Sarah and Joe set off towards the East Kingdom, knowing it would take around five days to get there by horseback. However, they decide against traveling by the main road, fearing that someone might recognize Sarah. Instead, they opt for a path through the jungle, a route that also leads to Agnis's place. For Sarah, Agnis is the only person she can trust now. Although it has been years since Sarah last visited Agnis, she believes Agnis might help them by sharing insights about Joe and assisting with their mission.
The pair begins their trek with only a few days' worth of supplies. They know they must reach Agnis within three days and make plans with her. Walking through the jungle increases the journey from five days to seven, but they hope the shortcut will help them reach their destination sooner.
Three days into the journey, Joe, visibly exhausted, suggests, "Sarah, we should stop here for the night. I'm really tired."
Joe is still recovering from the injuries Sarah had inflicted on him earlier, but his willpower keeps him going. Sarah, noticing his state, agrees. "Alright, let's rest. But we need to find a safe spot. The jungle at night is dangerous, with wild animals and even monsters lurking around."
Joe chuckles. "Monsters? Come on, Sarah. There's no such thing as monsters in our world. People just spread these stories to scare others—like they did with you. They called you a demon, a monster, and all sorts of things. But look at you now—you're nothing less than an angel."
Sarah smirks. "You really don't know how to flirt, do you? But you're not entirely wrong. Agnis once told me there are beings in our world who are different. I don't remember everything she said, but it felt... unsettling."
Joe shrugs. "No problem. Once we meet Agnis, I'll ask her myself. She seems to know a lot about this stuff."
Soon, Sarah spots a clearing by a river and says, "That looks like a good place to set up for the night. We'll rest here and leave early tomorrow morning. There's a village nearby where we can stock up on supplies."
Joe agrees, and the two settle under a tree. Joe pulls out dried fish, fruits, and bread from his bag, and they share a quiet meal together.
After eating, Joe raises a concern. "How do we plan to kill both the commander and the king? If we take out the king first, the security will tighten, and we won't be able to reach the commander. If we kill the commander first, the same thing will happen."
Sarah nods, thinking. "You're right. But I heard the king's youngest son's birthday is coming up. It's going to be a grand celebration, with lots of people attending. We can disguise ourselves and sneak in. Once inside, we'll strike at night.
"As for getting into the palace, Agnis knows the way. She used to work on medicinal treatments and bring books for the king. She might even have the king's trust now, which could make things easier for us."
Joe hesitates. "What if Agnis refuses to help? Or worse, what if she sides with the king because of her connection with him?"
Sarah replies, "That's possible, but I doubt it. The king's soldiers used to hunt in Agnis's territory, and she hated them for it. I believe she'll help us."
As night falls, Sarah suggests they sleep. Suddenly, Joe pulls Sarah close and kisses her. What begins as a kiss quickly deepens into an intimate moment.
Sarah feels an unfamiliar connection to Joe, as though she has known him for lifetimes. Joe feels the same—he senses a bond between them, something unexplainable, as if their fates were intertwined.
In that fleeting moment, they forget their struggles, losing themselves in each other. Joe silently decides that once their mission is complete, he will propose to Sarah and start a peaceful life together.
With that thought, they fall asleep under the stars, their hearts filled with dreams of a brighter and happier future.