Turning Point? A Hero?

Very good… Allen watched Lilith and Luna eat her burnt steak, feeling a surge of excitement, even trembling slightly.

Everything was ready; only the final chance was missing.

After that night, Allen frantically searched for an opportunity—any chance to escape the Demon Castle.

Every day she pretended to be obedient, making Lilith believe she was useful, while secretly exploring every corner of the castle, except for forbidden chambers.

Persistence paid off. While cleaning the study, she found a book on potion-making on Lilith’s desk—her turning point.

Unlike other books filled with ancient runes, this was the only one she could understand—a single chance at freedom.

The book was filled with forbidden potions, dazzling in variety.

But she saw her salvation—magic essence poison.

It could kill all magical beings—including the Demon King.

A manic smile spread across Allen’s face.

But then she remembered the kiss from before.

After calming slightly, she switched to another potion—the sleeping draught.

All the ingredients were available within the castle: Sleeping Fruit could be found in the distant parts of the castle, lavender in the greenhouse garden tended by Luna, flourishing in purple blooms.

With just a casual excuse, Luna would give her a handful. For example…

“Lady Luna… may I have some lavender? I want to put it in a vase by my bedside—I’ve been having trouble sleeping…”

By now, Allen had completely understood Luna during her month in the castle. Luna was stubborn; threats backfired, but polite requests worked.

“Ah~ Little Allen has insomnia recently?~ Of course, take as much as you like~” Luna’s ears twitched, her tone caring.

“Thank you!~ Luna~” Allen smiled genuinely for the rare first time.

Great! One step closer to escape! Allen grew giddy, laughing softly to herself.

“So happy? It’s just a bunch of flowers,” Luna said, puzzled.

“No, no~ hehe~” Allen ran off immediately.

“Next… Sleeping Fruit… ah! This is it…” Allen muttered to herself in the potion lab.

She carefully picked a few fruits from the vine, placing them gently into her apron pocket. At last, the apron was useful.

All important ingredients were gathered—except the most crucial one: the Fire Crystal Core, used as a catalyst.

Fire Crystals only formed in fire-element monsters.

Though Kazarat Forest was full of monsters, Allen was confined, forbidden to step outside the castle.

Besides, in her current form, fighting even beasts was uncertain.

Before dinner, Allen wandered idly around the castle after washing her clothes.

She sat by the small pond in the garden, staring blankly at her reflection.

Laughing and crying, she recalled childhood friends who had gone on a suicide mission with loyalty, crying to die together.

They were gone—only she remained, surviving miserably.

Her eyes moistened, but she shook her head, refusing to dwell.

Studying the pond closely, Allen noticed a red dot in her reflection.

Looking down, her scarf was inlaid with a translucent red gem!

This was exactly what she sought—a Fire Crystal Core.

Allen hurried to her room, removing a crystal from another outfit, taking lavender from the bedside vase, and rushed to the potion lab.

Cautiously checking her surroundings to ensure no one noticed, she entered the lab undetected—exactly as she intended.

Clang, clang—the liquid in the cauldron splashed.

Following the book, Allen slowly added ingredients. Perhaps due to her recent cooking experience, she did it with ease.

Once brewed, she poured the potion carefully into a vial, sealing it with a wooden stopper—complete!

Allen stared at the purple-red liquid, overwhelmed with excitement.

Now she only had to slip it to Lilith unnoticed—then all would be fine!

The sleeping draught, when mixed with the right amount of sugar, would make the drinker fall asleep for at least three days.

During those days, she could escape the Demon Castle, with Lilith powerless to stop her.

Allen grabbed the potion and hurried off to cook. In her haste, she forgot to clean the cauldron.

Soon after, Lilith used the same cauldron, noticing the leftover potion.

“Little maid getting clever? Interesting~” Lilith laughed, cleaning the cauldron before continuing her experiment—she didn’t intend to expose Allen.

…

Dinner

“Master, here’s a new dish I learned~ please enjoy it~” Allen smiled, her voice unusually cheerful.

“Hmm? Lavender? Such a fragrant aroma.” Lilith tasted it; seeing her, Luna also bit in without hesitation.

Allen stood behind Lilith, watching the two.

Suddenly, clang! Lilith fell onto the plate.

“Master?!… What…?” Bang! Luna also fell onto the table.

Success! Success! Though not glorious, she had regained freedom!

Allen suppressed her joy, needing to escape quickly.

Bending over, she searched Lilith’s body for keys.

Finding them, she playfully pinched Lilith’s cheeks and made silly faces—a release of pent-up fear and tension.

Then she noticed something hard in Lilith’s black dress pocket.

A pocket watch. Opening it revealed a yellowed scroll, showing three figures: one young Lilith, a pale man with silver hair and red eyes in a black robe, and a little girl in a white dress with red eyes—the little girl being the body Allen inhabited.

Seeing the man, Allen uncontrollably wept—there was a frightening familiarity.

Closing the watch, she tucked it away and ignored the two still collapsed on the floor, heading for the castle exit.

Passing the armory, curiosity struck. She unlocked the door with Lilith’s key.

Inside, weapons were neatly displayed, each with a set of armor.

None were ordinary. Picking up a fine rapier, she read the engraving: “May glory be with Osdan IX, Leonardo.”

Leonardo was the hero of the 76th Holy War, later dying in the Demon Castle.

Next to a weapon lay a uniform from over thirty years ago—matching historical records.

A shiver ran down Allen’s spine.

She picked up a dagger, attempting to cut her collar off, but it wouldn’t budge.

Counting, there were 85 weapons and 85 armors—86 Holy Wars but only 85 armors. Strange.

Finding her own set, a spear and navy cloak, Allen stabbed her finger, letting blood touch the spear tip—the metal gleamed anew.

Exquisite craftsmanship. The spear, not merely a weapon, but art, etched with enchantments. Its tip could slice hair with precision.

Recognizing its master, the spear felt lighter. Allen swung it twice, smiling.

Finally, I’m back? she thought.

She removed the maid outfit, donned the cloak, braided her hair like Luna’s, and secured it with ribbons.

The clothing fit perfectly—no need to overthink.

All set, she grabbed a few coins, glanced at the castle where she had lived for over a month, feeling a hint of attachment, yet… she wasn’t staying forever!

Without looking back, she headed toward the nearest town…

…

Traveling rough, she reached the outskirts of Kazarat Forest, seeing faint signs of activity.

Resting in a tree hollow, she shielded herself from winter winds, cuddling near a fire for warmth.

Just as she was about to sleep, she heard shouting.

Donning her cloak, spear in hand as a walking stick, she moved toward the sound, seeing the glow of a fire.

“Please! Spare him! He’s just a child!” A middle-aged woman cried.

“Get out! All of you die!” A crooked-eyed bandit shouted, swinging a knife.

“Ah!” The woman screamed, falling to the ground.

The small village burned like hell, lives extinguished amidst their final cries.

“Dad! Mom! Waaaah!” A young boy clutched his parents’ bodies, weeping.

Soon, all resistance was killed. The bandits forced the villagers to kneel.

Allen froze in shock.

“How should we handle the leaders?” A bald bandit asked the scar-faced one.

“Kill them all! Leave no one alive!” The scar-faced man growled.

“Roger~” The bald bandit smiled, raising his knife…

Allen, powerless, watched. Before, she would have charged without hesitation. Now, even survival was uncertain, let alone saving the villagers.

Snap! A prisoner’s head fell—the corpse kneeling in blood-stained mud, recounting its tragic fate.

Encouraged by the bandits, the bald man moved to the second prisoner, only to be stopped by a man who used his head to push the bald man away from the woman.

“Don’t hurt my woman! I’ll fight you!” He roared.

Snap! His leg was cut; he fell, the bald man striking again.

“Overestimating yourself,” the bald man mocked, advancing.

Allen trembled—what could she do?

Suddenly, a shout:

“Husband!!!!” the woman screamed.

“Dad!!!!” The brown-haired boy yelled, trembling violently.

Then, blue madness surged from him, breaking his restraints, charging the bald man.

The bald man was stunned—never seen youth with such madness.

Allen realized: even a child was braver than her… and she had been cowering.

She jumped from the bushes, joining the battle…