The ground burned.

Blood flowing.

Corpses and grotesque meats piled up like a hill.

The peaceful night has turned into nightmare.

For what these mysterious men had done, the knights will do everything in their power to eliminated them.

“Knights, don’t falter! Kill them all!”

“““Uoohhh!”””

The battle raged violently, even more than at Opera House Building.

In this battle, Myrdiana Knight winning.

The robed man killed one by one, killed without many words.

The small surviving man gather around Ferdinand, prepare for their last stand. No one among them intent to become prisoner.

They are losing, without any hope for survive.

However, under their encirclement, Ferdinand Smirked.

His expression somehow instilling fear to people.

In the center of his subordinate corpses and unknown creatures, he spread his arm with an eerie smile.

“Gentlemen, thank you for give me a big farewell party. Now, I’ll take my leave here.”

The knights stare him with a bloodshot gaze.

They intent to mock his word, but fear stop their word from out.

With several survivors of those robed men, Robed Man Leader casted a magic, then vanished.

Knights’ face ugly. Turn out that man still have a hand.

“As a thank for the party, I leave a gift for you all.”

His voice resounded from all direction in the air.

Afterwards, a big bright orb fell from sky.

“Escape!”

They felt a great danger came from it, then ran to escape.

Unfortunately, it’s too late.

The orb almost reaches the ground.

Seeing that, the children, the knights, everyone threw everything they have.

However, no use.

The orb bouncing on the ground, then blindly brightened, as if sunlight coming from inside it.

Everyone despaired, as they felt death approaching.

[Barrier of Darkness]

Before being shallowed by the light, children heard a familiar voice sounded in their mind.

*BOOMMM!!!*

The orb exploded, filled the whole area with light and destruction.

And the dark surrounded the children’s consciousness.

 

*****

***

*

 

*Chirp* *Chirp*

A pair of bird playing outside the window.

Sunlight warmly pouring on her face. Misha smiling, felt so comfortably under its soft touch.

“Uhh~” (Misha)

“––M––Mi––!” (???)

A voice calling her.

It’s Arc.

“No~ …… Five more minutes~.” (Misha)

“Misha!” (Arc)

“Uh~~ Shut up, Arc!” (Misha)

Misha yelled in annoy since someone has break her comfortable rest.

“Just why you wake me so early?” (Misha)

“Misha, you wake!” (Arc)

“Huh, what do you mean? What’s wrong with me being wake after you wakening me, Arc?” (Misha)

“Uh, it seems you haven’t really wakened.” (Arc)

“Wha––!” (Misha)

Misha jolted in pain.

“Ouch!” (Misha)

“Misha! Are you okay!?” (Arc)

“!!!” (Misha)

Misha’s head starting to clearing up.

Thanks to the pain, her mind fully awake. She stays for a while, recognizing her situation.

“Hey, Arc, where are we, where are the others, what just happened!?”

Since when she lost her consciousness?

Why her body in pain?

Because so many unknown states, she panicked.

“Ugh!”

A headache assaults her.

That’s right, I remember!

She remembers the event last night.

Her last memory was a bright orb fell from the sky, her sight blinded by strong light, and impending doom was approaching.

Then, she can’t recall anything anymore.

“What the situation. How about everyone!?” (Misha)

“Calm down, Misha. We are in Everyne Mansion now.” (Arc)

“We’re back?” (Misha)

“Also, Raina and Herlin sleeping over there, so please lower you voice.” (Arc)

Looking around, Misha recognized the room she was in. Not her room, but the mansion guest room. The room may not grand as her room, but wider.

Misha then noticed the existence of neighbor beds. There others three beds. One vacant, the others two occupied by two little girls.

“Raina, Herlin!” (Misha)

She was worried since she saw their body were covered with bandage.

“It’s okay. They may look like that, but they are fine.” (Arc)

“Really?” (Misha)

Arc nodded.

Relieved, Misha lay on the bed as sudden exhaustion assault her.

“Arc, tell me what had happened. What the current situation?” Misha asked.

She noticed she and Arc too covered with bandage.

“How long I have been unconscious?” (Misha)

“Slow down, I’ll tell you.” (Arc)

Arc slightly overwhelmed by Misha’s questions.

Before answering, he tidying a blanket on her.

“Not even a day had passed since we unconscious.” (Arc)

“We?” (Misha)

“I woke up three hours ago.” (Arc)

“Oh…” (Misha)

Seems like all of them was knocked out.

“Uhm, I also basically clueless with the situation. This was what informed to me when Lord Saffron visited.” (Arc)

“Father?” (Misha)

“Yes. Remember before that bomb exploded. Lord Saffron told we are survived because Auntie Eli saved us at the last moment. Not just us, Uncle Jug and Young Master Emer also. Their condition better since they’re stronger.” (Arc)

“Is that so?” (Misha)

It’s relieving know everyone safe.

“Well, but it seemed no one leave unscathed because of it.” (Arc)

“…” (Misha)

Misha still vaguely recalled the event last night. The light of destruction and that despairing feeling. The feel of death was near.

Remember all of that, she little astonished with how a little stroll developed into death or life battle, almost send them to heaven.

Well, just a little astonished.

She faces Arc with her most seriousness.

“Hey, Arc.” (Misha)

“Hmm.” (Arc)

“After this, we’ll visit the church, purifying whenever curses that stuck on us.” (Misha)

“…” (Arc)

Misha always wondering if she was cursed or something. Whenever she goes, there will be chance she would be involved into something weird, sometimes very dangerous. Really, she hoping could take a break from this

Bathing in holy water may could break this curse. Misha wished.

But Arc’s next word ruthlessly shattered that wish.

*Sigh*

“Please, don’t. We already done that, twice. It’s hopeless.” (Arc)

“Ugh.” (Misha)

His word really damped her mood.

What he said is right. They were already visited the crunch twice last year because their event problem frequency.

As the result, there isn’t any effect.

Remembering that, she chooses to pretending never say anything.

“Whenever, is there anything else?” (Misha)

“There is. Lord Saffron said to inform to you once you awake, there will a meeting tomorrow.” (Arc)

“What does that have to do with me?” (Misha)

Misha having a bad hunch.

“He wants all of us to participate in that meeting.” (Arc)

“What?” (Misha)

That shocking matter. Not just her, her father also summoned Arc to that meeting.

This time event might more serious than she thought.

 

*****

***

*

 

Misha quite bored.

She found her body very exhausted and wounded. When she tried to heal herself with magic, she found couldn’t concentrate with all pain on her body, preventing her to cast magic.

What a painful circle. Because of pained wound, she couldn’t concentrate. Because she couldn’t concentrate, she can’t cast magic. Because she can’t magic, she remained wounded.

Aahhh!

That depressing.

This state reminding her bad memory of her previous world.

Stop!

There nothing to do except laying on the bed.

She couldn’t talk with Arc, he has back to bed and rest since he still a patient.

The only reason he stayed awake was to notify her Duke Saffron’s message. As soon he told her, he fell on his bed.

He seemed quite exhausted.

Don’t force yourself!

Since there nothing to do, she might go back to sleep as well.

As her eyelid grow heavy, a guest entering the room.

It’s the owner of Vermilioness Atelier.

“Auntie Elisabeth.” (Misha)

“Oh, you’re already awake, Miss Misha.” (Elisabeth)

“Auntie, thanks for helping us.” (Misha)

Elisabeth walked to the side of Herlin’s bed. Looking at her apprentice condition, rage swelling in her chest. She gently stroking Herlin’s innocent sleeping face.

Seeing the face that with full maternal love, Misha’s gaze fixated.

“It’s nothing, Miss Misha. If anything, it was me that thank you for protecting my apprentice.” (Elisabeth)

“But… it was you that saved us when we almost die.” (Misha)

“Please not place all accomplishment to me. I could have just prevented you two from kidnapped, or be one that save you after that. But all I could do was being late.”

That’s heavy!

Hearing Elisabeth contrition made Misha doesn’t know how to comfort her.

After hesitate for a bit, Misha said:

“……Even so, you saved us… Thank you.” (Misha)

“…….” (Elisabeth)

A gentle smile formed on her face.

“No, Young Miss. Thanks.” (Elisabeth)

“…” (Misha)

Her smile so gentle, looked so beautiful.

From beginning, Elisabeth is very beautiful woman. It’s weird for Misha just realized it now as former man. Since she reincarnated as girl, it’s very difficult for her getting excited with woman.

Misha long noticed she getting more girly and girly as long she life as a girl.

She doesn’t know if it’s good or bad.

“I will take my leave now.” (Elisabeth)

“So fast?” (Misha)

“There are many things I have to take care of after last night.” (Elisabeth)

“What about Herlin?” (Misha)

Another beautiful smile appeared on her face, but why Misha felt there’s mischievousness in it.

“I’ll have leave her under your care for time being.” (Elisabeth)

“Huh?” (Misha)

Not waiting for reply, Elisabeth went out.

“Wait!” (Misha)

*Bam*

She already gone.

“…”

Silent retuned to the room.

“Don’t just leave like that. Please, at least leave some explanation…” (Misha)

No one there to reply her monotone.

*Sigh*

“Just rest for now.” (Misha)

*Creak*

The door opened again.

“By the way, Miss Misha, please keep secret my apprentice’s state last night, okay?” (Elisabeth)

Once again, Elisabeth walked away.

“…” (Misha)

Felt Elisabeth gone for sure this time, exhaustion returned to her body.

Misha sleep, not minding any problem for this moment.

 

*****

***

*

 

It already late night when Misha woke up again.

By that time, her wound mostly healed.

As always, Misha amazed with another world natural healing ability. The wound that needing a week tend to recover in her previous world just need a day rest to recover in this world.

Arc, Raina, and Herlin already woke up. She was the last one if not counting the morning.

Now is the time for her to relax in peace.

“And I, Misha, managed to survive again!” (Misha)

Misha yelling out a catchphrase loudly in bathroom.

“……What was that?” (Arc)

“Ah, nothing, just a funny catchphrase I remember.” (Misha)

Misha shrunk back to bathtub under Arc’s cold eyes. Sometimes, when get excited, she would yell out some weird phrase from her old world.

“Never heard that.” (Arc)

“Well, that because it’s minor.” (Misha)

“Oh.” (Arc)

Arc back washing his body.

“Don’t move.” (Raina)

“Uuhhh~…… Bubble~… Bubble….” (Herlin)

Across the bath, Raina washing Herlin’s hair with shampoo.

Shampoo and soap were existed in this world since age ago. Their shape similar with the one back then.

She found they have better effect than the one from previous world. They working magically without any side effect.

“Uhh~” (Misha)

Ohh~

Misha felt her body and soul healed under water.

Like the bath in her home in Everyne territory, the bath in Myrd Mansion also wide as pool.

She no longer questioning why a bath need that wide. Thrown your whole body in warm water is the best relaxion.

It’s just––

Is it okay Arc bathing with me?

Even just a little, Misha has awareness as girl, and have some current common sense. In this age, a chaste girl isn’t supposed have any skinship with man until their marriage. Yet, she couldn’t count how many skinship she haves with Arc.

No one ever pointed that out. So, she thought that was fine.

The people around them may thinking they just children, so that’s why it may be okay. That was Misha thought up.

Misha recalled Elisabeth’s last word.

“By the way, Herlin.” (Misha)

“Uh?” (Herlin)

“What happened to you back then?” (Misha)

“?” (Herlin)

Herlin looking Misha with puzzling stare.

“What… happened? When…?” (Herlin)

“Last night. You getting headache, then got super powerful all of sudden. You also very cold back then.” (Misha)

“That...! That’s happen!?” (Herlin)

Herlin flinched fearfully. Her face looked like a caught criminal.

“D-D-Did… anyone g-get… hurt?” (Herlin)

Misha wanted to say what kind question is that, she massacred those robed man alone, controlling an army of corpses. But she swallowed back those word, as she Herlin’s teary eyes.

Arc snapped. His eyes are clear as he recognizing something.

Herlin’s body shook at his reaction.

“……Do you not remember?” (Arc)

Herlin shook her head.

“…But you aware that?” (Arc)

Herlin hesitating for a bit before nodding. She bites her lips, holding up her emotion.

“Hey, Arc…” (Misha)

Misha thought Arc quite harsh for a bit. When Misha wants to shield Herlin, she was stopped, as Arc raise his palm.  

She obediently follows his instruction.

Sometimes, Misha wondering who was the Master who was the Servant.

Arc observing Herlin for a while.

Under his judging watch, Herlin shrunk her body in Raina’s arm.

Misha couldn’t see what kind expression Arc make. Judging from Herlin reaction it seemed not a pleasant one.

The bathroom was silent.

After a while, Arc stretched his hand, patting Herlin’s head.

“……Uh?” (Herlin)

Shocked, Herlin staring him wide dazedly. Raina, who was not moving behind her, widening her eyes slightly.

Both of them looks saw something surprising.

Just what happen?

Misha trying to look Arc’s face, saw a very gentle smile stuck on his face.

“……Uh.” (Misha)

She gave similar reaction like Herlin.

That the special expression Arc have. Rarely did it appear. That smile could melt anyone heart, and give people some sort mysterious comfort.

A gentlest smile she ever seen.

Misha always wondering how could a child make that kind expression.

“I know it must difficult for you since you still too young.” (Arc)

Like you can talk!

Misha retorted in her mind.

 “But, if you have problem, you could talk to us. Are we friend?” (Arc)

Herlin’s eyes shook.

“Moreover, there no one hurt by you that time. On contrary, you save us. So, Herlin, thank you for your help.” (Arc)

Arc giving his gratitude in gentlest way possible.

Misha got up.

This!

His side that rarely come out now appear.

The light in Arc’s eyes changed. Not in his usual innocence, but one that exuding a deep sense of wisdom and intelligent.

Once Arc turned like this, he was like a totally different person. And his presence giving people a sense of security and comfort.

A rather very mysterious side of him.

*Hick*

Under his warm arm, Herlin starting to tearing up.

That just a word of gratitude. Nobody here yet know what that mean for Herlin, but that already touching the side that hidden deep in her heart.

She throws herself in his arm, crying endlessly.

*Sigh*

They still haven’t heard about the cold version Herlin, but that doesn’t matter. There always time to heard that from Herlin herself when ready.

Misha approaching Herlin, comforting her who was crying.