“…Evandin?”

Upon arrival at the destination, the slowly waking up Koko uttered the first words.

Flurrying to perch on her shoulder, the little creature briefly glanced at the two her brothers chatting beside the carriage, and soon stared at the sky.

“Huh.”

The whirlpool of massive magic power was still there.

Although not visible to the eye, the intense energy residing there seemed to threaten to engulf the capital anytime with its overpowering spectacle.

The self-proclaimed great magician Koko scrutinized the phenomenon cautiously and murmured.

“I’ve thought something was up in the capital since they moved up the festival called something like the Month of Abundance. Didn’t they say that the first trial in the previous world also started in a large city where most humans resided?”

“…That’s right.”

While not knowing exactly what the mechanism of the trial’s occurrence was, she had somewhat anticipated it upon coming to the capital.

But the problem was-

“At this level, it seems like the amount of magic power exceeds what would be used in the first trial by a large margin.”

“…Is it because of the hard mode?”

“Probably.”

Watching Koko, who straightened his yellow hair, staring at the sky, Rosha let out a small sigh.

She had roughly heard about the first trial in the previous world.

The unprecedented incident in Seoul 18 years ago.

The magic power that changes the world emanated from the cracks that sprung up around Myeong-dong, and the government strongly recommended evacuation, but it was not easy due to the large crowd. The magic gathered in the sky suddenly tore through the space.

It was said that the demonic beasts poured out into a metropolis with millions of inhabitants.

“…”

Imagining the chaos of that time, Rosha sighed deeply again.

The fact that such a disaster was expected to happen here on a larger scale was extremely distressing.

But Koko spoke quite positively.

“But it’ll be different this time. Knowing about the upcoming disaster and not knowing it is a difference between heaven and earth. Besides, there’s still a good deal of time before the trial.”

“…Right. There are still some methods worth trying in the meantime.”

It would be difficult to reveal the truth and evacuate people, but there was a way to save the common folks when the ordeal arrived.

Nodding slightly, she stared at the scene before her.

The capital mansion owned by the Count of Aper.

The three-story building finished with ivory marble caught her eye.

Although modest in size compared to the grand mansions of other nobles nearby, to Rosha, it was a precious place filled with childhood memories.

And behind it lay the mansions of other nobles, wide roads, and shopping districts.

Even the unknown people passing through.

Do they know what’s looming over their heads?

“…”

Sometimes, when she closed her eyes, incidents from the previous world come to mind. The sudden deaths that appeared one day, and the people left behind.

Rosha no longer fumed over each of those deaths.

It couldn’t be helped. In a world where massive disasters like ordeals suddenly strike, everyone had to let go of something in their hearts.

But there’s no need to make those who know nothing aware of such, is there?

‘I don’t know how many can be saved…. but I must try my best.’

That way, there’s a higher chance of keeping her precious family safe too.

She looked at the mansion and the people within, making a firm resolve.

Then-

“Rosha, what’s on your mind?” asked Cedric, coming towards her after finishing his conversation with Cassis in the back of the carriage.

“…Nothing much.”

She quickly gathered her expression and replied small. She couldn’t tell him that she was worrying about the upcoming trial.

But Cedric seemed to think differently.

Suddenly wearing a sad smile, he patted Rosha’s head.

“I know…. Even though a lot of time has passed, the pain from that time won’t wash away easily. I understand.”

“Huh?”

“But you don’t need to hide it from me if you’re struggling.”

…What does he mean?

Receiving his warm consolation without understanding left her bewildered.

Could it be…. did Cassis just spill all to Cedric?

‘Sometimes doubting Cedric, and now he’s this loose-lipped?‘

If it’s to this extent, wouldn’t his mouth float even if he were drowning?

However, noticing the subtle looks of concern from the servants around, Rosha suddenly recalled a very old memory.

Several years ago, there was a fire accident at this mansion involving her parents.

It was when Rosha was nine years old.

For some reason, she couldn’t remember, but her parents had brought her to the capital for a brief visit.

And that night.

Rosha, who had woken up from sleep with an ominous hunch, was the first to discover her parents’ bedroom ablaze.

‘The cause of the fire…. was said to be the overturned lamp on the floor.’

The reason she hardly visited this mansion filled with childhood memories was precisely because of that accident.

Now that she thought about it, it seemed like depression.

Her vibrant personality that used to run and play with Cassis drastically turned timid, her activities were limited, and she stopped attending banquets or tea parties, which worried her elder brother a lot.

The hot, red memories of that day she thought would never fade.

But…

‘Is time really a healer? I seem to have recovered somewhat.’

Perhaps due to facing numerous deaths in another world, the emotions from that time had been numbed and overlaid by other emotions.

But.

-Aren’t you curious about who caused your parents’ accident?

Only the voice of Duke Echerzen could rekindle the forgotten emotions in her.

Unaware of Rosha’s thoughts, Cedric knelt down to match her height and said:

“I was happy to see you smiling a lot these days…. Sorry for asking you to come here. At times like this, I should be by your side, but unfortunately, I have to go to the imperial palace soon.”

He seemed genuinely sorry.

Facing his concerned deep green eyes, apart from his suspicious attitude, she felt profoundly grateful.

Feeling warmth in a corner of her heart, Rosha responded quietly:

“Well, I wasn’t troubled due to past events. It was just a thought. And I understand that you’re busy, so it’s okay.”

“Thank you for saying that. And…” Cedric hesitated for a moment before adding, “It’d be nice to take a stroll around the downtown for a change of mood. I’ve told Cassis, so he’ll probably come with us. Ah, if you’re going, don’t take the path behind the mansion.”

“The path behind the mansion? Why?”

“The imperial knights are guarding there now. There have been strange incidents in the capital lately.”

“…”

“There’s no point in going there. You understand, right?”

As Cedric spoke nonchalantly, the warmth in her heart calmly subsided. Rosha thought quietly.

‘What on earth is he thinking?’

Despite knowing that a trial is about to happen, he seemed to be indifferent, participating in the imperial family’s passive stance. What picture is he painting with his smart mind?

She had many questions but wanted to wait for Cedric to explain himself. In any case, the fact that he cherished his family remained unchanged.

“…Yeah, got it.”

After gazing at him for a while, Rosha eventually nodded slightly.

If Cedric was trying to protect the family in his way, she had her own way too.

* * *

Time ran fast in a world where the expiration date of peace was nearing.

As the sun that was in the middle of the sky fell below, the sky darkened to a deep navy without a hint of red.

As all the lights in the shopping street went off,

Someone secretly left the city mansion of Count Aper.

“Ugh, why isn’t there a dog hole here.”

Struggling to climb over a relatively low fence, the figure finally landed on the ground with a thud.

Unnoticeable dark clothing, ankle boots, and a short hood.

By now, it was clear; it was Rosha who had decided to take a night walk.