Perea patted his back gently, repeating, “It’s okay, it’s okay,” to calm him.
She also tried to reassure herself— surely no accident could happen on a road this busy with travelers.
Just then, the small window connecting to the driver’s seat slid open.
“You okay?”
“Sir Ray! What happened?”
Hearing his calm, low voice immediately steadied her heart.
Theo also seemed relieved to see him, though he still grumbled, “Ray still drives bad!”
Ignoring the complaint, Ray spoke quickly.
“It looks like a monster appeared ahead. Stay inside—it’s dangerous.”
“Monster…?”
‘But it’s not even nighttime… and this is such a lively area?’ Perea thought, wide-eyed.
Ray’s expression had been just as doubtful.
The Amur Empire did coexist with monsters, but normally they stayed deep within the forests, far from human settlements.
Only during breeding season did they occasionally wander near villages, and even then, the empire would send extermination squads— usually to remote mountains or the woods near the capital.
But here, near peaceful Eclit? Unthinkable.
Between this and the earlier encounter with the Wulphira, something about the monsters’ behavior was clearly changing.
“I’ll check it out. Perea, take care of Theo.”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
After hearing her answer, Ray closed the window and jumped down from the carriage.
Even knowing how skilled he was with a sword, Perea couldn’t help worrying that something might go wrong.
Theo, however, looked far more confident.
“Ray’s super strong! Boom! He’ll beat all the monsters easy!”
“Really…?”
“Yup! Ray’s as strong as the sky and the earth combined! The strongest ever!”
Theo thumped his tiny chest proudly.
Perea wasn’t sure why he looked so excited when Ray was the one fighting, but… he wasn’t wrong.
She remembered how Ray had surrounded his sword with aura and defeated the Wulphira all by himself.
Even now, the monster core he’d given her was clinking softly inside her pocket, as if to remind her of that day.
So Perea decided to trust both Theo’s confidence and Ray’s strength— and wait.
At least Theo seemed calm again, which was a relief.
“Then, while we wait for Sir Ray, should we sing the Rabbit Hero song together?”
“Yeah! Theo will start!”
His small round lips began to move, perfectly singing the words of his favorite song.
Perea joined in too; she’d heard it so many times by now that she already knew every word.
Their voices filled the carriage as they cheerfully sang the chorus together.
Then— knock, knock.
Someone tapped on the carriage door.
When it opened slightly, Dia’s pale face appeared in the gap.
Her eyes were wide with fear, shimmering with unshed tears.
“Dia! Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
Perea hurriedly opened the door and grabbed her trembling hand.
At first glance, Dia didn’t seem injured, but just in case, Perea checked her carefully.
Her red hair, which usually shone like a rose, was now tangled and messy. Her bright complexion had gone completely pale.
Even Theo, who’d been happily kicking his feet a moment ago, turned serious and held her hand gently.
“Dia, does it hurt? Are you scared?”
“Y-yes… h-hic…”
Finally, tears spilled down her cheeks.
Whatever she had seen outside— it must have been something truly terrifying.
