Chapter 46 : Even If It’s a Moth Flying Into Flame

Milly finished her flatbread in silence. A bit dry—she needed water.

She approached Tifna from behind, reaching for the canteen—

Then—her shoulder was caught.

“Hmm?”

Instinctively, she flinched back—only to relax when she saw Tifna’s gentle smile.

“Still not having any soup? At least let it wet your throat.”

Milly shook her head.

Instead of letting go, Tifna pulled her closer, patting her shoulder.

“You don’t have to stay so far away,” she said, then turned to the team. “Oh—Milly, I didn’t introduce you to everyone last night.”

Milly followed her gaze.

All eyes were on her.

Strangers. Staring.

She stiffened—cheeks flushing.

Yesterday, she’d been too focused on eating.
Her wild manners—no grace at all.
No girl should eat like that…

Wait.

A jolt ran through her.

When had she started thinking of herself as a girl?

Had she already accepted this body—this identity—so completely that her mind had shifted too?

Before she could untangle the thought—

A soft pressure pressed against her back.

She turned—

Idis had latched onto her neck from behind, her chest squishing against Milly’s spine, rubbing in the most distracting way possible.

“I don’t need an intro, right~? Mmm… you smell so good, little cutie. Let big sister check your wounds~ See how they’re healing~”

THUD!

A blunt impact.

The weight vanished.

Milly looked back—Idis was on the ground, clutching her forehead, wailing dramatically.

“Why’d you hit me, nee-chan?! You’re always bullying me!”

Rolling on the dirt, sobbing and laughing at once.

Tifna sighed, grabbed Idis by the collar, and dragged her into the tent like a sack of flour.

Moments later—muffled screams echoed from inside.

But… were those pleased moans mixed in? Like, “Harder…”?

Ugh.

Milly shuddered, checking herself—clothes intact. Safe.

“She’s serious when she needs to be,” Tifna said, returning.

“And when she’s not?” Milly asked.

“That was harassment.”

From the side, a burly man polishing a shield taller than himself spoke up. Thick iron chains coiled around his arm.

“I’m Alva, second-in-command. But everyone calls me ‘Old Man’—though I’m not that old.”

You kinda look it.

Milly mentally noted his name.

Then—a young priest adjusted his glasses, stepping forward. His holy book fluttered open on its own.

“In theory, my healing magic fixes everything except heartbreak. But strangely…” He frowned. “After using Holy Mend on you, your scrapes remained. Odd.”

He reached toward her bandaged arm—

But a hand yanked him back.

An arrow whizzed past Milly’s ear—impaling a venomous bee perched in the trees.

The archer—hooded, voice like rusted gears—shook the wind chime tied to his arrow.

“Name… doesn’t matter.”

Before Milly could react, the priest leaned in.

“That’s Sion. He’s shy—but he thinks you’re adorable. Watch out, he’ll—”

“Shut up!”

Sion dragged him away.

New screams rose from behind a tree. Real ones this time.

Milly stared after them—ears burning.

Adorable?

Well… yes. The white-haired girl in the mirror was cute. She’d admit it—even she would’ve fallen for that face.

So why… was she that girl?

She almost wanted to collapse and weep—

Then—darkness fell.

She looked up.

A giant—over two meters tall—blocked the sun.

In his hands: a massive axe, taller than Milly’s head.

“It’s my turn!” Joseph raised the axe—CHOP!

A tree, thick enough for three people to encircle, split cleanly in half.

Milly’s eyes widened.

“If anyone bullies you—come find Joseph. My axe will teach them manners.”

Phew. Glad he chopped the tree, not her.

This team… was full of characters.

If not for everything that happened—if she hadn’t become a demon—could she have lived happily among them?

Lost in thought—then—

“Last but not least—Tifna, captain of the Silver Falcon Squad. Under the Iris Banner—no one walks alone.”

Thus, the Silver Falcon Squad introduced themselves.

Well—almost all.

One remained silent, head down, trailing behind Tifna like a scolded puppy.

What did Tifna do to make Idis so obedient?

Before Milly could wonder—

“Milly.”

Tifna called her name—serious now.

Milly looked up.

Tifna extended her hand—palm up. Waiting.

“Welcome to the Silver Falcon Squad.”

Her?

Could she really…?

For a moment, Milly froze.

Everything since last night—felt like a dream.

Something she’d never dared hope for.

Agreeing to return to Starlight City with Tifna was already pushing her limits.

Now—she was being invited into this team.

Into a group where everyone smiled at her.

“I…” Her throat tightened, like thorns were crushing it.

She should say no.
Run into the forest.
Disappear.
That was her fate.

“It’s fine if you refuse. Maybe I rushed it.”

Tifna lowered her hand—regret in her voice.

But as it dropped—

Milly’s heart clenched.

And her feet moved—on their own.

No…

She fought inside—

But her hands reached out—

And gripped Tifna’s.

Tighter.

Why…?

She’d warned herself.
This kindness was poison.
This warmth—would burn her.

But her heart—scarred by Stacy—beat wildly now.

Even if the end was fire…

Even if she was just a moth…

She couldn’t let go.