Though I was startled by the unexpected news of Dekain’s visit, since he was already on his way here, I’d find out what was going on once I met him.

First, I decided to check the message sent by the spy stationed at the Crisha mansion.

“Could you bring me the messenger bird first?”

“Yes, Miss.”

At my words, Baron entered the room carrying the messenger bird that had flown in from the capital.

I immediately unfolded the note tied to the bird’s leg.

Though no one had directly seen the intruder, the note added below that Reiana had clearly said this.

I instinctively understood.

‘They’re the pursuers from the Calua Empire.’

I didn’t know exactly how this had happened, but it seemed Ascan’s whereabouts had been exposed through Reiana.

Having read the novel , I knew just how relentless the pursuers dispatched by the Calua Empire could be.

The original story didn’t detail exactly how Ascan was taken to the Calua Empire, so I couldn’t be certain—but I suspected Tanashia might have betrayed him.

I’d hoped this part would change since the original plot had already shifted, but apparently, even without my betrayal, the Calua Empire’s pursuers would somehow track down Ascan anyway.

‘If they’ve met Reiana, they already know Ascan is at the Brellof mansion. Staying here is dangerous.’

Ascan wanted to remain by my side. I, too, had preferred keeping him close rather than sending him far away—but the situation had suddenly become urgent.

Worse yet, we weren’t at the secure Brellof mansion but at a remote vacation spot.

Since the Calua Empire’s pursuers could arrive at any moment, I didn’t hesitate and ordered Baron.

“Pack our bags immediately.”

“What? But you’ve barely arrived at the villa….”

“No, not mine—my attendant’s.”

“Your attendant’s, Miss?”

Baron looked at me in confusion, but honestly, the more surprised one was Ascan, standing beside me.

As Ascan stared at me with a puzzled expression, I simply handed him the note received via the messenger bird instead of explaining. Then I turned back to Baron.

“No time. Quickly gather clothes and emergency rations. Also take all the cash in the villa.”

“Ah, but….”

Caught off guard by the sudden order, Baron froze. I repeated firmly.

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

Snapping to attention, Baron nodded.

“Understood, Miss. I’ll prepare immediately.”

Baron hurried out of my room. Left alone with Ascan, an awkward silence settled between us.

Ascan looked at me seriously and spoke.

“What is going on?”

“Explaining would take too long. Since I witnessed your ability, I planted a spy at the Crisha mansion after the academic festival. I needed to know if they were plotting anything.”

“No, what I mean is… how did you know someone is chasing me?”

Ascan had never told me he was a Calua Empire test subject, nor that he was being pursued by their agents.

Anyone unaware of his circumstances wouldn’t issue an order to pack bags based solely on this brief note.

His sharp mind had realized I knew something.

I wasn’t sure where to begin—or whether he’d even believe me. But the crucial point was: there was no time for explanations now.

“Do you trust me?”

Without hesitation, Ascan answered.

“Yes.”

Looking back on our first meeting, it was almost miraculous that he trusted me this much already.

Unconsciously smiling faintly, I spoke.

“I promise you. You may not believe me now, but I’ll explain everything later. For now, we should leave this villa.”

“For how long?”

I couldn’t easily answer Ascan’s question.

If it was discovered he’d been serving as an attendant at the Brellof mansion, nowhere was more dangerous for him than staying beside me.

“Let’s observe the situation for now. We don’t yet know for sure how things stand—let’s see if the pursuers actually track us here….”

“If you encounter them, Miss, you could be in danger too.”

Ascan’s expression was grave. I could feel he was worried about me.

“Who’s supposed to be worrying about whom here? I’m the noble daughter of House Brellof. They won’t dare harm me recklessly, so don’t worry.”

“These aren’t people who follow common sense.”

“But if I move with you, our location will be exposed. At least you must escape first. I’ll buy us time.”

Ascan frowned. I could tell he deeply disliked this situation, but no matter what anyone said, this was the best course.

“Ascan, you know as well as I do—right now, this is the only way….”

“Even the slightest possibility of you getting hurt is unacceptable. I’m furious that someone else is forcing me to leave your side.”

He was intelligent enough to understand my reasoning. He simply hated the situation itself—being forced to abandon me for his own safety.

“I’d rather ensure your safety first, and then I’ll….”

“No.”

I cut him off firmly. I appreciated his intentions, but that was absolutely out of the question.

“They carry sedatives. No matter how strong your abilities are, if you face them now, it’s over.”

The scholars of the Calua Empire had developed sedatives specifically to subdue uncontrollable test subjects.

In the far future, perhaps not—but right now, if Ascan was injected with sedatives, he’d be powerless.

He stared at me, shocked, as if he couldn’t believe what I knew.

“Just how much do you know?”

He probably assumed I wouldn’t know about the sedatives—but having read , I knew many things about this world.

“Don’t even think about deceiving me. This is an order. You’ll do exactly as I say.”

Even with my stern tone, Ascan still looked like he had more to say.

At that moment, Baron reappeared, carrying the packed luggage.

“Miss, I’ve packed everything as ordered.”

“Good. Ascan, quickly take that and….”

But I couldn’t finish my sentence.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Urgent footsteps approached, and someone entered my room.

The sudden arrival was none other than Dekain, whom Baron had just informed me was coming.

Masked, Dekain seemed to have sprinted all the way here, breathing heavily as he spoke.

“Hah… hah… How did you know? You’ve already packed?”

“Dekain, what’s going on?”

“No time for long explanations. We must leave this place immediately.”

“What are you talking about?”

I was already in the midst of arranging Ascan’s escape due to the Calua Empire’s pursuers.

Now Dekain suddenly appeared, telling me to flee the villa—I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

Realizing I wouldn’t budge without proper explanation, Dekain slowly caught his breath and spoke.

“The Largent Empire has dispatched soldiers here.”

“…What?”

“They covet the new magic stone you created. They intend to kidnap you to force you to make more—and if you refuse, they’ll kill you.”

I was frozen, completely blindsided.

Beside me, Ascan’s eyes sharpened as he spoke.

“If the Largent Empire mobilized soldiers, that means the imperial court is involved. How did they find out Miss had developed a new magic stone?”

Ascan was right. I stared at Dekain in confusion, and he grimaced as if in pain.

“…Sorry. The information leaked from the Igteon Trading Company.”

It was truly a case of misfortune piling upon misfortune.

While Calua Empire pursuers might arrive any moment to capture Ascan, now Largent Empire soldiers were also closing in.

As I stood there, grim-faced, trying to decide what to do—

Ascan stepped forward first, picking up the luggage Baron had packed.

“Let’s go, Miss. According to him, we must leave this place quickly.”

I suddenly noticed Ascan wasn’t using honorifics when speaking to Dekain. I didn’t know why, but there was no time to dwell on such details now.

I nodded and hurried forward, then spoke to Ascan.

“Alright. I’ll follow Dekain to safety. You should….”

“I can’t possibly leave while you might be in danger. I’ll move only once I confirm you’re safe.”

“But….”

As Ascan and I argued, Dekain, standing beside us, glanced impatiently at his watch and interrupted.

“Sorry, but I’ve risked a lot coming here. If we delay any longer, it’ll truly become dangerous.”

I nodded. Ascan silently took my hand and began walking.

From Ascan’s back, walking ahead of me, I felt his absolute resolve not to leave me behind—so I said nothing more.

Somehow, Dekain glanced at my hand held by Ascan with clear displeasure—but given the circumstances, he quickly moved ahead while speaking.

“Tanashia, can you ride a horse? We need to escape urgently, so we can’t take a carriage.”

“Understood.”

My riding skills were poor, so I lacked confidence—but in this situation, I couldn’t say I couldn’t do it.

Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Ascan spoke softly.

“Miss, please ride behind me. I’ll handle the horse.”

At that, Dekain urgently opened his mouth.

“If it’s about that, I’ll….”

But Ascan ignored him completely, mounting the horse tied in front of the villa and extending his hand toward me.

“Hurry.”

Without a word, I grasped Ascan’s hand and climbed onto the horse.

Masked, Dekain glared at Ascan with visible irritation, smirking crookedly.

“…Annoying guy.”

Baron, who had walked with us to the front of the villa, bowed respectfully toward me on horseback.

“Please be careful, Miss. I don’t know what’s happening, but don’t worry about us. As mere employees, they won’t harm us.”

The Calua Empire pursuers wanted Ascan; the Largent Empire soldiers wanted me.

Even I thought, as Baron said, they wouldn’t bother unrelated villa staff—so I nodded.

“Tell everyone inside the villa soldiers will arrive soon. Tell them not to resist—just do exactly as they’re told.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Sensing my concern for the staff in my tone, Dekain smiled faintly, as if amused beyond control.

Thus, accompanied by several people Dekain had brought, we set off.

Clack. Clack. Clack!

The sound of hooves echoed through the forest.

Ascan, whose hearing had been enhanced by experiments, seemed to detect another presence and whispered to me.

“Largent Empire soldiers appear to be nearby.”

Though surprised by Ascan’s unexpected ability, Dekain quickly assessed the situation rather than questioning it.

“Can you pinpoint their location? It’s dangerous if we encounter them now.”

Ascan closed his eyes, concentrating, then pointed in a specific direction.

Dekain nodded and urged his horse as far away from that spot as possible.

Ascan’s hearing helped, but our situation was still far from safe. If anyone spotted us, we’d be immediately exposed.

‘Should I have brought K01 for self-defense? I came here expecting to relax completely—and now I regret bringing nothing.’

Though I felt regret, I couldn’t waste time lamenting what couldn’t be undone.

As I pondered if there was anything I could do, a sudden idea struck me.

The magic stone ring on my finger—gifted by Orland before our trip, with a warning to be careful while swimming.

‘Come to think of it, I can manipulate water with this ring.’

I couldn’t freely control vast quantities like Noxia could, but if I used the ring’s magic until it depleted, it would still amount to a considerable volume.

A good plan quickly formed in my mind.

“Ascan.”

Ascan, riding ahead, turned to look back at me.

“I’ll gather water using the magic stone ring. You heat it with your fire ability.”

“What are you planning?”

“Water turns to steam when heated. I need to create temporary fog throughout this forest.”

If steam concealed us like fog, we could escape the forest far more safely.

Dekain, hearing this, stared at me in astonishment.

“Tanashia, I knew you were clever, but seriously—you’re a genius?”

Though grateful for Dekain’s praise, I turned to Ascan first and asked again.

“Don’t overheat it. Can you control the temperature?”

“I’ll try.”

At Ascan’s reply, I nodded and focused. Through the magical engineering ring, I began drawing moisture from the forest air.

The blue magic stone embedded in the ring like a gem suddenly shimmered with brilliant light.

Silently, streams of water gathered behind our galloping horse—forming a magnificent, fluttering cloak of liquid suspended midair.

Ascan’s golden eyes flashed crimson—and instantly, a single flame ignited in the air.

Behind us, as we rode, water and fire intertwined to produce thick, swirling steam—an astonishing sight.

Soon, dense mist like fog blanketed the area around us.

Through that hazy veil, Ascan, Dekain, and I galloped forward at full speed.