“What happened here?! Wait, Ichirou and Hasu?!”

“Ah, it’s been a while. Asagao!”

What the hell is this?!

As soon as I told Violetta about what Diyu saw in the beast kingdom, she readily prepared the warp. Along with Alstroe, Topaz, Mimi, and Senya, we all came to the Fox Manor. Needless to say, Izuna is together with us too.

However, the whole place is in panic. Dozens of servants of the manor are running here and there while Ichirou and Hasu stand outside the manor.

Truth to be told, I still can’t keep a straight face in front of Ichirou. It’s impossible for me to forget about what happened that night, the day I got swept up with my feelings and kind of…

Nevermind.

“Higan, where’s Higan?!”

“She’s being treated right now together with Miss Mimosa.”

I was about to take a step to rush inside, however, Izuna was a split second faster than me. Higan is her precious daughter, after all, however, Higan is a precious friend and a sister to me too so I followed immediately without missing a beat.

Alstroe and the others followed but Ichirou and Hasu stayed back. Mimi is the one pushing Senya’s wheelchair and Topaz is following closely behind us. Alstroe is beside me, anxiety stricken. However, even as we entered, the two guys didn’t.

“Men are not allowed here.”

Izuna muttered. Despite the situation, she was able to clearly see through my woes.

Also, now that she mentioned it, all of the servants here are fox girls ranging from young teens to middle age. It’s quite a pristine place and I didn’t notice it the first time I was here.

Izuna keeps walking without even adhering to the formality of removing your shoes in a typical eastern house. Not even a minute passed when we arrived at the room where Higan is being treated.

At the sight of her daughter, Izuna’s face is invaded with utter despair and sadness while tears that she kept at bay earlier gushes out.

“My…my little girl…!”

Even I felt something churning in my stomach as I saw Higan who is laying down on a futon.

The typical white bedding is dirtied with blood. The dozen healer is actively draining their magical energy to close all of the wounds on Higan’s body, however, as I see it, it’s a pure horror.

Her naked body lies. With the exception, of her right arm, her limbs are broken and twisted that it’s facing in a direction that it shouldn’t be. Bruises and wounds are everywhere, at this point, it’s not even an exaggeration to say that she is infested with them.

There is a portion of her torso that has a huge burn and it’s in plain sight that a lot of her ribs are broken making breathing for her difficult.

Then, I notice that beside Higan is Mimosa with a grim expression.

“Mimosa!”

“Don’t come closer.”

From her words, Izuna who is about to jump to Higan stops and span her sight to Mimosa.

“What’s…her condition?! Is she…is she…”

“A normal heal that boosts the recovery rate of the wounds won’t cut it. Several lacerations aren’t going to close easily at this rate and there’s also the problem with her mangled bones. Her limb can be taken care of later but the broken ribs are piercing her lungs!”

“Noo…No!”

“She is bleeding externally and internally and it’s even hard to figure out where and when should I start. Even with the heal, the broken bones may return in several days, however, the fragments that those bones will be left behind will be vital to be removed. The only relief is that her heart is still beating…like she is doing everything to live…”

With all those injuries, I am still glad that she is still alive but if this keeps up, then she might really…

Wait…Excelsior…

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“Senya!”

“Asagao…”

“With your Excelsior, we can immediately treat Higan!”

“…Truth be told, after the crisis…Excelsior has left in my possession.”

Eh…?

“There are several reasons why I haven’t told anyone yet except Mimosa…”

“Then…what about…Higan…?”

“I’m sorry…I should have acted more prudent for her sake.”

Izuna’s weep echoed in my ears. In front of me, Alstroe with a grim expression looks at me…

Topaz and Mimi look down as they can’t do anything.

Think…think…

“Ichirou…if Ichirou replicates Excelsior then…

“He will die.”

I see…

Then…what…what…?

This can’t be happening.

Ah…

“Higan!”

I immediately run towards Higan with my hand outstretched towards her, however, I was immediately caught by Mimosa.

“Let me go!”

“What do you think your doing!?”

“Divine Ascension, there’s a chance that she’ll get better!”

“And? If she doesn’t and it only gets worse because you put a heavier stress on her body?!”

“But…!”

“Impudent brat!”

THUD

I felt a numbing pain in my stomach. I got down on my knees as air escapes from my lungs and gasps. My vision becomes a little hazy with tears and pain.

Then, I realized that Mimosa gave me a blow in the stomach.

“Stay down.”

Mimosa returned to Higan’s side and kept applying some ointment in her bruises.

What should I do?

For some odd reasons, Senya lost possession of Excelsior, we can’t use Divine Ascension on her, and most of all, there are only limited people here who could actually help.

Is it…going to happen to me again…?

First was Milin…

Then…master…

Are they trying to take Higan as well…?

Only if I have my heal then…no…nothing is going to change…

“Pii!”

What should I do?

Higan’s life is fleeting in front of me and yet, I can only lament on my own uselessness.

“Pii! Pii!”

“Ow!”

Something pecked my forehead, no, rather, someone…?

As I reach out to my head, I felt a warm sensation akin to a gentle flame. A fluffy feathers that belong only to that pompous bird.

“Emby?”

“Pii!”

“Emby! Asagao! We came as soon as we heard!”

From the entrance, Casablanca and Hibiscus are breathing roughly as they sprinted to this place. I’m glad that they are here but…

What can we do…?

From my inquiry inside my mind, Hibiscus walks up beside me and reaches out to my hand puts it on her chest and smiled.

“Asagao, Higanbana is important for us too. You and Higanbana are also our sister. We will also take some burdens out of your chest.”

“Hibiscus…but…”

“This time, put your faith on me, as your sister who also wanted to help a sister. Use your Divine Ascension on me.”

As Hibiscus said that, something hits my mind.

That’s right…

There’s that too. If it is Hibiscus, she can definitely save Higan!

“Alright, I leave it to you, Hibiscus. Please…save her…”

“Leave it to me!”

“[Divine Ascension]”

As soon as I invoke the words, divine energy flowed from me to Hibiscus. The divine power invaded her body and with a medium, Artemis, that enables her to use it, her body began to brim with blinding light. Overflowing power descended once again in the form of Hibiscus Prasiolite.

The entity called Emby who is a small chick becomes a full pledge phoenix once more. Casablanca who is watching sprouts a proud smile while Izuna and the other fox servants are flabbergasted.

A huge insignia reveals itself behind Hibiscus as strong divinity paved it’s way everywhere. Hibiscus’ silver gradient hair flutters and her green eyes shine like a gem. Her healthy tanned skin is painted with the light of divine power that fuses with her.

She raises her hand towards Higan and said…

“Emby, please!”

“Pii!”

“[Emby’s Warmth! Target: Higanbana!]”

As Hibiscus commanded, Emby dive straight to Higan making everyone near her jumps away in surprise, however, Mimosa didn’t flinch even though the place is bathed in fire.

There’s nothing to worry about since Emby’s flame will only strike down its foes.

Emby then stares at the lying and wounded Higan before swallowing her whole. It made a huge gulping sound as Higan’s whole body enters inside him.

Izuna broke down…

“Higabana…! Higanbana! Give me back my daughter!”

The rage of Izuna cannot be taken lightly.

She is not one of the Beast Generals for a show.

Just like Higan, Izuna created a radiant golden flame that made a huge hole in her manor. I should have known better too that, even though Alstroe once defeated Izuna with several beast generals, in reality, Alstroe is just too absurd.

But at this moment, we realized how powerful Izuna can become when Higan’s life is at stake.

“Give her back!!”

A huge golden flame rises up in the sky. Its size could blow up the entire place without leaving a trace but ashes. Her magical power becomes violent and it’s making a huge torrent of flames.

However, before I can even speak, Casablanca steps forward.

“There’s no reason, or rather, we won’t do anything harmful to Higanbana. Mother has told us a lot about you, about how you and mother shared one man. She told us that you are deeply attached to father and…we can only imagine that losing Higanbana…would be really painful for you…”

“…My…daugther…”

“Aunt Izuna, please believe in us. Mother will surely scold you if you lose any more of your composure here.”

“Hinoki’s twin daughter…”

“Yes, I, Casablanca, and my twin sister, Hibiscus. We will definitely save Higanbana.”

The golden flames then diminish to nothing but air as Izuna looks up in the sky. Her composure seems like it is still not there as she fell to her knees and stare at the Emby who curled up into a blazing sun.

“It’s done!”

Hibiscus exclaimed as Emby’s solar form started setting down. His figure then erupted in a flame as his whole body turns into a pillar of flame, like a wildfire.

His wings then that is covering something unfurls and there, Higan’s body emerges.

Before her body could hit the floor, Mimosa caught Higan in her arms and covered her body with her lab coat.

Emby’s blazing phoenix figures have returned to ashes and after a while, rebirthed as a new bird, however, Hibiscus then fell down as if power has escaped from her body.

This time, Casablanca catches her and helped her to sit down.

Izuna then started walking shakily towards Higan as her tears won’t stop.

“Higanbana…”

“I’m sorry…I was able to mend her wounds and bruises. I was able to reattach and fix her bones but…I wasn’t able to bring back her tails…”

Hibiscus said as sweat started trickling from her face while she breaths heavily. Emby landed on my head and sits on it comfortably.

No matter, what’s important is that she saved Higan…

Mimosa handed Izuna her daughter and quietly stood up from the place and left. Izuna tightly squeezes Higan on her arms while repeating her name.

I saw a glimpse of Higan’s body. There are no more visible wounds left and her smooth skin is back. But, like what Hibiscus said, there are no more tails.

“Good job, Hibiscus.”

“Ehehe, I’ll do anything for people who are like treasure to me.”

Hibiscus shyly laughs as Casablanca and I pats her head. No soon after, Alstroe also approaches her and pats her head. Topaz and Mimi joined.

“Ahehehe, you’ll mess up my hair!~”

Hibiscus giggled as we kept swaying her head back and forth.

“I’m actually getting a little bit dizzy…”

We stopped.

Not soon after, Izuna’s voice resounded in surprise.

“Hngghh…”

“Higanbana…Higanbana! You’re awake!”

Higan started regaining her consciousness as her eyelids started flickering. But at that moment, I felt something amiss. It was not a bad hunch but I really felt something different.

“Pii…”

Even Emby squeaks in suspicion.

And my hunch was immediately answered as Higan suddenly gets up.

“Yahoo! How is everyone doing?! Asteria here and I’m everyone’s idol!~ Ack! Ow, ow, ow…the pain is still there?! This girl is really reckless with her body!”

Somehow, one way or another…we found ourselves with a different Higan or we could say, someone else emerges…