Kevin asked quietly, "Where do we start?"
Celize inhaled, her chest rising with a sharp, steadying breath. "We go to Que'Tol first," she said. "Someone there will know something. The attackers didn't choose this caravan at random."
Kevin nodded. "Then we have our direction." He knew that the attack was meant for her, and Sallie was one of them. He wished he could interrogate Sallie, but it was impossible now.
He looked her over once, from her ruined dress to the dirt that smeared her arms. "But you can't go looking like that."
Celize blinked. "Like what?"
"Like you just crawled out of a battlefield as a noblewoman." Kevin scratched his cheek with a half-smile. "You'll attract attention."
She tilted her head, curious. "Then what should I do?"
Before Kevin could answer, she reached down, picked up a discarded sword from the ground, and without hesitation lifted a handful of her long blonde hair.
Kevin's eyes widened. "Whoa—wait—"
But the blade was already swinging.
Shff!
A cascade of pale strands fell to the ground like rain. Celize stared at the severed hair in her hand, almost surprised by her own impulsiveness.
Kevin let out a disbelieving laugh. "You don't have to cut your hair! I meant clothes, not… hacking yourself."
Celize blinked again with mild confusion. "Is that not enough?"
"No," Kevin said, rubbing his temples, "it's not enough. Or necessary."
He sighed and pulled something from his storage ring, a set of men's clothing: a dark shirt, sturdy trousers, boots, and a hooded cloak. Celize's eyes widened a little at the items.
"Where did you get these?"
"Loot," Kevin said bluntly. "The attackers had good taste. These were unused, so… congrats, they're yours now."
Celize lifted the shirt, rubbing the fabric between her fingers. She nodded in approval. "Good quality. Thank you."
Before Kevin could prepare himself, she casually began loosening one of the straps of her dress—right in front of him.
Kevin's expression didn't twitch. He simply raised a hand. "Hold it. You're… surprisingly bold for someone so noble."
Celize froze, then slowly looked up at him in realization. Her cheeks flushed immediately.
"I— forgot you were there," she stammered, pulling the strap back up with both hands.
Kevin choked back a laugh. "How do you forget someone standing in front of you?"
"I was preoccupied," she muttered.
Kevin's smile faded into something softer. "Yeah. I get it."
She bowed her head once, then walked to a half-burned wagon still standing crooked on its wheels. Using the broken wood as cover, she slipped behind it. Kevin heard the rustle of fabric, the soft thump of boots being discarded, the occasional muttered complaint as she struggled through unfamiliar clothing.
When she stepped out again, she looked almost like someone else.
The cloak hid her figure well, the loose shirt and trousers fit her slender form without being too obvious, and the hood framed her face, casting a natural shadow across her features.
Only her eyes, bright, sharp, resilient—remained unmistakable.
"Better?" she asked, spreading her arms slightly, almost shyly.
"You look like someone who could pickpocket me," Kevin said with feigned seriousness.
Celize smiled faintly. "That is a strange compliment."
"A practical one," Kevin said.
Celize's gaze softened as she looked at him. "You were calm."
"Huh?"
"When I… began to undress." Her cheeks puffed slightly, embarrassed. "Most men would panic or look away quickly. You didn't even flinch."
Kevin shrugged honestly. "I've seen many women."
Her eyes widened like he had just confessed a thousand sins. "Many?"
"Yeah."
"Who was the prettiest?" she blurted, almost accusingly.
Kevin didn't even hesitate. "You."
Her entire face went red. She turned immediately, nearly tripping over her own feet, and began walking west. "W-We should get going! T-The sun is rising. W-We must reach the ridge by afternoon!"
Kevin smiled and shook his head.
"Right. Let's go."
He glanced to the shadows at his feet.
"Sallie. Rabbit. Stay hidden."
Two silhouettes rippled faintly in the darkness, then disappeared entirely.
Kevin adjusted his dagger, rolled his shoulder once, and followed Celize toward the mountains.
Avoiding the main road meant a harder journey, but safety outweighed comfort. The slope began gently at first, a path scattered with pine needles and stones, but quickly steepened into rough terrain. The forest thinned gradually, revealing the spine of the mountain ranges stretching into the distance.
Celize walked silently, her steps steady, but Kevin noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders. Twice she stumbled on loose stones.
"You sure you're okay?" he asked eventually.
She nodded. "I am. My mind is… focused."
"Focused on revenge," Kevin said.
"Yes." She didn't hide it. "It's the only thing keeping me upright."
Kevin didn't argue. He understood the feeling a little too well.
Surviving death can really change a person. He thought.
They walked for another hour before Celize finally spoke again.
"You said earlier you've seen many women," she said carefully.
Kevin smothered a laugh. "You still thinking about that?"
"No," she said too quickly. "I was simply… curious."
Kevin stepped over a fallen log. "What's there to be curious about?"
"You said I was the prettiest," she murmured.
"That part wasn't a joke."
Her steps faltered. She looked back at him, her hood casting a shadow over her blushing cheeks. "You're… confident with your words."
"Only when they're true."
Celize quickly turned again. "You shouldn't say such things so casually."
"Why not?"
"Because…" Her voice wavered. "I don't know how to respond."
Kevin smiled to himself. "You just did."
Her ears turned pink beneath the hood.
They continued climbing until late morning, when the smell of pine thickened and the wind grew colder. From the ridge, the world below unfolded into a patchwork of rugged mountains and shadowy valleys.
Celize paused at the edge, catching her breath. "We should rest."
Kevin agreed. He dropped onto a fallen trunk, stretching his legs. Celize sat beside him, arms wrapped around her knees as she watched the view.
For the first time since the attack, her expression softened into something peaceful.
Kevin let her sit quietly for a few minutes before speaking.
"When we reach Que'Tol… what's your plan?"
"Find who ordered the attack," she said instantly. "And kill them."
Kevin nodded slowly. "Alright."
Celize turned to him, startled. "You agree just like that?"
"You want revenge. I want something to hit. Works out."
Her lips curved faintly. "You're strange."
"I get that a lot."
She smiled—a small, real one.
Kevin leaned back, letting the crisp mountain air fill his lungs.
After a long moment, Celize spoke again, quieter than before.
"Kevin… thank you."
"For what?"
"For helping me bury them… for staying… for not letting me face this alone."
Kevin looked at her. She kept her gaze on the mountains, the morning light reflecting in her eyes like glass brimming with emotion she refused to spill.
"You're not alone," he said. But deep inside, he had a different thought.
Helping you on your revenge will help me level up without guilt. At least I know I killed murderers.
Celize's breath hitched just slightly.
She nodded once, tightly, and wiped her eyes before the tears could fall. "Then… we continue together."
Kevin pushed himself up. "Together."