When Nero and the rest reached the inn, it was evening. They ate dinner and talked about various things, planning on what they should do next.

Nero paid the bill using his guild card, and it reminded him of his past life.

"Now, should we go back to our rooms now?" Sophia asked Nero.

"Yeah, we will leave tomorrow— first at dawn," Nero answered.

All of them got up from their chairs and prepared to leave for their room. As Nero was about to step his foot on the stairs, someone called out to Elise.

"Miss Elise!" 

All of them turned around and saw a man walking towards them. He stopped in front of Elise and asked, "Are you ready?"

It was the same man who paid for Nero's bill yesterday.

"Yeah," Elise nodded. "I will get my belongings from my room."

"Wait, what is going on?" Nero asked with a confused and impatient look on his face.

"I am leaving for Astrared," Elsie asserted.

"Why so suddenly?"

"Mark," Elise introduced the man and continued, "He told me last night that he and his party are going that way, and they will stop by Astrared, so I decided to go with them."

"And you are informing me now?" Nero said with disbelief in his eyes.

"I was going to tell you yesterday, but you were drunk. And I already told Sophia and Emilia."

Nero looked at the man and raised his brows, "And who are you?"

"I am Mark," the man said with a smile on his face.

"I don't care about the name. Who are you, and what do you want?" Nero said with a glare.

"Nothing. I saw Miss Elise last night and asked her what she was doing here. She told me everything, and…" He placed his hand on his chest and bowed down a little, "My condolences for Miss Laira's death."

Nero squinted his eyes and frowned his brows, "What is and was your relationship with Elise and Laira?"

"We grew up in the same town, and Miss Elise and Miss Laira were my seniors. So I was very indebted to Miss Laira. I hope her soul is resting in peace," he said with sincerity in his voice.

"Enough," Nero took a deep breath and stared at Elise. "Why are you leaving at night? If you leave now, then you will reach the actual… I see. So you already have a plan."

"Yes, my party and I are travelers, so we plan everything before starting our journey. it's been three years since I last went to Astrared, and I can't wait to see how others are doing," Mark asserted.

"How many members are in your party?" Nero was asking questions as if he was taking an interview.

"Eight, and we have two carriages— one for males and another for females— with eight horses," Mark said with a smile on his face.

Nero watched Mark as a pouch came flying from the side towards Mark. But Mark caught it before it could hit him— without even looking at the side.

Soon after, a tanned girl approached Mark and tapped on his shoulder, saying, "The carriage is ready. Let's go."

"Yeah," he nodded and glanced back and forth at Nero and Elise. "So… are you coming?"

"Let me get my belongings from my room," Saying that, Elise rushed up the stairs.

The tanned girl then looked at Emilia and Sophia, "Hello. Mother and sister."

"We are going upstairs." Sophia shook her head with a weary sigh and dragged Emilia upstairs with her.

"Who is this girl?" Nero asked Mark.

The tanned girl hugged Mark and grinned, "He is my brother."

Li joked by imitating what Nero did last night.

Mark pushed her away with a flushed face, saying, "Stop it, Li."

Mark raised his and Li's right hand and showed their rings to Nero. "We got married two days ago."

Nero rolled his eyes and turned around, "Whatever."

When Nero reached his floor, he found Elise standing on the balcony, looking at the view outside. Nero quietly walked to her and stood behind her.

"What's wrong? Don't you want to leave? Aren't you getting late?" Nero's voice was full of annoyance.

Elise and Nero had gotten close after spending more than two months with each other— especially when Nero was with Elise when she needed support and a shoulder to cry. She opened up to Nero and Nero supported her in everything, and he was the only reason she was able to maintain herself. And since she stayed with Nero and the others for more than two months, it was natural for her to develop feelings for him.

"I was waiting for you," Elise said without looking back at Nero.

Nero walked further and stood beside Elise.

"Isn't this beautiful?" Elise questioned as she finally turned to Nero.

The orange sky and clouds with some stars made the sunset look more imposing

"It's sunset; what do you expect? Of course, it would be beautiful," Nero replied.

Elise stared into Nero's eyes as her golden hair swayed in the cold breeze of air, and her emerald green eyes reflected Nero's figure.

"It looks more beautiful because you are here," Elise commented with a smile on her face.

Nero let out a soft chuckle and said, "That's something a boy should say to a girl."

"Yeah, and I wanted you to say that," she nodded.

"Don't expect chivalry from me coz you won't get any," Nero said nonchalantly.

Elise stared at Nero for a while, then moved her hands and held Nero's head. Nero waited and watched as Elise brought her face closer to Nero. Their lips touched, then their tongues, and they exchanged each other's saliva.

As soon as their lips parted, Nero's form changed to his white hair and red eyes. Elise looked surprised at first but then slowly moved her hand towards Nero's face and touched it.

She then touched his face with her other hand and said, "I thought it would feel different."

"Are you disappointed?" Nero looked calm even though his form was changed.

After their lips parted, Nero's form automatically changed, and he hadn't done anything. But seeing Elise's reaction, he couldn't help but stay calm to make her feel at ease.

"Can I…" Elise moved his finger to Nero's marks on his cheekbones and said, "Can I touch it?"

"Go ahead." Nero nodded.

Elise touched his marks with her finger at first, then rubbed her thumb on them, "What is this? It's hard, but it doesn't feel too sturdy."

"Be careful, or it might open up and eat your fingers."

The moment Nero said that, Elise pulled her hands back.

"Heh!" Nero laughed aloud as he said, "I was kidding."

Elise glared at Nero with her wet eyes and puffed her cheeks.