A Test… Tomorrow?!
"A test… tomorrow?!"
"Yes, it's tomorrow," came Flora's calm reply. "It was delayed slightly because of your condition. It's no longer a hunting mission—it's become a unique duel. That change was due to the campaign in the Trembling Forest. Oh, what a dangerous place… but no need for you to worry about that now. Just focus on your daily tasks."
From the darkness, hundreds of World Essence Stones scattered onto the floor, glittering faintly like fallen stars.
"Here's your contribution reward," she added. "And when you're done with treatment, make sure to visit Gina. I believe you have something to tell her—perhaps an apology?"
tsk…tsk
"Young people these days love their drama. Back in my time, we used to kidnap each other for marriage just to keep the population steady in our city. Ohhh, my late husband… I kidnapped him in the dead of night…"
Nym cut her off immediately, mortified. "My lady, you are straying from the topic very quickly. Honestly, I'd rather not hear about your marriage—or whatever that was."
"Hah, right. Back on track, then."
"There will be another campaign into the Trembling Forest in the not-too-distant future—to support the first wave. No Fused will go, only twenty Lords and hundreds of Binders will march north to reinforce the Elders. I've decided it's good for you to join them—eventually."
She paused just long enough for the weight of her words to sink in.
"And don't think of refusing. This isn't a request—or a favor. It's an order."
"…Understood."
Nym said nothing more. He simply stared into the empty darkness, waiting… but no reply came.
Fffffhew…
He exhaled deeply. That woman is terrifying. She can talk to me from such a long distance… My god.
("My lord… what have you gotten yourself into?") came Ira's voice in his head, faint and anxious. ("I pretended to be asleep, but I nearly soiled myself listening to her.")
"It's fine," he muttered. "That woman is Commander Flora. As vile and terrifying as she is—and honestly, she looks like some cursed old witch—she's what we've got to lead our city."
Nym felt a wave of pity. For himself. For the City of Faint Light. For all of it.
"No point whining about something I can't change," he sighed.
The moment Flora's presence vanished, a strange peace returned. The chilling gaze was gone. The pressure lifted.
"I need to visit Gina after I wake up…"
Ughhh… this is exhausting…
He yawned, laid his head on the pillow, and drifted off to sleep.
In the deep darkness of dawn, Nym made his way toward Gina's residence—to fulfill what was asked of him the night before