The campfire crackled softly between them.
Hilda watched the man for a moment, as if weighing something unseen.
"I'm Hilda," she finally said. "You can stop looking at me like I'm going to stab you at any moment."
The armored man didn't respond right away. His hand still hovered near the hilt of his sword.
"…Ravian," he said shortly. "A knight of the Order of Valen. And now—apparently, a fugitive."
Hilda nodded slightly, as if that wasn't surprising.
"I figured as much."
Ravian narrowed his eyes.
"Then you also know that saving me back there was a mistake."
"No," Hilda cut him off quickly. "It was a choice."
Silence settled between them. The cold night wind brushed past, making the flames of the campfire flicker.
"I don't save just anyone," Hilda continued, her voice softer. "I saw something."
Ravian let out a quiet chuckle, but there was no warmth in it.
"Everyone who's helped me says something like that… right before they regret it."
Hilda shook her head.
"It's not like that."
She looked straight into his eyes.
"When they were attacking you… for a moment, I saw something behind you."
Ravian didn't react immediately, but his fingers tightened slightly.
"…Something?"
"Wings," Hilda replied. "Large ones. Not an ordinary illusion. And its eyes…"
She paused, recalling it.
"They felt like they were looking back at me."
The fire crackled louder, as if emphasizing her words.
"That's why you saved me?" Ravian asked coldly."Because of a brief hallucination?"
"Not just that."
Hilda's voice grew firmer.
"Since I was little, I've heard a legend passed down by my grandmother. About a dragon that would free the three races from their own destruction."
Her hand clenched slightly.
"I don't know when or how… but I do know one thing—I'll recognize it when I see it."
Ravian stared at her for a long moment, searching her face for any trace of a lie.
"And you think… that's me?"
Hilda didn't answer immediately.
"I'm not sure," she said honestly."But I won't ignore it either."
Silence fell between them again.
Ravian leaned back slightly, though his guard was still up.
"If you're wrong," he said quietly, "you're risking your life for something that doesn't even exist."
Hilda looked at the fire, then back at him.
"If I'm right," she replied,"I won't let this world fall apart just because I chose to doubt."
Silence enveloped them.
Only the sound of burning wood filled the space between the two.
Then suddenly—
"BAHAHAHAHA!"
Ravian's loud laughter shattered the moment.
Hilda frowned.
"Eh…?"
Ravian wiped his face, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Man… I guess I've been in too many battles. I might actually be losing my mind."
He shook his head lightly.
"But seriously… that saying—'there's always hope above'—maybe it's actually true."
Hilda looked at him, not smiling.
"I'm not joking."
Her voice was soft, almost swallowed by the fire.
Ravian shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever you say. Anyway, thanks for saving me."
He glanced at her briefly.
"But seriously… how old are you? Still believing in stories from someone who's probably already—"
Smack.
The sound of the slap was sharp and loud.
Ravian froze.
His cheek reddened, his head slightly turned to the side.
"I just saved your life."
Hilda's voice trembled, but remained firm.
"No matter what my reason was… that's ONE."
Her hand clenched.
"And I'm an idiot…"
Her breathing became uneven.
"…for even thinking someone like you could be the one to save our race."
"That's TWO."
Tears began to fall, but she didn't wipe them away.
"And third…"
Her voice broke.
"Don't you ever insult the only person I have left."
Silence.
The campfire was once again the only sound.
Hilda turned away without waiting for a response. She began packing her belongings quickly.
"I know I'm foolish for believing in that old legend…" she muttered softly.
"But—"
She paused.
"Do I even have a choice…?"
She smiled.
Fragile.
"When my people are already at the edge of destruction."
Her words lingered in the air.
Ravian stared at her.
For the first time… without sarcasm.
"That expression…" he murmured.
Something felt familiar. Heavy. The same weight he had carried all this time.
"Hilda—"
Too late.
The wind surged as Hilda's body lifted into the air, leaving the ground behind. Within seconds, she had already flown off into the dark sky.
Ravian could only watch.
Then he let out a long breath, placing his hand behind his head.
"Hahh… damn."
He let out a small laugh—this time without mockery.
"Guess I really need to work on how I talk to people…"