Chapter 48: Dawn’s Respite

I felt it.

When I opened my eyes, so much had happened.

The eyeball monster, our target, was undoubtedly dead.

Sitting in the silent ruins, free of battle, I could hear the boy’s steady breathing beside me.

So, I dozed off.

I didn’t know how long had passed.

When I woke again, Nolan’s head had slipped from my shoulder to my lap—a terrible sleeping posture.

But I was too lazy to mind, letting him rest there.

So, what was it?

When I pondered this deeply, it felt like I’d overlooked something.

The thought flashed through my mind.

My body didn’t move on its own, and I realized—Kritiya had woken.

‘She’s alive… thank goodness,’ I thought.

No matter what, she was back, and that was enough.

I watched Kritiya’s every move nervously, thinking we’d need a proper talk later.

For now, being alive was enough.

I kept watching her anxiously, but if she acted out—

Silently, I looked down.

The girl just bowed her head.

Not Nolan—he was in a deep sleep, mouth unconsciously opening, a hint of drool about to drip.

Kritiya frowned slightly.

Yes, even in this strange place, she was close to this guy by her side, wasn’t she?

‘Why is it me here now?’

I froze, trying to grasp the emotion in Kritiya’s words.

A question of self-denial slipped from her lips.

She seemed to sink into a quiet gloom, head lowered silently.

Attempting suicide—was that brave?

But that faint unease shouldn’t have been there.

Maybe because Kritiya half-covered her mouth—

“Oh—Tiya, what’s this?”

The heavy mood broke.

The boy slowly opened his eyes, waking from his slumber.

“Ah! It’s me here?”

He seemed to sink into a gloom, as if knowing no answer would come, head lowering silently.

Just a quirk of character.

“What… happened?”

Amid his gloom, Nolan’s voice broke through, as if knowing no answer would come, head lowering silently.

Just a quirk of character.

Kritiya seemed to want to speak, her words quick and flustered—

Feeling the softness behind his head—

“Sorry, I didn’t mean—”

Nolan propped himself up with his right arm, startled.

Moving, he felt his muscles ache.

Looking at the girl so close, he recalled their foreheads touching.

‘It shouldn’t be like this.’

The magical trick, along with his other powers, had finally faded, hadn’t it?

‘I see,’ Nolan thought, convincing himself, his mood steadying.

Reaching out, he felt—

That mysterious power.

“Tiya, can you give me a hand?”

Kritiya hesitated at Nolan’s request but couldn’t refuse:

“Okay…”

The girl stood, pulling him up.

I felt a bit relieved.

Doing something could distract my mind.

“Sorry, I’m all worn out—”

Nolan said with a wry smile.

“Feels like that effort might vanish anytime, right?”

“I can’t move much now. Can you help me up?”

I paused for a moment, but facing her, I couldn’t refuse:

I steadied Nolan’s left arm, wanting to help.

“Can you help me up?”

Nolan waking now was a relief.

It eased my mind a bit.

“I can’t move, no need for help.”

Kritiya understood, ignoring him.

Nolan’s left arm was in bad shape.

Shakily, she helped the boy up:

“If you can’t move, we can’t stay. Let’s go back; it feels like forever.”

Hearing Nolan’s murmured words, Kritiya tilted her head:

“Back—where?”

“Huh? Home, of course—”

Kritiya slowed, glancing back.

“Oh, right, the sword,” Nolan said slowly.

I suddenly remembered he’d brought it.

“That sword—you brought it, right, Nolan?”

Nolan opened his mouth, and Kritiya instantly knew what he meant.

They moved forward, Nolan’s gear on his back.

Seeing Kritiya supporting him, he handed it to her.

“Yeah,” Nolan pointed ahead, tapping the wall.

A path appeared.

“Wait!”

Seeing the sudden path, I recalled what I’d forgotten.

‘Black Mage Ross—the biggest trouble, striking when you think you’re safe.’

“Nolan,” Kritiya said, leading the way.

She supported him like a crutch, climbing the stairs.

I felt Kritiya’s inner turmoil quiet since Nolan woke.

‘She’s focusing on the present now.’

Unlike the collapsed basement from before, this was a mossy, ancient stone fort, maybe fifty feet high.

I’d worried Ross would ambush us at the exit, but seeing a different one, I sighed in relief.

Nolan’s expression tensed.

He shouted:

“Tiya! Cover your mouth—let’s get out!”

Kritiya froze, not reacting, but Nolan covered her mouth and nose, holding his own breath, cheeks tight.

“The moss is toxic—move!”

Kritiya understood, and they stumbled out of the tunnel.

Fresh daylight bathed them.

The air was crisp.

Nolan collapsed, gasping, while Kritiya, unable to bear his weight, fell too.

“Huff—huff—”

Nolan sprawled out.

“You—okay?”

I noticed the faint dawn light.

Kritiya’s voice came as she knelt, hands on the ground, leaning forward, asking:

“Okay? Not okay—not at all.”

Nolan looked at Kritiya, smiling.

“Just wanted to earn some coin, but got dragged into this—how’s that okay?”

“But, even without knowing why, you were there, Tiya. And we had the healing potion…”

Kritiya pressed her lips, then saw Nolan blink.

She hadn’t reacted, but Nolan looked away, staring at himself.

Her silence wasn’t quite like that—

Her fingertips moved, then she looked at Nolan:

She started to speak, then sighed:

“Anyway—we survived.”

***

As dawn’s light crept, even I felt moved.

Nolan shakily raised his right hand, as if to touch Kritiya’s head, but, exhausted, it fell.

Kritiya caught his hand, silently holding his palm.

How to put it?

Nolan looked at her, startled, as Kritiya seemed changed.

“Tiya—what’s wrong? You seem… different.”

Kritiya buried her face.

When Nolan looked, it was like she hinted at something—

‘Is it my heart aching, or Kritiya’s?’

No, that’s wrong—we share one heart.

When Kritiya faced danger, she was sharp, protective, like always…

“Hm… no, right? You were decisive, like a drawn blade. Not talkative, but reassuring… like normal days…”

What did that mean?

Was I only useful in crises?

I felt a bit resentful.

Saying that, it was like I only shone in trouble—not my wish.

I felt lacking.

As I thought this, our eyes met.

A cough broke the silence.

“Ahem—there you are, kid. Thought you were dead!”

Startled, Kritiya whipped around.

An old man in a blue robe stepped from the field—not Ross, thankfully, nor his lackey.

As I eyed him warily, Nolan gave a familiar, wry laugh:

“Mr. Leyak—no need to be so dramatic. Just two days, right?”

I recognized the name—yes, from the novel.

As I recalled his role, the old man scoffed:

“Two days? Nonsense!”

His white brows furrowed.

“You’ve been gone six days! I thought you’d done something shameful and fled. Took effort to find you—”

Six days?

It felt like two.

Whether time warped or flowed differently, in this magical world, it wasn’t impossible—

A bad feeling struck me.

Yes, Nolan—

Diya would be furious.

We’d vanished for six days—what now?

“Sorry—six days, what’s that about?”

Nolan shouted anxiously.

***

Baron Noron’s funeral was held that afternoon.

The Radiant Church’s requiem lasted three days and nights.

On the fourth dawn, his coffin was laid in the family crypt.

Per custom, the mourning feast followed.

The family gave food—bread, meat, wine—to beggars for prayers.

More prayers meant faster absolution, ascension to the Radiant God’s realm.

As the Noron heir, Alya Noron honored her father.

In a black gown, she led servants, distributing food.

Though young, her grace impressed guests.

An elderly beggar approached, frail and hooded, scarf masking her face, eating ravenously.

Alya caught a glimpse under the scarf.

“Wait.”

A servant paused, but Alya spoke:

“Miss, please—”

Alya glanced at Diya, then added:

“Miss—what’s this?”

The servant eyed the begging girl—

“No matter, I’ll handle it.”

Alya dismissed the maid.

The girl stepped back.

Alya grabbed her wrist:

“I know what you’re after—”

Diya’s eyes rose from under the hood, meeting the lofty baroness.

“I know.”

Alya turned, looking at Diya, not the servant.

Her brother vanished—along with Tiya.

Diya suspected Baron Noron’s hand, despite his death.

She’d come to Noron lands to investigate, unprepared for this.

Alya spoke:

“We’ve met before, you know.”

Diya froze, but Alya continued:

“Yes, that day—I was there, saw you at the Pure Radiance—”

“Y-Yes…”

Diya hesitated.

“I remember you.”

Alya opened the door, leading her into the manor’s central hall, to a lady’s chamber.

“Since you’re here early, I caught you. After the feast, I leave for the capital tomorrow. My mother’s gone, now my father too, but I’m too young to inherit, so I’ll stay with my uncle in the capital—”

“My condolences—”

Diya, wary, spoke up, but Alya led her to a room by Romern’s sanctuary.

Under the priest’s guidance, she’d prepared for knighthood, right?

Diya nodded, following Alya inside.

“Sorry—you’re here for your brother, right, Miss Diya?”

Diya’s dark eyes glinted knowingly.

Alya glanced at the servant.

Diya understood—she had no choice.

Alya said calmly:

“Sorry—do you think he’s been caught here?”

Diya paled.

“Well… what do you think?”

Alya said noncommittally.

“I hope he’s not bad…”

Diya clenched her fists.

“But—he broke my things. Shouldn’t he pay?”

Diya looked up, pleading:

“I beg you, no matter the cost, we’ll pay—just spare my brother—”

Diya rummaged, her trembling hands dropping a cloth pouch—

Clink!

Golden coins spilled out—

“Look, we have money.”

“Not enough.”

Diya scrambled for the coins, meeting Alya’s playful gaze.

“Your brother broke one of my servants. Add the rest, and it’s beyond repayment.”

“So—for what’s lost, you owe me a servant.”

“Repay… a person?”

Diya froze.

“I mean, I like you.”

Diya replied, and Alya opened the door.

Two bloodshot, floating eyeballs hovered.

“Pity—there should’ve been three.”

Diya looked up, hearing a strange buzz behind her.