The Smiling Death

The group stepped out of the healing center together.

Outside, several simple wooden benches had been placed beneath the shade of a large tree for patients and visitors to rest.

The morning air was cool, carrying the fresh scent of grass and wildflowers.

One by one, they sat down.

For a while no one spoke.The peaceful silence lingered between them.

Scarlett sat quietly with her hands resting on her lap.

She wore a sky-blue blouse neatly tucked into a pair of fitted black trousers, along with brown leather boots. Her long crimson hair flowed gently in the morning breeze.

After several moments, she finally broke the silence.

She turned toward Seraphina. "Where is your grandfather, Sir Alistair?"

Seraphina answered calmly. "He went to inspect yesterday’s battlefield. He wants to examine the corpses and see if he can find any clues about the people who attacked us."

Scarlett nodded slightly.

"I see."

Her gaze shifted toward the wolf girl.

"So... you’re Aisha."

Aisha nodded.

"That’s right."

Scarlett then looked toward Marcus.

"And you’re Marcus."

"Yes."

Finally, her eyes settled on the elf standing beside them.

"And you must be Eliana. The Elven Princess."

Eliana smiled proudly.

"Yep. You guessed correctly."

Scarlett gave a small nod.

"I’m Scarlett. I believe Amon has already told you about me. Hope we all can get along well."

Marcus sighed dramatically.

"Told us? He practically bragged about having a girlfriend every chance he got... anyways. Nice to meet you Scarlett."

Aisha snorted in amusement.

Eliana couldn’t help giggling.

Marcus rubbed the back of his neck before standing.

"Well... It’s morning. Time for my daily training."

Without waiting for anyone to stop him, he turned and walked away.

Naturally it wasn’t entirely because he wanted to train. Being surrounded by several young women discussing personal matters made him feel awkward.

Unlike Amon Marcus wasn’t shameless enough to remain there comfortably.

The girls watched him leave before their attention returned to Scarlett.

Scarlett quietly observed each of them. Her gaze rested on Aisha for a moment.

Then Seraphina. Her expression remained calm and unreadable.

Finally she looked at Eliana. This time, she studied the elf for several seconds.

Then a faint smile appeared on her lips. She slowly stood and walked over. Before Eliana could ask anything, Scarlett gently placed one hand on her shoulder.

"I have a feeling...We’ll become good friends, Eliana."

Eliana blinked in surprise.

"...Huh?"

Before she could ask what Scarlett meant, Scarlett simply smiled.

"I’m going for a walk. See you later."

With that, she turned around and began walking along the quiet dirt road stretching through the beautiful village.

The morning breeze gently swayed her crimson hair as she disappeared into the distance.

Eliana remained standing there in confusion. She slowly turned toward the others.

"Why did she only say that to me? And not to either of you?"

After thinking for a moment, a smug grin spread across her face.

"I guess... I’m simply that amazing."

Aisha rolled her eyes. "I highly doubt that’s the reason."

Seraphina, however, looked thoughtful. "Actually. I think I know why."

Eliana immediately looked at her.

"Really? Then tell me."

Seraphina answered with complete seriousness.

"Because Amon is drawn to women with fuller figures," Seraphina explained. "Aisha and I both have quite huge breasts. Yours are... more sma—normal, I mean. Scarlett feels less threatened by you. She doesn’t worry that Amon might be attracted to you the way he might be to us."

The moment the words left Seraphina’s mouth, Eliana fell silent.

Then her expression shifted sharply into anger. She stood up so quickly that the chair scraped against the wooden floor.

"What do you mean by that?!" she demanded, her voice rising.

"Are you saying I’m small?I have flat chest? Let me make this clear—my breasts are the perfect size! It’s the two of you who are unnaturally large and out of proportion. In the entire academy, only the two of you possess such exaggerated figures!Oh also Professor Adelia and president Selena."

Aisha’s cheeks flushed pink.

Seraphina remained unmoved. "What I said is still true.Scarlett probably didn’t see you as romantic competition."

"H-hey," Aisha interjected quickly, "We don’t need to discuss something like this out loud!"

Aisha looked around nervously, hoping no villagers had overheard them.

Seraphina, on the other hand, remained completely composed.

"I was only explaining my reasoning."

Eliana stamped her foot in frustration.

"That’s not an explanation! You two just insulted me!"

She folded her arms and pouted. "And now even Scarlett did it without saying it directly!"

But this time Aisha couldn’t hold back anymore.

She burst into laughter. "Hahaha!!"

Even Seraphina’s lips curved into the faintest smile.

Only Eliana stood there, pouting as the other two quietly enjoyed teasing her.

----

Scarlett walked quietly through the streets.

Her sky-blue blouse swayed gently with each step, while her crimson hair danced softly in the morning breeze.

She paid no attention to the villagers greeting her.

Her expression remained calm.

After walking for several minutes, she suddenly turned into a narrow path that led away from the village.

The houses gradually disappeared behind her. Soon, only towering trees surrounded the trail.

She continued walking deeper into the forest.

The cheerful sounds of the village faded until only birdsong and the whispering wind remained.

Finally Scarlett stopped.

She neither looked left nor right.

Instead, she slowly lifted her head toward the canopy above.

Her gentle expression disappeared. Her beautiful amethyst eyes became cold and sharp.

A brief silence filled the forest. Then Scarlett spoke again. "What do you want now, Vetaal?"

A quiet chuckle echoed from above.

"Heh...Seems like Amon is out of danger now."

A massive figure slowly became visible atop the thick branch of an ancient tree.

He sat casually with one leg hanging over the edge as though he were merely enjoying the scenery.

The man stood nearly seven feet tall.

His body was broad and powerfully built, every movement carrying an overwhelming sense of strength.

Long blood-red hair flowed down his back like a crimson waterfall.

His pale skin contrasted sharply against the elegant dark violet suit he wore.

At the center of his forehead rested a single blood-colored teardrop-shaped mark.

His crimson eyes calmly met Scarlett’s.

A faint smile crossed his lips. With a light push from the branch, he jumped down.

Despite his enormous frame, he landed silently upon the forest floor.

Scarlett never lowered her guard. Her gaze remained fixed on him.

Vetaal smiled. "Relax. If I wanted to fight...I wouldn’t have waited until now."

Scarlett remained silent.

Vetaal glanced toward the village before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Unfortunately... We can’t have this conversation here."

His expression became unusually serious.

"I’m afraid...that monstrous human, Alistair Luminous, might sense me. Even someone like me is worried to stay close to that guy."

He looked toward the distant mountains where the battlefield had been.

"I’d rather not fight him today."

His smile returned.

"Shall we continue this conversation somewhere else."