The story begins with Kaede, a 27-year-old accountant, overwhelmed by a mountain of expense reports and receipts late on a Friday night. She laments her mundane life, her failed attempts at dating, and the prospect of continuing this routine until retirement. Exhausted, she dozes off at her desk.
She awakens not in her office, but in a serene forest, lying on a bed of fallen leaves. Disoriented, she realizes she's no longer in her familiar surroundings. A low growl and a warm, foul-smelling breath alert her to a colossal bear standing directly behind her. Terrified, Kaede curls into a ball as the bear attacks. She braces for impact, but instead of pain, she feels a gentle pat on her shoulder. A young man with golden hair and green eyes, who introduces himself as Franz Hanover, a knight of the Western Knights, reassures her that the "Great Bear" has been dealt with. He explains that she was found near the foot of the mountain and asks if she's from a local village.
Franz leads Kaede to a large tent where she meets Sabrina Toole, the chief healer of the Western Knights. Sabrina, a kind and elegant older woman, diagnoses Kaede as merely exhausted and offers her a change of clothes and a warm drink. Kaede, still reeling from the events, learns from Franz that she is in "Wimbledon Forest," a place unknown to her. Sabrina then reveals the shocking truth: Kaede has likely been transported from another world, a phenomenon attributed to a "rift in space-time" within the "Forest of Delusion." The possibility of returning home is uncertain, leaving Kaede devastated.
Despite her despair, Kaede's hunger returns, leading to an embarrassing display that Franz misunderstands as extreme poverty. He carries her to the knights' camp, where they are preparing a feast from the defeated Great Bear. Kaede is introduced to the boisterous knights and learns that hunting monsters is their primary duty. She also learns about the world's structure, including the existence of four knight orders, and that they are on a long patrol to defeat monsters and protect villages.
The next morning, Kaede is given a change of clothes and directed to a nearby stream to wash up. She encounters Franz again, who offers her breakfast. They discuss the local customs, including the hierarchy of greetings. Franz reveals he is 25 and initially mistook Kaede for someone much younger, apologizing for his condescending behavior. Kaede, in turn, expresses her gratitude for his kindness, which has helped her cope with her situation.
Franz then invites Kaede to see the knights' horses. She meets his beautiful white horse, Lago, and is surprised by its gentle nature. Franz offers to let her ride Lago, and despite her initial fear, Kaede agrees. The experience of riding Lago through the vast grasslands is exhilarating, washing away her anxieties.
Upon returning, Kaede learns that the knights are preparing for another monster hunt. She offers her accounting skills to Franz, who struggles with managing his finances, particularly for his sister Lilia's birthday gift. Franz agrees to her offer, and they plan to meet later. As the knights depart, Kaede watches them go, feeling a sense of purpose and a glimmer of hope in her new, strange world.
