Tamed Monster - Chapter 66

Though a monster with a mission to destroy the deadly poison held by the now Emperor, Kuinan still centered his thoughts on his wife, unaware of his own behavior.

“What is it?”

She asked sharply. Kuinan shook his head as if it was nothing.

Adjusting the reins again, the white horse with a glossy mane neighed softly.

Kuinan had learned from his servants that the horse had a fiery temper, often kicking servants. But now, it only made a few soft noises of protest.

“My horse listens well, but my wife… she doesn’t.”

As she tried to turn her head toward him, Kuinan quickly shut his mouth.

After half a day’s deeper journey into the swamp, human stamina reached its limit. Kuinan dismounted and found a decent place to camp.

Squish. Squish.

With every step, their feet sank into the mud. Kuinan was used to it, but the humans couldn’t seem to adapt to the swamp’s natural conditions and panted with every step. Sylvia likewise struggled, barely keeping pace.

“Want me to carry you?”

“N-no.”

So far, they hadn’t encountered any monsters. Only a couple of knights, loyal to Lancart, thought it strange.

Kuinan overheard their whispered doubts thanks to his sharp hearing. This allowed him to control the entire group effortlessly without much effort.

‘What the hell is this?’

‘Shouldn’t we be near the swamp’s center by now? How can it be so quiet? Last year when we went on a hunt, little monsters attacked right at the entrance. And now, with dozens of times more the number of hunters before…’

These were knights who hadn’t been on the mission when Lancart went missing—likely unavoidable absences. Otherwise, they usually joined every hunt and quickly noticed the oddity.

Kuinan’s piercing blue eyes slid toward them.

‘Hmm… If I’m going to kill, these guys have to be first.’

Behind them stood a wagon loaded with weapons coated in deadly poison, sent by the Crown Prince. It was slowly sinking into the earth as well.

“How about unloading the weapons first, my lord?”

Since entering the swamp’s edge, the knights insisted on opening the wagon, but Kuinan had stopped them. He knew exactly how the hidden low-level monsters would react if the wagon was disturbed. For their own safety, he had no choice but to refuse.

The two knights raised their voices more and more.

“This is dangerous.”

“The atmosphere is bad. There should be at least thirty monsters attacking by now, but it’s too quiet… There’s definitely something going on.”

They were right. The monsters did have a scheme. But it wasn’t the small monsters surrounding the modest hunting party; the real plot was held by the sly monster they called their master.

Lancart disguised as a monster, Kuinan solemnly ordered:

“You’re right. Find stable ground, set up tents, and rest while keeping your weapons.”

The knights bowed politely to his solemn, theatrical announcement. Holding their helmets to their chests, they stood motionless for a few seconds before straightening up. Kuinan watched them curiously, then turned his gaze back to his wife.

“Tired?”

He had been carefully watching her all along. Sylvia must have noticed, as the sharpness in her gaze had softened. Since she couldn’t escape this place without his help, she could not simply push him away. She had to survive and return.

‘My sister.’

Thinking of her parents and sister, she gathered her scattered thoughts. Their long-missed faces floated before her. Kuinan narrowed his brow, sensing her distraction.

“Ah, so you don’t need my help?”

Offended, he tried to leave abruptly, but Sylvia grabbed his waist with both hands desperately.

A few watching knights hesitated whether to hand her weapons or not, stepping back awkwardly. Feeling like the most childish Duchess in the world, Sylvia bit her lip and sharply let go of her husband’s waist.

“Why let go? You’ll be swallowed by the mud.”

Unable to decide what to do, she finally reached out again and grasped his hand. He chuckled, holding her hand tightly as they made their way through the soft earth.

Soon, they found ground solid enough to pitch tents, where the humans settled down.

Around a dozen humans and one monster, quietly together.