The sky slowly deepened into darkness after sunset, swallowing the entire forest in shadow. Night beasts roared in the distance, their chilling cries raising goosebumps.

After the Linshe serpent fell, the remaining low-level monsters were mere cannon fodder. Routed swiftly under Theos’s assault, their slaughter was only a matter of time.

Yet relief didn’t come once the beasts were gone.

They knew unseen enemies watched them.

But something far more urgent demanded attention now.

A girl named Erika Seizel lay unconscious, wounded.

Bandaged and pale on a makeshift bed, she seemed lifeless save for the faint rise and fall of her chest.

“No good,” someone murmured. “Even the strongest healing magic won’t wake Erika.”

Nine students huddled around her fell silent as one.

“We’re the academy’s strongest fighters here,” a senior said quietly. “If anyone excels at healing magic, it’s Caina. But even she’s exhausted her power…”

Silence thickened the air. Outside, the campfire crackled, scattering embers like dying stars.

“Her injuries are severe,” the senior continued. “Only professional healers in the Imperial Capital or the academy’s medical instructors can save her now.”

“Why did this happen…” Theos clenched his fists, guilt etching his face.

*If only I were stronger…*

The thought burned. Had she been stronger back then, this might never have happened. In the end, it was Lunorette who slew the Linshe. He’d done nothing.

“Theos.”

A girl’s voice cut through his thoughts.

“I suggest we withdraw. Take Erika back to the academy for treatment.”

A collective gasp rippled through the group. All eyes locked onto her.

“Hill… are you serious?” Theos straightened, his tone grave.

“We haven’t found the princess, true. But even if we did, we can’t win against our enemies. Today proved how weak we are. Let the Imperial Army handle this.”

“But this is our mission.”

“Life or duty—which matters more, Theos? Yes, the princess’s safety comes first. But we’re human. I don’t want to die.”

“Hill…”

“Call me a coward if you wish. I’m just a commoner—I don’t have noble pride to cling to. I can’t throw my life away for honor. My parents are waiting for me in the north.”

Several nobles opened their mouths to argue, but Theos silenced them with a look.

*This reaction is only human. Fear makes you want to run.*

One fallen comrade had shattered everyone’s spirit.

No one wanted to fight anymore. Continuing meant certain death.

Theos didn’t stop her.

“Tomorrow morning,” he said quietly, “anyone who wishes to leave may return to the academy. The Academy Chancellor won’t blame you.”

*That’s all I can offer.*

“Sorry, Theos.”

“My apologies, Theos.”

More voices joined the retreat—exactly as expected.

Moyu Manatsu stood silent. She feared speaking would draw blame.

*They might not realize it… but I know what I did.*

Such a dirty, underhanded trick—no one else would stoop so low.

“I know where the enemy is.”

The words slipped out, sudden and sharp.

*Maybe this will ease my guilt,* she thought.

“What do you mean?” Theos turned sharply.

“During today’s battle, I realized—we were being manipulated right under their noses. They’re watching us. That’s why monsters kept appearing.”

“Your point?”

“They hide in shadows while we stand exposed. Take the first monster we faced: Silverwolves don’t live in this forest. Their territory must be where the enemy hides.”

“The valley?”

“Close. I’ve heard there’s a mountain ahead in the Death Forest… with a cave.”

“So the cave is their base.”

“Exactly. Simple places make the best hiding spots.”

“You’ve helped immensely, Lunorette. Tomorrow, we head for that cave.”

*Though I doubt many will stay,* Theos thought grimly.

Erika’s near-fatal injury had broken their resolve. Courage had bled away with her.

How many would remain to continue the mission? The princess’s safety paled against the weight of their own lives.

Moyu stepped out of the tent. Above, stars blanketed the sky, glittering fiercely. Unlike the city’s haze, this wilderness air tasted crisp and pure.

But she had no heart to admire it.

Today had shattered her. Real combat wasn’t a game—lives hung in the balance.

*Game stories are fiction. Here, one mistake means death.*

“I really miss gaming…” A bitter smile touched her lips.

*Fighting is such a hassle. Games are the true path. Their worlds are a hundred times brighter than this one.*

“This world… in the end, it’s just the same.”

She lowered her head, bangs shadowing her eyes.

*Too painfully real.*

She’d always hated reality. No reason—just pure dislike.

Virtual worlds were far more beautiful. At least they lacked this suffocating complexity.

Her obsession with online games? Just an escape.

“Luno-chan.”

A voice pulled her back.

“What is it, Caina?” Moyu smoothed her expression.

“I just came to see the stars.”

“I see.”

Moyu fell silent. Perhaps she didn’t trust herself to speak.

Gazing upward, a flicker of melancholy crossed her eyes—gone in a heartbeat.

*Even the most beautiful stars fade,* she reminded herself.

“The stars are lovely tonight,” Caina murmured, offering a smile.

But it lacked its usual radiance, strained and unnatural.

“They are,” Moyu returned the smile.

“Luno-chan… will you withdraw too?”

Caina’s question struck a nerve.

Moyu hesitated. Not from unwillingness to answer—but from not knowing *how*.

*If it were just me? I’d run. I’d never risk my life for some princess.*

But she wore Lunorette’s skin now. She had to answer as Lunorette would.

“So you can’t answer.”

Caina’s laugh was brittle.

“No—it’s just… I won’t withdraw. I’ll fight tomorrow. Don’t worry.”

*Let tomorrow’s Lunorette handle the fighting. I’ll be gone by then,* Moyu thought.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

*It’s a lie.*

Tomorrow, Lunorette would return to this world. Moyu wouldn’t have to fight again. But she couldn’t tell the truth.

“Luno-chan… you’re lying, aren’t you?”

!

Moyu stiffened.

“What nonsense. Why would I lie?”

“You rarely lie to me. Especially not about important things. We’re best friends.”

Caina turned away, her smile tight.

“Do you remember how we met?”

…

Moyu stayed silent. How could she answer that?

“I…”

“Well? Tell me.”

“…”

“You forgot?”

Moyu swallowed hard, words trapped in her throat.

“It was during the entrance exam. Our first meeting. Have you forgotten?”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“But you’re lying.”

“Caina…”

“You’re lying.”

Caina’s gaze turned icy—like she was staring at a stranger, not a friend.

Moyu wondered if she’d seen through everything.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking. Or what’s happened to you lately, Luno-chan…” Caina’s voice softened, but her eyes held sorrow. “But why has the look in your eyes changed?”

Wind stirred their hair.

“That hopeless gaze… is that really yours?”

“…”

Moyu had no reply.

*This is the first time I’ve been completely exposed.*

Even Yuki hadn’t noticed. Yet this girl from another world saw it all.

Caina’s perceptiveness was terrifying.

A single subtle shift—and she’d unraveled everything.

“Why won’t you tell me anything? Aren’t we friends? Why suffer alone? Can’t you trust me?”

“…Caina.”

“…”

“You’re mistaken. I’m still me. I’m hiding nothing from you.”

“You still won’t be honest. Do you think I’ll believe that?”

“Tomorrow will be better.”

“Why tomorrow?”

“I can’t explain. It’s… my own problem.”

…

*Again with that line. ‘My own problem.’*

She shut others out. She didn’t want anyone digging into her truth.

Caina had seen too much. But she couldn’t possibly uncover *everything*. Moyu had to shut this down now—before it went deeper.

“Understood. If that’s your answer…”

The pink-haired girl turned away. Her gentle smile had vanished completely. The poised noblewoman’s grace was gone.

Only a girl utterly disappointed in a friend remained.

Moyu Manatsu sighed, turned around, and silently gazed at the sky.

She was a bad person; she knew she had no right to confide in anyone. When facing Yuki, she stayed this way—no matter what happened, her secret would never be uncovered.

Hidden behind a mask, no one would ever discover the real her.

With a gentle exterior, her inner self was unimaginable to others. Only she knew her true self.

Her despicable actions had harmed an innocent girl, all just to survive.

Regrets were useless now; she wouldn’t let go. Even dirty tactics didn’t matter—she only needed to live, alone.

Anyway, it wasn’t the first time she’d been called a bad kid.

The night sky was stunningly beautiful. The girl volunteered for the night watch, perhaps to fill the void inside her.

The shift didn’t change until 3 AM. Moyu Manatsu finally collapsed onto the makeshift bed and fell asleep.

“Tomorrow, I can go back…”

With that thought, she drifted off.

When she woke the next day, she stared at her hands and the unfamiliar ceiling. Confusion deepened in her eyes.

Moyu Manatsu hadn’t returned.