Chapter 55: Buried Resolve (1)

After Luna fled with the children, Ethan stepped out quietly, surveying his surroundings.

He was now inside one of the cottages the witches used as their homes .. a simple wooden dwelling nestled among the trees.

“So… this is Moon’s home.”

He had heard before that she lived at the hunters’ residence, but it seemed she had a place she returned to as well.

The house was modest, yet despite its simplicity, it carried a strangely comforting presence.

He spent a few minutes observing the place before Luna returned, having sent the children away.

“Forget what you saw earlier,” she said.

Ethan looked at her, asking the first question that came to mind.

“How many siblings do you have?”

“Our family has four children. Moon is the eldest, and the twins Sol and Star are the youngest.”

“And your parents?” he added.

Luna shook her head.

“They died in the war Ardyn waged against Asteria four years ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s no secret.”

She stepped closer, her expression empty as she spoke:

“We Hearts learn how to die early. Every day, more of us fall .. either in the Hunt… or in war. That is the life fated for us.”

It truly was a cursed bloodline.

“Anyway, since you’re fine now, you should leave as soon as possible. A knight isn’t meant to linger in witches’ territory,” she said.

Ethan fell silent, thinking for a moment.

“Before I go, there’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

He spoke without hesitation.

“Did healing magic actually work on me?”

Luna nodded.

“It did.”

That answer pleased him.

’So… Incantations don’t work, but magic does.’

That was good news. Even though healing magic was far weaker than restorative Incantations, knowing he could still benefit from it was reassuring.

He couldn’t obtain the rare flasks unless he went on a Hunt .. and even then, he would only receive a pitiful amount.

After a brief hesitation, he asked his next question.

“Where is Moon now?”

At the mention of her sister’s name, Luna’s eyes narrowed slightly .. but fortunately, she didn’t lose control this time.

“She already left. She goes out hunting every day with her squad. You’re part of it too—but I heard you’ve been slacking lately.”

“I haven’t.”

He answered simply, then thought for a moment longer before making one final request, a faint smile appearing on his face.

“Would you do me a favor? I’d like you to deliver a message to Lady Vanessa.”

“My Master? And why would I do that for you?”

“Consider it compensation for trying to kill me.”

He left her no room to refuse.

Luna nodded cautiously and asked what message he wished to convey to the Archwitch.

After entrusting her with it, Ethan quietly left the Forest of Witches, unnoticed by anyone.

—

Ashvarn — Main Gate

At the entrance to the City of Ash, a place usually empty save for a few guards, a hunting squad returned from their routine Hunt.

It was the Third Squad, led by Moon.

Among them, Raiden stood out the most, his massive frame impossible to miss.

He frowned, deep in thought over what Moon had told him.

“I can’t believe all this happened without my knowledge… Ethan went to learn Asterion Heart’s sword style… and nearly died.”

He turned toward her.

“At your hands.”

Moon replied calmly, suppressing her emotions with practiced precision.

“It couldn’t be avoided. My grandfather’s sword style demands at least that much.”

She deliberately concealed part of the truth—about Ethan’s abnormal, monster-like body.

She trusted her squad, but she believed it was better to keep that hidden for now.

“How is he?” asked Chai Heart, who stood beside them with Alicia, listening to their conversation.

Moon shook her head.

“He was in terrible condition. He lost a lot of blood. We barely managed to stabilize him.”

“I see… so my big brother suffers alone,” Chai murmured.

Alicia added,

“Good. Maybe he’ll finally accept abandoning the Hunt.”

Her words drew everyone’s attention.

“Alicia. You know that’s not what he wants. You saw it yourself .. how he tried to kill himself without hesitation. I’m certain he’d do it again if forced to abandon the Hunt.”

“But… at this rate, he’ll die anyway when he duels James Heart…”

Silence fell over them.

Ethan’s victory seemed impossibly distant.

“First he wasted time doing something strange .. digging instead of hunting… and now his injuries might keep him out for days…” Raiden said, clenching his fist.

He wanted to do something .. anything to change that.

But… there was nothing he could do.

“There is no choice but to wait for his recovery and try to convince him to resume hunting and raise his level again,” Moon said, and everyone nodded in agreement.

“When exactly will he recover?” Chai asked.

Moon paused for a moment to think before replying.

“Perhaps… a few days.”

“So… we won’t see him today, right?”

Moon nodded.

“That’s correct.”

At that moment, Chai’s expression twisted into something strange .. a mixture of disbelief and confusion.

“What is it?” Moon asked, as all eyes turned toward him.

Chai slowly raised his hand and pointed somewhere behind them.

“I think I’m hallucinating… because if Ethan is unconscious and injured in the Witches’ Forest… then who is that?”

“Huh?”

They all turned sharply in the direction he indicated and what they saw made their faces freeze.

He was some distance away, but they could see him clearly.

A young man around their age …except for Chai.

He wore black hunting clothes, his chin and nose hidden beneath a dark face covering.

He walked without a care for the world, a black iron shovel resting on his shoulder.

His gait was unsteady, swaying slightly … like a drunkard forced to drag himself to work against his will.

It was Ethan.

“Seriously… this is real, right?” Raiden muttered. “Not a mirage?”

He exchanged looks with the others—then they all ran toward him.

Ethan continued walking indifferently, until he heard them calling his name.

“Ethan!!”

He turned toward them calmly.

“Ah… you guys were here.”

“What are you doing?! Aren’t you injured?!” Moon shouted, her brows tightly furrowed.

Ethan struck his chest confidently.

“I’m perfectly fine, as you can see.”

“Impossible…” she denied instinctively.

But her denial faltered the moment Ethan lifted his shirt, revealing his abdomen—where countless wounds and gashes should have been.

There was nothing.

“How?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“I don’t know. I guess I just have good immunity.”

It was an absurd answer.

But it was the only one they had.

“What are you doing here?” Raiden asked.

Ethan gestured ahead.

“I’m going to dig.”

His words froze them in place.

“This again… what are you digging for? Is there some kind of treasure underground or something?”

Ethan took a few seconds, as if carefully choosing his answer.

“You could say that… yes. Something like that.”

That answer only deepened Raiden’s confusion.

“Ethan… I’m begging you, man. Stop this nonsense and come hunting with us. You still have time. Please… before it’s too late.”

He sounded genuinely desperate.

Ethan smiled faintly at him.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

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