Lisen Street, near the eastern market of the Royal City.

Bustling and crowded, Aisha stood quietly there. Her gaze fixed ahead, staring at the person before her.

Boka and the others were far enough away; this spot should be safe. At least she wouldn't be spotted.

The other seemed to notice, turning into an alley to shake her off.

But Aisha gave no breathing room. Her petite frame let her slip through the crowd easily, catching up fast. Though the adult tracker had longer strides, the alley was deserted. No one passed by, so she didn't hold back. Aisha's pupils glowed faintly blue. She chanted in an ancient tongue. Complex calculations processed in her mind, drawing ambient energy to her body.

She stepped on the wall, leaping upward. Her body floated lightly, as if invisible steps existed in midair. Aisha took two more steps, vaulting over the high alley wall to land above the tracker.

Aria hesitated for a moment before looking up to see Aisha floating there.

This corner of the Royal City had two exits, but Aisha had already sealed them with thick ice. The narrow space held only the two of them.

Aisha landed slowly in front of Aria. A slight upward draft lifted her light dress and golden hair.

"What is it?"

The usually silent Aria spoke first.

"That's my line," Aisha said flatly. "Your Excellency, the Black Knight."

"I have business."

Aria seemed to signal she wanted to leave.

But Aisha still blocked her path.

"Do you think you can escape like this?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know who I am."

...

After a brief silence.

"The prophesied princess."

Aisha's expression turned fierce.

"Why didn't you kill me before!" she hissed, forcing her voice low. "Now, you won't let me go."

Wind brushed Aria's waist-length hair, covering her eyes for a moment. It made her even more enigmatic.

"I don't understand."

"You've been following us," Aisha said. "Don't think I didn't notice."

A flicker of surprise crossed Aria's face, replaced by panic.

"I haven't."

"Since the theater. No, even earlier."

"You've mistaken me for someone else."

"Not Trena. I was still deceived by you."

"I don't understand," she said. "Is there a misunderstanding?"

Aria actually questioned her back.

"Who else knows my identity besides you?" Aisha strained to control herself. "Answer me."

"Only me."

"Is that so?"

"I have no intention to harm you."

"Then that's perfect," Aisha said with a cold smile.

"What?"

The air froze instantly. Piercing cold seeped through every pore.

A geometric magic circle glowed beneath Aisha's feet—a sign of high-tier magic.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Aria drew her longsword, dodging the speeding ice pillars.

Aisha was only testing. She knew petty tricks couldn't hurt Aria Agnes—the legendary Black Knight who overthrew the Nellos dynasty!

"Princess, what are you doing?"

"Stop pretending," Aisha sneered. "You approached Boka for me. I'm giving you what you want."

Countless ice pillars shot at Aria. She dodged nimbly, deflecting the rest with her ancient sword alone.

"Oh, impressive," Aisha praised. "How about this?"

Her pupils glowed blue again. Ice walls surged around Aria, trapping her completely.

Summoning ice from thin air required high-precision calculations. Yet Aisha created walls of such thickness and quality. Even Aria felt inward surprise.

"Give up," Aria said calmly.

"Given up?"

"Princess, you cannot defeat me."

"What did you say..."

Aria's tone was like a calm declaration, no bluff or disguise.

"You should realize it yourself."

"Then try this!"

Water seeped from the ground beneath them, rising into the air. Aisha manipulated surface vapor—her other magic. It gathered above Aria, forming sharper ice spikes than before.

Aisha stared at the dense spikes, then waved her hand down lightly, as if conducting.

Whoosh!

They poured down like a downpour onto Aria!

Ice shards flew everywhere, shattering with a silvery-white glow. Their force pierced the stone slabs below.

When the ice settled, Aisha clenched her teeth. Aria stood unharmed.

So it won't work.

Then try fire. Aisha chanted again. Heat waves rolled through the air, evaporating all ice and water.

A deep blue fireball swelled before her. Its heat could melt steel, hotter than any furnace.

But Aria showed no panic this time.

The roaring fireball lunged like a beast. Aria simply raised her black ancient sword and slashed downward. The flames vanished the moment the blade touched them.

"Dragon Breath Sword..." Aisha froze. "It should have been destroyed... damn dragon."

"May I leave now?"

Aria's casual tone ignored Aisha completely.

"You—"

Before she finished, Aria brushed past her, already behind.

"Don't go!"

"I meant no harm. Following you..." she hesitated. "Perhaps it was selfishness."

"If my auxiliary calculation region wasn't damaged, I wouldn't lose to you!"

"Hmm. I know," Aria replied. "Had you truly wished it, Nellos wouldn't have fallen."

"You!"

Aria vanished around the corner before Aisha could speak. Her footsteps were silent, undetectable.

Aisha panted heavily. Aria had sensed her damaged auxiliary calculation region from the start. Forcing unprocessed magic strained her brain terribly. Without enough chanting time—especially against a melee knight—she'd be dead already.

Now, she had no time to chase Aria. Boka must be searching for her.

Just as she thought, Aisha exited the alley to find Boka and Helen calling out near a trinket shop.

Their anxious, foolish looks mirrored each other perfectly. They were such a match. Aisha couldn't help but think: I hope their future kids are smarter. Don't inherit all their parents' genes.

After reuniting with Boka, they strolled Lisen Street, admiring the towering buildings. Boka also visited Gena, still working at the duke's mansion. Gena scrutinized Helen for a long time, then smiled with relief. Boka was baffled.

Aisha kept glancing around nervously, which worried him.

They returned to Mire Street at dusk. Boka wanted Helen to stay for dinner, but Cynthia said she'd only made four portions.

Aisha and Boka both had big appetites. Boka thought he and the little girl could eat less—it'd be enough. But Cynthia had truly made far less than usual. Finally, she just said, "I'll give my portion to Helen. I'll go hungry."

So they gave up.

Numbers 26 and 27 Mire Street were two connected properties owned by the Blumer Clan. Boka lived next door but spent most time—even meals—at the general store. That night, heading to his second-floor room, he saw a large hole in the wooden boards between the buildings. Dorin was jumping excitedly back and forth.

"Dorin, d-did you do this?" Boka said. "So naughty."

"Nope," Dorin giggled, shaking her head.

"I did."

Cynthia, in a thin nightgown, stepped forward and lifted her daughter.

"Eh? Why?"

"I'll make a door here. It'll be easier to come and go."

"It's convenient now. Just turn the corner downstairs and enter your store. Takes a sip of water's time."

"The wall makes me uncomfortable," Cynthia glared resentfully at Boka. "Is that not allowed?"

"Of course it is..."

"I'll put Dorin to bed. Don't stay up too late."

Cynthia carried Dorin into the room.

"Aisha," Boka whispered. "Was Cynthia acting strange today?"

"No. You're just stupid," the girl sneered.