“Will you hold me, Iris?” Ludmint said.

“There are times and places for everything, Ludmint.”

“Why can I not go with you?” Ludmint covered her face and faked weeping. “The world’s against us, my Love. We must stay strong.”

Ludmint grabbed Iris’s hands and nuzzled her, but Iris leaned away, though she did it so gently and delicately that she couldn’t escape. She struggled not in her lover’s embrace, her mouth trying its hardest not to grin foolishly.

The others watched their blatant display of affection, their countenances revealing different shades of emotions. Parmin quietly touched Morbi’s still face and kissed her right cheek. Mecalia, smirking, stared at Iris, observing the charms for which Ludmint fell.

“Little Ludmint, you cannot blame the world for your choices,” Vindette said. “You chose to join Rising Horizon Council. As someone who had a hand in designing and maintaining Evil Punisher Grand Formation, you must overlook the Holy Resurgence Ceremony.”

“If I’d known my job would one day stop me from spending my day with my Iris, I wouldn’t have chosen it.” Ludmint sighed.

“It’s indeed regrettable,” Mecalia said. “My position also forbids me from enjoying the trip with our Iris. I envy you, Vindette.”

Vindette placed her left hand on her left cheek and tilted her head slightly. “I promise to look after her. Under my care, no harm will reach her.”

“I’ll try my best!” Iris solemnly nodded. “When I leave Mystic Tower, there won’t be any imprisoned Monster Girls inside it. The Court Founder created The Court for this. Our goal is by Monster Girls, for Monster Girls.”

“Dear Iris, remember that you too are a Monster Girl.” Vindette narrowed her eyes. “You may not sacrifice yourself for others. Understood?”

Iris wanted to reject, but Vindette’s gaze pressured her into nodding meekly. The others heaved a sigh and encouraged Iris to think for herself and others, though they, especially Ludmint, doubted that their words could change her stubborn heart.

The meeting went on, with the senior members discussing the finer detail of the operation, primarily regarding Iris’s safety and the escape route. Though the Evil Cults and the Secret Organisations would be acting at the same moment, few cooperated. The possibility of confrontation was low but never zero.

“I feel like a decoration.” Jania slumped on her chair. Her royal air dissipated into a puff of lazy mist. “I thought today would be the day I exercise my power, to help The Court and awe my dearest Iris.”

“Your Highness, your status is too sensitive. And you, like Ludmint, must attend the ceremony.” Mecalia chuckled. “Most importantly, you’re only a Master. You’ll have more say in the matter when you become a Grandmaster.”

“Iris is also in Transformation Phase!”

“She’s an exception; her innate talent allows her to hold off against a Grandmaster for a few moments. She even embarrassed my Ludmint, indirectly embarrassing me, her mentor.”

“I was careless!” Ludmint stood up.

Iris opened her mouth, yet she kept her words to herself. She didn’t want to defend Ludmint, who implied that Iris wasn’t that great, or Mecalia, who spoke too intimately with her fiancée. Those two should argue all day long until they were tired.

Vindette snapped her fingers. Mecalia and Ludmint ceased their movements. The air within the room constricted their voices and actions, halting even the slightest flow of Corruption Power. Though they could easily undo the restraint, they would never.

“Let’s not dwell on the operation any longer. We still have one more matter that requires our attention.” Vindette turned to Parmin.

Parmin gently clapped her hands. The academy’s magical layout morphed into a large cityscape which occupied a significant part of the meeting table. It wasn’t Donhalgen but Jenkin.

“Is it regarding the Ten Night Festival?” Iris said.

“Indeed. But worry not; we won’t overwork you. Your task at Royal Magic Academy is already daunting. Forcing you to participate in another tiring event would be too cruel,” Parmin said. “My Morbi and Mecalia will be going to Jenkin to help Vindette.”

“And once again my status binds me.” Ludmint groaned. “At least I get to stay with my most beloved. That’s better than everything else.”

While everyone was discussing the plan, Iris raised her left hand. All attention fell upon her.

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“May I go to Jenkin too?” she said. “I know my prowess isn’t enough to shake the board, but there’s something I must do in Yilon Archipelago.”

Parmin looked at Ludmint, who vigorously shook her head, and then turned to Morbi. “Morbi, are you willing to take care of Iris?”

“I object!” Ludmint said. “I want her to forever stay by my side. Iris, how could you bear to leave your fiancée?”

Morbi touched her lips, looked at the ceiling, and beamed at Iris. She nodded, her gentle eyes glimmering, her lifeless body glowing. “I have a few matters unattended there too.”

“I’ll never forget this favour, Morbi.”

Before Ludmint could complain, Iris seized Ludmint’s chin and pressed her lips against Ludmint’s. Her warmth circulated in Ludmint’s chest and lungs and throat. Her soft, sweet, and naughty touches ravaged Ludmint’s inside, messed up her mind, and dispersed all stuffy discomfort.

“Is this enough?” Iris whispered. “I can give you more upon return.”

Ludmint caught Iris’s shoulders. Though she wanted to lean inward and demand more, everyone was watching, eyes widened, mouths covered, and hearts racing. They marvelled at the naked sight of Iris’s pure yet fierce manner, deceptively seductive yet secretly innocent. She was both an angel and a succubus.

“You’re unfair. Unscrupulous.” Ludmint clenched her trembling fists. “Promise me, and I’ll forgive you.”

“I would never refuse your advance so long as you don’t do it publicly.” Iris coquettishly smiled as she turned to the others. “Please pardon my vulgarity; there won’t be a second time.”

“You’ve given us your cookies, and now you’re asking us to forgive you?” Vindette said. “I can only let your mischief slide. However, you might provoke jealousy if you flaunt your affection.”

Mecalia bit her fingertips and stared at Iris and Ludmint. Her doll eyes, flaming with envy, scanned Iris’s silhouette as if she were a treasure requiring utmost tender care. It had always been a tradition for the predecessors to guide and pamper the newcomer, but Ludmint selfishly hoarded Iris for herself.

Moreover, Iris got all Ludmint’s attention, the attention which Mecalia should have had. She raised little Ludmint herself, and now someone had snatched her greatest discipline!

While Mecalia was planning her move, Parmin taught Iris the general situation of Jenkin and the prominent powers that oversaw its underground world. Iris compared this information with the one from Prime Archive and found that they complimented each other. She thus reminded herself to use her privilege to read more secrets on the upper floors.

“Although there’s no Grand Formation in Jenkin, there’s still a powerhouse hovering above the Evil Cults and Secret Organisations,” Parmin said. “Jenkin is a diplomatic city that ties the Garcient Kingdom and the underwater kingdom, the Proclein Kingdom. At least one True Master, Grand Duchess of the Frozen Billow, oversees its peace.”

“Grand Duchess of the Frozen Billow?” Iris gasped. “Is she a Beastkin?”

“She’s a Waterkin, a subtype that lives underwater. We don’t know which Mythical Bloodline she possesses.” Parmin shook her head. It wasn’t something they needed to know. The chance of encountering her was too minuscule.

“She’s from the same generation as the Porcelain Kingdom, monarch” Jania said. “Royal Father once mentioned one of his discussions with her. She likes beautiful jewellery and the delicacy of the dryland.”

A mental image of a beautiful mermaid flashed through Iris’s mind. She chased the thought out of her head, but her curiosity simmered. The fantastical nature of the underwater kingdom, the stunning mermaids, and the colourful coral reef painted a picture of wonderland, a picture of a tale she heard in her previous world.

“Jania, must you go to Jenkin?” Iris said.

“Unfortunately, I cannot reject the invitation. It’s my duty to attend the event. Will you protect me, Iris? I can take you with me if you’d like.”

“The honour is mine, Your Highness.”

“If you tease me too much, I’ll make you my lady-in-waiting. Your body will be mine, your heart soon after.” Jania laughed, her hands covering her mouth. “Please don’t hurt me with your glare, Lady Ludmint. I’m merely jesting.”

“How I wish for a new senior member to join after me. This position as the youngest one is too tiring, being the target of unceasing doting.” Iris smiled, yet her eyes faintly reddened as her past returned. She used to be pampered like this too, but those whom she regarded as her family were now immensely far away.

“We have no problem pampering two instead of one,” Parmin said, “especially when you’re this delightful.”

Morbi pinched Parmin, who obediently shut her mouth, and called for Iris.

“After the Royal Magic Academy mission, I’ll write you a letter of our date.” Morbi tilted her head. “If you insist, we can have Ludmint on it too.”

“What about me?” Parmin said.

“This is your punishment: you can’t go with us.”

Panicking, Iris explained to Mecalia and Vindette the unusual progress of her innate talent and her objective in dating so many Monster Girls despite already having Ludmint. The two senior members became interested in Iris’s body; they offered her their requests, gently promising divine bliss for their fascinating Slime Girl.

Ludmint got riled up and complained, to which Iris gave her more love and kiss and embrace. And the meeting gradually came to its end, with Iris speaking the closing statement, whose tone deprived her aura of gentleness and instilled within her calm manner the air of solemnity.

For a moment, she was a noble lady of an unknown era, the candidate for the Saintess position of The Lord. Despite her corrupted nature, she could never shake off her origin, no matter how much time passed.

After bidding farewell to all others, Iris and Ludmint boarded a carriage to Prime Archive. But Iris alighted in a park on the way there, giving Ludmint’s cheeks sweet kisses as an apology.

The midday sun blazed its bright light onto Donhalgen. Iris, wearing a summer hat, entered the shade of the tall trees and seated herself on a soft patch of grasses before taking out a book. Her time was spent reading and feeling the warm breezes occasionally touching her light attire.

When she read about half the book, Tundra showed up. As if it were a date, she adorned herself in a fluffy skirt and a neat yet colourful blouse. Her restless footsteps and wandering eyes dispelled Iris’s boredom, reminding her that, although she got teased by others, she too had someone to tease.

“I’m sorry for arriving so late, Lady Iris,” Tundra said. “I failed to estimate the time I needed to dress up. I hope you forgive me.”

“I’m glad you put on makeup for me.” Iris closed her book and stood up, grinning. “Your beauty is worth the wait.”

“You tease.” Tundra lowered her head. Her mouth curved into a silly smile.

“Shall we head to our place?”

Tundra nodded and took Iris’s hands.