Iselin and Nina led more than a thousand new humans along a road formed by green moss deep into the forest.
The path here was soft beneath their feet. On both sides stood enormous flowers several times taller than a person, blooming in dazzling, radiant colors under the sunlight.
Upon entering this forest where everything seemed colossal, everyone felt as though they had shrunk. No matter where they walked, a rich fragrance of vegetation filled the air, as if they had stepped into a fairyland that made one reluctant to leave.
From time to time, red beetles darted through the undergrowth at incredible speed, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
At the end of the moss-covered road, natural houses formed from massive trees appeared before them.
Kiana, who had been waiting there, stepped forward with a smile when she saw Iselin and Nina arrive. "You finally made it!"
"If possible, I'd rather just enjoy our two-person world with Nina."
Iselin complained lightly.
Beside her, Nina's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head without saying a word.
"Don't worry! I've already made arrangements. No one will disturb you while you deepen your relationship."
Kiana said with a sly smile.
"Oh, please." Iselin rolled her eyes. "When it's time to act, you'll definitely say something like, 'I'm not even human. What difference does one more make?'"
"Oh my! You really get me~" Kiana covered her mouth and laughed.
"I don't," Iselin retorted irritably. She was wholeheartedly devoted to Nina, but there were far too many flirtatious bad women in Academy City.
If she wasn't careful, her partner might be lured away—and she herself dragged into someone else's harem.
The white-haired girl in front of her was one of them.
"Where are the others?"
Seeing that only Kiana was present, Nina asked.
"Resting. They all stayed up very late last night. They're exhausted."
"..."
Iselin wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Her gaze drifted downward to Kiana's waist. From the base of her spine extended a slender, graceful white tail.
Noticing Iselin's stare, the white tail vanished.
Others might not know what that tail was used for—but Iselin certainly did.
A tail naturally had its uses.
"Nana."
Kiana turned her head and called out in a certain direction.
"Lady Kiana, how may I serve you?"
A figure hurried out from a tree house and stopped before them.
"Settle them in."
Kiana gestured toward the people Iselin had brought.
"Yes."
Dressed in a maid outfit, Nana Hiiragi gave a respectful bow.
"Let's go."
"Mm."
Iselin and Nina nodded and followed Kiana as they left.
Not far away, atop a tree, Delta and Houraiji Kyuushou stood on the branches, watching their departing figures.
"Those two sisters—what do you think, little sister?"
"With my eyes."
Delta replied flatly.
Unlike Houraiji Kyuushou, who had been born without memories and understood little about many things, Delta retained memories from before her rebirth.
She knew far more.
"Can you not be like this?"
Houraiji Kyuushou said helplessly.
"Like what?"
Delta tilted her head.
"I mean, don't you feel anything about those two sisters?"
"Feel what?"
"Alright, we really can't have a conversation at all."
Houraiji Kyuushou sighed and shook her head.
Her little sister's body was soft and fragrant when hugged, yet her personality was cold.
She treated everyone with the same detached indifference.
"I'm going back. Mother is calling me."
Delta said calmly before darting off into the distance.
She quickly arrived before the largest tree house in the forest.
The door opened automatically.
Inside, she saw two figures—one large, one small.
The larger one was her mother: a stunning, mature beauty with purple wavy hair and a voluptuous figure. The smaller one had light green wavy hair, a petite body, and slit pupils like a snake.
Mobius looked at Delta and smiled. "Cute little one, do you know who I am?"
"It's our first meeting, Grandma Mobius."
Delta bowed politely.
Grandma?!
Mobius' expression stiffened.
She turned toward the Queen of Blades, grabbed her cheeks, and kneaded them from side to side while narrowing her eyes. "You taught her that?"
"How could I? Mobius—big sister—you know I've always called you big sister."
The Queen of Blades blinked innocently.
"Fine. I'll deal with you and your reckless behavior later."
Mobius withdrew her hand, floated over to Delta, and pulled her into her arms. "Delta, come with me and leave this world for now."
Eighty to ninety percent of life in this world had already perished. Although the environment had been dragged back from collapse, civilization had regressed.
Staying here would only waste the child's time for learning and growth.
"Grandma Mobius—"
"Call me Sister Mobius."
Before Delta could finish speaking, Mobius interrupted and corrected her.