Since we’ve come to the conclusion that we cannot fiddle with Mimi’s seal yet, we retreated back to our own rooms. The discussion ends unfinished as we lack any evidence or clue regarding Mimi’s true identity of the nameless wizard’s intentions so Violetta went back to the Astlan Castle to report to Fonfon and Queen Hinoki went back to her office.

Mimi is still unconscious so Topaz is still with her and the twins took a rest on their own room. Daisy, on the other hand, hasn’t woken up yet since yesterday.

And now, I’ve just been staring at the ceiling of my room…

“I wonder what’s happening to Alstroe. Nil and Hydrangea, they are taking their time extracting that out of her just to fix her body but…what exactly will happen to Alstroe after that?”

Nil is the real problem here. It’s about what he had done in the past to Violetta and how Fonfon is extremely hateful of his presence alone. Honestly, if a problem occurred between them, it won’t much of a surprise to me. What bothers me is that Violetta hasn’t said any words about it and I am reluctant to ask about it.

I don’t think Fonfon would do anything reckless and I put my faith on him, on the other hand, Violetta’s hate for Nil is unimaginable. I am fully aware why and it’s weird that I myself forgave Nil since it hurt me so much when master died.

The other matter is about Hydrangea and Tzari. It was apparent that the master of both opposing schools of Ki won’t stay put on their own and a fight might break out anytime.

I hope nothing really happens.

Opinion aside, it’s a fact that despite our best efforts to cascade the war, there wasn’t much of progress because of Boss’ intervention. Their group’s objective is still unknown but it’s becoming apparent that they are not affiliated with the dwarves.

“……”

I want to do something.

In the past, lying down on a bed was something I’d totally do even if I have problems. Now, I have problems and responsibilities so my body just compels me to get up. Is this what they call maturation?!

Well, since I don’t have anything to do, I’ll check on Daisy.

I moved around the manor while looking around. Since each of us has individual rooms and the place is filled with elven maids and butlers, my eyes just kept swimming on the beautiful spectacle. Everyone was so dazzling and beautiful. They have beautiful lustrous hair of either silver or blond and some have dark skin and some has fair white skin but each of them is attractive.

As expected of the elves! Imagining Casablanca and Hibiscus growing up, I have a lot of expectations since their current looks are far beyond just a simple cutie. They already exude the atmosphere of extravagant beauty.

Well…Mimi and Topaz…even Daisy and Higanbana…they are just far beyond normal in terms of beauty. I know I am repeating myself but every people I associate are all handsome and beautiful!

The genetics of the people in this world is terrifying!

Before I knew it, with these thoughts, I arrived in front of Daisy’s room. I urge myself to knock lightly because I don’t want any cliché event to happen like running into her changing clothes or something. However, as I was about to knock…

“Really?~ Your king was that strict with you? Isn’t that normal?”

I hear her talking to someone.

Isn’t that bad?! She’s talking to someone inside her room for all we know who.

“Daisy?!”

I blasted open the door in a hurry, forgetting the etiquette of knocking. I kind of just really barged in thoughtlessly since I got worried all of a sudden. Daisy has been asleep for more than twelve hours so I just had to rush in just to make sure she’s really awake, fine, or something away from danger.

“Eh?”

“Ah?!”

Before my eyes are Daisy in a fighting stance with the glamorous sword on her hands. Her body is covered in sweat and the pumpkin panty that she is wearing is extremely crumpled. Her sleeping gown which is a little bit transparent starting below her chest was also sticking to her.

Without any changes in her fazed expression of getting caught in the act, I stare at her with both doubt and troubled countenance as I find her current appearance quite indecent together with what she is doing right now, a practice swing in hindsight.

“…What are you doing?”

“Training!”

“…Then…who are you talking to?”

“Sir Trist.”

Daisy points at behind her and my eyes followed but to no avail saw none at all, not even a speck of presence. I just tilted my head in confusion as she was true blue happy to introduce me to that nothing that she pointed.

“I see…no one there…”

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“Eh? But he’s just here! See, he pulled out a lute just now! Ah! What do you mean by that? No, no, no, what do you mean by they can’t see you?”

“Umm…Daisy…”

“Seriously?! Everyone except me, can really see you? And the same goes for everyone?”

“Daisy!”

I tried calling to her once more with a slightly shouting voice but her monologue keeps going. I am inclined to believe that Daisy is really talking to someone, seeing that her replies are prompt. I, of all people, can already tell that she can’t act and all of her actions are purely driven with honesty.

There are a lot of mundane as well as unexplainable phenomena in this world so this really doesn’t come as a surprise, however, I still want to confirm a lot of facts. Most probably if these people that only Daisy can see can turn hostile towards us or not.

As I was observing Daisy, her talk with the Trist guy ends and she looks at me.

“I am sorry about that, Asagao. Trist told me that I should assure everyone that they are not exactly hostile unless certain conditions.”

“This Trist guy is quite perceptive. I was just about to come to that topic. I want to hear what those certain conditions that he spoke of.”

“He won’t answer it.”

“…That…makes it harder for us, you know.”

“It’s not exactly as bad as I think…I guess…”

“If you say so, then I’ll believe you. However, what I want to truly know right now is why are you training in your sleepwear?!”

“Eh…well…I don’t know. Trist just started talking to me about the sword and before I knew it, I’m swinging this sword while talking to him.”

“This Trist…is a guy, right?”

“…Yes. Eh…Eh…?!”

“Do you realize it now? This Trist guy must be a pervert.”

Daisy turns her head towards the unseen conversation partner in this room. Even with the dim weather that seemingly will start a riot of raindrops, I can see Daisy’s countenance slowly going pale. The sword in her hands started redirecting towards the unseen guest with bloodlust.

“Arghh! Ah, wait! Don’t disappear on me when it’s convenient for you!”

“I can see a really crappy future for you. As they say, great power comes with great responsibilities.”

“That’s the first time I heard of that phrasing and I am getting the hunch it’s not responsibilities I am getting but just plain bother!!”

“Then learn about your newfound powers faster. Maybe then, you can suppress their appearances…”

“Grrr…!”

“Also, you should probably rest. Everyone has burnt out after all and we cannot act much because of this dreaded weather.”

“I know that! It’s just that…my body felt really heavy and hot last night. Even now…my body feels like it wants to do something…”

“This is the first time I heard of that.”

Daisy raises the sword with both of her hands leveling it with her chest and stares at the glimmering blade that faintly glows. I can see it in her eyes that she already made a connection with this phantasmal sword that none of us knew how much power it contains.

The question now is just how deep is she connected with the sword?

“I can feel…an outlandish power…at the same time, it also stabilizes both my magic and Ki that I can be comfortable using both. This sword…it’s not only powerful but…it’s gentle, caring, and wants to look after me.”

“That’s…actually creepy if that sword was a person… considering you just got it yesterday.”

“I just said something good and you ruined it in a split second!”

Daisy sprouted a pout to me as a sign of her cute protest and I only just replied with a smile together with a mocking shrug.

“Anyway, you should eat something, take a bath, and rest.”

“I’ll try.”

She doesn’t seem to realize the backlash provided by just pulling the sword. If I put some knowledge that Violetta drilled in my head, it must be because the influx of power to Daisy’s body was a bit too much, she slept for a long time and when she woke up her body had a sudden urge to expel this said power in a form of physical activities.

If such a conclusion comes to pass, then, by now, she’d be continuing this training once I leave. She’s been doing her best to learn about Ki and has been sharpening her skills by fighting Boss’ group. Also, when we were in the labyrinth, she showed her skills.

“Daisy, you did a good job yesterday. You led us wonderfully and answered questions that flew over our heads. Is that a mindset of someone who wants to rule?”

“To rule…? No! That’s…umm… why would you think that?! I have already decided to serve under Lady Higanbana! Or rather, Queen Higanbana!”

“Regardless, you really did a good job.

I praise Daisy and instinctively pats her head. I brush her hair while trying to get a feel of her cute round lion hears. Even though we’re almost of the same height, I felt like she’s becoming small of embarrassment but her tail wags happily.

“Awawawawa!”

“This…really cute of you.”

“Don’t treat me like a child! I’m already a lady!”

“Woah! That’s dangerous!”

She recklessly swings her sword out of embarrassment. Of course, I dodge the sword swiftly as her emotions explode. I promptly left her room while chuckling at her outburst. I feel like I kind of got her for this one.

From behind, I can still her shouting at me but I just ran as fast as I can while giggling. It’s so nice to be so young. Oh…wait…I am young…or just look like one. Either way, knowing that Daisy has woken up and very lively, I’m done with one task for today.

As I get to the main hall, I halted since I’m disturbing the servants of the manor. I’m a little embarrassed to gather attention so I just walk in a slow stride. I carefully observe the Manor and saw outside the window slowly becoming dimmer than ever. It’s clever to say that this is certainly a downpour. Such climate would really put people down…

“Asagao!”

A familiar voice called out to me on the other end of the main hall. The familiar face runs up to me with her front bumper swaying up and down. It was Topaz who shouted and judging by her grim countenance, there must have something happened.

“What’s wrong, Topaz?”

“It’s…Mimi!”

“What happened to Mimi?!”

“She left. “

“Eh?! What do you mean she left?!”

“She just flew away towards the forest. I couldn’t follow because I can’t trace her from the ground.”

“Towards the forest?! This…I’ll go! Topaz, inform the others.”

“Can’t you wait for us?”

“Time is urgent and I am extremely worried about Mimi.”

“And so am I, Asagao…”

“…Topaz.”

I immediately run towards the front door and exits, hoping that Mimi hasn’t gone too far. Even we inform the others first, by that time, we might lose track of Mimi. It’s efficient to search with Casablanca and Hibiscus over the skies but there are some preparations to be done since a downpour is coming.

Unlike them, I don’t get sick because of my body that keeps me in top shape. Risking the twin’s health isn’t something ideal and as for Topaz and Mimi, I still don’t know the limit of their bodies but I don’t dare to chip in some gamble. Not to mention, the twins are still in a delicate position within this war so dragging them around with me was risky enough.

The downpour has become harsh and the streets of the city’s western district have become empty as vendors already packed up their merchandise. Even the city guards took shelter from the heavy rain but I kept on running.

My clothes become drenched and the boots that I wore has become heavy so I promptly remove them and ran with lighter shoes.

Before long, I passed the gate unimpeded as the guards miss the timing to stop me. Rather than running along the road that leads to the plains where the war could start anytime, I went for the forest where our usual bout with Boss happens.

My feet are faster than usual, maybe because of the adrenaline rush. Mimi’s current state is delicate and I don’t know; no one knows what might happen.

Daughter of Demon Lord Baal or Astlan’s former lover, none of those matters to me as what I treasure now is my memories with her as Mimi.

I halted from running as I ran out of stamina so I proceed with a moderately fast walk.

“Mimi!”

In the middle of the strong downpour that overpowers my voice, I shouted despite knowing that. The ground is muddy and the wind is howling loudly. It wasn’t just a downpour at this point, it’s a storm already. The skies started rumbling that growls in a loud roar.

“Tsk…”

I can’t do anything but click my tongue in utter frustration. I kept walking and walking until I can run again. The air that I breathe grows colder and my fingertips start shivering.

I know, I don’t get sick but I can still feel cold. It was another stupidity of mine…

As these thoughts circulate inside my head, a thunderous roar of pain echoed throughout the forest; loud enough for me to hear in this weather. Of course, my feet immediately dashes towards the source of the sound.

Then, as I arrive at the place, I gawk at what I saw…

“…How troublesome.”

It was Boss and her friends. Her blade glimmers amidst the torrent of rain and at the tip of it is blood dripping; slowly being washed. She slowly turns towards me with eyes dispirited and with a facial expression sprouting nothing but a gaze of emptiness.

“It was inevitable.”

She said as she took a few steps sideward.

There reveals Mimi’s figure morphed with her wings and claws, all bloodied. The encirclement around Mimi is Boss’ group and they all look down at her with pity. Mimi’s blonde hair had crimson streaks and her clothes are drenched with both rainwater and seemingly blood.

“What…did you do to her…?”

“…Do you want to know?”

“What…did you…do to her?!”

“Hmph, ask me with your sword. I assure you she’s breathing but you won’t get all the answers.”

“……”

I draw my sword as I glare at Boss who sprouted a smile. She took her stance and her group backs away with Mimi on their two as she was carried by one of them.

“I want to know everything. You…your motives…and what you did to Mimi!”

“Really? Come at me.”