Lightdusk, commonly known as the Lightdark Corridor, was a unique nation.

It had no army, no government, not even a judiciary. The only symbol of its identity was a tax law upheld voluntarily by citizens.

Lightdusk survived carefree solely thanks to its geographical advantage—

—it bordered the Divine Temple.

At the heart of human nations, on the southern edge of the circular Divine Temple territory, nearly half its border touched the Lightdark Corridor.

The Corridor clung to the Divine Temple’s southern periphery like a narrow strip, its total area barely matching two or three major cities.

Pilgrims worldwide avoided the harsh northern nations, detouring through the southern Lightdark Corridor to rest and prepare before entering the Divine Temple for more Wish Points.

This political reality shaped the Corridor’s present state.

Tourism, education, and entertainment—the three vital industries—fully supported its economy.

Stability and order were maintained by the great southern neighbor: Technica, the nation of prowess.

With completely open borders, foreign residents now outnumbered locals in Lightdusk.

Many were from Technica, including formidable individuals whose personal strength was not to be underestimated.

Anyone causing trouble in the Lightdark Corridor usually ended up as their victim.

After all, in a nation like Technica that worshipped raw power—even the throne was won by strength—so—

???: —Aaaaaah!! Don’t tell me “no going to Technica”!! It makes me furious!! Kaven!

Kaven: But… Princess, it’s the king’s order.

On the bustling streets of the Lightdark Corridor, a girl’s loud cry drew attention.

But gazes quickly scattered, as if that moment had never happened.

No wonder—everyone recognized this girl’s voice and face.

The king’s third daughter, Fernynas, fifteen, was the last unmarried princess.

Her wavy, crystal-blue hair matched a simple yet elegant blue dress. Her delicate face looked younger than her age.

A first-time foreign visitor might think she was only twelve.

Yet Fernynas’s frustrated expression twisted like a middle-aged woman haggling over vegetables.

Ah… Fernynas was like this again. She’d probably never marry—the citizens thought.

It wasn’t that the royal family lacked suitors, nor that men disliked loli-like brides. It was another reason…

…a reason every young man in the nation knew.

Fernynas: —Why won’t Father let me go to Technica!? It’s not far—just steps away!

Behind Princess Fernis followed a butler-dressed man with slicked-back hair and a short ponytail. His handsome face held a soft, complementary beauty.

Hearing the name “Kaven” and seeing his attire, one might mistake him for a young man.

But everyone knew no young man could stay near Fernynas long-term.

Kaven: Please understand, Princess. Your father forbade it for our nation’s friendship with neighbors.

Fernynas: Our nation has no laws restricting my actions!

Kaven: —That’s family rule, not national law, Princess.

Kaven: If you ruin another young man’s life in Technica, it threatens our political stability.

Fernynas: Ruin lives…? I just want a suitable boyfriend.

Kaven: —But every one of your ex-boyfriends had their lives destroyed, Princess.

Fernynas: ............

The princess had no retort. She crossed her arms, jerked her head away, and pouted silently.

Fernynas’s love story was well-known across the Lightdark Corridor.

Three years ago, at twelve, she was an ordinary girl.

She had her first romance with a senior two years older.

Fernynas dreamed of a fairy-tale love, treating him with extreme caution.

…She was clearly too cautious.

After a month, he was only allowed to touch her fingers.

By the third month, they could finally hold hands.

Even her mother warned that in this high-traffic nation, marrying after two months was normal…

…but Fernynas insisted on her fairy-tale pace.

She firmly believed she’d find her happiness.

Her first love didn’t share that belief.

On the third day after holding hands, Fernynas saw him arm-in-arm with a mature woman, kissing her on the street.

Eyewitnesses said after a brief argument, he loudly declared their breakup.

And our princess…

stabbed his palm and lips with a short knife from nowhere.

Afterward, Fernynas took a two-month leave for unstable mental health.

But the girl who returned wasn’t the same innocent dreamer…

She began aggressively approaching men—from twenty-eight-year-olds down to ten-year-olds.

Legends claimed no man who dated Fernynas through seduction or force had a good end.

Either for early physical contact—like holding hands in month two—or for glancing at other women over three seconds.

Every “ex-boyfriend” bore knife wounds; some lost body parts or functions permanently.

Rumors spread that Fernynas only felt love-like excitement by hurting men.

In under three years, she became the nemesis of all eligible men in the Lightdark Corridor.

Not just men and her parents—even Fernynas realized she’d likely never marry…

So her “claws” reached toward neighboring Technica…

Fernynas’s legend was far from over…

Kaven: —That, Princess, is your image and legend among citizens.

Fernynas: ............

Fernynas: Who made up these stories? Find him—he’ll be my boyfriend.

Kaven: Well… finding him would be a miracle.

Kaven: Still, aside from exaggerations, the rest is true, isn’t it?

Fernynas: ............

Fernynas lowered her head slightly, turning her face away. A blush of mixed shyness and sadness spread across her cheeks.

Fernynas: It’s not my fault…

Kaven: Your standards are too high. Even if a man errs, knives aren’t the only solution.

Fernynas: But a sealed impulse in my hands—I can’t stop it!!

Kaven: …Chuunibyou?

Fernynas: Sigh! Am I destined to spend life only with women…?

Kaven: …Please don’t swing to the other extreme.

Fernynas: But…

Fernynas: Can I really find a suitable man here?

Kaven: ............

Kaven: Probably.

Kaven: This year, Technica hosts the “Three Battles” grand event. With the pilgrimage peak it brings, many excellent foreigners will come.

Kaven: Who knows if your ideal match might be among them, Princess?

Fernynas: ............

Fernynas lifted her head, brushing her crystal-blue hair aside. She gazed southward where no walls blocked the view.

Beyond the hazy horizon, she strained to see something unknown.

Fernynas: I hope so.

Fernynas: —Ah, that boy who just passed by looks perfect!

Whoosh—the blade flashed.

Kaven: —Princess, don’t instinctively draw your knife like a hunter when saying that! It’ll spark more weird rumors!

Fernynas: Eh—Finding a good man matters more than rumors!