Chapter 69: The Man Zachary Killed

The hunting grounds had been divided into three major sectors: the Safe Zone, the Danger Zone, and the Restricted Area, which covered the mountains.

The Safe Zone contained mostly D- and C-Rank Rift monsters, making it suitable for participants who preferred a more relaxed hunt.

The Danger Zone, on the other hand, was home to B- and A-Rank monsters.

Since the Restricted Area had thick miasma, their monsters were much stronger. Even high-ranked Sentinels were advised to stay away unless they had a good reason to enter.

Most participants chose the Safe Zone for their hunt. After all, the Hunting Competition was an annual event, and not every Sentinel wanted to risk injury just to earn a few extra points.

"If we want to secure a Crown for you, I have to work harder, deerling. Let’s head up to the Danger Zone. What do you think?"

Lydia adjusted herself on her horse before turning toward him.

"We live for danger! Let’s find some strong monsters to beat and call it a day. Go go go!"

"That’s the spirit!" Zachary chuckled at her enthusiasm.

With that settled, the two rode toward the Danger Zone, leaving the crowded Safe Zone behind.

If they wanted to win the Hunting Crown, collecting a few low-ranking monsters probably wouldn’t be enough.

Besides, Zachary was an SSS-Rank Sentinel. Surely, he could handle some B- and A-Rank monsters without breaking a sweat.

Unfortunately, several nobles had been watching Lydia and Zachary since they got on their horses.

"To think that useless F-Rank Guide has bagged the Crown Prince and the Purse of the Empire. Talk about being lucky."

"Such an extraordinary achievement, I’d say."

Lydia decided to ignore their talks. It wasn’t particularly unusual for a Guide to have multiple Sentinels.

However, seeing the Crown Prince’s fiancée accompanied by both the Crown Prince and the heir of House Ludenberg was another matter entirely.

Still, some nobles understood the situation. After all, Queen Renata herself had several Sentinels besides the Emperor.

Although some nobles didn’t like it.

A middle-aged noblewoman scoffed when Lydia strode past her beside Zachary.

"Lucky? I bet every penny I have that she slept with Lord Zachary. It’s impossible for an F-Rank Guide to make an SSS-Rank Sentinel her Sentinel otherwise!"

An elderly Guide noble snorted.

"Perhaps she’s just as that good in bed. Lady Valendorf has quite lethal face card, after all."

Their laughter carried across the hunting ground.

"Perhaps a stab of my rapier would fix that—"

Lydia was already turned her horse around when Zachary suddenly slowed down.

Much to her surprise, he didn’t look angry. Instead, he wore a pleasant smile as he approached the nobles.

His black panther ears and tail was swaying behind him as Zachary stopped his horse directly in front of the noble.

"Got beef with House Ludenberg, Baron Bovis?" Zachary asked pleasantly.

The baron’s horn and tail popped out of fear. An ox. He must be a Guide, then.

"N-No, Lord Zachary! I would never—"

"Really?" Zachary tilted his head and flashed his fangs. "Should we talk about your overdue payment to my star fleet company last month? Or should I seize your goods as collateral instead?"

The baron swallowed hard.

"I’m in the mood to eat some juicy wagyu, you know."

Lydia nearly burst out laughing. Zachary didn’t even bother to use his Resonance. Honestly, that was much more terrifying.

The baron’s face had turned nearly as white as a sheet.

"And how about you, Countess Croco?" Zachary continued as he turned toward the woman who had boasted about betting every penny she owned. "You did mention betting your every penny. Do you want me to drain them dry?"

The countess immediately lost her smug expression. Both of them bowed deeply and kept apologizing.

"I’m sorry, Lord Zachary! We... we didn’t mean to offend House Ludenberg!"

"We were only joking!" Baron Bovis added hastily.

"Try to find better jokes in the future," Zachary replied.

"Besides, I am not an F-Rank Guide. I’m C-Rank already!" she protested loudly.

"Much better, deerling. Now, let’s continue our hunt." His eyes gleamed with mischief.

He nudged his horse into a trot, and Lydia followed beside him.

I never knew you could bite, too, Lydia. You’re not as harmless as you look, my deerling."

"Want me to show you?"

"In private? Always. We could always try to find a quiet place to—"

"Zachary!!"

He laughed at Lydia’s protests then jumped over a riverbanks.

"But thank you for standing up for me."

Zachary’s teasing smile softened slightly.

"It’s the bare minimum. Come on, let’s move forward."

Everything get much quieter as they came to the Danger Zone. Lydia and Zachary just cleared another Dimensional Rift and keep pushing forward.

"Promise me one thing, Zachary."

He turned his head toward her, his black panther ears twitching slightly.

"What is it?"

Lydia took a breath before meeting his eyes.

"Never use love drugs again. You can always ask me to guide you. I mean it."

Zachary fell silent.

The playful expression on his face disappeared so quickly as his fingers tightened around the reins.

"I am your Guide, right?" she continued, her voice gentler this time. "Besides, I have promised him, Zachary."

"Him?" His gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?"

"That man with the huge scar on his left eye. A Guide in your Spiritual Domain." Lydia hesitated, searching for the right words. "Among countless faceless figures, there was only one man that had a face. May I ask you... who is he, Zachary?"

She paused, giving him time to respond.

"I can totally understand if you don’t want to talk about it. You don’t have to tell me anything you’re not ready to share."

For once, Zachary had no teasing remark ready.

His horse continued at a steady pace as he went further into the Danger Zone.

But his attention was no longer on the hunting grounds. His eyes remained fixed on the path ahead, and the silence between them grew heavier with every passing second.

"Philips. He was the guide that I killed."