However, the blocked wall must have been thicker than expected, as they had to swim through the dark current where not a single ray of light penetrated for quite some time.

Just as doubts began creeping in about whether they might remain trapped in this seemingly endless darkness, Jayden’s body shot upward.

With a splash of water in all directions, clean air rushed freely into their compressed lungs.

Larien pushed back her wet hair with one hand to clear her vision. Thanks to lights placed throughout, everything was clearly visible despite being underground.

Jayden, still carrying her, went to the water’s edge and set her down on level ground before gasping for breath.

It was clearly not an easy journey even for him, who never showed strain no matter how intensely he moved. Larien also exhaled her held breath and leaned her pale face against his wet back.

She wondered if it would be right to recommend this journey to their friends.

Anne, in particular, would probably declare she’d rather stay a doll, expressing her disgust.

Larien gathered more strength thinking of Anne’s serious face. She needed to become human quickly and bring her friends here.

She believed that was the only way to apologize to them for the hardship they would surely face after her disappearance.

“Thank you for enduring well, Larien. Though it was difficult, it looks like we found the right place.”

Having returned to his normal breathing, he pointed to a fountain sculpted with a goddess holding a chalice. Among the marble sculpture, only the chalice the goddess held was made of gold.

If the holy water was anywhere, it would be there.

“The golden chalice!”

“The golden chalice.”

Larien smiled proudly as their thoughts aligned.

Now all that remained was climbing up to where the chalice was. Since it was sculpted to human eye level, the chalice was quite high up for their doll-sized height.

From its shape, the chalice seemed detachable, but there was a risk of spilling if Jayden tried to bring it down alone, so they decided to climb up together.

Though it wouldn’t be easy for Larien, she wasn’t worried since Jayden is with her.

Moreover, perhaps due to last year’s incident, while security outside was strict, there was no one guarding inside the hot spring to completely block any suspicious attempts.

Judging from the single chair and small table, it seemed to be a space only the Pope could enter.

Larien held his hand reassuringly.

“Then shall we…”

“Wait. Stop right there.”

At Jayden’s words, a rough voice came from behind Larien as she was getting up and dusting herself off.

Larien’s eyes instantly filled with terror as she reflexively turned around.

A massive gray rat emerged bit by bit through a crack in the wall. It seemed twice the size of the mice they’d seen in mousetraps.

Its exposed claws and teeth also appeared several times longer and sharper.

In contrast, Jayden and she were empty-handed from swimming across. Looking around for anything that could serve as a weapon, the misty marble hot spring was empty.

“I finally get to see you.”

A murderous glint flashed in its eyes as it looked at Jayden.

From the mouse speaking, the crown-shaped ornament hanging above the rat’s head, and its hostility toward Jayden, Larien deduced this was the Mouse King who had fought with Jayden years ago.

Hadn’t Jayden and his friend defeated him and made him flee? Why was he here?

“Because of you, only one remains of my seven heads, and my beautiful tail ended up like this. My leg bones were broken, making it hard for me to move for years. And here you are, indulging in romance and even aspiring to become human?”

The Mouse King gnashed his teeth while swishing his half-remaining tail.

“Watch your words. It wasn’t because of me but your reckless attack. After massacring your subordinates. You should live in self-reflection for life, so why have you crawled out?”

Unlike the shivering Larien, Jayden calmly blocked her front as he spoke. Though they thought he was empty-handed, a small dagger appeared in his hand. He had somehow acquired it from earlier.

“Well, since you’re about to die anyway, there’s no harm in telling you why.”

The Mouse King, putting on airs at Jayden’s question, continued.

“One of my subordinates was at Leo’s house. Imagine how surprised he was to see the nutcracker doll become human. Curious about what magic was used, he kept following him and saw him meeting you. That’s when he overheard about the holy water’s effects. If it can turn dolls into humans, it should regrow my severed tail, and as a bonus, I could meet you here if I waited. I really wanted revenge on you.”

As the Mouse King stamped his foot with a vicious smile, several mice emerged from the crack he had come through, their eyes glinting.

Larien barely suppressed a scream after making eye contact with some of them.

“Well then, I’ll take that holy water, and you should consider it an honor that this place will be your grave. I’ll take good care of your girlfriend.”

The Mouse King didn’t hide his greed toward Larien even in this situation.

Seeing this, cracking sounds came from Jayden’s direction. Blood rushed to his tightly clenched fists.

“I’ll make sure you never see the light again.”

After warning the Mouse King, he turned to Larien with an extremely gentle face and urged.

“Larien, listen carefully. I can’t fight properly if you’re watching. Don’t turn your head this way until I say it’s okay. Understood?”

After Larien immediately nodded, he positioned her by the water’s edge opposite from them and raised his dagger.

Though she was worried about him fighting alone, Larien tightly closed her eyes, knowing she couldn’t trust herself not to scream at the mice rushing toward Jayden with their sharp claws raised.

Anyone could see she would be of no help in this situation. Rather, staying quiet so as not to interfere was the way to help him.

The squeaking screams and thuds of falling bodies continued for quite a while.

When the sharp metallic smell of blood hit her sensitive nose, nausea rose, but she covered her mouth with her hand, fearing any sound from her might break his concentration.

Still, the continuing battle meant Jayden hadn’t lost, so Larien desperately prayed for victory to turn to his side quickly.

The smell of blood grew stronger as time passed. The bustling surroundings suddenly fell silent. Though she would have heard his voice if he had won, in the too-quiet atmosphere, Larien barely resisted breaking her promise and opening her eyes.

‘It’s not Jayden’s. He won’t get hurt.’

As she was muttering these words like a mantra, something warm wrapped around one of her arms.

“You can open your eyes now, Larien.”

Larien, who started trembling in shock, only relaxed after hearing his voice and realizing it was Jayden.

She hadn’t been able to smell his scent because of the blood smell spread everywhere.

Thanks to him positioning her by the water’s edge, she couldn’t see behind her, but Larien could guess the situation behind her just from the smell.

“Is it all over?”

“Yes.”

“And you? You’re not hurt?”

“…Yeah.”

There was a moment’s hesitation, but Larien leaned into his embrace with relief.

“Let’s quickly drink the holy water first.”

“You first, Larien. Go up and drink it.”

“Why?”

Only then feeling something was wrong, Larien quickly turned to look at Jayden.

“Oh no, you!”

Larien’s gaze fell on Jayden’s right arm, which was torn and mangled as if slashed to pieces. His legs were also covered in wounds.

Surviving a fight against multiple opponents was already miraculous — she shouldn’t have believed him when he said he was fine.

Larien held back her tears and tore her shirt lengthwise. Using the longest strip, she tied it around his deeply gashed arm while urging him.

“Jayden. Once we drink the holy water, you’ll be fine anyway. Even though it’s high up, if we work together, we can climb it.”

Larien pushed her shoulder under his arm to support him.

“We don’t have time, Larien. I don’t think I can make it. I can’t climb in this condition.”

Looking past his faint smile at the wall clock, Larien’s face turned paler than ever before. She didn’t know when so much time had passed — only a few minutes remained until sunrise.

Seeing that she had checked the clock, Jayden pulled his arm away from Larien and pushed her.

“At least you should become human. I can wait for another chance. If we both turn back into toys here, this is the end.”

“N-no. Jayden. Whether I become human or remain a toy, I’ll do it with you. Never alone.”

Jayden pulled her shaking head close with his uninjured arm.

His roughened lips touched her soft ones.

“Larien, it’s my wish. I’ve never asked you for anything before.”

Jayden even gave her his friend’s address as he pushed her back.

How could I just…!

As Larien hesitated, a sudden thought made her eyes flash as she ran and climbed up the fountain. Though she slipped several times from the flowing water, she moved desperately toward the chalice until her nails were completely worn down.

Jayden, leaning against the floor, could only watch her with concerned eyes, unable to help.

Dong.

As Larien reached the chalice, the bell tower’s morning chimes began to echo down to the basement.

Hurriedly putting her lips to the chalice, Larien drank the holy water. Even while drinking, she didn’t take her eyes off him, seeing Jayden’s body gradually becoming rigid.

When his body was half-frozen with the third bell toll, Larien jumped into the water with a splash and ran to him.

“I love you, Larien.”

As he bid farewell with only his shoulders still unfrozen, Larien’s tear-filled lips burrowed into his.

The sound of liquid passing from her mouth into Jayden’s throat could be heard.

Just before the seventh bell toll, that year’s last holy water spread completely through his body.