The first day staying at Agis's house. This morning, Agis was preparing to leave for the palace, while I would remain here for the ti being, waiting for news from him once he resud his duties.
"So every soldier gets two days off every three months?" I asked. The sun had not yet risen, and I was easily startled when I saw Agis already dressed in his soldier's uniform.
"Yes. The palace only allows two days of leave every three months. If the leave isn't taken, it can be converted into money. But this ti, I've been away from my sister for too long, so I chose not to take the money," he explained.
"You work too hard, in my opinion," I said. He only chuckled softly.
"If there's no news from the palace by tomorrow, I'll send you a letter. It should arrive in a day or two," he said. I nodded imdiately.
"Sorry if that troubles you," I said, but he shook his head with a faint smile.
"You helped . This is the debt I have to repay." After that, he kissed his sister's forehead and prepared to leave.
"Lany, can you take care of yourself and the house?" I asked. Lany nodded.
"Yes, I can!" she replied firmly, sounding far more mature than her age.
"You're leaving her… alone?" I asked worriedly as Agis was about to go.
"Yes. Our aunt cos here once a week to check on her," Agis replied. His explanation made fall silent for a mont.
"She's still very young. Can she really take care of herself?" I asked anxiously, but Agis didn't answer.
"I can take care of myself. I can survive on my own," Lany said proudly. I looked at her, estimating her age.
Isn't she about the sa age as Lira? I murmured softly, then nodded to myself.
"All right, I'll be going now. If sothing urgent happens, co to the palace imdiately," Agis said. Lany kissed his right cheek.
"I'll wait for you here, big brother!" she said, waving as Agis slowly left the house.
"Co inside!" she invited , and I followed.
"Aren't there wild animals around here?" I asked, still worried. Lany, who was eating, stopped briefly.
"There are no wild animals here. That's why my brother can leave and work," she said, then continued eating.
I looked around. The house seed deliberately designed—only two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room—which made think they weren't originally from this place.
"Are you from the human clan?" I asked hesitantly.
"No!"
"Y-Yes… I'm from the human clan."
Her hesitant answer made it clear that she was hiding sothing.
"I am human. I can live just like normal humans," she added. My eyes narrowed slightly. Her words suggested otherwise, but I simply nodded.
"Have you lived here long?" I asked.
"Yes. I've lived here since I was born."
"And your parents—" Before I could finish, Lany cut off, and I pressed my lips together.
"Let's just eat. I'm going to collect firewood in the forest. Do you want to co?" she asked. I nodded, having nothing else to do—and hoping to learn more about her slowly.
After preparing, we headed into the forest to gather firewood and whatever food we could find.
Lany was already ready, carrying a bundle on her back. "Are you sure there are no wild animals around here?" I asked again. She shook her head.
"There aren't. If you're scared, just stay here. I'll go alone," she said, sounding annoyed after I repeatedly tried to stop her.
"When did your brother leave you?" I asked. She paused, tapping her chin lightly.
"Since I was seven years old."
"How old are you now?" I asked curiously.
"Secret," she replied with a wide grin, showing her baby teeth.
"You're quite a clever negotiator for a child," I said. She laughed brightly.
We walked far from the house, and indeed, there were no signs of wild animals—no large tracks, no dangerous traces. The air was cool, and Lany gathered firewood while I helped and kept watch.
Still, I felt as if soone was watching us. Yet I couldn't see anyone.
They're still following … or watching .
"Do you feel anything strange right now?" I asked, crouching beside Lany as she picked mushrooms.
"Let's hurry and pull these mushrooms out so we can go ho," she said, ignoring my concern.
"I'm serious. I think soone's watching us," I insisted. She shook her head, continuing to gather mushrooms.
"Watch out—!"
Srakk!
Jlebb!
"Ahh—!"
An arrow flew past , nearly hitting Lany. I imdiately rolled toward her, pulling her out of the line of fire.
"Who was that?" I asked sharply. Lany looked shocked.
"B-big brother… who was that?" she asked. I shrugged—I couldn't see anyone.
"Show yourself!" I shouted. No answer—only another arrow that narrowly missed my leg.
"Damn it…" I cursed, scanning the area while drawing the dagger I had brought for protection. I hadn't expected this—these attackers were clearly targeting .
"Do you have enemies? Is that why they're attacking us?" Lany asked cautiously.
"I… don't," I said, unsure whether they were demons.
Another arrow flew. We quickly hid behind a tree.
"You're clearly lying!" she said.
I ignored her and kept watching. When I spotted a figure, I imdiately threw my dagger. It struck his chest, and he fell.
Crash!
"Argh—!"
My dagger had hit its mark. The others realized my position. I prepared myself.
Srekkk!
Srekkk!
Srekkk!
Srekkk!
Several arrows flew, barely missing . I grabbed Lany's shoulders.
"Lany, it's not safe. Hide and don't let them see you," I said firmly, scanning the surroundings.
"Let help you!" she said, looking at with innocent determination.
I shook my head gently. "No. This is my problem. They're after . I won't let Agis worry because you got hurt because of ."
I stepped out of hiding. Lany looked at , fear clearly in her eyes.
I moved quietly—then suddenly soone blocked my path. He wore a mask.
"You—"
He attacked imdiately. I deflected his strike without hesitation. Three masked n surrounded .
The fight was fierce. They were clearly trained, forcing to parry consecutive attacks from all three as the battle escalated.
Several tis, they nearly struck my chest and legs. But I managed to defend myself and evade all of their attacks.
"It seems they're not ordinary people," I muttered softly as I succeeded in bringing one of them down.
"Attack."
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