Avril felt like she had the worst luck imaginable.

As a prospective member of the Shadow Veil Organization, her life had been quite leisurely.

Relaying intelligence, scouting enemy positions...

These tasks were no trouble for her at all; she could even sneak in a nap between missions, living quite comfortably.

This mission to the Land of Mist was no exception at first.

With a powerful Extraordinary Professional like Graham leading the charge, the campaign was a series of triumphant advances.

Although the Demons constantly emerging from the dense fog were troublesome, they could hardly stop the army’s advance.

As a result, Avril, a courier attached to the army, had almost nothing to do. She spent her days in her tent, counting on her fingers the days until she could return to the River Domain.

So, when Graham needed someone to return home early to deliver the initial report of their victory, Avril was the first to raise her hand without hesitation.

She could escape the dull life on the front lines and go home early—what was not to like?

And so, she had gladly joined the logistics team Dylan was on, which was tasked with searching for a missing supply convoy.

She had thought it would be nothing more than a safe, short-term assignment.

But what happened?

First, they were lethally ambushed by frenzied Demons in the mist, and the team suffered heavy losses.

Then, their retreat was completely cut off by a colossal mountain range that had appeared out of nowhere.

To make matters worse, their experienced original commander was seriously injured and fell unconscious during the battle.

In the midst of the chaos and despair, the soldiers saw the strength she displayed in battle, as well as the prestige that came with her status as a member of Shadow Veil.

And so...

She was practically pushed into it...

Avril, a courier who just wanted to deliver a message in peace...

Somehow became the temporary commander of this trapped, battered remnant of a squad!

Listening to her adjutant, Barry, report by her side, the Elf Maiden frustratedly ran a hand through her brown hair and spoke in a low voice.

"So, you’re telling me that not only have we lost our last three bags of hardtack, but even the little bit of styptic herbs we had left has been eaten by rats? Adjutant Barry, is this the ’good news’ you’ve brought me after a whole morning of stock-taking?"

"Commander Avril, my deepest apologies, but..."

Looking at the nearly frantic young woman before him, Barry cautiously raised his head, his voice barely a whisper.

"That is indeed the situation, and... the patrol just reported new claw marks to the southeast. They’re deep. I’m afraid it’s not an ordinary beast..."

"Claw marks! More claw marks!"

Avril’s voice suddenly shot up, filled with the exasperation of someone pushed to the breaking point by trivial matters.

"We’re trapped in this damn mist! The wounded are groaning! Our food is almost gone! And there are unknown monsters prowling outside!"

"And I have to sit here and listen to you tell me that rats ate our herbs? And those damn claw marks! What do they tell us, besides the obvious fact that there’s danger? The direction? The number? The species?"

After a brief silence, Adjutant Barry’s voice grew even quieter.

"Commander... we lack tracking experts, and this mist..."

"I know! Of course, I know!"

Avril’s voice was filled with helplessness.

"And the wounded! Barry, tell me, how many clean bandages do we have left? How much usable medicine? That soldier whose leg was sliced open yesterday, has he fallen into a coma today? Do you know any of this?"

"Th-that... I’ll go and confirm right away, Commander."

Barry’s voice was filled with panic.

"Go! Go now!"

Avril practically roared.

But then her voice suddenly deflated, tinged with a deep self-loathing.

"No... wait... I’m sorry, Barry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. It’s not your fault..."

"AAAARGH! By the gods, why are there so many things to deal with!"

She irritably tugged at her brown hair.

"Damn the supplies! Damn this mist! Damn the Wolf King! And damn all this never-ending paperwork and these reports!"

"I just wanted to go back to the River Domain and deliver a message! Whoever wants this damn temporary commander job can have it! I need help... no, I need a release!"

Just as she was wailing in despair, the heavy tent flap was suddenly thrown open.

A rush of damp, misty air surged in, making Avril, who hadn’t slept for two days and a night, shiver involuntarily.

"Damn it, haven’t I told you?!"

Avril snapped her head up, her bloodshot eyes glaring at the tent entrance.

"Before you enter, you’re supposed to... uh..."

Her slightly irritable voice came to an abrupt halt.

Avril’s eyes widened unconsciously. A moment later, she whispered in a tone of disbelief.

"Ro... Roland?"

"It’s me, Avril."

Roland’s gaze swept over the adjutant, who was trembling from Avril’s shouting, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

"It seems you’re... not quite cut out to be a temporary commander?"

"Hahaha..."

Following Roland’s gaze to the terrified expression on Adjutant Barry’s face, Avril gave a dry laugh and quickly smoothed down her messy, short brown hair.

Her voice, which had been a bit harsh, suddenly softened.

"Wait, Roland, what are you doing here?"

"It’s a long story..."

Roland found a random chair and sat down, briefly recounting what he had been through and taking the opportunity to ask Avril for some information.

Avril, of course, held nothing back, telling him everything she knew.

Before long, the tense atmosphere in the tent was dispelled by the young woman’s lively laughter.

Witnessing this, Dylan and Barry exchanged a look, their faces filled with disbelief. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The bloody methods this temporary commander had displayed when slaughtering Demons, and her decisive, no-nonsense demeanor when handling complex affairs, were still fresh in their minds.

It was truly difficult for them to reconcile that image with the Elf before them, who now seemed like a young woman in the throes of first love.

"Avril, have you heard anything about Teresa and Galvis?" Roland asked.

Hearing his question, the Elf Maiden shook her head gently.

"I haven’t left this area at all since we entered the Land of Mist. I probably know less about the outside world than you do."

"I see..."

Thinking of Teresa and Galvis’s strength, Roland sighed softly. He temporarily suppressed his worries about his other two companions and refocused his attention on the matter at hand.

"So you’re saying... your casualties weren’t severe? You were just forced to hole up here because you lost your way in the mist?"

"That’s right."

The Elf Maiden nodded in confirmation.

After a soft sigh of relief, Roland continued to ask.

"Then do you remember where Dean Graham’s camp was when you left?"

"Of course! It’s in Cuiyan Forest!"

Avril answered with certainty.

Hearing the familiar place name, Roland couldn’t help but look down at the pair of red eyes in the pouch at his waist, a smile touching his lips.

"What a coincidence, Avril. I happen to... have a guide who can find her way in the mist... Miss Vanessa."

As his voice fell, the tent flap was pushed aside once more.

The Purple-haired Witch entered the tent with a graceful sway, giving a small bow to everyone inside.

When she raised her head, a perfectly calibrated smile appeared on her charming face.

"Good day, everyone."

Avril’s smile stiffened almost imperceptibly upon seeing the mysterious purple-haired woman, a flicker of scrutiny and vigilance in her brown eyes.

’Her aura is mysterious, her strength difficult to gauge...’

’And...’

Avril’s gaze swept over the Witch’s rather full bust, and her brows furrowed slightly.

’Why would Roland be traveling with a woman like this?’

"Good day, Miss Vanessa."

Avril’s voice remained soft, but it took on a hint of official formality.