What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 51
Adrenaline surging, she forgot her pain, stumbling backward before hurrying to her hiding place. She tried her best to move without leaving any traces, anticipating the pursuers, but whether she succeeded was another matter.
“Earlier than I expected…”
“There’s something nearby.”
Cutting Kazhan off, Ysaris stepped into the cave. She dumped the gathered fruits onto the floor and dragged leaves and vines to cover the entrance as much as possible.
“Pursuers, huff. Are they pursuers?”
“I’m not sure. But whether it’s a person or a beast, it won’t be good for us.”
Ysaris answered calmly to his strained voice, blocking the entrance so thoroughly that the outside was almost completely obscured, and only then did she let out a sigh of relief.
It wasn’t a perfect camouflage. But it should be enough to avoid a passing glance.
Having prepared the best she could, now all that was left was to rely on luck.
“Which direction was it?”
“That… It was to the left of the entrance.”
“So, by the river?”
“No. It was more from the opposite side…”
Rustle.
Ysaris clamped her mouth shut. Fortunately, it seemed to be a small animal; the faint sound of leaves being stepped on quickly faded away.
‘Why did I even start talking?’
Ysaris’ heart pounded as she glanced resentfully at Kazhan, but he wasn’t looking at her.
His red eyes narrowed, as if calculating something, while he scanned the entrance.
“Hngh.”
Kazhan suppressed his pain, using his right hand to push himself upright.
If the pursuers had any brains, they would start their search near the river, assuming he had been swept away by the current.
But if they came from the opposite direction…
Grrr.
It was more likely to be a beast.
Perhaps one that had caught the scent of his blood and followed it here.
“…!”
Kazhan grabbed Ysaris’ arm and pulled her back. Although the mysterious beast’s growl wasn’t right outside the entrance, if it had followed the blood trail, it was only a matter of time before it found them.
“Stay still.”
His whispered command was barely audible, and Ysaris only nodded. Though she wondered what a weaponless Kazhan could do, she had no means to fend off a predator herself, so she could only hope that it would pass by without noticing them.
But as always, the world did not favor Ysaris. The growling grew closer, and her body trembled uncontrollably with fear.
“Shhh…”
Kazhan unconsciously soothed Ysaris by gently stroking her arm with his thumb, yet he never took his eyes off the entrance. He heightened his senses, preparing for the moment when the creature might appear.
This is becoming troublesome.
He briefly furrowed his brow before glancing around the cave. The royal treasure, his famed sword, had been lost when they fell off the cliff, so there was nothing left to use as a weapon.
Even if he had a blade, it would be difficult to wield it properly. In his current state, even sitting upright made cold sweat run down his back. The idea of holding a stance and swinging a sword was laughable.
But anything would be better than facing it bare-handed.
Rustle. Rustle.
“Ahh…”
Something was approaching, and Ysaris swallowed her breath in fear. Kazhan, aware of every tiny change, assessed the situation with a cold expression.
Perhaps it was a small mercy that he had somewhat recovered last night. Otherwise, they might have been doomed.
His body responded with a clear trade-off. Though his shattered body hadn’t miraculously healed, the fever had broken after he’d suffered through a night of nightmares. His senses had sharpened, and though the pain was duller, it was a small victory.
It was enough. Enough to face a beast, at least.
Grrr…
“…!”
The creature’s snout pushed through the leaves. Ysaris pressed her back against the wall, covering her mouth with both hands and holding her breath. Kazhan reached for a nearby rock.
It had a blunt, yet somewhat pointed end.
Just as he finished preparing, the massive beast tore through the plants covering the entrance and revealed itself.
Grrr!
A Beowulf. Half-wolf, half-bear. It had the head of a wolf, but the body and instincts of a bear.
“Not bad.”
“What could possibly be…?”
Roar!
The Beowulf cut off Ysaris’ words, forcing its body into the narrow cave. Its gaping jaws lunged forward, ready to tear into her, and Ysaris screamed, closing her eyes in terror.
Thud. Flesh met something sharp, and blood splattered.
At the same time, a groan escaped from both Kazhan and the beast.
“Ugh!”
Clang, clang!
Kazhan thrust his right arm deep into the Beowulf’s mouth up to his shoulder, driving the rock upward into the creature’s palate. As the beast recoiled, Kazhan let his arm drop, now free.
Blood trickled down his arm, which had been half-bitten through.
“Your Majesty!”
“Not yet.”
Kazhan, who was carefully observing the mountain beast, saw a glimmer in his eyes. As the creature staggered back a few steps, shaking its head and swallowing the blood that flowed into its mouth, Kazhan was certain of victory.
But it wasn’t because of the wound he had inflicted. Although he had pierced its palate, he hadn’t struck with enough force to cause any significant brain damage.
However…
Roar!
As the enraged Beowulf charged at him, Kazhan commanded,
“Stop.”
Suddenly, the beast halted.
“…?!”
