“Lena.” Flora sat up from the bed.
“What is it, Your Highness?” Lena looked up at her.
“I need to head out for a bit.” Flora reached for her clothes.
“Huh? It’s so late, Your Highness. Where are you going?” Lena was shocked to hear that Flora wanted to leave.
“Just out for a moment. I remembered something. Don’t worry, I won’t go far. I’ll be back in a while.”
Hearing this, Lena also got up, preparing to follow her out.
“Lena, you don’t need to come. Just stay here. I can go by myself,” Flora said firmly.
“But, Your Highness, this…” Lena felt that this was somewhat inappropriate.
“It’s fine, Lena. I’m not going far, and I can handle myself.” Flora’s tone was inexplicably reassuring, which made Lena stop.
“Mmm, alright. It is Your Highness’s order, after all, so I will stay here. Please come back early, Your Highness. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Okay.” Flora finished dressing and walked out of the inn room.
She reached the main road outside. By now, the night was deep, and there were almost no pedestrians left. Only once in a while could she see one or two scattered passersby.
“Whew, the night is truly chilly.” Flora exhaled a breath.
‘Let’s go. I remember it being in that direction.’ Flora tilted her head back, looking toward a specific path.
Suddenly, she noticed the moon.
Perhaps because there was little mist or cloud, the moon was exceptionally bright tonight. It was also quite round, though if one looked closely, a tiny notch could still be seen.
“The moon is remarkably bright tonight,” Flora murmured.
When she reached the city gate, Flora told the guards she was heading out for a while and would return soon. The guards didn’t pry and simply told her to come back quickly.
The wind outside the city seemed even colder.
Walking on the dirt, her shoes made a squeaking sound against the ground. There were few other noises, mostly the rustling of wind blowing through branches and leaves, with the occasional cry of a bird.
“It should be right here.” Flora walked to a spot where the trees were sparse.
This was the path she had walked with her brothers—a road of no return taken to save her sister.
The stone was still the same as before: flat, low, and relatively smooth. Back then, she and her brothers had sat on this very rock to rest.
“It’s still the same.” Flora patted the stone and then sat down.
As the night wind brushed against her back, it felt as if that scene of resting here had happened only last night.
“I’ll stop here. Going any further wouldn’t be good; I need to head back early,” Flora whispered to herself, then performed a gesture similar to a prayer.
“Owen, I commemorate you here.
“You have fulfilled the wish in your heart.
“You died with no regrets, and I, Flora, am both you and not just you.
“I am also Flora.”
Flora stood up from the rock. The commemoration was complete, and it was time to head back.
Just as she was preparing to leave—
‘Wait, that’s not right.’
Flora sensed a peculiar presence. It was… the presence of a human.
This was an instinct of her current body. Detecting disharmony also allowed her to perceive danger.
Her body’s perception of these things was very strong now. There was only one person… but the presence didn’t seem to carry any malice.
‘But why is there a lone human here in a forest in the demon race territory? Though it’s not particularly far from human territory, it’s still strange.’
‘Should I take a look and see what’s going on?’
‘Actually, it has nothing to do with me. Why should I go? It’s probably just some human adventurer passing through.’
‘But I’m so curious. There won’t be any danger anyway, so I might as well check it out.’ In her previous life, she had been considered quite strong among adventurers.
Those stronger than her wouldn’t bother coming here for no reason. Moreover, she was even stronger now than she had been before.
After a series of internal struggles, Flora decided to take a look. She didn’t know why—maybe it was just a girl’s curiosity?
Sensing the direction of the presence, she walked toward a denser part of the forest.
‘The presence is getting closer,’ Flora thought.
It should be right here.
Flora hid behind a tree and some shrubs, then peeked in that direction.
Then, she froze.
She was very familiar with the person there.
It was Kaan.
He looked the same as before—not very tall, a bit shy, with an expression that suggested he was deep in thought.
However, he looked quite exhausted now.
‘Why… why? Why is Kaan here? What is he doing?’
Flora couldn’t help but look again. He seemed to be burying something.
Taking a closer look, she realized it was the flower casket she had handed to him back then!
Flora didn’t dare to keep watching and hid back behind the tree, her arms trembling.
“Boss, I don’t know where you died, but I’m here to bury this casket. I hope you can see this, so you’ll know that everything had a good ending.” Kaan’s voice carried a hint of boyish innocence.
‘Kaan actually came to the demon race territory alone to bury something for me? This is too dangerous!’
Kaan fell silent for a moment.
“To tell you the truth, Boss, I really miss you.” His voice carried the sound of a sob.
“If you really aren’t dead, Boss, remember to come back and find us. We’re all waiting for you, even though you’re likely… gone.”
A complex emotion welled up within her.
Kaan was the youngest among them and the one she had looked after the most.
They had met when she was attending the magic academy. He used to practice with her often, constantly thinking about the day he might become even stronger than her.
So, in his eyes, not only had Owen died for his sister, but he had also lost the person who cared for him most.
Flora couldn’t hold back. She couldn’t remain a mere bystander.
She needed to go out there. This place was dangerous; she couldn’t let him stay too long. It would be bad if a human was discovered here.
Tsk, she really didn’t know what to do.
Flora calmed herself down.
“You shouldn’t have come here. Especially not alone.” Flora stepped out, looking at Kaan and the half-buried casket.
“Who are you?” Kaan instantly went on high alert. He hadn’t sensed any of the demon race nearby at all, yet a demon woman had suddenly appeared.
“Who am I? I’m just a commoner passing by,” Flora said with a bitter smile.
Kaan stared at the demon woman. She didn’t step any closer; she simply stood there.
“What do you want, then?” Kaan reached for a small knife at his waist. His movements were slow, but he didn’t lower his guard.
“Just to say a few words,” Flora said with a sigh.
“To me? You think I’ll believe that?” Kaan’s vigilance remained undiminished.
“Risking your life just to bury an empty box…” Flora looked at the casket on the ground. “Do you think the person who gave it to you would approve of this?”
Kaan was startled to hear her say that, and he grew even more tense.
“What… what do you know?”
“Some people remember you.” Flora paused. “But then again, he doesn’t want to be remembered by you.”
“What… what are you talking about?”
“I’m telling you that the ending of the story has already been written.
“Those who obsess over waiting for the next page will miss the beginning of the next volume. He wouldn’t want that for you, either.”
“You…” Kaan was so shocked he was speechless.
“He will be watching you.
“Now, go back. Return to the human territory. It is too dangerous for you to be here alone.”