In a courtyard reminiscent of the southern lands.
Finihiya walked slowly along the path.
The hem of her skirt, supported by the petticoat, revealed tassels that swayed gracefully with her light and elegant steps.
A dry, comfortable breeze of early summer gently blew by, causing the blooming chamomile in the courtyard to sway softly.
Biscuits?
Standing in the gazebo at the center of the courtyard, Finihiya noticed a plate piled high with biscuits placed on the stone table before her.
Her eyes, tinged with a hint of confusion, scanned the empty courtyard around her, and a sense of bewilderment crept into her gaze.
“Is anyone here?”
She called out a few times to the vacant surroundings.
Receiving no answer, Finihiya withdrew her gaze and rested it on the biscuits, which emitted a tempting aroma of crispness.
Perhaps the recent food had been too coarse, making it impossible for her to resist the temptation of the fragrance. She reached out and picked up a biscuit, bringing it to her lips.
This isn’t meant for me…
Finihiya knew that clearly.
If it had been before, she would have been able to resist such a small temptation, but for some reason, now there was almost no hesitation as she stole a piece and tasted it.
“Delicious…”
The dry, baked biscuit carried a rich aroma of black tea, prompting her to let out a small, short exclamation.
“Do you like these biscuits?”
Just as she picked up another biscuit to put into her mouth, a familiar and slightly cold voice suddenly sounded beside her ear.
Looking up, she saw Darlian sitting in the empty seat opposite her, appearing without her noticing.
“I’m sorry.” Finihiya hurriedly apologized, “I ate your food without permission.”
“It’s alright, I don’t mind. If you like it, then eat,” Darlian’s cold face curled into a faint smile. “But seeing Miss Saintess eating them makes me want to try some too…”
Relieved that Darlian was not angry at her transgression, Finihiya relaxed slightly.
Hearing that Darlian also wanted to eat the biscuits, she hastily reached out to push the plate in front of her.
But…
When she tried to push the plate, she was shocked to find that all the biscuits were gone.
Staring at the scene before her, Finihiya let out a puzzled “Hm?”
Could it be…
Could it be that she had eaten all the biscuits herself?
That seemed to be the only explanation.
At that thought, Finihiya forced a bitter smile to one side of her face.
“Sorry… I ate all the biscuits.”
“I told you it’s fine. Besides, aren’t there more here?”
Hmm?
Darlian’s words caused Finihiya to tilt her head in confusion.
She scanned the stone table again, now holding only an empty plate, then raised her head and asked with a blank expression,
“Where?”
As she looked at Darlian, her face full of confusion, she was startled to find that Darlian had silently moved to sit beside her.
Their shoulders gently touched.
“Here~”
Darlian’s slender eyes gleamed with a seductive light.
She raised her right hand and firmly cupped Finihiya’s chin, then used her thumb to lightly stroke Finihiya’s cherry lips, which had paled from surprise.
“Aren’t there still some here?”
The heat of her breath brushed against Finihiya’s small face.
Watching Darlian’s lips gradually draw closer, Finihiya’s pupils dilated rapidly in panic.
“No!”
A short, frantic shout escaped from Finihiya’s fading cherry lips, echoing suffocatingly within the cramped tent.
Her startled face suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Gazing at the low, black ceiling of the tent, Finihiya panted heavily.
“A dream…”
Realizing that everything that had just happened was a scene from her dream and had not actually occurred, Finihiya’s ragged breathing gradually settled with relief.
She slowly sat up on the straw-covered ground.
With her small hand, she gently patted her still-racing heart.
Moonlight slipped through the gaps in the tent’s curtains, casting a slender silver streak into the dark interior.
She fetched a water flask from the corner of the tent and took a deep sip.
The dryness on her lips eased, and the anxiety that had filled and spread throughout her limbs lessened considerably.
Shaken by the nightmare, she was now completely awake.
After sitting in a daze on the straw mat for a while, perhaps wanting to breathe some clear air, Finihiya lifted the tent flap and stepped outside.
A pale moon hung in the sky, surrounded by darkness as deep as the ocean.
Since there was no nearby town, the Demon Army had set up camp beside this forest for the night.
Compared to when they had just left Alani Town, the Demon Army was now undoubtedly much smaller. Most had split up immediately after departure, heading to different destinations.
The ground was covered in fine gravel, each step producing a dry, rustling sound.
The cramped tents in the camp made her feel stifled, so she quickened her pace, aiming to walk outside the camp.
“Human Saintess, where are you going?”
At the camp entrance, she was stopped by two three-meter-tall Minotaur Soldiers.
The flickering campfire mixed with the moonlight cast shadows on their bodies, making their already imposing height feel even heavier and more oppressive.
Suppressing the fear in her heart, Finihiya replied weakly.
“I… just want to take a walk outside, only for a little while.”
As she spoke, she raised her right hand to the Magic Collar at her neck.
“I won’t run away. This is your land, I can’t escape, and with this collar, you can always know where I am, right…”
“With that reason, you think we’d let you…”
The Minotaur Soldier’s face darkened as he was about to refuse, but his silent companion reached out to stop him and looked toward Finihiya.
“Let her go, but not for too long. She must return before dawn.”
“…Yes.”
Finihiya was somewhat surprised that they had agreed.
She gave a slight bow to the two Minotaur Soldiers before walking straight through the gate.
The stars and the moon floated above, their gentle light illuminating the night.
Outside the camp was even darker, but under the moonlight, she could still faintly see the blurred outline of objects not far away.
Watching the small figure gradually disappear, the Minotaur who had opposed earlier looked at his companion in confusion.
“Why let her go out?”
“Darlian-sama ordered not to overly restrict the human Saintess’s freedom.”
“Even so, letting her out this late, what if something dangerous happens? She’s an important hostage.”
“Don’t worry too much. We searched this area thoroughly before setting up camp and found no dangerous monsters. Besides, those people outside are responsible for guard duty.”