【She is truly, very strange.】
【She constantly speaks in incomprehensible riddles and acts without a shred of urgency, as if this cursed world were nothing more than a game. She even went so far as to make the preposterous request that I serve as her “mount” in a life-or-death moment.】
【She claims that one can have many friends to whom one entrusts their life.】
【Miss Hill, a Hero's intuition does not lie, and my [Hero's Eye] has detected no genuine malice from her toward me.】
【But I do not understand.】
【Why is it that, in her presence, I feel a long-lost sense of relaxation?】
【Perhaps it is like a Sandman, capable of lulling nearby humans into a deep, relaxed sleep through some passive ability, yet I should possess absolute resistance to such things.】
【As a Hero, I should cast aside all idle thoughts and point my blade toward the darkness, never wavering. Yet, when she picked me up as I was being eroded by the domain... I closed my eyes. I wavered. Perhaps this is a sign that my training is still insufficient?】
Kaila gripped the charcoal pencil tightly.
【If this is indeed some high-level deception by an Abyssal creature, then she is... truly dangerous.】
【I have decided to continue traveling with her. Not only to search for clues regarding the Witches, but also to figure out... exactly how she does what she does. If she proves to be a dangerous monster, I will deal with her immediately to prevent her from harming any more innocents.】
【Finally, regarding your suggestion that I return home as soon as possible, I will consider it carefully. However, I am not yet strong enough; I require a training plan for the next stage.】
【P.S. Witches have at least four phases. It is quite revolting.】
After writing the final word, Kaila let out a soft sigh of relief.
She tore off the parchment and crumpled it into a small ball, just as she had done before.
The paper ball emitted a faint white light in her palm, then transformed into a bird made of radiance. Without making a sound, the bird flew straight through the thick curtains and walls, vanishing into the endless night.
With that done, Kaila rested her left hand flat again.
She maintained her slightly stiff posture, allowing Sophie to cling to her like an octopus.
“Strange girl,” Kaila murmured in her heart.
But she did not fall asleep.
Because...
Click, click.
The door to the tavern room opened.
The faint sound of a metal mechanism turning echoed in the dead of night.
Kaila remained seated.
Her fingers twitched slightly, light swirling at her fingertips.
But she did not act.
Because before falling asleep, Sophie had told her:
“As for the outcome of the battle... Sigh, I’ll just be direct. The Puppet Witch, Chengzhong Dino... or just call her Little Dino, she’s actually my sister.”
When Sophie said those words, Kaila’s [Hero's Eye] gave no indication of a lie.
This caused the Hero to momentarily short-circuit.
Whether in terms of race, era, appearance, or identity...
But Sophie’s tone had been exceptionally serious.
“I trust her implicitly, so you don’t need to worry about her either. As long as I’m around, she won’t lay a finger on anyone by my side. However, a word of warning: you can trust her in the face of any danger; but when there is no danger, she is the greatest danger.”
“If she comes in the middle of the night, just watch. She’ll definitely give the door two soft knocks first, and then say in that voice like a spring breeze... ‘Pardon the intrusion.’”
Knock, knock.
Two extremely restrained, gentle knocks came from the door, timed at a frequency that was audible but wouldn't startle someone from their sleep.
The door was pushed open.
A petite figure in a blue-black dress glided silently into the room. By the dim glow of the wall lamp, the delicate blue ribbon in her hair—a hairpiece worn in place of her lost top hat—was visible.
Chengzhong Dino stood by the door, hands folded in front of her, and gave a slight bow.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Her voice was soft and melodious, like a breeze brushing through willow branches in spring.
Kaila did not react.
She felt only confusion.
It was perfect, word for word.
“Good evening, Miss Knight,” Chengzhong Dino said, her tone carrying just the right amount of apology.
Kaila once again recalled Sophie’s words in her mind.
“She’ll call you Miss Knight. Then, she’ll apologize to you.”
“Back in Ming City and out on the wasteland, it seems I caused some trouble for Miss Knight due to some misunderstandings,” Chengzhong Dino said, lowering her head slightly with a remorseful expression. “I accidentally injured you; I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. After all, at the time, I didn’t know you would become my Elder Brother’s guardian.”
“It’s fine,” Kaila said after a moment of silence. “I... also fired shots.”
A Hero and a Witch were naturally enemies.
She... was not yet a match for the Witch, so she would endure for now.
Kaila found a reason for herself as to why she didn't strike immediately.
Rate on N.U.
