Chapter 11
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Late Birthday Party
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I moved my steps, looking around.
‘It’s a mess.’
A life-or-death chase with a massive bear.
As a result, the once-peaceful forest had been turned into a quagmire of devastation.
The ground torn up everywhere,
trees toppled here and there,
and even the blood scent subtly stinging my nostrils—.
‘Wait. The blood smell is thicker than I thought…?’
Even though I’d come quite a distance, the scent of blood still hung heavily in the air.
Something felt off, so I tilted my head.
When I’d reeled in the wire earlier, it had been covered in blood, but
just a trickle from the nape shouldn’t have spread the smell this far.
‘What is it? Did it tear up its paw swinging those front legs around wildly?’
As various thoughts ran through my mind, a chill ran down my spine.
What if it’s Ruena’s blood?
If she’d slipped while fleeing or run into another wild animal….
My heart pounded faster and faster.
Ruena’s face flashed through my mind.
Her usual impassive expression,
her tense look from just moments ago.
And…
her bleeding profusely from a grievous wound.
An unpleasant sensation, as if my hair was standing on end.
I clenched my fists, then shook my head vigorously.
‘No, I’ve never seen her like that. Don’t let your imagination run wild.’
Scolding myself, I quickened my pace.
Yet the ominous premonition clung to my entire body, refusing to let go.
I took a deep breath in and out to steady my nerves.
‘Stay calm. You know panicking only makes things worse.’
Get a grip.
Remnant or not, I’m still a Noir.
Sensing presences is something I’m built for from birth.
I sharpened my senses to the max.
I scanned my surroundings ceaselessly.
The silver lining was that the wrecked forest offered clear lines of sight.
It had become the worst spot imaginable for a birthday party, but for finding Ruena, it was actually advantageous.
‘No sign of that beast from earlier….’
Instead, I sensed a human presence.
Unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar.
Like brushing past someone for just a moment.
‘What…?’
The instant I focused my senses harder—
a rustling sound came from somewhere.
I whipped my head toward the source.
Grass bent in one direction,
a bit of blood on the leaves,
footprints gouged as if from frantic running.
At the end, the bushes trembled ever so slightly.
Holding my breath, I approached slowly.
As I drew nearer, the familiar presence eased my mind.
“Ruena…?”
I called her name softly.
The ragged breathing I’d been hearing halted for a split second.
Then came a weak, fatigue-drenched voice.
“…Celen?”
It was Ruena’s voice.
The moment I heard it, a sigh of relief burst out of me.
My tensed shoulders slumped,
and my heightened senses relaxed in a rush.
Muddy ground be damned, I collapsed right there on the spot.
“Ha, thank goodness….”
The bushes parted, revealing Ruena.
Her shoes were caked in mud and dirt,
and scratches marred her knees and calves.
Her knee wound in particular looked deep.
I shot to my feet and hurried to her.
“Did you get hurt running away?”
“Yeah….”
Ruena glanced down at my question.
She slowly traced her knee with her fingers, as if assessing the damage.
A moment later—
Ruena shook her head like it was nothing.
Her face utterly nonchalant.
That casualness grated on me, drawing a frown.
I get it.
Ruena’s the heir to House Eliad.
The family with the kingdom’s mightiest warriors, Eliad.
Rumor had it—
House Eliad began training the moment a child took their first steps.
‘Of course, that’s exaggerated.’
Still, rumors don’t spread without some kernel of truth.
They might not start at toddling, but the training was brutal from a young age.
Ruena was no exception.
And as the heir, no less.
She’d been raised to shrug off ordinary scrapes and perils.
But—
Even if she dismissed it, her condition wasn’t fine.
Injured was injured,
and pain was pain.
Frowning, I knelt before her.
“Does this look okay to you?”
“…….”
“It’s bleeding.”
Sighing, I inspected the wound.
The flesh was parted slightly, blood trickling out.
For now, I pulled out a handkerchief and brushed off the dirt.
But—
The injury needed proper care.
‘The first aid kit’s in the bag by the birthday spread….’
I looked up to judge the distance.
Not too far off.
About five minutes on foot.
‘She can hold out that long.’
I turned my back to Ruena.
Then crouched lower to offer my back clearly.
“Hop on.”
“...What?”
“Hop on. You’re hurt.”
I heard a hesitant shuffle backward.
As I opened my mouth to say more—
my body tilted as gentle weight settled on.
Warmth radiated from the body heat against my back.
I chuckled and stood.
Ruena felt lighter than expected.
I’d half-worried about stumbling or dropping her,
but this? I could piggyback her to the lake no problem.
‘More doable than I thought.’
Is it the arm muscles from baking?
Or the speed boost from dodging her dad?
Either way, perfect for now.
‘I can keep up appearances.’
I readjusted Ruena on my back and picked up the pace a bit.
Ruena was quiet, as always.
But it felt a touch different from usual.
Tense, yet at a loss?
Her breathing was cautious, and the points of contact rigid.
Why does this impassive girl always get subtly fidgety in moments like this?
‘Making me feel weird too….’
To shake off the awkward tickle in my throat, I spoke to her.
“You’re lighter than I thought.”
“...Yeah?”
“Yeah. Hurt yourself running away?”
“……Yeah.”
Ruena’s voice came smaller than usual.
Drained from the flight?
Guilt wormed into my chest.
Without slowing, I murmured low to her.
“Sorry, Ruena.”
“For what?”
“Dragged you out here for no reason and put you in danger.”
That instant, I felt flustered shifting behind me.
Her hair brushed my back.
She was probably shaking her head vigorously.
Strangely, that clumsy gesture comforted me greatly.
“Oh, we’re here.”
“Ah….”
Thanks to the hurry, we’d already reached the lakeside.
The birthday spread…
was an absolute disaster.
It filled me with gloom each glance, so I slyly looked away.
‘Let’s see. My bag….’
Thankfully, it sat innocently where I’d left it.
I set Ruena down on a chair at once and pulled out the first aid kit from the bag.
At the sight of it, Ruena’s eyes widened.
“You brought a first aid kit?”
“Yeah. Preparedness is life in our family.”
“I see….”
I poured sterilized water over the wound.
Dirt and clotted blood washed away gradually.
Finally, the wound stood out starkly.
Deeper than I’d thought—I clicked my tongue and grabbed the disinfectant.
“It’ll sting a little.”
“It’s fine.”
She said that, but—
when the cotton with disinfectant touched, her shoulder twitched faintly.
Her honest reaction belying her words drew a chuckle.
“Fine, huh?”
“...Just… felt cool.”
“Liar.”
Ruena averted her gaze, cheeks flushing.
After disinfecting, I carefully applied an ointment bandage.
“There. Treatment done.”
“Thanks….”
“Save the thanks. It’s basically my fault you got hurt.”
I stood and surveyed what had been the birthday spread.
Decorations and food spilled everywhere,
mingled with bear saliva and fur—a wretched scene.
‘Damn bear….’
From prepping ingredients, I’d slaved since yesterday afternoon.
My efforts, vanished without even a “birth” in birthday—utter futility washed over me.
‘I wanted to give her a proper birthday party….’
I’d always scrambled for her favor,
but this time, it was a sincere wish to celebrate.
I pitied her, who’d never had one.
‘At least a gift and birthday candle….’
That instant—
something flashed through my mind.
I hurriedly opened the bag.
“Good, it’s intact!”
“Huh? What?”
To the baffled Ruena, I handed over what I held.
A chocolate pie a bit larger than my palm.
I’d prepared it specially since the parrot at home prevented her from eating it.
I stuck a spare candle into the pie.
“Let’s do it!”
“Do what…?”
“What else? Birthday celebration.”
Ruena blinked at me.
“Now… here?”
“Yeah. We’ve got a candle, and it’s not cake but pie works.”
I fished matches from the bag and lit it.
As the candle flame flickered, Ruena’s eyes sparkled in the light.
“Now, make a wish.”
“...A wish?”
“On your birthday, you clasp your hands like this, make a wish, then blow out the candle.”
Ruena hesitated, then mimicked me, clasping her hands.
“Next year too….”
“Huh?”
“Next year too… I want to play with Celen.”
Her earnest tone tickled my nape oddly.
‘Wishes… don’t come true if you say them out loud….’
Still, that wish I could grant.
To survive, I had to stick by Ruena anyway.