"...Yugo, stay close behind me. Don’t get lost."

Sophia lifted her head, glanced at Yugo, then turned and stepped deeper into the mist.

"Ah, okay!"

Yugo nodded quickly, grabbed the hem of Sophia’s robe, and hurried after her.

An raised its head, cast a fleeting look at Sophia, then slowly closed its eyes.

It didn’t ask why she chose to walk into the mist.

A settled fact needed no question.

...

As Sophia pressed forward, the mist thickened around her. Without An’s guidance, she might have lost her way.

Thankfully, just as An said, no trace of danger lingered in the air—so far.

"What did you mean earlier," Sophia asked inwardly, "about 'interesting things' in the mist?"

An smirked. "You’ll see. Just keep going..."

"Then I’m stopping right here."

"...Tch." An fell silent for a beat, a hint of exasperation in its tone. "Fine. There *is* a village in the mist. And strangely... it’s oddly 'normal'."

Sophia paused. "...Are *you* the one with the problem?"

A "normal" village that wasn’t normal?

"Tch. See for yourself."

No sooner had An finished speaking than the mist began thinning around them.

*Did we just leave the thick fog zone?* Sophia wondered.

She turned to check the little boy clinging tightly behind her—calm, indifferent gaze.

*Good. Still here.*

Honestly, she’d been so focused discussing the oddity with An she’d nearly forgotten the little tail trailing her.

Noticing her look, Yugo tilted his head. "Sister Sophia? What’s wrong?"

"...Nothing. Just stay close."

"Uh-huh."

The mist vanished completely. Then—a clamor of voices washed over them.

Sophia froze, hurried forward, and pushed aside the bushes blocking her view. A bustling village appeared.

"Huh? How’s there a village here?" Yugo stepped up, voice tinged with confusion and wonder.

Sophia said nothing. She pulled her hood back up and walked slowly toward the village, Yugo sticking close behind.

Inside, her suspicion deepened.

"Old Man Yale! Back so late?"

"Ahaha! Weather’s perfect for planting peas. Felt energetic—and hey, it’s only midday!"

"True! Business has been good too."

"Indeed, indeed!"

Lively.

*Too* lively.

Sophia narrowed her eyes upward. A full moon hung high.

At this hour, everyone should be asleep. Yet villagers bustled—carrying tools, pushing carts, weaving by doorways—laughing, chatting, faces glowing with joy.

*Something’s off...*

But Sophia kept her expression cool and unreadable.

"Sister Sophia, it’s so lively here!" Yugo blinked, voice bright with childish wonder.

Sophia’s eyes darkened slightly. "Mm. Yes. Very lively."

*Just... a little too lively. Something feels wrong...*

"An," she murmured inwardly, "do you know something?"

An offered no useful answer. "I don’t know. Only... something here is calling to me. And the air... thick with magic everywhere."

"...Magic?"

Sophia studied the villagers. *Spirit magic*—the words from the signpost flashed in her mind.

*Could it be...?*

A theory formed, but she couldn’t confirm it yet.

"Huh? You’re not from around here, are you? Outsiders?"

An elderly voice cut through her thoughts. Sophia turned. A middle-aged man with a hoe regarded them curiously.

"Ah... yes. Just passing through. Looking for a place to rest," Sophia replied evenly, clearing her throat lightly.

The man blinked at her voice, then glanced at Yugo—clutching her robe, clothes torn and dusty from forest runs and bandit beatings.

Understanding flickered in his eyes. His gaze softened with pity.

"Poor dears. If you don’t mind, stay at my place tonight. Our village has no inn."

"I’ve got spare rooms. Perfect for you two siblings to rest."