In Doubt, an Offer Once More

In the silence of the forest, the sound of footsteps echoed faintly.

His hands were full—on one side a plump white rabbit, on the other a green magic stone tossed lightly into the air.

"When I think about it, these magic stones really are efficient, even after all the times I’ve used them."

Just by breaking one, the spell etched into the stone would be invoked. Mana consumption wasn’t too heavy, yet the effects were diverse—healing, elemental attacks, barriers, combat enhancement, and more. In his heart, Ayato felt deeply grateful to the one who had invented such a concept, for countless times he had been saved by them.

A week had passed since he chose to live in the forest. The air here felt far calmer than in the city—the breeze, the chirps of wild birds, the chorus of insects—all gave him peace of mind. Even the dangerous beasts like snakes, wolves, and boars stayed away so long as he used the proper dose of Thysera Blossom.

And yet… what is this emptiness I feel?

Humans were social creatures, after all. Some could bear living without others, but Ayato had grown used to meeting people. Whether he was an introvert or an extrovert didn’t matter—simply being surrounded by others at work had always given him a certain sense of reassurance.

Here in the forest, where only he remained, that comfort was gone.

But returning to Lunareth was no longer an option. His status as a wanted man only grew heavier by the day. Even living a normal life was impossible.

And then there was Kaelyn…

It was one thing to be hunted by strangers, but to see his former comrade take part in his pursuit struck him harder than he wished to admit. Add to that the guilt still clinging to him for exposing the city’s secrets to save Selphira Lunareth…

Even knowing now the reasons behind Aurellia Kraise’s actions, that didn’t mean he could simply accept it.

"…!"

Sensing something strange, Ayato quickly ducked behind a tree, setting down his catch. His eyes narrowed at the creature approaching—a massive mantis, three meters tall, its body shrouded in black aura and violet eyes glimmering in the dark.

"That thing… it feels just like that bizarre lion I fought before. Same species? No, this one’s clearly insect-type."

Letting such a monster roam near his camp wasn’t an option. Which meant… he’d have to spend some of his precious stones.

"No choice… I’ll have to take it down."

Moving carefully from tree to tree, he held his breath. Every step was cautious, his movements small, silent. The mantis twitched, its sharp senses catching faint disturbances, but looked elsewhere in search of prey.

Ayato pulled out a handful of fire pebbles. With a touch of mana, they could spark small explosions—usually useful for campfires. Now, they would be bait.

Crackle—! Tiny bursts of fire scattered in the undergrowth. The mantis turned sharply toward the sound, rushing to investigate. Its focus locked on the burning branches, but then—it froze, catching the faint scent of Thysera.

"Too slow."

Ayato burst from hiding, activating a medium fire stone in his grip.

SHUP! A crimson glow burst in the air—DOOM!—and the mantis exploded in pieces.

Ayato staggered slightly, breathing hard from the mana drain. "Phew… glad that didn’t drag out like before."

Approaching the carcass, he searched for the monster core—but nothing remained. Not even fragments. With a resigned sigh, he gathered branches and leaves, burning the remains to ash.

…

The moon rose high, scattering silver light among the stars.

Ayato sat by his fire, stomach full but mind restless. In the silence, the crackle of the flames was loud—but not as loud as Selphira’s voice echoing in his head.

"…!"

Her angry words, her face twisted in fury, made him clutch his head.

No memories. No home. What’s left for me in this world?

The future was uncertain. Every step forward, he felt the tremor of doubt.

"So… what am I supposed to do now?"

KREEK

The snap of a branch jolted him alert. His hand gripped his sword’s hilt, his stance low. Then came another sound—CLANG CLANG—the unmistakable rhythm of armor.

"Stop! Who’s there?!"

The firelight revealed her face as she stepped closer. Silver hair gleamed, pale skin touched gold by the flames. Eyes sharp, cold, familiar.

"You…"

"Been a while—"

"Don’t move! Why are you here?!"

No mistaking it. Aurellia Kraise.

But what unsettled Ayato most wasn’t her presence—it was the blood smeared on her armor.

"…!"

His hand nearly drew his sword, until she suddenly tossed her own blade and scabbard at his feet. With calm hands, she stripped off her armor piece by piece, the metal THUD hitting the ground, until only plain clothes remained beneath.

Hands raised, she met his eyes. "See? I don’t intend to fight. May I share your fire?"

"No!

A flicker of surprise crossed her face.

"Why? Can you give me a reason?"

"Simple. I don’t know why you’re here."

"I see… a shame. I was even willing to pay, if that’s what it takes."

The word pay caught his ears. For someone constantly squeezed by inflated black-market prices, the temptation was real. But he wasn’t about to lower his guard.

"Fifty silver coins. That’s my price."

A ridiculous demand—equivalent to two months’ wages as a private guard. Yet Aurellia only reached calmly into her pouch. A small gold coin glinted, tossed at his feet.

Ayato snatched it up without breaking eye contact.

"Good wariness."

"I don’t need your praise."

After pocketing the money and settling by the fireplace, Ayato gestured for Aurellia to sit across from him.

She sat, her eyes blank as she stared into the flames, while Ayato’s gaze couldn’t help but stray to her disheveled condition.

“...”

He tossed her a bamboo flask filled with water.

“Use that to wash yourself. It can’t be comfortable resting while covered in dirt.”

“Hee… how considerate of you.”

“Think of it as part of the packag—h-hey!”

Before Ayato could finish, Aurellia had already slipped off part of her clothes.

“What are you doing?!”

“Hm? Wouldn’t you be even more suspicious if I did it outside your sight?”

“W-well, yes, but still… ugh.”

Ignoring his flustered protest, Aurellia calmly began washing the grime from her body. Dust, soil, and dried blood lifted away on the damp cloth. Droplets of water traced down her skin, rolling over her chest before gliding around her taut stomach. Even in the warm glow of the fire, her skin gleamed pale as snow—so strikingly out of place for someone who spent her life on the battlefield.

Ayato flushed red, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away. Her face—so breathtaking, so dangerously aligned with his tastes—made it impossible to look elsewhere. Still, beneath that haze, he kept a sliver of caution alive. If Aurellia ever wished him harm, there was nothing he could do to stop her.

At last, she finished.

Ayato exhaled softly in relief once Aurellia slipped her clothes back on. His thoughts were in turmoil, his self-control frayed; the temptation had nearly overrun him. After all, he was still a man. Even if he had never indulged in base desires, the storm within his heart ached for release.

“So, what did you think? Of my little show just now?”

“...! I-I’d say your body is… very fit and healthy.”

“Oh? I didn’t expect you to be so honest.”

What’s the point of hiding something so obvious?

Ayato muttered the thought silently to himself.

“That was a first for me, you know.”

“...?”

“The first time I’ve shown my body to a man. Honestly, I’m a little relieved that the first one to see was you.”

Wha—what’s that supposed to mean?!

The revelation made Ayato avert his eyes, too flustered to respond.

“Well, enough of that. Let’s get back to the point. What are your plans from here on?”

“My… plans?”

“From the look of it, the city’s plastered with posters of someone called ‘V’. Obviously, that refers to you—the ex-guard who betrayed his mistress.”

“Tch…!”

She leaned in, her voice level but piercing.

“Strange, isn’t it? They only declared you a criminal weeks after the banquet, instead of arresting you right there when you spilled Lunareth’s secrets to me.”

“That’s none of my concern.”

“Perhaps. But it still means the city no longer has a place for you. So then—how do you intend to live from now on?”

Ayato fell silent, then fixed her with a sharp glare.

“What’s it to you?”

“Didn’t I already say? I want to recruit you. Knowing your plans only makes that easier.”

Unlike their previous meeting, Ayato didn’t shoot her down outright. His heart wavered—life in Lunareth had grown far too suffocating.

“Do you really think I’m worth all that?”

“…That’s unexpected.”

“…?”

“I thought you’d be the optimistic type. But it seems your current state is weighing heavier on you than I realized.”

She rose from her seat and moved closer.

“W-what are you doing?!”

“Just sitting here.”

“F-fine, but if you try anything—”

“I think you’re more than worthy.”

Her gaze locked with his, her silver eyes boring deep.

“In skill, in magic—you’re still lacking, true. But those things can be trained. That’s not the issue.”

“Even so—”

“Mentally, you’re stronger than anyone else in that room. When everyone else was frozen in fear, you were the first to stand, to fight, to shield your mistress.”

“I… I was just doing my duty.”

“And that’s exactly what makes it remarkable. You knew your place, and you acted. Even now, every choice you’ve made shows how deeply you understand what must be done.”

“…Understanding?”

“You chose to reveal truths everyone else kept hidden, all to save someone you cared for. You did it knowing full well what the cost would be.”

Ayato’s lips parted, but no words came.

“You’re the only one like that I’ve ever met in all my years as Commander. To me, that already makes you invaluable. Does that answer your question?”

For a fleeting moment, Aurellia’s face seemed to shine brighter than the fire itself. Then the flames sputtered, dying out.

“Ah, the fire…”

Ayato quickly tossed fresh kindling into the pit, striking a spark until the fire rekindled.

“So, Vin… do I still have a chance at recruiting you?”

This woman… she understands parts of me even I don’t. But if I just swallow her words whole, someday I’ll…

“In that case, I—”

His voice was drowned by a sudden crackle of flame, and Aurellia’s lips curved into the faintest smile.