Volume 3: Journey to Recover Memories – Prologue

"According to the Empire's official explanation, the demons were summoned through forbidden rituals by heretics from another dimension or subspace. They are blamed as the culprits behind the demonic invasion and the continent’s downfall, and must be eradicated to the last."

"Of course, that’s just what the Empire says on the surface. Whether or not that’s the truth, and if there are discrepancies from what they claim—that’s a whole other story," Felicia said to me.

"What do you think? How much of it is true?"

"Maybe not all of it is a lie, but discussing it is meaningless. Half-truths are even more misleading than full lies." Felicia shook her head. "If you want my take, I definitely don’t think the Empire is being honest."

"Ever since I was born, the Empire hasn’t done anything remotely noble. At least from where I stand, that country's leaders are nothing but liars who deceive the public and never once followed Carreto’s teachings." There was a personal edge in Felicia’s tone.

I recalled what happened not long ago, right at the edge of Coleman Forest. We were harassed by Imperial soldiers stationed near Coleman City. Those soldiers had no sense of discipline and behaved more like street thugs. Just that alone had soured my impression of the Empire.

If even a former vassal nation held such views and openly declared their distrust, then the Empire really did have a poor reputation. Their way of handling things lacked decency, and it was no surprise that surrounding nations generally disapproved of them.

After the demon invasion decimated the Empire’s forces, they were forced to lower their recruitment standards, leading to a disorganized military full of worthless rabble they sent to garrison outposts.

"I find the Empire’s explanation unreliable. Even now, many races are still searching for the reason and cause of the demon’s appearance, and we still have no answers. Are we all fools being kept in the dark, while the Empire alone is the smart one?"

"Also, there’s no clear definition of a heretic. Who decides who counts as one? Sometimes even worshippers of the other Six Saints are labeled heretics. This just shows how the Empire has lost all reason and gone completely mad in their obsession."

"I understand." Hearing this from Felicia gave me a new perspective.

Maybe the Empire was hiding the truth. Or maybe even they didn’t know the real truth. Acting on sheer stubbornness, they cracked down on so-called heretics—yet their overzealous enforcement and poor control over their own forces had harmed many innocent people.

This commission wasn't going to be as straightforward as it looked. Fortunately, I had plenty of time to complete it.

The holidays were coming. I could trade my academy points for money and go to the Empire to investigate in person.

"Have you heard any news about the Empire lately?"

"Dylin, do you think I know how to clone myself?" Felicia giggled, blinking her eyes that sparkled like dewy pearls. "I haven’t been back to the Whiteglass Kingdom for half a year. I don’t even know what’s going on there—how would I know anything about the Empire?"

"True enough."

"So why are you suddenly so interested in the Empire’s trivialities? Is it just curiosity?" Felicia’s eyes turned sharp, as if she had seen through something.

"I have some matters to take care of. It’s related to this."

"I see." When I said that, Felicia immediately realized I didn’t intend to explain further. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have said it so vaguely.

Since I didn’t want to say more, she didn’t press—but that didn’t mean she wasn’t a little unhappy inside.

She realized I still didn’t fully trust her.

She couldn’t say I was wrong. After all, even though we’d been through life and death together, we hadn’t known each other for even a year.

Even so, she couldn’t help feeling a little uncomfortable—but she didn’t show it.

"It’s best not to get involved with the Empire’s affairs. You might get swept into the storm yourself."

"I understand." I nodded, saying that—but I still intended to go.

It wasn’t that I didn’t listen. It was that I had to go.

Not just for that familiar-looking bow. In truth, I’d had this feeling for a long time, as if something in the depths of my heart kept whispering, calling me to find what I’d lost.

I’d long suspected that every commission posted by the Golden Butterfly Hairpin might be guiding me. And the one guiding me—was none other than the ornament’s original owner, Teresa.

There was also another possibility.

But this one—I still couldn’t bring myself to fully believe.

Despite clearly remembering my past life and knowing I shouldn’t be Teresa… even now, I’d begun to doubt that certainty.

Having asked what I wanted to know, I headed downstairs, lost in thought. In the lobby, I saw Wenfu lying barefoot on the sofa, filling out a form with a pen in hand.

"You sure are studious, Wenfu. The exams just ended and you’re already grinding more problems?"

"Dylin, are you learning bad habits from Sister Teresa now?" Wenfu puffed her cheeks. "Even your tone when teasing sounds just like hers. Hard to tell who’s copying who."

"So, what are you doing? Don’t tell me you're really studying?"

"Of course not. We just finished exams—don’t expect me to start solving problems already. I barely have any fur left after cramming for finals." Wenfu grumbled.

She’d only just escaped the brutal, soul-crushing study sessions of exam week. Now just seeing test papers gave her stress reactions—calculating how long it would take, what she could answer, what she’d have to guess. It nearly broke her.

A few days before the exam, she was so anxious she even dreamed about being in the exam hall. In the dream, the sand in the hourglass ran out while she’d only answered one question—she woke up in fright.

Small cats really can’t handle this.jpg

"I’m filling out the holiday travel form," Wenfu pouted. "Have you filled yours out yet, Dylin? It’s due tonight, nya~"

"There’s something like that?" Even in another world, there were these annoying forms?

And was it really necessary to monitor where people went during long breaks? Besides a few exceptions, where else would people go besides home?

"Um, I don’t really know either," Wenfu poked her soft cheek with the pen. "Upperclassmen said there wasn’t a travel form last year. It’s a new rule this year."

"Oh." I nodded and didn’t ask further.

I’d fill it out later.

Actually, I needed to do two—one in Dylin’s handwriting and voice. Though no one would really check this thing in detail, it was still best to be cautious.

By evening, after finishing the forms, Teresa was heading to the Academic Affairs Hall to submit them when she suddenly wondered if her roommates had remembered. She stopped by Astrid’s door and knocked.

Astrid happened to be in. She opened the door, her cool, moonlit face revealing mild surprise at seeing Teresa.

"Good evening, Astrid. Have you filled out the travel form?" Teresa brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her soft voice flowing like water.

"Travel form? Not yet." Astrid shook her head.

"I have a spare one. Here, fill it out—we can submit them together."

"Okay." Astrid seemed surprised by this sudden rule, but didn’t question it.

"Would Her Highness Teresa care to sit in my room for a bit?"

"Is that okay?" Teresa still stood at the doorway. Her gentle smile carried no hidden meaning, yet Astrid seemed to interpret something else entirely.

"Of course." Astrid let her in and sat properly on a carved wooden bench. After glancing over the form, she delicately picked up a pen and began to write.

It was Teresa’s first time entering Astrid’s room—or any girl’s room, for that matter.

A faint floral fragrance lingered in the air, like a cold rose—matching Astrid’s usual scent.

The room had clearly absorbed the scent of its occupant. The bedding was wrinkle-free, the books and stationery perfectly arranged. No excessive decorations. Very tidy and clean.

To the right was a packed suitcase. Sitting behind Astrid, Teresa watched the platinum-haired girl calmly writing, the silky hair falling against her glossy black stockings under the warm light.

No wonder she used to be so hopelessly infatuated with this silver fluff.

Astrid was dressed lightly indoors—barefoot, black stockings, sleeveless top. Well, that was normal for her. Her outfit during domain activation was even more daring.

She must really like black stockings.

Teresa mused, adjusting the lace-trimmed white stockings on her thigh. Like a cat, she tiptoed up behind Astrid.

"Astrid, you wrote this wrong." Teresa pointed with her slender, fair finger.

"Hm?" Astrid, caught off guard, blinked.

"If I remember right, your student ID is Z705288. But your Z looks like a 2. You should draw an extra line through the Z to make it clearer." Coleman Academy student IDs all began with a letter—this world’s letters resembled Latin ones, with a few extras.

"I see." Astrid made the correction.

Then she suddenly felt something soft and bouncy land on her head. Her hand holding the pen froze.

A boneless, delicate hand wrapped around hers, sending a tingle down her spine.

"Astrid, haven’t you learned how to draw a proper Z line? It’s not from top to bottom—like this." Teresa gently guided her hand, drawing a diagonal line across the Z.

Her voice was soft and sweet like cotton candy. And in this position… well, the fluffy thing resting on her head…

With those glimmering golden strands dangling down, Astrid could more or less guess what was pressing on her.

She felt pressure.

"Alright, from now on, this is how you distinguish the letters. Did Astrid learn it~? If so, raise your little paw~" Teresa smiled like a kindergarten teacher—but Astrid didn’t respond.

"Astrid?"

"Mm, I got it." Her voice was calm, but her body was stiff. Being held like that, she dared not move.

"Alright then, I won’t bother you. You can finish writing."

As Teresa returned to her seat, Astrid finally let out a breath. Her heart had been racing—hands touching, warmth passing between them, sensations lingering in her chest.

It left behind a subtle, beautiful emotion.

But she couldn’t quite make sense of it. Looking at the form again, she found it hard to concentrate.

By the time they finished, it was already dusk.

On the path, two elegant silhouettes—one gold, one silver—walked side by side, having submitted their forms and now returning to the dorm.

"Your Highness Astrid, are you heading back to the Land of the Elves for the holidays?" Teresa had seen her form.

"Yes." Astrid glanced at her, as if wanting to say something—but didn’t.

She wanted to ask Teresa to return with her to the Land of the Elves.

It was not only her home—but Teresa’s too.

Though she understood the circumstances, Astrid still hoped Teresa would place more trust in the Moon Elves.

She was born late and hadn’t experienced the demon war, so she didn’t understand why elves had to doubt each other.

Still, she knew Teresa had her reasons—and said nothing.

Even if she did ask, Teresa probably wouldn’t agree.

Thinking that, Astrid wondered—what exactly was their relationship?

Maybe to Teresa, she was just another elf she’d known for half a year. Nothing more, nothing less.

Recalling all the little moments they’d shared, Astrid felt a sudden, inexplicable loss. She didn’t even know why.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.