The next morning.

Verlith woke from sleep, unaware Ansal had resolved a major trouble for her.

Blinking, the first thing she saw was Alyssa’s sleeping face.

Last night, fearing she’d disturb Verlith’s rest, Alyssa had surrendered the small folding cot entirely to her and slept on a chair beside the bed.

Yet while Alyssa slept, Verlith had gently lifted her onto the bed, swapping their positions.

After sleeping hunched beside the bed all night, Verlith twisted her stiff neck.

Watching Alyssa dream, a trace of warmth welled in her chest.

She smiled softly.

"Thank you for caring, Alyssa."

She slipped quietly out of the tent.

Mercenaries were already up, coordinating the camp breakdown. Portable tents were disassembled into parts—clearly planning to depart for Seaside City after breakfast.

Verlith washed at the stream first, then brought Alyssa a basin of water.

"Good morning, Vier," Alyssa said, already up.

"Morning! I brought water for you."

Verlith set the basin on a makeshift table and handed her a towel.

"Sorry for the trouble, Vier."

Alyssa took it with a smile.

"No need to be so formal—it was nothing."

Verlith shook her head. After Alyssa finished, she carried the basin out.

Soon, a voice called from outside:

"Miss Alyssa, breakfast is ready. May I bring it in?"

A young mercenary’s energetic tone rang through the door.

"Please, come in."

Alyssa adjusted her posture meticulously before replying. Years of noble upbringing demanded constant grace.

The后勤 mercenary delivered a lavish meal. Verlith only craved the fruit; she nibbled twice at the rest and pushed it away.

*Thankfully, this body eats little now. Back then, these fruits wouldn’t even fill my teeth gaps.*

*But on the Northern Front, I survived days without food. Half-full on an empty purse is blessing enough.*

"You like these, right? Here, take mine."

Alyssa, noticing her fruit-only meal, offered her own portion.

"Thanks. I didn’t touch the fried eggs or boar leg—yours if you want."

"My stomach can’t hold that much! I’m full after half a leg. Eat slowly—I’ll pack our things."

"Hmm… I’m done too. Let me help."

After breakfast, they cleared the tent’s bottles and jars. Soon after, they were assigned to the same carriage.

The mercenary convoy began its journey.

…

Spring’s clearest sign was life reborn.

In the hushed Tree Spirit Forest, tender buds burst forth.

Wildflowers carpeted the earth, dazzling in their brilliance.

Clusters of dewy blossoms blazed under the sun, breathtakingly vivid.

Warm light filtered through leafy canopies, dappling the ground.

Peace radiated from every corner.

Then—a forest path arched by greenery echoed with hoofbeats and the creak of carriage wheels.

Over a dozen mercenaries escorted three wagons down the road.

"In the world’s beginning," a silver-haired maiden read aloud, breeze lifting her strands, "the Tree God planted a seed in chaos. For forty-nine days, divine power nurtured it until it sprouted—the World Tree, pillar of Igridra Continent."

"Elves born of the World Tree are Tree Spirits. They embody its essence, wielding nature’s power beyond human control. Yet pure as they are, they lack wisdom to wield it well. We humans, descendants of the Tree God, possess the intellect they lack—rightfully the wisest of beings."

Seated by the carriage window, she held a slip of paper.

"Humans and Tree Spirits coexist. Some adapt, forging bonds—‘contracts’—to become one. Human use of Tree Spirit power proved unstable. Through repeated failures, we learned its true application. Ancestors codified these methods as ‘Command Tokens’: humans issue commands; Tree Spirits execute. Partners in balance."

"And through wisdom, humans developed ‘Elven Alchemy’ to strengthen Tree Spirits. Those who master it and bond with spirits become Elven Sorcerers."

Verlith and Alyssa faced each other in the cramped carriage.

Bored, Verlith flipped through Alyssa’s book—*Igridra Continent: Tree God’s Genesis*.

Tucked in the first page was a handwritten note. The silver-haired girl read it instinctively.

"Ahhh!"

Alyssa snatched the paper, cheeks flushed.

"T-that’s just a rough summary I wrote at ten! Embarrassing nonsense."

"It’s excellent—clear and simple. I’d rather read this than that thick tome."

"R-really? Such childish scribbles shouldn’t be seen! If you want to know the book, I’ll explain properly."

"You’re a true noble lady."

The tea-haired girl sat perfectly upright, hands folded on her knees. Even her skirt’s faintest wrinkle was smoothed—a lifetime of strict aristocratic training evident.

"Not at all. Father always scolds my restlessness."

"He must be too demanding. From what little I’ve seen, Alyssa—you’re beautiful, graceful, kind-hearted. The perfect woman."

"Eh?!" The girl gasped.

"That’s an exaggeration! I’m nowhere near that good!"

"Just speaking my heart. If I were a man… I’d pursue you."

*Bitterness flickered. Meeting you now—wrong time, wrong life.*

"Hehe, Vier, you flatter girls so well! As a man, you’d be quite the charmer."

Alyssa beamed.

"At best, a lonely knight," Verlith muttered, rubbing her nose.

*Three crushes in my past life—all unattainable. Died a bachelor in a man’s body. Will I ever get that chance back?*

*This girl opposite me… ideal in every way for marriage.*

*Yet here I am—broken.*

*She’d suit my old self. But ‘suitable’ wasn’t enough.*

*As First Knight of the Northern Coalition, suitors were plentiful. I sought only who captivated me.*

*The three I truly wanted? Investigations revealed flaws before I could even confess.*

*After that…*

*Love?*

*When did those words fade?*

*One year? Three? Five?*

*Perhaps after the Northern Front’s blood-soaked battlefields… after joining the Northern Coalition’s shadowy interrogation unit.*

*Did suspicion steal my humanity?*

*No answer. Only time would tell.*

Verlith shook off the thoughts.

"Men see *you* as a goddess, Vier. With that stunning face, suitors would queue for miles! Ugh—men are just crude creatures ruled by their lower halves!"

Suddenly, the tea-haired girl stood.

Her hand slid through Verlith’s silver hair.

*Thud.*

She pinned Verlith against the carriage wall.

Leaning close, she breathed into Verlith’s ear:

"Men’s feelings are filthy compared to girls’, don’t you think… Vier~?"

Her other hand hooked under Verlith’s chin, forcing eye contact.

*Huh?*

*This strange sensation—*

*The girl looming over her wasn’t the Alyssa she knew.*

*Her eyes held a different light.*

*Pupils gleaming with bewitching allure.*

*Since when did a noble lady speak of ‘lower halves’?*

*Since when did she become… a seductress?!*

*Verlith’s mind went blank.*