The ones who appeared in the village.

That day, something felt off about Faro Village from the very morning.

Whispers surrounded the well, villagers gathered in hushed tones. Usually, it was mostly women who’d start gossiping, but today, men were leaning in too, voices lowered, caught in the same secret chatter.

The strange atmosphere made Yui tilt her head.

“Something happen?”

Tetsu beside her wore the same puzzled look. But if they stuck their noses into that long-winded group of women, they’d be late for the blacksmith’s shop.

Better not get caught. Hurrying toward the bakery to buy lunch bread, they found a crowd already gathered in front.

Frowning at the scene, a snippet of the women’s conversation drifted over.

“…So we can’t buy bread or meat at all?”

“Troublesome…”

From the conversation drifting over, it seemed something had definitely gone wrong—apparently, they couldn’t buy bread or meat at all.

The village, nestled among mountains, was small. There was only one bakery and one butcher’s shop, and everyone relied on those two to buy their daily bread. If both were empty by morning, it was no small matter.

Normally, the baker would’ve warned people ahead of time. Which meant this had happened all at once—suddenly.

No one was stepping close enough to ask what was going on. Everyone was keeping their distance, like something was wrong.

Just as I leaned forward from the crowd, trying to peek into the shop, Tez suddenly grabbed Yui’s arm in panic.

(No, Your Highness! Come here!!)

I was yanked back, shielded behind Tez. Yui’s eyes widened in confusion—what on earth was going on?

Look around, and someone seemed to have come out from the bakery. The townspeople whispered among themselves, all turning their eyes toward that direction, frowning.

You could tell at a glance who they were. Nobles.

Now I understood why we couldn’t complain even if they were rude. And apparently, the butcher’s shop had been similarly overrun by nobles.

(What’s going on?)

(I don’t know. Let’s just head home for now. If we stay here, the blacksmith’s might have them too.)

Yui and Tez nodded at each other, slipping quietly into the alleyway behind and making their way back home.

They shut the windows and curtains, pretending they’d gone out.

"Why are they here… in a place like this?"

"They’re too early to be picking up orders from the blacksmith. And they’re buying up bread and meat like this…?"

"...What?"

Yui tilted her head, puzzled, as Tez fell silent.

Tez fell silent, lost in thought, staring off into nothing.

Come to think of it, something’s been off in the capital lately. Probably tied to whatever’s going on out there.

I haven’t seen her in a while. Ever since I stopped seeing her, I’ve had this weird feeling—like something bad’s bound to happen.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“Funny you should say that. Me too.”

Yui shrugged, letting out a sigh like she’d just swallowed something sour.

This was a small village, sure—but for a place on the edge of the kingdom, it was packed with people.

Green and calm, this village thrived on farming and forestry. Most folks made their living crafting things from wood.

The blacksmith who’d been looking after Yui and the others had a forge fueled by abundant wood, hammering iron not just into weapons but also knives, arrowheads, cleavers, and even iron griddles for cooking. He was well known in the trade—so much so that would-be apprentices often knocked on his door.

It made sense if nobles came calling for weapons, but something felt off about the whole thing.

"Could it be...?"

"No... not quite. If that were the case, they’d have sent assassins straight here, first."

"...Yeah, you're right."

Yui’s expression darkened as she remembered the past.

Tetsu noticed, but pretended not to. He pulled various knives from a hidden shelf, tucking them into his clothes.

"Tetsu..."

"I’m going to scout ahead. Yui-sama, get underground."

"...Got it."

A promise, in case something happens. All Yui could do was whisper her regret—how useless she felt, leaving everything to Tetsu.

At that moment, a scratching sound came from the door. That sound—only she could make it.

Tetsu, with practiced ease, cracked the door open just a sliver—and a black shape fluttered in.

The sight of her lit up Yui’s face instantly.

“Where’ve you been all this time?”

In reply, she purred, a soft, drawn-out “Nyaah…” and pressed herself against Yui’s leg, unusually clingy.

She, who never let anyone touch her—now wrapped her tail around Yui’s foot like she was saying, *Go on, stroke me, it’s fine*. Yui’s face broke into a smile.

“Yui-sama, will you stay down below with her?”

“Yeah, got it. Tetsu, be careful, okay?”

“Understood. Then I’ll be off.”

Watching Tetsu slip away without a sound, Yui closed the door and locked the latch.

Then, opening the hidden panel, a staircase leading underground appeared.

She stepped down lightly, descending into the dark without hesitation. Yui panicked and quickly grabbed a lamp—no need to be dramatic, but still, it’s not like she wanted to trip and break her ankle.

Double-checking the locks, Yui pulled fruit from the cabinet and descended the stairs.