The streets were alive with movement. Humans, elves, demons, and those of mixed blood walked side by side along the clean stone road. Leo blended into the crowd, her eyes scanning every corner as she entered the bustling marketplace.
Seems like… there isn't any rental carriage shop here… she thought, frowning slightly as she searched.
"Oi, miss! Lookin' for somethin'!?"
A deep, booming voice rang out from behind her.
"Huh?"
Leo turned, startled.
A man in his forties stood there, tall and broad-shouldered. His short black hair was streaked with gray, his dark eyes sharp yet playful. He wore a green merchant's tunic beneath a loose white coat, and his lips curled into a sly grin as he winked at her.
"Need something, miss?" he repeated, smirking.
"Uh… thanks, but I'm fine…" Leo replied nervously. Her face tightened as she turned back, trying to walk away.
But the man's voice followed.
"Eh? Doesn't look like you're fine at all. Bet you're searchin' for something, huh?"
Leo froze mid-step. Slowly, she glanced back, forcing a smile.
"Um… actually, yes. I need a carriage. I plan to travel—to another kingdom."
"Ohhh, a traveler, eh?" The man folded his arms, sizing her up. "I see."
"Yes, thanks for asking."
"Wait, hold on a sec."
Leo blinked. "What is it?"
The man leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Today, you won't find a single carriage for rent. Not a chance. Y'know why? The prince and half his army marched out this morning. Every last carriage got taken with them."
"What!?"
Leo's eyes widened. Panic raced across her face. Why… why now, of all times!?
"I see… then, when will the carriages return?" she asked quickly, her voice laced with tension.
The man tilted his head, stroking his chin as though calculating. Finally, he sighed.
"Two days. Maybe three."
"Two days!?" Leo nearly shouted. Her voice cracked as she slammed her hand against her chest. "But… I need to hurry…"
The man studied her face, her golden eyes trembling with desperation. Then, with a sly grin, he leaned back.
"Heh. If you're that desperate, miss… maybe I can help ya."
"Huh? Do you… have a carriage?" Leo asked, hope flickering in her voice.
"Eh, not exactly." The man chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "I'm no merchant anymore—used to be. These days I manage a hotel. But…"
Leo cut him off, stepping forward.
"Then can you help me!?" Her hands clenched together, her face glowing with sudden excitement.
"Uhh… well…" He laughed again, waving a hand. "Not so fast, miss. Like I said, I don't own one. But—my son's comin' back tonight with a supply caravan with merchants. They leave around one am in the morning. So, maybe you can hitch a ride."
Leo swallowed hard. "Th-then… could they take me to the Rezein Kingdom?"
Her heart pounded in her chest. Please… please let it be Rezein…
"Rezein Kingdom, huh?" The man's brows lifted. "Nah. My boy's route doesn't head that far. But—he can at least get you outta this kingdom."
"That's more than enough!" Leo exclaimed, her face brightening.
The man's grin widened. "Then it's settled."
Leo nodded, determination settling back into her features. Even if it won't reach Rezein, this will still get me closer. I'll take any chance I can get.
"Ah, we haven't introduced each other haha?" the man said suddenly, thumping a hand against his chest. " I am Henry. Nice to meet ya!"
Leo's hands trembled as she forced a smile. "I-I'm… M-Mion. Nice to meet you too."
Leo and Henry shook their hands.
Henry's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Well then, Miss Mion… you can rest easy at my hotel till midnight. Heheh."
Leo gave him an awkward smile, sweat trailing down her cheek.
"What a cunning businessman… but at least he's willing to help me."
The clock struck nine at night. In a small, dimly lit hotel room, a single bulb cast long shadows across the walls. Leo sat on the edge of the bed near the window, the sweet blue moonlight spilling into the room like liquid silver. She stared at the moon, lost in thought.
"I don't know what will happen next…"
Her fists clenched tightly. The tension in her shoulders spoke of silent determination.
"Glad that Logen gave me money… it helped a lot."
A faint smile curved her lips, but it vanished almost immediately, replaced by a veil of sadness.
"I hope I can find that witch… I have to bring myself back… but why all of a sudden…?"
Leo glanced at her hands, then noticed her reflection in the window glass. Her pale face stared back at her, fragile and worn.
[Flashback]
Amidst red flower blossoms, Estrella's beauty shone like a ray of light. Her long, white hair danced in the gentle breeze, and her soft, blue eyes brimmed with hope.
"You will always be my special, Leo," she said, her gentle smile warming the heart, as she took Leo's hand in hers.
[Current Scene]
Leo's fingers trembled as tears slid down onto her hand.
"Sorry… sorry, Estrella. I… I didn't deserve you."
Her voice cracked under the weight of her guilt.
"Even if I am worthless… I will start over. I will become a new Leo, one who will never be greedy again!"
Wiping her tears away, she lifted her gaze to the moon, as if drawing courage from its serene glow.
By midnight, a loud voice broke the silence.
"Mion-san!"
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Leo looked toward the door.
"Yes… come in."
Henry stepped inside, a smile on his face.
"Glad you're awake, Mion-san. My son has come with a carriage," he said cheerfully.
"Oh, he's here? Alright, wait a moment. I'll get ready," Leo replied, her hands moving to gather her belongings for the journey ahead.
Later that night, the carriage came to a stop beside the hotel, black clouds rolling ominously across the sky.
Lucas, Henry's son, stood tall, a young man with messy black hair and piercing black eyes, marked by a dark sash beneath them. His green-and-black merchant's garb rustled slightly in the night wind.
"Father, is anyone traveling with us?" Lucas asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Yes, my son. Mion, a traveler headed to the Rezein Kingdom, will ride with you. She needs the carriage," Henry replied.
"A girl, huh? Well… that girl must be brave to travel with merchants at night," Lucas chuckled.
Thud—Thud!
Leo Julius Eros stepped lightly onto the stairs, her movements graceful despite the tension in her shoulders.
"Ah, here she is," Henry said, pointing toward her.
"Nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me ride. I'm in a bit of a hurry," Leo said politely.
"No worries, miss. Come, the carriage is ready," Lucas replied.
Leo nodded and moved forward, her steps measured.
As she reached the carriage, Henry called out warmly, "Be careful, Mion-san! I hope your journey goes well!"
"Hm, thanks, Mr. Henry," Leo said with a faint smirk as she climbed inside.
Lucas waved. "Well, goodbye, Father!"
Henry returned the smile softly. "Good luck, my son."
Lucas jumped into the carriage beside Leo.
"Go!" he shouted.
"Hay!!"
The postillion snapped the reins, and the horses surged forward, the wheels of the carriage crunching against the gravel road as they disappeared into the night.
[Riding on the Carriage]
Leo sat on the right side of the carriage while Lucas took the left. The wooden wheels rattled noisily, shaking the cabin as the horses galloped at full speed through the night.
"If we keep this pace, we'll be crossing this kingdom soon, hehe."
Lucas smirked, his voice light with confidence.
"Yeah? And where exactly are you merchants headed?" Leo asked, her tone calm but watchful.
"To the Rejah Kingdom," Lucas replied without hesitation.
"I see…"
Leo's expression hardened into seriousness as her gaze shifted to the dark road stretching endlessly ahead.
"I've got to say, I'm impressed," Lucas said, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"Huh?" Leo muttered, turning to look at him.
"At this hour, no ordinary girl would dare to cross kingdoms with merchants. Haha." Lucas chuckled.
Leo allowed herself a polite laugh. "Haha, I get it. I'm a brave gu—" she corrected herself with a smirk, "—woman, after all."
"Woah, I like that kind of spirit." Lucas smiled faintly. "Well then, you can rest if you'd like. We've got plenty of time before we leave this kingdom."
But as he leaned back, his smile faltered. His complexion paled slightly, and he lowered his head with a quiet sigh.
"Is something wrong, Mister Lucas?" Leo asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"N-no, nothing. Really." Lucas quickly forced a smile, waving it off. But Leo could see it. That shadow lingering behind his expression—he was hiding something.
"We all carry regrets for the things we've done," Leo said softly, her eyes drifting upward toward the black sky. Stars shimmered faintly, though clouds rolled in to veil them.
"Eh?" Lucas lifted his head, caught off guard. For a moment, her words pierced through him. He stared, almost impressed.
"Wh-what do you mean?" he asked, his face a mixture of curiosity and unease.
Leo turned her head slowly, meeting his gaze with a sad smile. Her eyes trembled, yet carried conviction.
"You already know what I mean."
Her words struck like an arrow. Lucas's eyes widened, the sorrow on his face evaporating in shock.
BOOM!!
A thunderous explosion ripped through the night. The carriage jolted to an abrupt stop as the horses shrieked in panic.
"Sir Lucas! Bad news!" the postillion cried out, his voice trembling. "Someone's standing in front of us—with a massive axe!!"
"Huh!? Who the hell is that?!" Lucas shot to his feet, shouting back.
Damn it… I finally managed to get a carriage, and now this?!
Leo clenched her fists tightly, her sharp gaze narrowing.
Lucas leapt out of the carriage.
"Miss Mion, stay inside. Let us handle this."
"…Okay." Leo nodded, though her eyes followed closely.
As Lucas approached the panicked postillion, his breath caught in his throat.
"What the—!?"
Before him stood a figure cloaked in shadow. A woman in adventurer's garb of black and white, a hood concealing her face. In her right hand gleamed a massive black-silver axe, its blade catching the moonlight. Her long, dark hair whipped violently in the night air.
"A shadow…? An assassin…?" Lucas muttered, his voice trembling. His body froze, drenched in cold sweat. Her very presence was suffocating.
"What do we do, sir?!" the postillion stammered, his eyes wide with fear.
"You protect Miss Mion. Leave this to me," Lucas ordered, though his voice wavered.
"Yes, sir!" The postillion bolted back toward the carriage.
Lucas swallowed hard and raised his voice. "Let me ask—who are you, woman?!"
The hooded figure tilted her head slightly, her voice like a haunting whisper.
"I want her… I want her. Only her."
"…Huh? Who—"
Before Lucas could even finish, the woman moved. In a flash, her axe swept forward, grazing his arm.
"Gh—!" Lucas staggered back as blood trickled from the cut across his right arm.
"Tch… damn it!" he hissed, clutching the wound.
"What is happening?!"
Leo's voice trembled as she leapt to her feet, her face a mixture of fear and disbelief.
"Miss! A… a creepy woman with an axe is attacking us! Sir Lucas is trying to stop her!" the postillion shouted, his voice quivering with panic.
"A woman with an axe!?" Leo's words cracked as shock and fear painted her face.
"Sir Lucas told you to stay inside! You mustn't leave the carriage!" the postillion warned, his eyes wide with terror.
"…What…?" Leo whispered, her voice barely audible. Her hands shook, gripping her hair as frustration and fear collided inside her.
"Agh! Why… why now!? This was my chance to leave this kingdom safely…"
Her thoughts were a whirlwind, but then a memory surfaced—the sorrowful look on Lucas' face from earlier. In that instant, her panic began to melt into icy determination.
"I… I am Leo Julius Eros. I was once the strongest in this kingdom. How can I just stand here like a coward?!"
Her fists clenched tightly, golden eyes blazing with fury.
"I… I will go," she said, her voice low, calm, and unwavering.
"Huh!? Miss, what are you talking about?! This is far too dangerous!!" the postillion cried out.
"Sir Lucas told you to stay here with me!" Leo reminded him, gripping his shoulder firmly. A smirk curved her lips, her confidence shining through.
"I know… I know this very well. But I have to," she added, her golden eyes burning with resolve.
Without another word, Leo leapt from the carriage.
"Miss!!" the postillion screamed, but she ignored him.
BAM!
Lucas collapsed, coughing up blood.
"I will never let anyone hurt my friends, woman!!" he roared, pushing himself up from the ground.
"The Fire Tornado!!"
Lucas unleashed his skill—a massive, swirling inferno of fire roaring toward the woman.
"Oh, how beautiful~" she purred, her voice dripping with amusement.
"Now it's my turn… Devil Destroyer!"
With a flick of her axe, the fire tornado shattered into nothing, cut cleanly in two by the green, jagged blade of the Devil Destroyer.
"What the…!?" Lucas gasped, staggering back, blood dripping from his wounds.
"Now… give her to me!!" The woman's fury ignited as she advanced, axe raised high.
"Stop it!!"
Both combatants froze as Leo's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing with righteous anger.
"Stop hurting him!! I will destroy you!!"
"No, Mion! Run!! She's too powerful!!" Lucas shouted, fear and desperation coloring his voice.
But it was too late. The woman's axe slammed down against Lucas' neck with a sickening thud, knocking him unconscious. He crumpled to the ground, limp and bloody.
"Aahh~ what a lovely night this is," the woman purred, her voice laced with malice. She ran her tongue along the edge of her axe. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long. Finally… I can get what I came for, hehe."
"What the hell is this woman…!?" Leo thought, sweat trickling down her temple.
"W-who are you!? Show me your face!!" she shouted, rage and fear mingling in her voice.
"Why not…"
With a slow, deliberate motion, the woman pulled back her hood.
Dalia. The head maid of Leo's mansion.
Her eyes glinted with amusement, and a smirk spread across her face as she stared coldly at Leo.
"Uh… hh…"
Leo froze completely, her body locking up as shock ripped through her. Her hands trembled, golden eyes wide and unblinking.
"Da-Dalia…? Y… you?" Her voice cracked, a mixture of disbelief and terror.
"Yes, my master. It's me… your maid, hehe."
Dalia's innocent smile only made the nightmare feel more real.