The two descended the mountain together.

The woman skillfully glided down the steep slope like a flying squirrel. Liz clung to her skirts and whimpered her way down, but her spirits were lifted by the pouch of gold coins in her pocket.

When the ground began to level out, flickering lights became visible not far away.

As they walked a bit further, the sounds of many people talking could be heard.

There was a tavern nearby for mountaineers, and it seemed the noise was coming from there.

Having made some money and returned safely, Liz felt inclined to have a drink. She turned back to look, but a white hand extended in front of her cut off her words.

“I had fun, thanks to you. Let’s part ways here.”

The woman in male attire offered a handshake. Momentarily disoriented by the abrupt farewell, Liz soon shook her hand. Upon reflection, she had no time to dally here either.

“What will you do now?”

The woman asked as she smoothly released the handshake.

“I’m thinking of going to the Lebleu region.”

“The southwestern coastal area? Planning to take a ship?”

“No, I just want to get as far away from the capital as possible. But now that you mention it, I kind of want to take one.”

A long-forgotten legend came to mind.

‘If you sail about a hundred miles west from the southwestern coast of Luzencia, you’ll find an island. Cows, sheep, and dogs live together on wind-swept fields; fruit and grain are abundant all year round. Fish are plentiful just by casting a net, and houses without doors or fences form tight-knit communities. It’s nothing short of paradise. The only problem is…’

That the island only revealed itself to those who were chosen.

Just as a god had chosen her as a vessel, Liz wondered if paradise would choose her too.

“I hope you succeed.”

The woman said flatly. But for some reason, Liz felt like she was certain she would fail.

“Then, goodbye.”

She turned around and, before Liz could stop her, she swiftly tore through the bushes like a wild animal and disappeared from her sight.

Liz briefly stared at the spot where the woman had vanished.

Only then did it occur to her that she didn’t even know her name.

“How could I…”

She had spent hours with her, shared a light snack, faced life-threatening danger, and been saved. How could she not know?

It was as if she’d been bewitched.

Liz shook her head in brief regret over her own mental state and moved on.
Upon reaching the completely flat terrain and barely entering the bustling street, Liz suddenly remembered what she had completely forgotten and paled.

“Damn, I can’t go around with this face!”

Liz quickly surveyed her surroundings.

A rundown stable in the distance caught her eye.

‘Right, over there.’

A woman in male attire, thought to have completely disappeared, revealed herself around the corner.

Watching as Liz hurriedly stepped into the barn, she clicked her tongue.

“Either way, it seems like you’ll be caught soon.”

Suddenly, two constables appeared from across the street, catching the woman’s eye.

They seemed to be patrolling house by house in the vicinity. So they would likely inspect the stable as well.

The woman hesitated for a moment, clicked her tongue, and then ran towards them.

“Excuse me, sirs.”

The woman put on a convincingly deep voice, and the constables didn’t question the identity of the delicate adolescent boy before them.

“What is it?”

“I think I’ve seen him.”

“…What are you talking about?”

The boy pointed at a portrait wrapped in canvas in one constable’s hand.

“That? Are you sure? When? Where?”

Hope spread across the constable’s desperate eyes.

“Just a while ago, going that way?”

The woman pointed in the opposite direction of the stable.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Their faces filled with gratitude, the constables thanked the boy.

One even patted his head. The wig wobbled slightly, making the woman inside the boy flinch.

Nevertheless, they rushed off in the direction the boy had indicated, their energy noticeably revived.

The woman relaxed, then chuckled at the retreating backs of the grateful constables.

It felt rewarding to have bestowed charity.

Especially since such fun events were happening in her once monotonous life.

The woman looked momentarily at the place where she knew her charitable target was hiding, snorted lightly, and then turned away.

‘Is no one there?’

Liz peeked her head beyond the doorframe, checking if anyone was passing by.

Fortunately, there was no one.

She swiftly stepped outside and walked calmly as if she had always roamed these parts.
After making several turns down the alley, Liz naturally blended into the crowd.

Liz was irritated by her awkward, medium-brown bangs that kept sweeping across her eyes. She pushed them aside behind her ear, but they quickly fell back into place. Just as she was considering using a bobby pin,

Liz suddenly noticed that the street had become busier and looked around.

People were carrying loads on their backs, pulling carts in front, and collectively moving somewhere.