Some Years Later and a Promises

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves. The forest, once quiet and still, suddenly grew restless. The sound of grass swaying in the wind was soon replaced by the pounding of footsteps. A woman in a long white robe stained with dirt, her long brown hair flowing wildly, ran frantically through the forest, gasping for breath, paying no attention to her surroundings. Behind her, two black-furred wolves with jagged obsidian-like stones jutting out from their bodies chased her with the intent of hunters, driven solely by the will to kill.

Bush after bush tore at her robe, leaving it ragged, but her mind was consumed by fear and panic. The snarls of the wolves closing in only intensified her terror.

“Please, please, please, please…” the woman pleaded desperately for the wolves to stop, but her prayers could not save her from the murderous eyes fixed upon her.

“Ah!”

Her foot caught on a tree root taller than she expected, sending her tumbling to the brown earth, scraping her palms as she fell. She began to crawl, forcing herself to move, but her weakened legs refused to carry her any further. With her last ounce of will, she dragged herself forward with trembling arms. She glanced back in faint hope that the wolves had lost her trail, only to meet the piercing gaze of four crimson eyes. The wolves crouched, ready to pounce.

Terrified, she clawed the ground faster, but the growls froze her in place. Resignation, dread, and despair seeped into every part of her body. Tears of fear streamed down her face, her lips quivered, while the two wolves advanced slowly, drool dripping from their fangs. She shut her eyes tight, unable to face what was coming from behind.

Just as the wolves were about to strike, the rapid sound of approaching footsteps getting closer. A pair of brown leather boots leapt into view, and in a swift motion, a dagger gripped in the right hand pierced into one of the wolves. The attacker’s momentum carried through, slamming the beast to the ground as they tumbled in a roll. Dust filled the air, and the second wolf burst from the cloud, leaving behind its fallen companion and the woman.

From within the cloud of dust, an object shot out, drawing the wolf’s attention to the left. At that same moment, the one who had stabbed the first wolf earlier emerged from the haze on the wolf’s right. With a sword in his right hand, he charged swiftly, his feet striking the ground with force, and in an instant, he drove the blade deep into the wolf’s neck, rendering it completely motionless.

As the battle’s dust slowly cleared, the woman caught in the middle of it all finally began to see her surroundings. Though her body was frozen with fear, her eyes managed to scan around. The haze dispersed, and the first thing she saw was the lifeless black wolf lying stiffly near her feet, a dagger buried in its body. Then her gaze shifted another wolf lay collapsed, blood flowing from its wound. Beside that beast stood someone: black hair, a brown thigh-length coat, a sword in his left hand. There he was, Terumoto Maeda, standing firm with his sword.

The woman braced herself on her hands to push away from the wolf’s corpse at her feet. Her hands clutched at her knees as she struggled to stand, but her legs still trembled from terror. Seeing this, Maeda walked closer to her.

“Are you alright? Beasts afflicted by the ‘Blaeath disease’ usually become far more aggressive,” Maeda asked, extending his right hand to her.

The woman reached for his hand but quickly pulled back, leaving Maeda momentarily puzzled, until he noticed the wound on her right hand. She seemed to realize it too.

“May I see your injury?” he asked.

“Eh?... Umm.” The woman looked uncertain, but she slowly offered her left hand. The skin on her palm was peeled, scraped raw from abrasion. Maeda knelt down, pulling a clean cloth from the sling bag over his shoulder. From inside his coat, he produced a small glass vial filled with liquid, which he poured onto the cloth before carefully wrapping it around her right hand. The sting drew a pained whimper from the woman, but Maeda continued dressing the wound with steady hands.

“…Sorry,” Maeda said once he finished bandaging her.

“N-no, I should be the one apologizing for troubling you…” the woman stammered. Hearing this, Maeda rose to his feet and offered his left hand for her to take. He pulled gently, ensuring she could stand, then glanced at her sides to check for any bleeding.

“…My name is Grace Dryden. Thank you for saving me,” Grace said, wiping the last traces of tears from her face. “If I may ask, what is your name?”

Maeda fell silent. Memories flooded his mind, his first arrival in this world, the hardships he endured, his encounters with Osbert, Lina, and Milda, the training he went through, and Osbert’s words echoing in his heart.

What if, from now on… your name is Adam Newman? Would you mind?

Maeda couldn’t help but smile before answering Grace. That was his new identity in this world—and perhaps, his new life.

“My name is Adam Newman. Pleased to meet you.”

-

Adam and Grace walked along the path Grace had taken earlier. Adam glanced around, noticing broken branches and footprints, confirming that someone had indeed passed through here before.

“So, are we close?” Adam asked Grace. “We’re almost there… I think,” she replied.

They continued along the trail, searching for Grace’s lost magic staff, which had slipped from her grasp while fleeing from the wolves. Grace carefully examined the path she had taken, but searching for a wooden staff among fallen branches and twigs was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

“No wonder I thought something was off when I first saw you,” Adam said. “From your appearance, you gave such a strong impression of being a mage, yet I didn’t see any magical tool on you. And I was right, looks like you’ve dropped it.”

Grace couldn’t respond. Instead, she turned her face away in embarrassment, for Adam’s words were completely true. Adam only smiled as he looked around, scanning for the staff.

“By the way, what are the unique traits of your staff? Maybe I can focus on something specific.”

Grace walked on, her head lowered, not uttering a single word.

“…So, you didn’t put any kind of mark on your staff, did you?” Adam said. Hearing that, Grace couldn’t bear the shame and crouched down, burying her face between her knees. Adam chuckled softly at the sight and patted her left shoulder.

“Sorry, sorry. At least you still remember where you most likely dropped it.”

Hearing that, Grace looked at him with a deeply flushed face, stood back up, and resumed walking—because now she wasn’t just reclaiming her staff, but also her dignity.

They kept moving until they reached a wide stretch of green field. Adam began searching on the right side while Grace combed through the left.

“Um… I suggest we check the middle area. That’s where the wolves started chasing me,” Grace said.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Adam walked toward the center of the field, his eyes scanning the ground ahead. By chance, his foot nudged a small piece of wood. Looking down, he noticed its shape was far too unnatural.

“Is this your staff, Grace?” Adam picked it up and raised it.

Grace, upon seeing it, ran over with a delighted expression.
“That’s it!!! Thank you so much, Adam.” She hugged her staff tightly, and Adam responded with a simple smile.

“Sorry to interrupt your reunion with your magic staff, but may I ask for my reward now?” Adam said, his words making Grace’s expression falter slightly.

“Right… so, how much do I owe you?” she asked, but Adam shook his head.
“Ah, no. I don’t need your moneyI need your strength.” Grace hadn’t expected that answer.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Adam asked.

“No, I don’t mind,” Grace replied. “But… may I ask what for?”

Adam said nothing. He only began walking forward, signaling with his hand for her to follow. Still uncertain of his intentions, Grace followed him, hoping she could be of help.

-

Grace’s mouth fell open, her body shuddering. Even as a fairly experienced mage, what stood before her was enough to strike terror into the heart of any skilled sorcerer.

A monstrous scorpion, the size of a stag, its body gleaming with a slick black sheen. On each of its pincers, grotesque, oversized eyes stared outward, and its tail branched into three wicked prongs. The creature was feasting on a pack of other monsters it had just hunted down.

Grace, shaken to the core by the sight, turned toward Adam, who was calmly observing the beast.

“Y-you… you need me for this???” Grace stammered, fear lacing her voice.

“Yup,” Adam replied with a nod. “So, what kind of spells have you mastered?”

Still in shock, Grace slapped her cheeks lightly, trying to snap herself back into focus.
“Um… healing, antidote, and water magic. What’s your plan?”

“Good. Now listen carefully,” Adam said firmly. “I’ll approach it from the right. If you can summon a massive block of ice above its head and drop it at an angle from the left, I’ll use a trick to break through its hard shell. Once the armor’s stripped, unleash your strongest destructive spell and finish it off.”

“Wait, you do know Scrathria monsters are incredibly agile, so how—”

“I just need a distraction. But if you can hit its head, even better. Just divert it. The rest will be simple if everything goes according to plan,” Adam cut her off.

“…Alright.”

With that, Adam crept toward the monster from the right, using the trees as cover to stay out of its sight. Grace remained in her position, anxiously waiting until Adam reached the spot he needed.

After several tense minutes of moving unseen, Adam reached his position and signaled to Grace with his hand. Grace caught the signal and began her incantation.

“Bloiearpa!”

A sharp, massive shard of ice materialized above the monster’s head. Within moments, it was sent plummeting down at high speed. Just as Grace had feared, however, despite its sheer size, the Scrathria dodged the strike effortlessly. The ice slammed into the ground, erupting in a violent explosion of shards.

Adam used that instant. Charging through the storm of flying ice, he pulled out a wide, flat glass vial filled with powder and liquid that glowed faintly. On its side was a small trigger mechanism. He pressed it and hurled the vial—where it landed squarely between the monster’s hind legs. Immediately, Adam bolted away, diving behind the trees for cover.

Moments later, the vial detonated with a deep crimson flare. Thick red smoke billowed upward, wrapping around the monster’s body. Slowly, the creature’s hardened black shell began peeling away from its flesh, revealing pale white tissue that oozed with foul fluid. Grace seized the opening, chanting sharply:

“Spirefara!!!”

A blazing spear of fire formed before her, its tip burning with searing intensily. She thrust her staff forward, launching the fiery weapon. The Scrathria writhed in pain, and in its flailing, it turned its head directly into the spear’s path.

The flaming lance pierced clean through its body, splitting the smoke apart as it drove forward. The beast’s flesh ignited in an inferno, its form reduced to nothing but a charred tail and twitching legs. The fiery spear continued onward, carving through the trees and leaving a trail of flames in its wake.

Grace stepped out from her hiding place, trembling. She could hardly believe what she had just done, slaying a monster feared by so many.

“DON’T COME ANY CLOSER!!!”

Adam’s shout startled her, making her stop in her tracks, obeying his command without question. Grace’s eyes turned to the red smoke that slowly dissipated, finally allowing her to clearly see the aftermath of the spell she had cast.

“…Alright, you can approach now,” Adam said to Grace. He stepped toward the corpse, with Grace approaching from another side. Adam pulled three glass vials from his coat and held them near the monster’s tail, where a yellow fluid was dripping. He collected the liquid into the vials.

“What’s that yellow fluid for?” Grace asked. “As far as I know, Scrathria’s fluids don’t have any effect when it comes to medicine or poison.”

“Let’s just say I enjoy collecting monster parts,” Adam replied. After sealing the last vial and tucking it back into his coat, he drew his sword and sliced off two tips from the creature’s tail. He picked up one and offered the other to Grace, but she grimaced at the sight, the tail’s skin was still covered with weird kind of fur.

“I’ll carry it for you.” Adam picked up the other tail tip and held both in his left hand.

“…Thank you.”

“By the way, your fire magic is incredibly powerful. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Adam asked. But instead of going quiet in embarrassment like before, Grace pouted, her lips curving downward, her expression gloomy as though she didn’t want to talk about it.

“Forget it. Looks like you’d rather not discuss it…”

“I’m sorry… and thank you for understanding.”

“Anyway, since it’s getting dark, how about coming with me to the town where I live? Spiritforest.”

“Wait, you’re from Spiritforest?” Grace asked. “I was actually on my way there before… but I got attacked by those wolves along the road.”

“Alright then, to Spiritforest we go,” Adam said, carrying the two monster tails while Grace followed happily at his side.

-

After about an hour of walking, they finally arrived at Spiritforest City, a large city surrounded by lush green forest, bustling with trade and leisure thanks to its location around the forest. Adam carried two severed Scrathria tails over his shoulder, with Grace following behind him. Along the way, townsfolk turned their heads to look at the pair. Grace felt a bit awkward, though she figured it was only natural, considering what Adam was carrying.

They continued down the crowded streets until they reached the Adventurer’s Guild, a busy building filled with adventurers coming to take on or report quests. Adam made his way to the reception desk, where six clerks were stationed.

“Good afternoon, Adam. Are you here to cancel your reque—” The receptionist froze mid-sentence as Adam set the two Scrathria tails on the counter.

“HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE!?” The receptionist nearly shouted his lungs out at the sight of what Adam had brought. His scream silenced the bustling guild hall, forcing both Adam and Grace to cover their ears from the sheer volume.

“Well, as usual… just a bit of luck,” Adam replied humbly.

“Don’t give me that nonsense, Adam! You know this monster is on the Death Bringer list, and you actually brought parts of it here!?” the receptionist shot back. “Out of all the monsters on that list, Scrathria is supposed to be the one you can’t defeat!” By the time he finished speaking, curious adventurers had crowded around the desk.

“This really is its tail!”

“Up close, it’s not as big as I imagined.”

“Move aside! I want to see it too!”

Excited voices filled the room as adventurers pressed in to get a better look, turning the reception area into a chaotic spectacle.

“So, what about my payment?” Adam asked amid the sea of people.

“Alright, alright. The request reward is 100 gold coins. And since you brought two Scrathria tail parts, each worth 30 gold coins, that totals 160 gold coins,” the receptionist said, stamping the request slip with a red seal before handing it over for Adam to sign. Adam signed the paper and returned it.

“Wait a moment. That’s quite a large sum of coins, I need to make sure it’s all here. Please have a seat for now.” The receptionist hurried into the back room while the other four clerks worked frantically to manage the crowd still clamoring to see the Scrathria tails.

Adam pushed his way out of the swarm of adventurers and spotted Grace sitting on one of the chairs. He made his way over.

“Sorry, Grace. I ended up stealing the spotlight, even though most of the effort was yours,” Adam said, bowing his head slightly in apology.

“R-Raise your head, Adam. I don’t mind. In fact, I’d rather not be the center of attention,” Grace replied. Hearing this, Adam felt relieved and took the seat beside her.

“So, what will you do after this, Grace?” Adam asked.

“I’ll continue my original goal. I’m searching for research books on controlling magical energy, something I couldn’t find back in my town,” Grace answered. “And since this city is surrounded by forest, which is often tied to life energy, I decided to stay here for a while to study magic, while also looking for part-time work as a hired mage.”

“But… after nearly being killed in the forest, I’m grateful I survived to continue my research. For that, I truly owe you my thanks,” Grace said sincerely.

“So that means our debt is settled, right?” Adam extended his right hand toward her. Grace smiled and clasped his hand.

“Yes!”

Grace and Adam exchanged smiles amidst the chaos still unfolding inside the guild hall.

-

A few minutes later, after they survived the storm of adventurers demanding that they treat the entire guild to drinks, Adam and Grace finally stepped out of the building, carrying two animal-skin pouches filled with hundreds of gold coins.

“Alright, 160 gold coins, just like we discussed earlier, you take 50, and I’ll take 110. You really don’t mind, do you?” Adam asked. But Grace stood in silence, unable to say anything as she stared at the fifty gold coins in the pouch she held.

“Grace?”

“Ah, yes… I don’t mind,” Grace finally replied. “It’s just that… I’ve never held this much gold before.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything, isn’t there?” Adam said with a grin. “In that case, farewell, Grace. Let’s hope we meet again someday.” Adam began walking away, leaving Grace behind at the guild.

“Um!” Grace called out. “Would it be alright if I came with you? Honestly, I don’t know my way around this place at all.” She placed her right hand over the center of her chest as she spoke.

“I don’t mind… but,” Adam replied, “the place I’m headed isn’t exactly a usual place for the public. You might get the wrong idea.”

“That’s fine. Maybe I can find out where the library is while I going with you, where they might have the books I’m looking for.”

“...Very well. But don’t regret it,” Adam said. Grace hesitated at her choice, but in an unfamiliar city, she decided it was wiser to stick with someone who knew the place.

After several minutes of weaving through the city’s bustling streets, their eyes fell upon the reason Spiritforest was such a popular destination: a grand gladiatorial arena. Though overgrown with creeping vines, its vastness and magnificence still shone through, a symbol of the arena’s past glory. Grace was awestruck by its grandeur, but it didn’t stop her steps. She kept following Adam, though her legs carried her closer to the arena itself. Cold sweat began to form on her face—what madness was Adam leading her into this time?

Once inside, Grace was greeted by stone walls and blazing torches mounted at every entrance, filling the halls with fiery light. Adam walked forward confidently, as if he knew this place well.

“Grace, I’m going to meet someone. Do you want to wait here, or come inside? I don’t think he would mind either way,” Adam said. Grace wanted to wait in the corridor, but the stares of the arena participants and onlookers forced her to follow instead. She sighed and nodded, resigning herself.

Adam entered the room with Grace at his side. Inside were two long sofas facing each other, and the chamber was decorated in white and gold, completely different from the rest of the arena. There sat an elderly man in a black suit adorned with numerous small golden accessories shaped like the weapons commonly used by gladiators.

“Ahhh, Adam! Long time no see, about a year, perhaps?” The old man welcomed Adam with open arms, then gestured toward the sofa opposite him, inviting him to sit. Adam returned his smile and slowly took a seat. Seeing Grace still standing, Adam signaled for her to sit on the far right end of the sofa. She did as he indicated.

“Long time no see, old man. How’s business at the arena? Going smoothly as always?” Adam replied.

“Yes, as usual.” The old man walked to the sofa and slowly sat down. “But how about we get straight to the point?”

“Of course. I don’t mind,” Adam said, his gaze serious as he looked at the man. The elder placed a paper on the table.

“As written here, the contract we made before will expire in one week. So, how’s your progress?”

“To be honest, I’ve long since gathered the funds I needed… but I used them for other matters.”

“Ohh… so you’re no longer interested in our agreement?”

“Not quite. Let’s just say… those matters were just as important as this agreement.”

“It seems you’re truly serious about this, Adam.” The old man reaffirmed Adam’s resolve regarding the agreement. Yet, upon seeing Adam’s unwavering expression, he smiled, as though sealing a contract with the right person.

“Very well. Just looking at you is enough to give me my answer.”

“I’m glad we share the same understanding,” Adam replied.

“Alright then, how about I see the money first?”

Adam pulled out an animal-skin pouch filled with hundreds of gold coins. Then, reaching into his satchel, he produced a smaller pouch. From it, he drew out four platinum coins. Grace, who had been watching silently from the start, gasped at the sight—each platinum coin was worth a hundred gold coins, and even gold coins themselves were difficult enough to obtain due to their high value.

“It’s decided,” the old man said, clapping his hands together and extending his hand toward Adam. “Pleasure doing business with you, Adam.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Adam replied, shaking his hand. The old man’s hand began to glow, and the paper on the table shimmered as well, its signature and seal lighting up.

The old man rose and approached what looked like a telephone with a black receiver. He spoke into it, and a radiant light emerged, piercing through the wall on his left.

“Wait a moment, she’ll be here soon,” he said, before returning to his seat.

Ten minutes passed, and the left wall of the room revealed a hidden door. From it stepped a woman clad in a long robe that reached her feet, her head covered by a hood. Adam slowly rose to his feet upon seeing her, with Grace following his lead. The old man walked over to the woman and carefully pulled back her hood.

Long chestnut hair framed her face, parted bangs revealing eyes as blue as the morning sky. Her build was strong and resilient, yet her presence carried a noble grace. She wore a long-sleeved white tunic paired with fitted brown leather trousers, her serious, determined expression unwavering. In her hand was a leather suitcase, which she lowered onto the floor.

“My name is Galiene Chanceler. I stand ready to serve you,” she declared solemnly. Adam simply nodded back at her with a smile.

“Then, it is time for the ownership ceremony. Are you ready?” the old man asked Galiene. She answered with a firm nod.

Adam and Galiene stepped closer, extending their hands toward one another. The old man placed his own hand over theirs.

Following the covenant written with intent and a drop of blood from each of us…
We, living beings who borrow the essence of nature…
Borrowing the power of the world to weave a contract between two lives…
Where one side is bound to serve for a year…
And the master may release the vow once the year has passed…
But should this contract be broken…
The servant shall pay with their life.

“Pactra Blonesaul!” The old man’s hand shone with white light, from which threads of radiance emerged, binding their hands together. Above them appeared a glowing dagger, piercing through both their hands, yet neither of them felt any pain.

On the side, Grace was spellbound by what she witnessed. Though the pact carried the weight of death as its consequence, the ritual itself was breathtakingly beautiful.

“With this, Adam Newman, you are hereby recognized as the rightful master of Galiene Chanceler, the strongest gladiator in my possession,” the old man declared with a smile. Galiene pulled her hood back up and retrieved her suitcase.

“Thank you again, old man. I’m glad you kept your word,” Adam said.

“As long as my clients don’t play tricks on me, I never disappoint,” the old man replied.

-

Adam, Grace, and Galiene walked out of the arena, with Galiene still wearing her long cloak.

“Good thing you came along with me, Grace. When that old man said the ceremony required an additional witness to proceed, I can’t imagine what I would’ve done if you weren’t there.”

“It’s alright, I’m glad I could help at the right moment,” Grace replied. “But…”

“Ah, right, I forgot to explain to you. The reason I did this is becau—” Adam’s words were cut off as his cloak was suddenly enveloped, Galiene had unexpectedly embraced him. Grace froze in shock at the sight.

“Galiene?” Adam, just as surprised, questioned her.

“Thank you… for keeping your promise,” Galiene said softly. Unlike before, her face was much more at ease, a relieved smile resting upon it.

“...Yes. Sorry it took me so long to fulfill it.”

“U-um…” Grace, flustered, began to feel like an intruder in the moment. Hearing her voice, Galiene released Adam and brushed off her cloak as if nothing had happened. Adam did the same.

“Ah, sorry, Grace. To answer your earlier question, how about we head toward the library? I’ll explain along the way,” Adam said. “You don’t mind, do you, Galiene?”

“Not at all,” she replied with a cheerful expression.

“Alright then,” Grace answered Adam’s question.

Accompanied by the glow of the evening sun, the three of them walked through the streets of Spiritforest.

-

The night sky blanketed the city, the streets lit only by dim lamps, with most people having already returned to their homes, leaving behind only those who wished to embrace the nightlife. Somewhere in Spiritforest City, an abandoned fountain tucked away in a secluded corner stood as a silent witness to the night.

A woman in a long cloak carrying a woven rattan bag walked toward the fountain. She sat down, pulled back her hood, and lifted her face toward the night sky. Her breath released faint white mist, a sign of the cold air. Slowly, she took out a piece of filled bread and ate it, intent on savoring the quiet night alone.

In the midst of her quiet meal, a man from a livelier part of the city also approached the fountain, carrying a piece of bread he had been eating along the way. The man was slightly surprised to see her there, but continued on his path toward the fountain without changing course.

He sat down, keeping some distance from her, and resumed eating his bread. She, too, continued her meal. Silence wrapped around them both, with not a single word spoken for several minutes.

“...I didn’t expect to meet a famous gladiator here. Enjoying the night air?” the man asked.

“...Only at midnight am I allowed to step outside.”

“I see… But from what I’ve heard, the arena provides the best service to its top fighters. Are those rumors false, if you’d rather sit here in solitude than enjoy such comfort?”

“...The arena gives me everything I need. But the night air offers something that no comfortable room ever could,” she said while taking another bite of her bread.

“Besides, if I stay there too long, I’ll only be haunted by my own guilt.”

“Because of every life you’ve taken in the arena?” he asked.

“That’s part of it. But I have other burdens… ones tied to my past.”

“I see…”

“Watching your matches, it seems my guess was right, you don’t enjoy them, like most of the gladiator,” the man said.

“What living being could ever enjoy being forced to fight to the death every day, trapped in chains?” she replied.

“Even if those chains are made comfortable, the strange feeling never goes away after defeating someone.”

“...Do you truly want to leave that place?”

“If a miracle existed, yes.”

“Even if that miracle had to be fought for?”

“...What do you mean?” the woman asked.

“If I bought you, wouldn’t you be freed from the arena?” he answered.

“Don’t joke. My manager has set an outrageous price on me. It would ruin you.”

“That’s why I ask, if miracles can be pursued, would you fight for one?”

“Of course… but I’m trapped in that arena.”

“You don’t have to act yourself,” the man said, finishing the last bite of his bread. “I can be the one to fight for you out here. You only need to hold on until that day comes.”

“You… want to buy my freedom?”

“Yes, knight from a faraway city,” the man said. The woman froze in surprise, his words striking her as though he had known her for a long time.

“Why? I’ve never even met you until today. Why would you want to do this?”

“Think of it as me helping you see the world in its entirety again. The outside may be just as unpredictable as it is here, but if that’s what you want, I’ll do my best to grant it,” the man said.

“...Truth is, I also need another purpose in my life so it doesn’t become dull. But if I just said that, you’d probably think I was depressed,” the man added with a mischievous smile.

“Haha…” The woman let out a small laugh. “You’re a strange man.”

“Alright then. If you truly insist on this, I’ll be waiting for you.”

“But I can’t make any promises. I might get killed out there as an adventurer and never be able to free you.”

“That’s fine. I could just as easily end up poisoned by my opponent’s master.”

Their conversation was filled with a certain heaviness, yet both of them laughed under the night sky. It had been a long time since the woman last laughed from the depths of her heart, and she savored every second of it.

“...Thank you. It’s been so long since I laughed like that,” the woman said.

“The pleasure’s mine.”

“I assume you already know my name. May I know yours?”

The man stood beneath the faint glow of the lamp, smiling as he extended his hand.

“My name is Adam Newman. Pleased to make a pact with you.”

“And am i.”

That night, a promise was spoken beneath the starry sky.