<CHAPTER 01>

“The traitor’s memories have been completely sealed.All qualifications as a mage are hereby revoked, and the use and study of magic are strictly forbidden.Furthermore, all records of the criminal shall be erased.”

When the judge declared that all punishments had been completed, the woman sitting in the cold defendant’s seat remained astonishingly indifferent.

Quite literally, because her memories had been sealed, she knew nothing.

She did not know what crime she had committed, what her name was, or how old she was.

According to the verdict, she would continue not knowing.

Perhaps not knowing was easier.

She fidgeted with her torn and crumpled clothes using her cuffed hands, then noticed her fingernails were badly broken.

Each nail was lifted, with dried blood around them.

Her neck and jaw ached as well.

What had happened to her?

Because she did not know, she did not feel fear.

It felt as if she were reading someone else’s story.

“Hey, come here.”

The magistrate, having stepped down from the judge’s seat, called her bluntly.

At the impatient gesture, she rose from the cold seat and followed.

“Take it. It’s yours.”

The judge tossed her a large cloth bag and removed the white mask worn during the sentencing.

She was a broad-faced woman wearing a vivid, multicolored scarf and skirt beneath a red robe.

A water-colored pendant hung awkwardly beneath the fluorescent scarf.

Altogether, her outfit was strangely colorful and mismatched.

“Let’s go.”

As if waiting for that moment, the rusty iron gate creaked loudly as it opened.

Through it, color entered her gray world for the first time.

The clear blue sky stretched toward snow-covered mountains in the distance.

She followed absentmindedly, and the gate slammed shut behind her.

Only then did the judge begin speaking rapidly.

“Listen carefully.

You committed a very terrible crime and received a severe punishment.

You nearly got executed, but I helped you survive.

I’m your friend.”

The woman tilted her head.

A friend?

“I don’t remember at all.”

“Of course not, your memories are sealed.

You were always bad at studying and clueless, so I helped you.

This is just the same.”

The judge shrugged casually.

Then, noticing the unfamiliar gaze, she snapped back.

“My name is Momona Kien.

From now on, you leave your bad past behind and become a new person.

Live an ordinary, diligent, and sincere life.”

Momona Kien spoke as if instructing a younger person.

Her light green eyes looked yellow under the sunlight.

“Reflect and atone.”

“What crime did I commit?”

Shouldn’t I know what I did to properly reflect and atone?

The judge hesitated.

“Hmm… it’s important, but I’ll tell you since it’s me.

You tried to harm someone very important.

You tried to kill them.”

“Who?”

“The Crown Prin—… anyway, someone important.

A very noble person you couldn’t even dare look at.

So you understand how serious your crime is, right?”

What is a Crown Prince?

It sounds like dried fish.

She did not understand, but followed quietly.

The judge kept talking without needing responses.

“I’ll take you to the outpost.

You’ll meet a supervisor there who will guide and monitor you.

Learn from them.”

Why are we friends?

The downhill path was short.

They soon reached the outpost.

“Listen carefully.

Never use magic.

Don’t try to remember or investigate your past.

That would mean execution.

Even I can’t save you.

Don’t trust anyone.”

“Okay. I heard it earlier.”

Momona Kien paused, then nodded.

“Good. Stay here.”

She obeyed.

Momona approached a middle-aged man inside the outpost.

“I’m a magistrate.

Where is the supervisor?”

“Ah, welcome!

Congratulations on becoming a judge.

The supervisor will arrive shortly.”

The guard bowed repeatedly.

That must be an important position.

After signing documents, Momona turned back.

“I’ll visit again later.

See you then.”

The woman nodded silently.

“Oh, your name is Anke.

Remember that.”

Then she disappeared into the fortress.

Anke… that means ugly.

She frowned slightly.

She turned her head.

One gaze belonged to the guard.

The other—to a tall, hooded man now standing there.

“W-Who are you?!”

“I’m here for her.”

He pointed at the woman.

His voice was deep and heavy.

“Who are you…?”

He ignored the guard and threw down an identification plate.

“Need more?”

His hand hovered near his sword.

“N-No! Take her!”

He gestured.

“Let’s go.”

She walked toward him.

He unlocked her cuffs and lifted her onto a large black horse.

“Don’t move. Don’t talk.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t talk.”

They rode for hours.

By sunset, she was exhausted.

At an inn, he gave her washing supplies.

“Do you remember how to wash?”

She stared blankly.

“…This is soap.”

Then she remembered.

Behind the ears. Heels too.

Where did I learn that?

“There’s hot water. Wash.”

He left.

Outside, he went behind the inn.

“Your Highness.”

A shadow knelt.

The man was Solishar.

The ruler of the North.

And the Crown Prince of the Hellen Empire.