Chapter 17
In the snow-covered forest, a group of horses came to a halt. Knights and mages of the Winstaine family dismounted in unison.
“…This way.”
Frederick unsheathed his sword and took the lead. The knights followed, drawing their weapons as they moved forward step by step, staying alert. Mages were positioned at the rear of the group.
The area was completely still, with no trace of people or animals. After walking for a while, they stopped in front of a massive wall. The gray wall stretched across the entire forest, as if enclosing it.
Frederick and the knights spread out, inspecting the wall’s condition carefully. They needed to find a breach.
“Sir, over here.”
Frederick turned toward the voice. In front of the knight stood a hole roughly the size of an adult’s fist.
“It’s been broken again…”
Frederick sighed as he examined the wall. Beyond the gap, more snow and ice blanketed the land than in the forest itself. It was the work of the Seolgwi—the Snow Fiends.
The Seolgwi, once sealed away by the wall a hundred years ago, had begun to reappear only a few months back.
Reports of villagers who met tragic ends in the forest increased. After reviewing the state of the corpses, Frederick recognized the signs—it was the work of the Seolgwi.
He immediately led his knights to the wall. Along the way, many Seolgwi appeared, and the knights eliminated them. They confirmed that the wall had been breached, with holes the size of one or two grown adults—enough for the creatures to come and go.
Frederick had the wall repaired at once. Since then, he had been bringing knights and mages into the forest regularly to hunt any remaining Seolgwi within the wall.
But not long after the repairs, the wall had cracked again. That meant the Seolgwi were growing stronger.
“Begin.”
At Frederick’s command, the mages stepped forward. Mana surged from their outstretched hands toward the wall.
The hole began to fill. But the mages didn’t stop even after the hole was sealed. They poured their remaining strength into casting a hardening spell over the entire wall.
Will this be enough…?
Frederick looked up at the wall, his heart heavy with doubt.
With both repairs and additional magic reinforcement, it might last a little longer than before. But there was no guarantee.
If the wall collapsed and the Seolgwi invaded, it would mean war—an all-out battle involving every soldier in the northern domain.
Historical records described the Seolgwi in vivid detail.
They resembled humans at a glance, but were much larger, with heads shaped like white wolves. Their faces were covered in white fur, with beast-like glowing yellow eyes and sharp fangs.
With their long, razor-sharp claws and teeth, they tore humans apart. The remains were nothing like those left by wild animals or monsters.
Bodies of Seolgwi victims were distinct—their necks, arms, and legs hardened like ice. That was because the creatures held onto those parts for long periods as they bit into them.
Even the breath they exhaled up close was cold as ice. When it touched skin, it caused a burning frostbite sensation.
The mages continued pouring mana into the wall until they were completely drained. If the Seolgwi launched another attack, the nightmare from a hundred years ago could repeat itself.
Of course, with a hero like Frederick, they wouldn’t fall without a fight—but even one innocent death was too many.
“Patrols will continue for the time being. The Seolgwi may still be roaming nearby.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We must also strictly control access to this area so the villagers don’t approach it.”
Frederick made up his mind to enforce strict measures.
Only skilled soldiers or mages could face the Seolgwi. Too many villagers had already lost their lives. Frederick stared at the wall for a long while before turning away.
“We’re heading back.”
Even on their way back, they remained alert, watching their surroundings. But there were no Seolgwi in sight.
Perhaps their previous cleanup had worked; the creatures had become rare. The last encounter had been about ten days ago.
Ten days ago…
That was the day he first met Grace.
After hearing reports of damage near a house close to the forest, Frederick had immediately gone with his knights to investigate.
They found over ten Seolgwi gathered in one spot and wiped them all out. On the way back, he met Grace for the first time.
She had been running from a beast, on the brink of death. Frederick assumed she was a villager who had lost her way and rescued her. But when he found out she was his fiancée, even he, who had experienced countless odd things, was stunned.
“Um… um…”
“Th-thank…”
She was a strange woman. She could hardly speak, and on the day she arrived, she got lost in the forest.
It was the emperor’s order that had saddled him with a woman whose mind didn’t seem entirely sound. That was his only impression of her at first—nothing more, nothing less.
He couldn’t defy the emperor, so he accepted it as his fate. In fact, he thought ignorance was better than constant complaints about the harsh northern life. He had intended to treat her with distant politeness, nothing more.
But for some reason…
“Th-thank you…”
Maybe it was when she looked at him with fear in her eyes, stuttering out her thanks for saving her.
“I-I’m sorry… I… attic… scared… I won’t… again…”
Maybe it was the way she apologized fearfully for something as trivial as dropping food, something that could be cleaned up by a maid.
“F-for catching… me… I almost… fell…”
Or maybe it was the way she seemed deeply touched and thanked him profusely just for helping her when she almost tripped.
He couldn’t quite understand her hesitant behavior, but he found it oddly intriguing.
“Frederick.”
Perhaps that’s why, on impulse, he had told her his name.
“Y-yes… Fr-Freder…rick.”
She looked surprised by his request to call him by name but repeated it awkwardly.
Not bad.
It was certainly better than the initial fear. He’d seen that reaction too many times before.
Ever since he’d unintentionally gained the reputation of the “Monster Duke,” he had grown sick of those fearful looks. If they were going to see each other often, he preferred it this way.
“Sir.”
Frederick snapped out of his thoughts at Lisetta’s voice. She pointed to the side.
“Over there.”
Not far away, large footprints stretched along the ground. They were the tracks of a Seolgwi.
“Let’s go.”
Frederick turned his horse toward the direction of the tracks. The knights followed. It was time for another hunt.
Meanwhile…
“No, milady.”
Annie shook her head firmly as she looked at the pearl earrings Grace was holding out. Rena and Sally wore the same expression.
“…Why?”
Grace was puzzled. She could understand Sally’s cold reaction—Sally didn’t like her—but Annie and Rena had always been kind. Seeing their stern faces was a first.
“Those are your jewels, milady. We can’t possibly accept them.”
“I… have too many. Isn’t it okay to take just one?”
Grace tilted her head. The jewelry box was overflowing with gems.
But she only had one neck, two wrists, and two ears. She didn’t think one person needed so many accessories. She thought it would be better to share, so she offered them each a piece—but they refused.
“The variety is meant so you can switch them depending on your mood.”
“B-but… you eat… snacks.”
If they had refused her gifts from the beginning, she’d understand. But Grace often shared snacks during tea time, and they always thanked her and ate happily.
“Jewels are different. They’re too precious and beyond our station.”
“…Okay.”
Grace still didn’t quite understand the difference, but she couldn’t force them. She gave up and returned the earrings to the box.
“Even later, you must never give jewels away so easily. When giving gifts, you must consider them carefully.”
“O-okay…”
Annie smiled as she saw Grace’s slightly sulky expression. A soft smile played on Rena’s lips too. To them, Grace’s childlike innocence was simply adorable.
“What are your plans today?”
“I… the garden…”
“You’re going for a walk again? You’re really diligent, milady.”
As Grace pointed outside, a memory suddenly flashed through her mind—the scene she had witnessed in the garden a few days ago.
“Um… you see…”
