The forest path stretched long and quiet as Kana, Lysera, and Irielle trudged toward the place where they had left the carriage behind.

The morning sun filtered through the canopy, soft rays dappling the dirt road, yet none of them carried the lightness such a scene should inspire.

When they arrived, the sight that greeted them left all three standing in silence.

The carriage they had borrowed was little more than a ruin.

The wood had splintered, the wheels were broken beyond repair, and the frame itself sagged to the side, as if even gravity pitied its collapse.

Birds nested in the cracks, and weeds had begun to creep up the wheels.

Irielle let out a sharp whistle.

"Well. It certainly looks worse than when we left it."

Kana rubbed the back of her neck, guilt pricking her conscience.

"This… this was borrowed. What are we going to tell the company when we return? They'll think we just abandoned it in the middle of nowhere."

Lysera crouched near the wreckage, brushing her fingers across the splintered wood before straightening again with a sigh.

"We'll compensate them. It's the only way. I'll write up a report once we're back in the city. They'll take my word for it."

Kana blinked.

"A report? You mean… they'll actually believe you?"

Lysera smirked faintly, though her eyes remained sharp.

"I'm a knight. My word carries weight. The company will accept it, especially if I present it formally. But it does mean we'll need to return as quickly as possible."

Kana nodded slowly. She still felt guilty, but at least Lysera had a plan.

"Then… we should figure out how we're getting back."

Before they could discuss further, Irielle tilted her head, sharp ears twitching.

"Wait. Do you hear that?"

The faint rumble of wheels against earth echoed down the road.

All three turned, and sure enough, a caravan was making its way toward them—a line of sturdy wagons pulled by thick-shouldered horses.

Irielle's lips curved into a sly smile.

"Looks like fortune hasn't completely abandoned us. Stay here, I'll handle this."

Kana frowned.

"Wait, what are you—"

But Irielle was already striding forward, her steps light, her posture graceful. As the caravan halted, she approached the leader with a practiced ease, her voice honeyed with charm.

A laugh here, a compliment there, and soon the stern-faced leader was chuckling like an old friend.

By the time Irielle returned, she waved triumphantly.

"They'll take us back to town."

Kana gaped.

"That easily?"

Lysera pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You've been flirting again, haven't you?"

Irielle only shrugged with mock innocence.

"If it gets us a ride, who cares?"

The journey began smoothly enough. The wagons creaked and rattled along the path, and the three women rode in relative peace.

But it wasn't long before the caravan leader's attentions became obvious.

His gaze lingered on Irielle, and he found any excuse to ride near her, showering her with compliments and poorly veiled advances.

Irielle rolled her eyes, batting him away with playful remarks, but her patience was wearing thin. Lysera muttered under her breath, clearly irritated.

Then, midway through the trip, Kana made the mistake of pulling her hood back to adjust it. The faint light caught her features, and the effect was immediate.

The leader's eyes widened, his jaw slackening before his entire focus shifted entirely from Irielle to Kana.

"Well now… you didn't say you had such a lovely companion with you."

Kana stiffened, uncomfortable beneath his gaze. She tugged her hood back on, but the damage was done.

He lingered, throwing her words dipped in charm that made her skin crawl.

Kana forced herself to remain calm.

'Just bear with it. We need this caravan. We need to get back quickly.'

But Lysera's hand was twitching toward her sword, and Irielle's sharp glare could have cut stone.

Finally, when the leader leaned just a little too close to Kana, Lysera and Irielle exchanged a look.

Without a word, Lysera moved first, her fist striking the back of the man's head with precise force.

Irielle followed through, steadying his fall so it looked more like he had fainted than been attacked.

The man slumped over, unconscious.

Kana blinked.

"Wait—you knocked him out?"

Irielle brushed her hands together.

"You're welcome."

Lysera snorted.

"Consider it a service."

Kana glanced nervously at the rest of the caravan, but to her surprise, the other travelers merely averted their eyes. Not a single protest, not even a raised brow.

"They noticed. But they're pretending they didn't."

Lysera muttered, her gaze flicking across the wagons.

"Probably not the first time they've seen him behave that way."

Irielle added.

Kana sighed. Part of her wanted to scold them, but a bigger part was grateful the man's persistent gaze was gone.

The rest of the journey passed in relative quiet.

The leader was left tied up and tucked into one of the wagons, and the other members of the caravan carried on without complaint. It was as if the incident had already been erased.

By the time the city's gates rose into view, the sun had begun to set, painting the sky in gold and crimson. Relief washed over Kana at the familiar sight.

They disembarked near the main road, offering thanks—at least Kana did, though Lysera and Irielle's expressions remained cold.

Lysera adjusted her cloak and turned to them with a steady look.

"I'll handle the report about the carriage. The sooner I get this settled, the better."

"What about us?"

Kana asked.

"Go to the temple. Wait for me there. We need to regroup as soon as possible."

Lysera replied firmly.

Kana hesitated, but nodded.

"Alright."

Irielle gave a small wave, already walking toward the temple district.

"Then let's go. The sooner we finish this, the better."

Kana lingered for just a moment, watching Lysera stride away down the opposite street, her posture resolute.

She bit her lip, unease crawling up her spine, but forced herself to turn toward the temple.

The city bustled with life around them, unaware of the storm brewing just beyond their walls.

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