This year, the territory of Aspiration City was destined to be anything but peaceful.
A large number of ice-type magical beasts had entered the Black Forest and were spreading in all directions.
Although the southeastern edge of Aspiration City was far from the Aspiration Mountains, the entire Black Forest was interconnected.
Sneasel had traveled all the way from Mt. Coronet along the Aspiration Mountain range into the Black Forest, and from there entered the southeastern territory of Aspiration City.
The heavy snowfall in winter forced most magical beasts to hibernate, sleeping through the season.
But Sneasel was different—this icy, snowy environment was the perfect hunting ground. Being an ice-type pokemon, it was completely unafraid of the bitter cold.
As soon as the snow fell, Sneasel entered Aspiration City's territory.
At that time, the Black Forest was fully occupied by powerful beast clans. To find food, Sneasel had no choice but to leave the forest and venture into human territory.
Its movements were agile as it darted across the snow, soon arriving at a human camp.
The flag of Aspiration City fluttered above the camp, but the place was now deserted. All the knights had been dispatched to the frontlines.
After receiving news of the Abyssal Beast Tide, the residents of the territory had been relocated to Aspiration City or Fruitvale Village. The camp had been abandoned.
Now, Fruitvale Village served as the outpost for guarding the southeastern territory.
Finding nothing of interest at the knight camp, Sneasel continued to explore the human lands, searching for hidden magical beasts beneath the snow…
…
At last, Sir Berrin found his chance.
After the snowstorm, he immediately volunteered to deliver food to the Mightyenas.
Simon and a Mightyena quietly followed behind him. With the Mightyena nearby, Simon remained at ease.
Sir Berrin had been waiting for this moment.
He glanced toward the abandoned orchard ahead, then looked back at Fruitvale Village behind him. He figured the distance was just right.
At that moment, just as the Mightyena passed by his side,
Sir Berrin suddenly pulled out the bottle of Gloom nectar he had hidden on his body and splashed it at the Mightyena.
A putrid stench burst out, overwhelming the Mightyena's powerful sense of smell and making it feel dizzy and faint.
The nectar from the Gloom, though technically a kind of honey, was extremely sticky. Once it coated the Mightyena's face, it couldn't be wiped off no matter how much the creature tried.
"What are you doing?!"
Simon reacted quickly and shouted,
but the next second, the same disgusting nectar hit him in the face.
Even Simon, who was long used to the odor of the Gloom, felt light-headed as the nectar doused him.
Seizing the moment, Sir Berrin turned the food cart around and rammed Simon, knocking him to the ground.
Then he lifted the food meant for the Mightyenas and dumped it on Simon to hold him down.
With everything in place, he glanced at the Mightyena—already passed out—and ran quickly toward the knight patrol camp.
He kept running, not daring to stop.
Soon, he left the abandoned orchard and entered an open field of snow, which slowed him down slightly, but he pressed on.
"I can't stop… I can't stop yet…"
He kept urging himself forward.
The knight patrol camp was only a half-day's journey from Fruitvale Village. He had to reach it quickly!
He desperately hoped that some patrol knights might coincidentally be nearby—if so, he'd be saved.
As he ran, fatigue crept in.
Just as he was about to stop and catch his breath,
he suddenly noticed a figure ahead.
A bipedal black feline with gleaming silver claws and golden gems embedded on its forehead and chest.
Sir Berrin's pupils shrank.
"A magical beast… it's a magical beast…"
"Why… why is a magical beast here?!"
Staring at the slowly approaching Sneasel, a wave of fear surged in Berrin's heart.
He didn't know what kind of beast this was,
but from one glance, he could tell—it was a predator.
That look in its eyes—it was seeing him as prey.
"Help… help…"
Berrin muttered as he quickly turned and ran back the way he came.
He had to find Simon. Only Simon could save him now.
Run—run fast!
Whoosh!
Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind behind him.
Something slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. A searing pain flared on his back—he was wounded!
Turning back in fear, he saw Sneasel calmly licking blood from its claws. It was his blood.
Am I going to die…?
As he stared at the magical beast, Sir Berrin's heart sank to the depths.
Regret surged in.
Then the beast moved, claws raised high—
But just then,
a sharp whistle cut through the air.
Sneasel retreated.
An arrow landed where it had just been standing, buried deep in the snow.
"An arrow…?"
Sir Berrin was stunned.
He turned his head and saw Simon in the distance, bow in hand.
After missing his first shot, Simon swiftly nocked another arrow, drawing the bow back to full tension and aiming at Sneasel again.
"Simon… it's Simon…"
Sir Berrin's eyes widened.
This man, whom he had once hated and wished dead, had arrived at the brink of death—to save him.
Emotion welled up in his chest.
This villager… actually dared to face a magical beast for him.
Is he not afraid of the beast?
Maybe he is… but even so, he still acted—just to save me.
On the other side, Sneasel was also studying Simon.
It could sense danger from that arrow—if it were hit, it would be hurt.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get over here!"
Simon's shout snapped Berrin back to reality.
He quickly scrambled to his feet, casting a terrified glance at Sneasel, and ran toward Simon as fast as he could.
But just then,
Sneasel moved again, lunging at Sir Berrin.
Its claws spread wide, flashing with icy light as it leaped through the air—
(End of Chapter)