Agreement

Tap… tap…

The sound of footsteps echoed through the trees.

Someone—no, perhaps two or three people—were approaching. Arshen immediately tensed, his consciousness still muddled with foreign memories making him even more alert.

Without wasting time, he quickly gathered his belongings, stuffing everything into his brown leather bag and tucking it under his long coat. The white dagger hidden in his sleeve was gripped tightly, ready to be used if things turned sour.

Yet, he remained seated. Holding back. He tried to appear calm, as if he were just an ordinary traveler enjoying the night by the bonfire. A few mushrooms on the end of a stick still sizzled, slowly burning in the embers.

Tak…

The figures emerged from the mist—a girl in a black hood with a red shirt beneath her cloak, accompanied by three men. Two of them looked like guards, while the middle-aged man wore a black tailcoat, holding a silver pocket watch in his hand.

Humans? No… perhaps something else in disguise. Shapeshifters? But… would creatures like that even light a bonfire?

Arshen's thoughts raced.

"Who are you?"

The voice came from the hooded girl. She asked from a distance, still hesitant to approach.

Serapian language…? So, they're from the same kingdom as this body. Good, at least I can communicate.

Arshen chuckled softly without turning his head. "Shouldn't you introduce yourself first before asking for someone else's name, Miss?"

His gaze wasn't fixed on the girl, but on the middle-aged man holding the silver pocket watch—his demeanor was calm, but there was caution in his movements. Meanwhile, the two men behind him looked strong and disciplined, clearly not ordinary people.

Who were they really? Guards of a noble? Or something else?

The girl glanced at the middle-aged man, as if giving a signal. The man nodded, then stepped forward politely.

"You can call me Rick. I'm just a servant of this young lady."

He gave a slight bow before continuing, "This is Miss Wednesday, and the two men behind me are our guards. Now, could you introduce yourself?"

Wednesday? An unusual name. Was that an alias?

Arshen exhaled slowly, then smiled faintly. "My name is… Zodiac Moriarty. Are you a noble, Miss? And what are you doing in this forest?"

"We're from the Daylight Order," Wednesday replied curtly, her expression unreadable. "And our business is none of your concern."

Daylight Order? Was that a merchant organization? Or perhaps… something more dangerous?

Arshen simply chuckled. "Alright, I'm not interested in meddling either."

He picked up his roasted mushrooms and raised them slightly. "By the way, I'm a wanderer. I'm currently—"

Arshen paused, then changed his answer.

"No, more accurately, I've been cast out."

He deliberately chose those words. If he said he was lost, they might grow more suspicious. Besides, even in Arshen's own memories, he didn't truly know how he ended up here.

Wednesday remained silent for a moment, her eyes scanning him sharply. Then, unconsciously, she opened her folding fan, covering the lower part of her face slightly.

"Where are you from?"

This time, it was Rick who asked, still clutching his silver pocket watch tightly.

Where am I from? If I say "from another world," would you believe me?

"Persepolis," Arshen finally answered. "Does anyone here know that place?"

Wednesday and Rick exchanged glances.

"Persepolis… a small town in northern Seraphia?" Rick raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been here?"

Arshen smiled, a slight shiver running down his spine under the man's sharp gaze.

"I don't know," he said with a shrug. "Maybe a long time."

He raised the stick with the roasted mushrooms toward them. "Want some? They're good."

Rick glanced at the mushrooms for a moment, then smiled faintly. "No, thank you."

Wednesday looked at the mushrooms with a strange expression, then declined coldly. "Keep them for yourself."

The two guards behind her also stared at Arshen as if he were some kind of weirdo.

What's with the looks? I'm just offering mushrooms. Do I look that suspicious just because of that?

Arshen shrugged, then turned his gaze back to Wednesday. "In that case, could you help me get out of this forest? I'd be very grateful."

Wednesday closed her fan. "What do we get in return for helping?"

Good grief. Why is this girl so calculating? Aren't you supposed to be a noble?

Arshen sighed. "I don't have anything to offer."

"No," Wednesday smiled faintly. "You do."

Arshen's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?"

Wednesday glanced at Arshen's arm.

He froze. Damn it… how does she know about the dagger?

"Don't play dumb," Wednesday said calmly. "I want that dagger. If you give it to me, I'll take you out of the forest."

Good grief…! If I hand it over, how will I protect myself if they try something?

The atmosphere grew tense. Wednesday and Arshen locked eyes.

Then, after a brief pause, Arshen exhaled.

"Alright," he finally said. "I'll give it to you… but only after I'm out of the forest."

Wednesday smiled faintly. "Deal."

"Rick."

"Understood."

Rick nodded, putting away his pocket watch.

Arshen slung his leather bag over his shoulder, picked up his dim lantern, and extinguished the bonfire. Wednesday and her group turned, stepping into the mist, followed by Arshen, who limped slightly between the two guards.

"Are you alright, sir?" Rick suddenly asked. "It seems your leg is injured."

"It's nothing," Arshen replied curtly. "Just a small wound, it'll heal."

They continued walking until the mist thinned, revealing a grassy field and a river. The sound of insects filled the night air.

Above, the dark night sky stretched like a giant canopy, dotted with billions of stars and a softly glowing purple moon.

Arshen lifted his face, gazing at the starry sky.

"Alright," Wednesday finally said. "As per our agreement, hand over the dagger."

Without a word, Arshen pulled the white dagger from beneath his coat sleeve. Strange symbols were etched into its blade, glowing faintly under the moonlight.

He tossed it into the air.

Rick caught it effortlessly, while Arshen turned and began walking quickly away.

Behind him, Wednesday watched him leave.

"He really is just a lost stray," she murmured before disappearing back into the mist.

Deep within the forest, a yellow flower bud slowly bloomed—its petals emitting a faint purple glow as the moon rose higher in the sky.