Exactly at noon, Carola left Windmill Town and walked alone toward the distant mountains and forests.

The increasingly scorching sun laid bare every detail of the woods. As the temperature rose, she cast a water-based spell mid-stride. Cool mist enveloped her, soothing both body and mind while gradually blurring her form until she vanished from the air.

After all, a Witch Hunter’s identity demanded discretion—especially when meeting fellow hunters. Avoid drawing unnecessary attention whenever possible.

Not long ago, she’d sat in Yihan’s bakery, sipping milk tea, idly twirling her hair as she watched the boy bustle about. His face held a sun-warmed smile.

She admitted she liked that smile—genuine, effortless. Just watching it lifted her mood without her realizing.

It often made her think of *him*. Five years had passed; his face had long faded from her memory. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall it. Only fragments of his smile remained—like the sole sun in those endless, restless winters. Unforgettable.

Though the two were alike… he probably wasn’t *him*. Carola sighed softly, bent forward, and let her ample bosom press against the tabletop, flattening under the weight. She rested her cheek on the smooth surface.

A message from her ring caught her attention. Her expression instantly turned grave. Seizing a moment when Yihan wasn’t looking, she slipped out of the bakery like a gust of wind and headed straight for the edge of town.

Deep in the forest, at the designated spot, the surroundings dimmed bit by bit before she could even call out.

Four or five Witch Hunters emerged from the shadows, cloaked and masked with silver, encircling her.

“So urgent to summon me? Has something changed?” If Yihan were here, he’d be stunned. The Carola he’d labeled “clumsy and unserious” now stood with a frostbitten face and blade-sharp gaze. Arms crossed, she swept a cold stare over them, radiating an aura of untouchable authority.

The lead hunter hid half her face under her hood. After a pause, her voice rasped low: “We lost the Crimson Flame Witch.”

“How?” Carola frowned, startled. “With all of you?”

“We clashed briefly in the Ugaso Mountains. She spotted us tailing her and used the complex terrain to escape—shaking off our tracking marks too.”

“Ugaso Mountains? That’s dangerously close to the Springwater Kingdom. Is she truly after Yihan?” Carola muttered to herself.

Another hunter stepped forward hesitantly. “Lady Deep Blue… have you confirmed the person the Crimson Flame Witch seeks?”

“Hmm… it should be him. So far, he’s the only one with that name…”

The hunters exchanged glances, relief flickering in their eyes.

“Perfect. We can use him as bait. Lure her into a trap we’ve prepared and end this once and for all—” The hunter’s words died as she shuddered violently. Carola was glaring at her, icy fury swirling in her eyes.

“Whose idea was this?” Carola hadn’t realized her own rage until she stepped forward. Overwhelming pressure crushed the air from the other’s lungs. “Bait? Do you understand the risk he’d face? What if something happens?”

“We don’t even know why she’s after him. What if it’s revenge? Are you throwing him into a fire? Do you think we can save him from a furious Witch’s full assault?”

In the Witch Hunters Guild, only elite hunters ranked high enough earned the title “Lady.” They wore no masks, hid no faces, and commanded others.

“Deep Blue” Carola often worked alone, making her an outsider—but no one dared underestimate her. Her solo sealing of the Northern Witches five years ago alone commanded deep respect.

Seeing her fury, no one dared speak further.

Only the leader remained silent. She studied her former partner’s strained face for a long moment, then shook her head. “Carola… you’ve changed.”

“What did you say?”

“The old you wouldn’t hesitate over this. You’d accept any risk to complete a mission. But this time, you refused instantly. Why?” Her voice cut deep before Carola could reply: “You care about that man, Yihan. Don’t you?”

The other hunters’ eyes lit up.

Carola flinched, forcing defiance. “What does he have to do with this? I just won’t drag an innocent bystander into this. If something happened to him… his family would be devastated.”

But her darting eyes betrayed her unease.

The leader sighed. “We also dislike this plan. But time is short. The Papal State presses us relentlessly. The bait idea came from Lady Pale herself—and she may join this hunt personally.”

Carola fell silent for seven full seconds. “Even she can’t stay idle?”

“If you have a better method, we’d welcome it. As you said, civilians shouldn’t be involved. But the situation has worsened. The Crimson Flame Witch has crossed the Ugaso Mountains. She’ll reach the Springwater Kingdom soon, then Windmill Town. If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late.”

“Enough. I heard you.” Carola’s voice turned impatient. “What does the Papal State want? Banishment? Or sealing?”

“Since she hasn’t killed indiscriminately or caused fatalities, the Papal State’s high council has opted for leniency. They want her captured alive.”

“Tch. That’s harder. And I don’t believe those hypocrites are merciful.” Carola scoffed inwardly.

“Lady, please speak with him again,” the same hunter urged, her tone heavy. “Explain the situation. Whether he agrees to help is another matter. The Crimson Flame Witch is dead set on finding him. Whatever her purpose, this won’t end quietly. At least… we can prepare him. So he won’t panic when the time comes.”

“I know. I’ll find a chance to tell him.” Carola’s impatience bled through.

After brief final instructions, the hunters melted back into the shadows. Carola walked alone toward town, her mind in turmoil.

*That woman was right. I’ve changed.*

Just hearing he’d be used as bait had ignited fury utterly unlike her usual self.

*But why am I so shaken? It’s not a suicide mission. Why treat it like a farewell?*

She paused beneath a tree’s shade. Yihan’s face filled her thoughts.

*No. It’s not him. It can’t be.*

If they’d truly met before, he wouldn’t have failed to recognize her. Yet from their first encounter to their night together, he’d been stiff, distant—no warmth, no spark of recognition.

Five years wasn’t so long. Some memories fade, but not all.

She’d forgotten due to her spirit’s exhaustion and wounds back then.

But he… he might remember.

*Perhaps I’m just clinging to one-sided longing.*

Leaning wearily against the trunk, Carola gazed up at the cloudless azure sky and let out a helpless, bitter laugh.