"Additionally, I need you both to handle a few tasks for me. Joshua—are you currently in Falmond?"

From thousands of miles away, Joshua paused in thought before replying:

"I’m in the Holy City. Someone must stay behind to oversee duties as Holy Maiden. How can I assist?"

"Look into the Underground Sanctuary in Falmond’s northern district. And this ring—does it look familiar?"

Noah lifted her right hand, revealing the exquisite "Embrace of Rosemary." She remembered clearly: after clearing that sanctuary dungeon, she’d obtained this ring and been transported here.

Its description screamed "World-Class Item," yet the Demon King’s Castle archives held no records of it. Only the sanctuary’s knowledge vaults might hold answers.

She also vaguely recalled that the original Healing Saintess—Noah herself—had assigned her that sanctuary exploration quest.

"Hmm... doesn’t ring a bell. I’ll search, but it may take time."

Joshua studied the ornate accessory through the owl’s eyes, nose nearly pressed to the screen. Her verdict? "A magically imbued trinket."

Yet she treated Noah’s request with solemn care. That quiet trust eased Noah’s heart.

"Thank you. I’m counting on you."

Noah exhaled, tension melting from her shoulders. Her gentle face grew serious as she added:

"Joshua, I have a question—perhaps trivial."

"Yes?"

Joshua adjusted her round spectacles. Beside her, Isaac perked up, ears straining to listen.

Though young, Isaac had learned to discern truths she couldn’t yet voice.

Like how Noah—this Noah—was the kindest, most dependable Holy Maiden of them all.

So Isaac listened, rapt, to every word she spoke.

"How do you view outsiders—adventurers?"

Saintess Noah’s recent memories were hazy. She used "you" deliberately, meaning the world’s natives.

"Adventurers? Guests from other worlds. Profit-driven explorers. Beings who respawn after death—magic-data composites."

Joshua flipped through notes, describing "players" with clinical precision.

"Their purpose here is unknown. But the Central System’s highest authority rests with the High Priest. If possible... return and ask her yourself."

*You’re asking me to explain what even I don’t grasp. Just speak to her directly.*

As a seeker of truths, Joshua dared not speculate on matters tied to "Authority"—the domain of World-Class Items.

"Understood."

Noah nodded calmly, her smile warm and steady as a researcher awaiting long-term results.

"Isaac must report to the Head Maid now. We’ll both remain here afterward."

The topic closed. Isaac glanced at the wall clock and spoke shyly:

She watched Noah—hands folded gracefully before her, gaze tender—and a pang of sorrow flashed in her clear eyes. Like a fledgling swallow, she darted into Noah’s embrace.

Noah stiffened, startled. Before she could speak, a muffled, honeyed voice pressed against her chest:

"Noah... you *will* come back."

Isaac’s small arms tightened around Noah’s waist. Her fading whisper sounded like a dream too fragile to hold.

Noah chuckled softly, cradling Isaac’s shoulders and ruffling the child’s hair. "Of course I will. Your Noah always keeps her promises."

The evening bell tolled, deep and heavy. Isaac pulled away from that warm, anchoring embrace. She dashed off with Joshua’s owl, glancing back often. Each time, Noah stood poised and serene, watching over them. Only when Isaac’s tiny figure vanished around a corner did Noah’s smile falter.

"*Ugh!*"

The moment Isaac left, Noah clutched her head. A splitting headache roared in her ears, tearing at her consciousness like hooks dragging her from this world.

Contact with those who knew the *original* Noah had triggered a soul-clash—two spirits warring for dominance.

Minutes passed before the agony ebbed. Noah slumped against the wall, face ashen, fist pressed to her pounding heart. Sweat glistened on her elegant spine. For a breathless moment, she couldn’t tell where *she* ended and *Noah* began.

"I can’t hold on much longer... Even if it’s reckless, the ritual must happen soon."

A weak, self-mocking laugh escaped her. She didn’t realize how frail she looked—her long legs trembling like a newborn fawn’s.

"The ‘Soul-Fusing’ secret technique of a World-Class Item... Let’s see what you can do."

She raised the cerulean ring toward the newly lit magic-flame lamp. Her pink eyes glowed with unearthly light.

"Otherwise... I don’t know how to save myself."

......

*Something’s off today.*

Ledyah frowned, strolling through the moonlit garden after dinner.

The cold, vast moonlight mirrored the loneliness hollowing her chest.

She hadn’t seen that Holy Maiden since noon.

Yesterday, she’d escaped Noah’s attention by hunting the Abyssal Bishop with Crenina.

But today? She’d been in the Demon King’s Castle all day. Why hadn’t Noah sought her out?

Ledyah couldn’t fathom it. Worry gnawed at her—after only two days, she’d grown accustomed to Noah’s presence.

Before claiming her, Ledyah had seen Noah as a glittering prize to be won—like a crown, like a jewel.

Perhaps Noah mattered more than trinkets... but only just.

*That’s what I believed.*

Yet victory brought no thrill. Only a quiet, settling calm.

As if Noah had always belonged in her life. Her absence now left a hollow space nothing could fill.