As dusk falls on the first day of travel, the group continues walking:

  -Norik: “Ouch, ow... my legs hurt...”

  -Akana: “Do you want me to carry you, Your Highness?”

  -Norik: “No, thank you, Akana. (That would be too embarrassing for me...)”

  -Undying: “Don't worry, there's a village called Orpin near where we are now. We can spend the night there.”

  -Norik: “*whew* That’s a good thing...”

  Rendell lets out a small laugh:

  -Rendell: “Not used to this?”

  -Norik: “Not really. However, I have to get used to it for Hagam's sake.” (I also want to improve my combat skills, I wonder if Undying could help me with that.)

  -Undying: “We've arrived... but what is happening?!”

  Upon arrival, the village was under attack, with people screaming and running desperately. The group hears a man shouting:

  - “TAKE ALL THE VALUABLE OBJECTS AND AS MANY LIVING PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE! THEY WILL MAKE GREAT SLAVES! HAHAHAHA!!”

  Undying rushes into the village to help those in danger, and the others follow under Norik's command. Akana reaches for her essence to transform, but one of the ruffians pulls out a red diamond-shaped object that blocks er transformation:

  -Akana: “WHAT?!”

  - “Bwahahaha! The boss will be happy when he hears we captured a dragon!”

  Stunned, the ruffian takes the opportunity to strike her, but Undying pushes her to the right and gets hit in the left arm:

  -Akana: (She protected me?! But why?!)

  -Norik: “UNDYING!”

  The assassin grabs her knife and attacks the ruffian's neck. Rendell quickly rushes over and heals her wound:

  -Undying: “Thank you, let's finish this quickly. I believe that if we defeat their leader, the ruffians will disperse quickly.”

  -Norik: “So we just keep defeating the ones we see until we find the leader.”

  They continue fighting the slavers they encounter along the way until they reach a small church, where they see a tall swordsman with short light brown hair, tanned skin, purple eyes, wearing a dark gray shirt, black pants, and a dark brown overcoat, fighting against the bandits alongside a red-haired young woman with straight hair tied in a beige tiara, dark brown eyes, white skin, and wearing a long white dress with long sleeves. Norik, Undying, Akana, and Rendell run to help them. One of the ruffians shouts:

  - “HAND OVER THE CHILDREN, NOW!”

  -Swordsman: “Die.”

  The swordsman easily slices through the thief’s chest, and seconds later, notices the arrival of the group and sees them fighting other bandits. The young woman approaches the swordsman:

  - “Keith, look! The Origin sent help!”

  -Keith: “Better that way, it'll be faster to get rid of this scum. Marin, stay here with the children.”

  -Marin: “No way! I'm coming along! The children will stay hidden in the church with the other caregivers! I can heal your wounds and theirs!”

  -Keith: “sighs Fine, but don’t get hurt.”

  After defeating all the ruffians near the church, Norik approaches Keith and Marin:

  -Norik: “Are you two alright?”

  -Marin: “Yes, thank you very much for helping us. I'm Marin, I work as a cleric in this church, and Keith is a mercenary who helps us financially.”

  -Norik: “Pleased to meet you. I'm Norik. Do you know where the leader of these ruffians is?”

  -Keith: “Probably in the central square, that's where I saw cages and a man dressed better than these bandits.”

  -Marin: “Please, we want to go together to end this chaos.”

  Norik agrees, and they all head to the central square. In the middle of it, a man of average height, light-skinned, bald, with a graying beard, surrounded by several armed ruffians, looks at the people inside the cage:

  -Undying: “There are about four or five people around him. It would be good to send someone to kill him while the others distract the bodyguards.”

  -Norik: “That’s a good plan. How’s your arm, Undying?”

  Upon hearing the name ‘Undying,’ Keith is surprised and asks:

  -Keith: “What is a famous assassin doing here?”

  -Undying: “Answering the first question: yes, my arm is a bit better thanks to Rendell, and I can kill him. As for the second: I’m fulfilling a contract.”

  -Norik: “I asked to know if you were alright. However, don’t overburden yourself, I can send someone else.”

  -Undying: “Don’t worry, a small wound won’t stop me from executing the plan.”

  -Rendell: “I think you should be more concerned about yourself, your legs look wobbly from all the walking and running.”

  -Norik: “I-I can do it! Are you all ready?” he said in an embarrassed tone.

  Everyone confirms they are ready and proceed to attack the group in the central square while Undying stealthily moves toward the ruffian leader. The fight ends when he falls to the ground in his own blood. The prince demands everyone lower their weapons, and the bandits comply out of fear. Keith throws the surviving ones into cages and frees the villagers who were imprisoned. A few minutes later, Akana approaches Undying:

  -Akana: “After everything I said… why did you protect me?”

  - Undying: “You’re not the first, and certainly won’t be the last, to judge me for being an assassin. Kradlos is full of people who think like you. Besides, I believe Hagam and Norik need someone to protect them.”

  -Akana: “I… really appreciate what you said, and I apologize for what I said. However, I still don’t understand why you don’t look at me.”

  -Undying: “I have my reasons for that. But… maybe one day, if possible, I’ll explain why. After all, this is the first time you’ve apologized for offending me.”

  Akana smiles and continues talking with Undying. Meanwhile, in another part of the central square, Rendell and Norik are having their own conversation:

  -Norik: “Are you alright, Rendell? You seem a little shaky.”

  -Rendell: “A-Ah yes! It’s my first time in a combat between people, so I’m wondering if I did the right thing, even though most of the villagers didn’t die…”

  Norik holds Rendell’s trembling hands:

  -Norik: “Rendell, I asked myself the same question when I fled from Hagam. What sustained me after killing an invading soldier were the words Undying told me: if I hesitate, the sacrifice of everyone in Hagam would be in vain. So, even though it’s painful, I must keep my determination firm so I can save Hagam.”

  -Rendell: “I sense sincerity in your words, Prince Norik. Despite our causes being different, I will continue to fight for what I believe in.”

  The prince is happy he managed to encourage Rendell, who then asks:

  -Rendell: “Now that you mention Undying, are you two close?”

  -Norik: “W-What?! N-No! I mean, she saved my life and has helped me a lot, but we don’t have that kind of relationship!” he said, embarrassed, letting go of Rendell’s hands.

  -Rendell: “No need to be embarrassed by the question. I only asked because, so far, Undying only looks face to face with you.”

  -Norik: “Huh? Seriously?”

  -Rendell: “Yes, at first, I thought it was just my impression, but after observing her during this recent attack, I realized she avoids looking directly at anyone else.”

  -Norik: “Well, I never noticed that. Could it be because I’m her employer?”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  -Rendell: “I don’t know, but if it’s for personal reasons, it’s best not to ask.”

  Marin approaches the two:

  -Marin: “Excuse me… we would really like to thank you for your help, so would you like to spend the night at the church? I’ll make a delicious roast chicken.”

  The two accept and call for Undying and Akana to go to the church. As Norik tries to take a step, he trips, and Rendell bends down to carry him while trying to stifle a laugh:

  -Marin: “Oh no! Are you alright?”

  -Norik: “I am, except I just discovered I’m really out of shape.”

  Rendell bursts into laughter, Undying and Akana approach the two, and Marin doesn’t understand what he meant. Upon arriving at the church, Rendell places Norik in a chair in the dining hall next to Undying:

  -Norik: “Undying, you did a great job today.”

  -Undying: “I just did what you told me to.”

  -Norik: “And you did it well. I’ve noticed you have a lot of combat experience. If it’s not too much trouble, could you teach me how to fight better?”

  -Undying: “I can, but first you need to rest. You won’t be able to train if you can’t stand up. I’ll wake you up a little before sunrise.”

  -Norik: “Alright, thanks a lot.”

  After dinner, Marin and Keith went to the kitchen to wash the dishes:

  -Marin: “It’s a relief that all the children are safe.”

  -Keith: “Yeah, if one of those idiots had taken any of them, I would never have forgiven myself.”

  -Marin: “Thankfully, the Origin sent help. Are you planning to leave tomorrow?”

  -Keith: “I’ll have to find another job to earn more money for the sake of everyone here.”

  -Marin: “Your donations help, Keith. However, the church also receives help from many people in Orpin. Though there’s something else that’s been worrying me…”

  -Keith: “About the slavers? The governor is already hiring outsiders to protect Orpin.”

  -Marin: “It’s not that. I’ve been feeling uneasy for months, like something eerie is about to consume Kradlos.”

  -Keith: “You’ve always been more sensitive to these things, Marin. It’s like you can read the ‘aura’ of the environment,” he said playfully.

  -Marin: “It may seem like a joke to you, but I intend to travel with the group that saved the village. I really want to understand what’s happening in Kradlos.”

  -Keith: “If you go, I’ll go with you.”

  -Marin: “Hm? What about your work?”

  -Keith: “You said there are other donors. I believe Norik could pay me a sum.”

  -Marin: “Well... fine,” she said, trying to hold back her laughter.

  Minutes later, they finish washing the dishes and return to their respective rooms. Hours pass, and Norik hears a familiar voice:

  -Undying: “Hey, wake up.”

  -Norik: “Just five more minutes…”

  -Undying: “Do you want to train or not?”

  -Norik: “Y-Yes, I do!”

  He quickly gets up, and the two head to the back of the church. They train until sunrise, with Undying mostly giving advice on Norik’s fighting style:

  -Undying: “You still have a lot to learn, but let’s stop now, the sun is rising. We still have to go where that crazy sorceress lives. Can you walk?”

  -Norik: “*huff* *huff *I think I can. *huff*”

  -Undying: “It would be the best if you can, because we have a long walk ahead.”

  She extends her right hand, and Norik gets up:

  -Norik: “If I may ask, why do you avoid eye contact with other people?”

  Undying looks surprised by the question:

  -Undying: “I have my personal reasons for that.”

  -Norik: (It’s best not to push, just like Rendell said. Still, I wish I could learn more about her.) “Ah, right. You really dislike slavers, the way you acted in the last battle made that clear.”

  -Undying: “Not just dislike, more like hatred… My birthplace was raided and burned by slavers. All the villagers were taken as slaves.”

  -Norik: “I-I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have asked you to recall such painful memories!”

  -Undying: “…That’s in the past. Besides, I’ve already gone after them to settle the score. Let’s eat something.”

  -Norik: “O-Okay…” (That explains the disgust in her voice when she talked about them and why she rushed to help the village before anyone else. Even though she says it’s in the past, she sounds so sad… Damn! I should have kept quiet!)

  After breakfast, Keith and Marin tell the prince they want to join the group. Norik is both surprised and happy:

  -Norik: “Welcome to the group!”

  -Keith: “Marin already mentioned this: I work as a mercenary and expect payment after you accomplish your goal.”

  -Norik: “Since we’re traveling together, can I settle the amount after I reclaim Hagam? I’m the prince who fled from there.”

  Both widen their eyes in surprise and apologize for addressing him so casually, especially Marin:

  -Norik: “No worries. I didn’t mention it due to yesterday’s chaos, but now that you’re part of the group, I should tell you we’re heading to the home of a sorceress near the ruins.”

  -Marin: “Is Your Highness referring to Lady Koldarin?”

  -Norik: “That’s her name?”

  -Marin: “Yes, she comes here sometimes to buy food. She’s a bit reclusive, so it might be difficult to talk to her.”

  -Norik: “Well, I need all the help I can get to reclaim Hagam, so I’ll try anyway.”

  -Keith: “At least you seem determined despite looking a bit tired.”

  -Norik: “Let’s say I had something to do earlier… Anyway, let’s go.”

  The group walks towards Koldarin’s house. After an hour, they arrive at a small cabin in a vast savanna with grayish-white ruins visible in the distance. Norik knocks on the door, but there is no response. He knocks again, and still nothing:

  -Norik: “Could she have left?”

  Just as he finishes speaking, they hear voices. Looking into the distance, they see three Grinus soldiers. Alarmed, Undying whispers:

  -Undying: “We’ll have to deal with them first before finding her. Let’s take advantage of the fact that they haven’t noticed us and launch an ambush.”

  Everyone agrees and takes their positions. Undying throws her knife, hitting one of them in the head. Akana strikes another from behind with her spear, while Norik and Keith surprise the last soldier, who is shocked by what happened to the others. Though they manage to eliminate them, more soldiers arrive and spot their fallen comrades. They surround the group, and Norik desperately wonders how to get out of the situation. Just then, lightning bolts strike the soldiers, knocking them down, and a tall woman with long, wavy dark red hair, black eyes, fair skin, wearing a navy blue strapless dress with a medium slit at the legs, and carrying a large black bag on her back emerges from the trees.

  -Marin: “It’s Koldarin!”

  -Koldarin: “I recognize you, but not the others. You don’t seem to be from Grinus…”

  Before Norik can introduce himself, shouts erupt:

  - “FIND THE SORCERESS!”

  -Koldarin: “More of them? How annoying.”

  Koldarin pulls a dark purple essence from her bag and transforms into a large dragon of the same color, with sharp black horns. One of the soldiers tries to use a red device, but it fails. Koldarin swiftly ends the battle by breathing out gray flames. Everyone, except Undying, stares in shock at what they just witnessed until Akana speaks:

  -Akana: “I can’t believe dark dragons still exist.”

  -Undying: “Dark dragon?”

  -Akana: “Humans and dwarves don’t know about them. Around six thousand years ago, dark dragons attempted to overthrow the Origin, enraging her, which led to their annihilation. This event was called ‘Judgment.’”

  -Norik: “After that, light dragons basically ruled over the other dragons of Kradlos. However, if she is one of them, are there more dark dragons alive?”

  Koldarin returns to her human form and hears the chatter about her. She approaches the group:

  -Koldarin: “Are my unexpected visitors talking about me?”

  -Norik: “Er, yes! I mean, no!”

  Akana steps between Norik and Koldarin.

  -Akana: “Stop, you dark dragon! You won’t harm His Highness!”

  -Koldarin: “Oh, I see a lack of discernment. First, if you recognize me as a dark dragon, then I already know you are ancient beings—meaning elves or dragons. Second, since you called him ‘His Highness,’ and you’re neither human nor elf, I assume he is the prince of Hagam?”

  Undying steps in:

  -Undying: “Enough! He’s not here to cause trouble—he’s here to ask for your help!”

  -Koldarin: “That voice… Undying, is that you? ?”

  -Undying: “YES, IT’S ME, AND STAY AWAY FROM ME BEFORE I SEND YOU TO THE AFTERLIFE!”

  Everyone stares, dumbfounded, at the rather comedic scene as Undying flees and Koldarin runs (or prances?) after her:

  -Norik: “Now I understand why Undying said she’s not quite right in the head.”

  -Akana: “Your Highness, are you really going to recruit her?”

  -Norik: “Unfortunately, I can’t be picky in this time of need. At least I think she won’t cause trouble while Undying is with us.”

  -Akana: “R-Right.”

  Undying manages to evade Koldarin by hiding behind Norik. He asks the sorceress if she can help him.

  -Koldarin: “If Undying is coming along, then I’ll go. But are you sure? Your Highness knows what I am.”

  -Norik: “Yes, I do. Also, are there more dark dragons alive?”

  -Koldarin: “No, I am the sole survivor. Now, whether you believe me or not is up to you.”

  -Marin: “Uh… Koldarin? Is that why you’ve lived in isolation here? Because you’re a dark dragon?”

  -Koldarin: “Oh, darling, no. I have my own reasons for living near the ruins.”

  -Keith: “I used to think you were antisocial, but now you just seem crazy.”

  Marin steps on Keith’s foot to scold him for his rudeness:

  -Rendell: “I think we should take advantage of the daylight and head back to Orpin to decide our next destination.”

  -Koldarin: “Alright, but first, let me grab my things!”

  While Koldarin is inside, the others chat:

  -Keith: “Did you notice how her attitude completely changed? She was defensive earlier, and now she seems like the most cheerful person in Kradlos.”

  -Marin: “Maybe it’s because she saw Undying?”

  -Norik: “Speaking of which, I think you can come out from behind me now, Undying.”

  -Undying: “Ugh, I’ll have to stay a kilometer away from her.”

  Everyone chuckles lightly, and Akana asks sarcastically:

  -Akana: “Is this worse than the insults?”

  -Undying: “Much worser.”

  The two continue talking jovially. Norik notices Akana’s shift in tone with Undying and smiles. Minutes later, Koldarin emerges, ready, and the group heads back to Orpin. The prince approaches Akana:

  -Norik: “I’m glad you’re being friendlier with Undying.”

  -Akana: “Well, it would be rude of me after everything she’s done. Besides, she’s not a bad person, despite being an assassin.”

  -Norik: “Glad to see you’re opening your mind.”

  -Akana: “That’s something this journey has done. Though I’ve accepted her, two things still trouble me: that device that prevented my transformation and Koldarin.”

  -Norik: “True, but I think as long as Undying is around, I beelieve she won’t plot anything.”

  Akana remains deep in thought. Meanwhile, Rendell and Keith converse:

  -Keith: “You’re an elf, aren’t you?”

  -Rendell: “Huh, what?!”

  -Keith: “I haven’t seen you wield a weapon—just healing others in the last two battles. Marin doesn’t use weapons because she chooses not to, but that’s her decision alone.”

  -Rendell: “I really can’t hide this from battle companions… Yes, I’m an elf.”

  -Keith: “It’s dangerous for an elf to live outside Ydillia. A slaver could easily capture you.”

  -Rendell: “I appreciate your concern, but I’m here to fulfill a promise I made a long time ago.”

  -Keith: “A promise? With whom?”

  -Rendell: “I-I’d rather not say…” he replied, embarrassed, leaving Keith behind. Marin saw and approached Keith.

  -Marin: “Keith! What did you say now?”

  -Keith: “I think I touched a nerve.”

  She scolds him, but no one notices Undying’s sour expression as Koldarin calls out to her repeatedly:

  -Undying: “Agh! Why do you bother me so much?!”

  -Koldarin: “Well, you remind me of a generous person who helped me a lot.”

  -Undying: “What? First, you’ve never seen my face, so you don’t know if I resemble this person. Second, I’m not generous—I forgot what that even means a long time ago,” she said angrily, walking away from Koldarin.

  -Koldarin: “Hmm… I may not have seen your face, but your voice is exactly like hers. Also… you seem to treat the prince so differently. I wish you treated me that way,” she said sadly.

  The group arrives at the church at sunset, where they rest and have dinner. Norik stands outside, contemplating the number of people he’s recruited and what his next step should be. However, without noticing, a shadow approaches him, gags him, and knocks him unconscious, carrying the prince away. Undying notices Norik’s absence, and when she looks for him, she realizes that everyone else is asleep. Suddenly, an overwhelming unease grips her, and when she steps outside, she spots subtle traces of a kidnapping. She stomps on the ground, mutters, “Damn it!” and rushes to wake the others. Undying would return to the hell she thought she had left behind: Eflessia.