Inside the Mirror world, Eunwoo had stopped pacing.
For the first time since the attack began, he stood completely still at the edge of the lake, watching the reflections.
The temple courtyard was chaos.
Steel clashed.
Soldiers shouted.
Torches flickered wildly.
Dermouth troops pushed deeper into the temple while the few guards stationed there struggled to hold them back.
And in the middle of all that—
Constance had just stepped through the gate.
Eunwoo stared.
"…unbelievable."
Most people ran away from invading armies.
Constance, apparently, walked toward them.
Step.
Tap.
Step.
Tap.
Her walking stick touched the stone ground steadily as she moved forward.
She couldn't see the soldiers rushing past.
She couldn't see the swords drawn.
But she could hear everything.
Armor scraping.
Boots pounding.
Shouting in unfamiliar voices.
Her head turned slightly, tracking the sounds around her.
"Dermouth soldiers…" she whispered.
Even in the middle of chaos, her hearing sorted the sounds quickly.
Temple guards yelled orders nearby.
One of them noticed her.
"Get back!" he shouted.
"Leave the temple!"
But Constance didn't move away.
Her face was tense, but calm.
Instead, she turned toward the hall entrance.
The Mirror was inside.
And the soldiers were heading there.
Inside the Mirror world, Eunwoo dragged a hand down his face.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Dermouth soldiers rushed toward the main hall doors.
The two spies led them quickly.
"This way!"
"Move!"
Their plan had worked perfectly.
Open the gates.
Let the army in.
Capture the Mirror before the kingdom could react.
Quick.
Efficient.
Simple.
The first group of soldiers reached the temple hall entrance.
And stopped.
Because someone was standing in the doorway.
Constance.
Step.
Tap.
She had walked directly in front of the entrance.
Her walking stick rested lightly against the stone floor.
She tilted her head slightly.
Listening.
Dozens of armored soldiers stood just a few steps away.
Their breathing.
Their armor shifting.
Their boots scraping the ground.
She could hear all of it.
One soldier frowned.
"…a girl?"
Another one scoffed.
"Move."
Constance didn't move.
Her fingers tightened around the walking stick.
"You cannot enter," she said softly.
Inside the Mirror world, Eunwoo stared in disbelief.
"…that's your plan?"
Stand in the doorway?
Against an army?
He almost laughed.
Almost.
But the strange tight feeling in his chest wouldn't go away.
The soldier stepped closer.
"You're in the way."
Constance lifted her chin slightly.
"The temple is not yours."
The man sighed.
Clearly annoyed.
Another soldier spoke behind him.
"We don't have time for this."
He stepped forward.
And gently—but firmly—pushed her aside.
Constance stumbled slightly.
Her shoulder hit the stone wall.
Her walking stick clattered against the floor.
But she didn't fall.
She quickly reached for the stick again.
Listening.
Tracking the soldiers as they moved past her into the hall.
Inside the Mirror world, Eunwoo watched them approach the pedestal.
His expression slowly darkened.
"Great."
Now they were here.
The soldiers entered the hall quickly.
Their eyes immediately locked onto the Mirror.
Even in the dim lantern light, it stood out.
Tall.
Silent.
Ancient.
"The Mirror of Elarion," one of the spies said quietly.
Eunwoo crossed his arms.
"Yes, yes. Very famous object."
The soldiers surrounded the pedestal.
Weapons ready.
The taller spy stepped forward carefully.
"Take it," he ordered.
Two soldiers moved toward the frame.
Behind them, Constance reached the doorway again.
Her breathing was heavier now.
But she kept listening.
Tracking every movement in the room.
"The pedestal," she whispered quietly to herself.
"They're at the pedestal."
She stepped forward again.
Inside the Mirror world, Eunwoo watched her reflection appear behind the soldiers.
Still trying to protect the Mirror.
Still trying to stand in their way.
Even now.
Eunwoo exhaled slowly.
"…you're really stubborn."
The soldiers reached for the Mirror's frame.
Hands closing around the edges.
And for a moment—
Nothing happened.
Just the quiet scrape of metal against stone.
Then—
The surface of the Mirror rippled slightly.
Like water disturbed by a falling drop.
One soldier jumped back.
"What was that?"
Another frowned.
"Did it move?"
Inside the Mirror world, Eunwoo cracked his knuckles.
He hadn't done anything yet.
But he was thinking about it.
Very seriously.
Behind the soldiers, Constance had stopped moving.
Her head tilted toward the Mirror.
Listening.
Something about the room had changed.
The air felt different.
She couldn't explain it.
But she knew something was wrong.
Inside the Mirror world, Eunwoo stared at the soldiers touching the frame.
Then he glanced toward Constance's reflection behind them.
That tight feeling in his chest returned again.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
He sighed.
"…alright."
His voice echoed softly across the lake.
"Maybe I should get involved."