The sky was bright with sunshine. Nina and Sewin stood silently under the shade of a tree, gazing at each other without words.
After a while, Nina turned around idly, staring blankly at the mine entrance. Sewin appeared to be waiting for Nevia or Kaelen to emerge. But in truth, he was using this chance to observe Nina.
He had always been curious about this little girl who followed Nevia with an arrogant look. As a Wells family member, Sewin prioritized the clan above all. Though Nevia’s mother held a low noble rank, with only this small village as her fief, the clan leader had repeatedly stressed building ties with her. Few knew their family sought refuge here not just for ancestral roots and safety from wars, but to strengthen bonds with Nevia’s household.
The current clan leader was wise and far-sighted. Years ago, through risky political gambles, he’d pulled the Wells family from decline back to local prominence. His absolute authority meant no one opposed his unexpected moves.
Yet Sewin still didn’t understand. He’d met Nevia’s mother—the countess. By custom, noblewomen with children were called "Madam," but her youth and breathtaking beauty made that title hard to say. He preferred "Miss Countess" in his heart. Beyond her rare looks and medical skills, he couldn’t see why the clan valued them so highly.
Perhaps this was why he’d never gained the leader’s attention. Sewin sighed inwardly. Among the youth, he was the top warrior, yet stuck as Kaelen’s sword instructor and part-time bodyguard. A hint of discontent lingered.
Sewin’s eyes followed Nina’s small figure. Her outfit was exquisitely tailored, unlike Nevia’s simple white silk trousers and tunic. She wore a pale yellow one-piece gown, adorned with intricate lace. The soft fabric shimmered with an unusual luster. Sewin recalled such material—precious "silk" shipped from the distant Eastern Continent. Its staggering price impressed him; ordinary nobles couldn’t afford it. This little girl must have significant background.
Sensing his gaze, Nina turned back in confusion. She only saw the boy turning his head, pretending to admire the scenery. Nina shot him a glance.
Time ticked by. Nina spotted someone running from the mine. To her surprise, it wasn’t Nevia first—it was Kaelen, looking a bit slow-witted. His face held no victory joy, only anxiety and frustration.
"Sewin... Nevia... she... she..." Kaelen’s voice reached them before he did. Clearly losing composure, he struggled to explain.
"Kaelen. Calm down." Sewin placed a hand on his shoulder, patting gently. "She’s still inside... There are... Undead in there..."
"What?" Sewin was shocked. Necromancers were nearly extinct; he never expected Undead news. Without hesitation, he told the kids to wait outside. But before he could move, Kaelen tugged his clothes.
"I’m going too." Fear lingered on the boy’s face, yet a trace of determination shone through.
Sewin fixed him with a stern gaze, silently asking, "Do you have the courage?" Kaelen mustered his bravery and met his eyes.
Sewin suddenly smiled, reassuringly taking Kaelen’s hand. He strode boldly into the cave. *Young master, you’re finally growing up.* Nina silently followed.
The cave was deep and dark. By torchlight, the three hurried through. Nevia had cleaned battle traces, so they found nothing. Sewin channeled energy to his throat, shouting, "Miss Nevia, where are you?"
The echo wound through tunnels. Unexpectedly, a reply came: "Hi, I’m here." Nevia’s petite figure appeared. Sewin and Kaelen, braced for battle, froze in surprise. Nina burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, Nevia, your appearance..." Nina pointed, laughing heartily.
"Meh." Nevia glanced down. Her pristine white clothes were splattered with grayish-brown mud, like splashes from a speeding car. She shrugged nonchalantly—she wasn’t a well-behaved kid, and getting dirty was routine. But the thought of her mother’s scolding gave her a headache.
"What about the Undead?" Sewin asked gravely, just as Nevia expected.
"I don’t know. I was running around in the tunnels, and they vanished." Nevia hadn’t bothered making excuses. Playing dumb worked fine—she was just a kid, after all. Why not use her age advantage?
Sure enough, Sewin’s thoughts stayed fixed on "why did the Undead disappear?" Pondering with no answers, he decided to send the kids home first, then contact the clan for an investigation. This village was their refuge; no uncontrolled dangers could be tolerated.
On the way back, birdsong filled the air. Nevia suddenly smiled at Kaelen. "Kaelen, how do we settle our match?"
