Rather Kill the Wrong One Than Let One Go

On the path through the Nameless Forest leading to the deserted village.

Samael and Freya chatted as they walked, the atmosphere warm and cheerful. Even the scenery she had seen hundreds of times seemed full of color and vividly alive in the little girl's eyes.

However, just as they neared the village, Freya suddenly saw a plume of thick smoke rising into the sky and cried out in alarm.

"Oh no, the village is on fire! Everyone's in danger!"

Noticing the anomaly ahead, Samael immediately picked up the anxious, helpless Freya and charged forward with thunderous steps. The surrounding air burst with a series of explosions under the cutting force of the Aether Light Flow.

As they approached the village entrance, the ancient serpent reined in his edge and walked alongside Freya, preparing to search for the disaster site.

One low-ranking fairy after another stood by the roadside or poked their heads out from the crooked, haphazard wooden houses nearby. Most of them wore wide grins as they watched the anxious pair with interest, a strange look appearing in their eyes.

Samael was very familiar with that emotion.

It was delight...

Likewise, the highly sensitive Freya noticed something in the gazes around her. Her little face immediately turned pale, and an ominous premonition rose within her as she hurriedly ran forward.

Moments later, Freya reached the desolate edge of the village and stood frozen before the charred remains of a wooden house. Her amber eyes were dull and vacant, brimming with glistening tears.

This was... too much...

"Is this... your home?"

Samael crouched down, resting a hand on Freya's trembling shoulder as he carefully asked.

The little girl nodded stiffly. Endless grievance welled up in her heart, and the poor child, no longer able to bear her sorrow, threw herself