The shadowy forest was deathly silent. The sun hung low, stained crimson by twilight. Night was closing in.

I trudged forward with heavy steps, collapsed onto a large boulder, and panted hard.

So exhausted. Utterly drained. I’d lost track of time—only knew the brilliant sun had dipped, and dusk was swallowing the sky.

Eunice—or rather, Eunice possessing my body—marched ahead, carrying the unconscious silver-haired girl Rosalynd on her back.

“...Eunice, can we rest? I’m about to drop dead,” I groaned.

“It’s nearly dark. If we don’t escape this forest soon, trouble will find us.”

“Trouble? What kind?”

“Night-hunting monsters lurk here. Don’t want to be their dinner? Keep up.”

“Monsters, huh…”

Gritting against the ache in my legs, I groaned as I stood. My arms hung limp while I trailed Eunice.

She glanced back, her gaze icy. “Stop using my body so carelessly.”

“G-got it.”

I straightened up, moved beside her, and eyed Rosalynd slung over her shoulder.

The position had Eunice’s hands brushing all over Rosalynd’s thighs—but she seemed utterly unaware.

To Eunice, physical contact between girls was probably pure innocence.

I’d been wrestling with a serious question: if Eunice fell for Rosalynd, would it count as yuri or straight?

I knew it’d never happen… yet I couldn’t stop imagining it! This forbidden scenario was thrilling—impossible to quit!

Well, the upright Knight Rosalynd would never agree anyway. Even unconscious.

Time rewound to after the white light explosion.

Facing the abandoned Rosalynd, Eunice and I agreed: we had to take her.

Leaving her alone was unsafe. She was covered in wounds, unconscious.

I didn’t know when she’d wake—or if she’d wake at all. If she didn’t… disaster.

Rosalynd had saved me once from Archibald. Her rescue even helped the Chaos Cross Chapter’s conspiracy succeed. Would she save me again, given the choice?

Eunice had her own reasons. She claimed she’d wait for Rosalynd to wake, then demand a medal from the Orders of Honor—or a chance to enter the Imperial Library.

I still didn’t grasp these Orders of Honor. Only knew there were three: the Radiant Order, the Crown Order, and the Legendary Order.

Carrying Rosalynd fell to Eunice, no debate. My strength was pathetic—I could barely walk, let alone haul a girl. Trying would’ve shattered Eunice’s lovely legs.

“Eunice… how do you actually use your power?”

“You don’t need to know.”

Same reply again.

I’d hinted at it three times on our trek. Each answer identical: “You don’t need to know,” “Just stay as you are,” “Stop asking—it annoys me.”

“If you won’t tell me, what if I’m in danger?”

I finally blurted my fear aloud. That helplessness—life threatened while powerless—terrified me more each day.

If only I had strength. Not much. Just enough to flee instead of waiting to die. This frail body did nothing.

Eunice, please. Tell me, and I’ll forgive you for killing me once. I’m magnanimous—not one to hold grudges.

But Eunice stayed firm. Not a flicker of doubt.

“If danger comes,” she halted, staring at me, “I’ll protect you.”

I had no reply. Just followed her.

She’d decided not to tell me. Probably feared I’d misuse her power. Prevention, I understood. Though I meant her no harm.

Darkness deepened. Unease prickled my chest.

I glanced up. Gray clouds smothered the sky. The dim sun vanished.

Rain?

“Eunice, is this path right? Can we exit before full dark?” I pressed.

“The fleeing mercenaries left traces. We follow them—it might lead out.”

“So you don’t know the real way?”

Eunice nodded. “Correct.”

“How long will this take?”

I rubbed my forehead, sighing.

Night was near. Camping here meant Rosalynd’s critical wounds went untreated.

“Hey.” Eunice stopped abruptly. “From now on, we cooperate.”

“Cooperate?” I frowned.

“To reclaim our bodies. Work together.”

“How?”

“Stay by my side. Never leave without my permission.”

I grumbled, deflated. “This isn’t cooperation—it’s a slave contract. One-sided control.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m protecting you. Alone, you’re too vulnerable.”

“Vulnerable…”

Today’s horrors flashed back. Without Eunice, Rosalynd thrown by that girl alone would’ve crushed me. Then the mercenaries hunting her, the dragonkin stalking me, Archibald of the Chaos Cross Chapter…

“If it’s so dangerous, Eunice—teach me your power. I’ll defend myself. Won’t burden you.”

“No.”

Her refusal was instant. “Ask again, and I’ll be angry.”

“Fine, fine… I knew it. I’ll stop,” I muttered gloomily.

Eunice marched on, not glancing back.

“I said: stay with me. I won’t let anyone hurt you. No one.”

Her words twisted my mood.

Was she flirting? Trying to win me over?

She dared say that—after Archibald punched her flying?

I bit back the thought. Being killed once taught caution.

Still, “me” with Eunice’s soul looked sharper than my old lazy self.

Though people might mistake me for the “boy” in yuri pairings… that calm face blurred genders.

My own image was normal—livelier than original Eunice. More… human.

My slouchy walk was problematic.

I smoothed my posture, gentling my steps.

Normalcy kept trouble away. Less attention, fewer risks.

But after a few strides, Eunice froze ahead. She set Rosalynd against a tree and stared into the forest’s depths.

“What’s wrong?”

“Silence. Someone’s near.”

I held my breath, tense and mute.

Another enemy? Was I truly cursed with bad luck?

The sun had fully set. Moonlight barely silvered the dark woods.

A chill breeze brushed my skin, icy. Wind whispered past my ears, vanishing into the unseen forest.

In that instant, a bone-deep cold pierced me.