Volume 1, Chapter 27 – The Path Ahead

The streets were noticeably less crowded than before, and the surrounding buildings were generally shorter, more dilapidated, and the alleys narrower compared to what they had seen earlier.

They had moved far from the city center, entering a relatively remote area. The environment made this clear to Fia.

And precisely because of this, Fia found it hard to believe that this was a clinic.

In her impression, clinics were places for treating the sick, so they ought to be spacious and clean. Yet the two-story stone house before her was no different from the surrounding residential buildings. The only discernible difference was that its door stood wide open, with the emblem of the Goddess of Life hanging above the frame—a magic hexagram as the base, with a seed-like pattern at its center.

Fia had seen this emblem frequently along the way. It adorned the entrances of temples and statues in assembly squares. It seemed only places recognized by the temple and dedicated to public service were permitted to display such a symbol.

“Anastasia, is this really a clinic?”

Fia cautiously peered inside. The dim light of early morning revealed no hospital beds—just a few tables and chairs, a counter, and what appeared to be cabinets for storing herbs. A faint medicinal scent lingered in the air.

“Yes. When we first arrived in Aurora City, I scouted the surroundings. This is the only clinic in the area. In the Holy Kingdom of Milcandis, people usually go to temples for healing when injured, so the existence of a clinic is particularly noteworthy. I had to take note of it.”

“I see.”

“But…”

At this, Anastasia frowned slightly, as if deep in thought.

“I remember the owner of this clinic possesses medical skills so exceptional that even the temple had to acknowledge her. Yet, for some reason, I can’t recall her name.”

“Can’t recall her name?”

Fia tilted her head.

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A similar situation had occurred last night when Claire faced the city guards.

The commander whose injuries Claire had healed had also forgotten her name. At the time, Fia hadn’t paid it much mind, assuming it was simply due to the long time since their last meeting. But now, Anastasia, who had investigated the clinic just days ago, couldn’t even remember that the owner was named Claire. It was undeniably strange.

If Claire were plain-looking—the type who blended into a crowd—it might have been understandable. But Claire was a stunning beauty, no less striking than Fia herself, and radiated an approachable warmth. Forgetting such a woman, who could easily be called a dream lover, seemed nearly impossible.

“Your Highness, we’re nearing the slums. We should be cauti—”

“Open up! Let us in!”

Just as Fia was about to nod, the sound of violent knocking erupted from further down the street. Instinctively, Anastasia pushed Fia against the wall, both of them pressing close as they assessed the source of the noise.

About twenty armored soldiers were going door to door, barging into homes to conduct searches.

Fia didn’t need an explanation—they were clearly looking for her.

Despite having just wiped out a hundred-man squad, only twenty or so soldiers were sent to search for her now. The Holy Kingdom must have treated them as expendable from the start, using them to draw her out before mobilizing a larger force to surround her.

How cunning.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle them, but it would be troublesome.

“[Wind of Exploration].”

Anastasia’s murmur made Fia look up. Perhaps due to some spell, Anastasia’s blue eyes had turned cyan.

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“Tch. They’re all ordinary soldiers, not even first-tier. I could deal with them alone, but fighting would definitely attract the main force of the knights. Your Highness, we should—”

“Hmm? This presence… Could it be little Fia? And the other one is… Anna?”

Before Anastasia could finish, a silver-haired girl in a dark blue dress and a snow-white shawl appeared before them, her long hair cascading like a waterfall.

It was Claire.

Her pure emerald eyes were filled with confusion.

“You—”

In an instant, Anastasia’s hand flew to the sword at her waist, her body shifting into a combat stance. Yet her expression wasn’t one of vigilance—it was closer to fear.

“Anastasia, this is Claire, the one I told you about,” Fia said, stepping in front of Anastasia without noticing the fear in her eyes. Keeping an eye on the distant soldiers, she quickly explained to Claire, “Claire, we’ve run into some trouble. Can we hide in your place for a bit?”

“I don’t mind, but…”

Noticing Fia’s repeated glances behind her, Claire turned to look. Spotting the approaching soldiers, she blinked, as if suddenly understanding, and her expression turned serious. She stepped aside, making way for them.

“Understood. Hurry inside.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Fia moved to enter the clinic—

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Only for Anastasia to yank her back.

“Wait, Your Highness.”

As she spoke, Anastasia shot a subtle glance at Claire. Her usually resolute face was clouded with hesitation, her grip on Fia’s wrist tight enough to pull her back at any moment.

“Your Highness, this person is dangerous. My instincts are screaming at me to stay away from her.”

“My, I have no intention of betraying you, you know? I’ve never had any interest in getting involved in the feud between elves and humans. If I were on the humans’ side, I’d be shouting for those guards to come over right now, wouldn’t I?”

Claire widened her eyes, looking genuinely hurt by Anastasia’s suspicion.

“I’m only helping you because of the one-night stand I shared with little Fia.”

“One-night stand” was such a questionable way to phrase it.

Fia couldn’t help but complain in her heart.

That said, she didn’t actually mind being teased by a beauty like Claire.

Appearance always played a huge role in first impressions, and Claire happened to be exactly Fia’s type—a gentle, big-sisterly figure with a youthful exterior.

“But your presence is more dangerous than those soldiers.”

“Anastasia, that’s incredibly rude. We don’t have time—let’s go inside already.”

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Under Fia’s pushing, Anastasia hesitated before finally relenting with a sigh.

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Even though we’ve met before, you’re acting like a stranger. Anna, you’re being too distant. Head to the second floor—I’ll handle things here.”

Once inside, Anastasia suddenly stopped, as if remembering something, and turned back to Claire.

“Is there a hidden room or something where we can take cover?”

“No. But this is a church-recognized sanctuary. They won’t dare cause trouble here. Don’t worry—since I promised little Fia I’d help her when she needed it, and she hasn’t forgotten me, I’ll honor that promise.”

“…If they force their way in, I’ll resolve this my way.”

Anastasia’s threatening tone didn’t faze Claire, who merely shrugged nonchalantly.

“Whatever.”

The soldiers’ voices grew closer. Anastasia hesitated no longer, following Claire inside and up to the second floor.

Only a faint, sigh-like murmur drifted away on the wind.

“Not only is she unafraid, but she even remembers her promise to me… A child of destiny, perhaps…”