The return to Zafferbridge was rather quiet, and thankfully, pretty fast. Throughout the entire trip, Elizabeth remained mostly silent, with Selena standing beside her. Everyone's expressions were quite weary, actually, but hers struck me the most. Although Leonard was definitely the most troubled.

Even Crimson wasn't immune; she seemed more annoyed rather than tired. But the idea of returning back to the headquarters appealed to her as well.

When we finally arrived at the gate, it was evening. The guards, stationed at the entrance as usual, nodded in acknowledgment as we passed by. The familiar bustle of its streets and the warm glow of lanterns were more reassuring and relaxing than I thought they would be; definitely far more so than I remembered them to be. It didn't seem like it, but we had been away for some time.

When we entered our headquarters, Joey was there to welcome us.

"Ah, everyone! Welcome back!" he exclaimed as he approached us, while some went to sit at the lounge.

"Don't come near me." I immediately stopped him, raising my hand. "I stink."

"We all stink," Louise chuckled.

"Well, I won't greet you with a hug then, Argenta," he joked with a warm smile before redirecting his attention to Leonard. "How did the dungeon go?"

"We'll discuss the matter later. There has been some change of plans..." he replied.

Joey nodded. "Do you all want something for dinner? Though it's quite late..."

"Can I have something quick?" Selena asked with great enthusiasm, clasping her hands together as if begging for it. "I'm starving!"

"Sure."

Many others followed Selena, while just as many headed to their rooms.

"What about you, Elizabeth?" Joey then asked her, noticing her silence.

"Huh..." She flinched, her grip on the staff becoming tighter as her gaze turned to the ground. "I-I'm fine with whatever..."

"What would you like to eat?" Joey pressed, his tone as gentle as always.

"You don't have to cook for me. I'm fine with some snacks, too," she murmured.

Joey shook his head. "That won't do. You look gaunt! Leave it to me; I'll cook something delicious. Alright?" he then added with a positive wink.

"Are you sure?" she asked, raising her head to meet his eyes.

"Of course!"

Elizabeth displayed a faint smile, and her eyes became softer. After witnessing that, I began heading to my room.

"Are you sure you don't want anything?" Joey asked me as I approached the stairs. "You look paler than usual, too..."

"Yes, don't worry," I replied, turning around. "I just need a bath, and some rest."

"Alright. Have a good rest."

I finally reached my room. I wanted to ask Joey questions, but they could wait; I definitely didn't want to ask him about all that stuff with people around us. I needed to be alone, away from Crimson as well. Not that I was not enjoying her company. Actually... it was strange enough that I was enjoying it... but I just needed space for myself to clear my mind, distract myself a little before tackling all the loose ends. All alone, without anyone around. And so, I took a warm, soothing bath, and threw myself onto the bed. I fell asleep pretty much immediately...

... Waking up in a comfy and fluffy bed was way more comfortable than any tent they could ever offer me! Who would've ever guessed that? The morning looked nice already. I eagerly stretched, and the accumulated fatigue from the previous days promptly melted away.

I descended the stairs; Joey was in the kitchen, and so were Elizabeth and Rosemary. I sighed... Well, the morning was already getting worse!

Since I wanted to talk to him alone, I approached... "Hey, Joey..."

"Good morning, Argenta!" he greeted, clearly cheerful to see me. "Do you still stink?"

I almost laughed at that. I shook my head right after. "No... I don't stink anymore, Joey."

He picked up a little box of biscuits sitting around and handed it to me. "Do you want some while I prepare the tea?"

"Yes, thanks."

I grabbed the box and began munching on some biscuits. They tasted even better than I remembered! Either I was starving, or spending the time surrounded by nothing but nature and monsters was bad for the demanding stomach.

Once the tea was served, I let it sit, and turned my attention to Joey, now idly standing. "Listen, Joey..."

"What is it?" he replied.

"Can I talk to you in private?"

"Huh, sure... Lead the way."

I led Joey to a quiet corner of the guild, where most likely no one would've appeared, and away from Elizabeth's ears. "Joey... I need to ask you an important question, even if it may be difficult for you to think about it once again."

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He blinked, his expression turning confused. "Um... sure. What's it about?"

"It's about when I died."

His face immediately soured, and his lips pursed together.

"I want to know... what happened," I continued.

"Well... I also don't really know..." he stammered.

"Come on, Joey..." I sighed. "Let me help you out. The dragon hit me, and I died... Then, you killed the dragon, and saw me come back from the dead. Did anything happen to my body during that time, or in general?"

"Argenta, I... I didn't kill the dragon..." he murmured, his voice almost choked.

"... What?"

"I didn't kill it..."

"What do you mean you didn't kill it? What did you do while I was dead?!" I demanded.

"Nothing..." he replied, his eyes glistening as he looked away. "After that dragon got you... I rushed to your side. And I couldn't do anything. I didn't attack the dragon, I didn't cast any spells... I just stood there crying..."

He fell silent, and I stared at him while I fought the urge to wrap my fingers around his neck.

Exactly... what was his plan? When was he going to tell me something like this? Was he playing around just like my mother always did, keeping secrets or what?! Is this some kind of conspiracy the whole world orchestrated against me? Am I secretly dealing with some kind of mental puzzle everyone but me is in?

And what's with that face...?

"Joey..." I grumbled as my hand slowly reached for my face, trying to keep my anger in check. "When the fuck were you planning on telling me something so important?!" I snapped, raising my voice at him.

"I tried!" he immediately responded. "I really tried! Numerous times... But either I couldn't bring myself to say it, or I was interrupted. And so I just decided to ignore it... I didn't want to think about it, Argenta... I blamed myself, and I thought you really died. I couldn't bring myself to face it... I didn't want to. I was just happy that you survived, because I thought I'd lost you there forever, and I didn't know how I could live with the thought of you dying, especially to save someone like me... So I just stopped thinking about it..."

He was distressed, almost sobbing; his voice was cracked, and little tears almost threatened to fall from his eyes, still unable to face me.

I sighed. "Then who, or what, killed the dragon...?"

He shook his head. "I don't know..."

"Joey!"

"I told you!" he yelped. "I didn't know what to do! I rushed immediately to you, trying to cease your bleeding! I didn't look at the dragon, and I didn't care for my life... I was ready to die there, because I couldn't accept what had just happened... I didn't face the dragon... All I did was stand by your side, while tears obstructed my vision..."

He sniffed, raising his arms to wipe his face. Once again, his eyes avoided mine.

"All I know..." he continued, still sobbing, "... is that I heard the dragon cry out in pain. That's all..."

I groaned as I leaned back, letting my body bounce against the wall, just like my head did, but with a thud that made me wince. "Stop crying... It's all in the past. There's no need to be a wimp about it now."

"Sorry..." he murmured, taking deep breaths to calm himself.

Nothing but a hole in the water... He was useless, and the thought of him ready to accept his death made it even worse... A wimp through and through. An incompetent in every way...

Well, it wasn't all for nothing. At least now I was sure of it... something happens when I die... Something that eliminates my enemies...

"I have another question for you, Joey," I resumed as soon as he regained his composure.

He nodded, rubbing his nose one last time, finally facing me. "What is it?"

"Do you know something about... the Silver Witch?"

"The Silver Witch?"

"The Silver Witch."

He rubbed his chin with his index finger. "Hmm... it doesn't sound new, but... at the same time, it doesn't tell me anything..."

So, another dead end...

I sighed. "That's fine..."

"Sorry, I really wish I could be more useful," he murmured.

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it."

"I'll ask the others about it when I get the chance."

"No, don't!" I blurted out, immediately grabbing him by the shoulders. "Don't..."

He flinched. "Huh- alright!"

"Do not talk about this to anyone, Joey... I can trust you, but I cannot trust anyone else. Don't tell it to anyone else. No one. Keep it to yourself. Have I made myself clear?"

He nodded; I think I scared him. "Yes, no problem. I'll keep my mouth shut."

I stared at him, intently, to make him understand the situation. But he seemed convincing... "Alright, then," I said, finally releasing him from my clutches.

If being, supposedly, the daughter of the Silver Witch made me a target already... I definitely couldn't let the strongest libromancers of the top guilds be aware of this fact... I would make myself more than simply enemies...

He stood still for a little, blinking at me. "Do you have... any more questions?"

"Ah, no... I was just lost in thoughts. We can go back to the kitchen," I replied, snapping to attention.

He nodded, and we headed back.

"Actually, I do have another question," I quipped as we walked, returning to casual conversations. "What's for lunch?"

He smiled at that. "We have to decide."

Elizabeth noticed Joey's slightly red eyes as he stepped back to the room. "Is everything alright?"

He nodded, giving away a little smile. "Yes, don't worry."

Not much later, as I sipped the tea, still partially warm, even Crimson joined the kitchen; her mood seemed improved. And while Joey and Elizabeth engaged in a conversation at the table, Crimson and I stood at the kitchen's peninsula, eating biscuits. In my mind, a glancing idea to distract myself from the chaos swirling within passed by.

Not only an idea; I had other matters to attend to. Well, more than matters... commitments?

"Hey, Crimson..." I started, keeping my voice low to make sure the others wouldn't hear.

"What is it?"

"Say... what do you think about you and me... having dinner together?"

She grinned. "Hmm? A date, you mean?"

"A date..."

Even though that wasn't exactly what I had in mind... that was a good idea. And even if I wanted to keep our relationship a secret, I highly doubted the guild would notice us if, for once, we were somewhat more intimate with each other. And two girls hanging out wouldn't necessarily mean they're a couple, no?

"Sure, Snowflake. When?"

"This evening is fine," I replied. "Where do we go?"

She giggled, clearly amused. "You invite me to a dinner, and you don't even know where you want to go?"

"Well, I still don't know Zafferbridge that well..."

She sighed, shaking her head with a smug smile on her face. "Don't worry, I know a nice place. Let's meet before the plaza, and I'll take you there. Wear something nice."

"Something nice..."

She rested the biscuits' box over the kitchen, sneakily leaning close to my ear. "Bonus point for a skirt."

I rolled my eyes as I sighed. Why was I even surprised? "Alright..."

"Now I'll go. Catch you later, then."

"Where are you going?" I asked out of curiosity.

She turned, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "Hmm... Well, let's just say... it's a secret."

I blinked. Once, then twice. This was a dream. This was not real. "Oh, please don't do that..."

"Hm, what?"

She did not say that... She didn't. No way she did that.

"If... if you do that, too, Crimson, I'm going to lose my mind... I-I'll go insane, Crimson! I'll go insane!"

"Whoawhoa- okay, okay Snowflake!" She flinched, putting her hands up, waving, either to signal me to stop, or to defend herself. Meanwhile, her eyes darted to the side, trying to make me notice the others in the room.

I had raised my voice... and caught their attention. My heartbeat accelerated from agitation, and my breath was uneven. I could literally feel my cheeks burning as Joey and Elizabeth stared at me.

"It's okay," Crimson murmured, drawing my attention back to her. "I'm just going shopping... I won't keep secrets from you..."

She almost seemed scared... She was to blame for what had just happened.

"Okay..." I cleared my throat. "I-I'll go to my room to rest a bit..."