The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 96

※ This book contains depictions of coercive/dubcon/noncon acts, violence, and immorality. Reader discretion is advised.

“Are there really that many forgotten gods?”

As they trudged back, Roina turned to Lutan and asked. He gave a small nod in affirmation.

“There are many. The names of the lesser gods fade, and in their place, the Sky’s Creator God takes over.”

His voice was calm. For a moment, Roina recalled why Roberto was called the Knight of the Sky. The Empire’s god was the god of the sky and creation, and since the Imperial Crown Prince, its foremost knight, represented that god, there was no reason he wouldn’t be called that.

‘Found you.’

“Huh?”

For an instant, a voice brushed past Roina’s ear. She turned around, but there was nothing except the snow-covered forest. When she turned back, her companions were already three steps ahead.

Lutan, who was the first to notice she wasn’t following, turned around, about to walk toward her.

At that moment, Roina saw Maili wandering off alone, her steps dazed.

‘No way… she should be at the very front.’

She glanced at the knights. The vice-captain was gesturing at the lead. If he was taking command like that, it meant the captain had briefly stepped away of her own accord.

Then, Maili vanished from sight behind the trees. Roina’s heart pounded.

“I’ll be right back!”

Saying that, she sprinted toward the last place she had seen Maili. Strangely, everything felt slow. It was as if time in the forest had come to a halt. It was unsettling, but she had no time to hesitate.

Moments later, she caught sight of Maili’s golden ponytail. The young woman was still walking, her eyes vacant.

Roina ran toward her with all her might.

“Hah… hah… Maili!”

Her white breath scattered into the air, and the hem of her cloak flapped against the cold. The thick layers of clothing made it difficult to move. Before she knew it, they had arrived back at the cliff. Maili was reaching out toward the rock face.

Then, her hand was sucked into the stone.

“Maili!! Stop!”

Roina shouted in shock, but Maili didn’t seem to hear her at all.

“Snap out of it, Maili!”

Roina screamed, breaking into a desperate sprint. By the time she reached her, Maili’s arm was already drawn in up to her shoulder.

Roina lunged and managed to seize her other hand. The arm that had been swallowed by the cliff started to emerge slightly.

Roina pulled with all her strength.

‘Come out… please.’

Pouring her desperation into her efforts, she stirred the surrounding elements. The wind joined her, pulling Maili back. The snow beneath their feet melted away, and the ground hardened, supporting them.

‘Wait.’

If she could move the earth’s essence, then shouldn’t she be able to affect the cliff as well?

Roina immediately put her thoughts into action.

‘Release her. Step back.’

Swoosh—

Suddenly, Maili’s body was completely freed from the cliff. Roina tumbled backward with her. Quickly pulling herself together, she dragged Maili to the opposite side, toward the forest. Maili, as if she had lost all strength, lay limp like a doll with its strings cut, her eyes closed.

“Ugh…”

“Maili!”

Perhaps because Roina had been dragging her by the legs, or maybe because she had hit her head against a tree, Maili soon regained consciousness. Groaning, she murmured, “My head…” and pressed a hand to her forehead.

“Maili, thank goodness. That was close. You were walking toward the cliff in a daze and got sucked in—I thought something terrible was going to happen to you.”

“Get down!”

In an instant, Maili’s eyes flew open. She yanked Roina backward and drew her sword.

Whoosh!

A massive hand swept through the air, passing right where Roina had been standing.

“What… is that?”

Crack—snap!

The hand crashed into a tree, shattering it, revealing its owner. A towering creature covered entirely in white fur, a beast—or perhaps a monster—that roamed these lands. It was the very thing they had been searching for.

The yeti.

In the darkened winter forest, the massive beast loomed over them. Its body was completely covered in thick fur, making it impossible to discern its eyes, nose, or mouth. But there was no doubt—it was watching them. Whether it was focused on Maili, Roina, or both of them, she couldn’t tell.

“Run first, Roina. That thing is unbelievably strong.”

Maili’s eyes sharpened, fully alert now. She looked tense, her grip on her sword tightening with determination. Even in the face of terror, she showed no sign of yielding.

She had no intention of fleeing, even if it meant death.

How could Roina possibly run when Maili was facing a beast like that?

Biting her lip, Roina steadied her footing. For a brief moment, a golden glow flickered in her dark eyes.

“Maili, you’re mistaken about something—I’m not that weak.”

As she swung her hand, the ice crystals and trees scattered around them responded to her call.

Countless sharpened ice spears materialized before them, all aimed at the massive beast.

A cold sweat trickled down the back of Roina’s neck, but she was too tense to even feel it properly.

“KUWOOOOHHH!!”

The beast let out an enraged roar. The sound was unmistakably that of a predator. Faced with such an indescribable creature, both women felt an icy chill creep down their spines.