Episode 1

A dim, humid air drifted. Through a forest where densely overgrown trees stood in profusion, two people ran.

“It went that way! I’m counting on you for the rest!”

“…You didn’t need to say it.”

Two boys on the verge of becoming young men worked in tandem as they pursued the monster.
One had vivid blond hair, fair skin, and handsome features. He carried a slender sword and, even in armor, moved nimbly.

The other had striking, deep, lustrous black hair and blue eyes. He wore a longsword at his waist but was dressed like a noble—attire ill-suited to the forest.

The monster they were chasing closed in on the black-haired boy. It seemed to have given up on fleeing and chosen to fight.

“I’ll commend your resolve. But you chose the wrong opponent.”

It was a monster with the appearance of a horse, its pure-white coat beautiful to behold. A sharp, slender horn jutted from its brow. The monster called a unicorn was their target.

It leveled its horn and charged at full speed. In ordinary times, one might have gasped at the unicorn’s beauty, but this was battle. Besides, he did not seem to possess such sensibilities.

“That color offends the eye—how obnoxious.”

The unicorn bore down, yet the boy did not move. He stood upright with arms folded, not even drawing his sword, his attitude plainly one of irritation.

In the next instant, the distance vanished and the boy was run through by the sharp horn.

“Whoosh?” The unicorn acted as if confused. Also called a one-horned beast, this monster was famous for its very high intelligence. Clever and wary, it was difficult even to encounter.

Perhaps because it had recognized the pair’s danger, it now seemed nonplussed.

Though the boy had been pierced, he did not stir. He did not even groan, and not a single drop of blood flowed.

While the unicorn eyed him suspiciously, a change came over the boy; with crackling sounds, he crumbled—as if a statue of ice were breaking apart.

The unicorn noticed the anomaly a step too late.

“You shouldn’t have stopped. In the end, you’re just a beast.”

The boy stood behind the unicorn, uninjured and unscathed.

It tried to whirl around in a panic but could not move. Before it knew it, the ground at its feet had frozen over.

“What a ridiculous sight. Some ‘legendary beast’—don’t make me laugh.”

With an unhurried motion, the boy set his hand on his sword’s hilt. A flash, a ringing clang—and the horn was severed at the root.

The unicorn let out a pained sound, but it could not even topple over. The ice at its feet had spread up its legs.

“Hard to believe this fetches money. I’ll never understand the tastes of nobles.”

Though he himself was a noble, he conveniently ignored the fact. With no one around, there was no one to call him on it.

“…I’ve no more use for you. Begone.”

The boy dispelled the magic. Having braced itself for death, the unicorn looked confused all over again. With such high intelligence, it took time to accept what had happened.

Seeming to have lost all interest in the unicorn, the boy left the spot. His objective appeared to be the horn he had taken.

“You cut it so cleanly. And your spell precision is as high as ever.”

The blond boy caught up.

“Watch your mouth. More importantly, let’s go.”

The black-haired boy quickened his pace. Though just after a fight, he was not winded.

“…You’re letting it go? Even though it’s a rare monster?”

“Who’s going to deal with the carcass? The commission was only for the horn.”

“Honestly, you. Your attitude is worse than anyone’s, yet your compassion is as deep as the sea.”

Beaming, the blond boy followed after him. He showed no signs of fatigue either.

“Sounds like your head’s gone bad. Want me to strap you to the bedding?”

“Spare me. I’m done with the bedbound life.”

Though the two were contrasting, they looked like friends. The way he answered lightly without flinching at the harsh tone was, in a sense, born of trust.

About three years had passed since the two had met: the son of the House of Lagias and a boy from the neighboring domain. A bond that should never have intersected in the first place—bound not as enemies, but as friends.

Zeke Lagias and Luke Hartmann. There, unmistakably, were the two walking side by side, just as someone had wished.