SAFBIAN Ch 55

Chapter 55

 

The forest, filled with ancient trees, was so dense that even the moonlight barely seeped through, leaving it dark.

 

Yet, for some reason, tonight seemed brighter once night had fallen. It felt as though the fire had been made larger than usual, with its light reaching all the way inside the tent.

 

Dori kicked out defiantly with a “Kaang.”

 

It was because Haban was massaging his legs firmly after flipping him onto his back, belly exposed.

 

“Stay still. You nearly lost strength in your legs on the way down just now.”

 

‘That’s not what it was…….’

 

“Looks like I kept you out too long. Once we return to the palace, I’ll have Haewon come and perform acupuncture.”

 

‘It’s not that I’m weak, it’s that your horse is dangerous!’

 

Just a moment ago, when Haban had dismounted and reached out his hand while Dori was still seated on the horse, it had happened.

 

The black horse, which had obediently run under Haban’s lead without complaint until now, suddenly acted out. It seemed upset that its master was caring for the fox before it.

 

With a slight twist of its back—pretending nothing was wrong—Dori found himself flailing in midair.

 

His hind legs still on the horse, his front paws flailed until his rear bumped onto the horse’s back and he fell down with a thud. Hiiing—the mocking snort of the horse still echoed in his ears.

 

Since witnessing that, Haban had insisted it was because Dori’s legs were too weak and had been feeding him bitter medicine and massaging his body all over.

 

“Kaang!”

 

‘Enough already!’

 

Unable to endure it any longer, Dori bit and tugged at his sleeve.

 

Only then did Haban let go, and Dori darted away. He had been unbound to roam freely inside the tent, so he now peeked out from a corner.

 

From there, he had a clear view of the sturdy tent with poles and tightly wrapped outer layers, as well as of Haban.

 

‘Hmm. Where does he keep getting stuff like this?’

 

Though overall smaller than the one they’d first set up after leaving the palace, the inside remained cozy.

 

The tent seemed reinforced with animal hides to ward off the cold, and the thick woolen blankets covering the floor made the ground pleasantly soft underfoot.

 

‘It’s such a waste to throw this away. Since it’s used by the Emperor, this stuff must be expensive.’

 

Haban always left the things they used behind when moving camp, and Dori found it regretful enough that he wanted to pack everything when he eventually ran away.

 

He sniffed around the hide of the tent and then turned away. Haban, now dressed in more comfortable clothing for movement, was examining his sword.

 

The long sword was sharp without a single dull edge. Though it had been stained with the blood of many, it had been cleaned so thoroughly that its blade gleamed under the light.

 

‘Haban… is scary.’

 

His outward appearance was the same as always. Yet, something about the way Haban stared at the sword sent a chill down Dori’s spine. He looked as if he were waiting for an assassin.

 

‘Did he sense it somehow?’

 

They would arrive at the altar tomorrow—surely he believed the assassin would come tonight. But even for Haban, it was unlikely he knew there was a spy among the soldiers.

 

Dori licked his nose nervously.

 

‘I need to find out as quickly as possible and tell Haban.’

 

The problem was that even after watching the soldiers closely a moment ago, he still couldn’t identify who it was. There were a few who raised suspicion, but gut feeling wasn’t enough.

 

Besides, Haban wasn’t letting him outside the tent right now, so there was no way to investigate further.

 

‘Even if I found the spy, how am I supposed to tell Haban? In this body, my voice would just sound like a fox’s cry to him.’

 

The worry came first, but there was nothing he could do.

 

As he scrunched his nose and pondered, Dori suddenly perked his ears. Then, he slowly raised a forepaw.

 

A white, fur-covered garment.

 

The deep green clothing that had wrapped around his whole body while nestled in Haban’s arms lay beneath his paw.

 

‘…What if I secretly transform into a human?’

 

Unlike the original story, Dori hadn’t yet been seen in human form. Meaning, Haban didn’t know “Dori’s” face—so if he could just hide his ears and tail, it might work.

 

At least then he could speak, which was the biggest obstacle right now.

 

‘No. This should only be a last resort when there’s truly no other choice.’

 

No matter how dire the situation, if a stranger suddenly appeared, it would arouse suspicion. He might even be mistaken for the spy himself. Even if he managed to avoid being seen, his lack of sword skill and awkward demeanor couldn’t be hidden.

 

Dori quickly shook his head.

 

Just as he was turning over various ideas for a long while, Haban suddenly sheathed his sword and stood up. Dori instinctively raised his head as well.

 

“This place should be safe. Stay here quietly.”

 

Perhaps sensing the fox’s anxiety, Haban gently stroked his head in reassurance. But as soon as he withdrew his hand, the faint smile on his lips vanished.

 

A chillingly cold gaze and an emotionless face. It was not the Haban who looked at the fox—but the icy face of an emperor.

 

Dori watched him for a moment as he stepped outside, then pressed close to the tent, ears alert.

 

“Seohon?”

 

“He arrived at the fortress just before this.”

 

“Keep him on standby until we signal. Post more guards around this area.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Thanks to the shadows cast by the firelight, Dori could tell that Haban was pointing at the tent he was in. Two soldiers who had arrived split up and stood on either side of the entrance.

 

Dori quietly shifted positions to move farther away from them. He sniffed around as if searching, then lifted the edge of the tent with his nose—only to find a supply crate blocking the exit.

 

He sidestepped again and peeked outside with only his eyes visible.

 

The first thing he saw was Haban. Even while listening to Jipyeong’s report and nodding occasionally, he remained on full alert.

 

The blazing fire and the soldiers’ rigid stances.

 

Tension was beginning to thicken.

 

Dori pulled his head back in and scanned the inside of the tent. His golden eyes fixed on the deep green fur-covered clothing, and his bushy tail twitched nervously like his thoughts.

 

He hesitantly walked around Haban’s belongings.

 

‘I’m not stealing—just borrowing. Just in case…….’

 

The outfit Haban had given the fox was for ceremonial use. He might not be able to wear it properly in a rush, but he’d need at least the basics.

 

Dori nudged open the lid of the crate and began rummaging with his paws. Being small, he had to stand on tiptoe and brace his belly against the edge while grunting in effort.

 

Luckily, he had observed how Haban stored his clothes, so he found what he needed before long. Dori bit the neatly folded garment wrapped in cloth and pulled it out.

 

“Huff, huff.”

 

Even just lowering his head had tired him out.

 

After catching his breath, Dori took only what was necessary and shoved the rest back into the crate.

 

‘Haban won’t notice—he always leaves everything behind anyway.’

 

Even for an emperor, his wastefulness—which Dori used to criticize—was a relief right now. Dori carried the clothes to the spot he had prepared and peeked outside once more.

 

His eyes busily scanned the layout and the soldiers’ positions.

 

‘For now, I’ll stay hidden here and watch. If I find the spy, I’ll tell Haban.’

 

Since he had never held a sword, much less fought anyone, trusting Haban was his best bet.

 

The first method Dori thought of was simply shouting. He’d stick his head out, transform into a human and yell, “That guy is the spy!” before ducking back into the tent.

 

‘But if I get caught while shouting…… that’d be the worst.’

 

Just imagining it made his head spin.

 

A naked man crouching with only his head sticking out—what’s the difference from a pervert? No, being called a pervert would be the least of his worries. He might die before the spy even gets to him……

 

Dori tightly shut his eyes, then opened them again to think of another plan.

 

‘Still…… there’s only that one option.’

 

Just then—

 

“They’re here.”

 

Haban muttered under his breath.

 

As if that had been the signal, the wind swept in with a whoosh and a flurry of footsteps, muted but countless, stirred the leaves above.

 

The figures remained hidden, but the chilling energy that raised Dori’s fur on end was unmistakable. The overwhelming bloodlust, sensed through the fox’s keen instincts, gave him goosebumps.

 

Haban, who had been silently resting with his eyes closed, now opened his eyelids.

 

A forest where moonlight did not reach. No fires were lit out of fear they might reveal their location, and everyone, exhausted, had been resting—until they suddenly opened their eyes.

 

Swish swish.

 

The light-footed sound of movement across grass.

 

“They’re here.”

 

Upon hearing it, Jipyeong gripped his sword and stood by Haban’s side. Haban also stood and drew his sword. The accumulated fatigue from the past few days weighed on his body.

 

As Jipyeong signaled with his eyes to those nearby, shiiik!—arrows with no clear direction sliced through the air. It was an attempt to create chaos among the soldiers.

 

And then, all at once, the assassins hidden in the shadows lunged at Haban.

 

In the original story, Haban had neither pitched a tent nor lit a fire. During the entire journey, he had sustained himself with dry rations and water, only briefly dozing off whenever he could.

 

It had been the same at the final stretch near the altar. Just as everyone was leaning against trees to rest, arrows had suddenly rained down from above.

 

‘Which means… the sound of arrows should come first.’

 

The tips of Dori’s ears twitched slightly.

 

Several people perched in trees. As expected, each taut pull and release of a bowstring launched an arrow that struck its target. Then came the screams—Aaargh!

 

Could it be… someone was hurt?

 

Was it one of Haban’s soldiers?

 

D… Did they die?

 

Dori’s forepaw, which was pressing down on the clothes, began to tremble faintly.