"Ah, I see. That's a shame," Caligo replied to Abby with a chuckle.

This girl... Abby, is extremely suspicious.

I really couldn't understand what her song referred to. Not that I could understand half of her words anyway... but the way she playfully replied... resembled my mother's a bit too much.

If I paid more attention to the song, trying to decipher it, I could discern some similarities to the story my mother once told me. Or was I just imagining things again?

Supposedly, the song is about a wise mage whose legend expanded. My mother's story was similar; the girl in white and the one dressed in purple were strong mages, acknowledged by everyone in the city and beyond.

But then what about all the rest...? The silver light of the stars reminded people about this mage...? About this mother...? Is the song about the Silver Witch?

It might be a stretch... but it could. So, could it be about my mother? But I have no clue... What did the Silver Witch do?! I don't know! Why do people call me her daughter?!

If I take my mother's story as truth... then the girl in white in the story is her. So far so good; I had already figured this out. But what happened after she jumped into the Abyss?

I scratched my head. "Argh, too many questions!" I screamed internally.

"You should sing some more, Abby," the Prince continued to praise her. "How come you hid this talent of yours?"

"Well, a lady might not but hast some secrets, nay?" she giggled with a smile.

"Somehow, I need to know the answers..." I pondered quietly. "Approaching this girl may be an option... but what if I'm wrong? And how should I even approach her? And can I even trust her? People literally killed me for being the Silver Witch's daughter; I can't randomly say it... And how would I even say it? I would have to say that I could be her daughter because I'm not sure? That doesn't sound like a good way to start a conversation... Or is this perhaps a warning? Is she planning to kill me, too, or something? Ugh... Damn you, mom, this is so stressful!"

"Wait, everyone, make silence," Leonard suddenly interjected, his voice low. "Something is approaching."

I regained my composure, clearing my mind from the fog as silence descended over the campfire. Indeed, everyone could hear the approaching footsteps through the trees.

Mereoleona sprang from her seat, pointing her sword towards the source of the sound in the darkness. "Fire Bolt!"

"No, Mereo!" Melissa shouted at her, jumping from her seat and reaching out, trying to stop her.

But it was too late; a powerful blast of fire erupted from Mereoleona's sword, shooting towards the approaching figure.

"Nebulosa!" a voice retaliated from the shadows.

A pinkish, large bubble rapidly hurled against Mereoleona's spell, engulfing it within in its wake and racing towards her.

I leaped backwards, and so did the others, to avoid getting caught by whatever was coming. Except for Mereoleona, who stood there, perhaps too surprised to move. She ended up trapped inside the enemy's spell.

A silly and sassy laugh rang out from the darkness. "Wuhahaha!"

"I was trying to warn you..." Melissa sighed. "It's just Carolina..."

From the shadows emerged a tall woman with long, silken pink hair cascading down her back in soft waves. Like Leonard, she wore a jacket draped over her shoulders without using the sleeves. Her jacket was far more elegant, though, trimmed with fur around the collar. In her hands: a remarkable cane topped with a crystal ball; presumably, her divine weapon.

Mereoleona was still inside the bubble. She was unharmed, and looked at the figure in front of her with anger, continuously striking the bubble's walls she was trapped in while she shouted. However, none of her words were audible from outside of the bubble. It was quite hilarious to witness.

"My, oh my. Who we've got here?" the girl spoke, her sparkling blue eyes observing the ones before her, her voice high-pitched, and yet, somehow, oddly soothing.

"Carolina," the Prince regarded her. "Free Mereoleona from your bubble."

"Now, now... Prince, let's take it easy, shall we? She's not in danger, so you need not to worry about her," she quipped with an endearing smile.

"Prithee, free her," Abby interjected. "No quarrels."

"Abby, oh Abby!" Carolina exclaimed, throwing her hands at Abby's cheeks, pulling and squeezing them with fervor. "Oh, how have I missed you!"

Leonard sighed, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "It seems you haven't changed a bit, Carolina."

He didn't smile, but from his words, they sounded like acquaintances.

Carolina let go of Abby's cheeks, now burning red, and turned towards Leonard with a smile. "Leonard, oh Leonard. It's such a pleasure to see you among us. I take it your guild is doing wonderfully," she said, draping her arm over Leonard's shoulder and pulling him against her cheek.

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"I didn't see you at the celebration. For a moment, I thought you had retired," Leonard replied, struggling in her grip.

This was a sight to behold. Leonard losing his composure?

Carolina giggled. "Non, non, honey... The stars have to fall down before I retire," she replied, her eyes falling onto Crimson. "And oh, Crimson! Oh, Crimson! You grew so much from the last time I saw you. I hope your mother is doing great."

Why does every sentence that comes out of her mouth begin twice?

"She's doing great," Crimson replied. "She moved some months ago. Now she's enjoying her free time."

She burst out laughing. "Wuhahaha! She? She, enjoying free time? I can't imagine her doing something relaxing even under torture!"

"Who is this girl?" I whispered, leaning in to Crimson.

"My, oh my! There are new faces here!" she exclaimed, bringing her hand to her cheek, leaving Leonard's side to step forward. "Who you two might ever be?"

My eyes fell over Mereoleona for a moment; she sat in the bubble with arms crossed. She accepted the situation...

"I'm Caligo, it's nice to meet you," Caligo replied.

"I'm Argenta," I followed.

She gasped. "Oh, I know you!" she exclaimed. "You're The Candle Maker! Oh, I love your candles! And you, Argenta... what a beautiful name! I wonder if it means something! You know, mine has a special meaning."

"Carolina!" The Prince raised his voice. "Free Mereoleona and then you can continue your chattering."

Carolina complied, and directed her cane towards the bubble, making it pop with a little poke, letting Mereoleona fall butt to the ground. They then engaged in a heated conversation. Well, Mereoleona was the only one actually getting heated; Carolina had the same demeanour.

Taking advantage of the situation, Crimson leaned towards me. "She's the Guild Leader of the Amalgamated Thorny Roses, the one who succeeded my mother." And taking advantage of the proximity, she planted a kiss on my cheek.

I winced, taken by surprise. "I... I see."

"Carolina, where's the rest of your team?" Leonard asked her.

"Non, non, honey," she replied, settling beside him. "I never had a team. I chose to go alone to clear an area."

"Carolina..." the Prince groaned. "You're seriously telling me that you cleared all that side by yourself?"

She nodded with a bright smile.

"That's reckless..." Melissa commented. "Your coordinator told us you had a team."

"Wuhahaha! He lied; I told him to!" She winked, sticking out her tongue, her eyes sparkling.

The Golden Lucenti's member stared at her with resignation and disbelief. While I partially did the same, I was also intrigued; Carolina came here all by herself?

She clasped her hands together. "And now, and now! Look! The three Guild Leaders of the top three guilds, all together enjoying a campfire! Isn't it wonderful? We can relax and wait for the others while we enjoy a lovely conversation!" she exclaimed, turning to Leonard with endearing, pleading eyes. "I'm still waiting for that dinner you promised me, honey."

Leonard grumbled, adjusting his glasses. "Carolina... that was years ago. And does this look like the appropriate moment to talk about that?"

"Why, yes! Yes! This is the best moment, without a doubt!"

As they continued their conversation, I leaned in toward Crimson once again to whisper in her ear. "Is she strong?"

Her eyes flicked between me and Carolina. "Among the Guild Leaders here? Hmm... I'd say she's the strongest. My mother spoke highly of her, too, saying she was the only one who could match her. They were good friends."

My eyes widened. "Really? That strong? Even the Prince is here..."

Crimson nodded before showing off a grin. "Well, I'm still stronger."

"Oh, oh?" Carolina suddenly remarked, glancing at me and Crimson with a smirk. "I've heard that, Crimson."

Crimson's grin grew wider. "Good," she said, her voice suddenly hoarse. "It would've been boring hadn't you heard that."

The others appeared confused.

"My, oh my. You've sure taken a lot from your mother, haven't you? I shall gladly prove you wrong in a duel," Carolina taunted.

"I couldn't ask for anything better," Crimson countered, rising from her seat. "I'll be more than happy to demonstrate the place you belong to."

"Wuhahaha! Well then!" With the help of her cane, Carolina rose from her seat as well. "Whenever you're ready."

"Hold on..." Leonard interjected, glaring at Crimson. "Crimson... you're not allowed to fight."

"Non, non. Honey... let her fight. I'll make short work of her."

"Oh? A fight?" Mereoleona joined the conversation. "Now this is interesting."

"It seems like they might be able to provide some entertainment," the Prince added.

Leonard rubbed his temples as he emitted a groan. "You two won't change your minds, will you...?"

"Don't worry, Leonard," Crimson replied. "I shall go easy on her."

Carolina laughed. "Easy? You'll go easy?! You're dreaming if you think you'll get the chance to do anything!"

"I, huh... I guess I'll heal if something goes wrong," Caligo murmured, scratching his cheek.

Crimson and Carolina took position, standing opposite each other at an adequate distance.

"As long as this won't get in the way of the mission... the rules are that there are no rules," the Prince declared with little to no concern. "Just don't die."

"Prince, are you sure?" Leonard asked him. "Aren't they going to destroy the whole area if you let them go wild?"

"Non, non. That won't be a problem at all, honey!" Carolina exclaimed. "Ethereal Creation Of Ice Dreams."

With a deliberate tap of her cane onto the ground, a shockwave rippled outwards, transforming the terrain in its wake. The ground shimmered and cracked as crystalline walls rose swiftly, converging overhead to form a grand, pinkish castle. In the blink of an eye, we found ourselves enclosed in an opulent, empty hall.

"It's been a while since you've witnessed any of my spells, hasn't it, honey?" Carolina winked at Leonard. He just adjusted his glasses, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"I shall commence the countdown, then," the Prince proposed, enthusiastic, displaying a little smile.

Crimson stood nonchalantly with a hand rested confidently on her waist, while Carolina giggled under her breath, twirling her cane joyfully with glistening eyes.

I was excited... I was not new to Crimson's usual demeanor, but I had never seen a fight between two members of the most powerful guilds. Standing on the side of Carolina's creation with the rest of the members, I awaited the start of the battle.

"Fight!"

At the Prince's command, both the fighters extracted and opened their codex, letting their glow illuminate the area. Carolina's codex shone brighter than Crimson's, but that did not disturb her a bit. She leaped over her orb and summoned two more using her spell. "Tripletta."

Carolina's response was just as immediate as her scream. "Nube Della Dipartita!"

A deafening noise erupted from the top of the creation, followed by a powerful wind that forced everyone to their knees. There was a brief moment of respite before a pink mist began to spread across the ceiling of the creation.

Well, not everyone fell to the ground; Carolina stood tall, a proud smirk on her face and her eyes gleaming, holding her cane with both hands. "Non, non. I won't let you look down on me, Crimson Incendiaria."