Huts cast their reflections on the still river surface.

The north wind stirred ripples that danced like frolicking children.

Oaks grew thick along the bank, their branches heavy with fallen acorns scattered across the shore.

This was the first village Orek had seen since fleeing the Frostwall. Its quiet nearly made him forget the nightmare of the previous night.

The village was as peaceful as it had been eight years ago. Here, time seemed to stand still, walling out all the chaos of the world.

Orek stood beneath an oak, gazing at the shimmering White River, his thoughts drifting back to his first visit to Reflection Village.

That had been his debut as a Seer.

Back then, he was just an apprentice Seer. While training in Reflection Village, he discovered werewolves among the villagers. He'd boldly declared his identity as a Seer and tried to lead the villagers to drive out the wolves—but the werewolf had counter-claimed the Seer role, and both sides launched a standard public "Seer debate."

Young Orek had spoken nervously, stammering, his logic tangled. Many thought he sounded nothing like a true Seer. The werewolf's fake Seer, by contrast, had delivered a flawless, self-consistent argument that won the villagers' trust.

Just as he faced defeat, the village elder had stepped forward firmly on his side. He told the villagers that some novice Seers struggled with public speaking, so they couldn't judge solely by how well someone spoke—they had to look at their demeanor, tone, and small verbal details to make a fair call.

With the elder's help, Orek had finally won back the villagers' trust and successfully lynched the werewolf.

It felt like it had happened just yesterday.

Thinking back, Orek sighed at how quickly time passed.

The oak was still strong and tall. Was the elder still well?

He hadn't returned to Reflection Village since that day eight years ago, even though it was close to the Frostwall. Now he was back to warn the villagers to evacuate.

I hope the elder will understand me this time, just like he did before.

Orek was about to cross the stone bridge over the White River into the village when he saw a flash of golden light through the morning mist on the opposite bank. A group of figures emerged from the village and stepped onto the bridge.

Who are they?

The leading figure was tall, clad in golden armor and a red helmet—a silhouette he knew all too well.

Lei!

Orek's heart thundered. Didn't they leave the Frostwall long ago? Why are they still here?

Then he spotted the Rat Knight, Golden Bat, and Schied among the group. On the other side of the bridge, Guard Feto ran forward to meet them.

When the Frostwall Legion and representatives of the Golden Knights met, their lively chatter startled the birds roosting by the bridge, even dispelling the morning mist.

It looked like a victory rally. Orek suddenly felt an overwhelming, inexplicable weariness.

Moments later, Feto led Lei through the chatting crowd, walking straight toward the oak.

Don't come over…

Right now, Orek didn't want to see anyone from the Golden Knights, especially Lei.

I drove them away, and then the wolves took the Frostwall. Fate's slap couldn't have been more resounding.

Are the Golden Knights staying here just to gloat?

Orek let out a long sigh.

As he watched the woman he'd once shared a bed with, then pushed away with his own hands, step closer, goosebumps rose on his neck. He wished he could turn into a fish and dive into the river, hiding among the algae to avoid this suffocating encounter—unfortunately, Seers didn't know that kind of magic.

"Reporting, Seer. All villagers of Reflection Village have been evacuated and are heading south. The village is empty now." The female knight stood before him, her expression solemn.

Orek froze.

He hadn't expected Lei to skip all pleasantries and get straight to the point, her tone as calm as water over a whetstone.

Is there not even the slightest politeness left between us?

Orek hoped Feto would stay, figuring three people would be less awkward. But the guard didn't seem to pick up on his unspoken plea and ran off immediately.

He's always doing this.

Orek sighed inwardly. Now he had to break the silence on his own.

"You… weren't you supposed to go to Awakening City with Yefu?" The Commander of the Frostwall Legion sounded surprisingly nervous.

"Shortly after we left the Shield Fort, we met a Crystal Temple Knight. He brought the Archbishop's latest orders—we were to wait here to meet you." Lei's voice was cool and distant.

Did the Archbishop foresee all this? Orek frowned. "Where did he tell me to go?"

"The Archbishop didn't specify, but I assume it's Awakening City. After all, it's long been the Frostwall's supply hub. And according to Yefu, the city has a team of fifty hunters, all armed with muskets, who can fight the werewolves."

Hunters with guns…

Orek paused for a moment before saying, "Based on last night's battle, the wolf army has about two hundred werewolves. If Awakening City has the hunter team, plus your Golden Knights and my men…" He gave a bitter laugh. "Together, we might stand a chance against them."

"It's not that simple. You haven't considered two variables." Lei shook her head. "First, the wolf army will reinforce after the battle. Their numbers won't be the same as last night when we fight again. Second, now that the Frostwall has fallen, the kingdom is like a lamb exposed to predators. The wolves might skip Awakening City—too tough a bite—and go straight south to attack the Capital."

She used to agree with everything I said.

Orek rubbed the five-pointed black iron badge in his hand, sighing. "You're right. If the wolves use hit-and-run tactics, every town in the kingdom is at risk—especially the Northern Realm and the Queen's Lands. But we don't have enough Divine Folk. If we spread them out to guard every town, our defenses will be too thin…" He sighed again. "In short, losing the Frostwall has put us in a completely passive position. It's all my fault!"

"Regret won't help. We'll figure out who's to blame for the Frostwall's fall later. No need to rush to conclusions now." Lei said flatly. "We shouldn't waste time. Let's leave immediately, or the wolves will catch up."

She doesn't want to talk to me anymore…

In that case, I'll use my last card.

"Take this." Orek held out the black iron badge to her.

"What's this mean?" Lei blinked in surprise.

"Take the Frostwall Legion to Awakening City. I won't come with you." Orek said quietly.

The female knight looked confused. "Why?"

"I'm responsible for the Frostwall's fall, and I've lost the power of the Holy Light. I don't think I'm fit to lead the Legion anymore."

"But that doesn't mean you can't go to Awakening City." Lei frowned.

"I'm going straight to the Capital, to the Crystal Temple, to apologize to the Archbishop." Orek rubbed his nose.

You will feel the Holy Light again. You will be redeemed…

The plan is bold, but I'm sure this is the Archbishop's true intention. And Feto escaped the Oval Hall, which proves we have a mole in the wolf camp. Whoever they are, they're worth betting on.

"But the Archbishop didn't say—"

"The Archbishop's orders are always cryptic, full of hidden meaning. I know his mind better than you do." Orek coughed.

"Whether it's his true intention or not, if you don't want to go to Awakening City, I can't force you. As for this badge…" Lei stared down at the black iron badge, its edges glinting with a cold light. She shook her head. "Every time you give this to me, something bad happens." She took the badge.

Orek felt the warmth of her fingertips against his, and suddenly remembered the question she'd asked him that day: What do you even see me as?

What do I see her as? Orek examined his own heart. Did I really love Lei? Or was it just a game?

Did I use her admiration for the Seer, treating her like a tool I could summon and dismiss at will?

In this love game, who lied to whom?

I was always afraid she'd deceive me, but the truth is, I'm still deceiving her…

An urge to apologize welled up in him, but the word "sorry" stuck in his throat like a rusted gold coin, impossible to speak.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go back." Lei glanced at the golden knights standing by the bridge.

A brown acorn fell at Orek's feet, splitting in two.

"Can you… do one more thing for me?" he pleaded.

Lei hesitated, then nodded—but her eyes were cold, with none of the tenderness she'd once shown him.