The first rays of dawn pierced through the gaps in the trees, spilling into the shallow cave. Light brushed Rein’s face, stirring him awake. His arcane power reserves hadn’t been fully drained last night, so grogginess wasn’t an issue.

The first thing he saw was Sophia, already fully armored, standing at the cave entrance. She faced the newborn sun. Its gentle light glowed softly on her armor—warm, not harsh, easy on the eyes.

"Praise the Sun!"

Among Vindictive Knights, factions existed. Sophia’s branch believed true Holy Light came only from the sun. Their power worked solely by day—that’s why she hadn’t used it last night. The other faction revered moonlight as Holy Light, active only at night.

Both factions prayed at dawn or dusk, seeking the sun’s or moon’s blessing.

After her prayer, Sophia snapped off a chunk of ice from the cave ceiling. She broke it and popped it straight into her mouth. Breakfast.

Three meals a day were a luxury for most—commoners and Vindictive Knights alike. The former struggled with harvests; the latter with coin. Many survived on two meals. Breakfast was often skipped.

"Sophia…"

"Little Rein! You’re awake! Hurry up, we need to move."

"Move? Where to?"

"I spotted a road this morning. Following it should take us to the next town."

"Town…"

Rein mentally traced the map. Judging by the river’s flow, they were east of Kolcha. This region was poorly charted. Though a few fixed towns existed, many settlements migrated seasonally—partly due to Beastfolk raids, partly because herding communities needed to move livestock south or inland for winter pasture. Staying put meant ruin.

"Let’s go!"

Sophia ruffled Rein’s hair and led the way out of the cave.

Morning air in the woods was crisp and clean. Chill dampness clung to Rein’s legs, but sunlight filtering through leaves warmed his skin.

"Cold?" Sophia glanced back, concerned. Her skirt armor paired with white thigh-high stockings and metal boots. That bare strip between armor and stockings caught Rein’s eye. Still, her outfit looked warm enough.

Silk stockings—humanity’s most comfortable invention, born from a nameless mage’s failed experiment, refined over time.

"A little…" Rein admitted. No point pretending; catching a chill as a kid could mean lifelong rheumatism.

Sophia didn’t hesitate. She unslung the coffin from her back. "Get in."

Rein stared. *Zero common sense. Who climbs into a coffin?* Though he’d heard Vindictive Knights slept in them…

"Nah! I’m warm now."

"Eh? Really? Don’t push yourself. Tell me if you’re cold!"

"Got it."

*I’d rather freeze to death than climb into that coffin.*

They pushed through thick woods until Sophia’s road appeared—a thin dusting of snow covered stones deliberately laid for easier travel in rain or snow. A well-used path.

"Which way?" Sophia hesitated. West meant returning to Kolcha. Its lord despised Holy Knights who stayed behind. They’d likely send assassins to silence her before she could report to the Church. East led to unknown towns. As a Vindictive Knight, she could endure the trek—but her tagalong kid couldn’t.

Hoofbeats thundered. A carriage came barreling down the road. Sophia stepped squarely into its path.

An ornate passenger carriage—clearly owned or rented by a wealthy household.

"Got a death wish?!" the driver yelled. Unfamiliar with Holy Knights or Vindictive Knights, he mistook her armor for a mercenary’s.

"Apologies!" Sophia bowed politely. "I only wished to ask—how long to the next town on this road?"

The driver’s anger deflated. "Ten minutes’ walk."

"Thank you so much!" Sophia gave a formal Holy Knight’s bow of gratitude and stepped aside.

"Hold on!" A melodious female voice called from inside the carriage. It halted the driver. "If you don’t mind… join me. I’m headed that way too."