Three days had passed since Aefina used her draconic aura to drive away those three-tailed cats. I’d been quietly observing Viter and the others’ reactions all this time. Yet they showed no trace of aversion toward Aefina. Their every move remained unchanged, as if they’d simply stepped from one sequel movie into another—with all memories reset.

For Aefina, who’d been glued to my side these past days, my behavior hadn’t gone unnoticed. She’d even asked what I was doing.

As a Great Dragon, Aefina must have endured endless human hatred. That much was clear from our first meeting—when she claimed to "want to see human society" yet wouldn’t dare enter a city. I didn’t know why she’d grown curious about humans, but such timidity could only come from being hurt too many times.

So if Viter’s group had shown even a hint of rejection toward her, I’d never have let Aefina stay. Though I couldn’t protect her with strength, I’d shield her heart within my power. I wanted to stay with Aefina—if I couldn’t do this much, I had no right to say those words.

After I told Aefina this, she fell silent. I didn’t know if it’d trigger the right "flag" or boost affection points. But it was my true feeling—surely speaking it was fine?

Many, many years later, chatting with friends about my early days after transmigrating, I said: "Any Earthling would think they’re the protagonist upon transmigration. Anyone denying that’s full of crap. I’m not talking about those overpowered MCs with cheat skills—even a level-5 weakling like me felt that way. Yeah, life sucked at first. I thought I was just a side character. But after meeting Aefina? I was dead certain I’d be the only one to stay by her side forever."

Unlike the forest’s outskirts, Monstrous Beasts deep inside followed strict territories. They rarely roamed like outer beasts. Aside from the three-tailed cats days ago, we’d only fought three times—all because we’d trespassed on their lands.

To Aefina, though, deep-forest beasts were no different from outer ones. Any Monstrous Beast touched by her slender hands ended up dead or crippled. Ilan had wanted her to hold back, but seeing how effortlessly she handled them, he said nothing.

Viter suggested a new tactic instead: the group would stall beasts while Aefina delivered the killing blow. Though "no different" only applied to Aefina, the others were already struggling. Norma could no longer reliably secure first blood with a single arrow. It wasn’t life-threatening, but conserving stamina in this perilous forest mattered.

Aefina didn’t mind the change—especially after we promised her extra gold. To her, it cost little effort anyway.

"Luo Sa," Aefina said suddenly during dinner, "two strong people are approaching from behind you."

"Huh?" I blinked, slow to react.

Ever since our talk today, she hadn’t spoken to me—not even through Mind Speech. I’d been crushed, certain my words disgusted her. How could a level-5 weakling claim to stay with someone as powerful as Aefina? It reeked of delusion.

"...," Aefina repeated patiently. But—don’t look at me like that! I’m not an Aqua worshipper! I can be saved! I’ll accept therapy!

I relayed the warning to the group—it was what Aefina and I had agreed on. Since taking this mission, I’d done nothing useful. Relying on vague "Sage-like aura" alone risked exposing me as a fraud. So Aefina would feed me intel through Mind Speech, and I’d voice it.

This way, they’d think me lazy—not weak. With Aefina around, who could solo ten fighters, my combat skills hardly mattered.

"They’re coming from that direction. Pretty—" I jerked my chin backward, but before "strong" left my lips, two figures shot down like cannonballs, landing ten meters behind me.

"Oh? You sensed us? Not bad." The speaker was a young man around twenty, younger than me. White shoulder-length hair, brown eyes. A headscarf tied above his brows, black monk’s robes under a cloak, armor glinting beneath. A lavish longsword hung at his waist. His easy smile screamed "elite knight from another world." Just looking at him gave me protagonist vibes—I hated that.

Behind him stood a crimson-haired girl in matching female attire. Her figure was explosive—only that pirate girl who gave me the pen rivaled her. Pretty face, great curves, but her scowl made it seem like we owed her money. Though she kept stealing glances at the man ahead, her eyes brimming with adoration. Their relationship was obvious. Typical protagonist harem material.

I’d clearly underestimated Aefina’s "pretty strong." Her benchmark was her own absurd power—so "pretty strong" meant terrifyingly strong.

"Eh? Morrison? What are you doing here?" Ilan stared in shock. Morrison? Since when were we all soldiers?

"Lady Ilan—!" Morrison froze mid-address, equally stunned. Bumping into acquaintances randomly? Too coincidental. And I heard that—you almost called her "Princess Ilan," didn’t you?

"M-Morrison? Sword Saint Morrison of the Dawn?" Viter pointed at him, voice trembling.

Morrison nodded, confirming the title.

Viter had mentioned this Sword Saint before—apparently idolized him. Oranda’s youngest Sword Saint since its founding, earning the "Dawn" epithet. Top-tier talent and strength.

Like mages, warriors ranked across ten tiers. Tier 1 and above were "Sword Saints"—a term covering all high-tier warriors, not just swordsmen. The word itself derived from "sword," so I just called them Sword Saints.

"Morrison, since we’ve met, rest here tonight," Ilan invited.

I expected agreement. Morrison’s respectful tone and posture toward Ilan suggested noble deference to royalty—not a superior-subordinate dynamic.

"No, Lady Ilan. We’re on urgent duty—must return to Osgilia swiftly." Morrison declined.

"Hm? What duty?" Ilan pressed, eyes narrowing with displeasure.

"...Very well, Lady Ilan. Let’s speak privately." Morrison yielded, then turned to Viter. "Is that acceptable?"

"Of course. Go ahead." With Morrison’s request and Ilan’s silence, Viter had no grounds to object.

Once Morrison and Ilan vanished, the crimson-haired girl stepped back twice, putting distance between us—as if we were trash. Seriously, with that attitude, you’ll never be the heroine. Sure, hitting Tier 3 warrior so young was impressive, but this villainous personality? She wouldn’t survive three episodes...

Her gaze swept over us, disdain flashing when it landed on me and Aefina. Aefina hid her aura perfectly, appearing utterly ordinary. So we, the "normals," earned her scorn.

I didn’t care. But Aefina? She wasn’t the forgiving type.

Aefina stood abruptly, not even glancing at the girl. Instead, she addressed me—just loud enough for the redhead to hear: "Luo Sa, do you think that person could withstand one punch from me?" This felt like faction rivalry between "Pacifiers" and "Unifiers"... probably my imagination.

Truth was, Aefina reacted because the girl disrespected me. If she knew what I was thinking right now... I’d be dead.

Whatever I was thinking, the crimson-haired girl snapped. Being mocked by a "frail little girl" was unforgivable.

"...Let it go, Aefina. The young lady’s just hot-headed," Rio tried reasoning. When Aefina ignored him, he tugged my sleeve: "Luo Sa, calm her down! This’ll put the captain and Ilan in a tough spot!"

Rio knew Aefina’s strength—he was sparing the girl. To him, she might be Sword Saint-tier; no need to crush a Tier 3. But careful Rio had "forgotten" how that phrasing would enrage an ignorant opponent... Wait. Had he really forgotten? Or was he stirring trouble??

The crimson-haired girl drew her sword, tip aimed at Aefina. "Try it then."

She sensed this pale, slender girl wasn’t ordinary—only the capable boasted like this. But: one, the insult was too direct to ignore. Two, this girl looked younger. How strong could she be?

"...Anyway, we recovered the item. We still don’t know why Cyvira was destroyed, but traces suggest a Great Dragon visited."

"Great Dragon... Who else knows this?" Ilan rested her chin on her palm, thoughtful. After a pause: "Only you?"

"Yes. Only me." Morrison nodded.

"Good. There was no Great Dragon. You were mistaken, Morrison. Understood?" Ilan clapped her hands, suddenly stern.

"...I know what to—" Morrison’s reply cut off as a massive mana surge erupted from our campsite—

Aefina hadn’t moved. But her right fist clenched, mana coiling around it until the air itself seemed to freeze.

The crimson-haired girl regretted everything. Had she known this white-haired girl wielded such power, she’d never have glared at her. But it was too late. She could only brace for impact.

"Aefina, stop." Ilan rushed back, speaking firmly to Aefina before shouting at me: "Luo Sa, make her stop!" She then winked her right eye at me—as if we’d shared a secret signal.

Still, even though I didn’t know what she meant, her all-knowing smile made me decide to listen to her.

“Aefina, don’t be mad.” I stood up, hugged her, and whispered softly in her ear, “Let’s not bother with busty girls.”

Aefina: “???”

Seeing her utterly confused expression, I stroked her hair to calm her while gently pressing down her clenched fist. Honestly, that move was as dangerous as slapping a palm over a gun barrel—but I didn’t know it then. Luckily, my reckless stunt didn’t kill me.

“I’m truly sorry; my companion caused you trouble.” Morrison popped out from nowhere and shielded Norma behind him.

“No, no—it’s my Aefina with the short temper. She must’ve scared her.” Since he’d already humbled himself, dwelling on it would’ve seemed petty.

Ilan slowly walked back. As he passed me, he murmured something only Aefina and I could hear—but his words were worth pondering.

“You don’t mean any harm, right?”