Fortunately, he had only fainted.
After Sophia’s quick check, she finally let out a breath of relief.
“But… why did this little one suddenly pass out?”
Sophia furrowed her brow, voice tinged with confusion.
“Hmm… maybe he saw something… something he’s not ready to see yet.” An’s voice echoed softly in her mind.
Sophia froze. “Something… he shouldn’t see?”
“How to put it… It’s not the right time to explain. Or rather—knowing it now wouldn’t do you any good.” An’s calm tone followed.
“Well, just think of it as… the magic’s aftershock affecting him. After all, he’s still just a little one with no power. Fainting from such an overwhelming magical surge is only natural.”
“…”
Sophia wasn’t fooled by An’s clearly made-up excuse. Believing that would make her a fool.
“Are you *sure*… keeping me in the dark is for my own good?”
“Absolutely. Little princess—when have I ever lied to you?”
“The first time we met.”
“Ahem… That was… an accident.”
“Never mind.” Sophia effortlessly hoisted the boy onto her back. A cryptic glimmer flickered in her cerulean eyes. “For now… I’ll pretend your excuse is true.”
With that, she walked slowly toward the village.
This wasn’t the time to dwell on Yugo’s secrets.
The village itself was her greatest concern—and she already had a plan.
Just not yet.
She glanced toward the path Hugh had taken, eyes glinting faintly.
…
Seated on a small stool, Sophia etched patterns into the stone table with a shard of rock.
A dish of clear water sat nearby; a damp fingertip erased any mistake, wiping the white line clean.
No paper, no ink—this was the only way.
An, restored to dragon form, lay on the bed, watching her with quiet amusement.
He recognized the runes: the same magic circle Hugh had drawn at the village center.
He had a good idea what she was planning.
Knock, knock, knock—
Sophia jolted from her thoughts.
“Little miss awake? Hungry? Come eat!” the man’s warm voice called.
Hearing it, Sophia hesitated.
The skeletons of the man and his wife from that morning flashed vividly in her mind.
A surreal chill tightened her chest…
But she steadied herself.
“Coming, just a moment.”
She glanced outside.
The silvery moon peeked over distant peaks, casting cool light that gilded her golden hair.
“An.”
At her whisper, the dragon shifted smoothly into a bracelet, fastening around her wrist.
She opened the door.
The man greeted her with a gentle smile.
“Awake already? I wanted you to rest longer, but the food’s ready—didn’t want it cold. Eat up; nap again after if you’re tired.”
His words were kind, his smile soft.
Yet seeing his face now stirred something uneasy in Sophia.
“Okay…”
“Mm, hurry! Oh—we had another guest this morning, quite handsome. Wait, your brother’s still asleep? I’ll go wake him.”
He turned toward Yugo’s room.
“Don’t,” Sophia stopped him gently. “He’s exhausted. Let him rest.”
“Alright. If he wakes, tell my wife—she’ll reheat his meal.”
“…Th-thank you.”
“No trouble at all! I’ll head to the kitchen. You wait at the table.”
He hurried off without waiting, calling toward the kitchen, “Coming, coming! Don’t rush me!”
At the table, Sophia froze.
A familiar figure sat there.
“Mr. Edward?”
Hugh glanced up, nodded. “Eat first. The cycle begins soon. We’ll talk then.”
“…”
Sophia’s gaze turned icy. “Mr. Edward… I believe you’re perfectly capable of handling your own ‘breakfast’.”
“I can’t cook.”
“…”
“Then… how *have* you eaten these past days?”
“They forget everything in ten days. I move place to place. Today just… happened to be here.”
“…”
She didn’t believe the “happened” part.
The “can’t cook” part? No proof needed.
But before she could press further, the man arrived with breakfast.
He ushered them warmly to the table.
Sophia shot Hugh one last glare and sat.
Simple country fare—the “breakfast” plainer still:
pickled radish, clear broth, slices of rye bread.
Generous for a farming home.
“Don’t be startled by what comes next,” Hugh murmured, watching the couple carry clean dishes toward the kitchen.
Sophia stiffened.
She knew what he meant.
*The ten-day cycle.*
“It’s starting,” An whispered in her mind.
An invisible force surged through the village.
“Watch closely.” Hugh raised a finger toward the kitchen.
Sophia’s breath caught.
The man stepped *backward* out of the kitchen—retreating to the table, setting the plate down.
Then everything rewound.
Every syllable… every motion… every expression…
Replaying at terrifying speed.
She watched, heart pounding, as he retreated to his room, lay on the bed—
His flesh vanished in an instant…
Until only a skeleton remained.
