A massacre that erupted in the North left devastation in its wake. Countless innocent lives were lost, and the already unforgiving region suffered even further beneath both the monsters' assault and the merciless cold.
It was inevitable.
Theron calmly reassured me that there would still be another chance tomorrow to speak with the Duke.
But knowing what was about to unfold tonight…
How could I possibly remain still?
The novel had already begun to stray from its original course.
And tonight—
Blood would stain the ice once more.
The young knight gently escorted me back to my chambers, laying me carefully upon the bed before calling for Natasha.
"Milady, warm milk with honey may ease your nightmares," Natasha said softly. "I shall return shortly."
As both she and Theron departed—one returning to duty, the other to the kitchens.
I remained alone with my spiraling thoughts.
'I cannot remain helpless.'
'If this continues… not only, will I suffer.'
'The North itself will fall into ruin.'
Quietly, I slipped from the room.
Careful to avoid the knights' patrols, I made my way beyond the duchy walls.
The massacre became known as The Bloody Moon.
For beneath the moonlight, countless corpses littered the frozen land, and rivers of blood spread across the ice turning the moon's reflection crimson upon the snow.
'…That light again.'
A familiar golden thread appeared before me, floating softly through the darkness just as it had upon the battlefield.
It shimmered faintly—
Guiding.
Calling.
Without hesitation, I followed it deeper into the forest.
"The deep woods…"
A place where monsters hid beyond human reach.
Yet I had no time to question it.
Just as before, I entrusted my life to that strange light.
And at the end of its path—
A vast pond rested in the heart of the forest, reflecting the brilliant moon above.
"The Symbols…?"
The marks upon my arms flared once more no longer faint, but vivid and unmistakable.
'What… are these?'
I stared at my reflection upon the water.
Immense mana.
The entire pond overflowed with it.
No—
This entire forest was drowning in mana.
I swallowed nervously.
'…Looks like I'll have to force this.'
'Perhaps the gods truly are waiting for my sacrifice.'
I clasped my trembling hands together and shut my eyes tightly.
And mustering hope that I won't die for doing it once more
The moment I opened my mouth—
Words I did not understand flowed from me naturally.
Ancient.
Foreign.
A language older than memory itself.
"Virelth naxë thal… Sæthir vel dracun… —"
Mana surged violently.
The deeper the chant continued, the more unbearable the pain became.
A metallic taste flooded my mouth.
Blood spilled from my lips, staining my nightdress crimson.
Yet I could not stop.
My body refused to obey me.
'It hurts'
My heart pounded painfully against my ribs as scorching heat coursed through every vein.
It felt as though something inside me was being torn apart.
And then—
The chant ended.
A massive surge of energy exploded outward.
Silence followed.
I slowly opened my eyes.
The overwhelming mana that once saturated the forest had vanished completely.
The pond now looked… ordinary.
Still.
Quiet.
As though nothing had happened at all.
'Did it work…?'
I lowered my gaze toward my hands.
The strange markings had grown clearer now—etched deeply against my skin.
'At least I'm not half-dead this time.'
I glanced back toward the water.
The moon reflected clearly upon its surface—
Until suddenly—
"…Huh?"
The reflection moved.
The water rippled violently without a single gust of wind.
Then—
A face formed upon the pond itself.
"?!"
Water splashed against my cheeks as the entire pond began to rise.
The lake twisted upward into spiraling currents of silver-blue light.
And from its depths.
She emerged.
Silver rings spread across the dark depths, glowing faintly like scattered stars beneath the surface.
An Undine rose from the heart of the pond as though the water itself had given birth to her form.
Long strands of translucent hair drifted weightlessly around her like flowing currents, shimmering between sapphire and pale moonlight. Droplets clung to her luminous skin like crystals before slipping soundlessly back into the water below.
The lotuses bent toward her presence.
Water coiled delicately around her wrists and ankles as though alive, and her eyes reflected the endless stillness of untouched lakes.
Each movement sent soft ripples across the pond.
And with every step she took upon the water's surface, glowing lilies bloomed beneath her feet.
The air smelled of rain and fresh river reeds.
For a fleeting moment, it became impossible to tell where the pond ended—
And where the spirit began.
"…Undine?"
One of the spirits that once lingered beside the Witch before she trampled into forbidden magic.
Undine soared joyfully through the air, almost childlike in her freedom—as though she had been imprisoned for ages.
But the moment her gaze landed upon me—
She froze.
Then suddenly—
Tears streamed endlessly from her watery face.
"Do you… remember me?"
Could spirits distinguish souls?
Could she tell that I was no longer the same Astra?
Undine cried softly, rubbing her tiny face against my cheek while letting out fragile sounds like flowing water.
"Can you speak?"
The spirit shook her head lightly before denying, hovering sadly around me.
"…I have many questions," I whispered. "But right now… I need your help."
As though understanding immediately, Undine drifted closer and gently pressed a kiss against my cheek.
"…?"
Warmth spread through my body instantly.
The pain lessened.
My unstable core steadied.
Even the agony from before faded into something distant.
'It feels…light'
I pressed a hand against my chest.
For the first time since arriving in this world—
I could breathe comfortably.
I looked toward Undine with quiet gratitude.
The spirit brightened despite the tears still streaming down her face.
Then—
An eerie distant howl tore through the night.
My head snapped toward the direction of the duchy.
The attack had begun.
"Undine," I said urgently, "we have to hurry."