Volume 1, Chapter 75 – The Night of the New Moon

Returning to her room, Fia used the [Cleanse] spell to remove the dirt from her clothes and body before collapsing onto the bed.

Though there were no lights in the room, the shattered fragments of the Unsinkable Moon still cast their purple glow, streaming through the window and painting the mottled ceiling with dreamlike hues.

“Phew…”

Fia let out a long sigh.

Though circumstances had forced her hand, she couldn’t believe she had actually hugged Anastasia on her own initiative. The thought made her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

The scene replayed in her mind—Anastasia’s sweet fragrance lingering around her, the sensation of her golden hair brushing against Fia’s nose. Unable to contain her emotions, Fia rolled over lightly, burying her face in the pillow.

And then—

Knock knock.

A soft rapping at the door snapped Fia out of her reverie. Though the sound was faint, it was enough to pull her back to reality. She quickly sat up, smoothing out her dress.

“Fia, are you asleep?”

It was Claire’s voice.

Not wanting to disturb the other two in the clinic, Claire’s voice was barely audible.

Fia hurried to open the door. She had expected Claire to come, which was why she hadn’t changed out of her dress before lying down—after all, Claire’s transformation demanded an explanation.

Standing before her was the same figure with black horns and an adorable tail, her silver waterfall of hair cascading down to her waist. Claire’s eyes, once emerald green, now shimmered a deep crimson as they studied Fia’s expression.

Notably, Claire was wearing a thin nightgown. The candlelight from the hallway faintly outlined her figure beneath the fabric. Claire’s already alluring silhouette, accentuated by the flickering light and her hesitant expression, made it impossible for Fia to know where to look.

“I know it might be better to wait until morning… but I thought it best to explain now. Is that alright?”

As she spoke, Claire pointed to the horns on her head. Her slender black tail, which had been swaying behind her, curled forward. Unlike a dragon’s tail, which tapered from thick to thin, Claire’s resembled that of a cow—thin and ending in a tuft of soft fur, more cute than intimidating. Its playful movements made Fia want to grab it.

“Of course.”

Fia stepped aside to let Claire in.

The two sat down on the edge of the bed.

Without a tea table between them, the atmosphere felt heavy. Claire, her hands resting awkwardly on her knees, offered a wry smile.

“Sorry, I never imagined I’d have conversations in a bedroom, so I didn’t think to bring a tea table up here. That was thoughtless of me.”

“I-It’s fine. This is nice too.”

Fia forced a smile.

Calling it “fine” was a lie. If there had been a tea table, she could have pretended to sip tea to hide her restless hands.

But sitting side by side like this, especially with Claire freshly bathed and wearing only a loose, thin nightgown, her silver hair spread across the bed, and the faint herbal scent clinging to her—it was impossible to focus. Fia didn’t even dare glance at Claire, afraid of being misunderstood.

Fortunately, Claire didn’t seem to notice Fia’s discomfort. She leaned back slightly, her bare feet swinging gently as they dangled off the bed, her gaze lowered in thought.

“You must be curious about how I look now… Do I seem like a demon?”

“Yeah.”

“But I’m not a demon. This form only appears when I use high-level magic. I once consulted members of the Darkborn—demons and moon dragons are part of their faction—but they concluded I wasn’t one of them. They couldn’t even find a race resembling me. Many demons can disguise themselves as humans, but none have ever had horns and tails that only appear when using high-level magic.”

“Not to mention, I was born with power most demons could never achieve in their lifetimes. If I were part of a race, the World Tree Continent would already be under their rule.”

Claire extended her right arm, her pale skin glowing faintly silver. Elemental spirits, like butterflies drawn to flowers, fluttered around her hand.

“This is another effect of using high-level magic. I’ve told you before, haven’t I? That I can’t use healing magic at all. Didn’t you find that strange? Even if one knows the incantation, I can’t cast it.”

“Because Claire has no mana?”

“Exactly.” Claire nodded softly. “Without mana, I can’t learn magic. Every spell I use is an innate ability. From the moment I gained consciousness, knowledge of this world was already in my mind—language, customs, basic knowledge across fields, even spells unrecorded in history.”

“For example, that silver light I used earlier. To the people of the World Tree Continent, it’s known as the forbidden spell ‘Divine Judgment.’ But I know the real ‘Divine Judgment’ is different—they’re two separate spells that just happen to look similar. A wise demon once told me my magic doesn’t belong to this world. That’s why the world rejects ‘Claire’ as an existence, cursing me in turn.”

Reaⅾ on KatRеadіոɡСаfе

At this, Claire paused, her crimson eyes flickering with unreadable emotion as she turned to Fia.

“I’m telling you all this to explain that I’m neither a demon nor one of the Darkborn.”

Realizing what Claire meant, Fia blinked.

“Are you worried I’d be afraid of you because I might think you’re a demon? That would never happen! First of all, it’s obvious you’re not one of the Darkborn. But even if you were, I wouldn’t fear you. You saw it yourself earlier—I spoke normally with the moon dragon. To me, Darkborn and humans are equal. There’s no inherent good or evil.”

They were all just acting in their own interests.

“Besides… I think Claire looks even more beautiful like this.”

Compared to her usual human appearance, Claire now exuded a demonic charm that was impossible to look away from—gentle and soft as ever, yet the change in appearance alone gave her a striking allure.

Fia didn’t voice these thoughts aloud.

“Really?”

Claire leaned closer, her eyes filled with disbelief and a flicker of joy.

Though the proximity was enough to make Fia blush, she didn’t pull away.

“Really. I swear, I think Claire is beautiful like this. If I were a man, I wouldn’t be able to look away.”

Not that I can now anyway.

Fia added silently in her heart.

Claire’s breath hitched. She averted her gaze, her feet swinging unconsciously beneath her white nightgown, making her look like a bashful young girl.

“Would you look away just because I’m a girl? Even after what you wished for this morning…”

Now it was Fia’s turn to freeze.

Claire’s question had backed her into a corner.

That morning, Claire had responded with, “If you promise never to forget me, then I don’t mind agreeing.” At the time, Fia had assumed Claire didn’t fully grasp the implications of “being together in love.” But now, it was clear Claire had understood perfectly—Fia had just been too dense to realize Claire had silently consented.

Claire had agreed.

The realization sent a wave of heat through Fia’s chest, drying her throat and dampening her back with sweat. Forgetting her embarrassment, excitement overtook her, and the words spilled out before she could think.

“Even if I weren’t a man, I wouldn’t look away.” The fire in her chest made Fia hold her breath. Gathering every ounce of courage, she continued with utmost seriousness, “I… I love you, Claire.”

As the last word left her lips, Fia’s chest tightened.

—That was too direct. Maybe I should’ve waited.

But there was no taking it back now. All Fia could do was wait for Claire’s response.

“…Mm.”

Faced with Fia’s heartfelt confession, Claire stiffened. Her swinging feet and tail froze mid-motion, and only the silver orbs floating around her sped up their dance.

She won’t hate me for this, right?

Though logic told Fia it would be fine, emotion whispered otherwise. Unable to bear the silence, Fia timidly pressed further.

“I-Is that… not okay? If you don’t feel the same, we can just stay close friends—”

Before she could finish, she received her answer.

Not in words, but in action.

Claire first wrapped her tail around Fia’s arm but quickly reconsidered, instead placing her hand over Fia’s.

A delicate blush spread across Claire’s cheeks as she fought the urge to look away, her crimson eyes locking onto Fia’s.

“I’m not rejecting you… This is the best possible answer for me.”

After a long pause, Claire continued hesitantly.

Reαԁ οո KаtRеаⅾіnɡСαfе

“But are you sure? I’m just a monster, and you’re the beloved princess of the elves. You’ll meet people far better than me—people worthier of your time and affection. Just knowing you won’t forget me is enough for me. I’d be content watching you from afar.”

“But I wouldn’t be content.”

Fia shut her down immediately. Claire had already agreed—she couldn’t let this chance slip away. She needed to push Claire forward.

“Everything about you—your appearance, your heart—captivates me. I want you by my side forever.”

Silence.

The room was so quiet their shared gaze felt deafening.

Seconds stretched like eternity until, finally, Claire relented.

Her tense body relaxed, the stiffness melting away as a helpless smile graced her lips.

“To think that night we met would bear fruit like this… Ah, if even Fia doesn’t care, then I should be brave too.”

Claire took a deep breath. Then, slowly but surely, she gave her answer.

“—I love you too, Fia.”

Hearing those words, the tension drained from Fia’s face, replaced by pure joy. But just as she opened her mouth to respond, Claire gently pressed a finger to her lips.

“But I can’t be with you right now.”

Why?

Fia’s furrowed brows voiced the question. Claire withdrew her hand, smiling softly.

“Everyone has things they must and must not do. Lifting this curse is something I must do—for myself and those around me. Fia… No, I should drop the ‘little’ now. You’ve seen it these past few days, haven’t you? Slaves, soldiers, ordinary people—they all want to get close to you. But the moment they see me, they back away. My existence causes you trouble.”

“That doesn’t matter at all! You’d really leave me over something so trivial?”

Claire’s response was calm.

“You may not care, but I do. I’m not leaving you—I just want to stand by your side without bringing you shame. If I do nothing, the day will come when people whisper about you for associating with a cursed monster. Nobles and ministers will turn against you, and I’ll have to oppose them to protect you. When that happens, will you still say the curse doesn’t matter?”

“…”

Fia clenched her fists, silent.

Claire was right. If their roles were reversed, even if Claire didn’t mind, Fia would eventually feel guilty for tarnishing Claire’s reputation. Over time, that guilt would drive her away.

This wasn’t about strength or status—it was principle. Even if Claire crushed all opposition with sheer power, ruling as a tyrant, Fia would only feel worse.

If only the Unsinkable Moon hadn’t shattered, she could have ignored the future, content to stay with Claire as they had been.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the sound of fabric rustling reached her ears—followed by a soft warmth against her arm.

Claire had shifted closer, their shoulders now touching.

A soothing herbal fragrance enveloped Fia as Claire took her hand, guiding it toward her own face.

Her moonlit features were filled with nothing but tenderness.

“I won’t be gone long. To break the curse, whether by finding a god or gaining influence, I have to leave the Holy Kingdom of Milcandis. That was your idea, remember?”

“Then let’s leave together. We can figure it out as a team.”

Claire shook her head.

“I’m not finished. You look ready to kill someone. Speaking of which, you don’t seem to hesitate at all when it comes to taking lives. If you were a man, that decisiveness might be attractive, but as the princess of the elves, too much blood on your hands will make you less cute. As your elder sister, I can’t approve of that—so let’s make a promise. Unless your life or someone else’s is in danger, avoid killing unless absolutely necessary. Alright?”

“…Then what will you do? Promises go both ways.”

Claire wasn’t wrong—Fia felt no hesitation when it came to killing. To her, lives were just numbers, differentiated only by whether they hindered her and how efficiently they could be removed.

“Let me think… Right now, I have nothing to offer you.” Claire tapped her chin before laughing wryly and gesturing to herself. “How about I give myself to you? Though I suppose that’s more me taking advantage of you.”

Ignoring the joke, Fia pressed on.

Reаԁ oո KatRеαⅾiոɡСαfe

“Then I order you to come with me first—”

“No.” Claire refused with a playful smile. “Lifting the curse is something I must do. I want to try finding a god first—a fundamental solution. You were right earlier. If the Goddess of Life couldn’t help, perhaps the Elf God can.”

Wouldn’t that mean coming to the elf lands with me?

Confusion flickered in Fia’s ruby-like eyes.

Before she could speak, Claire continued.

“But it’ll be a long journey—possibly fruitless. If it fails, I’ll have to try your method: gaining influence so people can’t forget me. And to do that, I need resources. So I must return to where I was born and reclaim what’s mine before bringing it to the elf lands.”

“In other words, to be with you forever, I need to go home first. Think of it as moving. I have no intention of letting you go—even if you tried to leave me now, I’d cling to you like a curse. Not even a god could tear me away.”

By the end, Claire was giggling behind her hand.

Was she saving the most important part for last just to tease me?

Yet Fia felt only relief.

Claire wasn’t leaving alone—she was going home to gather what she needed before tackling the problem together. The answer eased Fia’s worries, washing away her earlier frustration. She instinctively raised a hand to hide her growing smile, but with her dominant hand still held by Claire, she failed.

Instead, she coughed and feigned reluctance.

“Fine, I’ll accept that. Where is your homeland? We can go there first, then head to the elf lands. Anastasia seems to want me to learn more magic abroad anyway. We can use that time.”

“That would take too long. My birthplace is at the southern edge of the World Tree Continent, while the elf lands are in the north. At a normal pace, the round trip would take years. But if I go alone, I can make it in under two months. You need to return to secure your position as heir. Let’s meet in the elf lands instead—two months from now. How does that sound?”

Her crimson eyes brimming with sincerity, Claire stared into Fia’s, her grip tightening.

She was serious. This was her final compromise. She didn’t want to part either, but preparations had to be made.

Though the thought of separation pained her, it was for the sake of a longer reunion.

Even so, Fia couldn’t help pleading. Straightening her back, she returned Claire’s gaze and squeezed her hand.

“Can’t I go with you and Anastasia? I won’t slow you down.”

“…I’d love to have you with me. I’m not forbidding you from coming. But the journey is long, and traveling nonstop is tedious. You have a throne to secure. Think of it this way—to meet the Elf God, you need the king’s permission. If you lose the succession, how could I ever meet them? Let alone gain influence in the elf lands. So focus on consolidating your position. The reason Anastasia wants you to stay abroad and learn magic is precisely because your claim is unstable.”

The throne means nothing to me.

Power held no allure. If it came down to it, who could withstand orbital bombardment? Once, twice—a hundred, a thousand times? In the face of absolute power, authority was just a toy to be taken or discarded at will.

Yet Claire wasn’t entirely wrong. Violence could seize power but wasn’t omnipotent. Rather than wasting time on endless travel, it was better to secure her position through legitimate means. That way, she could easily arrange for Claire to meet the Elf God and gather nobles and scholars to study the curse.

She knew too little of this world. Collective wisdom was never a bad idea.

But two months was too long. The thought of separation was unbearable.

If only they had lightspeed engines or particle teleporters, two months could become an instant. But this was another world.

Taking a deep breath, Fia exhaled slowly, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

“Fine… But you have to keep your promise. Two months—no later.”

“Mm. It’s a promise.”

Releasing Fia’s hand, Claire smiled and held out her pinky.

A promise, huh?

So this world had that custom too.

Amidst her reluctance, Fia felt a flicker of amusement. Meeting Claire’s gaze, she linked her pinky with Claire’s.

“It’s a promise.”

Such a simple gesture, yet it filled Fia with a strange sense of certainty—as though an unbreakable bond had just been forged between them. No matter the distance, nothing could sever it. Not even the gods.

The moment passed quickly. Simultaneously, Fia and Claire lowered their hands, staring at their palms. For both, it was a first.

Reαd οո KatReαԁingСαfe

“Now there’s nothing to worry about. But I’ll say this upfront—if you forget me, I’ll tie you up and hang you from the city gates as punishment.”

“Sure, sure. If I forget you, I deserve it.”

“Fufufu…”

Claire giggled, turning to face Fia fully.

Their eyes met.

The atmosphere grew thick without either noticing.

Compelled by the mood, Claire leaned in slightly. One hand brushed Fia’s dark hair aside while the other cupped her cheek. Lowering her head, she pressed her forehead gently against Fia’s.

“Thank you.”

“I should be thanking you.”

With Claire holding her face, Fia couldn’t help but blush. She wrapped her arms around Claire’s smooth neck, her gaze drifting to Claire’s enticing lips.

The distance between them dwindled.

At the last second, Fia paused, looking up hesitantly.

“Claire… Can I?”

“Mm.”

Claire’s soft reply was all the confirmation Fia needed.

No more hesitation—she closed the gap.

Their lips met.

Though not their first kiss, it felt more intense than ever. The emotions flowing between them burned hotter than before.

Claire had likely anticipated this, hence the thin nightgown.

How sneaky.

The thought sparked a rebellious urge in Fia. Growing bolder, she pressed her hands against Claire’s shoulders, pushing her down onto the bed.

The nightgown loosened, Claire’s silver hair mingling with Fia’s dark strands as they spilled across the sheets. But Claire didn’t resist. Instead, her lips glimmering faintly, she cradled Fia’s face, her crimson eyes brimming with desire.

“Fia… You smell sweet.”

“So do you.”

“Let’s go further—Ah, the curtains.”

Following Claire’s gaze, Fia saw the starlight streaming through the window.

How inconsiderate.

With a flick of her wrist, Fia summoned a gentle Wind Blade to draw the curtains shut.

Darkness enveloped the room. Even the silver orbs hovering around Claire shyly retreated to the corners.

“Fia… I see you still don’t wear underwear.”

“I… I don’t know how. Will you help me put them on in the future?”

“Of course.”

Amidst the rustling of fabric and soft, breathless whispers, the two drew closer—until, at last, they became one.

On this moonless night, theirs was the only warmth that burned.

Translator Note

awawawawawa— (⸝⸝๑﹏๑⸝⸝)