Chapter 47

Early one morning, when Ma woke and saw that Tifania was still asleep, she decided to step outside and look around.

As Dang Ma walked through the village in the early light, she noticed the blacksmiths already hard at work and the merchants setting up their stalls. The village was quiet and simple.

The villagers barely paid attention to Dang Ma's unfamiliar face, some showing subtle signs of discrimination, but they still greeted her politely.

However, everything changed when Dang Ma tried to help with the work.

Tifania rarely slept long these days—she had used a lot of magic the day before—and didn't step outside until she remembered Dang Ma was still there.

When she finally came out, the noise surprised her.

Dang Ma was trying to help others but clearly wasn't suited for it.

She tried to help the blacksmith start a fire but tripped on some iron scraps and nearly tossed a piece of wood onto someone's head.

She helped a merchant arrange goods but accidentally stepped on the cloth and knocked everything over.

While lifting heavy crates, she bumped into a passerby and almost dropped everything she was carrying.

Despite all these mistakes, everyone could see Dang Ma meant well. She only wanted to help with simple tasks.

So, rather than blaming her, the villagers looked on with sympathy.

Tifania saw what kind of person Dang Ma was when she lost her memory.

"Alright, come with me. Let's not disturb anyone else here." Tifania, trying to hide her embarrassment, pulled Dang Ma away.

The villagers' laughter echoed behind them.

"Did I do something wrong, Tifania?" Dang Ma scratched her head, innocent and confused.

"It's okay." Tifania looked at Dang Ma and felt she needed to see him with new eyes.

"Tifania, your life hasn't been easy, has it?" Dang Ma said quietly, noticing how simple Tifania's own life was—as a fairy, hers was uncomplicated.

"No. I don't have any special skills," Tifania replied, thinking how much harder life had become now that she had this person to care for.

"It's alright. I have an idea."

"Is this the method you mentioned?" Tifania watched as Dang Ma busied herself in the kitchen, pulling out several loaves of bread.

"Yes. I don't know why, but as soon as I step into the kitchen, ideas just come to me."

After all, she had inherited the memories of two Shirous; even if the memories were gone, her body still remembered.

"It's delicious." Tifania tried the bread—so different from anything she'd had before.

"Good. Just sell the rest." Dang Ma smiled at her.

Over the next few days, thanks to Dang Ma's bread and Tifania's growing popularity, their life in the village gradually stabilized.

On a typical day, Ma would get up early to prepare ingredients and bake, while Tifania sold the bread. Whenever Dang Ma's bad luck struck—like accidentally dumping dough on a customer—the two would apologize together, drawing laughter from the villagers. Tifania would shyly pinch Dang Ma's arm in response, and despite the discomfort, they kept selling until the day was done.

Meanwhile, Louise couldn't stop worrying.

At night, after wrapping things up, Dang Ma would follow Tifania back to her home.

After spending these days together, Tifania realized Dang Ma wasn't as troublesome as she'd first thought—but just a simple, unlucky soul.

"But one day, he'll regain his memory," Tifania's expression darkened when she thought about it.

"What's wrong, Tifania?" Dang Ma asked with concern.

"Nothing."

"That's good."

Late at night, Tifania would cast spells on Dang Ma to deepen the magical influence—ensuring he would never regain his memories.

"How did I come up with such an idea? It's cruel." Sometimes Tifania felt distressed by her own plan.

But deep down, she knew it was for the best.

And so the nights passed, in quiet struggle between Tifania and her conscience.

Two weeks slipped by unnoticed.

During this time, Princess Anrietta was crowned Queen of Torrestine. Louise continued searching for Yuuji and gradually approached Tifania's village.

Meanwhile, Tifania and Dang Ma faced their first crisis.

"Welcome." Tifania greeted customers as usual, but the visitors didn't respond. She paid closer attention.

Three pointed-eared men—like her—stood before her.

"You are!" Tifania exclaimed in surprise.

"Tifania, where is he?" the leader—a goblin man—asked harshly.

"Not here." Tifania didn't even know how to lie; the truth was clear at a glance.

"What's wrong, Tifania?" Dang Ma appeared, breaking the tense moment.

"Go to hell, devil!" Without another word, the leader instantly struck Dang Ma with a spell, sending him flying through the air.

"No! Don't hurt him!" Tifania cried out, trying to stop them.

"What are you doing? Hurting others for no reason," Dang Ma said as he got up.

"Get out of here, ordinary people." The leader shouted, driving the watching villagers away.

"Don't hurt them." Dang Ma ran forward but was kicked aside.

"Pathetic," the leader sneered, underestimating Dang Ma's strength.

"Dang Ma, hurry! They're here to kill you!" Tifania shouted, but her warnings went ignored.

"If you keep disturbing our lives, I won't let you live," the leader said coldly.

"Huh, naive." He cast another spell, aiming to end the fight quickly.

As the magic shot toward Dang Ma's head, he raised his right hand instinctively.

To everyone's shock, the magic was instantly dispelled upon touching his hand.

"What!" The leader watched in disbelief.

"This is..." Dang Ma looked at his right hand, newfound confidence filling him.

"I don't believe it!" The leader fired multiple ice spikes in quick succession, but Dang Ma's right hand blocked them all.

"What kind of monster are you?" The leader recoiled, surprised.

"I'm no monster. I'm Dang Ma, Tifania's good friend!" Dang Ma charged forward and punched the leader in the face.

Unexpectedly, Dang Ma's punch was powerful enough to send the leader flying.

"Leader!" The other two rushed to assist.

"Dang Ma." Tifania's heart pounded as she watched.

"Don't come near. I'm taking this one on." The leader stood again, glaring at Dang Ma.

"I won't hold back."