To trick an innocent, love-struck girl just to save her own skin? Caro wasn’t *that* mischievous. But—if it meant witnessing a real-life 5D spectacle… this small price was absolutely worth paying. With Karin’s protection, she truly had front-row seats to the drama.

The Ancient Spirit Tree hadn’t even emerged yet, and the Demonhunt Squad was already tearing itself apart. Thrilling! Cassipero was a hero on par with Arnold. True, Karin claimed Cassipero wasn’t as strong as Arnold now—but weren’t there still several squad members? Rumor said the Demonhunt Squad had even recruited new ones.

“So, Miss Karin,” Caro asked, “do you know what you should be doing right now?”

Karin, who now regarded Caro as her love-life mentor, treated her with deep respect. After all… Caro had proven her competence. As the one Arnold himself was fond of, her advice had to hold weight. Karin reasoned with the straightforward logic of an adventurer and assassin.

“I’m sorry, Sensei. I don’t know,” Karin answered honestly. Even a prodigy assassin could be utterly hopeless in love. If she’d been stronger here, she’d have won Arnold over long ago. No point hiding it.

Caro sighed. “The answer’s simple. But as they say, when you’re too close, you lose perspective. Let me enlighten you. In moments like this, what should a woman deeply in love do?”

(Of course, she was purely projecting herself into Arnold’s shoes. Whether it was right? Eh, worry later.) She began slowly: “Arnold and Cassipero are childhood friends. He shares deep bonds with the other squad members too. Otherwise, being expelled wouldn’t have shattered him. When I first met him, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol day after day.”

“…You’re absolutely right.”

“So—even choosing to leave the past behind, to raise his sword against friends filled with shared memories… don’t you think that’s painful?”

Karin hesitated. During their duel, she hadn’t sensed Arnold’s sorrow. He seemed content with his life now.

“Win or lose—I hope he wins—but victory would only bring loneliness and sorrow. *That’s* your perfect moment to swoop in!”

*So this is how Sensei won Arnold over?!* Karin’s eyes widened. This was the method—seizing vulnerability, capturing his heart.

“So, Sensei… specifically, what should I…”

Caro shot her a knowing glance. “Right now? We go see the battle. You take me. Only then can I give practical advice. Armchair strategy is meaningless.”

What wisdom! Such profound insight from such a petite girl. Karin now saw Caro through rose-tinted glasses—everything she did felt right.

“Sensei, I’ll protect you!”

As she spoke, Karin glanced toward a street alley. A shadowy figure melted silently into the dark.

Lucy had watched the whole exchange in silence. She knew Caro’s nature well enough. She watched Karin fall completely under Caro’s spell, wanted to speak—but really, what was there to say? This outcome was fine.

Honestly… Caro hadn’t even noticed Arnold was fond of *her*, yet boldly gave love advice? In that sense, she really had some nerve.

Then—the crowd saw it.

A golden arc—a slash poised to cleave the entire city in two. Unleashed by Arnold, the former Dragon Slayer. Terror gripped every heart…

A giant golden hand caught the arc mid-strike.

Closer inspection revealed it woven from countless golden leaves. The Ancient Spirit Tree—the wise, venerable guardian—shielding the city.

“Pfft!”

Caro burst out laughing, slapping Karin’s shoulder. “Hahahaha!!! Too absurd! I never saw this coming! We came for the Spirit Tree, Arnold and Cassipero start fighting—and *it* saves the day? If the Spirit Tree were human, I’d kill to see its face!”

Watching her carefree teacher laugh, Karin worried. “But Sensei—that’s Arnold’s Arc Slash, a Lv. 10 skill! If it landed… Dermal City would’ve split in half. He’d never use it inside a city before.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” Caro’s laughter softened into confusion. “Cassipero unleashes big moves in the city, but Arnold can’t? She started this *counting* on his concern for the city? Laughable!”

Her smile twisted cold. “If that’s her thinking… maybe I *should* advise Arnold to defect to the Demonkin. A Flame Demonkin already tried recruiting him. Better benefits there. Rumor says he’s got a thing with the Demon King’s daughter—becoming a Demon Realm son-in-law sounds nice~ Maybe they’d even toss in a couple succubi for me to play with.”

“…Huh?!” Was her teacher serious?!

Seeming to catch herself, Caro instantly turned solemn. “Listen closely. Today’s Arnold isn’t the Arnold you knew. One word describes it—he’s *awakened*.”

“A-Awakened?”

“Yes! Awakened! He’s shaken off the past’s haze, recognized his true self, and stepped onto his chosen path. Viewing him through old eyes is a grave mistake. Remember this.”

Karin fell silent. These were Caro’s genuine words—truly thinking of Arnold. Was this the gap in their capacity? No wonder Arnold fell for her. She saw him this way… Karin could not.

“Can we go higher? A battle like this is unmissable—even dying from shockwaves is worth the ticket.”

“…” Karin wrapped her arms around Caro from behind. The back of Caro’s head met the soft, springy pressure of Karin’s chest—a deeply cushioning sensation, almost swallowing her whole—

Then—*whoosh*—they shot skyward.

All pleasant sensation vanished. The speed nearly made her bite her tongue. No capacity left to savor the astonishing softness behind her head.

Thrilling. Far beyond bungee jumping. Only a roller coaster’s peak instant could rival it—Caro recalled her past life.

They landed atop a tall building. The view was expansive—short of the Spirit Tree Tower, but clear enough to see Arnold and Cassipero hovering midair.

“Wait… how can they *both* fly? Do swordsmen even have skills like that?”

“Arnold has ‘Phantom Step.’ Cassipero has ‘Aerial Shot’ and ‘Levitation.’ That’s how,” Karin explained calmly.

*So this is Heroic Rank?* Mythical figures with flashy, over-the-top skills.

“Speaking of which… the mage?”

“Watching us.”

Karin glanced to a shadowed corner. Caro followed—and spotted a patch of deep darkness.

“Ignore her.” From Arnold’s tales, Harmony Weaver Melissa seemed rigid. No need to worry?

“The Ancient Spirit Tree is moving,” Karin murmured.

Roots erupted from street gaps. Rising, they transformed into new trees. In moments, all of Dermal City glowed gold, overgrown with Ancient Spirit Trees. The change continued: round fruits swelled rapidly on each sapling, crashing down at adult size. They split open—treants emerged, one after another.

Caro frowned. “What’s the Spirit Tree playing at? Taking hostages?”

Karin didn’t answer. Her gaze fixed afar. “Ronatia?”

The silver-haired Sword Saint? *She’s here too?* Her presence was noble—not aloof like Karin’s, yet radiating a uniquely heroic grace. Caro felt genuine admiration. She nearly clapped in excitement!

Epic battle! Unprecedented chaos! To witness this right at the start of her adventure—dying now would feel worth the ticket. A monumental upheaval!

Instinctively, she wanted to play a tune—but remembered: no harp. Such a shame! *Please don’t let the cake shop be wrecked…*

Then—music.

She perked her ears. Confirmed: a flute.

She scanned the rooftops—and spotted them. A delicate-looking man in a pale yellow fringed gown, playing a jade-green flute while watching the battle.

No—not just him.

Roofs dotted with instrument-wielding figures.

Caro froze.

“Do Bards have bloodhound noses?” she muttered. Self-deprecating—she *was* one too—but she couldn’t help asking.