Another Yandere

Order Era, Year 1136.

Dawn broke, golden radiance illuminating everything on the ground.

Without farewells, Xia Lun and the others hastily departed the manor.

"We are but passersby, free adventurers bound by nothing. We are stray dogs without graves, never stopping until we die..."

Liyana hummed a melody that was rather peculiar.

Mo Lini’s gaze sharpened—she had never heard such a tune before. It was strange, even somewhat grating, but Liyana’s voice was pleasant, making it just bearable.

And for some reason, Mo Lini felt an odd familiarity with the melody, as though it were etched deep into her bloodline.

Xia Lun and Aina nestled together at the front of the carriage, reins in Xia Lun’s hands… Yesterday, Liyana had driven the carriage; today, they switched.

Listening to Liyana’s song, the two couldn’t help but smile.

"Liyana… what are you singing?"

When Liyana began the second verse, Mo Lini finally couldn’t resist asking.

"Adventurer’s Song. It’s Moke’s composition," Liyana replied, lying atop a haystack with her hands behind her head, one leg crossed over the other. Her longbow and quiver rested within easy reach, her posture utterly relaxed.

"A melody left by our ancestors?" Mo Lini’s eyes widened in surprise.

"How do you find it? Care to critique?" Liyana gave a light whistle.

"To be honest… the melody feels rather plain," Mo Lini admitted hesitantly.

"Hahaha! If Moke heard your review, he’d be delighted."

Mo Lini blinked. Would their ancestor truly be happy?

"You have no idea how lethal Moke’s singing voice is," Liyana mused, memories surfacing. "Right, Xia Lun?"

Xia Lun kept his grip on the reins, offering no reply.

Mo Lini didn’t dare ask about Xia Lun’s connection to events a thousand years past. She knew nothing of it.

Glancing back at the Norman Family’s manor, now a distant blur, Mo Lini sighed.

Their destination was Yueno City, where they’d trade for a better carriage—one with, at the very least, soft cushions. Liyana had already begun complaining about calluses from sitting on wooden planks.

No adventurer had ever been so fussy.

"Times have changed. Sticking to the old ways is just suffering for no reason," Liyana argued loudly. "Get the most expensive leather cushions, you hear me? And the carriage’s soundproofing better be top-notch… Oh, Aina can inscribe a soundproofing array later. Spend where it counts, save where you can..."

Xia Lun chuckled wryly and nodded. He wouldn’t refuse.

A soundproofing array? Aina licked her lips. The journey wouldn’t be boring after all.

Though Mo Lini remained tactfully silent, her eyes betrayed the same anticipation as Liyana’s demands.

……

"What? Xia Lun has already left? How could this be?"

Elesha awoke to a world that felt shattered.

Across the dining table, Lanxia sighed in resignation. This opportunity had slipped through their fingers.

Still, seeing Elesha finally heed her advice brought Lanxia some satisfaction.

"Xia Lun wouldn’t leave without a word… It must be that woman, Aina. She forced him away," Elesha muttered, biting her nails.

Lanxia sensed a drastic shift in Elesha since last night. What had transpired between her and Xia Lun?

"That woman… How dare she take my Xia Lun away? She’s no better than a demon! I’ll steal him back from her..."

Elesha shoved food into her mouth, chewing furiously.

"Grow stronger… I must grow stronger..."

If she lacked talent for magic, then she’d restore the Norman Family to its former glory, drawing powerful allies to their side.

Wealth, power—these too were formidable forces.

Once she possessed everything, Xia Lun would have no choice but to return to her.

"Elesha… what’s come over you?" Lanxia swallowed hard, studying the unfamiliar fire in the girl’s eyes.

The old Elesha had been timid, indecisive. Now, flames seemed to burn within her.

"What’s wrong? Grandmother, I’ve never felt better. I’ve found my purpose," Elesha replied with a disturbingly sweet smile. "You know, Grandmother, I used to drift through life, following your guidance without question. But now… now I have something I want. And I’ll sacrifice anything for it."

She rose and stepped behind Lanxia, resting her hands on the elder’s shoulders.

Lanxia felt as though a viper were flicking its tongue against her cheek.

"Will you help me, Grandmother?"

The words sounded less like a plea and more like a command.

"Of course… you’re my granddaughter."

"Thank you, Grandmother. You’ve always been so kind to me." Elesha’s smile was radiant.

Beads of sweat formed on Lanxia’s brow. She sat rigidly, as if a blade hung over her head.

Humming a cheerful tune, Elesha skipped away.

The moment Xia Lun left that morning, Elesha had heard it—the divine revelation whispering in her ear.

"How shy you are, Xia Lun. You couldn’t bear to leave me empty-handed, could you? What manner of being are you?"

"The revelation granted by the Hero is: Wisdom."

"Ah… I see everything so clearly now. Ideas surge like a fountain in my mind."

"I’ll wield this power well—to stand by your side as soon as possible."

"First, I’ll prune those pests targeting the Norman Family. Ideally, I’ll swallow them whole, expanding our influence swiftly."

Countless schemes unfurled in Elesha’s thoughts.

"How to proceed?" Her fingers tapped the air.

"Best not to be too cruel. No innocents harmed. Xia Lun is gentle—he’d disapprove."

"But those vermin… few are clean."

"No mercy for them."

Muttering to herself, Elesha’s eyes gleamed with delight.

"All to reclaim Xia Lun sooner..."