The twin moons hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow as the butterflies fluttered around, their soft lights dancing in the air. Rain sat beside Eve, his voice heavy with the weight of the words he was about to say.


    "To be honest, I don''t want to go. But if I don''t, it feels like all those who sacrificed for my cause will have done so in vain. Their deaths would mean nothing if I don''t do something to stop Gorm." Rain clenched his trembling fists, his eyes closing as worry gnawed at him.


    "We must stop him . . . but I''m terrified that more of my troops will perish this time. The thought of losing them . .


    . it scares me more than anything."


    Eve watched him silently, her gaze soft and understanding. After a moment of quiet, she gently ced her hand over his clenched fists, offeringfort and strength without words.


    After a few moments of silence, Eve finally spoke, her voice soft and reassuring. "Any leader would feel the way you do. It''s only natural."


    Eve gazed at Rain with a softness in her eyes, her voice tender as she spoke. "Rain, the weight you carry is heavy because you care so deeply. It''s not a sign of weakness, but of strength. Yourpassion for your people, your desire to protect them, that''s what makes you a true leader.


    The fear you feel shows that you understand the cost of war, and that''s what will guide you to make the right decisions."


    She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing, "You don''t have to shoulder this burden alone. Your people, your friends, they believe in you because they see the courage and determination that drives you. Lean on them, trust in their strength, just as they trust in yours. Together, you can face whateveres, and whatever sacrifices are made, they won''t be in vain."


    Rain felt the tension in his chest ease a little, the warmth of her words reaching deep into his heart. "Thank you, Eve," he said, his voice steadying. "I needed to hear that."


    Eve smiled beneath her hood. "By the way, I see you still haven''t found the Starfire Blossom I asked for."


    Rain''s thoughts of impending war were abruptly reced with a sense of dread. "Ah. D-don''t worry about it. I''m already in talks with our alchemists and herbalist about using those Thorny Bushes as a base for other nts. If they seed, the Starfire Blossom will just be a matter of time."


    "Thorny Bushes?" Eve''s voice held a hint of surprise as she pointed at the spiky, cactus-like nts that thrived in the barren wastnd. "You mean those?"


    "That''s right," Rain nodded. "Since those thorny bushes seem to be the only nts that survive here, I figured I could use them to graft other nts and help them adapt."


    "Graft?"


    "Yes, many nts can be propagated through grafting," Rain exined, his voice steadying as he spoke of familiar knowledge. "It''s a horticultural technique where tissues from one nt are inserted into another, allowing them to grow together as one. Back in my world, this method was used for all sorts of nts — fruit trees, vines, vegetables, flowers, you name it."


    Eve listened with growing interest, a smile tugging at her lips. "So grafting allows nts that wouldn''t normally survive here to adapt? That''s genius if it works. You really are something . . ."


    "Ahahaha . . . I wouldn''t put it like that," Rain said, rubbing the back of his neck in mild embarrassment. "I''ve had to get creative to put food on the table. Desperation tends to spark innovation."


    Eve''s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "I like that. Keep struggling, Rain, and keep entertaining me."


    Rain''s smile faltered slightly, a reminder of their deal surfacing in his mind. He was her entertainment, a game she enjoyed ying. He felt disappointed for some reason.


    "By the way," Rain began cautiously, "Santi and Helliana mentioned that this part of the wastnd is forbidden, said to be the dwelling ce of the Cmity Witch, protected by ancient magic no one can break."


    Eve was silent for a moment before letting out a soft, measuredugh. "So that''s the story they tell about me."


    Rain''s eyes widened. "Y-you . . . You''re really the Cmity Witch?"


    "I''m not exactly a witch," Eve replied, her tone light, as if it were of little importance. "But I do bring cmity."


    Rain''s heart skipped a beat. He had always suspected Eve was powerful, but hearing her confirm it left him in awe.


    "If you don''t mind me asking . . . why do you bring cmity?"


    Eve paused, her smile fading slightly. When she spoke again, her voice was tinged with sadness. "Why? Let''s just say it''s the reason I''m bound to this ce — to prevent unleashing another cmity on the world, I must stay here."


    Rain didn''t react, a mix of curiosity and concern in his heart. He wanted to understand her story, to know what had bound her to such fate. And what''s this about cmity she was talking about?


    "Don''t worry," Eve said softly after a brief silence. "As long as I remain here, no cmity will befall the world."


    Wasn''t she . . . so powerful then? Rain thought.


    Rain wanted to ask more, but he sensed that Eve wasn''t in the mood to borate further. He should be grateful that she wasn''t nning on killing him anytime soon.


    "Hmm~?"


    "What''s wrong?" Rain asked, noticing that Eve''s attention had suddenly shifted to him. Even behind her hood, he could feel that she was staring intently into him.


    "I sense something . . . an energy that''s trying to emerge but couldn''t yet."


    "Huh? Something trying to emerge but couldn''t?" Rain didn''t quite understand what she meant. Readtest stories on м??


    "It''s drawn by your intense emotions, but it''s not fully developed yet. It wants to respond to your call, but it''s still iplete."


    "Uh . . . I''m not sure I follow . . .


    ," Rain admitted, feeling more confused as she spoke in what seemed like riddles.


    "Do you have an egg with you?" Eve asked, cutting him off before he could finish his thought.


    Rain was taken aback. "How do you know about that?"


    Instead of answering, Eve extended her hand, her voice gentle yet insistent. "May I see it?"