Rolling on the ground once to avoid a sword, Flora forcefully struck an assassin’s solar plexus with the blunt handle of her sword. While the man was pushed back against a tree trunk, Flora checked Claude’s position as he crossed swords with enemies on the opposite side.

Though his terrifying sword strikes were causing assassins to fall one after another bleeding, there were too many of them. Moreover, those sprawled on the ground were desperately trying to get up again, looking for an opportunity to attack.

‘If we stay together, it only benefits them.’

Biting her lip, Flora turned toward the inner forest.

She calculated that she needed to draw some of them away from him. Sure enough, several men who had been struck by her followed, growling.

Running through the dark forest, Flora occasionally checked to make sure the enemies were properly following her. There were six in total.

As she ran frantically, cutting down enemies, at some point she found herself stepping onto a cliff.

Turning around, Flora slashed at a man who had just lunged with his sword. She pushed the man who lost his balance over the cliff and looked at the remaining four.

Since she was standing at the edge of the cliff, if they all rushed at her at once, they risked being swept off the precipice.

The men, looking annoyed, exchanged glances and approached one by one.

Flora slightly twisted her shoulder to avoid a sword aimed precisely at her heart, then stabbed her sword into the man’s back and pushed him over. The man screamed as he fell off the cliff.

Two men who had been approaching slowly rushed at her simultaneously. Even they fell to Flora’s victory.

Now only one assassin remained. Flora raised her arm and pointed her sword at the man before her.

“Come at me.”

Then the man, who seemed to be approaching slowly, suddenly started chuckling. Finding something amusing, the man who had been laughing while holding his stomach slowly raised his hand toward the hood covering his head.

Beneath the pulled-back hood, sunset-colored orange hair that she had seen for nearly eight years flowed down.

“Well…… Your skills haven’t rusted. Long time no see, Flora.”

The man who revealed his face grinned.

It was Ian.

Ian was the first person in her life who had given her something called help.

Of course, it wasn’t help without conditions—she had paid the corresponding price through menial tasks and such. That was also the reason why he was the only one she spoke to in the unit.

That relationship changed somewhat as they grew older. They grew up together and always fought together. Ian was essentially her only comrade.

Even before she left with the duke, Ian had said:

‘Should we run away?’

Flora’s gaze, which had been fixed on the sword as if it were a precious jewel, shifted to him.

Ian, pleased that she was finally looking at his face, smiled and continued.

‘We’re not criminals, so there’s no need for us to stay here. I think the two of us could live well together, able to do anything.’

‘The moment we leave here, we’ll face summary execution.’

After the war ended, everyone returned to their hometowns, except for the soldiers of the 12th Division.

This was due to the application of military regulations stating that they should not move freely until decisions about their disposition were made.

When various rumors circulated about their uncertain residence, deserters began to appear one by one.

However, not a single one of them completely escaped from that place. No matter how skilled they were, none could overcome the knights quickly deployed by their superiors.

They were summarily executed for betraying the Empire and violating military orders. After such incidents repeated several times, no one attempted to desert anymore.

Though they didn’t want to die gloriously fighting enemies, no one wanted to die like a dog at the hands of their former master.

‘That’s for those stupid guys. I think the two of us could do anything together.’

As he said, if the most skilled Ian and Flora joined forces, it might be possible to penetrate the gaps in the tightly secured knight order.

For them, who had tracked traces of enemies in barren forests for nearly ten years, shaking off pursuers would be simple.

‘And after that?’

‘What?’

‘You want us to live as fugitives being chased for the rest of our lives?’

The problem was what came after. They were already treated as troublemakers, and if they fled, pursuers would be sent until their lives were ended.

It might be possible to forge identities or go abroad, but they had never met ordinary people before. Though skilled at hiding, they knew nothing about living a new life.

‘Well, we could farm in some countryside, have children, and live together.’

‘Nonsense.’

Flora, who had asked if there might be another option, shook her head at his subsequent words as if they were absurd.

He must have gone soft after playing around in peace for a few months.

‘I’m not joking. The moment nobles target my life, I’ll flee this place without delay. With you.’

‘Sure.’

Ian, who had been speaking playfully, suddenly became serious, but Flora responded indifferently.

If such a day truly came, she too would leave this place, but she had no intention of waiting for anyone or joining forces. As always, the only way to protect her one life was through her own strength alone.

That was their last conversation. The next day, she left that place with Claude.

She never expected to meet Ian again, but she certainly didn’t anticipate it would be at a time and place like this.

“……Ian.”

Flora showed little emotion at seeing her comrade after a long time. Seeing her reaction, Ian stroked his chin as if to say, “Just as I expected.”

“You’re not even surprised.”

“I thought it might be you.”

Ian’s fingertips, which had been casually brushing back his hair at Flora’s words, twitched.

“When did you know? No, how did you know?”

“Because of the swordsmanship.”

Ian tilted his head in confusion at Flora’s answer.

“But I haven’t used my sword yet?”

“……It’s you. The person who came to the mansion last time.”

Ian raised his eyes slightly.

“I didn’t realize it then, but only figured it out later. That throwing daggers while concealing your presence is a technique you often used.”

The moment the men with hidden faces rushed at them earlier, Flora noticed these assassins were connected to those who had infiltrated the mansion before.

And she thought that perhaps Ian might be the man who had escaped that day.

In truth, she couldn’t fail to recognize the swordsmanship and movements of a comrade she had trained with for over five years. She just hadn’t recalled it at the time due to the chaotic situation.

Seeing Flora’s calm expression, Ian laughed out loud as if in disbelief.

“Ha…… I should have known. I thought I might have been discovered.”

As if pleased that she had vaguely noticed, Ian removed even the mask covering his mouth.

Flora asked in a low voice.

“What happened?”

“……Well, we just do what our masters tell us to.”

Ian shrugged and smiled with a harmless expression.

Though the pleasant breeze blowing through the green foliage felt good against her ears, Flora couldn’t afford the leisure that Ian displayed.

“Then we’re enemies.”

Flora’s hand immediately aimed for Ian’s throat.

However, far from defending himself, Ian spoke casually as if he had something to rely on.

“This situation got a bit awkward…… But it’s simple. We can do it our way. Since the duke won’t survive anyway, why not come over to our side now?”

“You’re still talking nonsense.”

To persuade the cold-faced Flora who showed no trace of warmth, Ian smiled and spoke.

“I’m giving you a chance right now.”

“You do your job. I’ll do my best to protect my master.”

Ian let out a mocking laugh before frowning.

“Are you saying you’ll become my enemy?”

“We’ve been enemies since the moment you knew I was here.”

Flora declared without showing even a hint of a smile. Though they were once comrades, now they were merely enemies serving different masters.

Ian had already recognized her existence when he infiltrated the mansion, and he had come here again.

That meant he had enough intention to attack her at any time. As proof, he hadn’t completely relaxed his grip on his sword either.

Ian crossed his arms and tapped the ground with his toe.

Meanwhile, Flora was intensely calculating her odds. She had surpassed Ian, who she had always lost to, only half a year before leaving Filheim, and since then, it had been difficult to gauge his skills.

Could she win?

Just as she was reassessing her chances of victory, the sound of swords that had been coming from a distance suddenly stopped. Flora glanced in the direction where Claude would be and spoke.

“My master will be here soon. Leave before then.”

“You’re letting me go? Have you grown soft?”

Ian, who had been chuckling, suddenly stiffened.

“Why have you changed so much?”

“Because the war is over.”

“Then why not leave with me instead? You don’t need to serve a master for the rest of your life.”

“I’ll leave someday, but not with you. So leave right now.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“That means I’ll kill you if I see you next time.”

At those words, Ian tilted his head askew. His expression showed rather complex emotions, but he soon spoke lightly.

“Dying by your hand might not be so bad, but I’d rather decline.”

Ian casually shoved his sword back into its scabbard. Unlike his relaxed tone, his somewhat rough action revealed his uncomfortable state of mind.

As he was about to turn his back, he suddenly stopped and said.

“You’d better stay away from the duke. He’s a traitor who abandoned his comrades and ran away.”

“……”

“Well…… You’ll pay the price someday too. That’s what nobles are like. My offer stands, so let me know if you change your mind.”