Raising the Princess to Overcome Death Chapter 72

72. Engagement - Apohan Don

After returning to the castle, Leo cleaned off the sweat and dust from his body before asking the steward where he could find Baron Agata. He found the baron and his wife chatting leisurely in their parlor, which opened onto a terrace.

As Leo took his seat, the baron asked, "You're back early. How was the sparring?"

"It was a valuable experience. Especially Sir Brian, he's an outstanding knight."

The baron smiled proudly at Leo's words.

"He's a remarkable knight indeed. He could receive better treatment elsewhere, but..."

There seemed to be a story between Brian and the baron, but Leo wasn't interested in that. He wanted to steer the conversation in the direction he desired.

"Thank you for the opportunity to spar with such a skilled knight. We feel honored by your hospitality. I fear we're imposing on you."

"Imposing? Your joy is our joy," said the baron.

Leo bowed gratefully. "Thank you. I won't forget this kindness. However, I'd like to repay you in some way. Is there any small task we could help with?"

"Haha, there's nothing much to do in this remote mountain castle. We wouldn't ask guests to do chores," the baron replied.

This was the moment Leo had been waiting for.

"If you say so, I understand. But, is there perhaps a magical beast in the area?"

"A magical beast?" the baron echoed.

Although Leo had set out on this journey at his father's suggestion, there was little to gain from sparring with the knights here. He wanted to head to Lutetia quickly but needed to stay with Lena for a couple of weeks, making it necessary to make the most of his time.

The baron stroked his wrinkled neck as he answered, "Well, I've heard of one nearby, but it's not dangerous unless approached, so we've left it alone."

"What kind of beast is it, if I may ask?"

"A hunter described it as... oh dear, I forget the name. It looked like some sort of animal... Sorry, I just can't remember. It was some kind of omnivore."

"Did they mention what it looked like?"

"Yes, that I remember. It had the body of a pig and the head of a duck."

'It's a Migas!'

Leo was inwardly jubilant.

Migas were omnivorous animals that traveled in packs in the forest. In the childhood friend scenario, Leo often hunted them to earn his father's recognition.

'This will be easy.'

Migas were not aggressive. They fled from people, using their beaks to scour the ground for moss, mushrooms, and small berries. Although it would be larger as a magical beast, it wouldn't be as formidable as the fox-like Noguhwa.

Leo confidently stated, "It's a Migas. I can handle it. Please allow me the opportunity to repay your kindness."

"Well, I wasn't asking you to hunt it. Hunting magical beasts is very difficult. I don't want to burden you," the baron hesitated.

Leo explained about the Migas, emphasizing that it wouldn't be difficult to catch and that he had experience hunting a magical beast called Noguhwa.

"Oh my, you are a formidable warrior. I've heard that in the Kingdom of Astin, hunting magical beasts is considered a great honor. That's impressive," the baroness remarked, clearly impressed.

"My dear, allowing him the chance to bring honor upon himself is certainly valuable," she added.

The baron laughed heartily and finally agreed. "Alright, then. Is there anything you need? We'll provide whatever support we can."

Leo quickly accepted the offer. He requested the assistance of two knights and a hunter to guide them. The baron readily agreed.

As the baroness poured hot water into her husband's empty teacup, she asked, "I wish you all the best in your hunt. Will the five of you be going?"

"No, there will be four of us," Leo corrected her.

She tilted her head, her curiosity evident. "You're not taking your fiancée?"

"Ah, you knew. No, I'll go alone. Please keep this a secret until we leave. I don't want to put Lena in danger."

"Oh, I see. She might feel left out, but I understand your concern for her safety. It's clear you care deeply for her," she smiled warmly.

"......"

His earlier excitement about hunting another magical beast was dampened.

Leo made a few more requests to the baron before quickly leaving the room.

Feeling bitter, he walked down the corridor, unknowingly approaching a window overlooking the training ground.

There, he saw Lena, still practicing with her sword. The other knights had left, but she remained, lifting and swinging her sword repeatedly.

She looked adorable, a tiny figure moving diligently on the training ground, yet she also seemed lonely standing there alone.

Why did I look at the training ground?

Feeling more troubled, Leo turned away and walked back inside.

[ Achievement: Magical Beast Hunt - '2', a slight mana presence envelops your body. ]

A few days later, Leo woke up early and carefully left without waking Lena.

Leo, two knights, and the hunter set out for the hunt and returned to the castle a week later, four days later than expected.

They had almost died.

The Migas, now a magical beast called 'Apohan Don', was much larger than anticipated.

Leo's assumption that Apohan Don would be smaller than Noguhwa was a mistake. In the forest, they encountered Apohan Don, a magical beast twice as large as Noguhwa. Its massive duck-like head, with a gray beak as large as a door, and its thick neck attached to a pig's body, were imposing. The beast used a valley like a giant bathtub, drinking vast amounts of water, which made Leo realize he needed to revise his plan.

The four of them stayed at the hunter's lodge, creating snares. They needed thick ropes, so while the knights did unfamiliar labor, the hunter returned to the castle to buy more rope.

After four days, the three large snares Leo wanted were complete. He set them up between trees, attaching logs to the snares instead of securing them to trees directly. This way, Apohan Don might drag the logs but wouldn't break the ropes.

With the traps set, the hunt began.

Unlike normal Migas, Apohan Don didn't flee from humans. Instead, it screeched at the approaching men as a warning. When they didn't leave, it charged, swinging its massive beak and snapping trees like twigs.

Leo volunteered as bait.

He threw a spear to catch its attention and then ran up a slope. Apohan Don, seeing an opportunity, chased after him. Migas had a habit of fleeing upwards when escaping due to their short front legs compared to their hind legs.

After much struggle, Leo managed to lead it into the trap.

- SQUAWK!

The snare caught Apohan Don's neck, and the logs hung from its body. The beast thrashed, smashing its beak into the ground in frustration.

Leo's plan worked.

With no arms and a beak not designed for tearing, Apohan Don couldn't remove or break the snare. The four men, although cautious, had the advantage.

However, restricting its movements didn't make the fight easy. The beast's thick hide was tough, and its large beak remained a formidable weapon.

The battle was anything but elegant.

The half-day struggle turned the quiet forest into a noisy slaughterhouse. They were drenched in sweat, and Apohan Don's body was covered in cuts, oozing blood.

- SQUAWK! SQUAWK! SQUAWK!

When Apohan Don made its final desperate attack, it was perilous. Its eyes burned blue as it rolled frantically, using its massive body as its ultimate weapon.

The knights, hunter, and Leo barely dodged the enormous rolling body.

Fortunately, Apohan Don's rampage didn't last long. Exhausted, it panted heavily, and Leo seized the opportunity to drive his sword into its throat.

[ Achievement: Magical Beast Hunt - '2', a slight mana presence envelops your body. ]

Leo's contribution to the hunt was recognized, raising his achievement count.

Back at the lodge, the four men celebrated. Leo left the carcass's disposal to the hunter and returned to the castle with the knights.

Despite their disheveled state, they stood proudly before the baron and baroness.

"Wow! Is this a feather from the magical beast? It's enormous. Amazing!" exclaimed Baroness Agnes Agata at the sight of the trophy—a large feather from Apohan Don's head.

Normally, trophies like teeth are brought back, but Apohan Don had a beak instead of teeth, which was too large to carry.

"We present this trophy to the noble lady of Vidoriin Castle," Leo and the knights said in unison, saluting.

The baroness laughed joyfully. "I never thought I'd see such a thing in my lifetime. Dear, may I accept this gift?"

"Of course. Accept our guests' and knights' token of appreciation," the baron replied, pushing his wife's back gently. The baroness elegantly accepted the feather.

"I won't forget the bravery of these honorable knights. May your swords continue to bring you glory... Oh, it's been so long, I'm a bit rusty," she said, repeatedly expressing her gratitude.

Her happiness led her to prepare a grand dinner that night.

The feast, with abundant food and fine wine, brought smiles to everyone's faces—except one.

Lena, forcing a smile, trying to hide her sadness, ate and drank more than usual.

After the long feast ended, she silently followed Leo to their room. Closing the door, she waited, hoping Leo would say something to her.

Leo removed his gear, unpacked his belongings, changed into comfortable clothes, and lay down.

He never glanced her way, and Lena felt suffocated.

Fighting back tears, she undressed—not to sleep more comfortably but to strip down completely, leaving only her undergarments.

Lena, never one to expose herself lightly, couldn't hold back any longer. Fueled by alcohol, she knelt on the bed and shook Leo's shoulder.

His eyes remained closed.

Tears welled up as Lena whispered, "Leo... Leo... Leo... Please..."

Love me.

Her left side, hit by Noguhwa, had broken ribs that never fully healed and never would.