Chapter 207
I couldn’t hide my bewilderment as I looked at Meliana and her guardians. Honestly, it was a bit unexpected.
Somehow, it felt like they had arrived before us and gotten lost in the forest.
‘How did they get here before us?’
The map given to us by the royal family just before leaving the capital was marked in the language of spirits, making it difficult for most to interpret.
Thanks to Reno’s spirit, we had raced here without getting lost, but…….
‘They shouldn’t have anyone who can handle spirits, right?’
Meliana was a mage, and her guardians were all knights from high noble families.
I had assumed they’d gone ahead to decipher the map and gather information. But had they already known the location and set out immediately?
“I thought you’d wander around a bit longer.”
Meliana frowned, swept her hair back, and let out a hollow laugh.
“You came faster than I expected. I thought you’d arrive only after I’d left.”
“You…….”
Her meaningful tone made me momentarily forget my curiosity about how she had found this place—instead, suspicion about the attackers grew stronger.
Had Meliana known all along? That Morris Futurum had been sending attackers after us?
“Your expression is priceless.”
She smirked, leaning slightly as she crossed her arms.
“Well, I get it. You thought I wouldn’t find this place, didn’t you?”
“Huh?”
“You must’ve been smug about the map, right? You thought it’d be hard for me to get here, so you’d arrive first. Am I wrong?”
“That’s…….”
I couldn’t outright deny it. I had thought that, just as she said.
But wasn’t that natural? We were competitors. And in competition, fairness doesn’t exist.
From innate talent to upbringing and background—nothing was fair to begin with.
“I knew it. You’ve got nothing going for you, yet you always flail around relying on others’ help.”
“You’re one to talk.”
“What?”
“Just as you had the Futurum family, I had Reno’s spirit for help. Besides, your Futurum family sent attackers to interfere with me.”
“Attackers?”
Meliana furrowed her brows and repeated.
“Now you’re resorting to false accusations?”
“False accusations? You really think so?”
“Of course! Even if—hypothetically—it happened, why would we send them when you winning would cause us more trouble?”
A lie? Or the truth?
“The attackers confessed. They said the Futurum ducal house hired them.”
“Our family did that? Got any proof?”
“……No.”
“No proof, and you still suspect us? You really believe those attackers told the truth?”
“They—!”
Just as Killis stepped forward, Isaac held him back. Since Killis was the one who’d forced the truth out of the attackers, being doubted clearly didn’t sit well with him.
“Without proof, anyone can spout nonsense. Did you even consider they might’ve impersonated the Futurum family?”
The hostility Morris Futurum, Duke Futurum, and Meliana had shown me was unmistakable. They disliked me. Of course they would—they saw me as an obstacle.
“Why would they impersonate your family just to kill me?”
“Worried a weakling like you might become Evgenia, maybe? The Evgenias have always been exceptional mages. But you? Not so much.”
Meliana sneered, glancing at Reno and Isaac beside me.
“You can’t even control mana properly without your precious guardians’ help. Guardians are supposed to be our subordinates. Don’t you think some find that embarrassing?”
“…….”
“And I’m disappointed you’d see me that way. If Futurum had sent attackers after you, I wouldn’t just stand by. What would it look like if you died before we could even compete properly?”
Meliana scoffed.
“People would say I got lucky. That’s just…….”
“…….”
“Disgusting. Absolutely revolting.”
I stared at her. Her tone and expression suggested she genuinely believed what she was saying. If this was all an act, it was impressively convincing.
“I see your point. Sorry for suspecting you without evidence.”
“Good.”
Meliana snorted and lifted her chin triumphantly. Watching her, I turned to Reno, Isaac, and Killis.
“Let’s go.”
Since they weren’t attackers or beasts, there was no reason to stay. Meliana didn’t seem intent on harming us either.
As I spoke, Reno said, “This way,” leading us forward. Just as we were about to pass Meliana’s group—
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