"Please calm down first. It seems if I don’t give this to you, you won’t even listen to my advice…"

Erica, who claimed to be her mother’s deputy, pulled a bandage from her robes.

Her trembling hand extended it to Mirena.

Mirena accepted it nervously—

"This is standard medical gear for every Guard Squad member, meant for emergencies. I’m giving it to you now…"

"But if I take it, what about your wounds?"

Since Erica didn’t seem malicious, Mirena’s guard lowered slightly.

"It’s fine. I won’t live much longer anyway. Better to give useful things to you.

This cloak too—it’s woven with traces of Elven ore and Elven barrier arrays. It hides your presence.

Since you want to leave, take it.

And your mother carried this town’s map. You should take that as well…"

As she spoke, Erica removed her own robe and handed it to Mirena.

"A map? On Mother?"

Mirena slowly approached her mother, lying in a pool of blood.

She began searching the body.

Though they often bathed together, this physical contact still made her a little shy.

Especially since she wasn’t her birth mother.

If her real mother had been this beautiful, Mirena might’ve felt something too.

But she comforted herself—

*Just searching for the map. Just the map.*

She focused on that thought.

Finally, she found a parchment-like sheet in her mother’s pocket.

Mirena activated her Authority—[Data Analysis].

She unrolled the parchment.

It held the city’s complete map.

She uploaded it directly into her data analysis.

Now, closing her eyes and thinking of a location name would project the map onto her retinas.

A handy function, like an RPG map already logged in her system.

Next—

Mirena’s gaze fell on the oversized cloak Erica gave her.

"Can this really hide me?"

She felt uneasy.

If Vampires sensed her presence, she’d surely be captured.

"Ah, don’t worry. This plain-looking cloak is actually very useful.

Let me explain why your mother was so badly hurt. We planned to send you out of this city after your coming-of-age.

Because—

Considering the Barrier’s mana crystal depletion, it’ll last only two to three months.

We must get you out before the Vampires find this place.

You’re the last royal bloodline of the Elvenfolk.

And you—

The captain didn’t want to burden you with responsibility.

But at life’s end, I’ll tell you anyway.

The Royal Guard Squad and remaining troops meant to carve a path for you.

Yet, our unturned Guard Squad members were ambushed.

Our losses were severe… even the captain…"

"—!?"

Hearing this shocking news, Mirena lowered her head silently.

It felt like being excluded by her companions.

She’d lived in a safe haven while her mother fought desperately for her.

They might even die for her sake.

Was she just a burden?

Mirena felt anger—at being shut out, at their self-sacrifice done in her name.

But she also felt a hint of warmth. In this dangerous city…

—she still had allies.

"Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped! Stop treating me like a child!"

"Sor… sorry… It was the captain’s decision. To keep you safe. So—*cough cough cough!*"

"Hey… hey, what’s wrong!?"

Blood spilled from Erica’s mouth. Mirena activated her Authority again, scanning her body.

The HP bar showed vampirization percentage climbing rapidly:

50% → 60% → 70%, increasing by 10% every ten seconds.

"Every Guard Squad member swore loyalty to you, Princess.

I’ll never become a Vampire’s Familiar.

So—"

Erica pushed herself up against the wall.

Crimson blood trailed slowly down the wall toward the house’s rear.

Mirena followed her silhouette outside.

"W… where are you going?"

"Now, I’ll prove my loyalty to you, Princess. But for your sake—don’t follow."

Mirena looked where Erica was heading—

Low graves dotted the area.

She’d never known about this place.

Erica Philimon’s purpose was clear.

"Rest in true peace—"

Understanding her resolve, Mirena didn’t stop her.

In thirty years—fifteen here, fifteen in this world—

she’d never met someone who’d discard life for a promise, for honor, for loyalty.

This was just her designed RPG game, yet it carried deep weight—

only Mirena Barlit, living it, could feel it.

—This must be obsession.

As Mirena clasped her hands in prayer,

she realized Erica’s bandage was still clutched in her own.

"Oh—Mother!"

Mirena rushed back inside anxiously.

She found her mother barely breathing on the floor.

Good thing she’d returned early.

Otherwise, her mother might’ve offered loyalty too.