The sea monster incident of Riddle was truly an important event.
This is because this incident becomes the starting point of the Empire's 'Monster Rampage Crisis.'
Maxel, who came to defeat the sea monster, learns about the past connection between Riddle's village chief and Lilia in the process.
The fact that Lilia had gifted a magical tool that could block the sea monster.
Although the village chief, blinded by immediate profit, sold the magical tool, causing Riddle to be devastated...
Through this incident, Lilia begins to take serious interest in the monster rampage incident. The story that unfolds afterward is one of her saving the Empire.
Although not everything proceeded exactly according to the predetermined story, the major flow was preserved, so the ending likely won't be greatly different either.
"Ah, I can see the village over there!"
Lilia, who had smiled lovingly at Maxel, gazed at the small village visible in the distance.
It was a village that should have already been devastated by the sea monster long ago. It was an event that should have progressed after Annelie's execution, yet she couldn't understand how it remained so peaceful. Had they perhaps used the magical tool to block the sea monster?
Lilia raised the corners of her mouth while hiding her stiffening expression.
'...If that's the case, it would actually be easier to resolve.'
The magical tool she gave was a barrier that trapped monsters. That meant if the barrier was released, the story would proceed as originally intended.
Releasing the monster was dangerous, but they couldn't just wait indefinitely with folded arms, so there was no choice.
"Lilia, sticking your head out like that is dangerous."
"Thank you for worrying, Big Sister!"
At Lilia's answer, Frisian gave a faint smile. Maxel remained silent throughout as if uncomfortable with Frisian's company.
"Hm, why are the village people out like that?"
As they approached, the villagers gathered in the street chattering became clearly distinguishable. Lilia, watching them intently, sparkled her eyes.
'Perhaps the sea monster has appeared?'
Finally the carriage stopped, and Lilia, who got off first, quietly approached the villagers.
"They saved us."
"But what about our livelihood right now!"
"If we get attacked by monsters, we won't even have a chance to worry about making a living!"
Confused and chattering, they didn't notice Lilia approaching as they heatedly continued their conversation. Thinking it might be something important, Lilia pricked up her ears.
"That's right, God gave us a teaching for us who were blinded by greed. We shouldn't have used such a method from the beginning."
"If we knew the identity from the start, we wouldn't have made a mistake! Why on earth did they hide it?"
"But is it really certain?"
"The village chief saw it clearly last night! Silver hair and even stigmata!"
One of the villagers who had been raising their voices in argument noticed Lilia and faltered. Others who had been whispering seriously also belatedly showed wariness.
"More visitors?"
"Are we really not reported?"
"No way, that person is God's agent! They wouldn't have reported us poor people!"
One of the residents who had been whispering in low voices stealthily stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
Just then, Frisian appeared behind Lilia. Frowning as she gazed at the villagers, she swept her gaze over the village scenery.
"It's small."
Frisian signaled her subordinates with her eyes. At the sight of them casually inspecting the village interior, one of the residents stepped forward one more pace.
They were certainly angry. Thinking unnecessary conflict might arise, Lilia quickly spoke up.
"I have a connection with this village's chief!"
"What?"
The resident faltered and looked back at Lilia. Maxel, who got off the carriage latest, also came to stand by Lilia's side.
Lilia, with Maxel and Frisian by her side, confidently spread her shoulders.
"Tell the chief and you'll know. I even gifted a magical tool, so there's no way he won't remember."
"...Magical tool?"
The resident's complexion changed suddenly. It wasn't a welcoming atmosphere. Though everyone kept their mouths shut, their gazes were fierce.
Flustered by that atmosphere, Lilia stepped back. Maxel quickly wrapped her with his arm and signaled his guard knight.
The guard knight who had been deliberately dressed ordinarily drew his sword while protecting Lilia and Maxel.
Startled by the extraordinary guard knight's imposing manner, the villagers retreated hesitantly. The atmosphere had now cooled irreversibly.
Frisian narrowed her eyes and remained silent, and Maxel also surveyed his surroundings as if trying to grasp the situation.
Lilia, sensing instinctively that something had gone wrong, raised her voice urgently.
"Call the chief!"
"I am the chief."
A white-haired old man revealed himself among the villagers. Upon seeing Lilia's face, he made a subtle expression.
"You are..."
"You remember me, right? I used to come to play often with my mother in the old days. You served us every time. Besides, I often listened to your worries too. Right?"
"Yes, I remember."
The chief looked at Lilia with a darkened complexion. Though his lowered body showed respect for the other party, his expression and tone were completely otherwise.
At his appearance of not welcoming her at all, Lilia's lips also gradually stiffened.
Something seemed very wrong.
She clearly remembered that she had taught the chief, who was worrying about the village that was about to go bankrupt, 'a method to make the village prosper.' She had even gifted a magical tool.
She was no different from a benefactor to the chief, so naturally he should have welcomed her gladly.
"Lilia-nim, to visit our village so suddenly. What an unfortunate visit. So you knew after all."
"Knew?"
"Did you not come knowing that the magical tool you gave me was damaged?"
"Damaged...?"
At Lilia's bewildered expression, the chief let out a deep sigh. Having sent away the bustling villagers, the chief looked at Lilia with sorrowful eyes.
The chief, who had been silent with a face full of complicated emotions, spoke slowly.
"That person said that Lilia-nim has precognition abilities. You don't need to hide it anymore."
At his sudden words, Maxel and Frisian sharply glared at the chief. Lilia calmed them and looked back at the chief.
"By 'that person', who do you mean?"
At her question, the chief rather made a puzzled expression. He seemed to think she would naturally know.
"I mean the Resurrected One."
The moment Lilia drew a small breath, Frisian, who was standing nearby, urgently signaled her subordinates.
Strength also entered Maxel's hand that was wrapping Lilia's shoulder. Frisian took a step forward and asked the chief.
"Did the Resurrected One visit this village?"
"...They stayed until dawn today."
Hearing the answer, Frisian immediately turned her body. Maxel was also signaling his guard knight.
"Just watch, Lilia."
"Yes?"
"I'll leave guards and go."
"Wh-where are you going?"
Lilia reflexively grabbed Maxel's arm. Maxel, confirming Frisian who had already mounted a horse, tried to shake off Lilia's hand, but the tightly grasped hand didn't come off easily.
"Lilia."
"If you leave me alone, who knows what might happen!"
"I'm leaving guards..."
"Rather send the guards and stay by my side, Your Highness!"
If this was the sea monster appearance event, Maxel absolutely had to be by her side. Because Maxel is the one who defeats the sea monster!
Maxel looked at Lilia with frustrated eyes, but Lilia stubbornly clung to him.
Meanwhile, Frisian led her subordinates and left the village. Lilia, glancing at the distant Frisian, firmly pressed her lips together.
"Lilia, there's no time for this."
Maxel, who had been anxiously chasing Frisian's retreating figure, urged Lilia again.
"Your Highness. Do you really care more about Little Sister than me?"
"You know that's not what I mean."
"Little Sister was... Your Highness's former fiancée. If Your Highness leaves like this, do you really not know how I would feel?"
As Lilia appealed with tears showing, Maxel's lips twitched. However, before he could answer anything, the chief, who had inadvertently overheard their conversation, reacted first.
"So the rumor that His Highness the Crown Prince missed his former fiancée was...!"
It seemed to be words he had blurted out unintentionally, as the chief immediately shut his mouth. However, the flustered voice was louder than expected, so neither Lilia nor Maxel could help but hear it.
Lilia's complexion, which had been tearfully welling up, momentarily stiffened. Her cold gaze turned toward the chief.
"What did you just say?"
The chief bowed his head while sweating cold sweat.
If it were up to her feelings, she wanted to rebuke the chief's reckless words and give him a severe punishment right now. But that could be done later.
Suppressing her feelings with effort, Lilia strongly grabbed Maxel's arm.
"Your Highness, you heard that, right?"
Maxel remained silent with an uncomfortable face. Lilia pressed him demanding an answer.
"Even with this, are you still going to leave me behind?"
Momentary hesitation crossed Maxel's eyes. However, it didn't last long.
He answered by calling his knights instead. Lilia breathed a sigh of relief.
Thus, she managed to keep Maxel by her side after all.
However, as time passed, the sea monster did not appear.
* * *
Hastily using dense trees as cover, we moved to a valley and discovered a cave large enough to hide four Dullahans. Fortunately, there were no signs of other wild animals inhabiting the inside.
By that time, the magical tool still wasn't working, and the Dullahans couldn't transform either, so we decided to rest for now.
It was a decision made to wait for the magical tool to work again, and to somewhat relieve the fatigue accumulated from staying up all night.
The Dullahans huddled together at the very back of the cave. Near the entrance, Zenon was taking out ingredients he carried and feeding the baby Lizardman.
He probably took out various things not knowing what to feed, but it ate well whatever was given. But above all, what the baby Lizardman liked most was meat.