[TIDK] 53 – ‘Coincidental Meeting’

“… I’m crazy.”

Scarlett sighed deeply.

But now was the right time. Due to the biplane problem, Viktor had to solve it quickly because he did not know when she would be arrested.

“It’s hereditary, hereditary.”

She doesn’t know anything else, but this trait of hers was definitely passed down from her parents. Her tenacity was exactly like theirs.

There was no way for her to climb the mountain. Eventually, she asked a resident of Kohan who was passing by.

“How do I get to Ruse Falls from here?”

“Ruse Falls? That’s along the border.”

“Yes, I know, but I need to find something.”

“The soldiers will stop you in the middle... But to get there, soldiers usually go this way.”

Scarlett looked in the direction on the map the Kohan resident was pointing to her.

It still looked like there was no road, but fortunately, she remembered the map around here that her parents had when she was young, so it matched the map that she drew.

Scarlett thanked him and moved on. The mountain was rough, and she held her hand to her chest anticipating the moment a snake or beast would leap out at her.

As she looked at the gravel while climbing the mountain, she realised it was the stone used on the watch made by Abel.

“That’s too much.”

If it were Abel, it wouldn’t be a difficult job to order people to bring stones, but why did he do that?

Scarlett walked, caught up in her thoughts and tripped.

She slipped down the hill, but someone bent and grabbed her wrist.

She yelped in shock. As she turned around, she saw the man who had grabbed her, Pallin, Viktor’s subordinate.

“Sir Pallin? What are you doing here?” Scarlett asked, panicking.

“I should be the one asking you that,” Pallin replied, bewildered, but he quickly released her.

Already petrified of the dangers found in the deserted mountain tracks, the fright at slipping and being grabbed brought tears to her eyes.

“I was afraid you were going to fall… Well, see you then,” Pallin replied awkwardly.

As he nodded, intending to go on his way, Evan behind him chimed in.

“Where are you going? Seeing that you’re wandering around here, I believe your destination is the same as ours.”

Scarlett blinked.

“The same destination, right…?”

“I’m going to Ruse Falls.”

“Oh, so are we.”

“What?”

Several sailors approached her, humming from behind. She took off her hat in greeting and smiled lightly.

“Good morning, miss.”

“It’s been a while.”

“I’ll go first.”

Scarlett’s heart raced when the most capable soldiers of Salantier, born into excellent and fruitful households, and recipients of stellar education and training acknowledged her. Their bloodline and appearance were pedigree. She greeted back, with redness in her cheeks.

“Are you looking for a second husband,” a low voice behind her spoke.

She turned around at the familiar tone. Scarlett’s heart skipped a beat and she felt incredulous.

“What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you,” Viktor replied.

“I’m searching for the materials to construct a watch,” Scarlett said, lifting a large bag.

 Viktor nodded. “Go. I’ll follow you.”

“I’m going to take a break. I can’t move.”

Scarlett put down her bag and sat on it, just as Viktor finished talking and tried to move her past him.

“Hm? You’re aware of the plethora of snakes around here, no?”

“…you’re joking.”

A Rubied sailor who had just reached them and was about to pass, stopped when he heard Scarlett. He opened his bag and pulled out something. 

“I caught him on the way up.” He said, showing her the dead snake.

Scarlett almost fainted on the spot. She covered her face and grimaced. The sailor chuckled at her reaction and continued up the mountain.

Viktor grinned at Scarlett, still trembling after they left.

“Get up.”

“It’s hard….”

As she spoke, she looked up at the tree.

“If I go up to the tree, the snake won’t be able to follow, right?”

“Funny.”

Viktor took out a pair of handcuffs and then took her wrists. He held Scarlett’s bag with one hand.

“Come on. Don’t run away.”

“Wait a minute.”

Though Scarlett struggled futilely, in the end, she didn’t refuse his help. She grabbed her watch and put it in her pocket in case it scratched. Exhausted from the climb, she sat down and let him lock her to him.

At first, she held onto the handcuffs as Viktor pulled her, but even that became difficult.

In the end, she loosened her hand and let him drag her up the mountain.

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