"Bambi has a really bad feeling about this…"
As they moved through the pitch-black tunnels, Bambi looked uneasily at Milfi, who was perched on her shoulder. Milfi's expression was equally grave.
"I feel the same… I just hope Lady Mistelina is all right."
Their unease wasn't without reason. They had followed Mistelina's trail all the way to the royal capital. There, a wandering merchant told them something that shocked them both—he had indeed seen Mistelina entering the capital, accompanied by a witch. But according to the merchant, that witch was a dangerous one…
"She follows the Three Fingers, seeks the Frenzied Flame, and plans to break the ancient seal buried beneath the city… Be careful. That path is death itself."
Neither of them knew what the "Frenzied Flame" truly was, but they had once heard the name of the Three Fingers from Ranni when Duanmu Huai was present. According to legend, long ago, the agents of the Greater Will had fought among themselves. One faction sought to destroy the Lands Between and return all life to the primal crucible. That faction lost and was sealed beneath the royal capital—those were the Three Fingers.
But then… why would Mistelina be with a witch of the Three Fingers?
"Lady Mistelina would never want to destroy the Lands Between! She must've been deceived!"
Milfi gripped her rapier tightly, whispering anxiously. Bambi remained silent—until a flash of crimson flickered before her eyes.
"Found her!"
With those words, the vampire princess dissolved into a swarm of bats that carried Milfi swiftly into the depths of the sewers. The swarm surged through the rotten, foul tunnels until they reached the deepest layer. Then the bats gathered once more, reforming into Bambi's small, dark figure.
"Lady Mistelina!!"
There she was—the forest princess herself, lying motionless on the damp stone floor. Her once-gleaming armor lay scattered around her. Her body was covered in burns, her eyes dim and lifeless as though she had already died.
"Your Highness, are you all right?!"
Milfi cried out in horror, rushing to her side. She knelt beside Mistelina, trembling, and reached out with a shaking hand.
"Your Highness…"
"Don't come any closer!!"
Suddenly, Mistelina's hand lashed out. In the next instant she leapt to her feet, retreating several steps from them.
"Lady Mistelina?!"
"Big sister?!"
Her movements were erratic, her expression wild. Both Milfi and Bambi froze, alarmed. They had never seen Mistelina look so deranged.
"Your Highness, what's wrong? What happened to you?"
"Don't come closer, Milfi…"
Mistelina's face twisted with sorrow.
"I made a foolish decision—one that may doom the entire Lands Between. I didn't mean to… No, that's an excuse. Deep down, I sensed something was wrong. I knew she… her purpose was not what she claimed. But I ignored it. I didn't want to fail again… not like last time."
"Lady Mistelina?"
"Big sister, what are you talking about?"
The two were completely confused by her fragmented words. Mistelina merely raised her sword and shield, eyes filled with anguish.
"Stay away. Leave me here, Milfi. That's an order. Consider me dead."
"T-that's impossible!"
"Tell Father I'm sorry. My foolishness has brought ruin… this is the punishment I deserve."
"I don't understand what you're saying, Lady Mistelina!"
Milfi took a step forward—but Mistelina raised her weapon again, warning her back.
"Ugh… such a hassle. I'll ask my master."
Bambi tilted her head, then closed her eyes and reached out through the bond that linked her to Duanmu Huai.
Moments later, she opened them again.
"Bambi, what did the Knight say?"
"The answer's simple."
Bambi raised both hands. Her small body floated into the air as a swarm of bats surrounded her. Above her head materialized a crimson warhammer, glowing with power.
Magic surged outward.
"If she won't listen, just knock her out and bring her back! Leave it to Bambi!"
As she spoke, countless bats erupted from behind her and swarmed toward Mistelina!
"…Haah, honestly, what's going on over there…"
Duanmu Huai sighed, shaking his head. He hadn't expected Bambi and Milfi to actually find Mistelina—but according to Bambi's report, the forest princess was in quite a state. From her description, she wasn't even wearing clothes… hopefully that didn't mean she'd been violated by bandits or something. That would be… troublesome.
And he couldn't even say it had nothing to do with him.
Still, he had already summoned Bambi's Soul Card earlier, enhancing her with Armed Enhancement and Paladin's Blessing. Her attack power should be more than enough to knock Mistelina out and bring her back safely.
Fortunately, his own business was nearly done.
Duanmu Huai turned his attention back to Raya, who was kneeling on the ground. He had handed her the strange organ he'd taken from the church, and she had said she could feel her mother's presence from it. Then she begged him to take her to the church to uncover the truth.
He agreed. Guided by the Godskin noble, they reached a secluded chamber. There, Raya closed her eyes as though sensing something—and when she opened them again, she collapsed.
"Are you all right?"
"I…"
Raya forced a bitter smile.
"No, I'm not. Perhaps you don't know yet, but I am an abandoned child—not born of blessing, but from a dreadful ritual. A being rejected by both humans and serpents alike… one who should never have been accepted by Lady Tanith."
She closed her eyes. Tears slid down her cheeks.
"I've made so many selfish requests of you, but this will be the last. Please, kill me. I thought I was ready… but I'm still afraid. Free me from this cursed body. Let me be at peace."
She looked up at him, eyes trembling. Duanmu Huai's answer was simple.
"Is that really necessary?"
"Eh?"
Raya's eyes widened.
"Hero?"
"To be honest, I think you're overthinking it. Regardless of how you were born, Lady Tanith raised you, didn't she? Raising a child isn't easy. If she didn't want you, she'd have let you die long ago. But she didn't—she spent years caring for you. Doesn't that count for something? And besides… what's so special about blood parents? If they threw you away, then why care about them at all?"
He shook his head, thinking of the ridiculous reunion shows on TV—parents weeping after losing a child for years, then hugging a total stranger the moment they found them. It always looked fake to him. Sure, maybe the parents' tears were genuine—but for the kid? Meeting two strangers claiming to be your parents—how could you suddenly feel deep love for them?
Unless, of course, the foster parents were abusive—that would be different.
But in Raya's case? Tanith treated her well. Maybe not perfectly, but definitely with care.
Even someone raising a dog for ten years would feel attached—how could Tanith feel nothing for the girl she'd raised for that long?
"You don't need to rush to die. Think it through. You're still young, and life's long."
He patted her on the shoulder. She kept her head down, silent.
"All right. Take your time."
Knowing she needed space, Duanmu Huai turned and left her there. Returning to the Volcanic Manor, he sought out Tanith.
"Is the child all right?"
"I think she'll come around eventually."
Seeing that Tanith's first question was about Raya, he couldn't help but think she really was a good mother—better than many real ones.
"I see…"
Tanith sighed softly, then drew a small vial from her robes and handed it to him.
"What's this?"
"The Potion of Forgetfulness. If she truly can't overcome her pain… I ask you to grant her release."
"I doubt she'll need it, but I'll hold onto it."
He pocketed the vial. There were plenty of creative uses for something like this.
He even recalled a certain story he'd read once—where a man used a similar potion to make a woman forget her trauma so he could romance her again after erasing her memories multiple times… creepy stuff that only the followers of the God of Desire would approve of. Anyone who tried that in front of Duanmu Huai would be immediately "purified."
"Well then…"
Tanith straightened, her tone returning to solemnity.
"It's time for you to meet our king. Are you ready?"
"I've been waiting for this."
He grinned.
"Good. Then close your eyes for a moment. I shall guide you to him."
He obeyed, closing his eyes.
A moment later, the ground vanished beneath his feet.
Tanith's voice echoed faintly in his ears.
"…Farewell. May this meeting be… perfect."
When Duanmu Huai opened his eyes again, he crashed heavily onto the ground.
Before him loomed a colossal serpent with multiple heads—like a hydra.
The beast lifted one of its massive heads, maw opening wide at him.
Clearly, it wasn't here to greet him.
Oddly enough, Duanmu Huai felt relieved.
"Well, thanks a lot, Lady Tanith."
He raised his Warhammer, black flame surging from his armor.
"At least now I don't have to hold back!"
With that, he charged forward and slammed the hammer straight into the serpent's skull!
(End of Chapter)