"What are they doing?" I asked, puzzled.

Eunice shook her head. "They must be mad. Provoking a dragon and not running? Can’t they see Rosalynd’s about to lose?"

"Uh, Eunice…" I hesitated.

"Hmm?" She turned to me.

"Did you know Rosalynd before?"

"No. Why?"

"What if those mercenaries know she’s hiding some secret trump card? That’s why they’re not fleeing yet."

"Any trump card would’ve been used by now," Eunice said flatly, shaking her head. "Rosalynd can barely defend against that dragon. Holding back would only hurt her. There’s no reason not to use this ‘trump card’ you mentioned. The only answer is—Rosalynd’s already cornered."

"But that makes no sense," I insisted, still confused. "If Rosalynd’s failing, why stay? Those cowardly mercenaries were running like scared rabbits from the dragon earlier. They had zero fight in them when Rosalynd faced the girl. How could they suddenly find courage to stay?"

Eunice frowned. "If that’s true… what are they waiting for?"

I replayed the scene in my mind. A chill shot through me. "Eunice—they’re not waiting. They’re planning something. Their formation was messy when they arrived, like broken soldiers… but they didn’t scatter. They all ran the same direction. Only when Rosalynd fought the girl did they ‘scatter like birds’—and they didn’t run far. They’re still lurking nearby, watching."

"You mean… they lured the dragon to fight Rosalynd?" Eunice’s eyes flickered with shock.

I nodded. "Looks that way. But we don’t know their goal yet."

She gave me an odd look. "Huh. Didn’t take you for the clever type."

I grinned sheepishly. "Heh. They weren’t exactly hiding it."

Eunice’s expression turned grim. "Rosalynd’s lost."

I looked up. Rosalynd crashed down from the sky, smashed through three trees, and lay broken on the ground. Her pristine battle skirt was stained with blood and dirt, her earlier grace and holiness gone.

The little girl glanced at Rosalynd, then at me. An innocent smile spread across her face.

"Black-dress sister~ Now it’s your turn. Join this knight sister in hell."

My face paled. *Damn it, what did I ever do to you?!*

As fear gripped me, Eunice stepped calmly in front of me, her eyes icy.

"No one touches her but me."

"Then die together."

The girl shot forward like a cannonball, her frail body radiating beastly ferocity. Amber eyes burned with wildness.

Black mist swirled around Eunice’s right wrist. She caught the girl’s fist, twisted her arm, and hurled her into the distant sky.

*Holy crap—since when is my body this strong?!*

Eunice’s face was deathly pale. She turned to me, voice still detached. "Run. She’ll be back soon."

I ignored her order. "Are you okay?"

She blinked, surprised. "...I’m fine."

"Is she that strong?"

"Stronger than I am now. She’s Crown Tier."

"Crown Tier?"

"No time. Run that way. I’ll hold her off."

"Protect my body," I said.

"I’d do it anyway."

Staying here powerless would only burden her. I sprinted in the direction she’d pointed.

*She meant for me to run with her body. Our fates are intertwined now. If that girl catches us, both my soul and Eunice’s body vanish. I wonder—if I die again, will I swap back? …No. Not worth the risk. What if I just die for good? Who’d cry for me then?*

"Don’t run~"

That childish voice sent shivers down my spine. I glanced back. The girl burst from the forest again, closing in on me at terrifying speed. Her amber eyes glowed, leaving a streak of light in the air.

Eunice intercepted her, launching the first strike this time.

Their figures collided. Fists blurred—dozens of impacts in seconds. At the last moment, the girl’s foot slammed into Eunice’s wrist.

They broke apart. Eunice skidded backward, landing unsteadily. She wiped blood from her lips with her blackened wrist.

The girl charged again, unharmed.

"Eunice!" I yelled desperately. "You’ve got the wrong enemy! Your real enemies are those filthy mercenaries!"

The girl’s fist froze mid-swing.

Both she and Eunice stared at me—her with curious interest, Eunice with utter shock.

*Sorry, Eunice. Gotta take this gamble.*

The scattered mercenaries glared at me like I’d murdered their families. One middle-aged man stood out—the one who’d first warned Rosalynd about the dragon. Their leader. Unlike others, he hadn’t dropped his curved blade. He gripped it tightly, eyes burning with hatred. *Like I ruined their plan.*

*Heh. Misdirection works. Idiots didn’t expect this genius’s wit. Don’t blame me—I don’t know your scheme, but it’s rotten. Consider this payback for trying to kidnap a maiden (me!).*

*Strike while the iron’s hot.* With every eye on me, I pointed dramatically at the mercenaries. A sly grin flashed across my face as I addressed the girl again.

"Little sister! See those mercenaries? Think—why didn’t they run? Why lure you here? They wanted Rosalynd and you to fight until you’re both broken. Then they’d finish you off! They’re slavers disguised as mercenaries! They planned to sell your dragon scales, bones, even your eyes! Rosalynd was their target too! You were just a weapon to them—and after using you, they’d sell you over and over and over! Who’s *really* your enemy? Can’t you smell it? The air’s poisoned by their filth! This place reeks because they’ve already poisoned it!!"

"You—! You lying bastard!" The captain finally snapped, leaping forward, blade aimed at me.

His sword shattered under a tiny pink fist.

"I almost forgot," the girl purred, standing before him. "You’re the ones who woke me up."

Her foot drove into his stomach.

A sonic boom cracked.

The captain flew like a ball, tearing through trees until a branch speared his chest. Leaves rustled down as he spat blood, head lolling lifelessly.

*HOLY CRAP—INSTANT KO?! You’re a captain! At least last two hits! What if she comes for me next after wiping you out?!*

Chaos erupted among the remaining mercenaries.

But they didn’t charge to avenge him—or flee. Every eye locked onto one unremarkable mercenary in their ranks.

*What the—why stare at him when the leader’s dead?*

*Wait… who decided the dead guy was the leader? What if… this quiet one is the real boss?!*