After the momentary satisfaction was gone, Mila felt deep displeasure with herself and the general state of the world. She circled back towards Isabel while ensuring no other hunting parties were around.

It was the prudent choice. As had been the part where Mila had mutilated the freshly assassinated corpses. She didn’t want to leave more traces than necessary and made sure it looked like they had fought and the deaths came by swords.

And it had given Isabel and others more time to rest. But it also gave her a period where she was alone with her thoughts.

And they were not positive in the slightest. Mila felt herself tethering on the brink of despair. There had been no positive news for so long…

What even was the last positive note? Isabel’s continued presence - that one for sure. But what else? Viola’s friendship? The old Ghost regaining some of his old strength?

What else was there?

When compared to all the horror, suffering, death and sadness around them… And the continuous escape. The lack of rest. Isabel’s condition.

It was all so… Exhausting.

Mila idly retrieved her dagger and started to play with it. The blade flashed in her palm as she spun it around her hand. It helped to keep the most depressing thoughts at bay.

Not all of them…

Ultimately, Mila was forced to steel her mind and steer it towards the future. She tried to imagine what kind of dates Isabel would come up with. Her mind explored the possibilities and the garbs she could wear for the occasion. She imagined their touches getting more intimate and…

“This too…” Mila sighed. The hormones were still there. They hadn’t left with the new body. She just hoped they hadn’t grown stronger.

Those had to wait, too. Mila spotted the place where her group was hiding. It hadn’t been discovered, lightening the weight on her mind. She didn’t know what she would have done if Isabel had been forced to fight.

Her arrival startled Mortimer out of a fragile sleep. He blinked, trying to focus on Mila while pulling Vatim closer to himself. It took him several seconds trying to squeeze into the crevice before he realised who it was.

“It’s you…” The man finally relaxed. He poked Vatim’s cheek. “We go?” He yawned. “W-we could-”

Mila gazed at Isabel’s sleeping face and hardened her heart. “We are going.” She affirmed while getting on her knees. Her finger mimicked Mortimer’s earlier gesture as she poked her girl’s cheek. “Isabel?”

The gentle caress did little to disturb Isabel's rest. Mila unwillingly pushed harder, her finger changing her girl’s face into quite a funny expression.

“Are you done playing?” Kanna’s voice interrupted.

“I am not,” Mila cooly shrugged off the accusation. “Isabel?” She stopped playing around with her girl’s face. “How do you feel?”

Isabel didn’t reply. She looked into Mila’s eyes and shook her head. Her hand rose and fell on Mila’s knee. She rolled a bit closer while pouting cutely.

“Not that good, huh,” Mila cracked a rare smile. Watching Isabel always improved her mood. “Don’t worry. I will keep carrying you.” She gently pushed her hands under her girl and lifted her. “For as long as necessary.” She promised.

In return, Mila received Isabel’s arms around her neck and a short, wet kiss on her cheek. The expression of love finally lifted Mila’s mood. “Come.” She rose to her feet. “We have a long way to travel.”

Outside, Mila resumed doing what she had done before. She didn’t leave quite as many fake trails, but enough to delay anyone coming after them.

Partly because Mila was more occupied with something else. She had told Isabel about what she had heard and spent some time one-sidedly discussing what it could imply.

It had soured her mood again. But at the same time - Mila was now holding an excellent stress relief in her hands.

While Isabel tried to squirm out of Mila’s prodding pokes, the girl failed. Mila cruelly continued to explore Isabel’s body, checking which spots were the more ticklish ones. It was a journey worth taking. It was an experiment of great importance.

“...stop…” Isabel wriggled. Her condition had greatly improved - almost to the point she could walk by herself.

Well. Mila suspected Isabel could walk at this point. If she judged by how energetically her girl moved in her hands, at least.

But neither of them mentioned it. It was too rare. It was too rare for them to spend time together like this.

Even with the danger looming over their heads, they still could laugh. They could still enjoy each other's company. Their tender touches and flirtatious looks banished the world around them from existence.

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They seemed to exist by themselves - for themselves.

They kept exchanging kisses while Mila spoke about nothing in particular. She avoided anything relevant - speaking instead about sights she had seen in her dreams. She told Isabel about funny people she had witnessed and events that had no importance. Her tales travelled through time and conjured a different reality.

It was…

Too shortlived.

Mila’s senses brushed against a mana pool, and her cheer vanished into non-existence. She glanced in the direction, considering the options.

Isabel noticed the change immediately. She left one last kiss on Mila’s cheek and finally left the shorter girl’s arms.

They both stopped in the treetop - just close enough to hear voices. If there were any, that is.

Mila extended her mana sense towards the direction. She carefully observed everything, searching for more signatures.

This lone one was too suspicious. It was rather sizable. Mila hesitated, wondering if she should engage it. If it was one of the Hunters, it might be a good chance to get rid of them. It was better than waiting for them to come after her.

But…

It might not be. And this person could likely take care of themselves. Mila glanced at Isabel, who was on high alert and shook her head.

The evening had come. It was time to return to the rest of the group and find a place where they could rest. They sorely needed it.

Mila opened her mouth to speak when she heard something. A small sound came from where the signature was. A sob. And then another.

Isabel picked up on it as well. Her demeanour turned hesitant. “...Mila…”

“Yes. I can… Hear it.” Mila decided to check the situation. The sound of this sob changed everything. Because the one crying was clearly a child.

Mila dropped from the tree, trying to decide how to approach a child in distress. Isabel followed but hung in the back. Her condition meant she couldn’t speak with the kid, leaving it for Mila to do.

And she didn’t look forward to it. Yet, Mila found herself stepping forward. She contemplated how to approach a child in distress and decided against sneaking up on him. Her steps were not masked, making deliberate sounds to announce their presence.

The sob stopped. The child had noticed their presence. But they weren’t running. Mila proceeded, stepping through the bush. Slowly, carefully. Her movements were as non-threatening as possible.

What she found was a boy and a corpse. The twelve-something-old raven-haired child was simply sitting next to the deceased man and holding back tears. He didn’t look up, seemingly resigned to his fate.

Mila guessed the body on the ground was that of a guardian. Probably not a parent, judging by how the boy sat a bit away from it. He hadn’t even touched the bloodied corpse. But perhaps it was his father. It was hard to tell.

Whoever it was, he had been a warrior. Armed and armoured. The corpse was covered in deep wounds - mostly from bladed weapons. His own sword was covered with dry blood - proving he had not gone down without taking his enemies with him.

But the boy didn’t seem to be wealthy though. His clothes were tattered and made from linen. They had no colour and had heavy wear. His body looked a little malnourished as well.

It all raised questions, but none of the answers would be of importance.

For now, all Mila had to do was help this child. Not just because he reminded her of the boy in the mother’s hands - the people she failed to save.

No. This was the correct choice. She reaffirmed it in her mind and trod forward, leaving Isabel further back.

As Mila stepped in front of the boy, he finally raised his head to look at the comer. His puffed expression was blank as he observed Mila. But soon, it was replaced by acceptance.

“You,” His trembling voice betrayed his fear. “You are… My death?” He hiccuped. “You are… The Blood-soaked maden?”

At that point, the buy’s nerves gave. Large tears began rolling down his cheeks. He shook and hugged himself as if to protect his body from a sudden cold.

Mila looked down at herself, realising she was once again splashed with blood. There wasn’t much, but the mercenary group she had slaughtered had managed to get some on her. And with her short form…

It was still curious how the boy had made the connection. Mila glanced back at Isabel, who was giving an encouraging gesture. She nodded, trying to think of anything to say.

Perhaps Isabel’s silent kindness would be a better choice, but she was already here. It was up to her to speak. “Boy-” Mila halted, realising her voice was too cold. Her tone was too detached.

“Child…” She tried again, ignoring the jolts her words were sending through the boy’s body. “I have come to help you.” She crouched and slowly extended her hand, palm up. “For now, cry. But for you to have a future, you must come with me.”

These words were still far from effective. Mila hadn’t expected them to be. She just wanted to convey what was necessary at first. Let the kid chew on it.

A mistake - perhaps. But Mila wasn’t good with children. And they did need to move. “Hey,” She tried again. “What’s your name?” Her next step was to try something simpler.

The boy sniffed, staring at the ground. It took what seemed like forever for him to reply. And even then, it was barely a whisper.

“...Marius…”

“Well, Marius.” Mila risked touching his dirty, black hair and planted her palm on top of his head. She gently ruffled his crown. “Do you have something you want to take from here?”

The answer was a shake of the head. The boy glanced at the corpse but didn’t move.

“Is he someone important to you?” Mila didn’t pull her hand away and received another denial. “Can we leave him here?”

Marius froze, then looked at the man again. The indecision lasted only for a moment. “M-master was… I was… I am just a servant.” He stuttered out.

“Then it is time to leave that life behind.” Mila kept her voice steady. “Change it. You…” She still felt the boy's potential burning deep within him. “You have what it takes to become great.”

The boy froze again. “M-Maiden?” His voice finally had a bit of hope. “Can I?”

“You can. Take my hand, and I will show you a way.” Mila lifted her palm from the boy’s head and offered it to him.

Marius lifted his blue eyes to stare at the palm. After several seconds, he lifted his hand and took Mila’s.

“Good, child.” Mila nodded. “Now come. This forest is fraught with danger.”

The boy didn't reply, grabbing Mila’s hand tighter. This was now his lifeline.