Life gradually returned to the small village as evening approached. Thin streams of smoke rose from cooking fires, and the voices of villagers blended into a peaceful rhythm that had not yet realized how close change truly was.

  Auren entered the village with steady steps, his gaze moving across wooden houses and familiar faces. He already knew that what he was about to say would alter the course of everyone's lives.

  Several villagers gathered around him the moment they noticed his return, and soon the village chief approached with calm, measured steps.

  "You returned quickly," the chief said. "Did something happen?"

  Auren nodded.

  "You all need to begin preparing. We'll be leaving soon. A long journey awaits us."

  Uneasy murmurs spread among the crowd, but before anyone else could speak, Elena stepped forward with small, hesitant steps, her eyes filled with innocent curiosity.

  "Where are we going?"

  Auren looked at her for a moment before offering a gentle smile.

  "To the place where our beginning lies."

  She tilted her head slightly.

  "Will we be safe there?"

  He bent down and placed a hand softly on her head.

  "As long as I'm alive, you'll be safe."

  At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed across the square. Rael appeared from the training grounds, his body marked by exhaustion, sweat still glistening across his forehead.

  Auren smiled faintly.

  "Well… as long as Rael is alive too."

  Elena raised an eyebrow with exaggerated seriousness.

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  "Then we're in danger."

  Rael froze in place.

  "Huh?!"

  Annoyance instantly spread across his face, while Auren burst into laughter, soon joined by the village chief. The tension lingering in the air dissolved into warm laughter shared among them.

  After a moment, the chief exhaled and spoke firmly.

  "Very well. We'll be ready by tomorrow."

  Auren nodded with confidence.

  "I'm counting on you."

  He then turned toward Rael.

  "You should rest as well. The days ahead won't be easy."

  Rael wiped the sweat from his face and nodded.

  "…Alright."

  Elsewhere Within the Forest

  High above the ground, Kaelyn stood upon a thick tree branch, her eyes half-closed as her senses spread silently through the forest.

  Something was approaching.

  Powerful mana… loud and unrestrained.

  Not monsters.

  Humans.

  She moved soundlessly, her presence fading completely into the shadows until she reached a vantage point overlooking a forest path.

  There, she saw them.

  Maris Falka led the formation, her sword flashing with every swing as monsters that crossed her path were cut down instantly. Her movements lacked caution and instead overflowed with excitement, each strike carrying overwhelming force and a noise she made no attempt to conceal.

  Another beast lunged toward her

  It split cleanly in half before it could even reach her.

  Maris laughed lightly, as though battle itself were nothing more than an enjoyable game.

  Behind her walked Commander Rynval Kaider, pressing a hand against his forehead in visible exhaustion.

  "…Perhaps bringing her along was a mistake."

  The soldiers behind him were far less disciplined.

  One of them grinned and said, "At this pace we'll be back quickly. We'll be celebrating tonight!"

  Another laughed. "Maybe we'll even find ourselves some women before the night ends."

  A third soldier shot him an irritated glare. "The battle hasn't even started and you're already thinking about women? Your mind is truly shallow."

  Their conversation quickly escalated into a verbal argument, voices rising as irritation spread through the group.

  Rynval suddenly turned toward them, looking at the problem he had clearly brought upon himself. He sighed deeply before speaking.

  "Enough. Are you really arguing over something this trivial?"

  Silence fell immediately.

  Perhaps that woman's recklessness is spreading to the soldiers as well, he thought bitterly. I'm starting to feel like a caretaker for children.

  One of the knights stepped forward confidently.

  "As long as Maris is with us, there's nothing to worry about. A little optimism won't hurt."

  The soldiers exchanged glances before the tension finally settled.

  Far from them, Kaelyn continued watching in absolute silence, her presence completely concealed. Her eyes moved quickly between the soldiers, analyzing strength, rhythm, and discipline with quiet precision.

  Then her gaze stopped on Maris.

  A faint smile appeared on her lips.

  It was not mockery.

  It was interest.

  "Beautiful madness…" she whispered softly.

  In the next instant, her presence vanished entirely, as though she had never been there at all.

  The unit continued marching forward, unaware that they were already being watched.