"Ahhh~ So refreshing, so refreshing~"

Xia Xin quickly wrapped up that trivial little problem and instantly felt her mood lift.

Time to head back to the carriage.

"Huh? Why’s your face so red?" Xia Xin glanced at Tia and reached out to touch her forehead. "Doesn’t seem feverish..."

Ah... she’d done that on instinct.

Was it because her hands had been tied too long and craved movement?

Come to think of it, she hadn’t washed them after picking flowers.

Eh, whatever—it wasn’t on her own skin anyway.

"Uh..." Tia froze as Xia Xin suddenly leaned close. That breathtaking face filled her vision, leaving her utterly stunned.

C-Calamity Witch! Why was she getting so close?!

Her hand was stroking Tia’s forehead—such a gentle touch, weirdly soothing... No! Was this the moment she’d strike?! Damn Calamity Witch!

*Whoosh!*

A long spear materialized in Tia’s grip. She leaped back, weapon aimed at Xia Xin, body trembling slightly from anger and tension. "C-Calamity Witch! What did you do to me?!"

"I just wiped my hand. Seriously?" Xia Xin shot both palms up—faster than any stereotypical French surrender.

"... " Tia stared, her mind churning into chaos.

It was over.

Everything was ruined.

Her body had been defiled by the Calamity Witch!

This was all calculated: first, that shameless act to steal her focus, then dark magic clouding her thoughts.

All to plant the Calamity Witch’s seed inside her.

So cunning! Unbelievably cunning!

If the Calamity Witch willed it, that seed would burrow into her brain, hijack her mind, turn her into a plaything... trampling Holy Knight dignity.

Impossible! She’d die before letting a Holy Knight’s honor—or her own body—be crushed under the Calamity Witch’s heel, toyed with by her toes.

Tia’s limbs shook; her weapon felt too heavy to lift. The magic must be warping her thoughts already. Trembling, she whispered before losing control completely, "Guh... Kill me..."

"Commander! Emergency!"

A Holy Knight by the carriage yelled, "Enemies incoming! Monsters! Why are monsters here?!"

"What?! Now of all times?!" Tia squinted into the distance. Sure enough, snarling monsters were closing in.

She tightened her grip on her spear. "No matter why! This is a vital road to the Empire of Enpearl! We cannot let it fall. Slay every last monster!"

"Yes, Commander Tia!"

Watching the rallied Holy Knights, Xia Xin felt utterly lost.

What was happening?

That seemingly normal Holy Knight Commander had flashed bizarre expressions, then rushed off to fight random monsters—ignoring her completely.

What the heck?!

She was the Calamity Witch! Was this disrespect really okay?!

(ᗜ ˰ ᗜ)

Might as well bolt now. No one was watching her anyway.

"Hoo... Witch Miss, nice work~"

Xila patted her shoulder, grinning. "Thanks to you distracting that woman, I slipped away. Used magic to summon those monsters. Now... I’m off! Bye—"

"Hey! Stop right there!"

Xia Xin grabbed her arm, eyes narrowed. "Hand over the antidote before you leave. Or... hmm, I’ll tell Commander Tia you summoned those monsters. That’d be double the crime."

"Antidote? What antidote?" Xila wriggled free.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Oh dear~ I just made that up." Xila waved dismissively. "I’m too kind to poison anyone. It was a bluff, silly."

"What?! It was fake?!" Xia Xin gasped. "Then why did I charge up to give the Holy Knights free XP?!"

Tch... How could she make such a rookie mistake?

If she’d known, she could’ve slipped past these weak Holy Knights alone. Now she was stuck in this awkward mess.

So annoying!

"So~ Witch Miss, I owe you nothing. Catch you later." Xila turned to leave.

"Not so fast!" Xia Xin snagged her again.

"Witch Miss, my patience has limits." Xila clenched her fist, flashing a "kindly" smile. "Careful—I might punch you~"

"You can’t go." Xia Xin nodded toward the carriage, lowering her voice. "Two Holy Knights are watching me. If I run, Commander Tia will chase us down."

Near the carriage, two Holy Knights stood guard instead of fighting monsters. They gripped their weapons, shrinking back nervously—too scared of the Calamity Witch to attack.

But if Xia Xin fled, they’d alert Tia instantly.

Xia Xin could faintly sense Tia’s terrifying strength. With her skills sealed, a single spear thrust would end her.

"So? Not my problem." Xila shrugged.

"Hmph~ If I can’t escape, neither can you!" Xia Xin declared firmly. "Whether imprisoned or trained, I’m dragging someone down with me!"

"Guh!"

Xila fumed.

She’d never met such a shameless witch.

The legendary Calamity Witch—just a total scumbag!

...Though it kinda fit.

"Ugh... Fine. I’ll take you with me." Xila sighed in defeat. "Witch Miss, follow me this way."

Before she could take a step, rustling erupted from the bushes ahead.

Something was moving...

"ROAR!!!"

A twisted monster burst out, snarling as it lunged at Xila. She yelped and ducked behind Xia Xin.

"Why’s a monster here?! And why hide behind me?!" Xia Xin panicked.

With her frail body, she’d be monster chow in seconds.

Run!

Why was her whole day just running or prepping to run?