The knight’s heart sank under a growing weight of sorrow. He curled up, hugging his knees tightly, then pleaded:

"Can you avoid my daughter when you give the coin purse to my wife? I don’t want her to know her father will never return… I’d rather she stays in the dark for as long as possible…"

"And these…" He pulled another pouch from his chest, filled with the fallen comrades’ belongings. "Please take these back to Vedona. Deliver them to their families."

Dorothy didn’t take it. She turned away from his desperate gaze and said flatly,

"Keep them. Hand them to your comrades’ families yourself after we leave the forest."

"...What?"

The knight flushed, thinking she misunderstood his hopeless situation. He opened his mouth to explain—

But Dorothy cut him off.

"Bury them properly. Then follow me."

She stopped at the demon’s blood trail and glanced back.

The knight froze, his explanation dying on his lips.

*Did she mean… she’d lead him out of the Silent Forest?*

*Ridiculous.* Even Vedona’s strongest—the Guildmaster of the Heroes Guild—might not survive this cursed place unscathed. What could *she* possibly do? They’d likely both perish here.

Dorothy saw his doubt. She lowered her hood, revealing her face, and smiled gently. "Trust me?"

Her golden eyes held swirling starlight; moonlight draped her silver hair in a soft glow. One look, and the knight felt as if falling into a sweet, dreamlike haven. He believed her.

*Maybe… she really can get us out.*

Hope flared in his chest. He nodded firmly and tucked the pouch away.

The knight dug a grave beside the battlefield, laying his fallen brothers to rest. He carved wooden markers from tree trunks, planting them as headstones.

Afterward, Dorothy followed the demon’s blood trail. The knight trailed behind, puzzled but willing—if she sought the demon’s end, he’d stand with her.

En route, he introduced himself as Ron, a young third-tier knight dreaming of commanding his own cavalry unit. In the Luoxi Empire, such units were unmatched in discipline, outperforming even Heroes Guild veterans in coordinated combat despite lacking their individual prowess.

Thirty minutes later, they found the demon.

Just as Ron described: gravely wounded. Bat-like wings torn with gaping, unhealing holes. It limped heavily. Demons healed swiftly—only holy fire or the Church’s sacred power could truly kill them. The lingering burns on its flesh came from holy water.

But at the sight of it, Dorothy’s fist clenched instinctively.

This wasn’t a pure demon. Half-human, half-monster. The left side of its face still clearly showed its original human features.

And from that half alone, Dorothy recognized him.

"Bruno?!"

Two months ago, Celia’s squad had rescued a Hero team in the Silent Forest. Their captain was Bruno.

Ron glared at the demon, his raw fury reopening the wound on his abdomen. He stared in shock when Dorothy named it.

The demon’s grotesque eyes locked onto Dorothy. Its twisted tongue slid out, licking cracked lips.

"Pity. Your magic smells delicious… but not as sweet as those three Heroes under your command. Still—" It grinned, jagged teeth glinting. "One taste of you might heal all my wounds."

It held Bruno’s memories. But it was no longer Bruno.

"Senior! Be careful!" Ron shouted. "This demon’s fourth-tier! Its tricks are vicious and unpredictable!"

The demon’s hissing laugh turned toward Ron. "You’re still alive? Heh. Should’ve torn you apart with the others."

"You’re at the end of your rope, demon! Today’s your last day!"

"Oh?"

The demon shrieked. A terrifying soundwave shook the trees, raining leaves down. Ron yelled a warning, scrambling to cast a shield spell—

But before his incantation finished, the demon vanished into the woods.

"It’s fleeing!" Ron drew his sword to chase.

Only then did Dorothy act.

She snapped her fingers. A faint floral scent bloomed in the air. Silvery-white threads of magic shot from her fingertips, weaving into the forest shadows.

Moments later, bushes rustled ahead. The demon was yanked out, thrashing in silver binds.

*This* was the monster that nearly wiped out his squad?

Ron stared at the helpless creature, awed by the gulf between their strengths—and burning with curiosity about Dorothy’s true identity.

"Tell me everything," Dorothy said, looming over the demon. Her voice was thick with threat. "I know demons feel pain too."

The demon only grinned wider, its human half twisting in mockery.

"Go ahead. Hurt me. Won’t Bruno feel it too? Half this body is *his*."

"A body possessed by a demon cannot live," Dorothy replied coldly. She’d seen too many Heroes meet that end.

"Mourning him?" The demon’s grin turned vicious. "Don’t bother. You’ll join him soon. And those you protect? They’ll share your fate!"

"Just wait… just wait!"