Before Beatrice and Lucas introduced their project, the citizens of the Kingdom wore hollow expressions, as if their souls had been ripped from them.

  Taxes continued to rise, yet the cost of food in the markets climbed higher still, strangling what little hope they had left. People worked themselves to the bone just to survive each day.

  But now, thanks to the project, many had seized the chance to participate, and for the first time in months, they managed to cover their daily expenses without feeling crushed by despair.

  Near the fountain, Diana stood with Ella and Tetra, waiting for Alaric's arrival.

  The two women exchanged quick glances, their eyes lingering on Diana with mild astonishment.

  She really went all out to disguise herself as a commoner,

  Tetra thought, her gaze sweeping over Diana.

  Diana wore simple clothes, devoid of embroidery and not a trace of makeup touched her skin, yet her beauty still radiated, impossible to hide beneath the humble attire.

  Before Ella could stop herself, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Diana in a sudden embrace.

  Diana stiffened, her eyes widening in surprise before she tilted her head slightly to meet Ella's gaze.

  "What's wrong, Ella? Are you scared?"

  As if waking from a dream, Ella's eyes flickered, her mouth trembling.

  "I-I'm sorry for suddenly hugging you, Your Majesty!" She released her and stepped back, her cheeks burning crimson.

  Diana raised a finger to her lips and whispered, "Shhh! Don't call me that here. Someone might recognize me."

  Ella nodded rapidly, bowing several times in apology.

  Meanwhile, Tetra crossed her arms and sat on the fountain, watching the exchange with a smirk tugging at her lips.

  Are these two comedians or what?

  Then, finally, Alaric arrived. He raised his left hand in a casual wave as he walked toward them.

  "I'm sorry for being late. Did you wait long?" he asked, glancing at Tetra and giving her a small nod. Tetra returned it with one of her own and stood up.

  Diana shook her head gently. "We didn't wait that long." Stepping forward, she extended her hand.

  "Please take care of us today." She gave a slight bow, a gesture so unexpected it drew startled looks from the others.

  Alaric blinked, his hand moving to the back of his head as he scratched it awkwardly, a faint laugh escaping him.

  "P-Please don't bow your head to someone like me."

  "Why can't I?" Diana's voice softened yet carried weight.

  "I'm showing gratitude to the person who's willing to risk his life to protect us. Let me at least do this much."

  The words hung in the air. Their eyes widened, not one of them had expected her to speak with such sincerity. A few smiles tugged at their lips, especially Alaric.

  Alaric, perhaps feeling the moment's weight, reached for Diana's hand and brushed his lips against it. "As long as I'm here by your side," he said softly,

  "you'll be safe."

  Diana's smile bloomed, warm and unguarded until a flush of embarrassment swept over her, bursting through her composure like a sudden spark.

  Do these men always kiss a woman's hand casually in broad daylight? She whispered to herself.

  As they walked along the roads of the Kingdom, Diana couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size of Apocrypha.

  The towering structures stretched endlessly, but what truly stole her breath was the cathedral, its spires scraping the sky, nearly rivaling the height of the palace.

  It wasn't as wide or sprawling, yet its sharp elegance gave it a presence that felt almost divine.

  They continued onward, the path sloping downward. The houses along the road no longer stood in neat, even rows; instead, they seemed to cascade with the terrain, each one sitting slightly lower than the last, like steps leading into descending ground.

  Then, she saw a group of men loitered ahead, their shadows stretching long under the dim light. Without a word, Alaric quickened his pace, stepping in front of them with the casualness of someone who had done this before.

  As they passed, Diana felt it a heavy, unspoken hostility. Even once they had crossed, the weight of those glares lingered like a shadow crawling up her back.

  "What are those people?" Diana asked, her voice low.

  "They're from the lowest area of the Kingdom, T-Towa," Ella came the reply, a hint of unease in the tone. "I… don't know what business they have here."

  "Are we close to your house?" Diana asked again.

  She lifted her hand and pointed toward a gate up ahead.

  "Once we pass through that gate, we'll reach the lowest area."

  After a couple of minutes, they finally passed through the gate. Diana's eyes widened at the sight before her, a stark contrast to the place they had just left.

  "T-This area… it has a completely different atmosphere from where we came from," she whispered, her voice trembling.

  Alaric let out a heavy sigh, his gaze sweeping over the grim surroundings.

  "I never would have thought that our destination would be here."

  Tetra glanced at him and smirked, her tone teasing.

  "What, are you scared?"

  He chuckled, though it carried no real humor.

  "As if I am. But the danger here is far greater than anywhere else in the Kingdom."

  Diana tilted her head toward him, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

  "Why is it so dangerous?"

  Alaric hesitated for a moment, as though surprised by the question.

  "The guards can't patrol any further than this. The people here… they're barbaric. They care nothing for the Kingdom's laws." His eyes lingered around the area.

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  "They act on their own will, even if it means killing a person, or a guard. It doesn't matter to them, as long as it serves their benefit."

  "I see… that's why it's called the lowest area," Diana murmured, then turned to Ella with a soft smile.

  "Let's go to your house. I want to meet your sister as soon as possible."

  Ella nodded firmly, determination hardening her features.

  "Don't worry, Towa. I will definitely protect you."

  As they walked, the air grew heavier, thick with unspoken tension.

  People along the path cast sharp, piercing glares their way, eyes gleaming with a hunger that made it feel as though they were strolling past a crowd who saw them as walking gold. Holding a calm expression became nearly impossible.

  Tetra could feel the bloodlust radiating from every corner, like invisible daggers pressing against her skin. Yet, she didn't flinch; her steps remained steady and a faint smile curved into her lips.

  This is getting interesting… She whispered.

  Her gaze drifted to Alaric's back, noting how his posture stayed firm, unwavering, as though the danger surrounding them didn't exist at all.

  "After we cross that path, you'll see my house," Ella said, her tone carrying a hint of relief.

  Alaric glanced at Diana. "By the way, Towa-san… Leo-san asked me to tell you that if you skip training for too many weeks, your body will grow stiff."

  "Huh!?" Diana's brows shot upward.

  Alaric looked ahead again, his tone casual. "Now that I think about it, you and Leo-san have been training in combat since you were kids, haven't you?"

  Diana scratched the back of her head, forcing an awkward smile.

  "D-Do we!?"

  Alaric nodded without hesitation. "Yes. Since you've trained with him for so long, I'm sure you're a strong fighter."

  P-Please don't expect anything from me… she thought, releasing a heavy sigh.

  After turning the corner, they spotted a middle-aged woman sweeping away bits of trash in front of a house. Her hair gleamed the same shade of yellow as Ella's, catching the faint light of the street.

  "Mom!" Ella's voice cracked with joy as she ran forward.

  The woman's yellow eyes lit up instantly. Dropping her broom, she opened her arms wide and embraced her daughter tightly.

  "Ella, welcome home!"

  "I'm home, Mom!" Ella replied, her voice trembling with happiness as she hugged her back.

  Watching the reunion, Diana felt her lips curl into a soft smile. A sudden warmth bloomed in her chest, as if she were back in her old life, hugging Ai after a long, exhausting day at school.

  The memory made her smile brighten even more.

  When the embrace finally loosened, Ella gestured toward her companions with a cheerful sweep of her hand.

  Her mother blinked in surprise, then her lips curved into a welcoming smile.

  "Oh my… what gorgeous people you've brought along." Her gaze returned to Ella.

  "Who are they?"

  "These are my friends from the palace," Ella said, her smile widening.

  "They came because they were worried about me and wanted to help with our… situation."

  She's not wrong, Diana thought.

  We are worried about her and her sister. But I already told her not to reveal who we really are, especially in a place like this.

  Diana stepped forward, keeping her smile warm yet measured.

  "I'm Towa. It's nice to meet you."

  "Ara~ what a beautiful person you are. The pleasure is all mine." The woman's lips curved into an even wider smile.

  "You're flattering me," Diana replied, her tone light but polite.

  Alaric, however, sensed something off.

  The air had shifted, thickened as if the street itself was holding its breath.

  His gaze swept over the surroundings, and he noticed every pair of eyes locked on them, unblinking, calculating.

  The way the loiters moved felt deliberate, closing in without a single step.

  Worse still, the crowd was made up entirely of men. Alaric could feel it now—an overwhelming bloodlust leaked from the crowd, so strong it felt like a current flowing under the street.

  Then, suddenly, a sharp clap echoed across the area, breaking the tension for a brief moment. His eyes darted to its source, Ella's mother, smiling as if nothing was amiss.

  "I still haven't prepared breakfast," she said, gesturing toward the door with a polite smile. "But if you don't mind, you can come inside."

  Diana returned a warm nod. "Please, don't worry about us." Her voice was calm, yet she waved her hand gently, almost as if to ease the woman's nerves.

  Ella stood by the door, beckoning eagerly. "Everyone, please get in!"

  Tetra, however, lingered near Ella's mother, an uneasy expression crossing her face. "We're really sorry for causing you trouble today," she said, her tone soft but edged with caution.

  The woman shook her head. "You don't have to apologize, Miss. I should be the one apologizing… for not offering you anything in return."

  Tetra gave a small, awkward laugh, but as she turned to follow Diana and Alaric, her gaze lingered on the woman.

  For just an instant, barely a heartbeat. Ella's mother's eyes seemed to hollow out, her smile curling into something faintly… devious. The shift was subtle, but the air grew heavier, darker, almost suffocating.

  Tetra froze, her eyes narrowing sharply.

  I've got a bad feeling about this… she whispered to herself.

  After Ella opened the door, her eyes widened, breath hitching in shock.

  She hadn't expected this, not even for a short period of time away. Yet the house stood before her, stripped bare, as though life had been plucked out of it.

  Diana noticed Ella frozen at the doorway, her hand still clutching the handle.

  "What's wrong, Ella?"

  "A-All the furniture… it's all gone." Her voice trembled as she took a single step inside,

  Diana followed, her brows knitting together in confusion.

  Ella's gaze swept across the empty space, her eyes darting from corner to corner.

  "W-What's happening?!" she whispered, the words almost breaking into a sob.

  Suddenly, warmth spread across her shoulder, steadying her trembling frame.

  She turned to see Diana's calm yet concerned face, her touch firm but gentle.

  "What's wrong?" Diana asked softly.

  "Y-Your Majesty, I-I'm sorry for losing my composure, but this scene… t-this emptiness, it's… it's so strange." Beads of sweat slid down Ella's face, mingling with the weight of disbelief pressing on her chest.

  "Strange?"

  She nodded and looked around the room.

  "This house holds so many memories from before I left to work in the palace… but now, everything feels so empty." Her hand swept across the space in a slow, trembling gesture.

  "The table where we used to eat together, the sofa where my sister and I would sit and talk. It's all gone."

  Her gaze shifted to Diana, eyes glistening with unshed tears, her face heavy with sorrow and regret. Her lips quivered, and her hands shook slightly as if the weight of it all was too much to bear.

  Diana's eyes widened. She could see it, raw sadness and deep regret staring back at her. She looked around the room and saw nothing, no furniture, no pictures only emptiness swallowed by shadows.

  The silence stretched for several long seconds until a sudden loud bang! on the door shattered it.

  Their eyes darted toward the sound, just in time to see Tetra locking the door with swift, practiced movements.

  "This is bad, we're surrounded!" she hissed, lips pressed tight in frustration.

  Alaric rushed to the window, his eyes widening in shock.

  Outside, the men who had been idling moments ago now revealed their true intent and surrounded the house.

  He saw several men carrying swords and axes, while others gripped a heavy club with a devilish smirk in their faces.

  When he looked up, he froze, archers lined the rooftops, bows drawn and aimed straight at the house.

  He bit his lip, frustration sinking in. He had sensed it before but hadn't acted fast enough.

  "She's right," he muttered grimly. "We're surrounded."

  Ella's face grew pale, her breaths coming in shallow bursts. So many bad things had already happened to her these past days, but this, this was the one scenario she had prayed would never come. And yet… it had.

  "M-My mom is still outside!" she stammered, her voice trembling.

  Tetra, who had been watching through the window, didn't look alarmed.

  "She's fine," she said calmly. "After all, she's glaring at us with enough bloodthirst to drown the whole house."