Chapter 33
The Summoning Gate lost control, causing the magic in that small area to be disrupted by space-time turbulence. Someone had a sudden idea—Eh? This would make a good prison! Anyway, that’s the situation.
“Fei’er, are you going to take a bath later?” Lian Qi asked me.
“Of course I am.”
I was curled up on the sofa. When she heard me say that, she once again hooked her arm under the bend of my knees and lifted me up.
“W-wait, where are you carrying me now?”
“Don’t be so noisy. Otherwise, I’ll bathe you myself. Your leg is injured, so you can’t escape anyway.”
Having her bathe me is absolutely forbidden! I feel like I only quieted down because I submitted to her tyrannical threat. How shameful!
I was carried by her to the bathroom…
“Qifeng, get a nightgown for Fei’er,” Lian Qi called out.
“Don’t… don’t rummage through my wardrobe---!” I protested.
Although I don’t have anything indecent in there, having her go through my underwear is still very shameful—
“Okay!”
I heard Qifeng’s thump-thump-thump as she ran up the stairs.
“I don’t want a nightgown! Get me… pajamas!”
Ugh… I compromised again. Living under the same roof with two girls, wearing a nightgown is too risky. It would be easy for them to discover the secret under my skirt.
Lian Qi had just put me down. My ankle still hurt a bit, so I tried to stand on one foot. Just then, I heard Qifeng thump-thump-thump running back down the stairs.
“Fei’er, is a pink nightgown okay?” she asked, blocking the doorway.
…I said I wanted pajamas.
I had no choice but to accept the nightgown. Then Qifeng, as if by magic, produced some lace…
“Um, I picked out pink underwear for you, too.”
With a look of utter shame, I snatched it from her hand, crumpled it into a ball, and hid it.
“N-…Please get out. I’m going to take a bath.”
“Want to bathe together? All three of us?”
I slapped the nightgown onto Qifeng’s face and shoved her out. How many perverted thoughts does she have? In my anger, I almost threw the underwear crumpled in my hand out too—
Once they were both out, I locked the door and finally let out a sigh of relief.
Living under the same roof with two girls really isn’t easy. See? Their under… are hanging side-by-side on the bathroom clothesline. That black one with the unicorn pattern is Lian Qi’s. The pink one next to it, two cup sizes bigger, is Qifeng’s, no doubt. Just looking at this scene makes me feel ashamed!
But, it looks like their underwear is already dry, right? Forget it, forget it. I’ll let them get it themselves later. Anyway, after I wash my underwear, I’ll hang it far, far away to keep my distance from theirs..
Ahem
I finally took off the pink dress I had been wearing all night. After washing up, I changed into the nightgown. The moment I pushed open the bathroom door, I saw a bizarre scene—Lian Qi and Qifeng were playing rock-paper-scissors. What are they doing?
“I win,” Lian Qi said smugly. She played rock; Qifeng played scissors. Were they fighting over who got to bathe first?
“Well then, I’m taking Fei’er.”
“Uwaaah! No fair!” Qifeng, having lost, looked completely unreconciled.
“Eh!? Wait--- this isn’t right!”
I was fresh from the bath and still steaming, and I was princess carried by Lian Qi again.
“We were playing rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins, you warm their bed tonight. If it was a tie, all three of us would sleep together.”
Lian Qi carried me toward her bedroom, already wearing the air of a victor.
“Y-you guys decided this without even asking my opinion!?” I said, blushing and feeling uneasy.
What is this? Without my knowledge, I was treated as a victory prize and carried off?
Because my foot was twisted, I’ve been carried around all night. I feel like a big doll. And look, now I’m being carried onto a bed again. Maybe someone who likes being princess carried would be happy, but I’m a boy…
Perhaps because she knew my foot was injured, Lian Qi was much gentler when placing me on the bed this time. So gentle, it made me a bit uncomfortable. I remembered back at the school dormitory, she just threw me directly onto the bed. I was seeing stars back then.
Because just moving my ankle hurts, I had to be extremely careful even just to sit up. I had just propped myself up when Lian Qi covered me with the blanket. Isn’t this a bit too considerate?
I looked up at her, only to see her give me an ambiguous smile—“You wait for me in bed. I’m going to take a bath.”
Wait… those lines are a bit off.
Watching her leave, I sat alone on the bed, feeling so awkward. My foot is injured, so I can’t go anywhere. I can only obediently wait for her to return. The atmosphere feels a bit strange!
I remembered last night, how she was pinned under my hammer, unable to get up, looking as if she had suffered the ultimate humiliation. Could it be… she wants revenge?
She specifically told me to get cleaned up and wait for her, and then she went to take a bath herself… Could it be she has some evil intentions?
Thinking of this made me extremely uneasy. When she finished her bath and returned, pushing open the door, I even flinched, I was so nervous.
But seeing her properly dressed in pajamas, I breathed a sigh of relief. If she had appeared in front of me wearing only a bath towel, I really wouldn’t know how to handle it.
It’s not like I wouldn’t be nervous just because I’ve seen her naked body once before.
But, wait!
“What… are you holding in your hand?”
“Aren’t they the high heels you wore today?”
Lian Qi said, placing the high heels in front of me. They were the very things that made me twist my ankle. I really have a love-hate relationship with them.
“Why did you bring them in here?”
“Did you forget I have a phone that can take pictures? It’s your first time wearing high heels. Don’t you want to wear them and take a picture?” Lian Qi said, opening the wardrobe and pulling her treasure—brought from another dimension—out of her school uniform pants pocket.
Hearing Lian Qi’s words, I suddenly felt like her entire figure was glowing with a bling-bling light. My opinion of her has changed. How did she suddenly become so understanding of me?
Back at Liluo’s house, I really did have the thought of taking a picture to see the effect.
“But… my foot…”
“You just need to sit on the bed. I’ll help you take the picture.”
As she spoke, she lifted the blanket covering my legs. I instinctively clamped my knees together.
“Taking pictures in high heels on a bed… the pose is even more alluring, you know,” she said with a smile.
Her saying that just made me even more shy.
“And, wear these.”
She threw a pair of white over-the-knee socks in front of me.
“Eh?? You want me to wear… these too?”
Suddenly being asked to wear them for a photo feels strangely shameful…
“White stockings go really well with your pink high heels. Trust me, the photos will look great this way.”
“Is that so?”
I nodded, dazed.
Looks like I misjudged Lian Qi. It turns out she was just being nice and helping me take pictures. To think I actually had malicious suspicions about her… I’m so sorry..
It’s just—
As I pulled the white over-the-knee socks onto my feet, I wondered: Why did she want to take my picture after I had bathed, wearing a nightgown, and on the bed?
Chapter 34 Is It a Princess Carry After the Battle? (4) fix
34 When the stocking reached my ankle, it hurt a bit, so I was being very careful. Just then, I inexplicably sensed a flash of light. I looked up, and Lian Qi was holding her phone, taking a picture of me.
“Wh-why are you taking pictures of me putting on stockings?”
My face flushed red in an instant. It’s already a bit shameful to put on stockings in front of someone, let alone be photographed…
“You’re not calm at all. Your shameful expression was captured perfectly.”
I was too ashamed to reply, and could only glare at her, embarrassed.
I really wish I could snatch her phone away. It’s just a pity my foot can’t move.
“Why did you stop? Want me to help you put on the other one?”
“No, no, I don’t need---”
She’s really helping me put it on.
I watched her silently, feeling utterly embarrassed.
So that sentence wasn’t a request for my opinion.
Next, she even put the high heels on for me.
All… all in all, my current appearance is: a pink nightgown, paired with white over-the-knee socks and pink high heels. It’s a bit embarrassing…
“Just make a few cute poses for the camera!”
“You suddenly want me to make cute po… I don’t know how…”
“Then just do as I say, okay? Sit just like you are now, then spread your legs, and put your hands over your skir…”
I dazedly followed her instructions. But after striking this pose, I felt more and more ashamed. It was as if I was intentionally implying I had some ulterior secret under my skirt…
“D-do… I really have to pose like this?” I asked, blushing.
“A pose like this is the only way to accentuate the beauty of the high heels on your feet,” Lian Qi said with a straight face.
I was speechless. Good thing that thing in Lian Qi’s hand, called a “phone,” can capture an image instantly. If it were a painter, wouldn’t I have to hold this shameful pose for hours without moving?
“A-are you done taking pictures?” I asked, forcing down my feeling of shame.
“Mhm, all done. I turned off the flash.”
“Let me see.” I was filled with a little anticipation, but also some apprehension.
Lian Qi handed the phone to me. In the photo, I saw myself with my stocking-clad legs spread apart, hands covering my skirt, wearing a shy and delicate expression. Uwah! I couldn’t even bear to look at it. But the high heels on my feet looked really good. Although high heels are meant to show off a woman’s mature charm, pairing them with white over-the-knee socks removed the “adult” feeling, making it look cuter instead.
I was still looking when Lian Qi snatched the phone from my hand.
“You like high heels that much, huh? Looks like next time I’ll really have to buy you a pair of ten-centimeter-high ones.”
“…Centimeters? I twisted my ankle in five-centimeter ones. I wouldn’t be able to walk at all in ten-centimeter ones, right?”
“It’s not for you to actually wear outside. It would be very… appealing… to wear them at home.”
“Appealing!?”
I froze for a second. What is Lian Qi thinking?
Immediately after, she used her actions to tell me exactly what she was thinking—she moved closer to me, and her hand reached for my thigh, beginning to misbehave.
I felt a surge of nervousness. Her hand is caressing my leg through the stocking! I said, blushing, “Didn’t we agree we were just taking pictures in high heels? Now you’re acting up again…”
“And isn’t it all your fault for striking such an alluring and seductive pose—”
“Eh, eh, eh? You’re the one who told me to make this pose!”
Uuugh. I really thought she was just being nice and helping me take pictures. Was I really just too innocent?
Her fingers danced on my leg, climbing all the way to the base of my thigh. I hurriedly covered my skirt with my hands.
“Lian Qi, my foot is injured right now. You can’t take advantage of my situation.”
“I’m not taking advantage. You can say ‘stop’ at any time.”
“As if you’d actually stop just because I said stop—!”
“Lift your head.”
She held the photo up in front of my eyes.
“Look at yourself, wearing stockings and high heels in front of me, striking such a shameful pose. Aren’t you embarrassed?”
“Uwah---!”
Her verbal assault, combined with the stimulation from the photo, made me break down instantly.
“Uu… Stop talking.”
“You can’t take it already? You really do get ashamed more easily than a normal girl. And I haven’t even done anything to you yet.”
Lian Qi said, wrapping her arms around my waist. My foot was injured, so I couldn’t move. Before I knew it, I had fallen into her clutches again.
I’m discovering that Lian Qi isn’t just forceful; she always manages to pinpoint my… shame-point. Are all people who transmigrate this evil?
“No… Fei’er, your body is gradually becoming a constitution that can accept my caresses,” she whispered in my ear.
Uu… She clearly knows my ears are sensitive, yet she deliberately teases me. I can feel my body going limp and soft, just like my injured foot… I can’t muster any strength.
“You… what kind of shameful things are you saying! Uu, this isn’t fair.”
“Your fresh-from-the-bath body smells so good.”
She sniffed my neck, which made me feel ticklish.
“…”
Immediately after, her warm, moist lips pressed against me.
..Again?
Has the mark barely faded, and she already wants to leave a new one? Or is it that she wants… Uwah! So ticklish! Why is she just holding it there? And licking… Is this why she wanted me to bathe?
“Hah…n…”
Lian Qi released her lips and blew lightly on my neck.
“How does it feel… doing lewd and shameless things with me… while wearing high heels…”
“Uu… It’s still the s-same…”
I maintained my crumbling consciousness, replying in a voice tinged with tears.
“Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that? Didn’t you just say you found me wearing high heels seductive?”
After all, it’s Lian Qi who appreciates me, right?
I will never tell her that after putting on high heels, I feel even more like a girl, and therefore, I feel even more ashamed.
Lian Qi, suddenly, answered me with a perfectly straight face.
I was slightly stunned—
“It’s just that when you wear high heels, you’re taller than me. That’s the only part that pisses me off.”
“That’s because we’re almost the same height.”
“Hmph. At first, it was a little hard to adjust to knowing you’re actually strong. But seeing you today, you’re still the same old Fei’er. Even after defeating two 4th-tier mages, you still manage to twist your ankle in high heels. You’re so stupidly cute.”
“I feel like you’re calling me stupid,” I chuckled weakly.
“---You’re so strong… why are you so willing to let me bully you…” she said in a casual tone, all while… caressing my foot through the stocking…
Uu, so ticklish. I replied, blushing, “…I don’t know…”
Lian Qi pursed her lips nervously, looking at me. “Did you… think I looked good with the wig today? Anyway, you’ve seen me with both long and short hair, so give me an opin—”
“…I prefer you being yourself.”
I replied, still tingling from her touch.
She froze for a moment, then suddenly pressed her face close to mine. Our noses are touching!
“Why are you so good with your words?”
“Eh? …” I was pushed down onto the bed. She was blushing, looking down at me.
“I don’t care. I’m leaving a mark on you—”
And then she pounced, latching onto my neck. Could it be… she’s shy?
Don’t mind my submissive appearance. Because of what happened last time, I had already steeled myself for the worst, prepared to be bullied by her at least once. So, I’ll just let this be compensation for her.
I gently patted Lian Qi’s back. As long as she’s happy.
Chapter 35 Decisive Battle Arc (Part 1)
35 The next morning.
My foot doesn’t hurt anymore! This is great! I spun around a few times in place to show Lian Qi and Qifeng.
“Full status restored~!”
“Be careful, Fei’er, don’t fall again,” Qifeng urged, worried.
“I’m not wearing high heels, why would I fall?”
“…What are you doing? Publicly cringe-dancing… how come you’re not ashamed of this?” Lian Qi stared at me with a look of disdain.
“What? I’m not! I’m just showing you that my foot is fine.”
“Actually, I thought of a way to heal your foot instantly last night. I just didn’t say it because I was afraid you’d be too ashamed.”
“What way!?” I looked at Lian Qi, completely baffled.
Lian Qi gave a solemn cough—“Doesn’t your saliva have healing abilities? You could have just licked your own foot, right?”
“Me… lick my own foot?”
I visualized that scene in my head, and my face turned red all the way from my neck to my forehead.
“That’s too shameful---!”
No, that’s not right. It’s too perverted.
The most I’ve ever done is suck my finger when I accidentally cut it while chopping vegetables. Lian Qi truly is someone from another dimension, her head is full of these indescribable ideas.
“I can lick my own ankle!” Qifeng raised her hand to demonstrate.
“That’s a bit too much information,” Lian Qi said, looking at her sideways.
Just then, I heard a tap-tap-tap on the window. I turned to look. A raven with jet-black, glossy feathers was standing outside the window, staring at me. Its eyes glowed with a murderous red light. On this day, I finally recalled the terror of being repeatedly slapped in the face by it with an envelope…
“What’s wrong? Who’s tapping the glass?” Lian Qi came over to ask.
I pointed at the raven on the windowsill—
“Q-quickly, get the letter for me. Don’t let it get near me.”
“…Huh? You’re even afraid of a bird?” Lian Qi dubiously opened the window, which undoubtedly let the raven fly right in! It drifted in mid-air, slapped the envelope onto my face, and flew away.
“Fei’er, I’ve discovered that the small animals in your world aren’t very friendly to you. That unicorn before was the same.”
“Uu…” I wanted to cry but had no tears. Ravens are extremely intelligent birds. Could it be… it saw through me, that I’m a boy, and despises me for wearing girls’ clothes?
“Who sent you a letter?” Qifeng asked, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, sucking on a biscuit stick.
I broke the envelope’s wax seal—“…It looks like Tristina is summoning us to the palace.”
“Us? Last time it was Lord Man and the vampire loli. Who are we protecting this time?” Lian Qi continued, “By the way, doesn’t your sister have a spy planted in the rebel army? It would be great if we could find out the assassination organization’s base.”
“Yeah, Sister Phylicia wants to round them all up, too. It’s just a pity their security is too good. Even though we already have the assassination list, we still don’t know where their hidden base is.”
Then I looked at Qifeng and asked her, “Has the Holy Light Church not found any clues about the assassination organization ‘Seven-Leaf Tree’ either?”
Qifeng, sucking on her biscuit stick, shook her head blankly—“…I don’t know. I haven’t been back to the church at all recently.”
I felt helpless. “…You’re just skipping your Inspector job like this?”
“I am not! Actually, right now I’m—”
“Stop! I get what you mean,” I quickly cut her off. I knew what she was going to say—that staying by the Saintess’s side and protecting the Saintess is, in itself, part of her job. …
After we finished breakfast, we set off for the royal palace—the Château de Champs.
Actually, the place I live is quite close to the Château de Champs. It counts as a front-line palace-view room. Every morning, I can see this fairy-tale-like pure-white castle just by opening my window. It’s even just a short walk to its outer walls. Usually, there are many soldiers standing guard, but today—Eh? What is that crowd of onlookers staring at? And the soldiers on duty are maintaining order. What happened?
We got a little closer. The soldiers, who had formed a human wall to keep the crowd back, automatically opened a gap when they saw us. I saw Sister Phylicia’s solitary back. She, like everyone else, was looking up at the high castle wall.
What is Sister looking at? What is everyone looking at? I curiously raised my head—only to hear Qifeng gasp beside me, and Lian Qi covered my eyes with her hand.
“Don’t look, Fei’er. You’ll have nightmares.”
“Wh-what is it?”
“There’s a girl hanging from the castle wall. She seems to be dead.”
I heard the sound of a flock of crows taking flight.
Only then did Lian Qi move her hand away from my eyes. The first thing I saw was three women in military uniforms approaching Sister Phylicia and kneeling on one knee. Are they Sister’s subordinates?
“Lady ‘Scarlet Flame’ Phylicia.” The woman in the middle spoke. “This must be the rebels’ doing! Please give the order to allow us to execute the three rebel dogs in the prison to avenge Estina!”
“Yes, we must repay them, tooth for tooth!”
“I wish I could skin those three people and pull out their tendons!”
I saw that every one of their faces was filled with intense hatred.
“Calm down! Estina wasn’t just your comrade, she was my subordinate,” Sister Phylicia said, her face dark.
The three petitioning women were stunned into silence by the killing intent emanating from Sister Phylicia’s profound magic power. Even I could feel it from so far away.
Sister Phylicia raised her hand. A fire arrow shot from her fingertip, burning away the rope holding the girl. The moment the girl fell, she was caught by Phylicia’s Manipulation-type magic, hovering, and then gently lowered to the ground.
Sister knelt and covered the girl’s eyes. The girl suddenly burst into flames.
From my perspective… is this a cremation?
Sister Phylicia stood up and, with her back to me, explained, “She was my spy planted in the rebel headquarters. Her identity was exposed, and she was killed. Her body was hung from the castle wall in an attempt to warn us.”
I was stunned. The “Seven-Leaf Tree’s” assassination list and intelligence… it was all passed to us by this person, at the risk of her own life? Only for her end to be…
We’ve lost her. The assassination organization’s next move has also become unpredictable.
I heard Sister Phylicia say, “As for the three captured ‘Seven-Leaf Tree’ dogs, they still have value. We cannot kill them so easily.”
She then ordered her subordinates—
“Immediately spread the word: this afternoon, I will publicly execute the three ‘Seven-Leaf Tree’ dogs to set an example. Heh—this time, they will be the bait to lure out their comrades.”
This afternoon!?
The atmosphere instantly grew tense. I had a feeling that a great battle was approaching.
“Little sister Fei’er.”
“Hm? Yes.”
Sister Phylicia lightly patted my shoulder as she walked past me, her crimson hair scattering sparks of fire.
“Are you ready? The final battle with the assassination organization ‘Seven-Leaf Tree’ is about to begin.”
Chapter 36 Decisive Battle Arc (Part 1)
36 The final battle with the assassination organization “Seven-Leaf Tree” is about to begin. Sister Phylicia asked if I was ready. Of course, I nodded. After all, their ultimate goal is to assassinate the Queen of the Holy Flame—which is to say, my childhood friend, Tristina. How could I sit back and do nothing?
However, the location of the decisive battle being an execution ground was something I had never expected. In my fifteen years as a Saintess, I had never once watched a public execution. Psychologically speaking, I’m a bit averse to it. But I have no choice; Sister Phylicia dragged me here. Her plan is to use the three captured people as bait to lure their comrades into a rescue attempt, allowing us to wipe them all out in one go.
When afternoon arrived… I knew it was a “public execution,” but… I didn’t expect this many people to be watching. We were stationed at the very back of the execution platform, our backs against the wall, lying in wait. Qifeng ran over and gave me a hand signal—“Fei’er, I’ve set up the traps.”
Next, Qifeng looked at her pocket watch—
“It’s almost time for the public execution.”
“What if they don’t come?” Lian Qi asked, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
“Sister Phylicia said that given ‘Death’s Blade’s’ personality, she will definitely come, even knowing it’s a trap. Otherwise, those three people will all be executed by fire to comfort the souls of the sacrificed soldiers in heaven,” I said weakly, unable to stop myself from glancing at the one man and two women fixed to the execution racks.
Perhaps I shouldn’t pity them. After all, when they killed Sister Phylicia’s subordinate, they showed absolutely no mercy.
Just as Qifeng said, they are just murderers hiding behind the banner of “justice.”
“Actually, I’ve had a question for a long time,” Lian Qi said, arms crossed. “Is the Demon King backing the rebels that are causing unrest in this country? War can cause society to collapse, which would also be part of the plan to stagnate magical technology, right?”
Hearing Lian Qi say that, I froze for a moment. I thought of my own name on the assassination list and couldn’t help but give a bitter smile.
If that person wanted to kill me, why not do it personally? Is it out of consideration for our past relationship, so she’s leaving it to someone else?
Without warning, a black shadow suddenly landed to my left!
I jumped in fright—“!?”
What? I couldn’t feel a presence at all!
I caught a glimpse of a graceful, black-haired figure raising a black blade, bringing it down on me—!
The blade flashed. Blood splattered.
But it wasn’t my blood!?
The one who was cut wasn’t me, but… Qifeng?
At the critical moment, Qifeng threw herself in front of me!?
I was stunned.
Qifeng leaned back and fell into my arms. And the culprit flicked the blood from her black blade, letting the droplets spatter on the ground, and said coldly—“Justice served!”
“You call this justice?!?!”
With one hand holding Qifeng, I summoned the Hammer of Holy Light with the other—
“Hurting Qifeng is for justice? ? ?”
I’ll smash you to death with this one blow!
“Death’s Blade”1 revealed a surprised expression and hurriedly brought her black blade across her chest to defend!
The pure white hammer slammed violently onto the jet-black longsword! The clouds in the sky were blasted apart.
Tsk! Was the force too light because I’m holding Qifeng?
“Death’s Blade” was sent flying, blade and all! She crashed through one wall without stopping, then crashed through a second wall. After smashing through more than ten buildings in a row, she completely vanished from sight. I don’t know if she’s dead or not.
But right now, I don’t care about her at all. I only care about Qifeng!
I collapsed onto the ground, holding Qifeng in my lap.
She smiled at me. “Uu… I didn’t have time to materialize my chains.”
“Silly girl! Are you crazy? ? ?”
I looked at my hand. It was covered in blood!
Blood seeped from her chest, staining her clothes, the ground, and my hand.
Why is there so much blood?
I suddenly remembered something. The thought made me ice-cold, almost suffocating me—Qifeng was cut by “Death’s Blade.”
Her blade possesses magic that prevents wounds from healing---!
“Don’t cry, Fei’er…”
Qifeng’s voice overlapped with the voice of the Nun Sister who raised me—
That year, on her sickbed, the Nun Sister, in her final moments, stroked my crying face and said to me—
“Don’t cry, Fei’er. You… be brave, don’t cry. You must remember, you are the Saintess. You must always keep smiling, no matter what. Because you are everyone’s hope. If even you fall into despair, everyone… will…”
The Nun Sister’s hand slipped from my face, bit by bit.
“No--- Don’t---”
I wept uncontrollably. At that time, it was Xubai—that’s right, it was that Demon Lord who held me from behind and pulled me away.
“Fei’er, calm down. Listen to me. Your Nun Sister… she has just… returned to the Holy Light.”
…
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry, Nun Sister. I can’t do what you said.
I can’t not despair. I can’t keep smiling all the time…-!
“Uu…”
I burst into tears, wailing.
Tears streamed down, plip plop, onto Qifeng!
Her bleeding gradually slowed.
“You shut up---! You tell me not to cry… are you trying to make me use my saliva to heal your wound instead?”
Qifeng stroked my face and gave a small laugh—“The happiest thing in my life… is taking a blade for you~”
“I don’t want you to take a blade for me! You’re so weak!”
Qifeng’s bleeding stopped completely, but “Death’s Blade’s” magic prevented the wound from healing any further. I was terrified that if I moved away, the wound would worsen—
No, even if I have to cry out all my tears, or even all my blood, I will not let anything happen to Qifeng—!
I’m willing to water her with my tears for a lifetime!
“It’s not working? It won’t heal?” Lian Qi knelt beside me, speaking nervously.
I was too focused. I didn’t even know when Lian Qi had come to my side.
“Save Qifeng!
I pleaded with Lian Qi, crying.
“‘Death’s Blade’s’ magic is… stopping Qifeng’s wound from healing. What do we do?”
“Fei’er, calm down. It’s okay, leave it to me. My explosion magic can destroy others’ magic. So, let me try.”
I sniffled. In an instant, I felt like the clouds had parted.
I quickly made some room for Lian Qi. I watched as she tore open Qifeng’s blood-soaked uniform, as if she were about to perform surgery.
At that exact moment, I suddenly sensed three powerful magic presences descending on the execution ground. I sniffled and looked over—only to see three “guests” standing on a rooftop, looking down on us.
“Where’s Sister Yelijia?”2 one of them said.
“I don’t know. She’s gone,” another replied.
I understood in a second. All the remaining members of the assassination organization “Seven-Leaf Tree” were now present.
It seemed they were having a disagreement.
“Don’t get bogged down in a fight. Saving them is the priority.”
“No, now is the perfect chance to kill them!”
The perfect chance to kill us? Then bring it on!
I tightened my grip on my hammer, but I didn’t stand up, because I was worried that without my tears, Qifeng’s wound would worsen.
Suddenly, a crimson figure blocked my view! “Scarlet Flame,” Sister Phylicia, had arrived.
From the moment I was ambushed by “Death’s Blade” until now, only one minute had passed.
Chapter 37 Decisive Battle Arc (Part 1)
3 “Scarlet Flame” Sister Phylicia stood between the assassins and me. Seeing her back, with her red hair fluttering, I couldn’t help but feel reassured.
“How is Qifeng?” Sister Phylicia asked, her back to me, sparks of fire circling around her.
“She was cut by ‘Death’s Blade.’ The bleeding has stopped, and Lian Qi is trying to figure out how to break ‘Death’s Blade’s’ magic…!” I sniffled, replying.
“Understood. Don’t cry, Fei’er. Leave the rest to me.”
Her gaze, filled with killing intent, swept over the three people on the roof. They flinched—“It’s General Phylicia! Hurry, rescue them!”
“Rescue them?”
Sister Phylicia raised a hand, and a battering ram composed of fire materialized from thin air.
“You think you can?”
The flaming battering ram actually swung on its own, crashing into the house under the three assassins’ feet with an all-crushing momentum.
The assassins scattered clumsily amidst the explosion.
“Where on earth did Sister Yelijia go? We agreed to attack together, with her leading the charge!” the shortest of the three, a black-haired boy, said the moment he landed.
A red-haired woman holding a dagger landed beside him, pointing at me—“She was knocked away by that person’s hammer.”
“Yelijia… got knocked away? You’ve got to be kidding,” a blonde-haired boy said, not believing it at all.
“That hammer might be Transmutation/Illusion magic. Maybe it has an effect that sends you flying on contact.”
“So what now? The three of us have to fight ‘Scarlet Flame’ Phylicia?”
“No choice. We have to risk it!”
The three of them simultaneously erupted with astonishing blue magic power, shaking the entire scene. However, when the magical aura blew toward Sister Phylicia, it was perfectly calm; not even the hem of her clothes stirred.
At the same time, a large detachment of soldiers rushed over.
“I don’t need you to interfere,” Sister Phylicia commanded coldly. “My magic will endanger you.”
“Y-yes…” All the soldiers stopped in their tracks, leaving the stage to her and the three assassins.
Sister Phylicia sneered, her gaze focusing on the short boy, the blonde boy, and the red-haired woman in turn.
“‘Punisher’ Albis, ‘Twin Swords’ Rhode, ‘King of Assassins’ Elantisian.1 My subordinates were so well cared for by you. Now, don’t disappoint me.”
I watched as Sister Phylicia pressed one hand to the ground—
“Cavalry, charge.”
Flames materialized into a wave of armored knights and their warhorses, charging toward the three with an all-crushing momentum.
The “King of Assassins” vanished into thin air.
The “Twin Swords” activated his magic, materializing a black and a white sword.
The “Punisher” shouted, “Go! I’ll hold them off!” as countless black tentacles erupted from his back, lashing out at the charging cavalry. Each tentacle was shaped like a human hand.
The cavalry tore through the tentacle defense as if it were rotten wood. The “Punisher” was stunned, then trampled under the horses’ hooves, again and again.
“Truly overestimating yourself,” Sister Phylicia sneered, noticing that “Twin Swords” was rushing toward the execution platform, trying to rescue his comrades.
“Hey, where do you think you’re running?”
With a great wave of her hand, the flames formed a phalanx of shields, blocking his path like a bronze wall!
The next second, countless long spears stabbed out from the gaps in the shields, aimed at “Twin Swords.” He gritted his teeth and used a dazzling sword technique, turning into a spinning top that collided with the spears and bounced off, narrowly avoiding being turned into a porcupine.
“Oh, interesting. Could you be a disciple of the Sword Saint Reinhardt?”
“You’re distracted!”
The “King of Assassins” appeared from the shadows, thrusting her dagger violently at Sister Phylicia’s back!
It did indeed hit. But the result was like stabbing into fire; it passed right through.
Sister Phylicia didn’t even turn her head. The part of her body that was stabbed turned to flames. The dagger passed through her body, leaving her completely unharmed.
“What? Her body elementalized!?” The opponent was shocked!
“I deliberately left an opening for you. Surprise, surprise,” she raised one hand high, and a flame battering ram descended from the sky!
“You slaughtered Minister Monster’s entire household, five hundred people, up and down. You didn’t even spare the pet dog. All so no one would notice you infiltrating, right? Good for you!”
The battering ram smashed down, nailing the “King of Assassins” deep into the ground, forming a “大” shaped crater.2
The battle had barely begun, and two of the three opponents were already annihilated.
“Seems like you’re the only one left,” Sister Phylicia stared coldly at the blonde boy nicknamed “Twin Swords.” If he had tried to face Sister head-on, he’d be lying on the ground right now, too.
“No choice. It seems I must use that.”
“Oh?” Sister Phylicia watched with interest, waiting to see what trick he would pull.
I watched as he held his twin swords in a reverse grip, and with soaring momentum, shouted—“Form Release!”
The black and white swords in his hands gradually disintegrated, transforming into a black-haired girl and a silver-haired girl. They were wearing Lolita outfits, one black and one white.
“Master,” the two sword spirits said in unison. The swords became sentient?
“Well, well. I just love watching you Transmutation/Illusion mages pull out all sorts of strange things. I hope they’re not just for show.”
“I’ll let you witness the backbone of ‘Seven-Leaf Tree’! Go! Tila! Misu!”
“As you command, Master!”
The two sword spirits attacked simultaneously. Sister Phylicia waited in anticipation! But halfway there, the two of them veered off toward me and Lian Qi!?
“So you just don’t dare face me directly, is that it? Is this what you call ‘backbone’?” Sister Phylicia said with a sneer.
Watching them charge menacingly toward me, I gripped my hammer, ready to fight. But Sister Phylicia stepped in front of me first. With a wave of her hand, a shield phalanx of fire completely encircled me for protection.
Dozens of long spears were leveled at the charging girls! However, when the spears stabbed their bodies, they didn’t penetrate. Seeing as they were impervious, it must be because their true forms are swords, right? So their bodies have the hardness of a sword.
I watched them step on the shields and spears, vaulting over the defensive phalanx. The black-haired girl swung her hand like a blade, chopping at Sister Phylicia’s body, but it was easily nullified by elementalization.
“Oh, interesting! The harder you are to break, the more I want to snap you.”
“Misu! Now!”—their master shouted!
The silver-haired girl, Misu, stepped on the black-haired girl’s shoulder and leaped high, aiming at the comrades tied to the execution rack. She swung her hand, sending out a crescent-shaped—
“Tsk. A feint?”
So, attacking me was a distraction. The real goal was to make Sister Phylicia split her focus, and then use the chance to rescue their comrades on the execution rack?
The crescent-shaped sword qi accurately struck the magic-restraining shackles on the pink-haired girl, “Shadow Parasite Line” Le Gelei Si. With a clack, the shackles were split in two and fell to the ground.
Chapter 38 Decisive Battle Arc (Part 1)
38 As the shattered shackles fell to the ground, one of the three people on the execution rack, the pink-haired girl, was freed.
I was secretly alarmed! This is bad. That “Shadow Parasite Line” Le Gelei Si, the one who can manipulate shadows, has been freed?
“You two little things really are troublesome.” Sister Phylicia waved her hand, and the flames converging from thin air formed a battering ram, smashing into the black and white sword spirits.
As the two girl-shaped sword spirits were sent flying by the overwhelming impact, Sister Phylicia charged toward the blonde boy, “Twin Swords” Rhode, at extreme speed.
“I don’t have time to play with your two swords right now. I’ll prioritize finishing you!”
I saw a sword condensed from flames appear in Sister’s hand!
“Shadow Transfer—”
Swoosh---!
Sister was now standing under the execution rack, having swapped places with the pink-haired girl.
“What an interesting magic.”
Sister understood instantly, smiling coldly. “It’s about time for the execution, isn’t it?” She gave a light wave of her hand, and the other two execution racks burst into flames.
“You demon!”
“Twin Swords” Rhode tried to charge over but was yanked back by the pink-haired girl.
“Don’t be rash! I’ll transfer them!”
“Don’t worry about us---! You all run! You must carry on our mission of justice---!” the yellow-haired girl on the execution rack shouted, the flames about to engulf her.
“Today, none of you are getting away.” This time, Sister Phylicia placed both hands on the ground and activated her magic---a nine-headed hydra condensed from flames rose from the earth!
At the same time, the pink-haired girl randomly selected two people from the onlookers and used “Shadow Swap” on them and her two comrades on the execution racks.
“What are the soldiers doing? They still haven’t evacuated the onlookers?” Sister Phylicia said coldly. At the same time, the nine-headed hydra, with the force of a volcanic eruption, spat fireballs at every single member of the “Seven-Leaf Tree” organization!
Boom---! Boom---! Boom---! Boom---! Boom---! Boom---!
“Twin Swords” Rhode, “Shadow Parasite Line” Le Gelei Si, and the yellow-haired girl and black-haired boy who had just been rescued from the racks were all struck by fireballs! The pitiful “King of Assassins,” who had just climbed out of the “大” shaped crater, was smashed right back in by another fireball. And that “Punisher,” who had been repeatedly trampled by horses, had just lifted his head when he was ravaged by a fireball again.
“Dammit! With the leader gone, we’re no match for her at all—!”
“Where is the leader?”
“She was smashed into the horizon by that girl with the hammer—”
“Dammit---! She’s not here at a critical time like this—”
“Let me tell you the truth: the one who sent ‘Death’s Blade’ flying with one hammer blow is my little sister,” Sister Phylicia said proudly. At the same time, the nine-headed hydra in front of her spat out a second wave of fireballs---!
“Tila! Misu! Cover us!” “Twin Swords” Rhode shouted for his sword spirits.
The silver-haired girl, Misu, opened her arms wide, taking the brunt of the fireballs for everyone. It was an extremely tragic sight!
The black-haired girl, Tila, charged at Sister Phylicia, her hand-blade chopping down violently! But Sister just lazily leaned to the side and dodged it.
“I’ve already seen through your attack. I can’t even be bothered to use elementalization.”
As her voice fell, Sister grabbed Tila’s arm and viciously stomped her into the ground—!
“No--- Tila!” “Twin Swords” Rhode watched helplessly, his eyes filled with heartbreak.
“What did I say just now? I really want to snap you,” Sister Phylicia sneered, tossing Tila’s arm, which had reverted to a broken sword, aside.
“I refuse to believe that evil can triumph over justice!” The yellow-haired girl raised her right hand high and activated her magic! A long-prepared giant armored fist materialized in the air and smashed down toward Sister Phylicia!
Sister Phylicia kicked the broken, reverted Tila aside, then waved a hand! A flame battering ram collided head-on with the fist! In an instant, the fist was smashed to smithereens.
“I won. Does that mean I’m the one who’s justice?”
Faced with Sister Phylicia’s terrifying power, the pink-haired girl, “Shadow Parasite Line” Le Gelei Si, had an expression of terror on her face.
“This is bad… Since Yelijia isn’t here, and we’ve been successfully rescued, let’s temporarily retreat!”
Seeing the situation was dire, she used her “Shadow Transfer” magic on every one of her comrades, swapping their positions with the scattering onlookers in the distance.
“I told you, today, none of you will escape!”
Sister Phylicia started to pursue them, but found that the pink-haired girl had used her “Step on Shadow” magic on her, holding her in place. This crucial move from the pink-haired girl bought time for her comrades to escape.
“That really is an interesting magic.” Sister Phylicia locked her killing intent onto her.
“I will not let you take one more step!”
As her voice fell—the pink-haired girl erupted with astonishing blue magic power! The sheer force of it looked as if she was about to release her entire life’s worth of magic at once—
I watched as her blue magic gradually deepened, transforming into purple!
“Oh? You broke your limit when cornered? Your magic power went from 4th-tier to 5th-tier?” A smile of interest appeared on Sister Phylicia’s face.
“‘Scarlet Flame’ Phylicia! This is my ultimate magic, born from my resolve! I refuse to believe I can’t wound you—”
The pink-haired girl poured all her magic into her trump card, “Parasite Shadow Demon”! Her shadow rose from the ground. The shadow summoned this time was stronger than ever before.
“Since you’re already at a dead end, what are you hesitating for? Fuse!” her shadow said, in her exact voice.
“My thoughts exactly!”
The pink-haired girl’s figure overlapped with her shadow. The purple magic power that erupted after their fusion finally managed to stir the hem of Sister Phylicia’s clothes.
“Just because you’re determined doesn’t mean you have the strength to defeat me. Today, I’ll let you know what true despair is.”
Sister Phylicia instantly erupted with—silver magic power, the threshold of the abyss!
“Let me see… your final death throes!” Sister Phylicia charged forward, grasping the sword condensed from flames—!
The silver magic power and the purple magic power collided violently—
BOOM---!
Right then, the magic in Lian Qi’s hand exploded!?
“Eh!? Lian Qi, y-your explosion magic hit Qifeng!” I was so frightened I was stammering.
“It’s done. The ‘Death’s Blade’ magic curse attached to Qifeng’s wound has been destroyed.”
Lian Qi herself let out a deep sigh of relief.
“Eh!? R-really?”
I was so moved I was on the verge of tears. I didn’t know how I could possibly repay her.
There was simply no way to repay her!
“Aren’t you going to hurry up and heal her wound now?” Lian Qi reminded me.
“Right! I know!”
I touched my face. Eh? Where are my tears? Why, at a time like this, do I not have a single tear?
I glanced around. Although we were outside, Sister Phylicia’s shield phalanx was concealing us. I probably don’t need to worry about what I’m about to do being seen by outsiders, right?
Because the situation was urgent and I was extremely nervous, I couldn’t worry about that much—
I said, blushing:
“I’m… going to kiss your chest now.”
Chapter 39 Decisive Battle Arc (Part 1)
39 W-wait a minute. I touched my beet-red cheeks, feeling embarrassed. Did I just say something really perverted?
Lian Qi gave a light cough and avoided my gaze. Uu…! Can she not react like that? The more she does, the more it makes me look like a pervert.
No, it’s not like that! “I’m going to kiss your chest now”—what I said really isn’t its literal meaning!
The real meaning is that Qifeng’s chest was wounded by the sword. Right now, she urgently needs me to use a kissing method to deliver my healing saliva to her wound. Can you understand that explanation?
Qifeng’s little face was crimson, and she looked at me with hazy eyes, saying, “Please, enjoy~”
Enjoy? Qifeng’s word choice is always so lewd. Added to that, she’s always so submissive in front of me, which makes me feel even more light-headed. Right now, her clothes are wide open. Her proud, ample chest looks like it can’t wait to break free from the confines of her underwear. In comparison, I’m so scrawny and weak.
Ahem. The bloodstains on her clothes are a constant reminder of how dangerous her situation is. I was really scared to death just now.
In any case, I can’t worry about that anymore. I leaned down and covered the wound on Qifeng’s chest with my mouth. …The wound was wider than my lips, so I could only cover one part first, then move down a little, cover another part, and move down a little again.
At first, when I covered it, there was a salty, metallic taste. …So this is Qifeng’s blood. Sucking blood into my mouth… I feel like I’ve become a vampire like Liluo.
My lips moved down a little further, covering the softest part of Qifeng’s body.
I am not thinking lewd thoughts! I am single-mindedly healing her wound! It’s all “Death’s Blade’s” fault for slashing there…
Qifeng lay on the ground, her arms spread open in a submissive, shy posture, letting out weak moans from her lips.
“Does it hurt?” I asked hurriedly.
“…It tickles.”
“Tickling means the wound is about to heal.”
“Ahem. Are you sure it isn’t ‘ticklish’ because you’re stimulating her?” Lian Qi said, turning her bright red face to the side.
“…I am not stimulating her! I am just—”
“I know, I know! No need to explain! I get it!”
“F-Fei’er, can I hug you?” Qifeng panted, asking me sweetly.
I nodded and continued to bury my head, covering her wound. Qifeng, on the other hand, wrapped her arms around my head, nearly suffocating me. Honestly, she clearly lost so much blood, how does she still have this much strength?
“Uu-.- Fei’er, if you molest my chest like this, will I become unmarriageable?”
“What kind of silly thing are you saying? I’m healing you.”
Even the person involved thinks I’m molesting her? I really couldn’t wash myself clean even if I jumped into the Lucerne River!
“W-while you’re at it, leave a mark on me, too? Please?” Qifeng said sweetly.
“I’m healing you, stop messing around. Can you please be serious?”
Lian Qi coughed lightly—“How is the battle going? I’ll go help.”
“You’re not staying here to protect me?”
…Lian Qi fell silent, and went back to standing with her back against the wall. I looked at her—she seems so tense and uneasy. What’s wrong?
Right then, Qifeng’s wound had completely healed, returning to smooth, delicate skin. I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. That’s great… I was worried it would leave a scar.
“Silly girl, you can get up now.”
“Eh? It’s over already?” What’s with that ‘I’m-not-finished-yet’ look on her face?.
“I feel like I could still treat…”
I stared at her, hesitating for a moment—“Never mind. Goodbye.”
Hmph. I got up and walked away.
“Don’t… don’t ignore me~”
Qifeng scrambled to her feet. Seeing her jumping around, I felt relieved. It seems the constitution of a 抖M really is extraordinary, huh?
I ignored Qifeng and walked directly to Lian Qi’s side, tentatively nudging her with my elbow.
“Are you jealous?”
“Ha…? What would I be jealous of?” Lian Qi stared at me, looking very tense.
“You know I was just healing Qifeng,” I gave a weak smile. Thinking of my tear-streaked face, my smile probably wasn’t that bright.
“I said I’m not jealous… We’re all girls, why would I care about that kind of thing?”
Lian Qi’s gaze dodged mine, looking down at the hem of her clothes, then glancing toward the battle. In short, she just wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“Is the battle over? We didn’t manage to help at all this time.”
I realized that after spending so much time with me, Lian Qi has also learned to change the subject. Although I wanted to comfort her by saying that if she were injured, I would do the same, it’s too shameless to say out loud.
“…” I replied weakly. “Although we didn’t help in the battle, you helped me a lot, Lian Qi. Without you, I wouldn’t have known how to save Qifeng. Thank you.”
Lian Qi finally looked at me, a little tensely.
“Hmph. It was just a small thing, no need to thank me. Anyway, just know that my explosion magic isn’t just for exploding clothes.”
“Mhm! I know!” I revealed a smile.
“Let’s check the battle situation. I didn’t expect ‘Seven-Leaf Tree’ to ambush us first before trying to save their people.”
I admit, I was a bit distracted when I mentioned that Demon Lord earlier.
But although the opponent succeeded, “Death’s Blade” probably didn’t expect to be sent flying by my hammer, right? Which ultimately led to the current situation.
I looked toward the battle and saw the exact moment Sister Phylicia pulled her flame-condensed sword from the pink-haired girl’s chest!
The pink-haired girl fell to the ground. The battle was over.
“What a pity. You gambled your life, and in the end, you still couldn’t wound me in the slightest,” Sister Phylicia said coldly.
And so, the pink-haired girl, “Shadow Parasite Line” Le Gelei Si, had sacrificed herself to allow all the members of “Seven-Leaf Tree” to escape.
After the battle ended, Sister Phylicia came over to us.
“How is Qifeng?”
Although she’s merciless when slaying enemies on the battlefield, she cares about us very much. This made me feel a sense of warmth.
“Mhm, she’s already fine. Lian Qi broke ‘Death’s Blade’s’ magic curse,” I replied.
“Oh?” Sister Phylicia looked at Lian Qi with interest. “That’s even better for us.”
She then looked toward the empty execution racks. The flames on the racks still hadn’t burned out. The execution ground was a scene of devastation after the battle.
“It’s just a pity that we let them escape.”
“I’m sorry. We weren’t any help at all,” I said, ashamed.
“No… it’s good that you’re safe. You were just backup I brought along. If anything had happened to you, I wouldn’t have been able to explain it to Aijieliya.”
Mentioning Sister Aijieliya, I couldn’t help but recall that day in the palace hall, when Sister left, her back looking so sad and hurt because I didn’t listen to her.
I know I hurt Sister’s feelings. If she finds out Qifeng was injured, will she be even angrier at me?
“I’ll handle things here. You all go back and rest. Qifeng lost a lot of blood and needs to recuperate properly for a while,” Sister Phylicia said.
“Mhm. I’ll make her something nutritious when we get back.”
Sister Phylicia looked at the three of us and smiled slightly, walking past me.
“You all take good care of Qifeng, too.”
“Eh? Sister, you mean?”
“Leave the rest to me. The war with the assassination organization ‘Seven-Leaf Tree’ is not over yet.”
I gazed at Sister’s departing back, feeling a trace of melancholy. Does she mean she doesn’t want us to risk our lives anymore?
But… when I thought of the culprit who hurt Qifeng, “Death’s Blade,” still being at large, at that moment, I made up my mind.
After returning home, I settled Qifeng in bed to lie down, and instructed her and Lian Qi, “You two wait for me at home, okay? I’m going out for a bit.”
“Wait, where are you going?” Lian Qi asked worriedly.
My hand was on the doorknob. I turned my head and gave her a small smile.
“I’m going to get revenge for Qifeng.”
To avoid making Lian Qi worry, I added as I pulled the door open, “I’ll be back soon.”