Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 20

As I stood in the fortress, lost and helpless, a tremendous roar echoed through the air.

What?

Is it getting closer?

I instinctively rushed to the window and looked outside—what I saw was an enormous, blazing red sphere.

It looked just like the falling stars or meteors I had read about in books long ago.

It hurtled toward the ground, descending with an ear-splitting roar.

I don’t know what it is, but this is bad…

“Claire! Cast a defensive spell—quickly!”

“Ugh… huh? Got it. Barrier!”

Claire, who had been lazily gazing outside from behind me, immediately recognized the red sphere and chanted her spell.

I ran frantically around the fortress, trying to shut every window and door I could.

Before that thing hits the ground… Hurry…!

I ran as fast as I could, but I couldn’t close everything in time—

BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

The sphere crashed into the earth, unleashing a blinding explosion of light.

A deafening shockwave followed, and then, moments later, a scorching gust of wind tore through the surroundings.

The fortress we were in was briefly illuminated by the blast, then shook violently as if an earthquake had struck. The windows I hadn’t managed to close were blown away.

The heat surged in through the openings.

Claire and I huddled beneath the magical barrier, crouching low.

But the fortress itself… this isn’t safe…

I knew it, but there was nothing I could do.

I held Claire down, pressing her to the ground as we waited for the impact to pass, praying desperately that we would survive.

After what felt like an eternity, the sounds finally faded.

I cautiously lifted my head and looked outside.

The area where the red sphere had landed was torn apart—the earth upheaved, trees leveled, and flames consumed everything in sight.

What kind of attack was that?

Was it launched by the monster that caused that massive explosion?

For a moment, I felt relieved that it hadn’t struck this fortress or any of the villages surrounding the city.

Even in a moment like this, I prioritized myself.

I had been the lord’s daughter and acting governor, yet I didn’t think about the villages until after my own safety.

But I had run away. It wasn’t my concern anymore.

Still, if an attack like that had landed, then Riofendarl must be gone without a trace.

Father…

Sifa…

Everyone must be dead.

The adventurers, the people working at the lord’s manor and the guild, the guards, the townspeople—there was no way anyone could have survived that devastation.

I was terrified.

Panic gripped me, and I lost the ability to think rationally.

Driven by fear, I ran.

I was terrified.

Claire called out to me, but I didn’t turn back.

I was terrified.

I had to get away—from wherever that sphere had come from.

The area where it landed was engulfed in flames. There was no way I could go in that direction.

I was terrified.

That meant my only option was to flee into the dark forest—the so-called Forbidden Woods, where no one dared to enter.

It wasn’t a dungeon, but it was home to many monsters, which was why people avoided it.

This fortress had been built to keep watch on the creatures lurking within.

I was terrified.

Rumors said the forest housed both a guardian deity and a demon.

A human like me would not be welcome there.

But I couldn’t think anymore.

I was terrified.

Terrified.

Terrified.

Terrified.

I ran, fleeing desperately.

I just needed to get far away.

I was terrified.

Grrrrrrr…

A monster spotted me.

Of course, it wasn’t going to let me go.

It was terrifying.

Standing before me was a Forest Bear, a monstrous beast with massive, powerful fangs and a muscular frame.

In a dungeon, it would be found in the upper levels.

But for someone like me, an ordinary person, it was a creature of death.

The weight of fear pressed down on me, suffocating my thoughts.

I couldn’t think anymore.

I was terrified.

Still, the overwhelming presence of the Forest Bear froze my body in place. I tripped and fell, tumbling to the ground.

I rolled, but for some reason, my hands instinctively moved to protect my stomach.

…Oh.

The child.

My child.

I’m sorry.

I couldn’t do anything for you.

I couldn’t even speak anymore.

Why did it come to this?

Why…?

I placed a hand over my belly and silently apologized to my child.

Please, forgive me.

Why did this happen to me?

Where did I go wrong?

Was it when I abandoned everyone and ran?

When I betrayed Lax?

When I let myself be consumed by the casino?

When I was just a child, foolishly dreaming of escaping this life?

I don’t know.

I don’t know anymore.

I’m just… terrified.

For a brief moment, a white light flashed in my vision.

A warm light.

No… I was wrong.

I didn’t believe in Lax.

If I had talked to him, he wouldn’t have been angry.

I should have thrown away my petty pride and asked for help.

Back when we were engaged.

He would have listened, even if he was furious.

The corruption could have been stopped.

Maybe he wouldn’t have even been angry—just disappointed.

If I had spoken up back then, this all could have ended differently.

Everything is my fault.

This outcome… is my consequence.

The price of my pathetic pride.

Now that my body had stopped moving, my thoughts rushed forward all at once.

But my mind couldn’t keep up with it all.

Everything felt slow, distorted.

In my sluggish vision, the Forest Bear approached, its massive, clawed arm raised high.

Its expression was unreadable.

It was simply a beast—one that would kill whatever stood in front of it.

I couldn’t even close my eyes as those razor-sharp claws came crashing down toward me.

…Will this finally bring me peace?

A hazy blur filled my vision.

…What… is this…?