<hr>


    Chapter 4: My White Moonlight


    <hr>


    As the sun graced the earth with its light, the mesmerizing clear blue sky brought a sense of serenity to those who dared to see its beauty.


    Adira leaned back, the ornate patterns of the chair pressing gently into her back, their intricate carvings offering a delicate, almost soothing sensation.


    She took a sip from the teacup cradled in her hands, the warmth of the tea wrapping around her in a comforting embrace.


    This is peace on earth, she mused, as the serene quiet of the garden enveloped her, leaving no room for doubt that such moments of calm could only exist in places untouched by time.


    Wait… Peace?


    Her little sister and brother came running toward her, their faces alight with joy, smiles wide and unrestrained. Adira''s brow furrowed in confusion—how could this be?


    “Lady” they spoke at the same time.


    Adira was even more confused, why did their voices sound so mature?


    They spoke again. "Young lady... young lady, wake up."


    Suddenly, the faces of the two began to dissolve into a haze, her vision blurring as the scene before her shifted abruptly.


    The vibrant hues of the sky and the lush greenery she had been admiring vanished, swallowed by a suffocating darkness.


    "...What was that?" she murmured, bewildered.


    The vivid scene that had unfolded mere moments ago left a lingering sense of unease. It had all been nothing more than a dream.


    But a good dream…?


    "Young lady, are you all right?" a voice asked. It was soft, yet each word carried a monotone quality, devoid of warmth or emotion.


    Adira instinctively reached for her forehead, her fingers brushing against a damp towel plastered there.


    "What happened?" she asked, her voice hoarse with confusion.


    "You have what humans call a fever." the woman replied, her tone oddly flat. " Your eyes too… appear to have worsened. Why didn’t you take off your clothes when you were soaking wet?"


    Adira was still dumbfounded, the words she heard not fully registering. Her thoughts remained occupied with the lingering memory of such a comforting dream.


    Gradually, reality began to settle in as her awareness returned: she had been saved once more... by a complete stranger!


    Is it normal for Easterners to help strangers so selflessly without any regard for their own safety? Adira wondered, her thoughts circling back to the prejudices she''d grown up hearing.


    The people of the Empire often mocked Easterners, dismissing them as backward outsiders.


    Their lands, far removed from the grandeur of the Capital, were seen as an afterthought—only part of the Empire due to the Emperor’s success in conquering the throne. Without his claim, the East would have remained a "poor" foreign nation in their eyes.


    The nobles, steeped in their arrogance, had no love for diversity, despite the new system that allowed all manner of people to enter their circles and mingle with them.


    They elevated their own culture, their own bloodlines, to the pinnacle of society, dismissing everything else as inferior.


    This sentiment only deepened with the Emperor''s origins being from the mainland—an irony not easily ignored.


    To them, the East was nothing more than a footnote in their grand narrative.


    Having experienced the kindness and hospitality of these people herself—the moment she set foot in this land—Adira felt a strong sense of duty towards them.


    The toxic mindset she once held desperately needs to change.


    Despite her lack of desire for discrimination, the expectations of such notions had been ingrained in her from years of imperial conditioning by her noble peers. It clung to her thoughts like stubborn shadows.


    It wasn’t hatred she harbored, but the weight of those beliefs, so deeply rooted, was hard to shake, it was annoying. They colored her perspective, even when her heart longed to rise above such prejudice.


    Yet she felt a sense of relief as she gradually shed these ingrained thoughts; exploring was indeed a profound way to learn about a nation’s culture and way of life.


    "Hey," the woman called out, snapping Adira from her wandering thoughts.


    "Hm?" Adira responded absentmindedly, then recalled the question she''d been asked earlier. "Oh. Yeah, I forgot."


    Now fully awake, Adira found herself curious. What is a woman doing outside the barrier?


    Her thoughts drifted back to Old Lady Leafa, and with a pang of regret, she realized she''d never asked for the woman’s name. At the time, she had been so overwhelmed with gratitude for the help she’d received that the thought hadn’t crossed her mind.


    Now, sitting next to this new stranger, that same sense of indebtedness crept over her. She resolved not to repeat her past mistake.


    "May I know your name, young lady?" Adira asked.


    "I''m..." She paused, her voice faltering slightly, as if caught in a moment of hesitation. "I''m Fiona."


    Adira found it strange, but she chose not to press further. There must have been a personal reason for the hesitation, and prying wasn’t her cup of tea.


    "Why are you outside the barrier?" Adira asked, her voice laced with concern. "It’s not safe here. Help won’t come easily, especially since you''re far from the people."


    "I live here." Fiona replied simply.


    Suspicion flared in but Adira made sure not to betray any hint of it on her face.


    To be honest, she was wary of Fiona. She couldn''t help but wonder if she might be a wraith, for all she knew.


    Wraiths despised sunlight, their natural habitat usually dark caves or shadowed places. The fact that Fiona was here, in a cave, didn’t seem like a coincidence.


    "It’s not safe for a lady like you to stay here. You should head back to the village." Adira’s tone carried an edge of unease, though she couldn’t help but recognize the irony—after all, she was a lady, too, and alone as well.


    In another''s eyes, both of them would appear... suspicious.


    "I can’t. The farmer is gone." She replied almost nonchalantly, brushing aside Adira’s words as though they held little weight.


    "Farmer?"


    "Yes, I live in the farmer''s house, but he''s not there anymore. There''s no reason to stay, so I came back here."


    Adira paused, mulling over Fiona’s words. So, that explains why there’s wood all over the cave... She must’ve arranged it herself.


    Though curiosity tugged at her, Adira decided to let it go. Everyone had their own reasons for venturing into the unknown, and truth be told, she was too lightheaded and too confused to pursue the matter further.


    After all, Fiona technically lived here. If anyone was out of place, it was Adira. In a way, she was the one trespassing.


    Who am I to judge? she thought.


    With a nod, Adira murmured, "...I see." laughing inwardly as she seized the perfect opportunity to use those words.


    " You... Nevermind."


    Fiona seemed like a normal person. Wraiths usually couldn''t speak the human tongue, though some exceptionally powerful ones could mimic human behavior.


    If that were the case, the resentment and energy they carried would leak out, and Adira would instantly feel it—a prickling sensation, especially with how close they were.


    But there was nothing about Fiona that felt off.


    Adira sat up and noticed that the clothes she was wearing were already dry. She asked out of nowhere, "Does this cave have its own core?"


    "Core?"


    "Yes. It emits a bright light. Do you see anything floating around nearby or outside?"


    “No,” Fiona said, glancing around. “I don’t see anything.”


    Adira found it strange that the cave lacked a core. Usually, a place so untouched and secluded would attract monsters, or at least have some kind of natural protection—an aura, a guardian, or something to deter intruders. But this cave was unsettlingly silent, devoid of any of the usual dangers that typically lurked in the shadows.


    How could something so exposed remain so undisturbed? It didn’t make sense.


    Fiona began rummaging through her sack. "You should eat first. Your complexion is sickly pale.”


    “Can you pass it to me?”Adira stretched out her hand, opening her palm, waiting.“ Many thanks!”


    Without a second thought, Fiona grasped her hand and placed something that smelled like food in it. Her warm hand confirmed Adira’s assumption: she was definitely human.


    Weird, weird, weird… oh well!


    If something didn’t make sense, then it’s probably best to leave it alone. Adira is not a hero, and she certainly isn’t about to go on some wild goose chase trying to unravel a mystery that didn’t concern her. If she is safe, then she is safe—that’s all that mattered.


    The rice dumpling Fiona placed in Adira''s hand had almost no scent, yet Adira could smell it from here—her hunger must have been more intense than she realized.


    She ate, dismissing the many theories she had come up with about the mysterious cave. She realized it was all useless, without any real evidence to back it up.


    ‘Finding evidence is so difficult, especially now that I’m blind... I can’t even trust what I feel or hear anymore.’ Sigh... Adira thought. ‘It just reminds me how reliant I was on my eyes. The saying holds true for the body as well… you only recognize the value of something once it’s lost.


    Wanting to break the silence between them, Adira asked absentmindedly as she munched on her food, "How long have you been living here?"


    "A long time now." Fiona replied calmly.


    "How old are you?"


    "I don’t know the year of my birth."


    "Oh..." Adira tilted her head, trying to make sense of Fiona’s answer, this case isn''t really uncommon so she proceeded to ask once more. "Have you seen any ghouls or monsters nearby during your stay?"


    "Not that I know of, no."


    Fiona’s calm responses only spurred Adira to ask more. "So... Who’s the farmer?"


    She slapped herself mentally, her curiosity taking over. Prying was not supposed to be her cup of tea!


    "The farmer is the one who plows the field," Fiona added simply. "He is my husband."


    "...?" Adira paused, then carefully asked, "Is he... on a journey or something?"


    "No."


    "..."


    A heavy silence fell between them until Fiona spoke again. "Do you have any wishes?"


    Adira raised both her brows, taken aback by the unexpected question. The silence between them grew heavy, and Adira could feel the intensity of Fiona’s stare, which made her a bit uneasy.


    After a moment of thought, she replied, "No. I don’t really believe in wishes. Why?"


    Fiona murmured to herself, as though deep in thought. "Really? I don’t quite comprehend..."


    “What do you mean?”


    "People love making wishes," Fiona continued her voice soft yet firm. "People have infinite desires, always longing for more, even when they have enough."


    Well, Adira did have things she wanted, but it wasn’t as if they could be undone. A life lost is forever lost.


    A simple wish couldn’t even be granted for food—how could it possibly bring back a life?


    Speaking of life—The unease in Adira grew. She hurriedly asked, "Have you seen the cubs?"


    "The ground was cold," Fiona said softly, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. "So I took them somewhere safe and warm."


    Adira exhaled in relief. Fiona had been here long enough to know the area well, and from the way she carried herself, it seemed she had everything under control.


    At least the cubs are safe now, Adira thought, her shoulders relaxing slightly.


    Hopefully, the mother hadn’t turned aggressive when Fiona moved them. Time had passed, and everything seemed fine now—so all was well.


    " Do you really have no wish at all?" Fiona asked again, her voice now serious, as if searching for something deeper.


    Adira’s brow furrowed. "No... What’s with all the talk about wishes? What are you, my fairy godmother?"


    Fiona ignored her, instead muttering to herself, "The farmer said kindness begets kindness. If you don’t have a wish, then what should I do?"


    Adira caught the last part, but she was completely puzzled. What did that even mean?


    Fiona seemed as though she was the one who was indebted, yet Adira was the one who had received help the moment she woke up. Why, then, did it feel as though Fiona was the one offering kindness?


    "I need to go out and understand people," Fiona said, rising to her feet with an air of quiet determination. "You should stay here and rest. I will return immediately as soon as I’m done."


    “Huh?” Dumbfounded, Adira could only nod, once again speechless and baffled by Fiona’s strange behavior.


    "Stay," Fiona said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    “Yes!”


    Fiona turned and walked toward the cave’s entrance. The sound of her footsteps echoed faintly against the stone walls.


    Adira listened to her leave, the enigmatic statement lingering in her mind. Understand people? What kind of life had this woman lived to speak of understanding others with such resolve?


    As the sound of Fiona’s steps faded into the distance, Adira lay back down, her thoughts swirling with questions she wasn’t sure she wanted answers to.


    For reasons she could not fully comprehend, Adira had developed an affinity for this peculiar notion of venturing out to understand others whenever she felt ‘distressed.’


    As she waited, she realized she had forgotten to ask Fiona how long she had been asleep.


    Should I follow her...?


    The word "Stay" echoed in her brain, lingering like a command she couldn''t shake off.


    “...”


    Yes, I should wait. I haven’t properly thanked her yet. She may be odd, but that doesn’t make her bad. She’s just… herself, I suppose? Also I am a blind patient, who knows which direction she went.


    <hr>


    Bored out of her wits, Adira''s sense of time became distorted. She could no longer tell how long she had been waiting for Fiona, nor whether it was day or night outside.


    Suddenly, the sound of leaves crunching and twigs snapping echoed in the distance.


    Has Fiona finished her research?


    However, unlike the gentle crunch of a lady''s footsteps weaving through the forest, the noise she heard—though faint—was so pronounced that even within the cave, it felt as if a multitude of feet were stomping on the ground, careful yet deliberate.


    In the absence of sight, her senses had sharpened, making every sound seem more vivid, more immediate.


    Those were not the simple footsteps of a lady or a grandma. The metallic clink and the heaviness of the steps were unmistakably familiar.


    Then it dawned on her:


    They’re here.


    She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, her palm stiffening with resolve. Though she hadn’t expected them to catch up so soon, she couldn’t deny the possibility—if he was there, then anything was possible.


    After a moment of mental preparation, she stepped outside the cave, standing tall and ready to confront whatever awaited her.


    The faces of the men gathered behind a tall, elegant figure clad in a white military garments—contrasting sharply with those behind him in heavy armor and equipment—were scrunched in disdain.


    These towering, battle-hardened men seemed to shrink in the shadow of the handsome figure who stood at the forefront with an air of serene authority. His unassuming demeanor, combined with his saintly visage, only amplified the absurdity of the situation, making their imposing frames appear almost laughably out of place behind him.


    “It’s her! It’s really her!


    “Be careful! She has traps everywhere! One wrong move and the threads will slice you to pieces!”


    "General! What are your commands, sir?"


    Adira’s mind raced as she overheard the chaos unfolding around her. She couldn’t help but wonder—was this the Divine General or the Lady General? Both were legends in their own right, their names so renowned that they were destined to be etched into the annals of the Empire’s history.


    The Divine General, a figure of purity, the one foretold by the gods to ascend to the heavens. Loved and worshipped by the empire ever since the prophecy was revealed, his presence seemed to command both awe and reverence.


    On the other hand, there was the Lady General, famed for defying the odds and smashing the deeply entrenched belief that women were weaker than men. She had conquered battlefields, shattered the taboo, and exceeded expectations with every victory. Her name had become synonymous with strength, intelligence, and resilience.


    Both were individuals Adira greatly admired, yet neither were considered friends in the traditional sense—though they had always treated her as one.


    "General Cain!" one of the men called out.


    That settled it—General Cain, the Bearer of Light, the savior foretold in the prophecy.


    Adira remained still, a sense of ease washing over her. The weight of her burdens felt lighter, as if in that moment she had found a rare ally—one whose unwavering commitment to righteousness resonated deeply within her, igniting a flicker of hope in her heart.


    It might seem strange for someone on the brink of condemnation, but to Adira, standing in the presence of the Bearer of Light felt like being in the eye of a storm.


    As if, with him around, everything could somehow be set right.


    She had always admired the legend of the man, the beacon of hope who had been raised above all to represent the purity of the empire’s cause.


    Now, here he was, in the flesh, present for her final act of play. Strangely enough, it felt like a profound relief, akin to the anticipation of waiting for a cherished guest to arrive at a momentous occasion—only to find that they had indeed come.


    Her hands rested lightly above the hilt of her sword, fingers absently circling its handle. The makeshift support of wood had now been replaced by the sword, its steel sunk deep into the earth—its firm presence an anchor against the rising tension around her.


    Still, she kept her posture steady, unwavering, determined not to let a flicker of weakness show.


    "Give us your commands, General!" they begged, their voices tinged with desperation.


    The General remained silent, his stillness heightening the tension among his men. His eyes remained fixed on the woman before him, while those behind him appeared like dogs, trembling with fear.


    One soldier could no longer contain his agitation; he charged forward, brandishing his sword above his head. “I’m going to kill you—you wretched witch!”


    The sound of taut strings made them flinch.


    “The Kandata! Watch out!”


    “It’s out!”


    “Her demonic strings are out!”


    “You demon!”


    The silvery threads shimmered in the sunlight, almost invisible but gleaming with lethal sharpness.


    They twisted and coiled around the trees before striking, ensnaring the man’s body in a deadly embrace. He was lifted off the ground, his shriek cutting through the air as his eyes squeezed shut in terror.


    Adira moved her hands with a deliberate grace, as if orchestrating a dark ballet. She pressed her fingers into the earth, digging deep until she felt a firm connection beneath.


    The man, lifted in mid-air, resembled a spider’s prey caught in its web, helpless and trapped.


    Withdrawing her hand, she severed the flow of mana coursing through her fingers and unleashed another wave of threads.


    The soldier’s desperate struggle only fueled the tension in the air. His body twisted and jerked in midair as the silvery threads constricted tighter, their gleaming sharpness digging into his armor.


    Realizing that it could dig into his flesh, the man screamed for help! His voice echoed in the otherwise silent clearing, a shrill, panicked sound that sent a chill through the hearts of those watching.


    He must be scared out of his wits right now, Adira mused, a laugh bubbling up inside her. “You came all the way from the Empire to show me such clumsy swordplay?” The words slipped from her lips, laced with playful mockery.


    The effortless way she controlled the strings, like a puppet master toying with her prey, made her words all the more cutting.


    The men behind General Cain flinched.


    “ Don’t fool us! We know you’re blind already!”


    “...” If she could only roll her eyes. No shit? Blind or not, her eyes were covered—how could she possibly see?


    The line she had thrown out to provoke them was completely improvised, and she hadn''t anticipated such an intense response.


    Discarding the other embarrassing lines that had been swirling in her mind, she realized they would have fallen flat anyway. It would have been a blast to say, but with their level of comprehension, it would''ve just sounded like empty air.


    Adira heard them arguing, begging the General for his word, but some of the men—like fire beneath their feet—rushed toward her, roaring as they unsheathed their swords, shouting. “DIE, YOU WITCH!”The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    In response, she unleashed her threads with a newfound intensity, the shimmering strands cascading from her fingertips like a torrent of silk. With a swift leap, she executed a graceful butterfly kick, her body twisting in mid-air to evade the recoil as the threads grew heavier.


    They wrapped around the knights, binding them in a web of shimmering light that glinted ominously from the sun''s rays.


    She tightened her grip, a sharp ache radiating through her arm from the strain. These men were heavier than she had anticipated!


    Her threads had never been designed for carrying anything—or anyone, for that matter. Her physique was not built for such burdens; they were always intended for one purpose: swift, deadly precision.


    This time, Adira knew she had ensnared eleven knights in mid-air, their heavy armor weighing them down. Yet she sensed the sound and heat in the air from her threads vibrating softly; there were still more where the General stood.


    Just how many of them did they bring!?


    She had no idea how to make the group disperse, especially since she couldn’t see how many remained. But then, a mischievous idea sparked in her mind, a smirk spreading across her face.


    This is one that could set them all off, like a firecracker, making smoke come out of their noses and asses.


    “That’s right, I’m blind,” she called out, her voice dripping with mockery. “But aren’t you embarrassed to say that? This blind woman took down eleven of you... Were those armors so heavy that you threw aside your wits to lighten your load?”


    She spoke high and mighty, rubbing salt on their wounded ego. While doing so, she sneakily connected her threads to the trees, stretching it out as far as she could, producing sharp screeching sounds as it glided along the bark.


    Each thin fiber burrowed deep into the wood, securing itself tightly, leaving a mark. The threads are so thin that one might momentarily mistake it for the glint of sunlight.


    Sensing the knights'' eagerness to charge, their sharp and insulting remarks whispered under their breath, Adira stoked the flames further.


    “You might want to reconsider your approach,” she said teasingly, her voice laced with menace, a wicked grin curling at her lips. “I’m not someone who can be threatened by the swords of mere weak pawns.” Each word was deliberately chosen, emphasizing her confidence and triggering the knights even further.


    As expected, the knights were fuming—like an open book! Such simple-minded men! From her position, she could hear many of them unsheathing their swords.


    Adira could hardly believe it. These men were tarnishing the reputation of their General! Knowing him, he was accustomed to working alone, yet the Emperor must have ordered him to bring these incompetent knights along. What a disappointment to the Empire!


    She couldn’t comprehend how such foolishness could accompany a man of his caliber!


    However, there was no time to criticize such incompetent men. With swift movements, Adira knotted the threads on her fingers to the strands anchored in the ground, securing her grip.


    The knights and soldiers watching could only gaze in awe at the woman they had branded as the Witch, marveling at her display of power.


    Yet, beneath their admiration lay a keen awareness of the danger lurking nearby. They readied themselves in battle stances, their senses heightened and eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of threat.


    The threads were thin and sharp, invisible to the eye, the very things that had led to the complete massacre of an entire city!


    The entrance of the cave now resembled a spider’s den, with silvery strands connecting one tree to another.


    They gleamed beautifully in the sunlight, creating an almost ethereal scene; however, Adira remained oblivious to this picturesque tableau, standing still at its center as if she were the focal point of a haunting masterpiece.


    The eleven knights hanging mid-air resembled butterflies caught in a trap. Their curses—loud and profane—echoed around them; if the gods were listening, their ears would surely bleed!


    Such profanities in the presence of the Bearer of Light! Did you not consider that the man favored by the gods might report you all, leading us to meet each other equally in hell because of your stupidity!?


    “Enough!” A firm, commanding voice cut through the chaos, freezing everyone in place.


    Adira felt a twinge of nervousness. Not because she’s the only one on the opposing side, well partly, it’s mainly because it’s the first time she had heard him show such an emotion, and it almost made her feel small!


    Truly the wrath of the gods is a storm you don''t want to weather!


    “Do not unsheathe your swords. There’s no need for any more bloodshed,” the silent General finally spoke more than one word. His voice low and deep, each word pronounced clearly and with unwavering authority.


    The words spoken by millions found justice in his tone. Some might perceive his voice as cold, but to her, it had always been euphonious.


    After all, this man rarely spoke but when he did, it was a rarity indeed.


    The sound of leaves crunching signaled someone stepping forward, but Adira''s guard remained steady, her senses not betraying any hint of alarm.


    “The Emperor had ordered us to capture you; it would be wise to surrender,” General Cain declared, his voice steady, “The Pope will determine whether you pose a danger to the Empire.”


    Anxiety gripped Adira. The last time she had encountered Cain was before he entered his long seclusion. This was the General who had withdrawn from the world after being blessed by the gods—a figure shrouded in holiness, revered by many as the divine savior sent to rid the world of evil.


    Yet here he stood, remaining lenient in the face of evil, his gaze steady and unwavering.


    She understood that Cain held a strong belief in justice, striving to view both sides equally. The expectations placed upon him by the masses weighed heavily, just as her own burdens pressed down on her.


    After all, he was seen as the epitome of goodness—an individual destined to become a god.


    But surrendering and being given the chance for a trial was nonsense to everyone she had wronged! It was already outrageous that the order wasn’t kill on sight. Had the Emperor lost all concern for his crown? Or was this General unaware of the full extent of her evil deeds?


    Her father and the Emperor may have been close friends—brothers in all but blood—but this was beyond foolish!


    The knights voiced their objections loudly:


    “General Cain, please think this through!”


    “We must bring justice to the people of Solara!”


    “The Emperor commanded us to bring her back dead or alive! It doesn’t matter if she dies here! The people will celebrate if we deliver her body to the plaza and burn it before their eyes!”


    “Have pity on the families of the fallen, General!”


    “Evil must be vanquished!”


    Voices of dismay surrounded him; still, he remained silent.


    Knowing him as she did, Adira was certain he wouldn’t kill her and was likely intent on bringing her back alive—perhaps to give her testimony to the public?


    A soon-to-be god’s reasoning eluded her comprehension. Nevertheless, Adira knew how stubborn this man could be based on past experiences.


    Without hesitation, she unleashed a flurry of super-fine threads and swiftly bolted away. She might as well execute her plan now, before the General had a chance to drag her back to the Empire.


    "Catch me!" she called over her shoulder, a sarcastic smile plastered on her face. "If you can."


    Nervous from her lack of sight, she hoped she wouldn’t smash into a tree mid-air. Her threads served as her only guide, but in the back of her mind, she feared she might collide with something unknown.


    She aimed to separate the General from his men, knowing that her plan was now in motion. Using her threads to navigate through the area, she sprinted past trees with astonishing speed, moving as if weightless.


    Though it appeared seamless, she was actually consuming more mana than usual. At this rate, she would run out within five minutes, if not sooner!


    The heavy clanking of armor echoed behind her; she could hear those knights hot on her trail.


    She needed more time and doubled her speed despite the ache in her wounded leg—it hurt with every movement but was not enough to immobilize her. She simply had to push through and endure the pain; it would make her faster.


    A deep sense of gratitude stirred in the back of her mind. Thank you Old Lady Leafa! If not for her, Adira knew she would have been in a far worse state.


    Though, it’s not like she wouldn’t be in a worse state later!


    Soon enough, she managed to widen the distance between herself and those knights as she delved deeper into the forest.


    Suddenly, out of nowhere, she was halted by an unexpected barrier ahead of her—her threads that were used to sense her surroundings converged before her—and she reached out to feel a rough wall slick with moss. It loomed taller than she expected; she couldn’t discern what it was since this felt like an edge of a forest where such walls should not exist... or should they? The mystery of what lay before her deepened.


    Irritation flared inside her. If only she could see!


    BANG!


    Adira instinctively covered her head! The ground shook beneath her feet as a loud crackling reverberated behind her.


    Sparks danced near her ears, raising goosebumps on her arms. For a moment, she feared she had gone deaf from what sounded like thunder striking down from above.


    Did Cain just jump down from the heavens!?


    Adira imagined such a dramatic entrance and felt an urge to witness it.


    “...”


    Since no footsteps followed behind anymore, they were likely far enough from the knights now—just enough time for some ‘discussion.’


    She knew that no matter how far she ran, she could never escape this man. Heck, even in hell, he could probably smack the evil out of her if he wanted to!


    Adira chuckled softly. “Wow! I like your lightning show, General Cain; those purple sparks exude formidable strength.”


    “...”


    "Or was it blue...?" Adira laughed awkwardly, her words trailing off.


    An awkward silence lingered in the air, though it wasn’t as if she hadn’t expected it.


    "It is blue." Surprisingly, he replied, confirming it.


    Adira’s question was intentionally foolish, a way to break the ice as she herself felt a bit nervous under the General’s reverent gaze. Yet, he seemed the same as when she had met him before—still human.


    Even in his response, he carried the tone of a General issuing commands to his knights, which made it all the more amusing.


    “Oh… pfft! Hahahaha!” Adira laughed heartily, clutching her stomach. “You… You really are something! No need to be so serious!”


    “…”


    “ Your hair has grown longer! It suits you!”


    “…”


    “ Nice weather we’re having!”


    “…”


    AUGGHH!!! Adira subconsciously grasped at her hair. For a moment, she felt a strong urge to do the same thing Fiona was doing—study human behavior.


    “Sigh… Do you know why I led you here?”


    “...”


    The corners of Adira''s mouth curved up teasingly as she tried to provoke him further: “Did you know I just succeeded in separating you from your men?”


    “...”


    “The Witch of the South has proven her worth once again!” she spoke smugly.


    “...”


    Cringiness slowly crept in at the back of her head, a nagging sensation that made her want to just turn around and leave.


    Sighing, she rested her palm on her forehead. "You know, you have such a nice voice."


    Adira frowned playfully. “If I had that kind of voice myself, I’d probably never stop talking— I’m just going to live my life singing songs and telling tales even to my foes during battle!”


    “...”


    “ Uhm… That’s supposed to be your sign to tell me that it’s foolish or something?”


    “…”


    Feeling small every time she yapped, the awkwardness grew.


    Adira pushed forward, attempting to steer the conversation toward something more logical. "So... have you only recently come out of your seclusion?”


    Cain paused, his gaze lowering to his hands. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts. When he finally spoke, his tone was surprisingly deeper than usual. “...Yes.”


    “Ah…” Adira held her chin before she shrugged, realizing that it was no wonder no one could stop her back when she was in the city.


    Adira,“ How did you know I was heading east?"


    Cain replied simply,“You left tracks behind.”


    “...”


    Huh? I did?


    Adira pondered for a moment: “I don’t remember doing that.”


    “After leaving the Grand Canyon, your only option was east. In the village, there were witnesses, and the trails are evident on the villagers. The eyes of a child in the village were surrounded by your mana. We searched the child’s house and found an expensive potion bottle, along with a piece of fabric similar to your robe.”


    “Oh…”


    "And..." Cain paused briefly, as if hesitating, before continuing. "The elderly woman informed me of your location.


    “ Huh? She did?”


    "..." Cain’s gaze dropped, as if lost in thought, his expression almost one of disappointment.


    Adira lifted a brow, her suspicion piqued by how Cain had managed to even speak to Old Lady Leafa. Though she had never once questioned the old woman’s intentions—feeling not a trace of betrayal.


    After all, this man exuded goodness, a stark contrast to her own darker nature; anyone would fold at just the sight of him.


    What startled her even more, however, was the precision with which he recounted everything.


    she couldn’t help but wonder about the nature of their conversation. She longed to ask how the conversation with Old Lady Leafa had gone—it promised to be an amusing exchange. But she hesitated, unsure how to approach the subject without making it seem as though they were strangers.


    “...”


    “...”


    Adira chuckled awkwardly, scratching her cheek as she waited for him to say more. His unexpected speech had left her wanting for more details.


    After everything he had said, for a moment she forgot what she intended or even why separating him mattered so much—but soon enough that plan returned sharply into focus as silence stretched between them.


    No sounds reminded her of human presence; only small indistinct noises filled the void—she couldn’t tell if it was merely wind rustling or perhaps even General Cain’s breathing.


    “Uh…” Adira ventured cautiously: “Are you still there?”


    “I’m here.”


    Adira found his voice oddly calm, a contrast to the tension that was supposed to hang in the air.


    “Then at least talk about something! Hahaha!”


    Silence hung in the air once more. Adira crossed her arms, waiting patiently, a playful grin on her face.


    Suddenly, Cain asked, “What’s your plan?”


    “...” Adira’s playful grin faded into something more thoughtful—it seemed time had come for serious matters at last.


    “Sir Cain… what would you do if you had done something that could never be changed, no matter how much goodness or how many acts of kindness you performed afterward?”


    “What?” He remained astute, though a hint of confusion seeped into his voice. “I…” He trailed off, pursing his lips as he considered her question.


    His expression shifted as he considered her question. The weight of her words hung between them, and she could almost see the gears turning in his mind.


    “Would you seek forgiveness?” she continued softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Or would you accept that some things are beyond repair?”


    Whatever Cain answered would merely reflect his beliefs as for Adira, she had already known the answer to her question, it was why they were here after all.


    However, Cain remained silent. Under the sunlight, his eyes seemed to waver, but Adira, unable to see his expression, could only sense the weight of his silence.


    "I understand that you''re just too good and too nice..." Adira trailed off, her tone shifting. "But some situations don''t deserve mercy, no matter how much you want others to share the same sentiment as you; this would only backfire on you."


    "No," he responded, his tone unusually deep as if in defiance.


    Adira couldn''t help but shrug, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Look, this is my stage." she said, her voice steady. "I choose where I end my tale. I haven’t lived a virtuous life. I''ve taken many lives, and thousands of people are waiting for karma to strike me hard. Consider it passing a gift to the mass—present my head to the Empire."


    Though Adira couldn’t see, she could feel his sharp stare burning through her. For a moment, she was almost thankful for her blindness—his face right now must be terrifyingly furious.


    After all, the idea she was offering was absurd—like presenting a psychopathic proposal to a saint. It was nothing short of foolish.


    She swallowed her nervousness, recalling how, earlier, he had urged her to surrender.


    Remembering it, amusement flickered through her disbelief. "No matter how blessed you are, or how much they say you’re destined for greatness… We both know that won’t satisfy anyone—not while I live! The reputation of the Holy Church will suffer greatly because of me if you bring me back alive—and this command will reflect poorly on His Imperial Majesty too."


    She understood well—the Emperor’s order stemmed from formality alone; he championed human rights: banning slavery and slave markets while providing education opportunities for all sorts of citizens—even now he worked tirelessly on numerous laws awaiting approval by Council Elders.


    His reign was heralded as ‘The New Era of Prosperity’ by his people.


    “This is not for them to decide!” Cain''s voice cut through the air with a fierce intensity.


    Adira flinched at his sudden outburst—she hadn’t expected him to raise his voice or show such anger—but she remained resolute in her decision nonetheless.


    “They need justice!”


    "Justice will be served without the loss of your life!" he added, his voice firm. "The Pope will determine whether you are innocent or not."


    General Cain’s tone turned piercingly cold—a clear effort at suppressing his ire—a new experience for Adira’s ears that felt strangely and unsettlingly unfamiliar.


    However, irritation flared in her chest as she could hardly believe the absurdity of the words she was hearing. A trial? For her? It was beyond belief! It was stupid! A huge slap in the face to the victims of those she had killed! She, who had spared no mercy in murdering an entire city, was being granted mercy by the church.


    My god, this would spark a riot!


    She, who had witnessed the consequences of involving others, had lost all hope that some special figure or group could save her. This foolishness needed to be stopped immediately before the damage of her existence grew any worse than it already had.


    "Childish-" Adira muttered, her tone dark and heavy with suppressed anger, a sharp pain suddenly seizing her head, however she remained still. “ You know, I used to think like you once. I thought if the intent was out of goodness, the result would be the same. No, how wrong I was. It led to nothing but my entire family being burned alive.”


    Adira drew her sword, the blade catching the sunlight with a cold glint. She stepped forward, her demeanor dark and imposing,"Sometimes, people have to die for justice to be delivered."


    "Only those who have never known the pain of loss believe that mercy is an option," she said coldly. "I hate to break it to you, but mercy is reserved for hypocrites. People only choose to show mercy to those they believe will benefit them, not out of any genuine goodness for what they''ve done!"


    Suddenly, the foot she used to step forward throbbed with pain, making her acutely aware of the bindings wrapped tightly around it by a certain old woman.


    It was this sharp pain that pulled her out of trance, distracting her from the headache that had been steadily building up.


    Cain spoke out of nowhere, his voice gentle yet firm. "Adira, you don''t have to do this. There are many ways to achieve peace," he said, almost softening. "I can help."


    "You really are stubborn," she remarked lightly, a hint of amusement in her tone.


    This was one of the traits Adira secretly liked about Cain—it gave her a sense of safety, a reassurance that perhaps, even in the darkest moments, there was still a chance for something better.


    It doesn’t matter if the reality doesn’t reflect what she felt, at least it had made her feel better rather than worse.


    He had always been unwavering in his beliefs, from the first day she met him to now.


    She bet he didn’t even see her as a monster, but as someone who could still be redeemed. Him and the lady general, the two people that probably still sees her as human despite everything that she had done.


    Two strange individuals that were bestowed with such well deserving strength to protect the people… wanted to protect her?


    In the eyes of the world, such behaviour was deemed abnormal. Forgiving the wicked would only brand you a conspirator.


    However, in this moment, it didn''t occur to Adira that this man might wield the impossible.


    Adira raised both arms to her sides, a wide grin spreading across her face. "No matter how stubborn you are, you can''t stop me!" she declared, her voice full of defiance. "I won''t let you! I control my life now!" She laughed, the sound tinged with a mix of determination and reckless freedom.


    It seemed Old Lady Leafa’s influence had returned some semblance of normalcy within herself.


    This mindset felt different from how she''d thought over these past years—carefree—as if nothing could hold her back anymore.


    "You know, General Cain," Adira continued with newfound clarity reflecting upon recent experiences since arriving here, her voice quiet yet laced with a hint of sadness, "ever since I came here... I feel like I''ve entered a whole new world."


    She laughed inwardly, gripping the fabric of her dress as if grounding herself. "I realized... this. This was the life I robbed from so many people. So many lives lost because of me. They would have lived seeing what I saw, the moon, the star and everything. They could’ve eaten to their hearts content and they could’ve been given the chance to change. I knew they made a mistake… but I too made a mistake so who am I to strike them down with my own version of justice."


    Forgiveness and redemption—these concepts swirled around within her thoughts, yet she knew it was far too late to linger on such notions any longer.


    It all started after receiving an apple from that man when she first arrived here in the East. Heck, now that she thinks about it, she didn’t even know what this village was called yet!


    After meeting him, her walls seemed to crumble slowly. When she gave her eyes away, she thought she could finally achieve peace. Yet, instead of clarity, she found herself even more lost—but strangely more open to conflicting feelings she didn’t understand.


    Then she met Old Lady Leafa—a chance encounter that had changed everything.


    It felt as though the universe had conspired to align all their paths, crafting a tapestry of fate that offered her the most meaningful departure she could leave in this world.


    In that moment, Adira realized that sometimes, the most profound changes come from the most unexpected meetings, illuminating the way forward when all seemed lost.


    "You know," Adira said, her voice soft as she reminisced, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. " Before I arrived here, I was running for my life with nowhere to go, just empty and mindless... But now? I never thought death could feel this fulfilling."


    To feel fulfilled wasn’t solely about herself—it was also intertwined with those whom she''d wronged—their wishes finally coming true through actions taken today.


    "This is not fulfilling; you''re just running away!" Cain''s voice rose, anger evident in his tone. “The wrongs can still be corrected no matter what—you just have to try!”


    Adira chuckled, her tone playful as she teased, "Cain, for the first time, I’m going to confidently declare that you’re wrong!"


    Adira lifted her sword proudly, the threads connected to her other hand trailed from its edge brushing against the trees, creating an eerie sound that sliced through the stillness.


    The birds resting on those branches took flight, their sudden movement drawing the attention of the knights who were searching for her.


    She spoke with great pride, her voice ringing with a sense of defiance. "This is the happiest I''ve been all my life!" She took a deep breath, her chest swelling with confidence, and then shouted, "I am here! Come at me, you weaklings! Show me WHAT YOU''VE GOT!"


    She pointed the tip of her sword in Cain''s direction, her smirk sharp and challenging. "If you dare stop me, I will resent you for the rest of my life—no, even in the afterlife, Cain."


    Silence enveloped them once more, the wind whispering softly against Adira''s ears. Then, the faint sound of paper rustling nearby broke the stillness. Something fluttered into view, drifting gently downwards.


    Instinctively, Adira reached out not feeling any threats around it, her threads extending forward, catching the object midair.


    The fragrance of roses wafted through the air, surprising her with its familiar sweetness. Adira’s brow furrowed for a moment before a delighted laugh escaped her. "General Cain! Are you perhaps an Easterner? Showing kindness in such a confusing way... What’s with this sudden bouquet?"


    “Twenty-one.”


    “What?”


    “You’re twenty-one now.”


    Adira’s mouth fell open in shock. She had completely forgotten!


    To think she would die on the same day she was born—a day that was meant to celebrate her existence. Yet, as the thought lingered, Adira couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. If you think about it, what is about to happen today is another kind of reason to celebrate too.


    “What a coincidence…” Adira mused, inspecting the bouquet with a curious tilt of her head. “What flowers are these?”


    The General spoke softly, “Purple hyacinth, cypress, and yellow chrysanthemum.”


    Adira''s eyes widened in surprise as she carefully examined the bouquet with her hands.


    She had initially assumed the flowers were roses, based purely on their sweet fragrance and partly on the petals.


    But the names the General had listed were a revelation. She didn''t know much about flowers, aside from the few she could recognize—roses, lavender, and anything typically used for baths.


    Anything else was a mystery to her, often lumped together in her mind as "greenery" or "lettuce" depending on the shade.


    When she heard the names of the flowers, a pang of regret washed over her; she couldn’t even picture what they looked like.


    Adira still couldn’t help but smile, her mood lightening as she waved the bouquet in front of her. The vibrant colors of the flowers caught the light, and for a brief moment, they softened the harshness of her reality.


    "Hey, thank you, Cain!" she said with a playful grin, “ I’ll treasure this for as long as I live!”


    The smile on her face vanished as she heard faint footsteps approaching in the distance.


    It’s time.


    Adira plunged her sword deep into the ground, the blade facing away from her. She gathered all the remaining mana in her abdomen and directed it towards her palm. Pulling it back, she slammed it down onto the center of the sword with all her might.


    The sword shattered with a loud TING!


    From the broken sword, a chorus of sorrowful screams surrounded her.


    She imagined the souls being freed are clawing at her face with deep resentment, but they could not reach her.


    The thick aura she forcefully released wrapped around her, protecting her from their desperate grasp.


    The aura she emitted was different from mana. While mana manifested as tangible magical abilities, aura was an intangible natural energy released from one’s pores.


    Its strength varied from person to person, but all living beings possessed it to shield themselves from otherworldly entities that could harm their spirits.


    Adira’s aura was strong enough to repel the intense resentment of the souls, but if she lowered her guard for even a moment, they would seize the opportunity and tear her apart mentally and spiritually.


    That was the last thing she desired right now.


    “ Why?” Cain demanded in a low voice that nearly resembled a whisper.


    Adira’s heart raced, her pulse quickening as the aura she unleashed grew thicker than her body could properly regulate.


    Nervousness crawled through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest, each beat more erratic than the last.


    Despite the growing tension in her body, she couldn’t help but feel a strange anticipation for what was about to unfold—not just for herself, but for all who would witness this moment.


    Her life was nearing its end, and for the first time, she welcomed the inevitable with pride.


    She spoke each word with enthusiasm: “I am the holder of my fate. I choose to follow no one, and this time... I made my own decision!”


    The footsteps grew louder until the heavy breathing of the knights became audible.


    “General Cain, you really are a formidable foe!” Adira scoffed. “ But don’t think you can kill me so easily!”


    “General! What happened?!”


    “Her sword! It’s broken!”


    “The battle is one-sided! As expected of the General!”


    “Knights, feeling relieved over a broken sword?” Adira scoffed, a cynical smile curling her lips. “I had no idea the knights under General Cain were so easily appeased—like a bunch of children!”


    “What did you say?!”


    “How dare you?!”


    “You dare tarnish a knight’s reputation!?”


    “We are older than you!”


    Adira raised the bouquet in her hand, her voice laced with mocking menace. “The sword was always nothing more than a display,” she sneered. “But if I was to throw this flower… and it touched the ground—what do you think would happen to your lives?”


    She mentally apologized to General Cain; this bouquet was the first gift she had received in a long time, and now she was going to throw it away!


    Adira could hear the knights'' breaths catch in surprise as she intensified the pressure.


    Panic flashed across their faces, but despite their fear, they still turned to General Cain, silently waiting for him to make a decision.


    “Time is ticking.” Adira taunted.


    Slowly, she raised her hand holding the bouquet upward—the sight was undoubtedly threatening to those oblivious to the truth.


    With that simple gesture, the knights—who had been teetering on the edge of frenzy—lost all semblance of control.


    In a wild rush, they charged toward Adira, swords raised and hearts frantic with fear and rage.


    “Kill her!!!”


    More than a dozen footsteps lunged toward her, surrounding her from all sides.


    She did not wait for them to close in; instead, she lunged toward them as well, absorbing their blows while skillfully dodging some fatal strikes with agile footwork.


    At first, their swords merely grazed Adira’s skin, making evasion simple. But soon there were too many; if she dodged one blade, another would appear in its place. Evading became increasingly difficult and dangerous.


    Despite her blindness, adrenaline surged through Adira, pushing her to the edge of her abilities.


    The bloodlust emanating from the knights seemed to materialize around her, heightening her senses.


    With every near miss, she could feel the razor edge of a sword skim just inches from her skin, the tips of blades brushing her with each evasive maneuver.


    A cynical smile tugged at the corners of her lips. This was fun! A real battle, one that she could sink her teeth into!


    One blade grazed Adira''s face as she attempted to evade; another quickly stabbed into her front shoulder, pinning her in place. The knight who struck her rejoiced loudly.


    Without giving her time to grit her teeth against the pain, another sword pierced through her side. She gritted her teeth as she pulled both swords from her body and leaped back.


    The knights exhaled in relief and began discussing how to reform their formations.


    Blood flowed down Adira’s dress like a river.


    She remembered that this dress had come from Old Lady Leafa, and a pang of guilt tightened in her chest at the thought of soiling it. But the intense pain coursing through her body brought her back to the present—there was no time for remorse now!


    Despite the searing agony, a wide grin spread across Adira''s face—albeit slightly fractured—as each movement sent jolts of pain through her muscles, leaving her breathless. The wound in her eyes too, seemed to have opened once more, the blood seeping out from beneath the bandages and trickling down her cheek.


    But rather than faltering, the twisted pleasure she derived from the battle only made her seem more menacing in their eyes, a predator savouring the hunt.


    Adira, eager to end this twisted tale in the most dramatic way possible, hurled the bouquet high into the air.


    The knights’ expressions were a sight to behold, the sound they were making was utterly hilarious to Adira.


    Their faces contorted with sheer, unmasked fear, as if the very air around them had turned to poison.


    “ The petals--!”


    “ It’s going to fall!”


    “ Kill her now!”


    “ Hurry!”


    The knights charged at her in a desperate frenzy, their movements erratic and filled with panic.


    Yet, despite the odds stacked against her, Adira stood firm at the center of the chaos.


    In that moment, even though she seemed to be on the losing end, there was no doubt—she exuded the unmistakable air of a victor.


    “FOOLS!” Just as she was about to laugh, she felt a cold metal glide across the flesh of her neck.


    For a brief moment, an intense, overwhelming aura flooded the air where Cain had stood. Even the knights, in their frenzied state, could not ignore the powerful energy emanating from their general''s direction.


    Fear rippled through them, palpable and undeniable. Like sharp needles, all of them felt like they were being pushed on the ground by the pressure!


    Adira’s heart pounded, the weight of what was about to unfold pressing down on her.


    Realizing what was coming, her heart exploded in a surge of anger. She shouted, her voice raw and defiant, despite the bitter liquid rising in her throat. "Don''t you fucking dare!"


    Instinctively covering the wound with trembling hands—now also bleeding from pulling out those two swords—everything happened in an instant when Adira stopped moving.


    Seeing her at a standstill, the knights, now feeling emboldened as the energy seemed to have subsided, wasted no time in striking.


    Swords pierced through Adira''s legs, then through her back and arms—one after another stabbing into various parts of her body until she could no longer distinguish where each wound originated.


    She felt life slowly draining away from her; sounds became chaotic—first loud and then suddenly weak—as if something pulsed within her ears.


    Her skin felt wet and sticky; metallic liquid flowed freely from the wound on her throat toward her mouth.


    Adira coughed violently but found herself choking on blood that filled up inside; even as it poured out of her nose, pain coursed through every fiber of her being.


    She hadn’t even realized that she had fallen to the ground.


    Yet, as her consciousness began to slip into the darkness, an unexpected sense of relief washed over her.


    The weight of her actions, her choices, began to fade, replaced by a strange sense of peace.


    The recurring dream where she was always drowning had become so familiar, so normalized, that now it felt as though she were simply drifting into a deep slumber.


    The distant cheers of those around her—cheers that had never been for her before—filled the air, offering a justice she never anticipated feeling for herself.


    In that fleeting moment, it was as if the world had granted her the redemption she had long since given up on.


    This terrible death might not be the perfect end for someone like her. After all, she too had been a victim in a vicious game for power, but if it brought joy to others—especially to those who had once suffered at her hands—then perhaps it had a purpose.


    In its own twisted way, it became a form of justice, a redemption she had never sought, but one that the world demanded nonetheless.


    Even if it wasn''t the death she deserved, it was the death they needed.


    It was both a release for her and for those whom she had wronged.


    Despite the blood blocking her nose, Adira caught a faint whiff of fragrant flowers, their sweet scent cutting through the metallic tang in the air. It was almost as if the world was offering her something peaceful, even in the midst of her ruin.


    In that fleeting moment, memories of her family and friends—those she had treasured the most—flooded her mind. Surprisingly, there was a new face among them, someone who hadn''t been there before.


    She couldn''t help but laugh inwardly, despite the darkness creeping in. Cain... he was there, too.


    The corners of her lips curled upward, a faint, peaceful smile gracing her face as a sense of comfort enveloped her.


    The musky scent, though faint, seemed to settle around her, relaxing her entirely.


    This... she thought, inhaling her final breath, it really smells like roses.