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nSeraphina and her companions ultimately failed to find the treasure in the Darkwater Forest and were on their way back to the village. “Rhiannon, are you serious?” A tall, slightly robust young man expressed his dissatisfaction. “We ventured into the depths that even my dad forbade, yet we found nothing.”

n“Well, Kavan, why don’t you tell us why strange things happened in the Darkwater Forest, but the people from the city said there was no particular reason?” Rhiannon retorted. “It doesn’t make sense. Perhaps the treasure has already been taken.”

n“Then our journey was in vain! Boring! It’s so cold, it would be much better to stay at home where it’s warm.”

n“Idiot! Is adventuring with everyone boring? You’ve been so slow-witted since childhood, utterly foolish!”

n“What! You rascal, say that again!”

nThe plump dog named Wil barked around Seraphina, and the girl at the center of attention covered her forehead, speechless: “You two might as well fight it out, you’re so noisy.”

nRhiannon stuck her tongue out at Kavan and then hid behind Seraphina: “Did you hear that? Be careful, or I’ll have Seraphina beat you up!”

nKavan’s face was filled with resentment, but seeing Seraphina’s sidelong glance, he decisively chose not to argue with a woman.

nSeraphina took in all of this, listening to her friends’ conversations and playful banter, and the lingering shadows in her heart faded considerably.

nIf adding “Hydra’s” to her name could make everything so much better, Seraphina could accept it — provided, of course, that she would have no further contact with Ansel and would never help him again.

nAlthough that man was sinister and cunning, he was undeniably generous, and with Marlina working for her, the village would not suffer even if she left Hydral.

nLiving like this until the end seemed not too bad, Seraphina thought.

n“Oh! We’ve finally reached the village,” Kavan cheered. “I can’t take it anymore! I’m going to enjoy the warmth!”

n“Hey! We still have to have a snowball fight… Kavan! Come back!”

nRhiannon angrily shouted at the fleeing young man, stomping her foot in frustration.

n“That guy is so annoying… Don’t you think so, Seri… Seraphina?”

nThe girl noticed her best friend was staring blankly at a corner near the village entrance, so she followed her gaze.

nThere was a man, so tall and robust that he was intimidating, carrying lumber.

n“Who is… that guy?” Seraphina stared at the muscular man, who resembled a wild beast, and whispered, “Why haven’t I seen him these past few days? There’s no one like him in the village, right?”

n“Oh, you mean the Snowbeast?”

nRhiannon, who was also looking at the tall man, nodded knowingly: “He’s been cutting wood whenever he had free time these past few days, so of course you wouldn’t see him.”

nThe wolf gazed at the man carrying the massive lumber, her eyes narrowing slightly: “Is he a new member of the village? He doesn’t look like an ordinary person.”

n“Um, sort of. I remember it was… two weeks ago, or earlier? I forgot, but anyway, the Snowbeast, this giant, collapsed at our village entrance, nearly starving to death. Old man Wonka couldn’t bear it and took him in for a meal.”

n“Weren’t you afraid of bringing a bad person into the village?” Seraphina turned to look at Rhiannon, and the brief flash of ferocity in her dark red eyes made the girl take a half-step back.

n“Because, because you’re Lord Hydral’s person, who would dare…”

nSeraphina’s forehead bulged with two blue veins, and she took a deep breath before closing her eyes and saying, “I’m fine, go on.”

nSeeing that Seraphina’s mood had improved, Rhiannon continued with a slightly less cautious tone: “Then the Snowbeast woke up and told us that he had escaped from the border of the Red Frost territory, from a place called… uh, Sparklens territory. His family had been killed by a noble sorcerer, who had toyed with him and forced him to drink some strange potion, turning him into this terrifying form.”

nRhiannon gestured at the Snowbeast’s muscular body: “He’s strong, but he said he doesn’t have much time left. The villagers took pity on him and took him in temporarily. After all, Seri, you are—”

n“I’m a person of Hydral, I know!” Seraphina interrupted Rhiannon, trying to maintain a “normal dissatisfaction” expression. “But this is too dangerous. The village is so prosperous now; what if he’s a bad person?”

n“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. People from Darkwater City come every few days, either soldiers or sorcerers, bringing us lots of things. Of course, the village chief is cautious and had a sorcerer examine the Snowbeast. He’s indeed a pitiful person; I heard his internal organs are deformed, it’s terrifying!”

nRhiannon waved her hand nonchalantly: “That noble from Darkwater City is trying every possible way to please us. Now that you’re here, Seraphina, I think as long as you have any requests, that guy will definitely come running!”

nSeraphina’s attention was focused on the “Snowbeast.” She only relaxed slightly after hearing that he had been examined: “So, what’s his situation now? Cutting wood to earn money?”

n“Yes, he’s temporarily staying at Old Man Wonka’s house, cutting wood to pay for his food and lodging. Although Wonka doesn’t care, and neither do we, since he’s also a pitiful person oppressed by nobles and doesn’t have much time left, it doesn’t hurt to take him in.”

nRhiannon crossed her arms and spoke indifferently: “After all, no one in the village cares about that little money.”

nSeraphina watched the “Snowbeast” leave with the lumber, and although her doubts had somewhat dissipated, a lingering cloud remained in her heart.

nAfter all, the shadow Ansel’s words had cast on her was too great.

nThe feeling of powerlessness and despair that everything she thought, did, and experienced was under his control made Seraphina overly sensitive and afraid to think deeply.

nBecause she feared that the happiness and joy she had now were all false.

n“Ah, never mind, I’ve had enough fun. Let’s go home and rest; I’m feeling a bit cold too.”

nRhiannon stomped her foot and hugged Seraphina: “I’ll come to your house for dinner tonight. Remember to ask Aunt Yolanda to cook my favorite rabbit leg meat!”

nSeraphina, who had returned to her senses, hugged Rhiannon back and laughed: “Alright, you’re so demanding.”

nThe ordinary village girl giggled and happily trotted back to her home.

nSeraphina, on the other hand, cast one last glance at the muscular “Snowbeast” and, while remaining vigilant in her heart, headed towards her home.

n“Ah, Seri!” A woman who was sunbathing and weaving in the village square stood up excitedly and waved to Seraphina. “Come over here and see how this scarf looks on you… It’s so beautiful! Seri, you’ve grown into such a pretty girl!”

nThe girl, who had been forcibly wrapped in a scarf, smiled shyly: “Thank you, Aunt Catherine!”

n“What are you thanking me for? I haven’t even thanked you yet, child. Come to my house for dinner tomorrow; you can’t say you’re busy again. It’s my turn, isn’t it?”

nThe woman pinched the girl’s cheek: “You used to make a mess at my house all the time when you were little, and now you’re not even close to me.”

n“I’m not… I’ll definitely come tomorrow,” the girl mumbled.

nAlong the way, everyone who saw Seraphina greeted her, gave her gifts, or invited her to their homes. What truly made Seraphina feel happy and comforted was that this warmth and kindness were not born of self-interest but genuine joy and pride.

nIf it weren’t for this, how could Seraphina’s character become “protective and accepting of her own kind” in Ansel’s words, and how could she be so immersed in happiness and pain?

nIn time, the wolf, who had been licking her wounds alone, would eventually let go of all that and live peacefully with her family and friends.

nAt long last, Seraphina, laden with a multitude of gifts, stood at the threshold of her home. Rubbing her hands together in anticipation, she excitedly pushed open the door, “Mom, Dad, I have returned—Huh?!” The familiar warmth she had grown accustomed to over the past three days was absent. Within the elegant villa, only a chilling wind that sent shivers down one’s spine was present.

n“… Seri?” The gentle and virtuous Yolanda peeked out from the kitchen, a wry smile on her face, “It seems the magic crystal that has been maintaining the heat this week has been exhausted. Are you cold?”

n“I’m fine… Mom, are you cold—Ah, your hands are so red!” Seraphina walked into the kitchen, and upon seeing her mother’s hands, red from the cold, she immediately took them into her own, her heart aching.

nSeraphina firmly led her mother to sit in the living room, then went to the storage room to find coal. As she searched, she asked, “That magic crystal, is it always supplied by someone?”

n“I thought I could endure it, but it seems I can’t. I haven’t been this cold in days, even when I go out, I wear gloves. I can’t bear it anymore.” The woman sighed somewhat helplessly, “I wanted to make something delicious for you, so you would have something to eat when you returned… but now even the soup has cooled.”

n“Forget about the soup… Where’s the coal? Let’s go warm up by the fireplace first.” Seraphina firmly led her mother to sit in the living room, then went to the storage room to find coal. As she searched, she asked, “That magic crystal, is it always supplied by someone?”

n“Mm, the Baron of Darkwater sends it to the village every week.” Is that true… Seraphina muttered to herself, she remembered that the magic crystal was quite valuable, and the Baron was willing to supply the village for so long?

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n“Didn’t he send it this week?” Seraphina asked.

n“He usually sends it very early in the morning.” Yolanda replied, “I don’t know why, but it hasn’t arrived today. Maybe something happened.”

nSeraphina’s movements faltered as she searched for coal. She picked up the pieces of coal and put them into the basket, forcing a smile, “It should… be alright. Before the magic crystal arrives, let’s warm up by the fire.”

nAs the coal was ignited, the fireplace blazed, gradually dispelling the chill left by the severe cold wave. Orin had gone to the city to buy supplies, and only the mother and daughter were at home.

nYolanda held Seraphina in her arms, and the two of them, covered with a blanket, sat in front of the fireplace, chatting and laughing in peace and warmth.

nThis simple warmth enveloped Seraphina, dispelling the increasingly thick clouds in her heart.

nNo matter how cruel the world was to her, it still left a place for her soul to rest.

nHere, Seraphina could not fulfill her ambitions, could not indulge her wild nature, but after experiencing so much pain in just over a month, she seemed to have given up those once within reach dreams. The beast in her soul also quieted down, no longer roaring.

nPerhaps, this was the end of Seraphina Marlowe, a mundane place composed of family, friends, and everyone who loved her deeply. A remote village without any passion, without any fervor.

nBut that was fine, far away from all the noise and suffering, far away from the city that brought her despair, far away from the devil who gave her everything and then took it all away.

nIf this village was to be her grave, then Seraphina would be content.

nBecause in this world, there is no happier ending than to die surrounded by those who love you and whom you love.

nBut Seraphina did not expect that her happiness… would be so short-lived, fleeting as the sun sinking into the mountains.

nThe sun will rise again.

nBut the small happiness she cherished now seemed to be gone forever.

nBecause this village, not only did not wait for the things they needed, but also waited for a… piece of news that no one could accept.

nSeraphina’s return to her hometown was not a warrior’s reward, a return with recognition and blessings.

nIt was a self-exile of a sinner.

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