Chapter 72

It was so cold, she couldn't bear it.

Even though it was midday, the dense trees blocked out most of the sunlight.

Before she knew it, Marievel and Allo had reached the shore, collapsing there.

"Princess, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I-I'm fine. Just cold."

It was so cold, her tongue wouldn't move properly.

She coughed violently, but she hadn't drunk much water. Allo had supported her. Despite the heavy clothes, they somehow made it to the shore.

Looking at the lake, there was no ice to be seen. It had completely melted, and the scenery had changed so much that it was hard to believe it was the same lake.

Even though it was a lake, had they been swept away?

Taking off her heavy coat, Allo wrung out the water for her.

Though wet and cold, it was better to wear it than to take it off. She clutched the clothes with her trembling hands.

"——The knights will come soon. Let's wait here."

Marievel could barely nod.

What had happened?

Looking around, it was just a forest, with no sign of anyone. It was the eerie silence of a winter forest.

Allo embraced her shivering body, holding her hands.

Allo's hands were just a little warmer.

"Princess, are you in pain anywhere?"

"Yeah."

He blew on her hands to warm them.

That was all he could do, and Allo felt frustrated.

If he had magic, he could have warmed Marievel. Or if he had a stronger body, he could have carried her and run back to the village.

They hadn't been swept away much. But how long would they have to wait for the knights to arrive?

The water was just deep enough to touch the bottom. That's why he managed to carry Marievel to the shore.

There was a rustling sound.

Someone else had come, and the two of them froze in shock.

A wolf was approaching, its silver eyes fixed on them.

Looking around, a pack of wolves had silently surrounded them.

"Th-They're so big..."

To Marievel, who had only seen dogs, the forest wolves were terrifying beasts.

They were in a low stance, gradually closing the distance. There were nearly ten of them, but she didn't have the time to count. She couldn't even breathe, wondering when they would pounce.

They were definitely looking at them as prey. They moved slowly, step by step, drooling from their excited mouths.

Dogs' teeth didn't look so big and sharp, did they?

Allo tightly embraced Marievel.

Allo, no.

Marievel screamed in fear, though no sound came out.

Allo was trying to protect her. If Allo was attacked, he would try to protect her. If Allo was eaten by the wolves, Marievel wouldn't be able to heal his wounds.

She didn't want that.

Help, Father, Mother, Brother...

Marievel squeezed her eyes shut.

She tensed her body, bracing for the impact—

But the impact never came.

Instead, Allo's grip loosened, and Marievel cautiously opened her eyes to look at him.

Allo was staring at the wolves without blinking. His black eyes were shining like stars.

"Allo...?"

Allo didn't respond. The wolves were unnaturally still, as if Allo was controlling them.

How long had it been? Water droplets fell from Allo, and she realized it was sweat. She couldn't move, afraid it would interfere with Allo.

Allo and the wolves remained motionless.

Eventually, the sound of hooves came from a distance.

The sound grew closer, and the wolves scattered and fled.

"Princess Marievel!!"

It was the familiar voice of a knight.

Allo exhaled sharply, as if he had just remembered to breathe.

"Here!"

Marievel shouted. At the same time, Allo's body collapsed weakly.

"Allo... Allo!? Stay with me, Allo!"

His body had reached its limit. It was good that they made it in time...

Allo lost consciousness.

Perhaps it started when he was found by Pencilia.

He had always felt that "it" was inside him.

But it was deep, deep in the abyss, and it wasn't easy to bring it out.

He thought it was unnecessary.

So, he thought he should just give up and let it go.

He could live without it.

Perhaps his father would...

But when he thought Marievel was in danger.

Allo reached for "it" without hesitation.

It was once called "dark magic."

It was said to bring misfortune to those around him. —But if it could protect Marievel.

The backlash from forcing it out was intense, with a splitting headache, severe ringing in his ears, and his blood boiling.

Still, Allo instinctively knew how to control it.

He knew how to make the animals' bodies move.

He didn't make a mistake in using it for the first time in years.

Controlling ten at once was excruciating, but he managed to do it.

When he saw the knights coming to save Marievel, Allo thought he could die.

"Allo... Allo"

A weak voice reached him.

Allo opened his heavy eyelids.

It was already dark.

He was lying in a soft, warm bed, feeling comfortable. His hand felt soft.

Looking over, Marievel was holding his hand nearby. Her hand was warm.

Her magic was flowing into him, though only a little.

"Allo, oh, you're awake."

Marievel wiped her eyes. Had she been crying?

"Yes... um, I..."

"You're not hurt, but you were unconscious. Is there any pain?"

"I'm fine..."

His body felt a bit heavy, but not as bad as when he lost consciousness.

Sitting up, he realized they were in the inn where they were staying. It was night, and everything was quiet.

Marievel was in her nightgown. No one else was in the room. Perhaps she had sneaked out.

"I'm glad. The healer said you would wake up from fatigue."

"Yes. I'm fine. Princess, did you use your power?"

She had practiced on him before, but there had been no change.

"I couldn't do anything, but at least... In the end, I couldn't do anything."

No, it was different this time. He could feel the flow of magic. Perhaps Marievel's earnest desire had enhanced her healing magic.

"Thank you. I feel better. Princess, how are you?"

"I'm fine. —What happened? It wasn't the season for the ice to break, and the wolves... they stopped moving..."

"I... I..."

Allo swallowed hard.

He couldn't keep it a secret.

He couldn't serve her while hiding it. If he did, he would have to be prepared for Marievel to reject him.

His voice was dry.

"I am... a wielder of dark magic."

"Dark magic... the kind that controls people?"

"Yes."

Marievel fell silent after hearing this.

Her worried expression suddenly turned serious.

It was an expression he had never seen before. He couldn't read her thoughts.

She seemed suddenly very mature.

"Have you been hiding it all this time?"

"N-No... I couldn't use it until now, but I tried desperately..."

After a moment of silence, Marievel spoke in a low, calm voice.

"Allo, don't tell anyone about this."

"Wh-What? But..."

Marievel had a serious look on her face, with a force that didn't allow for argument.

"It's an order. You must obey me, right?"

"But dark magic is said to bring misfortune. If this power puts you in danger..."

"There's no danger. You protected me from the wolves, didn't you?"

Her grip on his hand tightened.

"Absolutely, don't tell anyone about your magic. Promise me."

Magic couldn't be detected unless it was used. No one would know unless he used it.

Marievel's tone was so serious that Allo felt intimidated and nodded.

"Y-Yes..."

At this moment, Allo was puzzled.

He thought Marievel might reject him because dark magic had been considered disgusting by his mother. It had been a decisive reason for rejection.

But Marievel didn't seem to have a problem with dark magic itself. She didn't seem to know the superstition that it brought misfortune.

Yet, why did she insist on keeping it a secret so much?

And with such a determined look.

"Princess... is there something...?"

Is there something? Is dark magic still unacceptable in Phandrag?

Because it's a country of light magic.

"No."

Marievel said firmly.

"Allo, you don't need to worry. There's nothing wrong. Nothing at all."

Her tone was so forceful that it even felt a bit intimidating.