I wrung out my clothes to remove the water and spread them over the natural stone.

Metallic threads don't retain much water due to their nature. Left alone, they'll dry eventually. The undergarments made of regular fibers are a different story, though.

"Sorry, it's cold, isn't it?"

"This isn't your house, is it? No need to apologize."

"I wish I could at least start a fire..."

She held her hands out toward the tiny flame of the lamp.

The warmth was barely perceptible.

I let out a sigh.

"It would attract goblins, and even without that, it's raining. There’s no dry wood to use as firewood."

"Yeah. You know, El-tan, sometimes you say things like an old man with loads of experience. Have you ever been stranded in the mountains or something?"

"...Yeah, something like that..."

I've wandered battlefields far more terrifying than nighttime mountains for days. Especially that time when I went alone to rescue a stranded squad of knights who had fallen behind in retreat.

By the time I arrived, they were all dead, and I was discovered by the Republic's forces. I barely managed to fend off my pursuers while desperately fleeing through the mountain terrain. Having lost my horse, I had to hide in mud and dry grass, drink night dew, and survive on small animals and wild plants.

If Lili, the disciples, and the Blythe faction hadn't come searching for me a few days later, I don’t know what would have happened to me.

The night I made it back was terrible, too.

Completely exhausted, I barely managed to return to my room with the help of two disciples, and the moment I shut the door, Lili cried, screamed, raged, and hit me—it was a disaster.

"El-tan, you're smiling. Why? Did you enjoy getting stranded? Is that your hobby?"

"Eh, no. It’s not like that... I was just thinking... being alive is a good thing."

"Hmm. There you go again, talking like an old man."

"..."

Of course, I couldn't tell her. These weren't Eremi's experiences—they belonged to Blythe.

Riona suddenly pulled out something that looked like a hard piece of bread and held it out.

"Eat."

"I'm not hungry."

"It'll raise your body temperature. Don’t worry, there's no poison in it. Poison isn’t my specialty, after all. Look, I’ll show you—"

As she lifted the bread toward her mouth, I grabbed her hand to stop her.

"I’m not doubting you. I know you have no intention of harming me."

If Riona had meant to kill me, she could have done so the moment I stepped onto the first floor of the dungeon. But she didn’t.

I accepted the bread and took a bite.

—Crack.

It was sweet. A lot of sugar had been added.

Seeing my reaction, Riona smiled.

"Thanks."

"Why are you the one thanking me?"

"Because El-tan trusted me."

"Hmph."

—Crack. I took another bite.

A refreshing aroma and a hint of spiciness filled my nose—ginger. It was more like a cookie than bread.

I had been deceived by its shape. This was a proper field ration. Nutrient-dense and capable of warming the body. Far better than the field rations I ate as Blythe.

"...It’s good. Even cold, it warms you up."

Strange. Blythe hated sweets. He only ate field rations because they were necessary. But now, with a ten-year-old's body, it seemed even my taste buds had changed.

Come to think of it, I don’t drink alcohol or coffee anymore either.

Sweet things… they’re delicious.

"Right?! I made it myself! Wouldn’t you love to eat this every morning?"

"No, a normal breakfast is fine on regular days."

"Oh, I see."

Why was she smiling like that? It’s not like she had forgotten her situation.

She moved next to me, carefully avoiding the lamp.

"Can I sit next to you?"

"Do as you please. You’re not the type to ask for permission, are you?"

Riona pouted slightly, sulking.

"Well, because it seemed like you were being all wary again."

"If I were wary, I wouldn’t have stripped. Like I said, I know you have no intention of killing me. The fact that I'm still alive proves that. Is that enough for you?"

"Eh? ...Heh, you're too naive, El-tan. You still don’t understand assassins like me, do you?"

Riona looked down at me with a cold smirk.

"Leaving your underwear on doesn’t count as naked in my book!"

...I might lose it.

"Ah, scary face! Sorryyy! Don't get too mad, or your blood pressure will rise~!"

She plopped down beside me.

Our arms touched.

"I keep telling you, I’m not being wary. I’ve already given up. I know I can’t beat you in the dark."

If she kicked over the lamp, I'd have no chance. Even without that, being undressed left me at a disadvantage.

"Yeah. I almost killed you. But you called out just in time, so I realized it was El-tan and stopped. You really saved yourself—if you hadn’t shouted, I would’ve slit your throat."

So she had already pressed a blade to my neck from behind.

The gratitude was overwhelming.

"...How am I supposed to respond to that...?"

"Hmm. Propose to me?"

"That’s a ridiculous leap."

It was cold. Honestly, Riona’s body warmth was comforting.

The moment I thought that, she shifted behind me, wrapping her arms and legs around me, enclosing me completely.

Warm.

I felt her forehead against my shoulder.

"...Sorry."

Her whispered breath tickled.

"For what?"

"Everything. All of it."

I let out a deep sigh.

In the quiet space, the scent of soot, the girl, and sweet wheat mingled.