The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 66

There was no time to figure out what had happened.

People scattered in all directions, screaming in panic. The chaos and fear mixed into a deafening noise that filled the air. Islay kicked open the carriage door and jumped out.

“Mikel!”

Calling to his subordinate at the front, he lifted Stella in his arms and brought her out. Mikel was already running toward them, practically dangling Dora by the scruff of her neck, having pulled her from another carriage. Unfortunately, the wheel of their carriage had been struck by an exploding rock and had collapsed.

“Run to the inner keep at full speed. You are to personally guard the princess and escort her to her chambers.”

“Understood! This way, please.”

The gate leading to the inner keep was just ahead. As Islay turned to leave, Stella grabbed his arm.

“Wait, what about you?”

“I’ll be fine. Go back to your room and lock the door. Do not step out, not even one step.”

“I… I understand, but…”

“Now.”

The man emphasized again, drawing his sword without hesitation and turning his back. Stella, half-dragged by Mikel, looked back at him with anxious eyes.

She knew how tirelessly Islay had fought to eliminate monsters. She also knew that since before he had reached adulthood, he had gone on expeditions and always returned without serious injury. She understood that he wouldn’t be easily hurt, but…

Why did she feel so uneasy?

‘Something feels off.’

It wasn’t possible that the mindless monsters had placed explosives on the castle wall. Nor was it possible that they had waited for the walls to crumble to cross them.

The Ice Castle had tighter security than anywhere else. Being a place where people lived, maintaining public safety was a priority, and monsters in the vicinity had been eradicated to near extinction.

That meant this had to be a plot devised by humans. Someone had secretly lured the monsters from the forest to the castle and deliberately destroyed the wall to let them in.

It was to create chaos, that much was certain, even if the exact purpose was unknown.

But who would do such a thing…?

Stella still didn’t understand, but she hurried her steps. At that moment, she saw Father Padro stepping out of the monastery, throwing the doors wide open.

The priest looked bewildered by the sudden invasion of monsters, but quickly began ushering citizens into the monastery for refuge. As he swung his arms, the wide sleeves of his robe flapped around. Despite running, Stella couldn’t take her eyes off Padro’s urgent expression glimpsed through the movement.

The priests… it couldn’t have been them. Even if they intended to sacrifice her to lift the Peruno curse, they wouldn’t have concocted a plan that endangered the citizens.

Suddenly, an image of a person capable of orchestrating such madness flashed through her mind. A cold chill ran down her spine. Stella cast an anxious glance toward Mikel, who was leading them.

“Sir, where are the elders now?”

“Pardon?”

“The guests who came from Hegir, the ones called elders. There was an old lady, the First Elder, wasn’t there? And I think she had close aides…”

Panting, Stella recalled the information she had overheard. Mikel, who was hastily moving forward with a vigilant look, glanced back at her.

“Are you referring to Lady Olena and the Second Elder, Benoch?”

“Yes…!”

“The elders left the day before we descended to the southern continent. Why do you ask?”

“Are you certain?”

“I saw them with my own eyes. I don’t know why you’re asking, though.”

“Something feels wrong. From the moment we entered the castle, I felt…”

Mikel suddenly extended his arm, cutting her off. Stella, running with Dora’s hand tightly grasped, was halted along with her.

“What is it…”

Mikel, who had blocked the women, said nothing. Amid the chaotic noise, two figures suddenly entered their view, standing tall.

Despite having just talked about them, Stella was shocked.

It was the First Elder Olena and her follower, Benoch.

“…Elder?”

Mikel frowned slightly. His wary eyes shifted from the old woman leaning on a staff to Benoch. The bulky man, with his massive muscles flexed, was quietly staring at Mikel, breathing heavily.

“You should have returned to Hegir. What are you doing in the castle?”

“Hand over the woman.”

Olena gave a curt command. There was no doubt about whom she was referring to between Stella and Dora, who stood behind Mikel.

The screams from the city behind them continued. Monsters, endlessly pouring in, had started attacking people. Dora, clinging to Stella’s dress, was on the verge of losing her sanity.

Olena, a fanatic to her very core, and her follower, the young Second Elder.

Especially Benoch, who was among the few Calisians to have undergone evolution—a man whose strength surpassed that of an ordinary human. In other words, he had the power to carry out this dangerous act.

Mikel quickly grasped the situation and shook his head. “I cannot comply. If you take one step closer, I will use force.”

“You impudent brat!”

“Quiet, Benoch.”

Olena stopped the Second Elder, raising her chin to stare at Mikel.

“You lowborn, we don’t intend to harm the princess, so keep your mouth shut and hand her over quietly. We won’t leave a single scratch on that precious body of hers. We just need to check something, that’s all.”

Olena sneered, casting a sinister glance at Stella.

“If you don’t trust my words, then read through that wench’s eyes and see if I’m lying.”

Stella’s heart pounded as if it would burst. She could tell Olena wasn’t lying.

But she also knew what Olena wanted.

“I don’t care what your intentions are, Elder. You will not lay a finger on the Captain’s guest.”

“Damn it, still harping on about that guest.”

Mikel, standing firmly in front of the women, showed no sign of backing down. Benoch cracked his neck, the sound of bones creaking echoing around them.

“As expected, there’s no reasoning with him, Elder.”

“Indeed. I had hoped to avoid bloodshed, but if he insists, there’s no choice.”

Olena glanced up at Benoch as she continued, “That position was always meant to be yours. The strongest warrior protecting Peruno has always been from your bloodline, Benoch.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Because that lowly fool took the position beside Peruno, it became difficult to continue our mission…”

Clicking her tongue, Olena pushed Benoch forward. “Get rid of him. We shall reclaim the glory of Calis with our own hands.”

Benoch nodded and approached them, drawing a strange-looking sword from his waist. The curved blade looked sharp enough to make blood spray like a fountain at the slightest touch. Stella, frozen like a statue, couldn’t move an inch.

“Step back.”

Caught between two dangerous sides, Mikel shoved the women aside. At the same time, swords clashed with a resounding ‘clang!’ The hulking men faced off, sparks flying in the air.

Benoch, baring his sharp teeth in a grin, stared at Mikel as if impressed. Mikel, unfazed, slammed his forehead into Benoch’s head. As Benoch staggered, Olena jumped in frustration, gripping her staff.

“That insolent bastard!”

It was a fierce battle, with neither side willing to yield.

However, as their blades collided, it became clear that Benoch was being pushed back. His once-confident expression twisted like a crumpled sheet of paper, and despite his rapid movements, beads of cold sweat flew off him.

Like a wildcat, Mikel evaded the terrifyingly fast blade and, in a flash, drove his sword deep into Benoch’s shoulder.

“Aaargh!”

As Benoch let out an agonizing scream, panic flashed across Olena’s face. Benoch’s defeat had not been within their expectations.

At that moment, Dora, who had been at a loss, gasped in horror.

She had spotted a monster perched quietly on a nearby rooftop, observing them. The black beast, its gaze locked with Dora’s, leaped from the roof, landing heavily and rushing toward them.

Pale as a ghost, Stella wrapped her arms around Dora, shielding her.

With Islay at the forefront, the guards defending the city were busy fighting the monsters multiplying like snowballs, while Mikel was putting all his effort into finishing off Benoch. There was no one left to protect them.

The monster was only three or four steps away. In desperation, Mikel pulled his sword from Benoch and threw it at the black beast.

As Benoch’s blood spurted like a fountain from the wound, Stella noticed the blade whistling through the air, hitting the monster right between the eyes.

But Benoch didn’t miss the opening. Gritting his teeth, Benoch pulled out a small dagger from his cloak and drove it into Mikel’s chest with all his strength. It all happened in an instant.