Amin's POV:
- Are you the water hero?
"Be careful, Amin, I feel a familiar energy in her."
An unusual warning from Nere echoes in my head as I confront the girl through the gap left by the soldiers still surrounding her.
The girl, appearing fearless, stares at me with conviction. As a follower of beauty, it's difficult for me to see the right side of her face. Despite that, the conviction in her eyes prevents me from looking away. A vague silhouette overlaps her, but I quickly dismiss that vision as I face the small girl in front of me.
- So what if I am, little one?
I try to sound intimidating while carefully observing her movements. Despite my attempts, she simply smiles with pleasure and sighs in relief.
- It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. My name is ####."
She gives me a slight bow while the soldiers around me look confused. Some of them even seem scared as they point their weapons at the girl again. The soldiers quickly panic as confused screams echo through the crowd. The girl turns to look at them in confusion as a few shrieks echo when she turns to look at them.
"…How pathetic."
Sharing her opinion, I sigh heavily as I coldly observe the terrified soldiers. Losing my patience, I shout at the soldiers in an attempt to restore order.
- WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! Retain some composure like royal guards of the Mim capital!
Regaining some composure, they resume formation, and the murmurs cease. However, unlike the first time, this time they don't lower their weapons. Everyone remains in an attack position while pointing in all directions at the girl. Even the girl seems confused by the events. I can't help but sigh. Before I can yell at them again, the captain of the guards at my side calls my attention so he can speak.
- Sir, don't be so hard on them. That was quite a shock for them.
- Just because of a wound on your face, they're behaving like children.
I huff in frustration as I look at the soldiers. Despite that, the captain seems confused by my words.
- Sir, maybe I don't speak for everyone, but I don't think they were scared by her appearance.
I unconsciously frown at the captain's response. I turn to look at him only to find a stupefied look on his face. We both stare at each other for a few moments until the captain breaks the silence.
- Sir... didn't you notice anything odd about her name?
The confusion in my mind only intensified with that answer. Automatically, my throat opens to let out a deep laugh. The captain's joke changes the entire atmosphere of the place.
- I didn't know you liked jokes, Captain! To think that someone as rigid as-
Something interrupts me mid-sentence. Contrary to my expectations, the atmosphere hasn't lightened in the slightest. Both the captain and the soldiers seem restrained. A deep tension is palpable in the air as I scan the soldiers' faces.
Although I try to think it was a joke, their gaze only confirms the seriousness of what they're saying. The seriousness of the comment only increases my confusion.
- What are you saying? The name ### is so-
A sudden shock hits me. I doubt my hearing for a second, but Nere confirms that I wasn't mistaken. Despite just hearing her name and even saying it, I can't remember it no matter how hard I try. I touch my throat to make sure there's nothing wrong with her.
- #.... ##? ... ###!
No matter how hard I try, I can't analyze what I'm saying. Although I can say it automatically when I think of her, I can't memorize her name no matter how many times I say it. I'm not even sure what I'm saying. The words that come out of my mouth when I try to say her name sound like a foreign language. The more I analyze it, the stranger the situation becomes.
- ..Captain, what do you hear when I try to say her name?
The man looks at me with a strange mix of fear and disgust. He sighs before answering.
- I don't know, sir. To me, it just sounds like some kind of strange being is screaming. The first time she said it, it was a screech so deep it made my bones chill.
The strange situation made a deep feeling of unease lodge in my stomach. When I turn to look at her, she seems confused by how the situation is unfolding. She seems totally oblivious to our confusion. Even her smile has disappeared, replaced by a frown of unease. I quickly walk toward her.
- So, Miss... What do you want with the water hero?
Secretly preparing my scimitar, I carefully observe her movements. The girl sighs strangely in relief before she begins to speak.
Secretly preparing my scimitar, I carefully observe her movements. The girl sighs strangely in relief before she begins to speak.
- I've come to give you a message from the Fire Hero. A dangerous witch is approaching this way at this moment. I need you and your people to prepare for battle."
A new commotion breaks out among the soldiers. Frightened murmurs echo around as I carefully observe the girl.
"The Fire Hero?"
Shortly after the fall of the Deception Witch, news spread of the Fire Hero's demise due to a landslide. That old man Liberio was very pleased with the news. That this suspicious girl comes claiming to be on behalf of a dead hero raises many more questions than answers. Even though her gaze and expression convey no lies, the stench of deception only raises the alarm bells in my head.
"Let's pretend we do what she says so she'll let her guard down. If your scimitar ever comes into contact with her neck, regardless of whether she's a witch or not" she'll die.
The clear tension in Nere's voice only makes the bad feeling worse. The naturally relaxed Nere is fully on guard against the girl. I increase my guard against the girl while carefully observing her expression for any change before asking my question.
- Where is the fire hero now?
- …. He should be stopping the witch right now.
…. It's useless. I can't see a lie in her words. I decide to go with Nere's plan to kill her before she does anything dangerous.
- Okay, I'll listen to you and declare a state of emergency in the city."
- It's a relief.
A genuine expression of relief graces her face, which leaves me even more perplexed. Readying my scimitar, I approach her to invite her to the place where her grave will be.
" - Miss, would you mind helping us?
- Helping you?
- Yes! As you can see, we're short on people because of the festival, so I'd like to ask you to accompany me to the strategic meeting for the battle.
- Okay.
With another slight bow, she approaches my position and pushes her way through the terrified soldiers. I follow closely behind her, readying my weapon behind my back to take advantage of the best moment. I slowly approach from behind with my weapon in hand. The tension was powerful enough to completely take my breath away. She crosses to my side with her back to me. Carefully lifting her, I raise her over my head as I prepare to launch a swift attack.
*Boom*