As I descended Wind Canyon Hill, a wave of despair clung to me like a shadow.

Regret for not acting sooner. Frustration at wasting time instead of securing the Windfowl Feather immediately. And seething anger toward Tetato, the Death Dragon, for robbing me of my last chance to reconcile.

Days and hours painstakingly built into an opportunity, all ruined by a single dragon. Why did it have to appear at that exact moment, in that exact place?

‘This doesn’t make any sense...’

Tetato, a creature meant to emerge in the depths of the Demon Realm late in the story, showing up here, on the Northeastern Plains—it defied all logic. While the proximity of the Demon Realm to this region explained part of it, there was clearly some interference. Whether it was from the Hero or another character, I couldn’t say.

“Haa...”

But at this point, what good would it do to find out? The Windfowls were already gone, scattered or destroyed by the Death Dragon’s breath.

I didn’t have the luxury of interrogating the Hero’s Party about what happened. I had to return to Blackwood to prepare for my role as the future Duchess. My schedule was already far behind, and lingering here wasn’t an option.

The sunk cost of my efforts didn’t matter now. I had to focus on what lay ahead.

“Lilith, are you okay? Want me to carry you?” Ethan asked gently.@@novelbin@@

“I’m fine. Thanks, Ethan. Really.”

“Well, when we’re back at Blackwood, we can look into the Windfowl Feather again. Maybe we’ll find another way to get one there.”

“…I hope so.”

* Whooooosh.

* Swoosh.

* Tap.

* Whoooosh.

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