Hmm.

How did things end up like this?

I was leisurely strolling through the marketplace with Asti, planning to head to the library afterward. Feeling a bit peckish, we were looking for a decent place to eat when I spotted a well-kept restaurant with a pleasant aroma.

But just as we were about to enter, we ran into Hunter.

Or did we really just “run into” her? Maybe this was some elaborate mind game, and I’d fallen for it without realizing it.

Regardless, here she was, looking noticeably different, casually eating as if nothing were amiss.

Something felt off. Although she never seemed particularly troubled by her identity as a woman, this sudden change in appearance was jarring. If she was this comfortable now, why had she always wrapped herself up so meticulously before?

Was it just… an aesthetic choice all along?

Sure, some outfits could be practical, but wearing them even while resting? How did that make sense?

“Hmm?”

I was shooting Hunter a subtle look of resentment when she raised her eyebrows, giving me a questioning glance. I quickly looked away. Could this cold-hearted person ever really understand what I was thinking?

I’d rarely seen people dress so revealingly, aside from royalty. Now, faced with this, I honestly didn’t know where to look.

“Are you not cold? The market area isn’t heated, so sitting around in such… revealing clothes might be quite chilly,” Asti said calmly, directing her remark toward Hunter.

Nice one, Asti.

Even in this colder area, dressing like that felt like a bit much. It was all too… intentional.

But Hunter simply took another careful bite of her food, chewing slowly before finally responding.

“Shut it, half-Entity. You’re one to talk, betraying your mother and choosing a man over her.”

Crack.

I could practically hear a vein pop on Asti’s forehead.

…Must have been my imagination.

It was impressive how Hunter could sum up Asti’s past in such a brutally straightforward way. Her talent for cutting others down with such blunt precision was on full display here.

“Hunter, that’s a bit…” I started, trying to mediate.

“Quite true. But still better than getting lost in delusions and forcing myself on others without their consent,” Asti replied, matching Hunter’s intensity.

Wait, Asti…

I thought she was the kind of person who’d avoid harsh words, but this was somehow even sharper than Hunter’s!

Hunter stopped eating, her utensils paused in mid-air, before slowly raising her head to meet Asti’s gaze.

“What, are you looking for a fight?”

“You started it.”

Both wore eerily calm expressions, yet the tension between them was as intense as anything I’d ever seen.

Why were they clashing over a meal?!

“Please, let’s just calm down…”

At my words, both turned their gaze toward me. For a second, I was startled, but instead of challenging me, they both blinked once and quietly returned to their meals.

I’d spoken up, expecting to become collateral damage, yet they’d actually listened.

At first, I was puzzled. Then I realized they were continuing their silent standoff, glaring at each other whenever I wasn’t looking.

Their private war had entered a new phase without me even noticing.

…I was going to get indigestion at this rate.

Once we’d finally finished eating, we headed to the library. Hunter did indeed have some business here, as she immediately drifted away, exploring the shelves.

“Sir Tanton.”

“Yes?”

The librarian waved me over, frowning slightly as he gestured toward Hunter.

“Could you ask that woman to dress more appropriately? She’s going to catch a cold.”

“…Of course.”

It was a reasonable concern, considering how she was dressed. The fact that he didn’t make a fuss about her bold style suggested he was relatively open-minded.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what his reaction would be if he learned that Hunter was the relentless, Entity-hunting warrior. For the sake of his heart, I decided to keep that red pill to myself.

Asti, meanwhile, was idly browsing the shelves. She used to keep her head down as my self-appointed maid, so seeing her so curious and engaged was rather endearing.

“If you see anything you’d like to read, feel free to check it out.”

“…Ah, yes.”

“Being half-Entity, you’re immune to those eye-burning books written by Entities, so go wild.”

Asti chuckled softly at my joke, relaxing a bit. This was the whole point of coming out today—to unwind a little.

Once she set off to find her own book, I made my way to my usual spot.

There, as always, I found the Saint, surrounded by stacks of books, engrossed in research. Sensing my footsteps, he looked up.

“Oh, Sir Tanton!”

Delighted, he started to stand up, but I waved him down, taking my seat across from him to encourage him to remain seated.

“How have you been?” he asked.

“Oh, you know. Almost became a fugitive for a while there, but managed to survive.”

“Ah, you mean because of the rebellion? I heard about that and was stunned. Those fools… I understand it was the work of that ‘Hunter’? I used to appreciate her protecting Londan, but this betrayal is infuriating. Just outrageous!”

“Shh!”

I hurriedly hushed him, startled by his loud condemnation of Hunter.

But the Saint only grew more indignant, raising his voice even more.

“Come now! Isn’t it true, though? Sir Tanton has always worked with the Entities for humanity’s sake. His ultimate purpose? To stop the giant of the frozen mountains and save humanity, correct? And yet, they have the audacity to call him a traitor? I cannot forgive this!”

No amount of hushing seemed to work—he’d gone full throttle.

Panicking, I scanned the library, fearing Hunter had overheard.

“Raydan Tanton.”

The voice came from much closer than I’d expected. I turned around to find Hunter standing there, looking down at me with a blank expression.

I barely managed to stifle a yelp.

“Y-Yes? What is it?”

“Where can I find information about historical accounts?”

“Oh, um… It should be over there, around where the history books are shelved.”

“Understood.”

Without further comment, she walked away, leaving us at the table. Was that a close call, or…?

“Sir Tanton? Who was that woman just now?”

“Shh!”

Oh, for heaven’s sake! Why was the Saint so oblivious today?

“Oh, and…”

Gulp.

Hunter, who’d taken a few steps, suddenly turned back to glance at us. Both the Saint and I froze, our eyes locked on her.

“If you can’t forgive me, feel free to challenge me. I’ll accept anytime.”

With a sly smile, she continued on her way, leaving us stunned.

Had she always looked at me with that same smirk when she teased me? Despite the harsh words, I found myself strangely entranced by her beauty.

The Saint, however, seemed to have a very different reaction.

“S-Sir Tanton.”

“Yes?”

“I may be mistaken, but I have to ask… Could she be Hunter’s sister?”

“Surprisingly, no. That is Hunter herself.”

“Wha—!”

At that moment, I witnessed something rarely seen: a person’s deeply held beliefs shattering before their eyes, and the terror that gripped them as they realized their earlier insults had been overheard by none other than the subject of those very insults.

The Saint slumped, practically reduced to crawling on all fours.

“Please maintain silence in the library.”

…And yet, the librarian didn’t even blink at his strange behavior, returning calmly to his desk.

“Can I trust you, Sir Tanton?! Was she truly joking?!”

“Yes, generally, that’s the only time she uses that tone.”

Drawing on my experiences with Hunter, I reassured the Saint. For a regular person, insulting someone like Hunter—who hunted Entities with impunity—was akin to signing a death warrant.

Gradually, the Saint seemed to calm down, returning to his usual composed gaze.

“Who would’ve thought Hunter was a woman? I never suspected it.”

“Me neither.”

Not to mention the rather… unfiltered way I’d first discovered her identity.

I quickly shook my head to dispel the image.

“So, what brings you here today?” he asked.

“Oh, just had a few questions.”

“If it’s you, Sir Tanton, I’m always happy to help. What are you curious about?”

Hmm. While I wanted to get stronger, maybe it was best to start with something less direct.

“Um… I was wondering if it’s possible for an Entity to appear as a regular person.”

I thought it would be a simple yes-or-no question.

But the Saint’s response was far from simple.

“…Sigh. Sir Tanton. So you’ve finally reached that point, have you?”