"There's a rumor spreading in the neighboring countries," one of the craftsmen said quietly. "They say a foreign creature slaughtered an entire village."
The neighboring lands—if Lizzy remembered correctly—were the Kingdom of Randall and the Federation of Maberich. Each nation had a different territorial structure, which resulted in settlements being scattered across various regions instead of centralized. Because of that, villages in other countries were far more vulnerable to monster attacks, especially small, remote settlements hidden far from main roads and city walls.
"They say the monster is incredibly fast and ruthless. It wiped out a whole village in a very short time. No one truly saw what it looked like."
"They have to capture it quickly before more villages are destroyed."
"It would be terrifying if something like that came here."
"We're protected by a powerful gate. A monster like that couldn't possibly get inside."
"But there was an incident before, wasn't there? A monster that went berserk inside the gate."
Lizzy listened carefully to their conversation, so absorbed that she failed to notice her order had already arrived. She flinched slightly when Morgana touched the tip of her finger, pulling her back from her thoughts. Lizzy offered an awkward smile before finally beginning to eat her meal.
"Oh, that was a long time ago. They said it was a monster that escaped from the Institute," another craftsman said. "Those mad researchers were probably experimenting on monsters and neglected their security. Fortunately, there were no casualties."
"Let's hope the Institute learns from their mistakes and never repeats such an incident. In the end, it's always the citizens who suffer."
The conversation eventually drifted away, swallowed by laughter and mundane topics, as though the rumor had never been spoken at all. Yet for Lizzy, the words refused to disappear so easily. They lingered at the back of her mind, faint but persistent—like the aftertaste of something bitter.
A foreign creature.
An entire village gone.
No one had seen its true form.
Lizzy lowered her gaze to the surface of her meal, watching the steam slowly fade into the air. The rain outside had softened into a gentle drizzle, its rhythm steady and calm, almost soothing. Everything around her felt peaceful—too peaceful.
She wondered how it must have felt for the people in that village. Whether they had heard the monster before they saw it. Or whether they never had the chance to feel fear at all.
The thought made her chest tighten.
And yet, people laughed. They spoke of it as rumor, as something distant, something that belonged to elsewhere.
Lizzy wrapped her fingers around her spoon, grounding herself in the cool metal. She had lived like that once too—believing disasters only happened to other people, in other places. Until one day, reality proved otherwise.
She had crossed worlds because of a single moment she never saw coming. If something like that monster appeared here… her thoughts trailed off.
Lizzy didn't know why the rumor unsettled her so deeply. Perhaps it was because this world had already given her too much kindness. Or perhaps because she had begun to care.
Caring made everything heavier.
She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to take another bite of food. Whatever existed beyond the borders of this city was beyond her reach—for now. She wasn't a hero. She wasn't a guardian. She was just someone who had stumbled into a world far larger and far crueler than she was prepared for.
And yet—
Somewhere, deep down, Lizzy felt a quiet, unreasonable certainty.
If danger ever reached this place—
if it ever reached them—
She wouldn't be able to look away.
⊱⋅ ────◇✦◇──── ⋅⊰
Once they arrived home, Lizzy asked for permission to clean herself first. Morgana and Milliane headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Lizzy had previously offered to help with cooking, but Morgana insisted she rest—starting tomorrow, Lizzy would begin intense training.
After bathing, Lizzy stood before the mirror, studying her reflection. She had grown accustomed to her new appearance by now. A vague, unintentional smile formed on her lips as she looked at herself. The short red hair framed her face beautifully.
To be honest, Lizzy had wanted to dye her hair for a long time. But school regulations back on Earth strictly forbade hair dye. Now, one small dream had finally come true, and she felt oddly satisfied.
"I look this good," she muttered while making a cute expression at her reflection, "so why does no one ever like me?"
She was far too absorbed in her own vanity to notice the bedroom door opening. "Lizzy, may I talk to you for a moment?"
Morgana suddenly appeared at the doorway, peeking inside. Lizzy's heart nearly jumped out of her chest—both startled and embarrassed. Her narcissistic moment must have looked strange.
She straightened up instantly, forcing herself to appear calm. "Y–Yes? Of course!"
"Not here. Come with me," Morgana said gently.
After Lizzy nodded, Morgana went downstairs first, and Lizzy followed closely behind.
Lizzy assumed they would talk in the living room, but Morgana instead led her to the backyard. There stood a small building that looked like a storage shed. The moment they entered, Lizzy was greeted by rows of stored items.
Without saying a word, Morgana crouched and tapped the wooden floor. Lizzy's curiosity was answered when Morgana lifted a wooden panel, revealing a hole beneath it—a hidden door.
"Where are we going?" Lizzy asked as Morgana began descending.
Instead of answering, Morgana simply smiled. "There's something I want to show you."
Despite her confusion, Lizzy followed.
At the bottom of the wooden stairs lay a fairly large room filled with old, worn objects. The moment Lizzy stepped into the hidden chamber, she felt as though she had crossed into a place where time no longer moved. The air was thick—heavy with the scent of damp wood and dust that had settled undisturbed for years. Even her footsteps seemed to hesitate, as if the room itself was wary of being awakened.
Dim light filtered down from the stairway above, revealing shelves packed tightly with old boxes, wooden chests, and artifacts whose purposes Lizzy could only guess. Some were wrapped in faded cloth, others sealed carefully, as though waiting for hands that had never returned.
This wasn't merely a storage room. It was a place of remembrance.
Morgana moved through the space with familiarity, her fingers brushing past objects she did not stop to look at. There was no hesitation in her movements—only a quiet resolve, sharpened by something unseen.
Lizzy's attention, however, was drawn elsewhere.
The painting.
"This is…"
It hung behind glass, its colors softened by age, yet the emotion captured within it remained painfully vivid. A bride and groom stood side by side, their expressions radiant with a happiness so genuine it almost hurt to look at. The woman in the painting was unmistakably Morgana. The man beside her—smiling gently, eyes warm—must have been her husband.
For a moment, Lizzy forgot to breathe. So this was what he looked like.
"They loved each other," Lizzy murmured, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Morgana paused.
"Milliane always cries whenever she remembers her father's face," she said suddenly, as if reading Lizzy's thoughts. "That's why I had no choice but to store all of my husband's belongings here."
Lizzy nodded silently, her eyes still fixed on the painting. The couple looked radiant, perfectly matched. Anyone could tell at a glance that they loved each other deeply.
From that portrait, Lizzy finally understood where Revanio's hazelnut eyes came from.
Yet one question lingered.
"Madame Morgana… you and your husband look so kind," Lizzy said hesitantly. "Then why is Revanio so sharp and gruff?"
Morgana laughed at Lizzy's honesty. "He's like that with everyone, so don't take it personally," she said. "Perhaps it's because he's been through too much at a young age. He used to be energetic and adorable."
Her gaze drifted briefly into the distance before returning to Lizzy, now serious and strangely mysterious. "But Lizzy… haven't you noticed something after seeing that painting?"
Lizzy blinked, confused. "What?"
Morgana shook her head gently and handed her a square wooden box. "This is one of my husband's belongings. Open it."
Lizzy still didn't understand, but she obeyed.
Inside lay a pair of dual blades—blue blades with red hilts. Once, they must have been beautiful. Now, they were rusted and worn by time.
"This is an Ignition Weapon," Morgana said.
Lizzy immediately remembered yesterday's conversation. "So… your husband was an Ignition Weapon user?" she asked in surprise.
Morgana smiled. "Revanio is one as well."
"What?!" Lizzy was even more shocked. The grumpy young man… an Ignition Weapon user?
"He's a remarkably talented archer," Morgana continued. "If you're curious, his Sincerity Bow is in his room."
Lizzy pouted. 'Sincerity' and Revanio really don't match, she thought. 'Wrath' would suit him better.
"Once reforged, these dual blades will become a formidable weapon," Morgana said as she closed the box. "You may have them, Lizzy."
Lizzy hesitated. "If this is such a precious relic, shouldn't you give it to Revanio instead?"
Morgana shook her head. "He doesn't like dual blades. He prefers long-range weapons."
Lizzy wasn't trying to refuse—but she had already received so much. "I'm sorry, Madame Morgana… I don't think I deserve something so valuable."
"It would be far more wasteful to leave it unused," Morgana replied softly. "I believe I've given it to the right person."
Those words settled deep in Lizzy's chest.
She admired Morgana's way with words—but it also frightened her. Because meeting others' expectations was far harder than chasing one's own dreams. Failure didn't just hurt herself—it disappointed those she cared about. And that guilt was the heaviest punishment of all.
Lizzy lowered her eyes to the box, heart pounding softly. She was afraid.
Not of the weapon—but of failing the hope that came with it.
⊱⋅ ────◇✦◇──── ⋅⊰
After Lizzy officially became a Trainee at the Camp Training, the task of picking up Milliane returned to Revanio. Unfortunately, on his very first day doing so, Revanio could only arrive when the sky had already turned to dusk. The workload piling up on him truly kept him busy. Fortunately, Constantine Mimosa was willing to accompany Milliane while she waited to be picked up.
Even so, Revanio didn't really like that boy. More precisely, Revanio hated all rich people.
"I'm sorry, Milliane. I couldn't make time to come earlier," Revanio said while holding Milliane's small hand. The two of them were walking along the main road toward home.
Milliane smiled brightly, as if it was nothing at all. "I understand. Mom said there are many corrupt people in the Department, so the Commander had to fire a lot of subordinates. That's why Big Brother has been overwhelmed and has to handle many tasks at once."
Revanio didn't know how to properly express his gratitude for having such an understanding little sister. His hand moved on its own, gently patting Milliane's head with affection.
The little girl laughed happily, then pointed ahead. "That's Lizzy! She's with Big Brother Orange!" she exclaimed.
Revanio had no choice but to look forward. Just as Milliane said, Lizzy was there, walking sluggishly with a face that looked utterly exhausted. Beside her stood Prince Orangel, his orange hair disguised, enthusiastically waving at the two of them.
Seeing those two completely opposite auras side by side made one of Revanio's eyebrows lift. "What are you two doing here?"
"I'm escorting Miss Hawthorn home because it seems she can no longer recognize the way," Prince Orangel explained cheerfully. "Today's training was very enjoyable!"
Unlike him, Lizzy looked only half-alive. Her mind wasn't even there anymore as she kept muttering things they couldn't understand.
"The arrow's travel distance times its speed is… blah, blah, blah…"
"Lizzy is drunk!" Milliane innocently poked Lizzy's arm, but there was no reaction at all.
"She's just overheated. Maybe her brain absorbed too many lessons and exceeded its capacity," Revanio explained while observing Lizzy's face, which now looked very much like a zombie.
Prince Orangel immediately burst into laughter. "That's right! Today I taught Miss Hawthorn many things! She was very enthusiastic and followed all my lessons well—except for theory."
Revanio nodded in understanding. "No wonder she ended up like this. At least consider the person you're training," he scolded.
Instead of feeling guilty, Prince Orangel only grinned while scratching the back of his head, then excitedly continued talking.
"But did you know? Miss Hawthorn managed to set a new record in agility training, and she even defeated her seniors in endurance training. Her understanding of practical lessons is far quicker than her grasp of theory."
"Lizzy said she doesn't like studying, especially math. Except when it comes to counting money," Milliane chimed in after listening carefully. Unlike Revanio, who didn't really respond.
"Is that so? Then perhaps tomorrow I should give her a slightly different kind of training," Prince Orangel nodded to himself. Meanwhile, Revanio took Milliane's hand again, and with his other hand tugged the edge of Lizzy's sleeve, continuing to walk.
"Teacher said there are many ways to learn!" Milliane said enthusiastically.
Prince Orangel looked delighted. "Woah! Milliane really is the best! I understand now," he exclaimed far too cheerfully. Even Revanio found himself confused—was this man actually eighteen years old, or seven?
"But I'm still confused," Prince Orangel continued as they walked. "What kind of weapon should Miss Hawthorn be given? During archery practice today, she nearly snapped all the bowstrings in the storage room. She keeps pulling too hard until the strings break. It seems Miss Hawthorn simply can't get along with bows."
There was no denying it—Revanio's eyes widened at that. He then quietly pinched the arm of Lizzy, who was still only half-conscious. How could she torment his favorite weapons like that?
"What do you think, Milliane? Should I give her a heavy-class weapon like a scythe or an axe?" the Prince asked the little fairy.
Suddenly, Milliane exclaimed excitedly, "Lizzy with an axe would be really cool!"
Prince Orangel shouted in agreement with equal enthusiasm. Revanio, on the other hand, felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Lizzy plus an axe. There was no combination more deadly than those two.