Chapter 41: Setting Off on the Journey

Sophie had rehearsed so many things to say to Romus in her mind, but none of them came in handy—because the little cabin was empty when she arrived. She let out a sigh of relief. Despite all the words she'd prepared, she still didn't know how to face him. How was she supposed to treat someone who had ignored her advances? Even if her pursuit of him hadn't been rooted in love to begin with.

Pulling out a pen and paper from her Phoenix Pouch, Sophie scribbled a short farewell note. That would have to do.

After weighing the letter down, she stepped out of the cabin without looking back. So she didn't see the figure emerging from behind a tree.

Romus, who hadn't seen Sophie in so long, had barely resisted the urge to visit *Magic Doll*. Today, though, he spotted her heading toward his cabin. Panicking, he slipped out the back window and hid behind a tree, watching her silently. Only after she left did he step out. He bit back the urge to call her name and entered the cabin.

A slip of paper fluttered from his hand, unnoticed.

Sophie's departure was what he'd wanted—so why did his heart ache even more now that she was gone? He lifted his head. A warrior of the demon race didn't shed tears.

At the crack of dawn, Sophie roused Charles and Little White, scooped up the still-sleeping Agatha, and quietly slipped away from *Magic Doll*. She'd never been fond of farewells, not in her past life nor this one. The best way was to leave without a sound. Everything had already been arranged, and goodbyes had been said.

*"Mom, can we bring Yakes and Milta? They said yesterday they wanted to come with us!"* Charles yawned loudly, suddenly remembering the two little troublemakers' request.

*"We'll go first this time. They can join us later,"* Sophie brushed him off. If those two came along, they'd be trailed by carriages and guards—it'd take forever to reach Bell City!

*"Oh."* Charles, eyes still closed, trudged along gripping Sophie's skirt—and somehow fell asleep while walking. Even Little White, perched on his shoulder, dozed off again. If there was no threat, why stay alert?

Long after Sophie had gone, a figure stepped out from behind a tree, damp with dew.

*"Sophie… If there's a next life, I'll protect you properly."* Romus whispered, watching her silhouette fade into the distance. His lips moved again, but no sound came out—just the shape of three words: *"I love you."*

Not far ahead, another figure stood atop a tree, silently watching Sophie leave. *"Wait for me, Sophie. I'll come for you soon."*

Lost in their sorrow, neither noticed the other.

Deep in the Dark Forest, Amanda finally slew the ancient beast after an exhausting battle. As he pulled the crystal core from its skull, he grinned. *"Karina, wait for me. I'm coming back!"* He didn't care if the core could truly revive the dead—all he knew was that it would fetch him enough gold to visit *Magic Doll* whenever he pleased.

In the abyssal Death Sea, a handsome elf, battered and bruised, clutched the pearl he'd wrested from a millennia-old clam. He was one step closer. A few more ingredients, and the elixir of eternal youth would be his. Then Sophie would have no reason to refuse him.

Meanwhile, Sophie trudged drowsily along the road to find Master Marifao. Waking up before sunrise was torture. She missed her warm bed at *Magic Doll* dearly.

Agatha, roused by the sunlight, rubbed her eyes and smiled up at her mother. *"Morning, Mom!"* She stretched, then spotted Charles sleepwalking. A mischievous grin spread across her face. *"Charles! Wake up!"*

*THUD.* Charles face-planted into the dirt, sending Little White tumbling like a fuzzy ball.

*"HAHAHAHA!"* Sophie and Agatha burst into laughter. Charles blinked at the endless grassland around them—for a second, he'd thought he'd fallen out of bed. Dusting himself off, he sidled up to Sophie and, while she was still laughing at Little White, struck.

*"AHHH—HAHAHA! Mercy, Charles!"* Agatha shrieked, squirming in Sophie's arms.

Sophie set her down, and the girls teamed up against Charles.

The vast prairie echoed with laughter as they chased each other—a cunning boy darting ahead, a red-haired girl in a white dress close behind, a wobbly toddler bringing up the rear, and a lazy pup bringing up the very rear.

*"Mom, I'm starving!"* Charles whined, eyeing Sophie's Phoenix Pouch.

*"Seriously? I just gave you two burgers!"*

Charles shot her a pitiful look. *"I'm a growing boy!"*

*"Fine, fine."* Sophie handed out four homemade cakes—keeping one for herself. As usual, Charles held Little White's portion. But this time…

*"Little White, this is too big for you. Let me help!"* Before the pup could protest, Charles split the cake in half—having already wolfed down his own share. The other three glared.

Charles ignored them. *Let them stare. Food in the belly beats pride any day.*

After what felt like forever, Bell City seemed almost within reach—except it was just a mirage.

Exhausted, Sophie called for a break. She and Charles flopped onto the grass while Agatha, who'd barely walked a step (thanks to being carried or piggybacked by her doting family), still brimmed with energy.

*"Being a man is hard,"* Charles muttered, voicing the universal male lament.

Agatha dashed after butterflies, her laughter scattering a kaleidoscope of wings. The sight—a pink-clad girl amidst a swirl of colors—made Sophie's breath catch. It reminded her of a painting she'd once seen online. Had fate known she'd witness this scene in person?

Lost in thought, Sophie didn't notice Agatha wandering farther away. Charles and Little White, already napping, missed it too.

Ken sat slumped at the mouth of the newly dug mine, staring at the pitiful handful of ore fragments in his palm. He was out of options. The other villagers had given up on driving the monster out of the main mine. If this kept up, their ore reserves would run dry—and who would stay in this barren place then?

As the chief's son, he was powerless. Even after digging for a month, this new tunnel yielded nothing but scraps. His father's illness…

He shook his head, refusing to dwell on it.

*"Hey, what are you doing?"*

Ken looked up. A little girl in a pink dress stood before him, big eyes curious.

*"Who are you? How'd you get here?"* He glanced around—no one else in sight. She wasn't from the village, and though petite, she wasn't a dwarf.

*"I'm Agatha! I came with Mom, Charles, and Little White. We're going to Bell City. What are *you* doing?"*

Ken sighed. *"What am I doing?"*

Agatha tilted her head. *"Oh! Are you hungry? My mom has lots of yummy food! Come on!"* Before he could protest, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward where Sophie waited.

**Will Agatha's innocent act of kindness lead them into danger?**