As Makoto moved away from the two girls, Sylvia's voice echoed in the area, catching Saemi's attention.
"I've encountered all sorts of people in my life as a princess, but I must say this is the first time I've seen someone like him"
Sylvia suddenly said, as she observed Makoto's broad back that, even as it diminished with the increasing distance between them, still appeared broad and warm. The smile on Saemi's face grew wider upon hearing Sylvia's words.
"I know, Makoto is truly dependable. I've lost count of how many times he's saved me and helped..."
Saemi added. Sylvia noticed that Saemi seemed to want to say something more, but her voice suddenly trailed off, and a melancholic whisper escaped her lips.
"I just wish I had realized this sooner. If I hadn't believed everything Shinji said, maybe things wouldn't have come to this point"
Sylvia had no idea who Shinji was or what Saemi was talking about, but she decided not to touch the subject. She realized that as Saemi spoke, the color of her soul gradually grew hazier, not out of malice, but from a deep regret that seemed rooted in the depths of Saemi's heart.
As she observed this, Sylvia pondered that perhaps something was happening, although truly, what could an outsider like her do? The least she could offer were her prayers for things to resolve between them. As these thoughts filled Sylvia's mind, familiar voices echoed through the surroundings.
"Seems like last night was quite lively, Aoi-sensei. You look pretty tired"
The voice said, followed by laughter.
"Ughhh... don't say that, please. I feel like I'm going to die of embarrassment"
another voice said in a plaintive tone.
"Hahahaha, you're really cute. I think I understand why Makoto fell for you"
the voice said amidst laughter.
"I'm hungry"
murmured the voice, sounding sleepy.
Turning towards the voices, Sylvia noticed Makoto's other companions approaching. With a warm smile on her face, she said,
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"Please help yourselves. I hope breakfast suits your taste"
Approaching, Fujiwara, Aoi, and Ana caught Sylvia's words. As they glanced at the table, they were met with a true feast before their eyes – an array of breads, eggs, bacon, along with different types of drinks and some desserts were spread across the table. A delightful and surprised sound echoed through the room, and all eyes turned immediately to Ana, who gazed at the food with her eyes gleaming while keeping her small and cute hand on her tummy.
After that, they all began savoring the meal while engaging in lively conversation about various topics. Fujiwara, Ana, and Aoi soon realized that the present Makoto with them was, in fact, a clone. This became evident due to the absence of mana, lacking about seventy percent of its energy. On the other hand, Sylvia possessed a keen ability to discern this, immediately noticing the difference with a quick glance since Makoto's clone lacked a soul.
As the breakfast unfolded in a relaxed and warm manner, Makoto's Clone suddenly rose from the table, leaving the girls bewildered. After all, since Makoto's departure, the Clone hardly moved.
"What's happening?"
Sylvia inquired, directing her gaze at the expressions of Makoto's companions in search of an explanation for the Clone's odd behavior. However, before Sylvia could get any answer, all the girls, including the clone, stood up and began looking around. For Sylvia, it was hard to comprehend what might be occurring.
However, this thought was abruptly interrupted by a loud crash, as if something had been forcefully thrown. Sylvia didn't have time to discern the meaning of this noise, as before she could react, she found herself suddenly enveloped in a black dome of shadows.
Her eyes turned to Makoto's Clone, who had his hands placed on the ground. But before she could process what was happening, another crash echoed through the room.
At this moment, it became clear to Sylvia that they were under attack. As she tried to identify the assailant or who might be behind this, she felt something wrap around her waist. A kind of dark rope held her, and in the blink of an eye, Sylvia was dragged out of the dome.
As she recovered from the impact, her eyes quickly fixed on the spot they had occupied just seconds ago, now seeing only a small crater. If they hadn't escaped in time, everyone would have faced a tragic fate.
Turning her gaze to Makoto's clone, Sylvia realized he had rescued her. The rope that had held her was now being controlled by his hand. Noticing that Makoto's Clone was staring in a specific direction, Sylvia followed his gaze and focused on the same point. Atop the palace walls, three silhouettes outlined against the horizon.
From that distance, what Sylvia could discern was that the three individuals were wearing hoods and masks, concealing their identities completely. While closely observing the three mysterious silhouettes that had suddenly emerged, one of the three, the shortest in stature, pointed his hand in Sylvia's direction. She realized she was clearly the target of that attack.
In a matter of seconds, new sphere-shaped blasts began to be launched again. Makoto's Clone, who had been attentively observing the newcomers, made a hand gesture, creating a shadow-like barrier that intercepted the energy blasts. At the moment of impact, Sylvia noticed the Clone was pushed back by the power of the attacks.
Despite Makoto warning that the Clone possessed only thirty percent of his total strength, these thirty percent still represented a significant portion of Makoto's impressive level of power. This led to the conclusion that the current enemies were of formidable and frightening skill.