Miley winced in pain as she crouched down and placed her hands on her head.

--------------

It's your fault.

Because of your power

...

40XX (XX Kingdom)

The dream switched to another scene.

Fires were roaring and blazing,

A little girl stood, with a ball in her hands as she stared at her house.

Today was the day of the harvest festival while her family wished to keep her locked up as usual. She sneaked out. Realizing she forgot something, she headed back and ---

---------------

What does she do? This isn't a coincidence anymore. Since the jousting tournament, no to be exact, since she fought that person from the lightning kingdom. Miley has gotten strange visions. Like the one now. This is dangerous. The Queen, she warned her, didn't she?

'Miley, stay in my sight from now on. That guy did something when he fought you.'

... Miley's gaze fell on the direction where the mansion was, despite traveling so far off. Miley could see it from the balcony in her room in the inn. Queen Lyn, she will apologize later. Miley will inform her about everything when she returned from the battlefield successfully. For now, she will distract herself from this pain.

________________________________________________________

Iga Inn (Lans room)

Lan woke up to the sound of a knock on his door and got up.

"Madam Miley."

"You will tell me what you know about the state of the battle."

Lan sighed, "It's 2 am, we have to be up early. Do you not wish to rest beforehand?"

Miley did not move and remained in the same spot.

"Tell me the state of the battle," Miley repeated.

Lan stood there and felt puzzled, staring at the girl. Her hand was pointing to what looked like an old map and a serious look in her eyes. Despite his confusion, he didn't let it show, his smile remained on his face.

"What is this suddenly?"

Miley said, "It's not sudden. I have been looking up this matter long before the fuss started. I want you to tell me the state of how each group is now."

"Truly what is this ..." Lan trailed off seeing the map in the girl's hands was old. He looked down at it, s.h.i.+fting over beside her. "This map is old." There are areas on here that have updated themselves considerably.

Miley wore a grim expression, "This was the only one I could sneak out." she paused as if thinking whether to say the next half. " If the Queen found out, I'd get in trouble for sure."

A Queen who dislikes wars, huh? During his conversation with the Queen before he felt presence aura from her aura. It's no secret anymore that the Queen doesn't like to fight. That may be why people respect her so much. He has no obligation to answer her questions. Especially knowing that the Queen wishes for her to remain ignorant. But Miley's gaze didn't leave his, such an intense look in her eyes.

Lan turned back to the map, "Where should I start?"

"What happened during the battle in the border? After the head Knight encountered the attackers. Didn't he raise our flags to show he was fighting back?"

He glanced down at the map and points to the area in the center, "The battle was left unresolved. But our side overwhelmed them. It seems Madam Kristy has quite the reputation. "

"But they got away, what were they thinking.

So she has done her research, huh? One wouldn't hear any random girl talking about war, let alone know the areas and what's been going on. Already he saw that there was something different about her. A 14-year-old so eager to enter the battlefield, huh?

Yes, she's different from all the other woman he's met. She isn't a doll that can he can control and manipulate.

______________________________________________________________

The head knight aside, Kristy-san was there too. She shouldn't have let them get away. Miley was fully aware of how similar the Queen and the head knight were, so this news didn't surprise her. The 4th knight said they held them back. But what were the consequences in doing so? Miley supposed she would find out more, once they arrive. While the head knight may be upset that she disobeyed the Queen's orders, he wouldn't turn her away. The head mage wouldn't care and say it's more fun with more people. Besides, it's not just herself who snuck of this time. Even though she's stuck with this person, it's a great comfort knowing she won't be the only one on the receiving end of the Queen's scolding.

"What about Ueno? I heard that your family's side is dealing with the conflict there. But aren't resources running low.." Miley trailed off, realizing that Lan was no longer listen.

"Sir Lan?"

Lan returned to the couch, and picked up his book, "While I do find your att.i.tude interesting Madam Miley." he sits down. "Can you not act more docile?"

Miley shot him a glare. She wanted to retort back; she isn't his. So why does she have too? But Miley knew better than to bring that up right now. This person is dangerous, so one must be careful when speaking with him.

"I simply wish to know the affairs of the kingdom I live in."

"That's fair and all. But even if it's against the Queen's wishes?"

Miley clenched her fist, and she flinched at his words.

"Madam Miley, surely you cannot feign ignorance any longer? You realize why the Queen is restricting you?" Lan's tone was severe, and so was his gaze. Miley knew she couldn't hide it anymore.

"I know of her concern.." Miley replied.

Naturally, she understood it too, deep down she probably had no issue with the Queen's idea of peace. Even the desire for her to be a normal girl, "But the blood in my veins won't sit still. I cannot sit idly by and do nothing."

She won't allow herself to do nothing.

Yes, not like that time.

-----------------

40XX (XX Kingdom)

The festival was taking place on the outskirts of town, in the border behind another village. That's why she didn't notice. It was not just her home consumed in flames. But the whole town. She watched as she recognized burned bodies slipping out of the house. Some tried to reach out for her.

"...AAAAAAAAAHHH!!" she screamed.

....

The girl didn't realize that the flame, the flame came from her. As she screamed it was because of the pain she felt.

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