''...''

Kierra took a sip of her morning coffee as she combed through the still-asleep Tian Yun's platinum-white hair. Although this White Lotus seemed vibrant and naive at times, one could sense wisdom from the way she carried herself.

The sect leader was also well-versed in folklore and tea brewing, as well as other traditional arts of the Central Divine Realm. She would often recite one of these sayings during the time spent with Kierra. Many of them were obvious, good values; others sounded silly, and some similar to this one... were intriguing.

'Surrounded by mud, yet unburdened by its fetor, huh...'

The archwizard got hung up on that last verse, yet she was unable to figure out why. Occasions like this were familiar to her, however. It was a signal of a breakthrough. In other words, she was inspired by it on an instinctual level.

''Mhm... Kierra...''

''It's still early. You don't have to get up.''

''Mmkay...''

After spending a good portion of the morning nursing the baby lotus and mulling over the idea, Kierra decided to go on another walk. She had already explored the city yesterday, so...

'Should I visit the training ground?'

Of course, the tower's training grounds were extensive. Since the establishment had its own military, it was crucial to have a good infrastructure to aid the wizards' growth.

Usually, they would be packed with apprentice wizards and registered wizards alike. That was within expectations, but Kierra certainly didn't expect the so-familiar screeching sounds to be heard in one of those areas.

''Hup...!''

With a graceful swing of the arm, the slender sword rips through the air, tearing apart the simulated target with ease and leaving behind a blue trail. Despite receiving many strange gazes, the sword's owner appears unfazed, tidying her simmering dark blue hair.

The moment her red eyes glanced around, those attitudes vanished.

''...''

Such was the sheer intimidation of the Mie Xieren. Perhaps Emei's abbess knew it herself, but she didn't care to correct them. She didn't particularly care how people saw her, just...

''Good morning.''

''Kierra!''

She just wanted to show her gentle side to her lover.

''Am I intruding?''

''No. I was wrapping up anyway. Let's go somewhere else.''

In fact, it was a lie. She had planned to stay for at least another hour or two, but between swinging her sword and being with Kierra, the answer was clear.

So, the two ended up strolling around the city... again.

At this point, Kierra was amazed at Mie Xieren's adaptability. Even Yu Chen or Tian Yun would receive some eyes from the passersby due to their distinct clothing choices. Yet, the abbess had seemingly integrated completely with the people of Lilienthal, donning modern attire just like them.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

(；・∀・)

'If only she didn't wear the sunglasses...'

They ended up catching everybody's attention anyway.

Not that Kierra cared.

''Have you made progress recently?'' Mie Xieren asked.

''Perhaps.'' Kierra replied. ''I'm trying to figure out something.''

''For example?''

Kierra's red eyes turned to Mie Xieren's red eyes. Unlike the others, having the abbess's company felt more like having a close friend's—more casual, less serious.

That was because Mie Xieren, as a person, wanted to be as comfortable with Kierra as possible, and she expressed that too clearly.

No cutesy shenanigans, no seductive tactics.

'Should I call her an adorable fool?'

Suddenly feeling mischievous, Kierra lightly closed their distance and leaned on Mie Xieren's shoulder. It was rather comfortable, considering that the opponent was a bit taller than her.

Flinch.

''Well?'' Kierra accentuated. ''For example... how can I punish the fool who was dense enough not to visit her girlfriend when she was having a hard time training?''

''H-Huh?! No, I'm sorry—''

''—is what a needy kind of lover would say in this situation. I'm not her.''

''...Ah.''

Realizing she had been teased, Mie Xieren felt an inexplicable urge to poke back at the grinning Kierra, yet she was unable to.

''I'd rather you not waste your time like that. I'm not doing anything particularly interesting when I'm training, anyway.''

''...I know.''

''And to be serious, I'm trying to find a way forward. Things are quite urgent at the moment, as you know.''

''...''

For a while, silence enveloped the two's space. Neither of them spoke, but it wasn't awkward in the slightest.

They were used to this.

They kept walking with seemingly no direction in mind, passing through buildings after people, alleyways after streets. Eventually, they were brought to a spacious plaza, one situated near a tall clock tower.

''Shall we settle down?''

''Alright.''

Now sitting on the fountain's ledge, Kierra and Mie Xieren relaxed their bodies, their red eyes wandering around the area. The capital of the Lilienthal Empire never had a dull moment, they said, and it was hardly a false statement.

Since it was approaching noon, restaurants and coffee shops were crowded, and the number of people who decided to eat outside wasn't small.

Mie Xieren glanced to the side.

Her Kierra was looking forward with a stiff gaze, simmering her consciousness in the sea of thoughts.

'Maybe not.'

It seemed she wasn't hungry. If Kierra wasn't hungry, the abbess wasn't, too.

''...''

''...''

Whenever she saw this fox-like woman, she would find herself unable to do anything against her will. Moreover, she would want to please this woman.

In a way, it was unadulterated, almost obsessive affection.

Romantically, a devoted lover, practically, a desperate partner.

Whichever it was, Mie Xieren wouldn't want to abandon her ways anytime soon. After all, Kierra was the one who pulled her out of that monotone life in the first place. If not for her, the current Mie Xieren wouldn't exist.

If she had one wish...

''Hm... do you want to sit on that tower? It's breezy up there.''

''Ah, alright.''

Suddenly, they were climbing stairs.

Taken by Kierra's hand, Mie Xieren steadily ascended the clock tower, eyes glued onto her lover's silhouette. Step by step, she saw that glossy black hair dance under the flickering light, those legs straining themselves to get the archwizard up, and perhaps the vivid scene of intertwined fingers.

''Hahah... still as beautiful as I remember.''

''...''

Without a care in the world, Kierra flopped down, poking her legs out of the edge. The abbess followed suit. Her gaze also followed the archwizard's, pinning to the sky.

The sky, now a clear blue with faint patterns of clouds, appeared infinitely tall.

Hearing rustling noises, she turned her head again. There, Kierra was, jotting down in her notebook words Mie Xieren hardly knew while posing a passionate smile.

For whatever reason, she felt compelled to interrupt that process, running her hand underneath the small notebook and seizing her lover's hand. Only when she felt the familiar warmth did she smile in contentment.

''Xieren. What's wrong?''

''Nothing.''

''Fufu. So childish.''

''Is that not okay?''

''No. Not at all.''

''Then... can you hear my wish, too?''

''Hm? Sure.''

''I wish that even after all tragedies that may be upon us, after all the tribulations we may sacrifice our lives for, all the good times we've had...''

clack—!

With a gentle click, the bell began to ring.

''...I hope you won't forget me.''