Ignavus, while sitting, studied the beautiful, red-twisted forest.

The forest held a unique yet perverted charm to it.

Lifting his hands up, Ignavus smothered his face. A muffled voice leaving his mouth,

"Isn't it a bit too soon for this nonsense...?" (I)

If one were to ask Ignavus where he was, he wouldn't be able to answer. The meeting place between him and the self-proclaimed "Boss" Navy was a complete mystery to him. It was a realm that seemed to exist within him, yet he lacked any fine control over it. "Boss" Navy, as she liked to be called, couldn't be counted. For as much as she was a part of him, she was a part of him he couldn't control.

Dropping his hands, Ignavus let out a weak sigh.

He was likely going to have to talk to her if he wanted to leave.

'Don't overthink it!'

Remembering Marie's wise words, Ignavus calmed his nervous energy. He hadn't done anything wrong. Nothing at all this time. The meeting should go smoothly.

'Why am I even here though?!'

The last thing Ignavus remembered was falling asleep. Not channelling his mana.

'No way. Did I somehow do it in my sleep?'

It was possible, and it was the only explanation he had for why he was here.

'I can't even get peace while asleep...'

Still sitting crossed-legged, Ignavus decided to fully lie down. Gazing up into the bright blue sky, his thoughts wandered. It hadn't been long since he last saw "Boss" Navy. Their last interaction had been a little bittersweet, with a huge promise made. A promise Ignavus could argue he somewhat kept.

Ignavus struggled to find the will to get up after rolling from side to side a bit. It wasn't that he was against seeing "Boss" Navy, but... he didn't want to talk to anyone. Not even himself. He just wanted to rest his mind. His weary, weary mind. Ignavus continued rolling until he got tired of it. Not physically, no, but mentally. The effort to even move his body just felt strenuous.

'I'm not in a rush, am I? I should just close my eyes for a few minutes before I look for her...'

Feeling his body relax in the not-cold but not-hot environment, Ignavus gradually felt himself lose consciousness.

He would speak to "Boss" Navy soon, just not now.

There was no rush.

It was the giggling.

That's what woke him up.

The giggling was high-pitched, soft, and reeked of a child's naivety. It filled the air with a harmonious melody that created an atmosphere of pure delight and contagious joy—an atmosphere that spoke of innocence and happiness.

'Shut up! Please!'

Despite his begging, another voice joined in, almost as if to mock him.

With his hands covering his ears, Ignavus strove to remain asleep. He wouldn't let some tomfoolery get in his way! He waited, waited, and waited, hoping the noise would go away, but it never did. Finally reaching his limit, he mumbled out to no one in particular,

"Okay, I'm awake!" (I)

Getting up from the ground, slightly frustrated, Ignavus made way towards the giggles. His steps were heavy but swift, his mind was intent on the task ahead. It was about time to leave anyway; he shouldn't be wasting time in this dream-like realm.

The sound of giggles grew stronger as Ignavus passed by the twisted trees. The forest appeared to grow denser the deeper he drew in. Ignavus' steps slowed conversely.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

'For the love of-!'

Abruptly, Ignavus stopped. A thought had crossed his mind. Why was he hearing giggles? As in, more than one? The only person supposed to be here was "Boss" Navy. With caution speedily taking his heart, Ignavus renewed his walk with heightened awareness. The laughter died down as Ignavus came upon the edge of the dense forest. In front of him, the dense forest opened to reveal a plain.

'Have I been here before?'

The vast plain struck a disturbingly familiar chord with Ignavus, yet he couldn't pinpoint its place in his memory.

'Odd...'

Keeping his steps light and his body low, Ignavus drew closer to the tree nearest the plain. With his body practically hugging the tree, he took a small peek.

'NO. DAMN. WAY!!!'

An indescribable emotion suddenly raged within Ignavus. Forsaking his cover, he moved out into the open.

"What do you think you're doing!?!" (I)

Two figures were in the open plain. Two Ignavus knew very well.

"It's-It's not what it looks like!" (B.N)

Snaggled into the embrace of Vultur, "Boss" Navy quickly shot up. She startled the relaxed bird, causing him to don a confused face.

"S-See..." (B.N)

Ignavus stared at them in cold silence.

There was a lot wrong here.

The silence around the three of them held as Ignavus studied their figures with a glare. Vultur, who appeared to have grown new golden feathers at the tips of his white wings, gazed between Ignavus and "Boss" Navy, confused. Navy, contrarily, held her guilt-ridden hands behind her back. If someone was to ask Ignavus how exactly he knew they were guilt-ridden, he would point her tail. The damn thing was doing its usual crazy dance.

Ignavus' darkened.

Meeting with "Boss" Navy was quite an enlightening experience. Observing his faults firsthand was almost amusing.

Almost.

"V-Vul! W-We have to leave immediately!! An-an imposter has come to steal you!" (B.N)

'Huh?!'

"Boss" Navy quickly ran to Vultur's side and started urging him to get up. Vultur, for his part, got up swiftly.

"O-Oh, okay?" (V)

'What!? Why did he listen to her!!'

"Vul! What are you doing?! Don't listen to her! Just sit back down!" (I)

Vultur hesitated for a moment before again lowering himself.

"No, no! Don't listen to-!" (B.N)

Before "Boss" Navy could finish her words, Ignavus was already upon her. Trying to shove her away from Vultur.

"Would you get lost!" (I)

"No! It's not like I've done anything wrong! You get lost!" (B.N)

The two of them proceeded to enter a struggle. A struggle Ignavus increasing found hard to justify the longer it went on. Why was he even wrestling with her? It was just like she said—she hadn't done anything wrong.

'Whatever!'

She had looked guilty. That alone was reason enough.

"It's not my fault Vul would rather play with me than you!" (B.N)

The struggle between the two stopped abruptly as Ignavus glared at "Boss" Navy. He wouldn't have pegged her to be such a blatant liar. Vultur hardly knew her. There was no way he would pick her over him.

"L-Like that would ever happen!!" (I)

A smug grin bloomed on "Boss" Navy's mouth as she disengaged Ignavus.

"Let's put it to the test then!" (B.N)

“Vul, stop playing around! Come to me already!!” (I)

“No, don’t listen to her! She’s so mean! Come to me instead!” (B.N)

On a plain encircled by red, twisted trees, there sat two young individuals identical in appearance. They both had golden, radiant eyes and soft, short silver hair, making them nearly indistinguishable, but for one detail. The self-proclaimed "Boss" Navy wore a white, long-sleeved, silky dress, while her twin, Ignavus, was clad in a long-sleeved shirt and pants, complemented by a short, thigh-high skirt. The latter of the two bore a disgruntled face, while the former a pleading.

‘Why is he hesitating so much! It’s such an easy choice!’

Staring at Vultur, Ignavus felt a tiny tinge of unease bubble up. Currently, he and “Boss” Navy were in a competition. One where the victor would be decided by whoever Vultur chose. Ignavus had only agreed to this particular competition because he was certain he could win. The longer Vultur took to decide, the worse he felt.

‘Why hasn’t he picked me? Is he mad about being punished? Nah-no way, that can’t be it. That’s—that’s not like Vul at all! He… he wouldn’t be mad over something like that, right?’

It was technically Ignavus’ fault Vultur got punished with him. If he hadn’t picked that card, they wouldn’t have been in that mess.

“Vul, remember all those hugs and kisses?! If you pick me, I’ll do it anytime you ask! A-And, I won’t complain! I’ll even play with your feathers!!” (B.N)

‘Huh?!’

Ignavus stared “Boss” Navy. Her display was utterly shameless. Attempting to bribe the judge by performing such embarrassing feats went beyond what could be considered blatant cheating. The act was downright humiliating. It was a good thing Vultur wouldn’t be persuaded by such obvious… Why was he looking her direction?

“I’ll also complement you whenever you like!” (B.N)

Suddenly, Ignavus found his mouth moving with haste.

“I-I can do that too! I can way better than her!!” (I)

“Don’t believe her! She’s… she’s a no-good tailler!” (B.N)

Ignavus let out a gasp as ”Boss” Navy stood up and ran to hug Vultur.

“See! I’m really good at this!” (B.N)

“Boss” Navy’s hands brushed against Vultur’s soft plumage, eliciting a playful giggle from the bird.

Ignavus watched the scene with cold eyes.

A serious line had been crossed.

Ignavus rose and dashed towards Vultur, wrapping him in an embrace. He tenderly stroked Vultur's feathers, paying special attention to his preferred spots. A few moments passed like this with Ignavus’ eyes closed. Finally opening his eyes, Ignavus met the familiar face of his competition.

A silent agreement passed between them.

“Vul, I really love your feathers!” (B.N)

“Vul… I kind of like your feathers—just a little!” (I)

“Vul, I love your talons too!” (B.N)

“Vul… Your talons do look a bit cool!” (I)

This type of exchange carried on until an observation was made.

“He-he passed out!” (B.N)