After a pleasant bath, the two dressed and returned to the tent.
Alyssa picked a clean set of underwear from her suitcase for Verlith.
Fortunately, Alyssa’s chest wasn’t disappointing—though still young, it was already developing nicely.
After Verlith put it on, her ample bosom still felt slightly squeezed, but it was acceptable overall. Far better than the previous mismatched size.
The underwear was clean yet carried a faint herbal scent, like the subtle fragrance always drifting from Alyssa.
Had Alyssa worn this?
Well, it was hers anyway. Unworn would’ve been weird.
Wait!
So this meant wearing Alyssa’s intimate underwear directly on her skin.
Indirectly, it was like constant, close contact with Alyssa!
Th-this…
For a knight who’d only recently become a woman and was still single, this was a bit too stimulating.
“Here, for you.”
Alyssa handed Verlith a neatly folded bundle of clothes.
“Huh? What’s this…”
Verlith shook her head to clear her thoughts, stopping her daydream.
She took the bundle, shook it out, and saw a light blue linen dress.
“Alyssa, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Suppressing her inner turmoil, she put on the blue dress.
Alyssa also gave her soft, breathable flat shoes.
Dressed, Verlith tied her silver hair into a high ponytail with a rope.
Thus, she transformed from a disheveled girl into a naturally beautiful woman with remarkable grace and a touch of masculinity.
They ate a simple dinner brought by mercenaries and sat chatting at the table.
“Vier, you’re not eating the roast meat? Don’t you like bread?”
Alyssa tilted her head, curiously eyeing the black bread beside Verlith.
“Ah, this…”
She didn’t know why this body had no appetite for meat or grains. Her hunger was weak.
She hurriedly picked up the bread but couldn’t think of an explanation, so she set it down again.
“Well… saving the best for last, something like that… I guess?”
She explained awkwardly. Alyssa nodded vaguely.
After that, Alyssa steered the conversation.
Verlith usually considered herself talkative—but only when bragging with male peers.
Now, facing a beautiful girl like Alyssa discussing feminine topics, she didn’t know how to respond.
With a man, she’d have endless experience and topics. But as a woman? She was still “too green.”
So she silently endured Alyssa’s constant compliments on her skin, hair, and beauty.
Honestly, Verlith—with a male mindset—found it hard to bear.
She preferred praise for her muscular build and strength. She wanted admiring glances from beautiful women.
Not this.
Being admired for her looks by a kind, gorgeous girl who made men’s hearts flutter?
It felt like the cruelest torture.
After all, she hadn’t been a woman for long.
Verlith didn’t even see herself as a girl.
Though she prided herself on adaptability, this short time wasn’t enough to accept her new reality.
Especially…
“Um, your chest is a bit big. Forest conditions are limited—please make do for now.”
Alyssa had said this apologetically after the clothing change.
And also…
“I thought I developed well, but compared to you, I feel a bit inferior.”
“Vier, what do you usually eat?”
“I heard eating papaya helps—is it true?”
“Um… do you massage them? Would massaging make them bigger…”
“…”
Verlith felt like a herd of wild horses was stampeding through her mind.
Forget the rest—why keep emphasizing breasts?
Are all women like this?!
Well, men also discussed women’s chests.
But the perspective was different!
Like, buddies never talked about enlarging the “third leg.”
Speechless. Maybe she’d accidentally opened a door to a new world…
“…I think we should change the topic. Oh, by the way, do you know about the Eagle Mercenary Group?”
Verlith chewed the bread like wax, having been a distracted listener for half the time. She finally steered the conversation away.
Alyssa wasn’t upset. She answered seriously.
“Not very familiar. This is my first time working with them. I hired them temporarily at a mercenary bar in a Volthus Empire border town.”
Alyssa smiled. “Come to think of it, spending gold to hire mercenaries for protection while gathering herbs in Tree Spirit Forest has become routine.”
“Crossing the forest? You said you’re returning to a city—which one?”
Verlith asked absentmindedly, fiddling with crystal bottles on the table.
The bottles looked ordinary, but the red liquid inside was Alyssa the alchemist’s careful work.
Verlith had seen similar potions in apothecaries. Each sold for no less than a hundred gold coins.
“Eastern Tree Spirit Forest. Seaside City of the Eastern Pearl Empire,” Alyssa said.
“That’s my home.”
Her words carried longing and pride.
“Eh… I see,” Verlith echoed.
“But aren’t you scared, a girl traveling with so many big men to such a dangerous place?”
Verlith was just making conversation.
In her heart, she thought: *A hundred gold coins could support a family of five comfortably for a month. The rumor that alchemists are rich is definitely true!*
Just then, Alyssa reached out, gently covering Verlith’s hand on the bottle. Her gaze held sorrow.
“Uh… wh-what’s wrong?”
Verlith, not understanding, almost fumbled but kept hold of the bottle.
“Vier, you were harassed by that blond troublemaker this afternoon. I understand your worries. But trust me—mercenaries won’t harm clients. I won’t allow accidents. I’ve almost finished gathering herbs. Tomorrow morning, you’ll return with us. With them along, your safety is guaranteed.”
Alyssa’s eyes showed determination.
She hoped Verlith would trust her. Bonds between women were often stronger.
But Verlith—who hadn’t fully embraced the role of a “violated girl”—looked up in surprise.
“Uh… I was just asking casually. What exactly did you understand…”
“Well… ah, I’m an alchemist and know pathology. Let me ask you a few questions!” Alyssa said, pursing her lips.
“…Questions? Okay, go ahead.” Verlith had question marks in her mind.
Alyssa tilted her head, thinking. Then asked:
“Vier, if a super handsome guy approached you, what would you do?”
“This… I’d avoid him… I guess?”
No thought needed—Verlith had zero interest in men.
“Eh?… What if he confessed his love?” Alyssa pressed.
“…Don’t say things that give me goosebumps. It’s nauseating.”
Verlith shuddered as if hearing the forest’s fiercest predator roar.
“Calm down! It’s just hypothetical, not real.”
Alyssa waved her hand. “But if you really encountered it—what then?”
She wanted Verlith to grasp her point. To see how broken this “persecuted girl” was inside.
“…”
“Well then!”
“I think I…”
“I’d definitely punch that man away!”
The silver-haired girl answered fiercely, without hesitation.
Her seriousness wasn’t joking—she’d truly do it.
But why did honesty earn Alyssa’s heartbroken gaze?!
