Once the three were out of the merchant's earshot, Yamka quickened her steps and seized Noroi's arm harshly, forcing him to turn toward her until his masked face was directly in front of hers.

  She spoke in a low voice, laced with restrained fury.

  "Why did you buy this thing? I don't want to wear the mask of a girl who was burned alive!"

  No expression could be seen from behind Noroi's mask.

  He calmly raised his hand, then smacked the forehead of her mask with his palm, making her head jerk back slightly, before remarking with a muffled, mocking tone from behind the mask.

  "Because it's ugly… like you."

  Noroi pulled his arm free from Yamka's grip, leaving her frozen in place, still trying to process what he had said.

  Haruki pressed a hand against his mask as if it could stop his laughter from bursting out, before he hurried to run after Noroi.

  A sharp scowl formed on Yamika's lips, and she muttered under her breath.

  "Idiot…"

  Then she quickened her pace to catch up with them.

  The three continued on their way until they stopped before a clothing shop, where a scowling ogress stood behind a table, her lower tusks jutting upward.

  But the moment their feet touched the threshold of the shop, the ogress's nose twitched suddenly, as though struck by a strong scent.

  She strode out from behind the table with sharp, fast steps, approaching them directly.

  The three froze in place at her unsettling movements. Cold sweat trickled down their bodies… had she discovered them?

  The ogress bent down toward Haruki, sniffing him intently. The boy held his breath, unable to move a muscle.

  Then she straightened slowly, her narrow eyes scrutinizing them one by one. She circled them with slow steps, the air growing heavier with every moment of silence.

  Finally, she stopped in front of Yamka. Her yellow eyes lifted to meet hers, scanning her body from head to toe as though searching for something specific.

  Suddenly, a wide smile spread across her face, and she threw her arms around Yamika in a crushing embrace, lifting her off the ground as she shouted loudly.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Cousin!"

  Yamka choked from the force of the sudden, crushing hug, glancing between Haruki and Noroi for a moment, unsure how to respond.

  Yet something inside her skull told her she had to play along with the ogress.

  She gently patted the ogress's arm in return, forcing a nervous smile as she said.

  "Uh… cousin, yes, cousin."

  The ogress lowered Yamka back to the ground, letting her regain her balance, though the wide grin never left her green lips.

  She placed a heavy arm over the girl's shoulders and said.

  "I didn't think you'd visit me today. How's Uncle's farm doing?"

  The ogress's eyes drifted toward Noroi, scanning him from head to toe with a scrutinizing gaze.

  She hummed in disapproval before turning back to Yamika and shaking her head.

  "Your husband's been losing too much weight lately. That's not good, cousin."

  "My what?!"

  Yamka burst out instinctively, the ogress's words hitting her like a thunderbolt.

  Haruki pressed his lips tightly beneath his mask, barely able to contain the laughter bubbling inside him as his mind was already conjuring the image of Yamka and Noroi living together as husband and wife.

  Meanwhile, disgust twisted Noroi's hidden expression behind his mask ,the last thing he wanted in this world was to be that viking's husband.

  Realization struck Yamka suddenly; she straightened quickly, forcing composure to avoid blowing their cover, and replied with a strained tone.

  "Ah, yes… you know how the weather's been. The harvest hasn't been great lately."

  The ogress sighed loudly, raising her right hand above her head while resting the other on her stomach.

  Her voice carried a mournful tone as she said.

  "Ah, don't remind me… I've lost so much weight this year."

  The three of them stared at the ogress's protruding, sagging belly before Haruki muttered absentmindedly under his breath, his eyes drifting across the wide expanse.

  "Is that the equator in the middle? I wonder how many people live there…"

  Noroi quickly smacked him on the head to shut him up, while Yamka turned to her "cousin," nodding with forced politeness.

  "Yes, I've noticed."

  The ogress's eyes drifted toward Haruki. She moved from her spot, stepping closer until she bent slightly to bring herself to his level.

  A confused smile spread across her face as she asked.

  "And who's this little one here?"

  Before either Haruki or Yamka could answer, Noroi's cold voice cut through the air as usual.

  "Our new pet."

  The ogress's expression darkened, and her head slowly turned toward Noroi.

  She repeated his words in a heavy tone that hung over the place like a shadow.

  "Did I ask you?"

  The atmosphere tensed immediately, silence filling the space for a moment before the ogress suddenly rolled her eyes with a sigh.

  Her expression flipped in an instant as she threw her heavy green arm around Yamka's shoulders and said enthusiastically.

  "Come, cousin! Let's get something to drink!"

  Yamka's face lit up at the ogress's words.

  She wrapped her own arm around the ogress's back as they walked together toward the wooden counter where the ogress had been standing moments ago.

  The ogress released Yamka's shoulder for a moment and disappeared behind a brown curtain that led directly to the kitchen.

  During that brief absence, Yamka turned to Noroi and Haruki, whispering in a low voice.

  "Get what you need while I keep her busy."

  At that moment, the ogress returned, carrying two large oak cups.

  The liquid inside them swayed with every step she took, while a smile adorned her green face.

  "Welcome, cousin!"

  She said enthusiastically as she approached Yamka, then pushed one of the cups toward her.

  It slid smoothly across the table until Yamka caught it with a firm grip and raised it high.