The Monster Lady and the Holy Knight - Side Story 1

There was once a woman.

Born the foolish daughter of humans,

She became the servant of a cunning monster.

With black hair and red eyes, she burned like a torch,

Illuminating the obscure future with clarity.

The holy city of a thousand years shall soon crumble,

Those who wish to live, flee to the wilderness.

She sent forth birds, she moved the people,

Beneath the crumbling mountains, she raised a white sword.

Oh, Red Knight,

Save the Monster Lady.

The woman who sought her master never returned.

Oh, Red Knight,

Embrace the Monster Lady.

No one ever found them.

—Excerpt from The Monster Lady and the Holy Knight, an epic passed down from the wilderness.

***

“…So I thought, to hell with it, and threw away my sword and prayed instead. Right in front of Bahamut, I shut my eyes tight. If my wife were alive, she’d probably say, ‘That man’s lost his mind.’”

The campfire crackled warmly. Hugo, veins bulging at his temple, was completely engrossed in his tale.

“Lord, I have clung to this fleeting life. I wish to be absolved of all my sins and enter Heaven.”

He clasped his hands together and murmured solemnly, as if he had truly returned to the heat of battle. It wasn’t curiosity that drew Veronica in—it was the sheer seriousness in his voice. As she listened, a tender piece of meat was placed onto her plate. When she turned, she found herself locked in the gaze of the man beside her.

“And at that moment! The whole world turned pitch blaaack!”

At the exaggerated ‘blaaack’ sound, Veronica instinctively turned her head again. The rabbit meat she hastily shoved into her mouth melted deliciously on her tongue.

“Come on, old man. You’re not seriously saying that your prayer brought God back, are you?” A short-haired woman, reclining with her fingers laced behind her head, scoffed openly.

Hugo immediately bristled. “Are you mocking my faith?”

“No, it’s just that what you’re saying is utterly ridiculous.”

“Then tell me, does Bahamut suddenly disappearing make any more sense? What were you all doing at that moment, huh? If you don’t have a better story, don’t bother picking a fight. Especially when you’re eating food made with my cookware.”

Hugo smirked smugly at the young travelers he had met on the road.

Besides Leon and Veronica, there were three others gathered around the fire. Charlotte, a white-haired woman with cropped hair, Enzo, a soft-spoken man with dark blue hair, and Hugo, the long-haired storyteller whose endless tales were perhaps the price for sharing his cooking gear.

“Well, I was napping at that historic moment, so I wouldn’t know. But I’d wager these two have a story.”

Charlotte subtly gestured toward Leon and Veronica. She seemed suspicious of the young couple who had just joined them. After all, until Charlotte had given her a proper set of clothes, Veronica had been wearing only Leon’s cloak over her chemise. Hardly the appearance of someone fresh from battle. Seeing the suspicion in her eyes, Veronica swallowed her food and averted her gaze.

What had she been doing when God returned?

…She had been dead.

“Um… well, that’s…”

“We were in a battle, like Hugo. Nearly died, but the eclipse saved us.” Leon spoke in her stead.

Charlotte furrowed her brows. “A battle? Barehanded?”

“My sword broke, so I discarded it.”

“Ah-ha, so you miraculously survived. Just as the eclipse occurred, your sword broke, and fate intervened? No wonder you can’t take your eyes off each other. I noticed how sweet you two have been all through dinner.”

Apparently, everyone had picked up on how Leon had been staring at her the whole time. It was their first time openly acknowledging their relationship before others, and it left Veronica feeling oddly giddy. She suddenly recalled how they had once pretended to be a married couple in the wilderness. Back then, she had been flustered when Leon had referred to her as his wife.

A mischievous glint flashed in Veronica’s eyes.

“Oh, that’s because Noah has severe jealousy.”

Philip, I’m borrowing your words.

“Ever since this journey started, he won’t let me be alone, not even to eat, wash, or sleep. The moment I leave his sight, he gets anxious.”

She dramatically shook her head as if lamenting her situation. Hugo’s jaw dropped in shock, then he turned to Leon with a look of reproach.

“What? Hey, being too clingy is a problem, kid. Look, take it from me—love lasts longer when each person has their own life and dreams.”

Leon opened his mouth as if to reply, then let out a faint chuckle instead, running a hand through his hair. At last, he murmured in a low voice.

“…I’m working on it.”

“Yeah, you should.”

As Veronica sipped her warm soup, she met Leon’s gaze. She smiled, her eyes curving playfully, only for him to pinch her puffed cheeks like a squirrel’s. It was a surprisingly well-timed sneak attack, but unfortunately for him, the soup had already slid down her throat with a satisfied gulp.

“I heard you’re from Bayren. So, have you been running ever since then?”

“I kept wandering around Kaisenmeer. I relied entirely on Veronica’s combat skills, though.”

Cough. Veronica suddenly choked on her food. The group fell silent, as if doubting what they had just heard.

Leon, who had been locked in eye contact with Veronica, slowly turned to the others and asked, “Oh, didn’t I mention? It wasn’t me who fought Bahamut until the sword broke—it was Veronica.”

“……”

“How could I not develop dependency? I’m terrified of being alone.”

He had a talent for making shameless statements in the driest tone. Without a hint of humor in his voice, Charlotte and Hugo hesitated, unsure whether to take it as a joke. Considering his height and build, he was more than twice Veronica’s size. Even Enzo, who had been silently whittling wood all this time, finally looked up.

Veronica glanced around at the expectant gazes. They were waiting for an answer.

Ahaha. Laughing awkwardly, she quickly picked up her empty bowl and jumped to her feet.

“It’s about time we get ready for bed. We have to wake up early and leave tomorrow, right?”

“Wait, so there’s no heroic tale?”

“Charlotte, want to go wash up together?”

“Hey, hold on! We skipped over the most important part of my story! When I opened my eyes after the eclipse—!”

Charlotte ignored Hugo’s protest and stood up. Enzo also began tidying up. Hugo, in one last desperate plea, shot a longing glance at Leon, but Leon’s attention was fixed solely on one person.

“If anything happens, call for me. I’ll come right away.”

“No, no, you need to work on that possessiveness. I’ll be back soon, so if you get scared, just listen to Hugo’s war stories.”

As Veronica deliberately added that last part, Hugo’s eyes sparkled. Leon’s brow furrowed. Watching him, Veronica grinned mischievously, spun around, and ran off.

As Charlotte, who had been walking ahead, glanced over at her, she remarked, “You two seem close.”

“Well… we’ve been through a lot together. Do you have family in Whiteland, Charlotte?”

Veronica asked cheerfully as she followed alongside her, recalling that Charlotte had mentioned being from the North.

“My parents are at the edge of winter. It’s the coldest part of the continent, so they’re probably safe.”

“God’s blessing must be with them. So, did you come to Kaisenmeer for work?”

“No. For marriage. I had a husband and child.”

Veronica abruptly stopped in her tracks. Charlotte kept walking, heading straight toward the river. Had a husband and child. That meant they were gone.

Veronica stood still, watching as Charlotte nonchalantly stripped down. She had been so caught up in her own happiness that she had forgotten—countless people had lost their parents, children, and siblings in the past two years.

“I’m sorry… That was thoughtless of me.”

“You didn’t ask with ill intent, so don’t feel guilty. It’s okay to be happy. You two look good together.”

In a voice that was somewhat dry, Charlotte added, “The living have that right.”

The gentle sound of rippling water filled the air. Veronica watched Charlotte’s half-submerged back before lowering her gaze to her toes.

Whenever she saw someone left behind, she couldn’t help but think of Leon. What had gone through his mind when she died? Had he, like Charlotte, resigned himself to the idea that the living must go on? Or had the light of life faded from him completely? Had he been so devastated that he nearly followed her in death…?

Did I… wish for that?

“Veronica, aren’t you coming in?”

Startled by the voice calling from the water, Veronica flinched. Charlotte turned and shouted back at her.

She hastily replied, “Ah, I’m coming now.”

One by one, her clothes dropped to the ground. She wanted to wash these thoughts away. If she could let them drift away with the water, no one would ever know she had harbored such cruel feelings.

***

“Even while bathing, I had to listen to all the worst cases of possessiveness.”

Leon, returning from the river, muttered in a weary tone. Veronica, wrapped in a blanket, rolled around on the ground, giggling.

“Is this fun for you? Selling me out?”

“Mm-hmm. I figured you’d be tired, so I even set up our sleeping spot in advance.”

She patted the blanket Charlotte had lent her, signaling for him to lie down. With a heavy thud, Leon sat beside her. He ran a hand through his damp hair in irritation. By morning, it would undoubtedly be a tousled mess, as if he had spent the night running through the woods.

Watching the familiar sight, Veronica instinctively spread her arms, silently asking for an embrace. Leon, instead, lay down and made space for her.

“I’m not that cold.”

“It’ll be cold by dawn.”

Leon answered shortly, pulling her into his arms. Their group had arranged their sleeping spots in a circle around the fire, and as soon as Veronica pressed close, she noticed Leon was holding back. She could tell instantly. After a moment of hesitation, she slipped her hands under his tunic, her fingers skimming over the firm muscles of his waist and abdomen. His body stiffened beneath her touch.

“What are you doing?”

Leon’s voice was tense.