After traveling through the night, the carriage arrived at the southernmost edge of the Kingdom of Verona.

Along the way, Lilliana stopped at a jeweler and exchanged the gemstones she had brought for gold coins, the common currency used throughout the continent.

After paying the coachman his fare, she boarded another carriage bound beyond the kingdom.

The roads outside the kingdom were poorly maintained, causing the carriage to jolt violently.

It was enough to make her feel sick.

Even so…

The sight of pristine white snow stretching all the way to the horizon brought an involuntary smile to her lips.

From here on…

This was a new beginning.

A fresh start in the life she’d been given after being reborn.

It had taken a long time to reach this point.

But perhaps…

A brighter future was finally waiting for her.

…But what if I run into House Eberhardt?

Though Lilliana knew very little about the world, she still remembered parts of the original story.

House Eberhardt wasn’t in the Kingdom of Verona.

It was located in the Aslon Empire.

That was why they had to travel all the way to the kingdom to get her.

No.

Enough with the negative thoughts.

I’ve finally escaped. I can’t keep frightening myself with needless worries.

Lilliana steeled herself.

It was still morning, and House Eberhardt wasn’t due to arrive until the afternoon.

Her family wouldn’t awaken from the hypnosis for quite some time.

Even if House Eberhardt learned what had happened…

It would already be too late.

Everything will be fine once I reach Kartel.

It’s a village where I can even escape pursuit.

Just before changing carriages, the coachman had told her about Kartel.

With a hearty laugh, he had said she was headed somewhere wonderful.

Kartel.

A small village that belonged to neither the Kingdom of Verona nor the Aslon Empire.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary countryside village.

But it was a place where the Dos and the Cuatro lived side by side.

Because of its unique location, many nations had tried to claim it as their territory over the decades.

But the Dos of Kartel fiercely rejected being ruled by anyone.

They fought relentlessly, declaring Kartel to be neutral land.

A place that protected the weak and offered refuge to those who suffered oppression and discrimination.

United as one, the Dos possessed enough strength to rival even a small kingdom.

They would rather destroy themselves, than submit to another nation’s rule.

Faced with Kartel’s fierce resistance, both the Kingdom and the Empire eventually gave up their claims.

It simply wasn’t worth paying such a price for a single small village.

In the end, Kartel signed a treaty declaring that it would belong to no nation.

From that day forward, it became truly neutral territory.

Neither a kingdom nor part of any alliance…

Kartel existed solely for the weak and the oppressed.

It was the perfect place for Lilliana.

With the Dos standing watch over the village, outsiders couldn’t easily infiltrate it.

Even if her family…

Or people from House Eberhardt…

Came searching for her…

Finding her would surely prove difficult.

When the carriage arrived at Kartel, Lilliana immediately thanked the coachman before paying him.

As the carriage disappeared into the distance, Lilliana cautiously approached Kartel.

At first glance, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary countryside village.

Small cottages with smoke lazily rising from their chimneys stood scattered across the landscape, spaced comfortably apart from one another.

Beyond them lay fields and farms.

It was impossible to tell where Kartel’s territory began or ended.

The village was so peaceful that it was hard to believe it had once fought such a fierce struggle.

At the entrance stood a wooden sign.

Lilliana quietly sounded out the words written on it.

“Kar…tel.”

Though she read it syllable by syllable, she managed to pronounce it correctly.

Lilliana wasn’t very good at reading the common language of the continent.

She had never been allowed to study while living with the Parvane family, so she’d secretly taught herself how to read.

Because of that, her grasp of the language was still poor.

But that was alright.

She could always learn from now on.

Before entering the village, Lilliana checked the spell she had cast on herself.

Becoming a Cero had awakened more than one ability.

Although it was still too early for anyone to be pursuing her, she had activated another of her powers each time she got on or off a carriage, just in case.

It was a perception-distortion spell.

As long as she didn’t deliberately reveal herself, it made it difficult for others to notice her.

It was a form of distortion magic.

An ordinary person could look directly at where she was standing…

And never even realize someone was there.

It should be safe here, but still…

Just as Lilliana finished renewing the spell and stepped toward Kartel…

“Aah!”

A rough hand suddenly seized her shoulder.

At the same time, a gruff voice barked,

“Who are you? What’s your business lurking around the village entrance?”

In the next instant, the robe covering her was roughly yanked away.

Startled by the stranger’s sudden appearance, Lilliana struggled desperately.

But she couldn’t break free from his grip.

“Well? Did you come from the kingdom?”

The man’s powerful grip reminded her of Tartan.

But his voice was completely different.

More importantly…

Even though she was using her distortion magic…

He was looking directly at her.

“Are you deaf? I asked you where you came from.”

“Valer. That’s enough.”

The man’s grip loosened only after an elderly man appeared from within the village.

Behind him stood three more well-built men.

Fear instantly gripped Lilliana.

Are they going to drive me away?

I heard this was a place without discrimination…

If they throw me out… where am I supposed to go?

She had come here relying solely on her aunt’s words.

She had never even considered where she would go afterward.

She had no other options.

And nowhere else to turn.

“Are you a traveler?”

Lost in thought, she didn’t respond until the old man spoke again.

Lilliana quickly bowed her head in greeting before answering.

“Hello. No, I’m not a traveler. I… I have this…”

She held out Leshi’s pendant.

Judging by the way the three men stood behind him, he was clearly someone of importance in Kartel.

“This…”

“I gave this to Leshi years ago. Did she send you here?”

The old man knew Leshi.

Relief washed over Lilliana.

Smiling faintly, she nodded.

“Has something happened to Leshi?”

“No. Nothing like that. I’m here because Aunt Leshi told me to come. If it isn’t too much trouble… could we talk?”

“Come with me.”

Lilliana followed the old man into Kartel.

The scenery was much the same as it had appeared from outside the village.

But seeing it up close, the quaint little homes were even more beautiful.

Children ran through the streets, laughing cheerfully.

The women and men were each busy with their own work.

There was even a small marketplace within the village.

And standing at its center…

Was a tall tower.

Unable to tear her eyes away from the unfamiliar tower that seemed so out of place in the village, Lilliana continued staring until the old man answered her unspoken question.

“That tower was built by the Dos who protect this village. It’s responsible for maintaining Kartel’s barrier and keeping the village safe.”

“I see…”

Before long, they reached their destination.

It was a fairly large two-story house by the village’s standards.

Even so, it didn’t appear luxurious.

It simply looked like a home meant for a large family.

Once inside, the old man naturally led her into a small drawing room.

As they sat across from one another at an old wooden table, the man who had grabbed her shoulder earlier approached.

“Valer, bring us some tea.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Even as he turned to leave the drawing room, Valer kept his eyes fixed on Lilliana.

The moment their gazes met, she quickly looked away.

“It seems my grandson behaved rather rudely. Allow me to apologize on his behalf.”

“N-No, it’s alright.”

It wasn’t alright at all.

But the last thing she wanted was to earn the old man’s displeasure and be driven out of the village.

“I am Valter, one of Kartel’s elders.”

“I’m Lilliana Pa..no, Lily.”

Out of unnecessary caution, she stopped herself from giving her full name.

Fortunately, the elderly man didn’t press the matter.

But Lilliana failed to realize her mistake.

The moment she’d called Leshi her aunt…

She had already revealed that they were family.

“I see, Lily. Now then, how did you find your way here? If nothing has happened to Leshi… do you need Kartel’s help?”

“Yes.I heard that Kartel stands with the weak. That it’s a place for those who are oppressed and discriminated against. If that’s true…would it be possible for me to stay here as well?”

“…”

“Hmm. From the looks of it, you’re one of Leshi’s relatives. Why come all the way here? Isn’t Leshi the wife of a merchant company owner? Surely you could have asked her for help instead…”

“…I’ve been abused by my family.”

Lilliana lowered her head.

If he asked anything more…

She wouldn’t be able to answer.

If they found out she was a Cero…

Even a village said to be free of discrimination might begin to treat her differently.

“I won’t stay long. A year…no, even just a few months…”

She pleaded desperately.

Hoping with all her heart that they would accept her.

Even if she only had a place to hide for a few months before leaving…

That would be enough.

She only had to endure until the day her family finally forgot about her.

“Very well. It doesn’t matter how long you stay. Leshi once did me a great favor. And judging by the map hidden inside her pendant… it seems she wanted you to find your way here as well.”

Sometime during their conversation, Valter had taken out the map Leshi had drawn herself.

It was now resting in his hands.

“Thank you. Thank you so much, Elder.”

Lilliana bowed over and over again in gratitude.

She only stopped when Valter waved a hand, telling her that was enough.

“As you said…Kartel is a place for the weak.”

Once everything had been settled, Valter’s grandson entered carrying freshly brewed tea.

His expression was still far from pleased.

“What? Judging by the atmosphere, you’re actually planning to let this woman stay?”

“Valer. Watch your tongue.”

“She obviously looks like she’s from the Kingdom.”

“She’s Leshi’s family. And isn’t Kartel a place for those who suffer discrimination? The hostility you’re showing her now is discrimination as well.”

At Valter’s words, his grandson, Valer, fell silent.

Even so, dissatisfaction still lingered in his eyes.

Then his gaze drifted to the patches of skin visible beneath Lilliana’s robe.

Her wrists.

Her neck.

Her calves.

His expression gradually softened.

He hadn’t gotten a proper look at her before arriving here.

But now, standing above her, everything was plainly visible.

Bruises and countless small wounds covered her small, fragile body.

Her skin was dry and cracked.

Her hair was dull and brittle.

Worst of all…

Was her face.

She was so thin she looked as though she hadn’t had a proper meal in ages.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of life in her complexion.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of life she had endured.

“Lily, come with me. I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”

“O-Okay!”

Feeling utterly overwhelmed by Valer’s unwavering stare, Lilliana was relieved when Valter spoke in his usual gentle voice.

She quickly stood and followed after him.

Valer came along behind them.

“The house is rather old, and there are quite a few places that need repairing. Will that be alright?”

“It’s alright. I could even sleep in a stable.”

“It isn’t that bad. It’s a little small, but it should be just right for one person.”

She truly wouldn’t have minded a stable.

Simply escaping the Parvane family already felt like a dream.

After walking behind Valter for about ten minutes, they reached a quieter part of the village.

Lilliana looked around with wide eyes.

Kartel was much larger than she’d expected.

Before she realized it, Valter had come to a stop.

“Here we are.”

The house he showed her was the smallest in the village, standing a little apart from the others.

Inside, the kitchen, bedroom, and living area shared one open space.

The bathroom was separated off to one side of the house.

“It’s quite old, but I’ll ask Valer and some of the other young men in the village to repair it.”

Although Valter was speaking, Lilliana barely heard him.

She was too busy admiring the house.

Cobwebs clung to the corners.

One leg of the dining table leaned noticeably to one side.

But none of that mattered.

She had a home of her own.

That alone filled her with happiness.

And behind it stretched a small mountain, beautiful as a painting.

She loved it.

“Thank you so much.”

Lilliana bowed deeply.

Then she hurriedly took out the pouch containing her gold coins.

“How much do I owe for staying here?”

“Ho ho. Owe?”

Valter let out a hearty laugh.

Beside him, Valer slowly shook his head.

“There’s no need to pay. Think of this as your own home and stay as long as you like. Kartel owes a great deal to Leshi and her husband. Let us consider this our way of repaying that kindness.”

Aunt Leshi truly was a wonderful person.

She hadn’t shown kindness only to Lilliana…

But even to people living far from home.

It wasn’t only Kartel that was special.

Leshi herself was someone truly extraordinary.

Lilliana silently vowed that one day, when she no longer had to hide…

She would go and see her.

“Are you sure I don’t have to pay?”

“Of course. From this day forward, you’re one of Kartel’s people.”

At Valter’s warm words, tears suddenly spilled from Lilliana’s eyes.

Never in her life had anyone treated her with such generosity.

But what Lilliana didn’t know…

Was that an Uno had already crossed the Empire and arrived in the Kingdom…

In search of her.