I'm not sure what's happened or happening to me.
Slowly, as I regained consciousness, my eyes fluttered open. A pale ceiling greeted me. The scent of herbs, polished wood, and faint incense filled the air.
I tried to sit up. My body still felt heavy, but I managed to lift myself slightly.
"Where… am I?" I murmured, my voice weak.
Looking down at my hands, I saw something surprising.
They weren't pale anymore. The blue veins that once glowed ominously had returned to normal.
"You're awake?"
A calm voice spoke from beside the bed.
I turned, and there she was—Lady Saya, the Oracle—seated quietly beside me.
"You're… here?" I muttered, still trying to process everything.
It took a moment, but the memory of her words returned to me:
> _"We don't know what will happen in the future… but always believe in yourself."_
"You knew this would happen… didn't you?" I asked softly, looking at her.
She stood up slowly, brushing down her robe.
"I'll let the others know you're awake," she replied with a smile, avoiding the question entirely.
Then she left the room.
Moments later, the door burst open.
"Alve, you're awake!" Ramon shouted, rushing in. Silver followed close behind him, his armor clinking. Behind them came the rest—King Leontius, Miss Sera, Lily, and Emma.
"What...? You're all here? Shouldn't you be defending Sunderhold City from the demons?" I asked, confused.
Lily stepped forward. "What are you talking about? You've been unconscious for a whole **month**.
Even though Lady Saya used the Holy Blessing of Goddess Glyss to save you, you just… wouldn't wake up."
"A whole month…?"
My mind reeled.
_Is it because of my soul?_
I remembered what that demon said—that it wasn't just my body that took damage… it was my soul, too.
King Leontius stepped forward, his voice firm yet concerned.
"Child… tell me. Why did you push yourself this far?"
There was a moment of silence in the room.
Then I spoke, "Because I gave my word to Ramon. A word is a word."
I knew my expressionless face could be hard to read at times.
But this time… there was no doubt. No mask.
Just truth.
I paused for a moment, then added,
"If it's already been a whole month… then I don't have time to spare."
I shifted, trying to rise.
"What are you doing?! Don't move yet!" Ramon exclaimed, stepping forward to hold me down.
The others helped, gently keeping me from pushing my limits again.
_sigh_ "...Fine," I gave in reluctantly.
"There's a piece of paper inside a book—middle pages—on the desk where I work at the library.
Get it. It's important."
Within minutes, Ramon and the others returned, the paper in hand.
"Emma," I said, glancing at her.
"Read it. I think I explained everything in there."