Chapter 01

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14th day of the 4th month of the Astarion Empire, Misty Forest, Southern Region.

Just as its name suggests, whether morning, noon, or especially at night, the southernmost forest of the empire is blanketed in mist as far as the eye can see.

Even the locals often struggle to find their way out of the foggy woods.

Though it is not home to many wild beasts, danger can still befall anyone careless with their steps.

With the heavy mist obscuring the way, there are few proper paths. And even when one is cleared, it will quickly be reclaimed by thickets and vines unless cut back again.

Slash. Slash.

Creepers and bushes fell neatly aside, making the way passable once more.

The one doing the cutting was none other than a knight from the auxiliary corps, often called upon by villagers living near the Misty Forest to help search for those who had gone missing after failing to return home by nightfall.

“Dame Aldeforch, are you sure this path is the right way? It feels like you’ve just been carving out an entirely new one…”

“Yes, don’t worry. I am guiding us upon the only true path.”

“You sound like one of those cult leaders. Ugh-”

The joking knight received a sharp elbow in the stomach from her companion, nearly forcing up her dinner.

She glared in protest, but her complaint was ignored; her partner had already fixed her eyes forward, quickening her pace to catch up with the knight addressed as Dame Aldeforch.

Not wanting to be left behind, and risk becoming the forest’s next lost victim, the joking knight rubbed her sore ribs and hurried after the other two.

“H-hic… H-help…”

Dame Aldeforch halted mid-step. She sharpened her ears, trying to pinpoint the direction of the weak cry.

“It sounds like it’s coming from ahead.”

“Let’s hurry.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Using the faint voice as their guide, the three knights pressed forward, dodging branches and hacking through brambles and thorny undergrowth that thickened the further they went.

There, slumped on the ground clutching his leg, was a small child, trembling as he tried to hold back tears.

“Hey, kid!”

In the lead, Evelyn Aldeforch stopped right before the boy who whimpered as he rubbed his leg.

“Huff… huff… w-wait, I’m out of breath…”

The two knights who lagged behind arrived, panting heavily as they tried to catch their breath.

“A sprained ankle, a few cuts on his arms and legs… Thankfully, nothing more serious.”

Evelyn crouched down, meeting the boy’s eyes after checking his condition.

“Little one, we came to find you and bring you home. Do you know how worried your parents are?”

“Father… Mother… hic… I’m sorry. I only wanted to help and surprise them by gathering firewood.”

Evelyn gently patted his head in comfort.

“Dame Rosalin, Dame Ashley, please clean and bandage his wounds. Wrap the ankle so it doesn’t worsen.”

“On it.”

Rosalin dug through her satchel, pulling out a water flask and a roll of bandages.

Ashley took the flask and quickly poured water over the scratches, washing away dirt with practiced movements.

“Ahh-”

“Bear with it a little. Better this sting now than an infected wound later.”

The two worked swiftly together. The bandage was soon wound tightly around the sprained ankle, neat and secure, Rosalin’s expertise in first aid showing clearly.

Though the boy still winced occasionally, he already looked much better.

“Phew, done.”

Ashley wiped her brow dramatically with the back of her hand, as if she’d just completed a grand operation.

Evelyn only shook her head, unsurprised by her antics despite only having known her a few days.

Her sharp eyes turned back toward the misty path ahead. Thanks to her, the search had ended swiftly. Normally, such rescues took until the following day.

“Let’s return quickly before the fog thickens even more.”

With the evening chill biting harder, Evelyn carefully lifted the boy into her arms, carrying him like a princess in a fairy tale.

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“My son! Oh heavens, thank you, Lady Knights!”

“Thank you! Truly, without you, who knows what would have become of him…”

The boy’s parents bowed again and again, unable to stop expressing their gratitude.

The father, who had earlier insisted on joining the search, and the mother, who had wept in despair, both now wept with relief to see their child safely returned.

“We only did our duty. Still, you should visit a healer for a thorough check-up.”

“That’s right. Even if it isn’t broken, a sprain needs proper care. We only gave basic aid.”

“Yes! We’ll do so at once. Thank you again!”

Their mission done, the three knights declined the bag of meat the parents offered in thanks.

It was against regulations, and beyond that, it would have felt wrong to take food so hard-won, hunted from the dangerous Misty Forest and surrounding lands.

Mounting their horses, the trio rode back at a steady pace toward their outpost.

“Will you be returning to the southern capital tomorrow?” 

Rosalin asked, her expression a little downcast as she looked at Evelyn.

“What a pity. If only you were stationed here with us, tasks like today’s would be handled so much more easily!”

“Exactly! I’d gladly lend a hand anytime if it meant working alongside you, Dame Aldeforch.”

Ashley nodded vigorously in agreement.

It wasn’t that the other knights failed in their duties, but Evelyn’s skill was unmatched, making her presence invaluable in such rescues.

If their captain overheard such talk, she would no doubt respond with affectionate but painful pinches to their cheeks.

“We’ll see. My postings change every six months, after all.”

“I’ll be waiting eagerly for that day!”

And so, the ride back was filled with Rosalin and Ashley’s cheerful daydreams, proudly proclaiming the three of them as the heroes of the Misty Forest.

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