Chapter 13

They took a brief rest after discovering a valley, escaping the heat of the sun that beat down in straight lines as they skirted the edge of the forest.

 

“Phew, I feel alive again.”

 

Alice’s boots were quite thick and her feet had been feeling cramped, so she took them off and sat on a rock. Her gaze drifted toward the flowing stream with a hint of lingering regret.

 

‘I really want to soak my feet in the valley…’

 

However, the plants that acted as natural filters in the valley had all withered due to the monsters. The water was so filthy it was not only undrinkable but unfit for even washing.

 

“Huh?”

 

While fanning herself with her hand on the rock, she spotted someone inside the forest. It was a woman wearing a hood over an ordinary skirt. She was hiding in the woods, watching them. She wasn’t one of the investigators.

 

‘No way.’

 

Alice hurriedly scanned her surroundings. The other investigators were busy reviewing the path they had taken while looking at a map.

 

“Ed!”

 

Alice gestured to Edwin, who happened to be approaching her.

 

“I just saw someone over there!”

 

At her voice, the investigators gathered around Alice. Edwin’s gaze shifted to where she was pointing.

 

“There is no one there,” one of the investigators remarked.

 

The woman Alice had seen just moments ago was gone. Alice stared at the forest with a look of hollow disbelief.

 

‘Had I imagined it?’

 

A small chill of fear ran through her.

 

“It could be a monster,” the investigators said, their faces tensing as they took a defensive stance.

 

Upon hearing that, Edwin strode toward the spot she had pointed to without hesitation. It happened so fast that Alice didn’t even have a chance to stop him.

 

“It’s dangerous to go alone!”

 

The investigators all rushed toward where Edwin had gone.

 

“Aaaah!”

 

Soon, a woman’s scream echoed from the forest. The investigators who had entered with him came back out and pleaded with Alice.

 

“Your Highness! Please stop the Duke!”

 

“What?”

 

“The woman you saw—she’s a villager! But the Duke is trying to kill Daisy!”

 

“Wait, a villager?”

 

“I recognized her clearly. It’s Daisy, who works at the tailor shop! Please, save her!”

 

Alice hurriedly followed the investigators into the forest. Just as they said, Edwin was pointing his gun at the woman, Daisy. Dalia, another investigator, was blocking his path.

 

“I’m telling you, she’s my sister Daisy who disappeared three months ago!”

 

“Move within five seconds, or I will kill you both,” Edwin threatened coldly, his face devoid of emotion. Alice rushed up to him.

 

“Wait! Edwin!”

 

Noticing her a bit late, Edwin spoke to Alice.

 

“Your Highness, it is dangerous. You shouldn’t be here.”

 

“No, I have to be here. The condition for me coming along was staying by your side, remember?”

 

Edwin didn’t argue; he simply looked at her silently, his gaze asking what she wanted to say. At the silent pressure, Alice continued quickly.

 

“She might be a monster, but she might also be a person.”

 

Given that an investigator was claiming the woman was her sister, the possibility of her being human was high.

 

“And you said a monster’s skin is hard. You don’t have to kill her just to prove it.”

 

At Alice’s words, Edwin slowly shifted his gaze to Daisy and lowered his gun. He then pulled a dagger from his coat and threw it at the sisters’ feet. The blade thudded firmly into the hard dirt in front of them.

 

“Prove it by cutting your skin with this.”

 

There wasn’t a soul who wouldn’t feel repulsed at the idea of cutting their own flesh to draw blood. Daisy, grimacing as she looked at the knife, slowly knelt to pick it up.

 

“I… I understand.”

 

“Sister…”

 

Dalia bit her lip in resentment, seeing her sister—whom she had finally reunited with after three months—having to wound herself to prove she wasn’t a monster. Daisy brought the knife close to her arm. Seeing this, Edwin spoke up.

 

“Wait. The person next to her will do the cutting. If she has the strength of a monster, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to cut through her own thick skin.”

 

Edwin was telling the sister to wound Daisy’s arm. Unable to watch any longer, Alice shouted.

 

“Wait! It would be more certain if a third party did it.”

 

She then pushed Chester forward by the back.

 

“Sir Douglas can do it.”

 

“Me? You mean me?”

 

“Then should I do it?”

 

“But for a man like me to wound a lady’s body… it’s a bit unsightly, isn’t it?”

 

Alice leaned in and whispered so only Chester could hear.

 

“If something happens to me, everything is ruined, you know?”

 

“Haha, of course. No room for argument.”

 

Chester immediately approached Daisy and took the dagger. As the blade touched Daisy’s arm while she kept her eyes squeezed shut, bright red blood trickled down and dripped onto the ground.

 

“She’s human!”

 

“Phew…”

 

“Daisy!”

 

The other investigators, recognizing her, rushed to Daisy with hopeful faces.

 

“Are the others alive?”

 

“My… my daughter! Have you seen my daughter?”

 

“It’s me! Lizzie, the herb seller. H-have you seen my brother Ruth? Brown hair, blue eyes, short!”

 

Everyone was preoccupied with asking if she had seen their missing family members. Watching them, Edwin’s eyes darkened. He approached Alice and whispered so only she could hear.

 

“The aura of a monster is thick, Alice.”

 

Startled, Alice almost replied loudly but lowered her voice, mindful of those around her.

 

“What? You mean Daisy is a monster? But blood just came out of her arm…”

 

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

 

“Then what’s strange?”

 

“The fact that a human is alive in a forest teeming with monsters is suspicious in itself.”

 

Edwin looked over at Daisy, who was sobbing while embracing Dalia.

 

“Her limbs are intact, and she doesn’t have a single scratch.”

 

Thinking it over, Edwin’s suspicion was reasonable. Unable to think of a rebuttal, Alice glanced at them before speaking up.

 

“That may be true… but couldn’t it be a miracle?”

 

She felt embarrassed as soon as she said it, anticipating his reaction. Realist Edwin wouldn’t like such a vague assumption.

 

“A miracle…”

 

He repeated her words slowly, as if chewing on them.

 

“…”

 

However, her expectation was completely off. Edwin couldn’t easily refute her. It was because he considered meeting Alice in his own life to be a miracle.

 

‘What the…’

 

Unaware of this, Alice thought Edwin had decided her words weren’t even worth answering. With a slightly pouting face, she turned her gaze away. She saw the sisters crying together in their dramatic reunion. Watching them, her own eyes began to sting.

 

“Still, it’s a relief that there’s now hope that other villagers might be alive.”

 

The two sisters, who had been crying, approached Alice.

 

“Thank you so much, Your Highness.”

 

“If it weren’t for you, I might have died right there.”

 

Dalia and Daisy took her hands in gratitude. Alice replied with a smile.

 

“No, I’m just glad you could reunite with your family. And Edwin probably didn’t do it on purpose, so please don’t resent him too much.”

 

“…I understand.”

 

Daisy, the one whose life had been threatened, spoke with a bittersweet smile. While comforting her, Alice began to look at Daisy’s face more closely than she had before.

 

“Have we met somewhere before?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere…”

 

Her face felt strangely familiar. She was a woman of mysterious age with brown hair and blue eyes—a plain face. And yet, the feeling of familiarity persisted.

 

“My sister has a bit of a common face. Right?”

 

“Hey!”

 

Dalia replied playfully on her behalf. Daisy gave Dalia’s arm a light smack, feigning annoyance, but the atmosphere remained bright.

 

“Have you visited Millen Village before, Your Highness?”

 

When Daisy asked, Alice shook her head. Daisy then said:

 

“I was in Millen Village the whole time until I was captured by the monsters.”

 

“Daisy does have a common face, haha. My daughter looks like her too. Regardless, it’s such a blessing that Daisy is back.”

 

As another villager laughed and chimed in, Alice smiled back, thinking to herself: ‘Maybe I’m mistaken.’

 

For a moment, she thought Daisy’s smile looked exactly like someone else’s. Especially the way the corners of her mouth turned up when she smiled…

 

“I must have been mistaken.”

 

Since she couldn’t pinpoint exactly who it was, it likely wasn’t someone in her immediate circle. It was probably just someone she had passed on the street. Seeing Alice completely shake off her unease, Daisy’s smile deepened.

 

 

***

 

 

Due to the unexpected discovery of a survivor, the investigators returned to the hall.

 

“There were other people besides me in the forest.”

 

Sitting in a circle around Daisy, everyone focused on her story of what happened in the forest. Alice also listened intently.

 

“Other people were there!”

 

The news that others were inside brought a flush of hope to the villagers’ faces. However, when the villagers failed to ask the most important question, Alice stepped in.

 

“Was everyone… alive?”

 

They were likely too afraid to ask for fear of the answer. Everyone went stiff as boards at Alice’s question.

 

“Yes, I believe so.”

 

Daisy nodded in response.

 

“Thank heavens! Thank you!”

 

“Haa…”

 

As if Daisy’s confirmation were a lifeline, the villagers let out exclamations and offered prayers of thanks to the heavens. In that moment, Alice remembered what Edwin had said.

 

“The fact that a human is alive in a forest teeming with monsters is suspicious in itself.”

 

Most were alive. It was good news, but it was indeed strange. Most of them would have been kidnapped while entering the forest for food.

 

[Isn’t it good if they’re alive? Why are humans always so worried?]

 

The spirit, which had been quiet out of fear of the monsters, spoke to her in a shrill voice.

 

‘That’s true…’

 

[Then don’t worry so much! Human!]

 

‘Since when did you start offering comfort?’

 

As if reading her complicated feelings, the spirit offered a kind of comfort it usually never gave. Feeling a strange sense of novelty, she fiddled with the spirit stone. Meanwhile, Daisy, who had been talking to the villagers, briefly glanced at Alice’s hand on the stone before quickly looking away.

 

“We must speed up the search!”

 

An excited Hubert stepped forward, saying they had to save the other villagers immediately. Other villagers began to agree. Alice tried to restrain them.

 

“Wait. This wasn’t the original plan. I understand how you feel, but…”

 

As she blocked them, Hubert, looking anxious and flushing red, replied.

 

“Then we will go by ourselves!”

 

This was difficult. Alice understood why he was angry, as she didn’t fail to empathize with their feelings. However, it would be problematic if the schedule were disrupted. The priority was building the wall to prevent further damage. The longer this task took, the greater the damage and risk would become.

 

“It is not even certain whether what this person saw was a monster or a human. Nevertheless, if you wish to go based on the word of a single person, I will not stop you.”

 

Edwin, who had been cleaning his firearm, spoke lowly.

 

“Even if the result is a meaningless death.”

 

Edwin’s words weren’t wrong, but they were blunt and ignored the other person’s feelings. Hubert, his face turning even redder with rage, spoke up.

 

“Duke, could you stay still if your family were left alone in the forest?!”

 

“Hmm, I think the Duke actually would stay still.”

 

It was Chester who answered. His superior, Edwin Esteban, was a man who had already killed his own father with his own hands. If his only blood relative, the former Duke Esteban, were left alone in the forest, he wouldn’t have to get blood on his hands… His commander would surely be pleased that the job was done without him lifting a finger.

 

Hubert, unaware of the internal circumstances, didn’t realize his analogy was flawed and turned a flustered gaze toward Alice. Feeling his gaze, Alice also shook her head, signaling him to stop.

 

“T-then what about Her Highness! If Her Highness fell into the forest! Would you still stay still?!”

 

At that, Edwin’s hand, which had been maintaining his weapon, came to a dead stop. His gaze snapped toward the speaker. The air froze instantly, and no one dared to open their mouth. Hubert was the same. Realizing he had made a slip of the tongue, he stood up awkwardly.

 

Following suit, Edwin slowly rose from his seat and spoke.

 

“Are you daring to weigh her life against this? How bold.”

 

He moved his hand again. Alice didn’t even have time to stop him. Before she knew it, a sharp blade was in his hand.

 

“Since the situation is what it is, I will kill you swiftly without pain.”

 

The villagers scrambled up in a panic; some even tumbled off their chairs. It was utter chaos.

 

“Ed! You have to remember what we promised last time!”

 

She jumped up, blocking him with both hands raised. There was no sign of Edwin’s aura subsiding. Clutching him, she tried to persuade him.

 

“You said you wouldn’t harm others over such trivial matters.”

 

“This is not a trivial matter, Your Highness.”

 

The corners of his lips twisted upward.

 

“It is a grave insult.”

 

The look in his eyes as he stared at Hubert was already crazed. Realizing the severity of the situation, Alice naturally looked toward Chester. He was grinning as if this spectacle were entertaining.

 

‘Is this the time to be laughing? Stop him already!’

 

Meeting her gaze which carried that internal plea, Chester shook his head with a troubled face.

 

‘Me? I absolutely cannot.’

 

‘Hurry!’

 

‘Your Highness, do you intend to get me killed?’

 

A silent exchange of glances passed between them. Realizing there was no hope for Chester, Alice gripped Edwin’s arm even tighter.

 

“I-I will handle the punishment. Since it was an insult to me, your superior, I should be the one to give the punishment! Isn’t that right, Sir Douglas?”

 

At Alice’s words, Edwin’s gaze shifted to Chester. Alice didn’t leave Chester alone, even though he tried to remain a bystander. Caught between two giants like a shrimp between whales, he quickly debated whose side to take. The deliberation didn’t last long.

 

Avoiding Edwin’s gaze, Chester spoke.

 

“That seems to be the case. After all, the one who was insulted is Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess.”

 

‘I didn’t even think of it as an insult, and now he’s gone and nailed it down.’

 

Alice was confused whether Chester was supporting her or Edwin.

 

“Hubert, come and apologize to me.”

 

The situation felt remarkably familiar. Seeing Hubert hesitate, fearing his throat might be slit by Edwin’s blade if he approached, Alice’s eyes flared with intensity.

 

‘Do you want to die right here?’

 

Following her signal, Hubert awkwardly approached and knelt.

 

“I spoke out of turn, Your Highness. Please forgive me.”

 

“Since you are seeking forgiveness so earnestly, I will let it slide just this once.”

 

Alice peeked at Edwin’s expression. He still looked displeased with this resolution. Seeing that, she felt somewhat dumbfounded.

 

‘Don’t tell me you want me to execute him with my own hands.’

 

She wanted to believe that wasn’t it. But because it felt like something Edwin would actually do, Alice ignored it and smoothed over the situation.

 

“Additional personnel to find the missing persons will likely arrive within a day or two, so don’t worry too much. In the meantime, we must completely grasp the geography of the Ainar Forest where the monsters appear to prevent further casualties.”

 

Fortunately, Edwin let out a faint sigh and sat back down. Simultaneously, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. With this, the flow of the investigation team naturally moved toward following her orders. If this had been Edwin’s intention, she wanted to tell him he had succeeded.

 

“We understand, Your Highness.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

The villagers offered their thanks for mediating the situation, but Alice didn’t feel at ease. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Daisy, who had remained quiet, was the first to break the stillness.

 

“What I witnessed isn’t everything, so I believe it’s right to follow what Your Highness says. However, Your Highness, may I ask a favor?”

 

Alice, welcoming the break in awkwardness, asked, “What is it?”

 

“I want to participate in the investigation too.”

 

Despite her slender frame, a firm resolve was visible in Daisy’s eyes. Dalia tried desperately to stop her.

 

“Sister! Are you in your right mind?! You just got out of there, and you want to go back in?!”

 

“There are people in there. I can’t just stay here peacefully by myself!” Daisy shouted. “I received help too! This time, I want to help!”

 

Alice sniffled, moved by her humanity. If it were her, she would have been busy hiding in the village or fleeing to another region. She felt Daisy’s courage was remarkable.

 

“Daisy. Your body must be exhausted from living in the forest for so long. Joining the investigation now will take a heavy toll on you.”

 

However, regardless of her emotions, Alice had no choice but to stop her. To anyone’s ears, Daisy’s request was close to impossible.

 

“I appreciate your concern, Your Highness, but I have already made up my mind, and I will definitely be needed for this investigation.”

 

“How will you prove you are of any help?” Edwin countered coldly. Alice felt embarrassed on Edwin’s behalf because of his icy tone.

 

As soon as she heard that, Daisy pulled over a map from the table and spread it out.

 

“Ainar Forest has very complex paths compared to other forests. The reason I was able to survive while running away from the monsters was by using these complicated paths.”

 

As Daisy said, the terrain of the Ainar Forest was indeed more complex than others. That was why Alice, who had a rough grasp of the geography through her powers, had joined the investigation team despite Edwin’s protests. Daisy pointed a finger at herself.

 

“The fact that I am alive is the proof!”

 

It was a brilliant and brave proof. Alice marveled at her and almost raised her hand to clap, but quickly lowered it. Beside her, however, came the sound of applause. It was Chester, looking deeply moved.

 

“Is she not the most courageous person suited for this exploration, Commander?”

 

“…”

 

Edwin didn’t answer and only frowned. He then looked at Alice, indicating he would leave the decision to her.

 

Daisy spoke up. “I am the person who has been in the forest the longest, and you will need me to save the villagers.”

 

“…”

 

She was right. Alice was torn. If Daisy accompanied them, it could significantly shorten the investigation period.

 

‘Why do all the difficult decisions fall to me?’

 

Alice wasn’t the only one who realized that. Her face was heating up under the intense gazes of Dalia and Daisy.

 

‘I feel sorry for Dalia, but…’

 

The answer was practically already decided. The sooner this matter was resolved, the better—especially since there were missing villagers. Alice reached out a hand to Daisy.

 

“…I’ll be counting on you, Daisy.”

 

The reactions of the sisters were starkly different. Dalia’s face darkened, while Daisy’s lit up.

 

“Thank you, Your Highness. You will definitely not regret this choice.”

 

Daisy said, flashing a bright smile as she reached out to shake Alice’s hand.

 

“I’m the one who should be thankful…”

 

Finding herself shaking hands with Daisy almost before she realized it, Alice thought to herself.

 

That this person was far too composed to be someone who had barely made it out of the forest after three months.

 

 

***

 

 

The day, which had felt long for no one in particular, passed into a deep night. Alice’s pale face contorted as she tossed and turned in her unfamiliar bed.

 

‘Why this dream again?’

 

It was the same dream she’d had on the day her powers first manifested. She woke up within the dream to the sound of horrific screams, as if the world were coming to an end.

 

“Where am I…?”

 

There was one difference from the previous dream. Back then, she had first awakened in a prison; this time, she was somewhere else. Lying still, she closed her eyes and thought.

 

‘Should I just stay still until I wake up…?’

 

If she left this spot, she was certain she would only witness cruel sights like before. She had no desire to see such things a second time. However, she was forced to move. The space she was in was dark and strangely suffocating. It was cramped and terrifying. Suddenly afraid she might see a ghost if she stayed, she began to struggle.

 

“Why is it so narrow…?”

 

She squirmed and shifted. It was a space so tight she could barely move a muscle. She reached out and felt a solid wall in front of her.

 

‘I wonder if it’ll push open.’

 

With a grunt, she put strength into her arms and pushed. It felt incredibly heavy, but as she persisted, it began to give way.

 

—Sshhk!

 

As the door—which she had mistaken for a wall—opened, a cloud of dust rushed in, making her cough repeatedly.

 

‘A wall wouldn’t have moved like that.’

 

Alice admitted her initial thought was wrong. Her vision, which had been too dark to see anything, brightened slightly under the moonlight.

 

“Phew.”

 

The night air felt like it was clearing out her lungs. As she took a deep breath, she reflexively looked back at where she had emerged and recoiled in horror.

 

“A… a coffin?”

 

A coffin, exactly where a dead person should be placed, stood before her eyes. In other words, she had just opened the lid and climbed out of a casket.

 

“Last time it was a prison, and now it’s a coffin…”

 

It was too cruel to be just a dream. Could this not be a dream? She intuitively felt through her senses that her power had activated, but she didn’t want to believe it. Clinging to a small hope, she pinched her cheek.

 

“Ouch!”

 

Damn it. A burning pain flared in her cheek. It was confirmed: her ability had triggered. Alice slumped onto the dirt floor, heedless of her clothes getting dirty.

 

‘There was another death flag?’

 

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what could have caused this.

 

‘Actually, there are plenty of possibilities…’

 

With the Emperor dead, she thought the nobles’ faction might be targeting her life. Or perhaps monsters had invaded the capital. Various possibilities flashed through her mind. But with Edwin standing firm, most schemes shouldn’t work…

 

After walking for a long time, she reached the capital, which was engulfed in a firestorm. Alice stood dazed at the scene unfolding before her.

 

“W-what is this?”

 

Edwin was nowhere to be seen, but people were killing other people. What’s more, those chasing the fleeing victims all wore identical, joyful smiles… Alice turned her head away, unable to watch any longer. It was a sight hard to believe was caused by fellow humans.

 

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed behind her.

 

‘Is it Edwin?’

 

Alice turned her head immediately. But it wasn’t Edwin.

 

‘A woman?’

 

A woman stood there. Her hood was pulled down deep over her face, and she was staring intently at Alice with a smile. Alice stepped back, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

 

“Who are you…?”

 

“Oh my, when did you come back to life?”

 

The corners of her mouth curled up alluringly. However, her ill intent was so vivid it felt like it was pricking Alice’s skin.

 

“How persistent. I’m certain I killed you…”

 

“What…!”

 

Alice’s heart went cold at her words.

 

‘I died and came back to life? What is she talking about?’

 

As she opened her mouth to ask again, the woman lunged forward. Her hands were empty, but Alice’s instincts screamed.

 

‘I have to get out of here.’

 

“It’s no use running. This is my domain,” the woman said, as if reading her mind. She closed the distance instantly and reached for Alice’s neck.

 

“I’ll make sure to kill you for real this time, so rest in peace, Lady Garnet.”

 

Thinking of the voice and the smile glimpsed beneath the hood, a name came to Alice’s mind.

 

‘Stella.’

 

As she was seized, Alice gasped for air as her breath was cut off.

 

‘Why Stella…!’

 

Her vision flickered and then dyed into black. By the time Alice woke up, the sun was already rising.

 

 

***

 

 

The investigators were already prepared to begin work in the early dawn.

 

“Haha, Your Highness, are you awake?”

 

When Alice entered the hall, Chester was the first to greet her. He was busy checking his weapons.

 

“But what is wrong with your Imperial Countenance?”

 

Imperial Countenance. It was a burdensome term just to hear. Alice replied:

 

“I haven’t ascended the throne yet, so please be careful with your word choice.”

 

“Oh, come now. Won’t it be yours anyway?”

 

He was a man you simply couldn’t reason with. Alice gave up on correcting his speech.

 

“I didn’t sleep well, so I’m a bit tired.”

 

“Is it because of the monsters?”

 

“That, and other things…”

 

Chester set down his weapon with an intrigued look. Seeing him focus intently on her words, Alice hurriedly waved her hand.

 

“It’s nothing important, so don’t worry about it. Where is Edwin?”

 

She needed someone to talk to about the fact that her ability had just manifested.

 

“The Commander has been scouting the village perimeter since dawn.”

 

Chester wore a meaningful smirk, seemingly hung up on the fact that he was the first person she looked for upon waking. Alice changed the subject, sensing exactly what he was thinking.

 

“Then today’s schedule…”

 

When she asked, Chester handed her a notebook containing the map and the itinerary. It was a complex schedule that fluctuated depending on various scenarios: monsters, missing persons, or if they encountered no one.

 

While Alice was reading it, someone approached from behind.

 

“Your Highness! Good morning!”

 

It was Daisy. She greeted Alice with a bright, beaming smile. Alice was startled for a moment but returned the greeting.

 

“Are you feeling okay?”

 

“Yes! I’m completely full of energy!”

 

She lifted the water bottles in both hands to show how healthy she was. Perhaps because of her poor diet while in the forest, her arms holding the bottles looked pitifully thin. Rather, her bravado only added to Alice’s worry.

 

“You’ve been eating well, right…?”

 

Looking at her gaunt appearance, Alice couldn’t help but ask.

 

“Yes!” Daisy replied stoutly. Seeing her now, Alice felt uneasy about including her in the investigation party and looked at Chester. However, Chester was busy checking equipment as if he had no interest.

 

‘Why is he not meddling when I want him to?’

 

Alice glared at Chester. Belatedly noticing her gaze, he said nonchalantly: “Why are you looking at me with such a passionate gaze?”

 

To his useless comment, Alice replied with a sharp smile.

 

“Yes, I suppose you felt my rage, Sir Douglas.”

 

“Ahem, I wonder when the Commander will arrive… Oh! Here he comes. Commander!”

 

Chester quickly waved his hand toward Edwin.

 

“Good morning!”

 

Without even looking at the person greeting him, Edwin spoke to Alice.

 

“Your Highness, preparations are complete.”

 

She nodded. Since their investigation time was limited, there was no need to dawdle if they were ready.

 

‘Will she be alright?’

 

Alice looked at Daisy with a worried eye. It weighed on her mind to force someone who had suffered in the forest for three months into a grueling march without any rest.

 

“I’m fine, so please don’t worry!”

 

As if reading Alice’s gaze, Daisy spoke with an even more cheerful and spirited face. Her bright smile had a way of putting people’s minds at ease.

 

‘Ah, right. Now that I look at her, she looks a little like Ena.’

 

Alice thought Daisy’s face strangely resembled Ena’s. Her bold personality was similar too. Is that why I mistakenly thought I’d met her before?

 

“Will Your Highness be alright?”

 

“What do you mean by that?” Edwin immediately countered Chester’s question. Alice waved her hand at Chester to shut him up.

 

“Wait…”

 

But despite her protest, Chester explained in detail what Alice had said earlier.

 

“In short, it seems Her Highness is still fatigued because she had a bad dream. I wonder if this investigation might be too much for her.”

 

Chester gave Alice a wink. Seeing his face, which was blatantly fishing for a compliment, Alice let out a sigh.

 

“I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine.”

 

Edwin spoke firmly, having reached a conclusion.

 

“It would be best to cancel Your Highness’s schedule for today.”

 

“I just lost a little sleep, that’s all.”

 

“Sleep is the most important thing, Your Highness.”

 

Edwin’s gaze on her face became as hot as lava.

 

‘He acts like he’s going to incinerate me just because I missed some sleep.’

 

Alice didn’t understand his overreaction. Chester nodded in agreement.

 

“Exactly. Isn’t there a saying that sleep is the best medicine?”

 

“But the schedule can’t be delayed because of me.”

 

“Then why don’t we just go ahead first?” Chester suggested, looking like he’d found the perfect solution. Daisy also nodded vigorously.

 

“I know the forest’s geography well, so don’t worry, Your Highness!”

 

It had turned into a situation where everyone was discouraging Alice from participating.

 

“But Daisy is participating; it makes no sense for me to drop out for a reason like this.”

 

“You are not the same as others.”

 

Alice wanted to argue with Edwin for deciding the weight of a life by his own standards, but she kept her mouth shut. The dream from last night was weighing heavily on her.

 

‘It’s bothering me after all.’

 

After a moment of hesitation, Alice eventually nodded. In the end, the investigation team was organized without Alice, and Edwin likewise dropped out, insisting he must stay by her side. Alice felt a sense of guilt.

 

‘It’s a huge loss for the team if Edwin isn’t there.’

 

However, since the condition for her coming here was that Edwin remained by her side, she couldn’t break that rule either. Even if she asked him to join the team, there was no way he would listen. Thus, all the members of the investigation team except them headed toward the Ainar Forest.

 

“Alice, did your ability manifest?”

 

Once they were alone in the hall, Edwin asked. Alice hesitated for a moment before nodding. Edwin immediately asked about the dream’s content.

 

“What was it about?”

 

“When I woke up… the capital was in total chaos.”

 

Alice couldn’t bring herself to say she had awakened inside a coffin. Even now, she was barely able to move due to Edwin’s overprotection; if she mentioned that, he might try to drag her back to the capital immediately.

 

But Edwin quickly realized what her dream signified. His eyes sank gloomily.

 

“Alice, I think your explanation is lacking.”

 

“That really is all…”

 

Usually, Alice was a smooth liar, but in front of Edwin, her tells were obvious.

 

“Did you die in the dream again?”

 

How is he so quick? Alice couldn’t meet his intense gaze and muttered under her breath.

 

“…I don’t know the details yet. Just that the capital was all on fire…”

 

Since she wasn’t certain from such a brief dream, Alice withheld her words. Edwin’s grip tightened on the object in his hand. Suddenly, the water glass he was holding was crushed into powder.

 

—Clatter!

 

“Edwin! Is your hand okay?!”

 

Startled, Alice checked his hand. Shards of glass were embedded in it, and blood was flowing freely.

 

‘Alice died.’

 

In the vision, again. Caught up in that fact, he didn’t even notice the wound on his hand. He asked: “Are you sure it was the capital?”

 

Alice, hurriedly wrapping his wound with a handkerchief, nodded.

 

“Yes, I’m sure. Anyway, we need to disinfect your hand right away…”

 

Focused on what she had said, Edwin’s gaze drifted toward the edge of the table. He thought: If it were up to me, I’d send her back to the capital this instant.

 

But the setting of the vision was clearly the capital. If she went back, the events of the vision might come true. That was why he couldn’t easily tell her to return.

 

“…It’s better to watch the situation from here for now,” he said, blinking slowly. His red eyes were submerged in darkness. He thought he had removed every factor that could put her in danger, so why?

 

What on earth was targeting her life?

 

 

***

 

 

It wasn’t long after.

 

It was around noon, still far from sunset, when a person wearing the uniform of the investigation team stumbled into the hall.

 

“Dalia?” Alice called out, her voice trembling with shock.

 

Dalia, who had joined the investigation with her sister Daisy, had returned covered in wounds. Her face was a mess of tears and grime.

 

“Ugh… Your… Your Highness…”

 

Alice barely managed to help her into a chair, as even breathing seemed a struggle for the girl. A dark, ominous foreboding—a feeling that something had gone terribly wrong—swept over her.

 

“What happened, Dalia?”

 

“Sniff… People… everyone was kidnapped… My sister too…!”

 

What on earth did that mean? While Alice stood frozen in bewilderment, Dalia screamed.

 

“I told my sister not to go! Why didn’t you stop her, Your Highness?!”

 

Dalia’s eyes, once full of hope, were now drowning in resentment as she glared at Alice. Edwin, who had been watching in silence, stepped forward and gripped Dalia’s shoulder firmly.

 

“What is this insolence?”

 

“My sister is gone! What does my life matter now? Just kill me! You people don’t care what happens to us anyway!” Dalia cried, lashing out at the Imperial Palace’s long-standing neglect of Millen Village’s petitions.

 

“Dalia, calm down and tell me exactly what happened.” Alice signaled Edwin to step back. With a look of displeasure, he retreated. Alice continued, “We need to know the situation to come up with a plan.”

 

While comforting the grief-stricken Dalia was important, time was of the essence. Cold sweat trickled down Alice’s forehead.

 

“Will you save my sister…?”

 

“Of course. But the situation might get worse while we waste time here. It’s hard, but you have to tell us quickly, Dalia,” Alice urged. Wiping her tears, Dalia began to explain.

 

“…We were walking when we found a strange cave. We heard the voices of the villagers inside, so some of the group went in. Then suddenly, screams…” Dalia’s face turned deathly pale at the memory. “…I heard screams. My sister and the villagers all vanished… and then monsters appeared. I was standing watch in front of the cave and managed to escape by the skin of my teeth.”

 

Dalia was too overwhelmed with guilt and agony to continue. It was clear she felt the weight of having run away while leaving her sister behind.

 

“What did the monsters look like?” Alice swallowed hard and asked. She hadn’t seen a monster yet.

 

“They were a young girl and a boy.”

 

“You mean everyone was taken down by just two monsters?”

 

Chester was a highly skilled knight; it was hard to believe he had been defeated so easily. Edwin seemed to share this skepticism, eyeing Dalia with suspicion.

 

“Are you saying you are the sole survivor?”

 

Alice watched Dalia with tension. The situation was indeed suspicious.

 

‘If Dalia is actually a monster…’

 

If she had encountered monsters and was the only one back, the real Dalia’s fate was likely grim. It was a horrifying thought she didn’t even want to entertain.

 

“We must verify,” Edwin said. In an instant, he drew his dagger and made a small cut on Dalia’s wrist. Red blood trickled down her arm.

 

‘Phew.’ Alice exhaled a sigh of relief.

 

“Things might get even more dangerous while we wait. I should send letters to the palace, the neighboring estates, and the Papacy.”

 

“So we have to wait until those people arrive?” Dalia asked, her face streaked with tears.

 

Alice nodded apologetically. “We can’t find the missing people with just the current personnel.”

 

“But the Duke is here!” Dalia pointed at Edwin. “I heard he’s a war hero and incredibly strong! If someone like him goes, isn’t it possible?!”

 

“That’s true… Ed, could you do that?”

 

“I cannot leave Your Highness behind.”

 

“Then I’ll go with you.”

 

Edwin’s gaze turned icy. Alice flinched at his sharp stare, but she refused to back down.

 

[That’s dangerous! Human!!]

 

The spirit screamed in her ear. Alice thought to herself as the spirit yelled loud enough to make her ears ring, ‘But I know Edwin has the power to save them. I can’t just sit here.’

 

She couldn’t turn a blind eye to people’s lives when she held the solution in her hands. However, unless she spoke up, Edwin would never care about the monsters. Finally, she spoke.

 

“Ed… something occurred to me regarding my ability.” She scratched her cheek under his piercing gaze. “I think it was a monster. The thing in the capital.”

 

“…You think it was a monster?”

 

“Yes. Otherwise, that scene wouldn’t make sense.” The sight of someone enjoying the slaughter of others—it had to be a monster in human skin. “We have to resolve this.”

 

The thought of that vision becoming reality was terrifying. Ena, Richet… they would all fall victim to those monsters.

 

“…But this is dangerous, Alice.” Despite his words, Edwin’s face showed he was wavering.

 

“I know. That’s why I’m saying this… if something happens to me, since the monster is the culprit, avenge me, Edwin.”

 

Alice spoke playfully to break the tension. However, Edwin took it with deadly seriousness; his expression didn’t soften at all.

 

“Do not say such horrible things. Just the thought of it makes my heart feel like it’s tearing apart.”

 

Hearing such emotional words from a man who could kill without blinking made them feel strangely out of place.

 

“Fine. If you hate that, then fix this, Ed,” Alice said boldly, though she averted her eyes. She felt shameless for constantly relying on him.

 

‘But what else can I do?’

 

Looking out the window, she saw the sun was setting. Frantic, she grabbed Edwin’s hand.

 

“Please, Ed. Help me.”

 

“…I’m the one who wants to plead, Alice.”

 

“But Sir Douglas is there, and Bella and Lisa too.” Alice rattled off the names of the knights under his command. Edwin remained unmoved. “If I save myself while turning a blind eye to others’ deaths, I’ll be haunted by guilt for the rest of my life. Besides, I have you by my side.”

 

At her desperate plea, Edwin let out a heavy sigh of resignation. He then turned to the other knights remaining in the village and ordered: “Prepare to move.”

 

For a split second, the corners of Dalia’s mouth—the girl who had been crying all along—curled upward before dropping back down. No one noticed.

 

 

***

 

 

“Ugh… Please save me.”

 

Inside the pitch-black cave, the villagers were stripped of their weapons and tied with thick ropes. Their cries echoed. Next to them, Chester and the other knights were also bound.

 

“This is why I said I didn’t want to come! That damn Crown Princess… hics.” Marquis Artuman wailed, his face covered in tears.

 

“What did you do to my sister! You monster!” The person acting as Dalia screamed—or rather, Dalia. She had already realized that “Daisy” was a monster wearing human skin. It was a chain of confusion.

 

‘She clearly bled!’

 

Monsters were known to have impenetrable skin. They had trusted that test, but it had been futile. The monster who had worn her sister’s face had reverted to its true form before leaving the cave.

 

Why? Dalia trembled in fear of what was to come. A monster wearing the form of a young boy approached with a blank expression and slapped Dalia across the face.

 

“Agh!”

 

The impact felt like being hit by a sledgehammer. Dalia spun out of consciousness. The villagers shivered in terror. The boy-monster spat out a curse.

 

“Insolent human. Open your mouth one more time and I’ll kill you.”

 

“Oh my, Idel. I think she’s already half-dead.” Another monster, wearing the form of a young girl, approached the bound villagers. “We want to make a proposal. It’s good for you and good for us. A ‘win-win,’ as you humans say.”

 

“We won’t be swayed by the words of a monster! Release the villagers at once!” Hubert shouted, his eyes bloodshot.

 

“If you accept this proposal, we’ll let you live.”

 

“…Lies! How can we trust a monster?!”

 

“Wait! Let’s hear what the proposal is first!” Some villagers wavered at the promise of life.

 

Hubert yelled, “These creatures cannot be trusted!”

 

“Then rot here. It makes no difference to us whether you accept or refuse.” A cruel smile spread across the girl-monster’s face.

 

“So, what is the proposal?” Chester asked calmly. The girl’s smile deepened.

 

“Kill the Crown Princess. If you do, we’ll spare you and all your families.”

 

Kill the Crown Princess. The shocking proposal sent the villagers into a chaotic murmur.

 

“The… the Crown Princess…”

 

“To kill another to save ourselves! Get lost with that nonsense!”

 

“Hubert! Shut up! This isn’t something to decide in haste!” The villagers turned on Hubert and began whispering among themselves.

 

“They said they’d save our families…”

 

“That’s right. They’ll give back my Reese…”

 

“The Crown Princess is the one who ignored our pain all this time anyway.”

 

Most of them were already leaning toward the idea of killing the Crown Princess. Chester, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

 

“If you want to kill the Crown Princess, you’d better be prepared to die at the hands of the Duke who stands beside her.”

 

“Hmph! Is the Duke stronger than a monster?”

 

“Much. So don’t make a foolish choice. Even if you succeed, these monsters will likely dispose of you the moment the Crown Princess is dead.” Chester, usually playful, spoke with rare gravity. But the villagers didn’t seem to believe him. “Since your life is forfeit regardless of the choice, wouldn’t it be better to die as a human?”

 

Chester spoke with an air of leisure that seemed impossible given that death was staring him in the face. But inside, he was as tense as the villagers.

 

‘Why do they want the Crown Princess dead?’

 

Knowing what his superior would become if the Crown Princess died, his priority was figuring out the monsters’ true motive.

 

However, Chester’s attempt to probe further was cut short by the villagers’ outbursts.

 

“Shut up! Are you telling us to just wait here to die?! Our families are captured too!”

 

The girl-monster, watching Chester with a curious gaze, gave a bright smile.

 

“It seems most of them have already made up their minds. Right, Sir Knight?”

 

 

***

 

 

“Ed, how is it? Can you feel anything?”

 

They had been in the forest for about an hour. Not even the presence of a small animal could be felt.

 

‘It’s strange for animals to even live in a forest like this.’

 

However, the footprints of the investigation team were visible on the ground, so they were on the right path.

 

Edwin shook his head. “Not yet. I don’t feel a trace of monster energy.”

 

“Dalia, do we just keep walking this way?”

 

“Yes, it was definitely this way.” Dalia volunteered to guide them to find her sister. At first, Alice had tried to stop Dalia from coming, but eventually relented. Dalia was the only one who knew where the villagers had vanished.

 

So, to find the investigators quickly, they needed her help. That was how Dalia ended up joining them… but a strange sense of déjà vu lingered.

 

‘Right. This is exactly the same as with Daisy…’

 

A lingering unease remained. Alice looked again at the cut on Dalia’s arm. Even though Edwin, who could sense monster energy, had verified it by cutting her arm… in this urgent situation, doubting Dalia again felt like a waste of time.

 

Just in case, Alice spoke to the spirit.

 

‘Hey, little stone. Are you alive?’

 

[Did you think I was dead? And don’t call me by such a trivial name!]

 

‘Fine. Dora. Can you transform into other people?’

 

[Well, if I want to.]

 

‘Can you do it with clothes on?’

 

[It’s possible since I change based on what I think. But why are you asking all these annoying questions? I was sleeping!]

 

The spirit continued to grumble about why she was waking it up. Cutting the spirit off, Alice whispered again.

 

‘You said you wanted to eat morning dew that comes out at dawn, right?’

 

[Ahem. Well… that is a delicacy for spirits.]

 

‘I’ll give you as much as you want when we get back, so do me a favor.’

 

 

***

 

 

“Is that it?”

 

Before long, Alice pointed to a visible cave.

 

“That’s it!” At Dalia’s confirmation, Alice looked at Edwin. He nodded as their eyes met.

 

“Are there monsters?”

 

“…About two.” He dismounted and scanned the surroundings. Alice tried to dismount as well, but he stopped her. “Stay there until I deal with them.”

 

“Roger.” Alice immediately obeyed. In this forest, his word was law.

 

Dalia approached on her horse. “Your Highness… I’m sorry about earlier.” With a look of sincere apology, she said sorry for her outburst. Alice shook her head.

 

“You’re making it sound like a final goodbye. Let’s save the thanks for when we get back.”

 

“Your Highness… you are truly broad-minded,” Dalia said with a faint smile. “I think I see why the Duke likes you.”

 

“…Cough, wait a minute. Why did the conversation go that way?” Alice’s face flushed red. Watching her, a faint smile appeared on Dalia’s lips. Alice gave an embarrassed smile in return.

 

‘Well, I guess smiling is better than crying.’

 

But why talk about this in front of a cave? Just as Alice felt a bit puzzled by the sudden comment, a young girl and boy burst out of the cave and lunged at them.

 

“Skreeee!” It was a grotesque, blood-curdling sound.

 

Alice instinctively knew they were monsters. Edwin, with practiced ease, drew his sword instead of his gun. A gunshot might attract other monsters. He swung his blade toward the monsters’ necks with lightning speed.

 

—Clang!

 

The sound of his sword hitting the monsters’ skin was like metal clashing against metal. Then, as a strange aura enveloped Edwin’s blade, the monsters’ heads were cleanly severed. The monsters that had worn human skin reverted to their hideous true forms and crumbled into dust.

 

Alice, still on her horse, cried out and covered her eyes with her palms, before peeking through her fingers. But it had happened so fast that by the time she looked, it was already over.

 

She muttered in bewilderment, “…Didn’t you say monsters can’t be cut by swords?”

 

His sword was a standard one. This meant his strength was immense enough to pierce through monster skin.

 

‘Let’s never cross Edwin.’

 

Alice made a firm vow and asked him, “Do you feel any other monsters?”

 

“No. Only human presences.”

 

“Humans?” Alice and Dalia exchanged looks, their faces brightening.

 

Edwin slowly walked toward the cave. Alice followed on her horse. Then, strange crying sounds echoed from within.

 

“…Ugh, please save me!”

 

“Someone, help…”

 

The echoes, which sounded like animal cries, were the sobs of people. Deep inside the cave, near some torches, they saw the bound villagers.

 

‘It’s the kidnapped villagers.’

 

Alice was relieved. Things had gone smoother than expected.

 

“…I-I don’t see my sister…” Dalia began to sob as she scanned the faces.

 

Alice hurriedly checked the villagers. Most of the investigation team was there, but Daisy was missing. And there were others missing as well: Hubert, the knights under Edwin, and Chester Douglas…

 

Alice asked as she untied a villager, “Do you know where the knights, Daisy, and Hubert went?”

 

“T-those people…” At her question, the villagers avoided Alice’s eyes. Had something truly horrific happened?

 

Alice looked at Edwin. He shook his head, saying he felt no other human presences. Her elevated mood plummeted in an instant.

 

 

***

 

 

Most of the villagers who had volunteered for the task returned to the village. Alice immediately pressed them for details regarding the whereabouts of the knights and Daisy. Even if the truth was horrific, her priority was an accurate assessment of the situation.

 

“Th-those people… the monsters took them somewhere else…” said a young girl who looked like she hadn’t yet reached adulthood.

 

Suddenly, a middle-aged man grabbed her arm and yanked her back. “Nadia! You have to tell the truth!”

 

“Oh… Uncle.”

 

Nadia looked at the man holding her arm with pupils shaking in panic, then turned her gaze toward Alice. Eventually, with a face on the verge of tears, she burst out and ran away. The villager who had shouted at her then addressed Alice.

 

“Nadia is young, so she seems to be in deep shock. I will tell you the truth, Your Highness…”

 

Alice felt a nagging sense of unease but nodded regardless. “…Yes, please tell me.”

 

“It is unfortunate, but those people… they died at the hands of the monsters.”

 

Alice’s clenched fists fell limp. It was the worst-case scenario she hadn’t wanted to imagine. Edwin, listening beside her, arched an eyebrow.

 

“Dead?”

 

“Y-yes.”

 

“Then how did you all survive?”

 

“…Well, that’s…”

 

The villager faltered, as if he hadn’t expected such a question.

 

“Explain the circumstances of that moment in detail.”

 

The villager’s eyes darted around as he stuttered through an explanation of what had happened back then. He claimed the knights and some villagers who resisted the monsters were killed first. After giving a shifty, vague explanation, the villager excused himself, saying he was tired after being kidnapped for so long, and went home.

 

“He’s lying,” Edwin said.

 

Alice agreed. While she couldn’t understand why they would lie in this situation, it was obvious to anyone watching.

 

“Your Highness… I’m also exhausted, so I’ll be heading in now.”

 

Dalia, who had been reeling in despair at the villagers’ testimony, rose from her seat with a lifeless face.

 

“Dalia… please, get some rest.” Alice replied awkwardly, not knowing how to comfort her.

 

Thus, Edwin and Alice were left alone in the hall.

 

“Something is strange…” she muttered. It was a relief to have recovered some of the kidnapped people, but their subsequent reactions were bizarre. “They went back without even setting tomorrow’s schedule. Why?”

 

Aside from the villager’s lie, it was strange that not a single person remained in the hall. Their families were still being held by the monsters. “Are they all just that tired after being kidnapped…?”

 

She had a feeling it wasn’t such a simple reason. Given the villagers’ past actions, they shouldn’t be able to bear knowing their families were in such a situation. They should be more actively involved in the investigation. An inexplicable sense of foreboding washed over her.

 

‘Dora, are you sleeping?’

 

She tapped the spirit stone and spoke to initiate the plan she had hinted at earlier.

 

[I’m awake because you woke me up earlier!! It’s all your fault!]

 

The child-like voice whining and blaming her made her ears ring.

 

‘Then why did you follow me?’

 

If it wanted to just sleep inside the stone all day, it could have stayed at the palace. The mind of a spirit was truly a mystery.

 

[What? Your inner thoughts. I can hear everything, you know?]

 

‘Fine. Can you transform into a human in a little bit?’

 

[Tsk. Fine. I get it. Just don’t forget your promise. Who should I turn into?]

 

Alice thought for a moment before whispering a name in her mind.

 

‘Chester Douglas.’

 

[What? You want me to turn into him?]

 

‘Yes. Do you know what he looks like?’

 

[Ahem! I remember everyone I’ve seen even once! I remember that arrogant face of his perfectly!]

 

At the spirit’s words, Alice remembered when it had seen Chester.

 

[Should I teach him a lesson?]

 

Under the guise of punishing Chester for being flippant in front of her, the spirit had once used the power of wind to knock him off his horse. The circumstances of how the spirit learned Chester’s face weren’t exactly great, but it was lucky it had remembered his appearance in that brief moment.

 

‘Can you mimic his way of speaking perfectly, too?’

 

Mimicking someone perfectly was a difficult task even for a human, let alone a spirit. While Alice didn’t have high expectations, the spirit’s answer came easily.

 

[Yeah, I can. I just have to be flippant and sly, right?]

 

“Uh… I suppose so.” Things were proceeding more easily than expected.

 

[But why are you going this far?] the spirit asked, curious about the reason for her request.

 

In response, Alice recalled what had happened earlier. When the rescued villagers had returned and were briefly in the hall with them.

 

‘Do you know where Hubert, Sir Douglas, and the other knights are?’

 

When she had asked in the cave, she initially thought they were just hesitant to speak of something horrific. But even back at the hall, their reactions remained consistent in two ways:

 

“I don’t know…”

 

“Unfortunately, those people… are dead.”

 

Their testimonies were split between not knowing and being certain they were dead. While being kidnapped in a dark space could lead to different observations, she now realized their testimony felt unnatural.

 

‘Nadia said the monsters took them somewhere else earlier.’

 

It didn’t seem like she was lying. In context, the monsters taking them elsewhere implied they were still alive.

 

‘Then how can the other villagers be so sure they’re dead when they didn’t see it with their own eyes? This part is strange.’

 

[Hmm, didn’t they hear screams?]

 

‘You can’t be certain someone is dead just from hearing a scream… something is weird.’

 

Nadia had looked like she wanted to say more earlier, but she had been blocked by the other villager. Alice could have called Nadia privately to ask, but she didn’t want to interrogate a terrified girl.

 

‘I have to find out what the villagers are hiding.’

 

She could think of only one way: to have Chester, whom the villagers believed was dead, reappear before their eyes.

 

‘People often speak the truth when faced with an unexpected situation.’

 

Alice looked at Edwin. His help was essential to execute this plan.

 

“Ed, could you help me with something?”

 

 

***

 

 

“A survivor has returned?”

 

Hearing the news that an additional survivor had returned in the middle of the night, the villagers rushed back to the hall. They all looked exhausted, but their faces were strangely tense.

 

“It’s good news. Sir Douglas has returned.”

 

Dalia was among those who had returned to the hall. Alice pretended to share the news as if it were a joyous occasion while carefully watching her expression.

 

“The knight… has returned.”

 

Dalia looked surprised, but there was neither joy nor sorrow in her expression—only a pale, cold chill.

 

Observing her reaction, the suspicion in Alice’s heart only deepened. The more she thought about it, the more Dalia’s actions seemed suspicious. Especially when they found the kidnapped villagers. Given Dalia’s personality, she should have insisted on staying in the forest to search further. But she had returned meekly, as if she already knew Daisy wasn’t there.

 

‘Why?’

 

Even now, Dalia’s reactions were incomprehensible to Alice.

 

‘The fact that Chester Douglas is alive could be proof that Daisy is alive, too.’

 

Dalia, whom Alice expected to immediately ask about her sister’s whereabouts upon seeing Chester, was unexpectedly quiet and still.

 

Alice glanced at the spirit in the form of Chester Douglas.

 

‘Remember?’

 

‘Yeah.’

 

The spirit gave a slight nod, signaling its affirmation. It recalled what she had told it earlier.

 

‘Remember everything you hear and report it to me.’

 

The spirit had dismissed this task as meaningless and was only following orders for the sake of the dew, but it soon realized its judgment had been wrong. Even though a captured person had returned, the villagers’ faces were full of dissatisfaction. Some even looked at it with uneasy eyes.

 

‘What’s with these people? Why are they acting like they’ve committed a crime?’

 

The spirit also began to grow curious about what they were thinking.

 

“Oh, Sir Knight! I’m so glad you’re alive!” one of the villagers belatedly offered an awkward word of celebration. This triggered a flurry of congratulations and sighs of relief from the other villagers. It was an act obvious to anyone.

 

“I’m so relieved, Sir Knight. I was so sad thinking you had passed away. Ugh.” Red-eyed and wiping away tears, a Millen villager sidled up close to the spirit in Chester’s form. Then, he whispered so only it could hear:

 

“Then… did you also accept the proposal, Sir Knight?”

 

“Proposal…?”

 

Naturally, the spirit didn’t know what the villager was talking about. At the spirit’s question, the surrounding villagers immediately looked at it with wary eyes.

 

‘He might blab about our promise to the monsters.’

 

The villagers were seized by this single thought. If that happened, their agreement with the monsters would naturally fall through, and the lives of their families held captive would become even more uncertain. If push came to shove regarding their families’ lives, the villagers intended to join forces and cast Chester Douglas out as a monster.

 

The spirit keenly noticed their murderous gaze. It shrugged and offered a vague response. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to stay alive.”

 

At its answer, the villagers exchanged glances. Then, perhaps conscious of Alice and Edwin’s presence, they continued to act as if they were happy to see Chester. After that, they led it outside.

 

Alice didn’t stop them on purpose and approached Dalia, who had been watching Chester. “Dalia, it’s such a relief. The chances of Daisy being alive have increased.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness. But…” Tears began to well in Dalia’s eyes. “My sister didn’t come back with him.”

 

“…We will do our best to help.”

 

But this time, Alice was certain. Dalia was acting. ‘And… she has that look again.’ Since returning to the village from the cave, the villagers had been casting uncomfortable, lingering glances at Dalia. Those looks became even more intense whenever she cried.

 

“The villagers have been looking at you for a while now; did you have a good talk with them?” Alice said, pretending to offer comfort.

 

“Yes, we had a good talk. Many of them comforted me.” Dalia spoke with a gentle smile. But her gaze as she looked at the villagers was chilling.

 

 

***

 

 

“Why did you ask me to come outside?” Chester asked in a questioning tone. Three or four villagers had pulled him aside. One of the villagers, scanning the surroundings, finally spoke.

 

“Tell us exactly, Sir Knight. Did you accept the proposal?”

 

The spirit wanted to ask what the proposal was, but it didn’t forget Alice’s instruction not to ask. ‘Pretend to know everything and feel them out so as not to be suspected, if possible.’ The spirit realized anew just how difficult and awkward this task was.

 

‘Just wait until this is over!’ The spirit vowed to make Alice pay dearly for this.

 

“Answer us quickly!” As the villagers pressed for an answer, the spirit had no choice but to nod.

 

“I knew it! Even you, who acted so noble, seem to prize your own life!” the villagers said with triumphant faces. Of course, they kept their voices very low.

 

‘What’s with this reaction to someone coming back from the dead?’ They were using his valuing his own life as material for sarcasm. The spirit scowled in annoyance. The villager, still wearing a sneer, asked:

 

“So, where are the other knights? Did they refuse the proposal?”

 

And what’s with this superior tone? The spirit briefly searched its memory. A commoner speaking informally to a knight was different from the common sense it had heard while in the human world.

 

“Well… yeah,” the spirit replied half-heartedly.

 

From the villagers’ words, one fact was easy to deduce: those who accepted a certain proposal came out alive, while those who refused were killed by monsters or were still being held captive.

 

One of the men who had been sneering spoke to the spirit. “To think the leader of the knights would be one who harms his master to preserve his own life. I feel sorry for those other knights.”

 

Duke, who had argued with Chester in the cave over the monster’s proposal, criticized him sharply as if to vent his lingering resentment.

 

“Shh. Duke! Watch your words. Someone might hear us.”

 

“That’s right, we must be careful.”

 

The other villagers scanned their surroundings, doing their best to ensure their conversation didn’t leak out. But they didn’t know the most important fact: the person in front of them wasn’t the real Chester, but a spirit.

 

‘So the monster’s proposal must be to kill that girl.’ And the villagers’ conversation was full of enough clues for the spirit to draw such an inference.

 

Having figured out the context, the spirit couldn’t help but feel its mood souring even further.

 

‘This is why I don’t like the human race.’

 

It couldn’t understand how they could heartlessly decide to kill the person who had come to save them, regardless of the reason.

 

“So when are you going to carry out that proposal?” it asked.

 

At that, Duke said grumblingly, “It was originally supposed to be early this morning, but you coming back has messed things up.”

 

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

 

“If you’re really sorry, you’ll have to help us out.”

 

“…?”

 

“Why that look? Didn’t you accept the proposal anyway? Then aren’t we in the same boat? Surely you’re not planning to just sit by and reap the benefits?”

 

‘I’d rather bite my tongue and die than reap benefits like that.’

 

The spirit sneered inwardly but didn’t let it show. If it got caught, that human might be in danger. It didn’t know why it was worrying about that human, but seeing her come to harm wasn’t a sight it particularly wanted to see.

 

“So, what is the plan?” the spirit faithfully carried out the mission Alice had given it.

 

 

***

 

 

“So that’s how it happened.”

 

Returning to its original form as a stone, the spirit explained the situation in detail.

 

[What is this? You’re in a life-threatening situation, so why are you so calm?]

 

Unable to hear the spirit stone’s voice, Edwin, who was standing nearby, stared intently at Alice’s face. He was poised to catch any clue from her reaction. However, frustrated by her nonchalant attitude, he was frowning deeply, his usually smooth brow furrowed in a way that looked almost pouting.

 

Alice narrowly suppressed a smile at his expression and whispered to the spirit.

 

‘If I cause a scene here, what do you think Ed will do?’

 

[……Terrifying!]

 

The spirit’s reaction was honest. Alice felt the same. Imagining how Edwin would react if he heard the full story of this plot was even scarier.

 

‘Still, I have to tell him.’

 

[No! Don’t! He might break me too!]

 

‘Why you?’

 

[Human, do you really have to ask? That guy has zero regard for anything or anyone except you!]

 

Alice glanced surreptitiously at Edwin. Their eyes met, and he asked “What?” with a faint, gentle smile. He looked benevolent, as if ready to listen to her story at any moment. However, the madness in his red eyes as he looked at her wasn’t entirely hidden.

 

‘Hmm, fair point.’

 

Seeing that look, Alice quickly conceded to the spirit’s words.

 

“Um, Ed. I have something to tell you.”

 

“Speak freely, Alice.”

 

Actually, hearing him say that made it even harder to speak. How long will Edwin’s smile last once I open my mouth? Alice hesitated before finally speaking.

 

“It seems the villagers are being blackmailed by the monsters…”

 

Alice explained the situation to Edwin, adding some “padding” to the details. However, his reaction was chilling. He seemed to have grasped the truth behind the incident from her explanation alone.

 

“Wait here for a moment.”

 

“Where are you going? Stay with me, Ed.”

 

Feeling like she knew exactly where he was headed, she hurriedly caught him. Edwin smiled brightly.

 

“I suddenly feel like getting some fresh air.”

 

“Is that ‘air’ perhaps going to be a bloodbath…?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

Edwin’s denial was swift, but there wasn’t a soul—or spirit—present who didn’t know he was lying.

 

[Aaaagh! He really is a scary guy! He goes straight for the sword the moment he hears it!]

 

The spirit’s terrified screaming rang in her head. After telling the spirit to be quiet, Alice tried to persuade Edwin.

 

“……The villagers must have had circumstances they couldn’t avoid.”

 

While she thought she knew what those circumstances were, Alice wasn’t feeling particularly great either.

 

“I don’t see why we should care about their circumstances.”

 

“Even if you don’t want to show mercy, you can at least listen.”

 

“To the ‘circumstances’ that require killing Alice?”

 

“Listening will only make me want to kill them more.”

 

Edwin muttered softly. Alice scrambled to stop him, fearing he would really walk out and start a slaughter.

 

“The law! Let’s handle it by the law!”

 

“The penalty for plotting to assassinate royalty is burning at the stake.”

 

[Horrible!]

 

The spirit screamed.

 

‘I’m the one who wants to scream.’

 

“Th-then…”

 

Alice’s eyes darted around, but she was speechless.

 

‘Why did I bring up the law…? ‘

 

Watching her, Edwin spoke.

 

“I don’t intend to kill them right away. I need to find out who is behind this.”

 

“The mastermind? You mean someone is controlling the monsters?”

 

He nodded.

 

“Monsters are inherently low in intelligence. Unless someone artificially trained them.”

 

“……I see.”

 

Then who could that “someone” be…? Alice spoke about the presence she had seen in the vision she had forgotten.

 

“It might be a witch…”

 

“A witch?”

 

Originally, the term “witch” here referred to a non-human race, much like monsters. To be precise, not a witch, but a demon. She had first learned this while reading books about monsters recently. The books only briefly mentioned witches as “women who were once human but sold their souls to demons.”

 

However, if this was Stella’s doing, there were many unanswered questions. Giving her the “Rube,” giving her the hairpin, putting her in danger… and previously helping the Emperor create an heir. Her goals were hard to fathom.

 

“Ed, actually…”

 

Alice decided this was a problem she couldn’t solve alone and explained everything to Edwin. As he listened, his gaze flickered with a desolate light. Edwin was furious at himself for not noticing sooner.

 

“……They are all fundamentally things from the underworld. Those below always covet what is above, so their goal is likely to rule this place.”

 

One thought naturally occurred to Alice at his words.

 

“Just like humans… Humans always long to go to heaven or higher.”

 

Thinking of it as being the same as human desire, she felt she understood what they wanted. Simultaneously, she realized exactly what her dream suggested. It was the capital devoured by monsters.

 

‘If Ed were there, that could never happen.’

 

If so, it was highly likely that Edwin had, at the very least, stood by and let it happen because of her death. And if the one who killed her was human…

 

‘They might have colluded with the monsters.’

 

Just imagining it was a dizzying and horrific sight.

 

“So, we shouldn’t play into the monsters’ hands.”

 

Alice continued, pretending to be sad.

 

“I haven’t been feeling well lately. Thinking that Ed got blood on his hands because of me… I couldn’t even eat properly because of the guilt.”

 

It was a total lie. To think a day would come when I’d say such lines. Truly, if you live long enough, anything can happen.

 

Edwin sighed and said, “Tell me what you want, Alice.”

 

A bright smile appeared on Alice’s face. She had succeeded in persuading him!

 

“My handsome, kind, and wonderful Dora. Will you do me a favor?”

 

The spirit stone seemed to be shivering with a chill, but that was probably just her imagination, right?

 

 

***

 

 

The villagers, gathered secretly away from the Crown Princess and Duke Esteban, were each holding shovels and sickles. They carried bundles of herbs on their backs and scanned the area.

 

“Where on earth is that knight?”

 

However, the time promised to the monsters was approaching too quickly to just blindly wait for Chester Douglas.

 

“Surely! He didn’t tip off Her Highness, did he?”

 

“If he had, would it be this quiet? At least one knight would have come to arrest us! If you’re going to spout such stupid nonsense, just rot at home.”

 

Duke spoke with a sharp face. Since it was his first time killing a person, his nerves were highly frayed.

 

“……For now, let’s grind and mix these herbs as the monster instructed, apply it to these needles, and put them in the blowpipes.”

 

Silence followed. Soon, they finished placing the poisoned needles into the long, cylindrical wooden blowpipes. Fearing they might not be effective, they even tested it on a pig raised for livestock. The pig stopped breathing in less than a minute after being hit.

 

“Then, who will… fire the needle while avoiding Duke Esteban’s gaze?”

 

Someone finally voiced the question that no one wanted to touch. The answer didn’t come easily. The villagers just looked at each other with tense faces. None of them had ever harmed a person before; it wasn’t the kind of thing an ordinary person would have experience with.

 

“Kamil, what about you? You’re a hunter, so you’ve killed many animals. You must be skilled with such weapons.”

 

“How are animals and people the same?! And I’ve never used poisoned needles like this before!”

 

Kamil immediately protested. As he caused a scene refusing to do it, the villagers only looked at each other. There was no way anyone here had used such a concealed weapon. One villager spoke cautiously.

 

“Wouldn’t it be best to pick the person who is least likely to arouse suspicion?”

 

Someone who could avoid suspicion. They all looked away from each other.

 

“I… I would be suspicious. If a grown man asked to see Her Highness at this hour…”

 

“M-me too.”

 

Most of the villagers went as far as making up excuses for why they would be suspected just to avoid the task.

 

“There is one person… one person who is suited for this.”

 

“Who?”

 

“……No one would suspect a small, young girl.”

 

“Then…….”

 

The villagers’ gazes converged on one point. At the end of those gazes was a frail girl. Under the pressure of their eyes, she shivered like a leaf.

 

“Are you saying we should send Nadia?”

 

The villagers were unsettled. No one welcomed the idea of pushing the youngest child into such a task. But no one stepped forward to object either. Seeing the situation, tears welled up in Nadia’s eyes.

 

“I… I don’t want to!”

 

“Nadia! You want to save Russ too, don’t you!”

 

Russ was Nadia’s younger brother, four years her junior. At the mention of him, Nadia’s face clouded over as the villagers urged her on.

 

“I… I can’t do it…”

 

“You can do it, Nadia. It’s not that hard.”

 

The hand that reached out to cover Nadia’s trembling one belonged to the woman who lived across from her. A benevolent smile appeared on Rosaline’s face as she held Nadia’s hand warmly.

 

“Th-then you can do it, Auntie Rosaline…”

 

“If I go suddenly, Her Highness will be suspicious.”

 

It was a face that made it hard to see that she was pushing the responsibility onto a weak, defenseless girl simply because she found killing someone distasteful.

 

“You’re the only one who can do it, Nadia.”

 

As if they were one person, the villagers watched in silence as Rosaline handed Nadia the poisoned weapon.

 

 

***

 

 

When the girl knocked on the door of the hall, a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes opened it. She gave off a radiant atmosphere, like a princess from a fairy tale.

 

Seeing the Crown Princess come out of the hall, Nadia despaired. Why didn’t Her Highness leave this place sooner?

 

“What brings you here at this hour?”

 

Hiding the poisoned weapon in her arms, she replied.

 

“Ah, I came to… say what I couldn’t finish earlier.”

 

As she spoke, she peeked inside the hall. The biggest obstacle, Duke Esteban, was sitting on one side of the hall reading a book.

 

“Can I come in for a moment…?”

 

“Oh, come in.”

 

The Crown Princess readily accepted her visit. Entering the hall, Nadia sat in the seat offered to her. Unable to hide her anxiety, she sat awkwardly, her legs trembling.

 

The Crown Princess Alice—no, the spirit—watching her was equally troubled.

 

‘How on earth am I supposed to act out a death?’

 

In its 300 years of existence, this was the first and last human who would ever make it act out dying.

 

 

***

 

 

Clip-clop.

 

In the dawn hours, the quiet Mount Demesh echoed only with the sound of horse hooves.

 

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

Alice was on her way back to the capital, riding double on a horse with a knight who had remained in the village. Her bottom hurt after riding for several hours. She glanced back for a moment.

 

‘I wonder how things are going.’

 

Since the target was her life, she had escaped while they were distracted, but she was worried if things were being resolved properly. Alice prayed fervently. May Edwin never have to draw his sword.

 

But at that moment, Alice felt like a light was appearing before her eyes. No, it wasn’t an illusion. Figures wrapped in bright light were coming this way on horseback. Around them, the familiar sound of clanking armor could be heard. Paladins.

 

As they drew closer, Alice’s eyes widened.

 

“Evan! And… Michael?”

 

 

***

 

 

The spirit thought: This girl in front of me will likely never harm me in her life.

 

The reason lay with the man behind her, who was pretending to read a book with his legs crossed. He was overwhelming the other’s spirit just by being in the same space.

 

Nadia struggled to speak, but despite her courage, her words were ordinary.

 

“Y-Your Highness, the n-night is cold, isn’t it?”

 

“Your Highness… are you feeling okay?”

 

“Your Highness, th-thank you for saving me.”

 

After showing such a thorough plan when she had eavesdropped in Chester’s form, the executor was in this state? The spirit in Alice’s form found the opponent’s clumsiness absurd. But it soon guessed the reason. It wasn’t hard to notice the shallow thoughts of humans.

 

‘They don’t want to get blood on their own hands.’

 

Whatever the reason, it couldn’t keep dragging this out. The spirit signaled Edwin to go outside. After all, the main reason Nadia was hesitating was Edwin.

 

Noticing the spirit’s gaze, he slowly scanned Nadia and the spirit in turn. Then, with a light sigh, he stood up.

 

“I’ll go on a perimeter patrol for a moment.”

 

“Okay, Ed.”

 

He had told it to act like Alice, yet when it called him by his name like she did, he glared as if he wanted to kill it before leaving.

 

‘I didn’t want to call you that either! You mean demon!’

 

The spirit spat out bitter insults at Edwin internally. Having gone outside, Edwin was likely watching the situation from nearby.

 

Unaware of this, Nadia thought she was alone in the hall with the Crown Princess. Putting her hand inside her coat, she fiddled with the blowpipe and thought: ‘N-now is the only chance.’

 

Sensing Nadia’s intent, the spirit turned its back, pretending to have something else to do. Watching her with a wavering gaze, Nadia seemed to make up her mind and pulled out the blowpipe and fired.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Sensing the change in the air, the spirit widened its eyes as if surprised by the unexpected ambush.

 

“Aaaah!”

 

But it was Nadia who screamed first. The spirit belatedly screamed as well, but it had long been buried by Nadia’s scream. It was hard to tell if the spirit’s voice was too small or Nadia’s scream was too loud.

 

‘I’m the one who got hit, human.’

 

The spirit found it ridiculous, but since it had to act like someone hit by a poisoned needle, it collapsed like a leaf falling from a branch.

 

“I-I’m sorry… Your Highness. Sob, I had no choice if I wanted to save my brother. Sniff.”

 

Nadia dropped the blowpipe and fled from the hall. The spirit lay there, pretending to be dead, waiting for someone to enter.

 

—Creeeak.

 

Someone opened the door and entered. It was several people. The villagers.

 

“My, what a shame, but I can’t release your families.”

 

A woman’s voice was heard. The spirit wanted to open its eyes to see who it was, but it couldn’t because it had to play dead.

 

“Wh-why?! We killed the Crown Princess as promised!”

 

“What do you mean! We shouldn’t have believed this monster!”

 

“You bastard! You never had any intention of releasing our families from the start!”

 

To the agitated villagers, the woman spoke in an alluring voice.

 

“This child is not the Crown Princess.”

 

What, did she catch on? The spirit was surprised internally but didn’t show it. The villagers shouted at the woman in excitement.

 

“If this person isn’t the Crown Princess, then who is!”

 

With a smile, the woman slowly approached the lying spirit and said: “Hmm, who are you?”

 

At the encroaching dangerous energy, the spirit reflexively tried to open its eyes. However, the woman who was about to reach for the spirit stopped when a blade was leveled at her neck.

 

The one holding the sword was Edwin. For the first time in its life, the spirit was glad to see Edwin Esteban. It couldn’t show it, so it only welcomed him internally.

 

Edwin’s gaze bypassed her and landed on the lying spirit. From the outside, it truly looked like Alice had been hit by a poisoned needle, lying there with her eyes closed and a pale complexion. Even knowing it wasn’t actually Alice, Edwin felt like someone was gripping and tearing at his heart.

 

His grip on the sword tightened.

 

“You must be the witch, Stella.”

 

Despite having a sword at her neck, Stella maintained a leisurely smile and blinked slowly.

 

“This is the first time we’ve introduced ourselves. To recognize me immediately, the Crown Princess must be quite perceptive. Or did she see me through her ability?”

 

However, her eyes were shaking slightly beneath her fluttering eyelashes. Her discomfort at things not going as planned was beginning to seep into her tone. Edwin didn’t answer her question.

 

“What is your purpose in this?”

 

As if she hadn’t expected an answer anyway, she readily replied to his question.

 

“It’s a cliché and old-fashioned reason straight out of a fairy tale. I want the destruction of the Elgorth Empire.”

 

She spoke with a smile.

 

“For the past 300 years, humans have lived far too selfishly. Now it’s time for us to rule this place. You too… do you want to keep living like this, suppressing your power and staying submissive? Without even being able to lay a finger on the humans who tried to kill the Crown Princess over simple words from a witch?”

 

Edwin remained silent. As he stood there without saying a word, the spirit grew uneasy.

 

‘Surely, he’s not being persuaded by the witch’s words!’

 

On the other hand, the spirit thought that given his demonic personality, he might actually be tempted by such talk. Edwin, with his brow furrowed, said what he had deduced.

 

“The incident that happened 300 years ago. Were you a holy power wielder back then?”

 

Stella put on an exaggeratedly surprised face.

 

“What an amazingly accurate guess.”

 

“…….”

 

“There were such times. Until someone blinded by power, in the name of world peace, ordered the killing of all holy power wielders who were guarding the gates to the underworld.”

 

As she spoke, a trace of old, buried anger briefly appeared in her voice before vanishing. With a smile again, she said: “But… you won’t agree with me. Because you have something more precious.”

 

Edwin’s gaze left her. Although he couldn’t pinpoint the exact location, he had been sensing a constant flow of mana. From right nearby.

 

Stella smiled as if she knew he had noticed.

 

“What did you do?”

 

At Edwin’s words, the spirit realized the situation was going strangely. Glancing at him, the spirit sluggishly stood up. One thing that shouldn’t be forgotten was that a fairly large poisoned needle was stuck in its body. It still looked like Alice.

 

“Th-the dead person stood up!”

 

“M-monster!”

 

Since she had been hit by a needle coated in extreme poison and yet stood up perfectly fine, no one there was not shocked. Seeing this, some of the villagers turned pale and fainted.

 

The spirit burst out laughing at the sight. However, at Edwin’s even more chilling gaze, the laughter vanished without a trace.

 

“Wh-what is that?”

 

One of the villagers pointed, having discovered a strange light. The moment everyone turned their gaze at that voice, mana erupted like an explosion along with a strong light.

 

 

***

 

 

Their faces still shone with that distinctive radiance.

 

Though they were familiar and welcome faces, Alice was flustered, having never expected to see them here. Evan, spotting her, wore a look of equal astonishment.

 

“Alice.”

 

“Evan, Michael! How have you both been?”

 

Michael, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, looked much healthier now, a stark contrast to the pale, haggard state he had been in during their last encounter. However, he kept his mouth tightly shut, looking as though he had much to say but couldn’t find the words.

 

“Yes, it is a relief to see that you look well too, Alice.”

 

Evan glanced at his brother, who remained uncharacteristically sullen and silent. Just a moment ago, Michael had been making a scene, demanding to be brought along because of the news that Alice was here. Now that they were actually face-to-face, he had become remarkably quiet. Evan decided he would never truly understand his brother’s mind.

 

“However, this is far too dangerous a place for an ordinary person to visit. You were reckless this time.”

 

Evan pointed out the danger of her actions, his gaze heavy with deep concern. Alice found herself apologizing reflexively; though his tone was gentle, she somehow felt like she was being scolded.

 

She then explained the sequence of events that had led her here. As she spoke, the expressions on Evan’s and Michael’s faces grew increasingly grim. Suddenly, a question occurred to Alice.

 

“Evan, what brings you all the way out here?”

 

Evan pulled something from his robe.

 

“That’s…”

 

It was the letter she had sent to the Papacy earlier that morning. The distance between Millen Village and the Papacy was by no means short. To think it had already reached them—she worried for the physical condition of the knight who had set off to deliver the missive.

 

“Upon receiving the letter, I felt something was amiss and hurried here. Sigh… had I known things would escalate like this, I would have left some paladins behind. I was imprudent.”

 

Evan spoke with a sorrowful expression. The priests and knights surrounding him hurried to comfort him, asking why his Holiness would take the blame upon himself. Alice quickly interjected.

 

“Most of the villagers have been rescued, Evan.”

 

“Is that true?”

 

Seeing Evan smile brightly in relief, Alice nodded with a bittersweet expression.

 

“Alice, is something bothering you?” Evan asked, noticing the subtle shadow on her face. In truth, there was more than just one or to things weighing on her mind.

 

“Well, there are still people we haven’t been able to save.”

 

“…I see. Do not worry. We will dedicate our full strength to the rescue mission, so please, Alice, let go of some of that burden on your shoulders.”

 

“Thank you, Evan.”

 

Alice was moved by his warm words. However, she had no intention of just sitting back and waiting. Most of those kidnapped were knights; she planned to send additional reinforcements the moment she returned to the Imperial Palace.

 

“Alice, why are you leaving the mountain on horseback at this hour? And why is there only one knight with you…?”

 

Evan’s questions were perfectly logical. Alice hesitated, wondering if she should tell him the truth. She feared he might feel betrayed by the people he had intended to help. Her deliberation was brief.

 

“The monsters are after my life.”

 

Perhaps the lives of Evan and Michael, who possessed holy power, were also at risk from the monsters and the villagers. Since she knew they were headed toward Millen Village, she had to warn them.

 

“You mean the monsters are specifically targeting your life, Alice?”

 

Evan asked as if he couldn’t comprehend it. She nodded and shared the story of how the villagers had sided with the monsters and were trying to kill her.

 

“What?!”

 

Michael, who had been looking away as if determined not to pay her any attention, snapped his head toward her. “Are they out of their minds?!”

 

“…”

 

The news that the villagers had conspired with monsters to kill her was so shocking that even Evan didn’t rebuke Michael for his coarse language. He remained silent, his face clouded with thought.

 

“Well… it’s a shock, but I’m sure they had their reasons,” Alice said with a shrug.

 

At her nonchalant reaction, Michael let out a hollow laugh of disbelief. It wasn’t that Alice wasn’t afraid of monsters. However, knowing that the most terrifying being of all was actually Edwin, she didn’t feel that much dread.

 

“Reasons to kill someone? Reasons like that aren’t even worth considering.”

 

“Ed said the exact same thing…”

 

“Ed?”

 

“Ah, Edwin.”

 

Michael’s expression soured, looking as if he’d just heard something he wished he hadn’t. “You’ve got a strong stomach, using a nickname for a guy like that.”

 

“There were circumstances. I came up with it myself. Is it okay?”

 

“It’s completely lame.”

 

His answer came without a second of hesitation. Alice scratched her head, feeling a bit sheepish. Evan, who had been silent with a troubled expression, spoke up cautiously.

 

“Alice, for now, it would be better to stay at the Papacy rather than the Palace… Alice!”

 

Suddenly, Evan grabbed her with a panicked look. Michael also reached out his hand as if to catch her in shock. Startled by their sudden movement, Alice just stared at them blankly.

 

—Chaaaa!

 

A sound like shattering glass echoed as a brilliant white light enveloped her. It was a light so strong and radiant she couldn’t even keep her eyes open.

 

“Alice!”

 

When the light finally vanished, Evan’s hand, which had been gripping her, held nothing. Alice had disappeared.