Rain told the long story of his encounters with the children he met and rescued after leaving SunRock. He described the events in Hope Chest City, where he met and helped many people. He also mentioned the fight against the corrupted follower Lucusia, who had become a dark cultist. Finally, Rain shared the last incident that marked the end of Hope Chest Town.

“That night we burned them all… So, now you know the rest of the story,” Rain said.

Ella touched her chin and looked at Aria. “Aria, did you know about this before?”

Aria shook her head. “No, I was waiting for him to tell it himself too.”

Ella turned her head back to Rain. “So, this red-haired Rave lost his entire family and seeks revenge, right?”

“Well, technically, yes,” Rain replied, crossing his fingers and leaning forward. “We desire revenge, but we also know that it’s impossible. The Church and Holy Tower system are beyond our reach.”

Ella lowered her eyelids and stared at Rain. “You know, just those words are enough to make me cut off your head right now.”

Undaunted, Rain smiled at Ella and said, “That would be fine too. To die by your white blade. I am also tired. Returning to the earth mother would be a good choice. Just help bury me with blue flowers, or at least throw my corpse into a river or the sea—“

The two women in front locked eyes at him, devoid of any signs of life. Aria bit her lip, displeased with what she heard, while Ella clenched her fists tightly, wanting to punch the Raccoon standing in front of her once again.

Taken aback, Rain raised his hands. “Sorry, my bad mouth…” A warmth sensation enveloped his back. “You too, I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need for that. I realize now that I chose the wrong words to speak to you. Talking to you is quite hard, almost like talking to a madman,” Ella said, released her fist.

Rain smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Ella looked at him with half-closed eyelids. “Well, alright. I will help you. Having more hands is better, right?” she said, her voice filled with fatigue.

“Thank you—“ Rain began.

“But I have two conditions,” Ella interrupted, holding up two fingers.

Rain bowed and waded hand at front, “As many as you wish, Lady Ella.”

Ella shifted her attention to Aria. Aria, did you not headaches when you accepted him as a follower and saw this behavior every time? I want to punch him every time he speaks.”

Aria gently touched her own face, tilting her head slightly as she pondered for a moment before saying, “I understand how you feel. He may be a little weird and give me some headaches, but he’s a smart child. His only intention is to seek attention, like most kids do. So, if you treat him as just a child seeking attention, it will be easier to handle.” Aria reached into Ella’s drawer, took out another cookie, and handed it to Ella with a smile. “In simpler terms, just give him a cookie and he will do as you want.”

Ella took the cookie and glanced at Rain, whose eyes were fixated on the treat. “Seriously?” Ella asked, then handed the cookie to him.

Rain quickly grabbed the cookie, rubbed it on his face, gave it a kiss, and then put it in his bag.

Ella stared at him without blinking, then shook her head. “Huh, okay, let’s talk about the conditions.”

Rain nodded eagerly.

“First, Ravie has to make a royal pledge with full commitment, promising not to harm me and to accept my words as his guiding light.”

Everyone turned their gaze towards Rave.

Rave nodded slightly. “If it doesn’t involve taking a life I need to protect, I will do whatever is necessary.”

Everyone then shifted their attention back to Ella.

Ella looked into Rave’s eyes. “Alright, I can accept that requirement.”

Ella turned to Rain, a slight smile forming on her lips.

Rain was puzzled by her smile and hesitated for a moment. Suddenly, his hair stood on end and he felt a chill down his spine. Slowly shaking his head.

Ella was thrilled when she saw his reaction. She smiled and then said, “My second condition is that the Raccoon has to pledge loyalty to me.”

Rain slowly turned his head towards Aria. She maintained a soft smile, but her eyes were already filled with darkness as she stared at him. A cold sensation ran down his neck.

“T-This… This isn’t right, Ella. C-Can you change the requirement?” Rain said with a trembling voice, the cold sensation on his neck slightly fading.

“Are you saying that or I remember it wrong when you said, ‘as many as you wish’?” Ella teased, locking eyes with him.

“Y-yes, but I already made a vow to follow Aria,” Rain replied, his voice trembling.

“I know, Aria told me everything after our first encounter in the forest,” Ella revealed.

“So, why…” Rain began. , but the cold sensation on his neck suddenly disappeared.

“Ah!” Aria instinctively touched her mouth as a thought crossed her mind. She glanced at Ella, who also turned her head to look at her, and they both smiled.

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Creek! Rain stood up, causing his chair to slide back. He took out a cookie and gave back it to Ella. “No! I won’t do it. I don’t want to become an insignia for both of you!”

Aria looked at Ella and remarked, “See, he’s clever. He used the word ‘insignia’ instead of ‘messenger’.”

Ella smiled at Aria, then turned her attention to Rain. “You’ve already taken it, so don’t give it back. It’s just a simple task that suits you perfectly. I know you can easily track someone. Remember, it’s only two people, not that difficult. And I’ll reward you with something you love the most, something sweet.”

Rain’s hands trembled, but he had to refuse now. If he didn’t, he would regret it for the rest of his life. “No, Ella, don’t try to deceive me with your sweet words. I won’t be fooled by your sweet trap.”

Rave was confused about what had just happened. Why did his friend have to refuse so strongly? So, he asked, “Rockman, what’s going on?”

“It’s a princess’s game! These two ladies want me to be their messenger,” Rain explained.

Rave became even more confused, but when he saw both ladies smiling wider and staring at him. They were signaling to him that he had to convince Rain to accept their offer. Rave slowly nodded, agreeing to help.

“Ahem, Brother Rain, it’s just a messenger task. How hard can it be to deliver one piece of paper?” Rave said.

Ella nodded in agreement and added, “That’s right, it’s an easy one.”

Rain hugged his arms tightly. “Rave, you don’t understand. These ladies are more dangerous than you think. Even though this job pays well with unlimited food, drinks, and excessive money, the authority they bestow upon you is of royal status. No one will dare to cause trouble for you. But everyone in the country, no, the entire continent, will pity you. They will view you… as a fool.”

“Fool, fool… don’t tell me…” Rave’s eyes widened, and he quickly backed up against the wall. He glanced at the two ladies, sensing danger in their eyes. The word “dangerous” echoed in his mind. He then turned back to Rain and said, “I’ll pray for you.”

Then he looked back at the two ladies. “In this circumstance, people are in a state of calamity. Winter has stormed into every citizen’s heart. According to the law and code of right, we should raise our hands and vote for this.”

A small tear dropped from Rain’s eyes. “Rave, you…”

Ella and Aria raised their hands and spoke at the same time. “We agree with the requirement.”

Rain slowly grabbed Rave’s hand. “Rave, are you on my side, right? Please, I don’t want to wear a costume anymore… Please, I will call you big brother if you help me with this.”

“Rockman…” Rave struggled, his hand shaking, not wanting to make this little man in front of him feel shameless. He clenched his jaw, wanting to refuse and think of another reason to convey to the two ladies, but suddenly his hand lifted up as if someone pulled it. Both men’s eyes widened in shock.

Rain hung his head down, his body falling.

Flop! Rave caught him and helped lift his body up. Rain murmured, “Ah… I forgot… This room has three… ladies… I lost in the beginning.”

Rave swiftly looked at Ella. “We have finished an agreement. We will do as Miss Ella proposed.” He then turned to Aria. “I will take him to rest.” He took Rain’s arm and placed it over his shoulder, then walked towards the door.

Aria and Ella waved their hands. “See you tomorrow.”

Creeeeak! Tap! The door closed.

Muff! Ella swooped over and hugged Aria. Ella’s body tumbled, her hands shaking violently. Her blood and temperature fell, and cold sweat covered her entire body. At least the warmth from Aria’s body and the warm stones under her bed could console her heart.

“I’m s-sorry, Aria. T-this is all happening because of me… It’s all m-my fault,” Ella said.

Aria caressed Ella and gently rubbed her back. “Do not blame yourself. We couldn’t have predicted this situation. We didn’t want to cause this calamity, and neither of them blamed or accused you at all.”

“That’s why my heart hurts, Aria. Have you noticed their fake smiles? Tear stains and fatigue still linger in their eyes. I’ve heard him cry every day in the forest. His bruises from hitting himself are everywhere,” Ella said. Aria sensed wetness on her dress.

“Yes, I saw it,” Ella said, hugging Ella closer.

“Aria, their family lost, and all the people in that town died just because of one failed negative… and why do they still act like nothing happened? If they just scolded me a little, my heart wouldn’t ache like this,” Ella said.

“Well, they are strong and they know it’s not your fault,” Aria replied.

“Why? Why does he always apologize to me? He hasn’t done anything wrong… Why does he make me feel guilty or like he’s done something wrong to me? And why does he need my help? It doesn’t make sense at all. He knows I have no authority over this land. I’m just a princess that sent to die,” Ella said, clenching Aria’s dress firmly.

Aria rubbed Ella’s head. “I don’t know what he’s thinking either, but I can confirm one thing, he does care for you,” Aria said, bending down to look at Ella’s face and speaking softly. “Ella.”

Ella lifted her head slightly, her eyes turning red as tears covered her face. Aria wiped away her tears. “Can you promise me one thing?”

Ella nodded slowly.

Aria moved closer to her ear and whispered something. Then, she lifted her head and smiled at Ella.

Tears streamed down Ella’s face as she shook her face and held onto Aria’s dress tightly. “No, no, I can’t—”

“It will be okay. If something happens, just trust him and follow him, okay?” Aria said.

“But, but—”

Aria held Ella’s hands. “Please, Ella, you know me best. You’re smart, not silly like—” Aria said.

Flop! Ella quickly hugged Aria. “No! Aria, you’re wise, beautiful, and kind… Please, don’t say that.”

“…Um”

Under the moonlight, white dots fell calmly from the sky, and snowflakes clung to the window. The two ladies hugged each other, continuing to talk, laugh, and cry until they finally fell asleep in the warmth, their hearts mended and healed by their own promises.

In the distance, all the houses in town had already closed their doors, and there was no sign of people on the road. Only the flickering light from lanterns could be seen. Two young ones walked on the road covered in thick snow. One shone like the moon, while the other radiated warmth like a ray of sun.

“Is she always like that?” Rave asked.

“Yeah, they may seem strong on the outside, but deep down they’re really fragile,” Rain said, reaching his hand down to the floor and picking up a pebble.

“Um,” Rave replied.

“Don’t worry too much, our masters are both kind and reasonable, especially Ella. You’ve noticed that too, right?” Rain said, grabbing another stone from the floor.

“Yes, she really likes you… she’s good at calculating… and hiding self emotions,” Rave said.

“Nah, she’s smarter than me. I’m nowhere near her level. I just speak my mind directly, you know? Right, Ria?” Rain stopped briefly, then golden particles began to emit around his body.

“Hahaha, see, Ria also agreed with me.” Rain jumped at front, snow fluttered around, there had many round rocks on the floor, he took it all.

“Hahaha, see? Even Ria agrees with me,” Rain exclaimed, jumping forward and causing snow to flutter around. There were many round rocks on the floor, and he started picking it.

Rave looked at Rain with half-closed eyes, helping him collect the rocks. “Isn’t that enough?” Rave asked, handing over some rocks he had just picked up nearby.

Rain opened his bag for Rave to drop the rocks in. “I think that’s enough. These will keep us warm through the night…” He held one stone tightly and softly said, “I hope both of you sleep well tonight.”

—§—

The following days arrived, and they found themselves in a serene white brick church. Light streamed in through the tall windows, and flags with the sign of the holy tower adorned every white pillar. A long bench formed a circle at the center, where a saint wearing a royal priestess robe sat. Her golden hair was braided and draped in front of her body, and she held an ivory scepter decorated with luxurious jewels.

In front of her stood a man with red hair, dressed in a white holy robe. He kneeled on one knee, with one hand over his heart and the other lifted by his side. It was the holy sign of the ceremony known as the Vow of the Follower.