"L-Luis?!"
Chest held high, a sword resting at his waist, armor plates protecting his vital points, a rough, unshaven beard, and a gaze that carried both steel and distance—Luis bowed before Clarice.
"It's been a long time, Saint Clarice. About a year, hasn't it?"
Clarice nodded stiffly.
"N-No… you don't need to bow like that!"
Opening one eye, Luis straightened back up.
Clarice took a step forward. Her lips trembled slightly as she spoke, her voice weak.
"Luis… what are you doing in the Holy City? Isn't this far from Kotei County?"
Luis let out a quiet laugh. After a moment, his expression sharpened as he looked directly at her.
"I came here… to talk about Jay's rescue."
Clarice's heart skipped a beat.
"W-What?!"
Shock flooded her face. Tears welled up in her eyes, yet a smile bloomed through her fragile expression.
"Then… let's talk about it," she said, clasping her hands together, lips gently curved upward.
Luis sat first. Clarice followed. Then her mother took her seat.
On a distant continent—in the hell that walked the earth—
Jay was standing again.
His legs screamed for him to stop, yet he kept walking.
Dark circles clung to his youthful face.The ice that had once climbed up to his neck was slowly receding—now stopping below his shoulder.
After walking for a while, he spotted a nearby rock and sat down, exhaling deeply.
'Why am I this exhausted? Even after sleeping, I still feel…'
The scorching sun burned against his reddened skin.
After resting briefly, Jay stood up and continued forward.
"You know, Jay," Roh suddenly spoke, "I was always a bit weak when it came to women. When I was fifteen, I used to drool over a beautiful teacher. Just like one from your memories."
Jay covered his face with his hand.
'Anyone at that age would stare at a teacher… especially using memories from a past life.'
Roh snorted.
"You were weird. And it's impressive how you manage to screw yourself over in two different lives, in completely different places. Really proves how pathetic you are."
Pointing a finger, Roh clutched his stomach with the other hand and burst into laughter.
"…"
Jay was fed up with the spirit that wouldn't leave him alone—so much that he'd barely slept the night before.
After walking for some time, Jay sensed movement within the bushes.
He immediately assumed a combat stance, conjuring his freezing sword.
A paw emerged from the greenery—white fur, claws sharp enough to tear him apart.
Second by second, the creature revealed itself.
Jay stepped back, eyes wide.
His mouth moved on its own.
"What the hell is that?"
The 'creature' stood upright.
A humanoid torso and arms.Wolf paws for feet, covered in white fur.A wolf's head snarling viciously—yellowed fangs bared, ready to tear flesh apart.
The monster gripped a sword made of jagged stone, pressing its feet into the ground, preparing to strike.
Jay stepped back again.
His legs trembled.
"Scared, Jay?" Roh mocked."First time seeing something this bizarre? Being attacked by one?" His voice grew sharper. "Well, today's your lucky day."
Roh laughed loudly.
The wolf-like monster lunged, swinging its stone blade.
Jay blocked the strike.
Metal screamed as blades clashed.
Ice spread across the creature's weapon.
Pushing forward, Jay stepped in and swung.
The wolf blocked effortlessly and countered with its white claws.
A familiar feeling rose within Jay—an instinct.To conjure countless ice spikes, pierce non-vital points, and watch—
Jay shook his head violently.
'No. No. Focus.'
The claws aimed for his head, ready to tear it apart.
Tensing the muscles of his supporting leg, Jay threw himself to the side.
His hands touched the ground.
The grass instantly turned blue.
A murderous glare filled his eyes—but suddenly, he froze in shock.
The arm holding the wolf's sword was completely frozen.
'I didn't give that command…?! And it—'
The wolf showed no intention of retreating.
Jay clicked his tongue.
Meanwhile—
Inside a white mansion adorned with golden details, trees with cyan leaves, blue grass, and flowers of countless shapes—
In a room with four wine-red sofas and a dark wooden table traced with crimson lines, two goblets and a bottle of wine rested quietly.
A woman with pointed ears and silver hair streaked with black sat beside a young girl with silver hair and ruby-red eyes.
"Well, I can speak with Kotei and arrange soldiers before the rescue date," Luis said, his worn armor reflecting the light."But first—how will we know where the boy is? We don't even know if he's alive."
Clarice raised her hand.
"I have an idea."
Luis turned to her.
"What is it?"
"Tracking magic."
Luis and her mother widened their eyes in surprise.
It was an excellent idea—but it carried a problem.
"My daughter… it's good, but tracking magic requires his DNA or a personal belonging."
Clarice fell silent for several moments.
Then, lifting her gaze, her eyes sharpened.
"What if we use our memories?" she said calmly."Wouldn't that be possible?"
Silence fell over the room.
Everyone was shaken by the idea.