Quiet is the night, yet the lingering oppression from unwelcome visitors clung to the air. The village streets were deserted, its locals tucked away, but the Wayfarers of Ignis continued their patrols, ever vigilant. No doubt, they were searching for Blanc, now that no one was around to shield her.

How many nights had Blanc been forced to fend for herself like this? How many times had she been left to hide in fear, alone and trembling?

But tonight would be different. Tonight, she wouldn't have to worry. As Blanc slept soundly in my arms, I moved from shadow to shadow, careful to keep my distance from the guards.

For three years, my eyes had adapted to the pitch-black depths of the cave. Navigating the dim corners of the village under the pale moonlight felt like second nature.

Eventually, I reached Heath's tavern. I glanced left, then right, scanning the area for any sign of danger. The coast seemed clear, so I knocked on the door, hoping the worst of the night had already passed.

Heath was the one to answer the door. "Sorry, we're closed for the—Oh, it's you, kid. Wait, what..."

He stopped the moment he saw Blanc in my arms.

"What the...? Quick, get in here!" he urged as he pulled me and promptly locked the door.

"Mister Heath? What's going on?" Lina asked right before she saw me. "Huh? Oh. Hey, Noir. How come you were out... so... late...?"

Like Heath, she paused when she saw Blanc.

"Eh?! L-Little Bla—"

"Shh!" Lenny rushed over to cover her mouth.

The three of them looked at me as if expecting an answer to this sudden intrusion. Instead of giving them one, I made my way up the stairs to my room.

I gently rested Blanc on the bed and covered her with the sheets. She looks so peaceful like this. I wonder how it's been since she's had a proper place to sleep.

After tucking her in, I went back downstairs, where the others were waiting for me.

"Alright, kid," Heath said with a disgruntled tone. "Now that you've finished barging into 'my' tavern and doing what you please, I'm going to need an explanation. What the hell happened?"

"You tell me, Mister Heath," I said.

As much as I tried to hold back my exasperation, it was for naught. My voice came out a lot more hostile than I thought it would, spawning an increasingly perturbed reaction from Heath.

"N-Noir...? What are you—"

Heath moved his hand in front of Lina to stop her.

"Explain yourself," he demanded. "Now."

"Hah... Then, allow me to elaborate so you can better understand. Three years ago, I woke up in a cave with no memories of my past. Likewise, almost every cognitive function in my mind was wiped clean, including my emotions. It had only been a couple of days since I left that cave, so tell me... How it is that I, of all people, am the only one who gives a damn about what those priests are doing to Blanc?"

My mind feels like it's collapsing. I know I should be thinking rationally. I know I shouldn't cloud my own judgment with an opinionated mindset. There has to be something bigger that I am missing, and I'm just not seeing it.

However, this is inexcusable. There's absolutely no way that not a single person in this village is willing to help her. I refuse to believe it.

Heath slowly approached me, and he continued to do so until he stood only a step in front of me.

"Spoken like a true outsider who knows nothing about our situation," he growled. "As you said, you only just arrived here a couple of days ago... so who the hell are you to assume that we're not trying?"

"Sure, I'm an outsider with a flawed impression," I muttered. "In that case, you can surely understand that I've seen too much to simply brush this off as a normal occurrence."

His hostile gaze worsened with each word I said, but I didn't care. For once, I'll trust my feelings on this, even if it means ruining this somewhat neutral relationship with Heath and the twins.

After a long stare-down, Heath was the first to break, as he let out a heavy sigh. He then trudged over to the table where the others were sitting and plopped down. His head reached up, and he began rubbing his forehead.

"There was a time when Blanc used to be happy," he said. "I remember the old days when she and Madam Claire would make their rounds through the village, spreading joy and smiles wherever they went. They could often be seen chasing each other through the streets, playing and laughing. In that moment of bliss, I wished that our village would stay like that... and I'd do anything if it meant that we could go back to those days."

His tone became mellow, a strong contrast to his previously aggressive remarks.

"This world is unkind to people like us, Noir," he continued. "We can build ourselves up in every possible way, but we will never be on equal footing against those who are chosen by the Logos. About two months ago, a band of travelers much like yourself arrived in this village. They were a jovial bunch, but above all, they were righteous. They, too, saw how harshly those priests had treated Blanc, and they tried to intervene. The next day, we saw their burning bodies hung upon stakes at the center of the village, a message from the church that we could end up like them."

He was overcome by sorrow, as tears began to fall down his face. Lina reached over to comfort him. It seemed like she had something to say to me, but nothing followed.

"Every time I watch them beat her and belittle her, I feel a piece of myself dying," Heath muttered. "I want to step in. I want to stop them. Truly, I do... but I can't bring myself to do it... not while knowing that I could die. Even now, the fact that she's here terrifies me. If those priests were to show up... we would all be burned on the spot."

My lips were subjugated to the pressure of my teeth as I bit them. Hearing all of this now... For once, I think I know how I feel about it.

"You know... Earlier today, Blanc said that she knew the villagers couldn't help her," I said. "She knew the risks. She knew your lives would be in danger if you tried, so she didn't blame you, and she even went as far as forgiving you. Still, I can't help but think about what a folly excuse that was. I know I'm being biased. I know that I'm letting my emotions dictate my actions. However, I firmly believe that the fear of death should be not what holds people back from doing what's right."

This isn't like me at all. I thought I wouldn't care about anything that happened as long as it didn't affect me. In a way, it's liberating to know that I was wrong.

"To be honest with you, Mister Heath... I am confident in my own abilities," I said. "I was taught by a masterful teacher. Perhaps that is the reason why I am able to say these things. Even then, after watching Blanc for the past few days, everything that she had gone through... I would rather die trying than to leave her at their mercy. There not a single doubt in my mind that says otherwise."

For a moment longer, I pondered those words and their legitimacy. How can I say all of this so confidently? Is it because of who I am now? Or perhaps... there is a lingering soul within this body who is forcing those thoughts into me.

Silverain... Is this person truly me? Or am I subconsciously abiding by the will of someone I no longer am?

I let out a sigh and made my way over to the front door. "Even as you sit there, weeping and regretting, I can't feel sorry for you... because Blanc had it much worse. She deserves so much more than this. As someone who watched her grow up, you should understand that better than anyone else."

I then opened the door to leave, but not without saying one final thing. "Don't worry about the priests. If they come, I'll handle them."

"Eh? But how?" asked Lenny. "I know you're strong and all, but there's no way you can handle all of them if they come after us."

"Hm... I'm curious about that. For now, I'll say this much as a form of reassurance..."

Suddenly, the torches on the wall flickered as a chilling gust of wind swept into the tavern. I turned around to face them, and they immediately flinched. A subtle tint of the darkest violet covered the edge of my vision, and that same aura was now overtaking everything I saw.

"Those priests are not the only Wayfarers currently residing in this village."