Lyssandra slowly stood up from the ground, still exhausted from the ordeal, her gaze heavy on me.
"Thank you so much..." she said in a low voice, her tone laced with caution. It was clear she still didn't trust me completely, but that didn't bother me in the slightest. To be honest, my reason for being here was more out of curiosity than anything else.
"May I know your name?" she asked, adjusting her long silver hair as it shimmered faintly in the soft light of the forest.
'My name... Should I hide it?' I thought to myself.
If I'm going to walk the path of vengeance against those who mocked and abandoned me, I should adopt a new identity—something that would prevent them from recognizing me.
But now... what name should I choose? Who am I in this world, in Eldraethia?
Before I could even think of an alias for myself, my mouth moved on its own, as though it had escaped my control—or worse, as if something else had taken over.
"Svern," my voice declared.
Svern? I had never heard that name before, but it would suffice for now.
"That's quite an unusual name for a human..." Lyssandra replied, turning her back to me as she folded her arms behind her.
"My name is Lyssandra. It's a pleasure to meet you, Svern."
Her soft voice carried her name toward me as she turned around once more, her bangs covering her expression. "..."
Suddenly, she lunged toward me with startling speed.
"Ahh! I was so scared! Thank you for saving me!" she cried out, tears streaming down her face.
"Hey! Don't cling to me like that!" I protested, trying to pry her arms off me.
"It's all over now, okay?! I already dealt with the demons!" But her grip was tight—so tight I could hardly push her away.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally calmed down, and the two of us sat down together to talk.
"Sniff... sniff... I'm sorry..." she murmured, wiping away her tears with trembling hands.
It was unexpected—just moments ago, she'd seemed so composed, yet she broke down so easily.
Lyssandra let out a deep sigh, gradually regaining her poise. Her posture returned to that noble grace, but her eyes remained red from crying.
Still, something about the situation didn't make sense. Why was an elf—clearly well-bred and possessing the demeanor of nobility—wandering alone in a forest teeming with demons?
"Lyssandra, right?" I began, studying her closely.
"You don't seem like the type to travel without protection, especially in a place as dangerous as this. What's going on?"
She hesitated, her gaze falling to the ground as her fingers fidgeted with a strand of her silver hair.
It was obvious she didn't want to talk, but at the same time, she seemed to understand that some explanation was due.
"You're right..." Lyssandra admitted, her voice heavy.
"I shouldn't be here. But... I didn't have a choice. They're after me, and there's no one left I can trust."
"They?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"The demons?"
She nodded, but there was more—her expression revealed a mixture of fear and shame that hinted at something deeper.
"They're after the Elven Royal Jewel," she finally confessed, her voice trembling.
"It's a magical artifact that's been in my family for generations. It's the source of our connection to the Eternal Forest... and the power that protects our people." Her fists clenched, and her expression hardened.
"But now, even the royal family is divided. There are those conspiring with the demons for their own gain. And I... I'm just an obstacle in their way."
'I see…' I thought. So, based on what Grumberg said earlier, the Demon Majesty—or at least their underlings—are conspiring with the leader of the elves.
Or maybe not? At this point, I was just guessing. My knowledge of this world was abysmal at best.
The city up ahead was likely part of her kingdom—or at least tied to it. But should I...
"Lyssandra!" I exclaimed, standing up and holding my open palm toward her.
"Let me help you! I'll protect you from those who are after you!"
My intentions were genuine—I wanted to protect her. But, admittedly, I also saw an opportunity. She could be a key source of knowledge about this world, something I desperately needed. Compared to my targets, my understanding of this place was likely far inferior, even if my power was potentially far greater.
"...Huh?" she blinked at me, confused, as if no one had ever said those words to her before.
It was clear she wasn't used to someone standing by her side. Everyone she had known had likely turned against her, isolating her.
I understood that feeling, and perhaps that was one reason I wanted to protect her.
When I looked at her, I saw a reflection of myself—at least in part.
"Are you... serious?" she asked, her voice quivering, as if she were on the verge of tears again.
"Yes! I promise I will!" I proclaimed, kneeling slightly to meet her gaze.
Her hands reached for mine, her cheeks flushed—likely from crying.
"Yes..."
"What? I couldn't hear you."
"Yes! Absolutely yes!" she shouted, throwing herself at me once again.
Her laughter mixed with emotional sobs echoed through the forest around us. Her face, radiant with joy, momentarily made me forget my goal.
For a fleeting moment, as we laughed together for reasons I couldn't quite explain, I felt... at peace.