Ishiki pressed himself against the wall and stopped breathing entirely—not from conscious decision but automatic response to potential threat.

'Well, I could just use [Ghost Blade]...'

But he didn't. The skill won't make him disappear, any competent Player could sense him. And he wasn't even certain the approaching figure qualified as enemy.

The shadow grew progressively larger as the figure rounded the cottage's corner. From behind the side of the wall a figure appeared, wreathed in black cape from head to toe.

However Ishiki didn't saw that, he was completely hidden.

Until the figure moved swiftly towards the entrance of the house.

Ishiki moved too.

In next heartbeat, his blade met attack mid-stride.

CLANG!

The weapons clashed for brief moment and then both combatants leapt backward simultaneously.

'Wait... wasn't that a.'

Ishiki dismissed his sword immediately, the pale blade dissolved into motes of light that scattered like disturbed snow.

He looked up straight at the other form. The sword in the attacker's hand turned to cold vapors and vanished.

Ishiki frowned. 'what's the princess doing here?'

The princess removed the cap covering her head, revealing strands of pink hair that glistered in the oppressive crimson light.

She then looked at the figure and tilted her head a little, straining her eyes to look at Ishiki who was hidden in the slight darkness of the house.

After a short while, a pang of recognition appeared in her pink, doll like eyes.

"Oh... it's you. Ishiki... I believe."

Her voice carried an aristocratic cadence—simultaneously warm and distant.

The scrawny boy stepped out of the darkness, his blue eyes caught and reflected the light, making them seem as if they were glowing on their own.

Ishiki's eyes were fixed on the princess, while she walked closer and soon she stood beside him within the porch area, close enough that Ishiki could smell... something.

Not perfume—luxuries like that didn't exist anymore. Just clean scent that surrounded her despite living in such conditions.

"Uh... Can I sit here?"

She asked with surprising uncertainty, gesturing toward porch with movement that looked almost shy.

'The Princess is asking my permission?'

The young man was startled, and literally flinched backward an involuntary step.

Then, forcing himself toward something resembling composure, he scratched the back of his head and replied in tone that came out embarrassingly unsteady.

"Yeah... of course you can."

The princess gave him a cryptic smile and then sat down. She dismissed the black cape with mental command. The garment dissolved, revealing casual robe beneath instead of her usual armor.

'Why does that make my heart race faster?'

'Damn it... damn it, focus moron.'

Ishiki took deep breaths, his heart was beating wildly and his body was suddenly warm. He couldn't quite describe the feeling, like he was being pushed off a cliff.

'What the... Am I afraid of her?'

'That's fear, right? Has to be fear.'

Because that was the only emotion he'd been experiencing consistently for last two months, no ever since that day the skies fell, there had been nothing but fear, pain, and suffering cycling in endless rotation.

Last two months were very modest... compared to what he had experienced earlier. But not to be mistaken, it was just the calm before a big storm.

The princess glanced towards his feet and narrowed her eyes. Then with a hint of curiosity in her voice she asked. "What... is that drawing?"

Ishiki looked at her and then at his feet, he was standing above the cake he drew. 'Oh shit!'

He took several rapid steps backward. The cake was completely mangled now—didn't resemble cake in slightest if being honest.

He sighed with resignation and settled down.

"That... uh, That was supposed to be a cake."

The princes blinked a few times and then chuckled. "Oh! so its a cake."

Ishiki scowled internally. 'Yeah, it was supposed to my birthday cake until you appeared.'

The Princess turned away from the ruined drawing and looked toward the Crimson Canopy stretching beyond clearing's boundary. The sentinel trees of the forest gazed back in their direction and Ishiki felt a shiver run down his spine.

Without any warning, the princess turned back to face him and asked. "What was the cake supposed to be for?"

Ishiki was caught off guard.

"It was supposed to be my birthday cake until you appeared."

He wanted to say something else. Something that wouldn't sound accusatory or childish.

'Damn Corruption!'

But his mouth spoke the exact unfiltered thoughts instead.

The princess went silent and looked at the ground. Her expression turned somber all of a sudden.

Looking her mood go down, something twisted in Ishiki's chest. 'Moron, why did i have to say that.'

He felt... guilty for some reason.

He gulped hard, gathering courage that felt more difficult to summon than facing Withering Beasts, then forced himself to ask.

"If I may... why are you here?"

The pink haired girl, looked at him and said with an indifferent tone. "I was just passing by and heard some noises coming from here. I... am sorry for disturbing you."

"Oh! No... no reason to apologize. I'm sorry for attacking you as well." The words tumbled out with excessive enthusiasm—overcompensating for guilt.

A long moment of silence, stretched between the two.

Both turned simultaneously to speak—

Both froze mid-motion, catching each other's gaze, mouths half-open with questions.

Ishiki retreated back, immediately and scratched his cheek. "uh... yes?"

The princess, took a deep breath and then asked in a somber tone. "Do... do you perhaps know something about where is... Aethelburg?"

Ishiki froze... then looked down at the ground, carefully choosing what to say. "I... I might have an idea, about where Aethelburg is."

The princess's eyes gleamed as if they had found something very valuable. "Really... You really know?"

She leaned forward slightly, unconsciously closing distance.

"Then why didn't you go there until now?"

'Because it's two hundred kilometers through death forest and I'm not suicidal.'

Ishiki looked at her, then upward at starless sky where indifferent black moon burned with crimson illuminance that painted everything in shades of blood.

"Better than telling you... I'll show you during the next Crimson Night."

He gestured vaguely toward darkened forest.

"Silver Night will start soon, so it won't be visible then."

The princess suddenly stood up and summoned the black cape, the cloth piece appeared over her robes and covered her from head to toe.

"Tomorrow... Your help would be appreciated." Saying that she started walking down the porch area and back from where she had come.

Ishiki rushed forward like a man in hurry and he caught glimpse of her just before she disappeared behind wall.

"Uh... Excuse me... I, uh—"

He started, but heart was racing frantically now.

"What is your name? I mean... what can I call you?"

The princess stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder. After a pause she replied. "Yuki... Just Yuki."

'Yuki... huh? Pretty.'

He was lost contemplating the name's meaning when Yuki's voice called him back to present. She was peeking from behind the wall now, only her face was visible.

"By the way... Happy Birthday."

Then she walked away.

Unknowingly, a smile made its way on Ishiki's face.

He slowly whispered, behind her.

"Thank you..."

***

The next day... or rather on the following Silver Night.

Ishiki was stirred awake by a commotion, nearby. Well, everywhere in the clearing was nearby. So, every little commotion was heard by everyone.

'who the hell is fighting now?'

He left his room with movements still groggy from interrupted sleep, then exited the house he occupied.

Outside, darkness of true night greeted him.

Still disoriented, Ishiki made his way toward house's rear where cluster of people had gathered.

He frowned. 'Huh? what happened now?'

He slowly walked to the gathering of the people and found Filch standing nearby with a confused expression.

"Hey, Filch? What happened now?"

The tall man looked at him and waved. "Oh, Ishiki. Great timing. Do you know someone named, Swirk?"

Ishiki frowned and then winced. 'Swirk? What a weird name.'

Looking at Filch he replied in an indifferent tone. "No. I have never heard that name."

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