Chapter 74: Free? Come! I’ll find you something to do!

“Cynthia-chan!”

Seeing Cynthia about to fall, Ina rushed forward, ignoring Lilith’s attempt to stop her.
She caught Cynthia’s body just before she fainted.

Cynthia seemed fine.
Her severed limbs had regrown, and her breathing and expression appeared stable.

The monster beside her had gone completely still after Cynthia passed out.
Its body had turned ashen gray, like lifeless embers.

But as Ina stared at Cynthia in her arms, her expression shifted from worry to shock, then confusion and doubt.
She lifted her head to look at Lilith approaching slowly.
Pointing at Cynthia, her eyes wide as if she’d seen a ghost.

“Ms. Lilith… this… Cynthia… what…?”
“How did she turn into a ?!”

No doubt, the person in Ina’s arms was Cynthia herself.
But her already petite frame had shrunk even smaller, barely filling her clothes.

Cynthia now looked no different from a sleeping child.
In Ina’s embrace, she subconsciously nuzzled closer.
Her long lashes fluttered slightly, a faint smile on her delicate face, as if lost in a sweet dream.

Ina feared her movements might wake Cynthia.

Feeling the soft, childlike warmth in her arms, Ina grew a bit dazed.
‘What is this? So cute.’
‘Who knows what happened to make Cynthia like this?’

“Don’t worry, she’s fine.”

Lilith knelt beside Ina, gently stroking Cynthia’s forehead.
After a moment, she spoke to Ina.
“But it seems we need to head back.”

“Back…? To the Kalmoz Empire?”

“Mm.”

Ina lowered her head, glancing at Cynthia’s sleeping face.
She bit her lower lip gently.
After a brief hesitation, she met Lilith’s eyes, a mix of hope and resolve in her gaze.

“Though I know this request is unreasonable… I want to come with you.”

“You want to join us?”

Ina’s words surprised Lilith, who showed a rare flicker of doubt.

“Yes… Cynthia-chan has taught me so much along the way. I want to be by her side when she needs me.”

Her words brimmed with sincerity, her eyes softening whenever she mentioned Cynthia.

Through this journey, Ina had grown accustomed to the security Cynthia provided.
The brief separation upon entering the city had made her cherish it even more.
She wanted to be Cynthia’s good friend, to stay by her side.

“Besides, as a ‘witch,’ I have nowhere else to go now…”

Seeing Lilith hesitate, Ina took a deep breath and revealed her “identity” without holding back.
“I’m still being hunted by the Holy Church! Without Cynthia, I’m no better than a small fry!”

Ina spoke with bold conviction.

But for some reason, she felt Lilith’s gaze shift noticeably.
It was hard to pinpoint the change.
‘Oh no, admitting I’m a witch might make them refuse!’
‘Bad move!!!’

Just as Ina regretted it inwardly, Lilith spoke, saying something unexpected.
“In that case, come with us.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yes.”

Lilith didn’t elaborate, turning instead to Prim, who was equally stunned by Cynthia’s transformation.
“Sorry, Your Highness Prim, but we must go ahead. The Empire will send someone later to handle matters with the Kingdom.”

“Huh? Um… okay.”

Prim was still processing, snapping back only at Lilith’s words.

She had many questions, but now wasn’t the time.
Besides, compared to Cynthia’s situation, the Kingdom had piles of issues awaiting her.
If not handled well, the Kingdom might even need a new name, let alone any handover.

Thinking of the troublesome nobles, Prim felt overwhelmed.
‘I’ll have to visit the Kalmoz Empire myself later to express thanks.’

With the monster’s death, the red mist shrouding the royal capital gradually cleared, revealing the sky’s true color.

After bidding farewell to Prim and Rustia, Ina followed Lilith, cradling Cynthia, step by step to the rooftop above the royal city.

Standing beside Lilith, feeling the breeze on her face, gazing at the distant sky and land, Ina suddenly appreciated life’s beauty.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay… huh?”

Ina responded instinctively, but a bad feeling stirred in her heart.
‘On the rooftop… walking?’
‘Could it be—’

Swish—

A familiar sound reached Ina’s ears.
She turned her stiff neck mechanically toward Lilith.
More precisely, toward the black wings unfurling behind her, similar to Cynthia’s.

Though Lilith’s wings seemed smaller than Cynthia’s, Ina suspected their speed was comparable… right?

Lilith approached, lifting both Ina and Cynthia effortlessly.

As they took off, Ina forced a smile, her voice weak.
“Um… Miss Lilith… could you fly a bit slower?”

“Sure, no problem.”

Lilith agreed readily, lifting into the air and speeding toward the Kalmoz Empire.

Though this was “slow” for Lilith, it was far more thrilling for Ina than a 50-km roller coaster.
The rushing wind made coherent speech impossible.
“Wait, wait… Wait a minute! Wait—!!!”

A few days later, in Noin’s territory.

“Lord Noin, another letter from Lord Zekas.”

“Huh? Didn’t we send the little princess’s money last time? Why’s he writing again?!”

“Uh, this time it’s a request for assistance…”

“Assistance? With what?”

“Do you remember the blood mist over Barlia’s capital a few days ago?”

“Yeah, seems like the little princess’s doing… Wait, she’s not asking me to…”

“Well, she is asking for your help.”

“I’m not going! What do other countries’ internal affairs have to do with us—”

“His Majesty also requests you visit the Kingdom. After all, we’re closest and share a border. If issues arise, the Kingdom can act as our buffer.”

“…Did Alicia really say that?”

“This is His Majesty’s letter…”

“…Next time, mention everything at once.”

“Yes.”

“Fine, if it’s His Majesty’s will, I’ll comply.”

“But after this, I must visit the Imperial Court to see His Majesty—”

“I’d like to know what that mother-daughter duo does with all their free time!!!”