OPDSP 8

Everyone looked busy getting ready to depart. What was surprising was that it wasn’t noisy or chaotic.

Everyone was performing their assigned tasks skillfully and efficiently. It might seem trivial, but it was in these small details that the discipline of a group revealed itself.

‘Knights, soldiers… Looks like there are porters and servants too.’

The size of the hunting party was quite large. There were so many different roles that Aeryl couldn’t grasp it all just by standing in one place. The funny part was that, even while hurrying about, everyone gave Aeryl at least one glance, their expressions clearly saying, ‘Who’s that?’

‘This is awkward.’

Aeryl awkwardly petted his brown mare, pretending to be busy with her. After waiting a little longer, a man approached him. He was dressed as a soldier and wore a white headscarf.

“Aeryl Aden? You’re the new field medic, right?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

The medic gave Aeryl a once-over. There was something about his scrutinizing gaze that made Aeryl uneasy.

“Is there something on my face…?”

“Oh, no. You just seem so unfamiliar. You’re not from the North, are you?”

“No, I’m from the capital.”

“Hm, I see.”

Aeryl wasn’t sure how to respond to the medic’s clearly reluctant attitude, but the man continued.

“I’m Fedel, a medic. I was ordered to guide you.”

“I see. I look forward to working with you.”

“Yeah, well… Follow me.”

Fedel took the lead. Though Aeryl felt a bit uncomfortable, he followed him. He had planned to ask whoever came to guide him some questions, but for some reason, Fedel didn’t feel like someone he could casually talk to.

Fedel led Aeryl to a cart piled high with luggage. A few porters who were taking a break cast curious glances his way.

“Just wait here, and follow when we leave.”

“Thank you. By the way, where are the other field medics? I feel like I should introduce myself to them first.”

Aeryl recalled how, back when he was a prince, new attendants or guards always made a point of greeting him first. He had no prior experience with formal organizations or social groups, but he wanted to act according to what little common sense he had.

“…Everyone’s busy preparing to leave right now.”

“Oh… Would I be a bother if I went over there?”

Fedel smiled instead of answering. That probably meant yes. If he went now, they’d think he had no sense of timing.

“Then I’ll wait here. Could you let me know when things calm down?”

“I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”

With that, Fedel turned and left. Aeryl wanted to ask about what a field medic’s responsibilities were, or get more information about the hunting party, but he couldn’t stop him. He had said he was busy, after all.

Maybe there would be time during the journey, or once they arrived at the snow-covered mountains. Aeryl hoped to make a good first impression. He was nervous—it was his first time being part of any kind of group.

‘Aside from Master and my junior disciple, I’ve never interacted with other doctors before.’

He’d learned medicine in secret, away from prying eyes. Even when he’d visited the Imperial Medical Academy, he only ever attended lectures in secret. This was his first real interaction with other medical professionals. His master used to say that the best conversations about medicine happened over drinks with fellow physicians.

‘I didn’t come here by choice, but I might as well make the most of it.’

And just like that, Aeryl’s first foray into the world began.

Meanwhile, Fedel returned to the area where the infirmary was set up. Everyone, from field medics to assistants, was outside sorting supplies. Since the number of people in the hunting party was limited, everyone pitched in to help with odd tasks, regardless of rank.

Kyla, the lead physician and supervisor, was checking whether the most important medicines were properly packed when she spotted Fedel.

“Fedel? You’re alone? What about the new field medic?”

She had been summoned by the Grand Duke earlier and informed that a new field medic would be joining them. She needed to take care of him, but couldn’t spare the time to go herself, so she’d sent Fedel instead.

“Oh, him…”

Fedel gave an awkward smile.

“He said he was too busy getting ready to leave and didn’t follow me.”

It wasn’t a lie, but there was something odd in the way Fedel said it. Coupled with his expression, it came across as though he had tried to bring Aeryl but Aeryl had chosen not to move, using the preparations as an excuse. And Fedel knew exactly how his words could be misunderstood.

“He didn’t come because he didn’t want to work?”

“He didn’t say that, exactly…”

Kyla looked dumbfounded, and Fedel had no intention of correcting her.

‘Hmph, let him struggle a bit.’

He had phrased it to cause a misunderstanding on purpose.

Fedel had disliked Aeryl from the beginning. Being appointed a field medic in the Great Purge wasn’t something just anyone could do. The medics were responsible for the health of the entire party during the hunt, meaning their abilities directly affected the combat effectiveness of the team. They were selected through a strict evaluation process that considered both skill and character.

Fedel had applied for the selection exam every year, only to be rejected. Though he was a doctor, he wasn’t proficient in healing magic. He had no choice but to participate in the hunt as a medic assistant, but he was still biding his time, determined to become a full field medic someday.

And now, that coveted position had been handed to some green kid from who knows where.

Without even taking the proper exam! Just because the Grand Duke said so!

‘So what was the point of me hanging everything on that exam? All that matters is catching the Grand Duke’s eye?’

Fedel pushed aside the fact that he was too scared of the Grand Duke to even meet his eyes properly, and that the Grand Duke wouldn’t just pick anyone. All he felt was a sense of injustice and resentment. Naturally, that emotion turned toward the easiest target: Aeryl.

‘From what I saw, he’s just a sheltered brat with a bunch of book knowledge.’

He hadn’t liked him before they met, and after meeting him, he liked him even less.

His upright posture and clean face gave off an air of refinement—he looked like someone who’d grown up in comfort. Like someone who’d only ever done what he wanted, living a carefree life. That image grated against Fedel’s own insecurities.

‘What an eyesore.’

He wanted to trip him up. Wanted to turn what had probably been an easy life into something miserable.

‘Still, I didn’t lie.’

He hadn’t told Aeryl he’d be in the way if he came, and he hadn’t told kyla that Aeryl refused to work. He simply hadn’t bothered correcting their assumptions. That much wouldn’t be a problem, even if it came out later.

‘Sure, he’ll leave a bad first impression, but that’s not my problem. It’s not like anything terrible will happen, right?’

Maybe it would be good for him to learn how harsh the world could be. Fedel schooled his expression, hiding his malicious thoughts.

“Kyla!”

One of the other medic assistants called for her in a hurry. Kyla let out a small sigh. Truthfully, she wanted to go drag the new field medic over and teach him exactly how things worked in the hunting party. But there was too much to do right now.

“For now, Fedel, please take responsibility for him. Show him the ropes around camp as well.”

He probably just doesn’t know any better yet.

Kyla tried to keep a generous view of Aeryl and gave the order to Fedel. Then she hurried off toward the medic who had called her, completely unaware of the consequences this choice would bring.

***

It took half a day before they finally stepped into the vast forest at the edge of the snow-covered mountains.

The hunting party set up camp at a predetermined location. It was the same place they used every year, so the ground had already been packed down and even things like wooden fences were in place.

The members of the hunting party efficiently went about setting up tents and building out the camp. The Grand Duke and the Black Knights went out for a light patrol of the surrounding area.

‘Just standing around makes me feel even more out of place.’

Aeryl had nothing to do, so he loitered awkwardly, petting his horse for no real reason.

He wasn’t the type to butt in with a cheerful “Need any help?”, so he could only stand still while everyone else looked busy. He felt a little deflated.

He’d tried to get friendly with some of the porters during the trip, but they clearly seemed uncomfortable. One thing he had figured out was that most of the hunting party members had been participating in this event for years.

Aeryl was the only first-timer. In other words, he was the outsider who’d just rolled in.

“Excuse me, could you move?”

“Oh—yes!”

Aeryl quickly stepped aside, moving all the way to a corner near the wooden fence. Feeling like he was the only one who didn’t belong, he turned his eyes toward the forest. He pretended to be admiring the scenery.

Beyond the thick trees, the snow-covered mountains were visible. Massive and white. Not just the peaks—everything was white, the entire range blanketed in snow. Just looking at it made Aeryl shiver.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s cold.’

No—it was chilly. Even the air felt heavy, as if something was pressing down on it.

Aeryl stared blankly into the forest. The trees here were unlike anything he’d seen before. Their odd, stubby shapes looked like outstretched fingers. And the round, spotted markings on their bark looked strangely like eyeballs.