Deep in his eyes burned a seething hatred—a bone-deep loathing for humanity.

The blast’s shockwave ripped through the cavern. Boulders shattered. The earth split open like a wound, transforming the cave into a disaster zone.

“You, raised in luxury, could never understand our suffering. We don’t crave war. We only wanted a peaceful place to call home. But your Empire shattered that peace. To survive, we had no choice but to fight back. War costs money. Relentless artillery fire dragged us straight into hell.”

Xiejit’s attacks slammed around the girl, shaking the ground as rocks collapsed with thunderous crashes.

“Wensidia Stro Mirastin—you’re our most valuable bargaining chip. With you, this war ends. I fight for my country. For my family. Come quietly. Stop this pointless resistance!”

*Maybe this man is pitiable*, Moyu Manatsu thought.

Sky-splitting thunder crashed down. Light pierced through stone pillars, leaving charred craters everywhere.

The girl’s blade flashed, unleashing its full power as she clashed head-on with her enemy. Sparks erupted where steel met steel.

Wensidia slumped against the wall, dazed—Xiejit’s words had struck deep.

Caina lay unconscious on the ground. Outside, nearly all their classmates had fallen. Only Moyu Manatsu, in Lunorette’s body, stood between Xiejit and the others.

Staring at this furious man, the girl didn’t know how to judge him.

True—he had ideals. A purpose. He’d fought fiercely for his goal, even daring to kidnap an Imperial princess to defy a mighty Empire. All for his dream.

Zazvita Duchy was just a tiny coastal nation, ravaged by war. This man had chosen the most desperate path to end it.

Perhaps he wasn’t wrong. Striving for your ideals isn’t wrong.

But…

“No reason justifies kidnapping others.”

Moyu unleashed her mana. After a galaxy-bright flash, lightning crashed down from the sky.

“A thousand ‘valid reasons’ are just excuses to hide behind.”

Moyu never preached. Never acted like this. Yet these words clawed their way out.

She knew this feeling too well—thinking pretty words could erase your sins. They changed nothing. The old Moyu Manatsu had used her friends, gotten them gravely hurt, shattered their trust. No matter whose body she wore now, wrong was wrong.

That’s why Caina had raged at her. Called her a coward.

Moyu was just a phony good person. But even phonies deserve one chance to stand tall. One chance to face their mistakes.

“You brat understands nothing!”

Xiejit’s strikes grew faster, each aimed to kill. He’d decided to end her.

Moyu rubbed her ring. A dagger flew out, mana-infused. It sliced through his clothes, gashing his arm. Blood welled.

“You, living in peace—what do you know?!”

Destructive light swept the earth, tearing the cavern open. After the explosion, the outer passage lay exposed—a clear view of the sky.

“Worthless trash only spouts pretty words. You’ve done nothing of value. Brats like you are a dime a dozen. Don’t you dare preach to me!”

He wasn’t wrong. Pretty words yield no results. Moyu Manatsu hated empty flattery—it felt fake.

Even in Lunorette’s body, the real Moyu was just a nobody from an ordinary world. But even nobodies have things worth fighting for.

Moyu rubbed her ring again. A sword materialized, gleaming. As its light faded, a silver blade rested in her hand—exquisitely crafted, mirror-polished, reflecting her face. A dragon coiled along its length.

*Holy Sword Remiel*. Lunorette had pulled it from a cave during a mission. A legendary heirloom. A perfect blade no smith could replicate. The Empire’s only one.

*No wonder they called her a genius.*

Moyu swung the sword. A shockwave tore across the cavern, slamming into Xiejit. He coughed blood, roaring. Blinding rays shot from all directions, piercing the wall where the girl stood.

Moyu slashed desperately, relying on Lunorette’s muscle memory to deflect the beams. She barely kept her footing.

Xiejit appeared before her. A dagger thrust down. Instinctively, Moyu blocked with her sword—just as a beam pierced her abdomen. Blood sprayed.

“Cough…!”

Her stomach felt ripped open. Blood flooded out. Pain seared through her. Her vision blurred. The earth turned red.

“No!” Wensidia screamed, voice breaking.

Moyu Manatsu knelt, sword plunged into the ground. She bit her lip, forcing herself upright.

Why fight so hard? She didn’t know. But if she stopped now… she’d regret it. She felt it in her bones.

“Enough! Don’t get up!”

Moyu ignored Wensidia. She rose, glaring at Xiejit. He was spent too—wounds covered him, blood soaking his clothes.

“Stop, Lunorette! Your injuries—!”

She had to finish Lunorette’s mission. Stand in for the girl who wasn’t here. Save her friends.

“I said *don’t get up*, Lunorette!”

Wensidia’s cry echoed through the cavern, reaching the girl’s ears.

“I don’t care what you think of me. None of it matters. But you’ll *die* if you keep this up! I don’t want you to die! Please… stop fighting!”

*Is the princess crying?*

*Probably.*

*Good. Lunorette has a real friend.*

That’s why she had to protect everything for her. Moyu Manatsu had nothing worth guarding. No resolve to fight for others. Not even the will to grow stronger for herself. But even she could fight—for someone else’s friend.

**BOOM!**

The explosion rocked the cave. Moyu’s sword cut Xiejit. Enraged, he unleashed all his mana. A crushing magnetic field erupted, swallowing them both—ready to shred Moyu to dust.

He’d been careless, letting her exploit openings. Now, cornered, he’d gone feral.

*I need a plan…*

Moyu Manatsu channeled her last dregs of energy into the Holy Sword. She pushed her mind to its limit, eyes locked ahead.

**BOOM!**

The blast wave hit her. Moyu swung hard, meeting it head-on.

Another cataclysmic explosion shook the earth. Smoke choked the air. Rocks rained down. Lightning split the sky. Flames burst from the haze—then silence. Dust swallowed everything.

“That brat’s surely reduced to ashes.”

Xiejit smiled.

Then the smoke cleared. A silver sword flew toward him. Without warning, it plunged into his chest.

Time froze. The gunfire faded. For a moment, it felt like a quiet village.

Xiejit opened his eyes. A terrified girl stared back—her sword buried in him. Blood pooled beneath them. He glanced ahead. Where she’d stood, a deep hole gaped in the earth. Just big enough for one person.

*So she dug a hole during the blast…*

*Foolish of me…*

“I…”

Moyu Manatsu yanked the sword out. Blood splattered her face. The metallic stench filled her nose.

Xiejit collapsed. His gaze dimmed. His hand fumbled for a pendant around his neck. He flipped it open—staring at a photo of a smiling little girl. A soft smile touched his lips.

“Sorry, Fileo…”

“Won’t make it to your birthday…”

His heavy eyelids closed. Sennaf Xiejit’s life ended there.

The man lay still, pendant clutched in his hand—his daughter’s smile the last thing he saw. No breath remained.

The Holy Sword, stained crimson, clattered to the ground. Simultaneously, the ropes binding the princess loosened. The magic vanished.

But…

*Hrk—!*

Violent nausea seized Moyu. She vomited—bile burning her throat. The stench of blood and filth choked the air. Her sword slipped from numb fingers.

“I killed someone… I killed someone…”

Worst of all: her hands were soaked in another’s blood. A hellish chill crawled up her spine.

She stared at her crimson palms. Vomited again. Her first kill. She’d never imagined it. One moment her sword was thrusting—the next, it was too late to pull back.

Kneeling, she glanced at the man. His bloodless face twisted her conscience. More vomit rose.

“Aahh…”

Tears mixed with the bile. She didn’t know why she cried.

Blood and tears blurred together. All she knew was the crushing weight inside.

“Lu—Lunorette?” Wensidia called softly.

“…Please. Leave me alone.”

Her voice trembled uncontrollably.

Wensidia fell silent, shrinking back to the corner. The cavern gaped open where the blast had torn through—revealing the sky above. Outside, classmates stirred from unconsciousness, staring at the ruined mountain, the scars of battle everywhere.

"Could this place have been destroyed by a monster?"

They couldn’t help but think that.

No wonder—damage like this was beyond any ordinary battle.

At least the outcome was good: Princess Wensidia was safe, and her kidnapper lay dead.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

"We finally rescued you, President."

"Wensidia, are you okay? Any discomfort anywhere?"

Classmates swarmed around Wensidia with concern. No one noticed the white-haired girl slipping past them, clutching her stomach wound, slowly leaving with Caina’s support.

Caina looked at the weary-faced girl, unsure what to say. This victory truly belonged to her. She was the hero.

"Thank you… thank you for fighting in Lunorette-chan’s place."

Moyu didn’t speak. She couldn’t muster many words—utterly exhausted.

At least her wish was fulfilled: she’d fought for Lunorette.

Soon after, a squad in military uniforms emerged from the Death Forest. Seeing Wensidia, their faces showed unmistakable surprise.

"Imperial Magic Army?"

Caina sized them up, a puzzled expression on her face.