Deep in the forest, far from the distant battle sparked by her, Verlith and her companions enjoyed a peaceful camping night.

Verlith carried a plate to a tent’s entrance. She gently lifted a corner of the flap and whispered inside.

“Alyssa, are you asleep?”

“Not yet,” came Alyssa’s voice from the dark tent.

“Then I’m coming in!”

Verlith smiled and slipped inside.

“Mm,” Alyssa replied softly.

Verlith ducked into the tent and lit a lamp on the table.

The darkness vanished instantly.

On her first night with the mercenary group, Verlith had shared a bed with Alyssa. But they’d slept separately since.

So Verlith visited Alyssa’s tent instead.

Alyssa sat up in bed, her chestnut-brown hair spilling loosely over her shoulders. She blinked sleepily at Verlith, caught between waking and dreams.

“Did I wake you too early?” Verlith asked guiltily.

“No. I just couldn’t fall asleep,” Alyssa murmured, shaking her head slightly.

“Perfect… I cut some fruit. Want some?”

Verlith set the plate on the bedside table.

“Sure.” Alyssa picked up an apple slice and took a bite.

Suddenly, Verlith caught a strange smell.

She frowned.

“What’s that odor…? Where’s it from?”

Her eyes landed on a small bottle at the source.

“Oh! That!” Alyssa gave a tiny gasp.

“I was preparing a potion earlier and forgot to clean up!”

“A potion?”

“Yes. Look—this flower, isn’t it beautiful?”

Alyssa took a box from a shelf and showed it to Verlith.

“It really is stunning,” Verlith breathed.

“What kind of flower is it?”

Inside the brown wooden box lay a snow-white bloom with only two petals left, radiating dazzling light.

“It’s called a Radiant Bloom,” Alyssa said, closing the box.

“The main ingredient in my potion.”

“A medicine? For your illness?”

“You remembered my condition!” Alyssa covered her mouth, laughing.

“This potion is for me. But it won’t cure me—only suppress the symptoms. Remember your first night with the mercenary group? That blond troublemaker ran off, and I stayed with you to calm you down. I skipped my dose that day, so I lost control the next morning.” She glanced at Verlith guiltily.

“Don’t look at me like that! I’ve never blamed you! Alyssa, I’ll find a way to help you!”

“Thanks for caring, Vier,” Alyssa smiled warmly.

“But forget it. I’ve seen many famous healers for this. None could find the root cause. ‘Miss, aside from being a bit underweight, you’re perfectly healthy!’ Every doctor said that. I only discovered the Radiant Bloom’s effect after an accident while mixing medicines. At first, I thought I had hope (laughs)! But if I miss a dose for even one day, my illness flares up again.”

“There must be a solution—you just haven’t found it yet,” Verlith comforted her.

“Thank you for saying that.” Alyssa lowered her long lashes.

“I’ve gotten used to it after all these years.”

“You’re so strong, Alyssa!” Verlith sighed.

“Sometimes I think so too… but often, I’m really scared.”

Alyssa suddenly hugged Verlith.

“I’m so grateful you comfort me!”

Feeling Alyssa’s soft warmth against her, Verlith’s face flushed. She patted Alyssa’s back awkwardly.

“It’s nothing!… We’re friends, right?”

Alyssa pressed her head tightly to Verlith’s chest.

“I’m afraid I’ll lose myself completely,” she mumbled.

“Maybe another ‘me’—not really me—will take over. And I’ll cease to exist. You wouldn’t understand that feeling, Vier… but I’m truly, truly terrified.”

“I understand,” Verlith whispered, patting Alyssa’s back as gently as if handling fragile glass.

“I understand everything you said.”

*After all, Alyssa, the pain of losing yourself—I know it just as deeply as you do!* Verlith thought silently.

“If one day I scour the world for every Radiant Bloom for you, you’d never relapse again, right?”

Verlith said firmly into Alyssa’s ear.

“Hahaha, Vier, your serious face is so cute!”

As Alyssa laughed, a trace of tears glistened in her dark eyes.

“Do you know how rare Radiant Blooms are? The one I have came from an imperial gift to my ancestors long ago! When this runs out, I won’t know where to find more—let alone you.”

“I’ve heard of Radiant Blooms… They grow in places of extreme evil. I don’t know exactly where, but if they exist, I’ll find a way to get them for you.”

Verlith pondered aloud.

“Have you heard of extremes breeding opposites, Vier? Though the Radiant Bloom holds sacred purifying power, it thrives where pure evil gathers. There, humans lose their humanity, beasts turn monstrous, and even Tree Spirits cease to be themselves. It’s far too dangerous for a girl like you!”

Alyssa chuckled lightly.

“If Radiant Blooms truly grow there, what’s one trip for me?” Verlith smiled back.

“Alright, alright. Just having you here, caring for me like this, makes me happy enough.” Alyssa hugged Verlith tighter.

“This care will last,” Verlith said meaningfully.

“Vier.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you…”

The chestnut-haired girl lifted her head. Her star-like black eyes crinkled with warmth, and a pure, childlike smile bloomed on her delicate face.

“You silly girl.”

Verlith, tense from the embrace, suddenly relaxed like never before.

*Was I healed by that spring-breeze smile?* she wondered.

“You’re the silly one!” Alyssa pouted, sitting beside Verlith on the bed.

“Vier, right now, I’m not scared of my illness anymore. I’m worried about you.”

“Me? I’m perfectly fine—just a small appetite. What’s to worry about?” Verlith patted Alyssa’s shoulder.

“If a cure for my illness existed, but required someone to do something extremely dangerous… would you do it?” Alyssa turned to her.

“The answer’s already in your heart, Alyssa. For you, even a sliver of hope—I’d go.” Verlith smiled.

Alyssa rested her head on Verlith’s shoulder but spoke firmly.

“Then I’d disappear before that day comes!”

“Alyssa…?”

“Promise me you won’t risk yourself for me, okay?”

Alyssa closed her eyes slowly against Verlith’s shoulder.

“I’m always careful! And I’m too weak to take risks anyway. You’re overthinking it, Alyssa.”

Verlith’s voice sounded weak and unconvincing, even to herself.

“No,” Alyssa shook her head. “I have a feeling—if that day comes, you’d do anything for me, just as I would for you.”

“A woman’s sixth sense?” Verlith teased.

“Don’t act like you’re not one. Vier, promise me. No risks.”

“…Sigh, alright, Alyssa.” Verlith sighed.

“Alyssa, I vow before you now: I’ll never do anything beyond my strength to find medicine for you. Satisfied?”

“I’ll hold you to that promise—no taking it back!” Alyssa beamed.

“Of course.”

*As long as it doesn’t exceed my strength,* Verlith thought silently, leaning her head against Alyssa’s.

*Places that could trap me exist on this continent—but they won’t just happen to appear. Even if they do, a little risk won’t hurt.*