Grandpa carried me back without a word.
I could feel the steadiness in his steps, the tension in his grip.
He was worried.
Doctor Ridge arrived soon after, the familiar scent of herbs and antiseptic filling the air as he began his work. I let my eyelids grow heavy, slipping into a deep sleep before the first bandage was even set.
By the time I drifted back to consciousness, the room was bathed in a soft, warm glow. The sky outside had turned a deep orange, signaling the end of the day.
Nidrik, James, and Baloo were clustered beside my bed, their faces etched with a mix of relief and lingering worry.
Aifa was there too, sitting on the cushions near the window.
From her, I learned the final details of the Count's frantic departure. He had insisted on leaving the moment the signatures were dry and the geas was made.
The nuns had warned him that his son was in no condition to be moved, and Grandpa had even offered to let him stay for a single night of recovery, but the Count declined. He bundled his mummified son into the carriage and fled the barony as if the devils of the abyss were at his heels.
"What a hectic day," I muttered, my voice sounding raspy.
I pushed the heavy blanket aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. As I shifted my weight, a sharp, stinging pain flared up in my chest, forcing a jagged breath from my lungs.
Wait. What is this?
I pulled my shirt up, my fingers brushing against the rough texture of a bandage wrapped tightly around my torso.
"Young lord, please do not move too much," Aifa said, stepping forward with her hands raised in a calming gesture.
"Doctor Ridge said there was a severe burn on your left side. He applied a potent medicine and insisted you rest. He says it should heal completely within a day, provided you stay still."
I stared down at the white cloth covering my skin. It was unbelievable. The bandage sat exactly where that brat had pressed his wand against me.
Even with the healing spell I cast and Granny's potion, the damage was that deep.
I sighed internally, carefully sliding off the edge of the bed. My feet hit the floor with a soft thud, and I had to take a moment to let the stinging in my chest subside into a dull throb.
"Young lord," Aifa called out again, her brow furrowed with a worry she couldn't quite hide.
"It is fine, Aifa. I need to talk to Granny and Grandpa." I offered her a small, reassuring smile. "Please pass on my thanks to Tavian and the others for today. It really means a lot to me."
She didn't look entirely convinced, but she finally allowed a small smile of her own to surface. "Fine, but promise me you will not push yourself too much."
I gave her a firm nod, promising without words to be careful.
"Siegfried... okay?"
The quiet, hesitant voice came from my side. I turned toward Nidrik, seeing the genuine concern in his golden eyes.
"Yes, thank you for watching over me." I reached out and tapped him on the shoulder, letting my smile broaden just enough to ease his mind.
With that, I left the room.
After a quick word with a passing maid about the whereabouts of my family, I made my way toward the study. I didn't bother knocking today, I could already feel three distinct mana signatures pulsing behind the heavy wood.
I pushed the door open and walked in to find Grandpa sitting in his usual chair, Uncle leaning casually against the edge of the table, and Granny standing tall beside him.
Their voices overlapped the moment they saw me.
"Sieg?/ Shouldn't you be resting?" All three of them let out the same frantic question at once.
After a bit of back and forth, I managed to convince them that the medicine had done its job and I was stable. I joined them at the table where the contract lay spread out. I confirmed the details I had heard from Aifa, and it became clear that Mustache was truly terrified of Tavian and the others.
"So, how serious were you?" Uncle asked, his voice catching me off guard.
"Hmm?"
"I mean, the whole 'We will burn your County down to its last living thing' part," he said, deepening his voice to mimic my tone from the arena.
I couldn't help but feel a flush of embarrassment now that the heat of the moment had cooled. Thinking back on it made me feel a bit dramatic.
"I said it in the moment," I replied, keeping my tone light. "Well, it depends on how serious you are. I mean, you would be the one doing the actual destruction."
"What?" Uncle spat, his brow furrowing into a deep frown. "I am not massacring civilians."
"There you have the answer to your question," I said, shrugging lightly as if the matter were settled.
Uncle didn't look quite convinced by my answer, but he didn't press the issue any further.
"Erik is right," Grandpa said from his position across the table, his voice gravelly and firm. "Civilians do not need to suffer because of the sins of their lords. Killing innocents is not a solution to anything, Sieg."
"I know," I nodded, keeping my voice soft.
At least… I knew what was right.
But right does not always keep people alive.
Something inside me didn't sit quietly with it.
In the histories of my old world, I have seen innocents killed by the thousands just for beliefs, resources or religion, all of it to make the brutal statement that 'we can hurt you whenever we want.' In a world governed by magic and absolute power, that rule might hold more true than ever.
If someone threatened what was mine…
Would I really stop at their lord?
My fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the table.
…Would I?
I noticed Granny remained completely silent during the exchange. She didn't look at Grandpa or Uncle. She just watched the contract with a distant, cold gaze.
I think she understands the logic. To protect the nest, sometimes the entire forest has to burn so the predators have nowhere to hide… Even if that fire hurts us in the end.
A sharp knock cut through the room, pulling all of us out of our thoughts.
"Come in." I said quickly, eager to move away from the dark thoughts swirling in my mind.
The door opened and Silvyr stepped in, his pace brisk, his expression tight.
"My lord, a letter has arrived from Aaland Barony… delivered through Noctyra."
Alarm took hold of everyone in the room. Silvyr delivered the letter and left as quickly as he had appeared. The letter now occupied the center of the table, resting right where the contract had been moments before. We all looked at it, bracing ourselves for whatever news it carried.
"Not again," I sighed, the weight of the day feeling twice as heavy.
"I wonder what it is this time. It is just one thing after another." Granny took a deep, shaky breath, looking more tired by the second.
Grandpa remained silent, staring at the wax seal with a complicated, grim expression.
"Why are you all reacting this way?" Uncle asked, looking between us with genuine confusion.
Right. He wasn't here the last time an emergency bird arrived.
"The last time a letter arrived using a Noctyra, it was because the Borg Barony was on fire," I answered. "It was not exactly a pleasant experience for any of us."
"Ah, I heard about that." He looked at Granny with a flash of sympathy in his eyes. "You had a hard time. I mean, having a whole group of Salamanders attacking you and everything."
"…Don't you dare mention that in front of my teacher." Granny's voice came out flat, her eyes narrowing slightly. "She will kill me if she finds out."
Yeah… that sounds about right.
My eyes moved up in the direction where her room is.
Has she come back yet…?
Grandpa first took me straight to her room, but she wasn't there. That is why we had to rely on Doctor Ridge in the end.
"For now, let's read it." Grandpa said as he picked up the letter and broke the seal.
…Here we go.
Grandpa's eyes moved across the lines, his expression slowly tightening as he read aloud.
"Baron Throvald, I hope you and your estate have been doing well. I heard about the darkkin invasion and hope you and your family are safe. Sadly, I cannot say the same thing about us here. Last night, a group of people attacked us, or to be more exact, they attacked an individual. Luckily, he lived on the outskirts of the village, so the destruction was kept to a minimum and he is safe, there were few casualties, but these people escaped. It would be better if you raise your defenses and remain careful. One more thing, the person who was attacked has sent a letter with this one as well. His name is Slane Astryss.
Well, that is all I wanted to say. I will see you at the Harvest Festival. Make sure booze is good. Take care."
Grandpa lowered the letter.
Slane Astryss?
"Slane..." Uncle whispered to himself
"Looks like things are not bad enough for them to ask for help." Granny let out a slow breath and moved toward the Couch, some of the tension leaving her shoulders as she sat down.
"Pa, let me see that for a second."
Uncle took the letter from Grandpa, his eyes narrowing with a focus as he looked at something in there. "This Slane... it might be 'The Sage'."
"What?" Granny stood immediately and walked over. "Where does it say that?"
The Sage?
A memory surfaced.
"Sage as in the person who created my previous eyepatch?" I asked, looking between them. "Mother mentioned once that he had gone into exile or something similar."
Granny nodded slowly, her gaze still fixed on the page. "Erik, are you sure about this?"
Uh… not really." He scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I know his first name was Slane, but I am not certain about his surname. He holds a Viscount title which I heard he never even wanted, but most people only ever refer to him as 'The Sage' or 'Professor Slane'."
"It says here that he also sent a letter," Granny said, looking back at Grandpa with a questioning glance.
Grandpa looked at the envelope again before turning it over and jerking it. He shook it firmly, but nothing else fell out onto the wood.
"It is empty," he said, his voice flat with confusion.
"Did it get lost?" Uncle wondered aloud, scratching his head with a look of genuine confusion.
"Or maybe someone stole it before it reached us," Granny's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the envelope.
"It didn't look like the envelope was messed with at all," Grandpa countered, holding it out carefully. "The wax was perfectly intact."
As Granny took it from him, something brushed against my senses.
A scent… Faint… but distinct.
"Hmm?" Curiosity pulled me closer.
I leaned in slightly.
*SNIFF*
"... Uh, what exactly are you doing, Sieg?" Granny asked, taking a reflexive step back from my sudden movement.
"A strong smell is coming from the envelope. It is quite thick, actually," I said, pointing toward the inner lining of the paper.
"Smell?" Granny lifted it toward her face and sniffed lightly.
A second later, she frowned.
"I smell nothing except paper."
She turned toward Uncle, extending the envelope. "You have better senses than me. Here, you try."
Uncle, looking skeptical, took the envelope and gave it a thorough sniff as well.
Then he shook his head. "No, I also can't smell anything. Are you sure you aren't just smelling the medicine from your own bandages?"
"I am an alchemist," I shot back, my tone sharpening. "I can tell the difference between smells. The one coming from this envelope is pungent and specific. I know I have smelled it before... somewhere."
"And where exactly would that be?" Granny asked, her curiosity finally piqued.
"Hmm..." I closed my eyes, trying to visualize the scent. It was sharp, biting, and oddly familiar. "... I can't quite recall, but for some reason, when the scent hit me, your image came into my mind."
"My image?" Granny repeated, her expression turning thoughtful.
"Here, try again." She took it from Uncle and handed it back to me.
Taking the paper, I leaned in and took a very deep breath. The strong, chemical-like smell shook me to my very core, the intensity of it making my head swim for a second. But as the sensation peaked, a memory finally broke through to the surface.
"Ah-ha." A grin spread across my face. "I knew it."
"It is from Granny's ink. The special one you showed me before, the one that erases text."
"What?" Granny said, her voice full of genuine surprise.
"Ma, is it even supposed to smell like that?" Uncle asked.
"Of course not." Granny snapped immediately. "That defeats the entire purpose of secrecy."
"But if Sieg can smell those inks…" Grandpa's gaze slowly shifted toward the envelope in my hands. "…then the missing letter…"
His sentence trailed off as he looked toward Granny for confirmation.
Granny gave a slow nod before turning toward me.
"Where is the scent stronger?" she asked. "The letter or the envelope?"
I brought both closer one after another, focusing carefully.
"The envelope."
With my words, all our attention shifted to the empty paper casing. We stared at it as if it might suddenly speak.
"Let's assume The Sage wrote something on it and concealed it using black ink." Uncle crossed his arms, thinking aloud. "Wouldn't we need the corresponding white ink carrying his mana signature to reveal it?"
"You're right." Granny confirmed calmly. "The only people he knows in this family are you and Valka. Any guesses?"
"I wasn't particularly close with him." Uncle replied slowly. "But Sis was different…"
A pause followed.
Then his expression changed.
"Now that I think about it… there were a lot of labeled inks inside her magic pouch."
"Go check."
The moment Granny said that, Uncle turned without hesitation and headed for the door.
The moment Uncle left the room, Red phased down through the ceiling lazily.
"Ellie~" the orb sang. "Our lady has matters to attend to later, so she will not be joining you for dinner."
"She's back?" I asked immediately.
"For now." Red replied.
Granny and I shared a silent look.
A few minutes later.
"Oi, Ellie." Teacher said, sounding thoroughly annoyed already. "Do you think I work for you or something? Who exactly are you to summon me like that?"
"According to you? Your third greatest student." Granny answered without missing a beat, her tone remarkably calm despite the irritation radiating from the woman in front of her.
"Hmph. Nowadays, I doubt that very much."
"No need to be grumpy." Granny waved dismissively. "We can discuss that new tea leaves business later… assuming you're still interested."
Teacher's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What's with this sudden enthusiasm?"
"Let's just say," Granny replied with a faint smile, "I've recently developed the desire to earn an unreasonable amount of money."
"Hm~"
Teacher's tone shifted immediately, the edge of her annoyance softening as a look of genuine interest took over.
Huh. When Granny isn't the one being lectured, she really knows how to handle her.
"So," she took her place on a couch, "what exactly did you call me here for?"
"Check this envelope." Granny held it out toward the teacher. "Can you tell whether concealment ink was used on it?"
Teacher barely glanced at it before answering.
"I don't need to inspect it." She wrinkled her nose faintly. "I can smell it from here."
I immediately pointed toward Granny.
"See? I told you."
"Hah?" Granny turned toward Teacher with an offended look. "Why did you never tell me it had a smell? That completely ruins the invention."
"It ruins nothing." Teacher replied flatly. "If only 0.001 percent of the population can detect it, then the concealment still works perfectly fine."
Then her eyes drifted toward me.
"…Though apparently your grandson is a walking anomaly."
I'll take that as a compliment.
"So stop whining." Teacher continued dismissively. "The ink works."
Granny clicked her tongue softly, clearly unsatisfied.
"You should know it's my prized invention."
"And yet your first concern is that someone can smell it." Teacher sounded unimpressed. "Not the fact it can conceal information from most detection methods."
Granny went silent, not pushing the topic any longer.
"And what is up with you? Your upper body looks too stiff." Teacher's eyes shifted to me, scanning my posture.
"Does it still hurt?" Grandpa asked from behind, concern immediately returning to his face.
"What happened?" Teacher asked again, her voice dropping an octave as she sensed the tension in the room.
"Nothing." I answered quickly. "Just a sunburn."
"Did you get beaten up?" Teacher asked, a slight frown marring her forehead.
"No. And you should have seen the other guy. Even his own mother wouldn't be able to recognize him after I was through," I replied, trying to inject some bravado into my voice.
Before I could say another word, a soft blue light washed over me.
"Second-degree burns detected on torso." Blue announced helpfully.
"Hey!"
I reached for the orb, but it floated away immediately and hid near Teacher.
Teacher slowly looked back at me.
"So." A dangerous smile curved on her lips. "Would you like to explain what happened… or should I dig it directly from your head?"
Reluctantly, Granny and I spent the next few minutes explaining the day's events, starting from the moment I left her in the forest to the final strike in the arena. As we finished, Teacher let out a low scoff.
"That," she said mockingly, "is what happens when you become overconfident."
Here it comes.
"The same thing happened during your fight with that beast. You keep assuming that as long as someone isn't a full crucible stage above you, they pose no real threat."
Well…
Technically…
No one at my stage should actually be able to beat me.
But experience from my previous life had taught me something very important.
Sometimes it was simply easier to survive the lecture quietly.
"You're right." I lowered my head slightly. "I'm sorry."
Then both her hands shot forward and grabbed my cheeks hard.
"Ow ouch wha—?!"
"You take me for an idiot?" she snapped while pulling harder. "I can tell you are not sorry at all."
She leaned in, her eyes boring into mine. "You are just sorry you got caught."
The doors suddenly burst open.
"I found it!" Uncle announced loudly as he walked in. "It was really hard to find in all that junk."
Teacher finally let go of my cheeks.
They snapped back painfully.
Ah, Aethelhum… thank you, Uncle.
I swear I won't make fun of you for at least a week.
"Hmm? Oh, hello, Lady Serena," Uncle said as he approached the table, finally noticing the newcomer. "You have also joined us."
"Reluctantly." Teacher replied flatly.
Then her eyes shifted toward me.
"But I'm beginning to appreciate the decision."
I immediately took a cautious step back and covered my cheeks protectively.
"Let's finish this already." Granny said as she took the bottle from Uncle and placed it carefully on the table.
"But... isn't that kind of ink only able to hold two mana signatures?" I asked, keeping my distance. "If one belongs to Mr. Slane and the other to Mother, how can we decipher it without either of them here?"
"Don't worry, I have creator benefits." Granny offered a confident smirk as her hand reached into her magic pouch. After a moment of searching, she pulled out a dusty, gray bottle of ink that looked older than the rest of the supplies on the desk.
Curious, I stepped closer to the table.
Grandpa carefully unfolded the envelope until it lay flat like a square sheet of paper.
Granny Uncorked the gray bottle and dipped the brush into it before lightly coating the tip with the white ink Uncle had brought.
Then she brushed it slowly across the surface.
As the liquids merged, the paper seemed to soak up the moisture, and a dark, elegant script began to bleed into view.
"Oh, it actually worked." Uncle said cheerfully, sounding genuinely impressed.
"So," I glanced toward Granny, "I'm guessing you're the only person who knows how to make that gray ink?"
"It's me and…" Granny's eyes shifted toward the grumpy beautiful Teacher sitting nearby.
Of course she knows too.
"Let's read it then." Grandpa said as he picked up the revealed letter carefully.
"To Countess Valka Fors,
I sincerely hope this letter reaches you in good health. I also pray that Lord and Lady Fors are well, along with your son.
I recently heard the joyful news regarding your brother's return. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations. After all these years, I can only imagine the happiness such a reunion must have brought your family.
I realize this letter may come as a surprise after such a long silence. It has been nearly eight years since our last conversation, and under normal circumstances I would not have disturbed your peace so suddenly. Unfortunately, certain troubling matters have arisen, and I felt it necessary to inform you personally.
As I once mentioned to you, after leaving the capital I wandered in search of a quiet place where I might live without drawing attention. Regrettably, for someone such as myself, peace has proven rather elusive.
After nearly three years of travel throughout the dukedom, I eventually settled within Aaland Barony. Lord Aaland showed me far more kindness and acceptance than I deserved as an outsider, and the people there welcomed me warmly as well. In time, I was fortunate enough to secure a position teaching at the local school, and for several years I enjoyed a peaceful and humble life.
Sadly, that peace came to an end last night.
Nine mages dressed entirely in white attacked my residence without warning. The battle that followed was… regrettable. Though I succeeded in repelling them, the damage inflicted upon the surrounding area was severe, and several innocent people were caught in the aftermath due to my own shortcomings.
Because of this, I have decided it would be irresponsible for me to remain within Aaland Barony any longer.
I originally intended to depart immediately, however Lord Aaland kindly persuaded me to stay until the Harvest Festival and accompany him to Fors Barony during that time. If circumstances permit, I hope to personally share certain discoveries I made during the confrontation with my attackers.
I pray my sudden arrival will not inconvenience you or your family.
There is one final matter I must ask of you.
Please exercise caution.
Based on what I learned during the battle… I believe those individuals may eventually come for your son.
With utmost respect,
Slane Astryss."
"My sugar levels increased just from hearing that. Who is this guy?" Teacher asked, but nobody answered her.
…Come for me?
The study became deathly quiet as the final sentence hung in the air. The politeness of his tone made the warning feel even more chilling.
Mages in white? Nine of them?
I felt a cold sensation settle in my gut that had nothing to do with my injuries.
After that, we had a brief discussion on how to proceed.
Currently, we are in the eighth month, which means the Harvest Festival is only two months away. We decided to welcome the Sage with open arms, but we also agreed to keep his arrival an secret. Not even Silvyr would be told that Slane Astryss–The Sage– was the one coming.
Grandpa eventually left the study to instruct the guards to strengthen the night patrols because of the attack on Aaland Barony.
Granny turned to me, her expression grave as she insisted that I stay within the manor grounds as much as possible. She made it clear that if I had to leave, I was not to go without a full escort of knights or Teacher herself. Before I left, she handed me the Sage's hidden letter to keep.
They are being overprotective again. It is a suffocating feeling, but after everything we have been through, I can't exactly blame them for being paranoid.
Dinner later that evening felt strangely normal.
Everyone spoke as usual.
Nidrik ate quietly as always, while James helped him cut his food.
Baloo, having finished his dinner, moved into the space beneath the table. I fed him a few pieces.
Grandpa discussed patrol rotations with Uncle, while Granny remained silent.
Yet underneath it all, tension lingered quietly in the room.
Teacher, just as Red had mentioned, never joined us.
Honestly, that was not unusual.
Even during lessons she disappeared constantly without explanation.
The one time I asked about it, she simply told me it was "work."
I never pushed further.
It's not like she would answer honestly anyway.
Eventually, the dinner ended and everyone returned to their rooms for the night.
"The Sage…"
The words slipped out quietly as I stared at the letter resting in my hands.
Then I fell backward onto the bed with a tired sigh.
"I wonder how strong he is…"
"Fua…"
At the sound, I lifted my head.
Faux phased straight through the closed door and floated into the room casually while chewing on a berry.
My eyes narrowed immediately.
"Where have you been?"
The little spirit paused mid-chew.
"Or more importantly…" I sat up slowly, noticing the dust covering his usually spotless fur. "What exactly have you been doing?"
"Fua fa."
Right. Very informative.
"So basically, 'just playing.'"
Faux puffed his chest proudly as if that was a perfectly reasonable explanation.
Then his nose twitched.
He sniffed the air around me once.
Then, once again.
After that his expression changed slightly.
"Fua… fa fu?"
"Yes," I answered quietly. "Something did happen."
I closed my eyes and opened my mind to him. I let the day's memories flow into his consciousness in a steady stream— Count Moustache, the duel, burns, treatment, the letter.
Faux became still as the emotions passed between us.
Something suddenly hit the floor.
Then came a loud, furious.
"FUA!"
My eyes snapped open just in time to see Faux launching himself straight at me before diving inside my shirt.
"Gah, get out! Pfft hahaha it tickles! You're covered in dirt, stop!Haha "
"Fua fra fa!" muffled protests came from inside my clothes.
"I'm fine! I'm fine!!" I shouted, trying to catch my breath between bursts of laughter.
Instead, the little menace kept squirming around like he was personally inspecting every injury on my body.
It took a minute of genuine effort before I finally managed to pull him out and place him beside the window.
"Fua…" Faux stared at me with obvious worry.
"I'm okay."
The words came out softer this time.
"O water."
A small sphere of water formed above my hand and soaked the handkerchief.
Carefully, I started wiping the dirt from Faux's fur.
The moment the cloth touched him, he puffed proudly like some heroic beast returning from war.
A low growl suddenly came from the other side of the room.
Baloo had lifted his head from his bed with sleepy annoyance in his eyes.
"Sorry," I whispered lightly. "Did we wake you?"
He let out another low rumble before dropping his head back down and immediately returning to sleep.
I couldn't help but smile, the simple domesticity of the moment easing the heavy knots in my chest.
"Here, all done," I said, pulling the cloth back to admire my impressive work. Faux was once again a pristine ball of fur, the dust and grime of his mysterious travels finally gone.
Faux looked down at himself, giving his chest a little fluff with his paws before looking back up at me. "Fua."
Clearly impressed
"You're welcome." I whispered. "Then let's go back to sleep."
I turned to walk back toward the bed when a knocking sound suddenly came from behind me.
"What now? Baloo will wake u…"
The words stopped midway as I looked over my shoulder.
Faux was floating near the window silently, staring outside.
And beyond the glass stood a strange little creature, my instincts screamed for caution.
I raised my hand, calling upon a small thread of 'Force' magic. With a sharp tug of mana, mother's wand flew across the room and settled into my palm.
But the creature didn't grow aggressive or prepare an attack. Instead, it shrank back, its tiny frame trembling with a clear sense of fright.
"Huh?"
Moonlight spilled across its tiny figure, making its features easier to see while it stood awkwardly near the edge of the window like it was unsure whether to run or stay.
Looking at it carefully, it looks like a spirit.
Faux phased out of the window.
"Fua fa frau?"
The strange creature answered immediately with a series of odd chirps and clicking noises I had never heard before.
Both of them became completely absorbed in their conversation while I focused on the creature itself.
…What is this thing?
Normally, spirits were beings formed entirely from mana.
Even when they obtained physical forms like Faux, their existence still revolved around mana at its core.
But this creature…
I could not sense even a trace of mana from it.
Instead, what brushed against my senses was something else entirely… Willpower.
How is this even possible? A living being composed of pure intent without a drop of mana? It defies everything I have learned about the biology of this world.
"Faux," I called out softly. My companion obeyed, moving back into the room and giving the creature some space.
"What exactly is that?"
After a moment of mental exchanges and incomprehensible spirit noises, Faux finally relayed what he understood.
Apparently, the creature itself did not know where it came from.
Or even what it was.
It had simply opened its eyes outside my window not long ago.
And for some reason… it had been drawn toward me.
"…Toward me?" I repeated quietly, confusion growing.
Suddenly, the creature turned and flew a few paces back into the night air. It stopped, hovering for a heartbeat, before turning back to us and jumping excitedly in mid-air. It let out a sequence of happy, high-pitched noises.
"Fua fa fra," Faux interpreted.
It can feel someone else nearby? Someone familiar to it? It's already past 11 there shouldn't be anyone out other than patrolling guards.
"Well, good luck finding that person," I said before turning away from the window to douse the lamp and finally end this long day.
I was just about to put it out when I suddenly felt a tug at the back of my collar.
"Huh?"
Looking over my shoulder, I saw the little creature hanging onto my clothes with its tiny hands while trying to pull me backward.
"How did you get inside?"
Can it phase too?
The moment I turned fully toward it, the creature immediately grabbed my finger and started tugging me toward the window with surprising determination.
"Wait. I can't go outside right now." I pulled my hand back slightly. "Granny will kill me."
The creature slowed.
Then it let out a series of tiny, pitiful noises while staring at me with unbelievably sad eyes.
…That's unfair.
It looked ridiculously cute and… so heartbroken that I felt a pang of guilt deep in my chest.
Cute enough to make me genuinely feel guilty.
It looks so small and defenseless. I feel like a monster for saying no, but the risk is high.
Sneaking outside after today of all days was probably the worst possible idea.
"Fua fa fra."
He is right. If we move quickly and return before the night patrols or Granny notice my absence, it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, my curiosity is starting to outweigh my common sense.
"Fine," I said eventually.
Reaching beside the bed, I grabbed my pouch and pulled out a dark cloak before throwing it over myself.
The creature instantly brightened.
You better make this worth it.
I eased the window open and stepped out onto the ledge.
Let's just hope the guards don't—
Below me, the guards were sprawled out on the grass, completely motionless. I descended slowly, the sound of their snoring became clear.
These guys... they've grown lazy since Mother left. Maybe I should start beating some discipline into them.
Ignoring the sleeping men for now, I looked up at the creature. It moved with a sense of urgency, flying higher and beckoning us forward. Faux and I followed, moving like ghosts through the darkened estate. As we reached the outer walls, I peeked cautiously over the stone edge, only to find another four guards sprawled on the ground in a deep slumber.
"What?"
A cold feeling moved through my chest.
There was no way this many guards all randomly fell asleep at the exact same time.
I looked at the creature, which was insistently gesturing for me to hurry.
Is this the creature's doing?
We continued forward, leaping from rooftop to rooftop as the cool night air whipped past my face. My suspicion only deepened with every passing street. On the path the creature guided us through, more and more patrolling guards were slumped against walls or sprawled on the cobblestones, lost to sleep.
As we reached the edge of town, the creature paused, pointing its tiny hand past the clearing toward the dark tree line of the forest.
A strange sense of déjà vu crept over me.
The sight made me remember the night I went after Baloo and ended up fighting Uncle in that black armor. The memory left a bitter taste in my mouth, but my curiosity was already pulling me forward.
"O wind."
My feet left the ground as I harnessed a gentle updraft, moving us up and over the final barriers.
Faux quickly followed while the creature zipped ahead excitedly.
As we flew lower across the outskirts, I noticed several more sleeping guards scattered around the clearing.
There was no way I could simply leave them exposed like that.
Using Force magic, I gathered them together into one safer spot and threw a concentrated monster and magic beast repellent around them.
At least that would reduce the chance of something wandering over and eating them.
Eventually, I landed outside the forest.
"How far away is this person?"
The creature pointed deeper inside.
I stepped forward carefully and expanded my perception outward, but I couldn't feel anything other than trees, grass, and a few small creatures.
The silence of the woods started to feel oppressive, wrapping around me like a burial shroud. It was starting to feel more and more like a trap designed to lure me away from the safety of the manor.
"I am going back," I said firmly to the creature, turning my heel. "I've had enough games for one night."
The creature tugged at my coat again insistently.
This time, I pulled the fabric back from its tiny hands.
"We're leaving."
A sound reached me.
A soft hum drifted through the air, gentle and hauntingly beautiful, like a melody the world itself had forgotten.
Each note melted into the next with effortless grace, warm enough to soothe the fast pace of my mind yet distant enough to feel almost unreal.
Warmth spread quietly through my chest.
At the same time, something deep inside me twisted painfully.
The voice felt familiar.
Not familiar in the sense that I recognized it.
But familiar in a way that stirred something… within me.
W-what is this…?
My hand slowly pressed against my chest.
It felt comforting.
Yet strangely painful at the same time.
Like hearing the echo of something precious I had lost long ago without even realizing it.
The creature watched me silently.
I looked at it for a moment.
Then toward the dark forest ahead.
"…Continue." I said quietly.
The creature led the way with a joyful flutter, its tiny body practically glowing with excitement as it darted through.
I followed after it, leaping onto a branch before moving carefully through the trees while keeping my senses spread wide across the surroundings.
The humming grew clearer the deeper we went.
The forest air felt different here, charged with a strange, peaceful energy that smoothed over the edges of my nerves.
Then, in the distance, I noticed light spilling through the forest.
As I moved closer, the sight before me made my breath catch.
"...Wow."
A sea of glowing blue stretched across the clearing.
The grass shimmered faintly beneath countless luminous flowers blooming across the forest floor like fragments of the night sky scattered upon the earth itself.
Their pale blue radiance bathed the entire clearing in dreamlike light.
Petals drifted slowly through the air whenever the wind passed, glowing softly as they danced around the trees.
Magic beasts rested peacefully among the flowers.
Creatures that should have never gathered together sat quietly side by side as if captivated by the melody filling the night.
Some lay curled in the grass.
Others simply listened.
And at the center of it all… was her.
A little girl sat among the glowing flowers while softly humming to herself.
Silver-blue light wrapped around her figure gently, making her appear less like a person and more like a nature deity born sitting among her subjects..
The strange creature happily flew toward her immediately.
"Oh~ And who are you?~"
Her voice carried the same warmth as the melody from before.
Then the wind suddenly swept through the clearing.
Flower petals rose into the air all around her.
And she looked up.
Our eyes met.
For a single moment, the entire world felt quiet.
"What do you think you are doing?"
A threatening voice suddenly came from behind me.
My head lifted instinctively.
The next thing I knew, a strong hand grabbed the back of my cloak and yanked me upward like I weighed nothing.
"Sneaking out on the very same night Ma told you to stay inside." Uncle said with visible irritation. "Impressive stupidity."
"W-wait! There was a creature and a girl…" I hurriedly pointed toward the clearing while trying to explain. "Right there."
"What girl?"
I looked forward immediately.
The glowing clearing remained.
The flowers still shimmered softly beneath the moonlight.
But the girl was gone.
The strange creature too.
Nothing remained except the quiet night breeze moving through the petals.
"…Huh?"
"Stop making excuses." Uncle said with a smirk that clearly showed he already knew exactly how this was going to end for me. "Ma is waiting."
A terrible feeling settled into my stomach.
Damn it.
This is exactly why I didn't want to come outside.