Chinju Forest at night.
Moonlight spilled onto the ground through gaps in the leaves.
Looking up, one could also see scattered stars through those gaps.
Streams murmured through the woods, and the flowers, birds, fish, and insects joined in a beautiful nocturne.
Such a scene should have lifted anyone's spirits.
Yet of the two people strolling through the woods, one looked bewildered, while the other wore a bitter expression.
All the way from Amakane Island to Chinju Forest, Kamisato Ayaka's face had been filled with dejection and bitterness.
As for the reason behind that bitterness...
As mentioned before, she was actually very lonely.
She had no friends she could truly confide in.
The people around her were all wary of her status and position.
Though she cared for all her people, she was still a young girl, after all. She wanted friends, too, and she wanted to do the things other people her age did.
She wanted a kindred spirit.
Someone who understood her thoughts, someone before whom she could show her truest self without reservation.
Someone with whom she could freely share her troubles.
She hoped that person would be a hero of noble character with a legendary past.
Then that person could tell her countless legendary stories and describe places she had never visited.
She wanted a more joyful life, too. She wanted happiness.
It seemed the heavens had answered her wish.
Ellin had entered her life.
Ellin was lively, easygoing, and powerful. Despite her exalted status and the countless eyes upon her, she still lived freely and happily, following her heart.
Ellin was gentle, noble in character, quick to smile, and brimming with energy. She never let other people's opinions sway her.
Ellin came from a foreign land and had experienced many wondrous adventures.
It was as