As the weight of Clair's sudden revelation settled in, an awkward silence swept over the garden. The rustle of leaves and the distant chirp of birds were the only sounds that filled the air.
"F...Fiancé?!" Lola's voice cracked, stunned beyond words. She stared at Clair in disbelief, nearly spilling her drink.
Clair gave a slow nod. "Yes. I found out about it a year ago, while going through the family inheritance."
Theresa blinked. "So how long have you two been engaged?"
Clair tilted her head slightly, recalling the timeline. "Our parents arranged it when we were children. I suppose it's been official since then... though it was something decided without our awareness."
Snow leaned back in his seat, his expression unreadable. "Shouldn't you be against an arrangement made by parents who are no longer alive?"
"I was," Clair admitted, her tone soft but firm. "But... I made a promise to my mother. Fulfilling her last wish is something I chose to honor."
She turned to Snow, locking eyes with him. "And as fate would have it, you're the one I'm engaged to. I didn't expect that."
"You wouldn't have said that a year ago," Snow said dryly, his gaze distant.
"S-Snow!" Lola snapped, sitting up straighter. "I know I hurt you, and I've been trying to make amends... but don't lump every girl into the same box just because of me."
"Is that so?" Snow murmured.
He turned to her with eyes that reflected no anger—only the fatigue of someone who had given too much.
"Then what about Ruciel?" he asked quietly.
Lola's lips parted, but no words came. She sat back, her silence speaking volumes.
"Devoting time, care, and love to someone who doesn't return it... it's exhausting," Snow said. "I remember how you used to talk down to me."
He chuckled bitterly, but there was no humor in it.
"My relationship with Ruciel wasn't entirely unpleasant. It was a contract relationship, after all... but even then, investing effort in something so one-sided drains you."
He turned toward the others.
"So tell me—do you really think I'm wrong for wanting nothing to do with romantic relationships anymore?"
"...I'm sorry," Lola muttered. "Honestly, I don't know what to say."
"It's okay," Clair said gently. "Given what you've been through, it's only natural to be cautious. But I've made up my mind."
She faced him, her voice steady.
"Regardless of who I was promised to, I've decided to give my best to any future relationship. And if fate has decided it's you... then I hope you'll allow me the chance to fulfill at least my mother's wish."
Snow gave her a long look. "Then let's add a condition."
Clair raised a brow. "What kind of condition?"
"I need you to become famous," Snow replied.
The group blinked in confusion.
"Famous? I already am," Clair said with a half-laugh.
"Yes, you are," Snow acknowledged. "But I mean something more. I want you to become the center of attention—before the next dungeon arrival."
"What for?" Lola asked.
"I need someone strong enough to lead a guild," he said. "And that can't be me."
"You're avoiding responsibility again," Lola muttered.
"I'm choosing where I'm needed," Snow replied. "And I want you"—he looked to Clair—"to be there tomorrow."
Clair nodded slowly. "I'll be there."
"So... what does this have to do with dating Clair?" Theresa asked, confused.
"Nothing," Snow said plainly. "I just want to see how devoted she is to her words."
Theresa scratched her head. "Then... can I come along too?"
"Is there a reason?" Snow asked.
Theresa hesitated, then smiled. "You told me to switch to a blade, remember? I did—and it turns out, you were right. It suits me. I was hoping... maybe you could teach me how to grow as a mage swordsman."
Snow looked at her quietly for a moment.
There was no irritation, no frustration—just a stillness.
He exhaled slowly.
Weeks had gone by. He had handled everything alone. And in all that time, PATHFINDER had been absent.
"Okay," Snow finally answered, his voice quiet but firm. He rose from his seat, brushing imaginary dust off his coat.
"You guys should enjoy your stay," he added casually.
Lola narrowed her eyes. "Where are you going?"
Snow paused mid-step, glancing back at her with the faintest of smiles.
"You're better off not knowing," he said, and before anyone could respond, his figure began to disintegrate—like paper curling into ash, carried away by an unseen wind.
"...He's going to a dungeon," Clair said calmly, reaching for a snack on the tray.
"Indeed," Lola nodded.
Theresa blinked. "How do you two know that?"
"He said so himself," Lola replied without missing a beat.
"He never mentioned anything about a dungeon," Theresa said, clearly confused.
"No, but he mentioned a cure," Clair explained, gently biting into a cookie. "If there was no cure available here, then the only place he could get one... is inside a dungeon."
"Besides," Lola added, arms crossed, "he's been sitting by Aura's window for days. Restless. Quiet. He was only waiting for the right opportunity."
"I see..." Theresa nodded slowly. "It's amazing how well you two know him."
A pause lingered in the air. Both Clair and Lola exchanged a glance—silent, curious.
"...How do you know him?" Lola finally asked.
Theresa smiled softly. "Oh, we met by chance—at the penthouse complex. He was my neighbor."
She chuckled, almost embarrassed. "At first, I didn't think much of him. I assumed he was just another passerby. But then, during a brief conversation, he suggested I switch from being a mage to a swordsman."
"You actually listened to him?" Clair asked, tilting her head.
"Not immediately," Theresa said with a small laugh. "But then I started hearing stories. How he helped Ruciel finally break past A-rank. She'd been stuck there for years."
Her tone grew a little more thoughtful.
"Watching her rise to S-rank after training with him made me reconsider his advice. I gave it a try... and honestly? The difference was unbelievable."
"I see," Lola murmured, then leaned forward slightly. "But it's best you don't get too close to him."
Theresa blinked. "Is there a reason you'd say that?"
"Nothing too serious," Lola said, glancing at Clair. "I just don't want you falling for him... like Clair did. Or Maria."
"Wait—Maria?" Clair turned sharply toward her.
Lola sighed. "She's been constantly asking about Snow. At first, I thought she was just worried after the Zodiac Avatar incident... but then I found out she quit the Elohim Guild."
"What?" Theresa gasped. "Why hasn't anyone mentioned that?"
"Lakan Guild overshadowed everything," Lola said matter-of-factly. "That incident drowned out a lot of headlines."
"She told me," Lola continued, "that she plans to formally apply to Snow's guild... once it's established."
Her gaze slid toward Theresa. "But it's odd, isn't it? Her behavior—just like yours—feels too invested for someone who's only had a few encounters with him."
"I didn't realize..." Theresa muttered, taken aback.
"Well, you're not the only one who noticed," Clair said quietly. "The entire scene with Lakan Guild was massive."
"I heard Shura was the one responsible for the investigation," Theresa added. "But the whole thing was swept under the rug as just 'internal guild conflict.'"
"Yeah, Hannah's still hospitalized and can't speak a word about what happened," Lola said grimly. "The only survivor just kept repeating how he was frozen the moment he walked through the door."
A chill ran through the group.
"So... are you saying Snow singlehandedly wiped out an entire guild?" Theresa asked, clearly skeptical.
Lola gave a knowing smirk. "Would you compare the Lakan Guild to the Zodiac Avatar incident?"
"..." Clair and Theresa fell silent.
"And the funniest part?" Lola leaned back with a dry chuckle. "Compared to the Ulkis Dungeon Incident, even the Zodiac Avatar mess doesn't come close."
"What do you mean?" CLAIR asked, brows furrowed in confusion.
LOLA exhaled. "I'm sure you heard about my fight with Ruciel a week ago?"
"You mean the one where you both nearly demolished the Bright Hotel?" THERESA chimed in, raising a brow.
"Wait—what?" CLAIR's eyes widened. "You demolished the Bright Hotel?"
"It... kinda happened," LOLA admitted. "But the reason for that fight wasn't just some petty disagreement. It was about what Ruciel did after the incident."
"I thought you fought her because you were angry she cheated on Snow?" THERESA asked.
"I wish that was all there was to it, thanks to LISA who gave me the whole gist" LOLA said, her tone hardening.
She leaned back, her eyes focused as she began to explain. "According to Ruciel, the sixth floor of the Ulkis Tower housed a boss far stronger than even the Zodiac Avatar we encountered."
"The boss... called himself Asmodeus, Sin of Pride. A knight who wielded both Light and Darkness—wielding a blade known as Excalib," LOLA said slowly, her voice dropping into a somber hush.
"She told me that she tried to fight him... but she could barely even see his attacks. And Snow—he took the full brunt of it. Protected her while also fighting that thing."
There was a beat of silence before she added, "She said... Snow had both his arms severed. His chest was pierced—fatally. But somehow... somehow, he stood back up. He fought. He won. And in return, he claimed Excalib."
CLAIR and THERESA sat in stunned silence.
"But the strangest part..." LOLA continued, "was when he woke up. His body was perfectly intact. No wounds. No scars. As if nothing had happened."
"He protected her with everything he had," LOLA's voice wavered now, "and yet... Ruciel turned her back on him. She cheated on him with Kyle, even while still clinging to the agreement they made."
"What agreement?" THERESA asked.
"The one everyone knows," LOLA replied bitterly. "That she'd become his woman, and in return, he'd help her reach S-Rank."
"But Snow gave her a warning when they made that deal," she added.
"A warning?" CLAIR echoed.
"She was free to do whatever she wanted... as long as she remained loyal. But if a day ever came when she wanted out, she was to tell him directly."
"And she didn't," THERESA said quietly.
"No. She didn't. Worse, her S-Rank announcement came earlier than expected. And instead of gratitude... she began mocking him. Ridiculing him."
LOLA clenched her fists. "The way she spoke about him... it made me furious. It felt like she was talking about someone disposable. And then... during their last raid, she let Snow see her with Kyle. On purpose."
"I see," THERESA murmured. "That explains why he seems so emotionally detached now."
"Perhaps," CLAIR agreed softly.
"Well, I'll message Lisa. She should try to visit tomorrow," LOLA said, changing the topic.
"When do you plan to head back?" she asked CLAIR.
"I'm staying the night," CLAIR replied.
"Really?" LOLA blinked, surprised. "Then I'll ask Lady Bloodfallen for permission too."
"I'll be heading home," THERESA said, standing. "I just moved everything back to Spain, so I need to sort my luggage."
"Need help?" LOLA offered.
"No, it's fine. You two enjoy yourselves. I'll call when I'm on my way back tomorrow," THERESA said with a warm smile.
"See you tomorrow," LOLA waved as maids arrived to escort her out.
—
Hours later...
CLAIR and LOLA were chatting on the couch, laughter echoing through the dimly lit lounge—until a sudden chill swept over the room.
In a flash, SNOW appeared—tattered, blood-soaked, and staggering. Wounds covered his body, his eyes distant and wild.
Both girls froze.
"W-What...?" CLAIR gasped.
Snow looked at them as though they were ghosts from a dream.
"...Why are you two still here?" he asked, voice hollow.
He didn't wait for an answer. He turned slowly, limping toward the hallway that led to AURA's room.
CLAIR jumped to her feet, concern in her eyes. "He's bleeding—we should help—!"
But LOLA held out a hand, stopping her.
"Stay," she said firmly.
"But—!"
"He's not in the right state of mind," LOLA whispered. "Let him see her. That's what he came for."
Minutes passed in heavy silence.
Then, the door creaked open once more.
Snow emerged, even paler than before. As if avoiding everyone, he walked straight into the hallway where Benedith stood, with LOLA and CLAIR behind her.
"What happened to you?" Benedith asked, shocked by his condition—torn clothes, bloody wounds, bruises.
"...Nothing worth worrying over," Snow said coldly, brushing past them.
He paused only to say, "Aura is awake. You can go in."
And just like that—he vanished.
Benedith blinked. "Wait—what?!"
She didn't hesitate. Throwing the door open, she rushed in.
Inside, bathed in moonlight, AURA sat upright in bed, her long black hair cascading around her shoulders. She looked serene—ethereal, almost unrecognizable. Her skin glowed faintly, free of blemishes or bruises. Every trace of her past suffering had vanished.
Her eyes met theirs as they entered.
"A-Aura...?" Benedith breathed, voice trembling.
Aura simply tilted her head and smiled faintly, as though nothing had happened at all.
And yet, everything had changed.
------------------------------
To be continued...