"Would it be possible to et up with them first?" I asked sincerely.
Silence fell over the group. For a mont, all I could hear were hushed whispers.
"Pride and Envy…? They’re here too?"
"W-We’re so lucky…"
"We’re saved!"
"T-Three single rankers are here to rescue us. Thank the lord."
Hope turned to face and nodded. "Alright."
That was easy.
"Thanks." I responded.
Hope handed Defender’s injured body to a second-year student and motioned for the group to follow him.
All the students, despite their dire circumstances, they all cheered in joy.
Why wouldn’t they be?
After all, one of humanity’s strongest was guarding them.
They had reason to feel proud.
The image I had built as Hope was truly taking shape. I could see it in their eyes—admiration, relief, and trust.
As we walked, I noticed how they kept glancing at . Not just the girls, but even the boys.
Their eyes glead with awe.
I ignored them, keeping my focus ahead.
We moved south. The wind grew colder, brushing against our skin, carrying with it the faint scent of soil.
The moon overhead bathed the forest in silver light, casting long blurry shadows.
My grip on my katana tightened as I sharpened my senses, my Ruler skill enhanced my vision.
’Sera.’ I called out ntally.
’Yes?’
’This Lilith… does she work for Nathalia?’
There was a brief pause before she responded.
’The last I rember, Lilith and Nathalia held the sa position.’
That was strange.
Why would an Authority holder work under another? Unless—
’Is Nathalia also an Immortal?’ I asked, my mind racing to piece together the puzzle.
’No…’ Sera’s response was imdiate.
Unlike Lilith, who was immortal, Nathalia was not. She just had a long lifespan.
Fallen Angels could live more than 20,000 years, but they weren’t truly immortal.
That confird it.
The reason she teleported hundreds of humans here…
The reason an immortal Authority holder worked under her…
It wasn’t hard to deduce.
My mind analyze all 18,637 possible scenarios, then the most probable conclusion was—
’Nathalia is dying.’
’Huh? What?’
At first, I assud the demons were just toying with human lives. But this was sothing else entirely.
For thousands of years, Nathalia had sustained the Dreamland of the Elven City. A world so perfectly constructed that it rivaled reality itself.
Where did she get all that power?
It was from none other than Lilith.
By using Lilith’s Absolute Will, she was able to weave the Dreamworld into existence. But at the ti, Lilith had not been her slave. Nathalia had tricked her—bound her mind when they were crafting that world.
’Nathalia was experinting with sothing… sothing that would grant her true immortality. Just like and Lilith.’
Sera listened in silence before finally speaking.
’Your theory makes no sense.’
"…"
’There are too many flaws in your logic.’
’Hmm? Like what?’
We continued walking south, debating our theories.
One minute…
Twenty minutes…
Forty minutes…
One hour…
No matter how much ti passed, we kept moving forward. But sothing felt wrong.
My grip on my katana tightened.
’Sothing’s not right.’
Hope suddenly halted.
"Stop." His cold command silenced every footstep.
He sensed it too.
With a swift motion, he drew his silver katana from its sheath and pointed it toward the sky. His voice was colder than ice.
"Nathalia."
The students flinched.
"W-What’s happening?" So gasped. Others gripped their weapons, their breathing heavy.
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
The air got thicker.
A white mist coiled around the ground, creeping toward us like living tendrils.
I swallowed hard.
’Is this—’
’Nathalia.’ Sera’s voice rang through my mind, laced with hatred.
I followed Hope’s gaze skyward.
And there—
Like an angel descending from the heavens, a figure hovered in the air.
Her pristine white gown shimred under the moonlight, and her massive, feathered wings spread widly catching each and everyone’s attention.
Her presence alone made us all shiver.
But that wasn’t what sent chills down my spine.
Her face…
There was nothing there.
No eyes.
No mouth.
No nose.
No ears.
Just smooth, plane skin, as if soone had erased her features entirely.
’I-Is that Nathalia?’ I asked, unable to tear my eyes away.
Sera hesitated. ’N-No. B-But how?!’
’Then… is she Nathalia or not?’ I demanded.
’She is. But...’
’But what?’
Dammit.
’Tell in one go!’
***
A lone figure sat atop a stone.
Her gaze was fixed on the moon. The white light from it bathed her crimson hair, which waved with the wind’s gentle touch.
In front of her, sound of fire crackled filled the silent forest, its flickering flas reflected in her eyes.
"Ruby."
The voice broke Ruby’s daydream.
Ruby turned her head, her eyes shifting from the moon on the sky to the woman who had called her.
Envy stood a few steps away, sat infront of her.
Behind Envy were three students from her academy lay on the ground, sleeping soundly.
"You’re acting strange today."
Ruby flinched.
She opened her mouth to deny it but she hesitated.
"Is it about Zane?"
Her master knows it all.
The na sent a ripple through her body, her heart raced.
What’s with her today?
She averted her gaze from Envy, though she knew it was pointless.
She could never hide anything from her master. Envy had watched over her for years, she had seen her grow, she had understood her even before Ruby understood herself.
"Did he do sothing?" Envy asked, her voice filled with amusent.
As if reacting instinctively, Ruby ducked her head.
Letting her red hair fall over her face like a curtain.
She twirled a strand between her fingers, twisting and untwisting it, stealing quick, nervous glances at her master.
"So he did, huh?" Envy chuckled.
’How cute. She is so easy to read.’ Envy thought.
Ruby’s fingers tightened around her hair as she hesitated before giving a small nod.
"Mmmhmm..."
Envy’s lips curled into a teasing smile.
"Oh my, a lover’s quarrel—"
"Master!"
Ruby’s cut her off mid-sentence. Her entire face burned with crimson glow, her eyes glistening with tears in the corner. A small pout ford her face.
"W-We’re nothing like that..." she muttered. Then, as quietly that only she could hear, she added, "Yet."
Just thinking about it all made her head dizzy.
Truly, she was a maiden in love.
"Hahahahhaha!"
Envy burst into laughter, stomping her foot against the ground. Tears gathered the corners of her eyes before she wiped them away.
"Oh... that was adorable," she said between chuckles. "Just tell him you like him."
"Master!" Ruby protested, her voice reached high-pitched, she felt extre embarrassnt.
"Alright, alright! I’m sorry!" Envy held up her hands in a surrender, though her grin never left the face.
Noticing it Ruby pouted again.
She had known for the past three years. After all, she was the one who had raised them, watched both of them grow, she was the one who guided them through their struggles.
She was proud of them.
On both of them.
End of Chapter.
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