Amphoreus.
Still the same familiar Roman-style courtyard.
Sunlight fell diagonally on the marble slabs, and vines wound their way up the white stone pillars.
"I'm back."
Ryuga suddenly spread his arms and said with a grin.
"Boss, you're ba—"
Sakura was standing on her tiptoes, hanging up a freshly washed coat. Hearing the voice, she turned her head and saw the familiar opening animation of the "Anywhere Door."
Her heart warmed with excitement, and she hurriedly wiped her wet hands on her apron, stepping forward to greet him.
But in the next instant, a figure walked out of the "Anywhere Door."
"Cat! Ears!"
Furry cat ears that twitched slightly with every step.
Then, a fluffy cat tail swung out from behind, slowly swaying from side to side.
Sakura's pupils contracted, as if she had been struck by lightning.
It was like the moment a cat suddenly turns its head and sees a cucumber.
Whoosh!
Sakura shot backward instantly.
Pardo was completely bewildered: "???"
What the hell?
Why did she take off the moment she saw me?
In her arms, the black cat, Can, let out a confused "Meow."
Elysia had already covered her mouth and was giggling, her shoulders shaking, her beautiful eyes flashing with a mischievous light.
She had long expected Sakura to react this way and was just waiting for this moment to watch the fun.
Ryuga also laughed until he was doubled over.
"Another cat?"
Sakura's voice trembled as she retreated, staring fixedly at Pardo, quickly backing behind a stone table.
Then her nose twitched, and she alertly sniffed the air.
Not good, the wind direction was wrong; cat hair would float over.
She nimbly circled to the upwind side, finally letting out a sigh of relief, able to breathe deeply at last.
"Sakura, don't be afraid. Her name is Pardo, a new cat friend."
Ryuga stopped laughing and beckoned to Sakura.
But a mischievous smile played on his lips, and the playfulness in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
"No, that's exactly the point!"
Sakura suddenly looked up, her hands crossed in front of her chest, her gaze so resentful it could almost drip water. "Boss, you clearly know I'm allergic to cat hair!"
With an accusing expression, she felt betrayed by the person she trusted most.
That hateful Boss, clearly knowing that she would sneeze incessantly and itch all over as soon as she touched cat hair, yet he deliberately put Pardo at the very front!
Wasn't this intentionally teasing her?
Ahhh—
Right now, she really wanted to shout: Gaia!!
Ahhh~, she didn't like cats, yet the Boss seemed to particularly like 'cats.'
Damn it, where did he get this cat girl from?
In her mind, images of the impending doomsday hell were already surfacing.
Cipher on the left, Pardo on the right, two cat tails wagging happily, cat hair flying all over the sky.
The end of the world was coming.
"Ah? This... sorry."
Pardo scratched her head, her cat ears drooping slightly, and she gave an innocent smile.
Over there, Sakura had already started rubbing her nose.
What to do?
Who knew Sakura would be allergic to cats!
Cats were so cute.
Pardo looked down at 'Can' in her arms.
"It's, it's okay, I'll just hide for a bit."
Sakura forced a smile, carefully moving as the wind direction changed, always staying on the upwind side.
She was afraid that if the wind shifted, the upwind would become downwind, and cat hair would blow over.
"Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration, Sakura?"
Ryuga slapped his forehead. Sakura's cat phobia seemed to have worsened.
Pardo wouldn't just have hair floating all over the room with a light breeze.
"Actually, my sister really likes all kinds of small animals; she should like you very much. If I get the chance, I'll introduce you to her."
Sakura paused, trying to make herself appear friendlier.
Having said that, she still remained on the upwind side, her eyes guarding against Pardo's swaying tail like she was guarding against a thief.
"Uh..."
Pardo blinked, trying to make her tail stop.
Elysia tilted her head: "Susu, can't this be cured?"
Although it would be fun to see Sakura caught between Cipher and Pardo, feeling conflicted.
But a severe cat hair allergy could be life-threatening.
"This... isn't easy."
Ryuga shook his head regretfully and sighed.
No matter how strong Sakura became or how high her combat power was, 'cat hair allergy' was like a concept-level trait carved into her bones.
After a pause, his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait? No, Sakura, Pardo isn't an ordinary cat; she's a 'Magical Cat'."
"Just now, you didn't actually touch any cat hair; it must have been an instinctive reaction."
"You guys can try to have some contact."
Pardo was the inheritor of Yuumi, the Magical Cat, not a DNA-fused soldier.
Her cat ears, cat tail, and cat hair were condensed from pure magical energy; essentially, her cat hair didn't have cat DNA.
To put it simply, she only had the appearance of a cat girl; she wasn't like Cipher's underlying logic.
"Is, is that so?"
Sakura was stunned, her expression still somewhat skeptical.
The Boss often played tricks on her.
"Of course!"
"Come, try it out, have some contact? Maybe it can cure your cat hair allergy."
Ryuga said confidently, pushing Pardo forward.
"..."
Sakura's brow furrowed slightly as she scanned Pardo back and forth.
After a long while, she took a deep breath, her hand trembling as she reached out, until it was only an inch away from Pardo's cat ear.
Swish! She suddenly retracted her hand and coughed twice.
"Ahem~, I'd better... take it slow."
With that, she nimbly ran away.
Pardo was a magical cat, so maybe contact would be fine, but that black cat yawning lazily in her arms wasn't, right?
That was a real cat; it would shed hair and meow.
As expected, the Boss was still that prankster.
"Alright, stop running. The Boss brought you a gift this time."
Ryuga smiled and tossed the 'Divine Key' toward Sakura.
"This is?"
Sakura stopped, looking up at the strange crystal suspended before her, with tiny arcs of electricity dancing on its surface.
After a moment's hesitation, Sakura reached out and grabbed it.
In an instant, the crystal's light surged, transforming into a long tachi.
The blade glowed with a faint cherry-blossom hue, and lightning patterns flowed along the edge.
Sakura's eyes widened instantly, and she held her breath; she could feel the blade pulsing as if it were alive.
"So amazing..."
Sakura tried a few swings; the blade cut through the air, leaving behind trails of lightning shadows.
The crackling arcs of electricity resonated faintly with the flames surging within her body, stirring up waves of intense lightning and fire.
Lightning and fire reached a delicate balance at this moment.
Lightning-Fire Overload Mode.
"This blade can completely decompose those it hits into atoms."
Ryuga said.
Sakura's heart shook: "This feeling... it couldn't be a Herrscher Core, could it?"
"Mm. It's called the 'Seven Thunders of Retribution,' created by Vill-V herself."
Ryuga nodded, then added meaningfully.
"But you should communicate well with it; it has quite a temper."
The 'Seven Thunders of Retribution' would transform into completely different forms based on the user's temperament and power.
In Raven's hands, it was a cold sniper rifle.
In the hands of Sakura and Raiden Mei, it was a light and nimble tachi.
According to Raven's past complaints, the 'Seven Thunders of Retribution' was like a 'capricious lady.'
Once during a mission, it suddenly threw a tantrum and refused to be used, stubbornly turning into a slingshot, almost getting Raven killed.
"Is it that Vill-V?"
Sakura let out a light laugh, holding the tachi horizontally in front of her. The tip of the blade suddenly swept across, and circles of lightning spread out like ripples.
Then she looked down at the 'Seven Thunders of Retribution' in her hand, feeling the slight vibration of the blade.
It indeed had personality.
According to them, the 'Seven Thunders of Retribution' seemed to possess an instinct.
...
Soon, Aglaea, who was in the Holy City of Okhema filled with golden threads, received the news immediately.
A large group of people rushed to the courtyard.
This time, Cerydra hadn't gone on an expedition.
She had just won a battle and returned in triumph from the border; the Black Tide surrounding the city-state had been cleared.
She was temporarily resting in the Holy City.
"I missed you so much!"
With a clear shout from March 7th, she pounced forward like a homing pigeon, straight into Ryuga's arms.
"Mm-hmm."
Ryuga held the small body in his arms. March 7th was leaning on his shoulder, her nose twitching slightly.
"How old are you? Still crying, with so many people watching."
"Come, have a lollipop."
Ryuga smiled and patted little March's back, speaking dotingly.
He conveniently took a candy from his pocket, tore off the wrapper, and stuffed it into March 7th's small mouth.
The whimpering little March was suddenly frozen, her eyes widening, her tongue curiously testing the strange salty and savory flavor.
"There are actually crab-flavored lollipops?"
Little March wiped her tears and murmured.
Ryuga looked around, scanning the familiar faces, and suddenly laughed: "Why don't I see Hysilens?"
He then winked mischievously at Castorice.
The girl's ear tips turned a bit red, and she unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, inexplicably remembering the scene of the passionate kiss in the Underworld.
Ryuga understood; it seemed that during this time, the younger sister Polyxia was guarding the Underworld, maintaining the order of life and death.
While the older sister stayed in the mortal world, helping Aglaea guard the Holy City.
"Oh!"
"The Swordflag Duke was originally going to come along, but on the way, she heard there was a 'cat' in your courtyard, so she turned and left."
Cerydra interjected, giving Pardo a meaningful look.
"Uh..."
Ryuga couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Hysilens, still the same as ever; in most situations, she would hide as soon as she saw a cat, just like she hid from Cipher.
Unless it was a major ceremony that she absolutely couldn't get out of.
Pardo sighed, another cat hair allergy?
"..."
Aglaea was playing with Pardo, her fingertip gently scratching Pardo's chin; her cat-petting technique was quite skilled.
Mm, likely practiced on Cipher.
Then she played with Can along with Pardo.
With a lowered gaze and a gentle expression.
Pardo was the same; for some reason, she particularly liked the scent on Aglaea, a peaceful aura.
And Can was being petted by the two of them, lying on his back, his tail tip wagging comfortably.
His amber pupils narrowed into slits, completely indifferent to the discussion around him.
This scene made Aglaea daze for a moment, as if she had returned to the day she first met Cipher.
Unfortunately, that mischievous little cat had secretly used the "Time Cloth" to turn herself into a mature lady with a great figure.
If she wanted to pet the cat again, it would be very difficult.
Slap!
Elysia suddenly clapped her small hands, her eyes shining.
"Ah~, I know why Susu likes Aglaea! It's the 'motherly' scent, right? Just like Aponia."
"It's a pity Aponia can't come for now; otherwise, they would definitely become good friends."
Ryuga gave Elysia a roll of his eyes. The way she said it made it sound like he was some kind of 'mother-con'?
Like!?
Pfft—
Aglaea was caught off guard, her face instantly burning red.
She suddenly remembered the scene where she was seen completely naked by Ryuga.
Memories flooded back, her body suddenly stiffened, and her breathing lost its rhythm.
Pardo also realized it; Aglaea indeed felt very similar to Aponia.
The 'motherly' aura was very strong.
And they both had names starting with 'A'.
At that moment, Trianne brought Cipher back through the Gate of Infinity.
The travel-worn Hajimi-Cipher was visiting 'Chivalrous Thieves' everywhere, but as soon as she returned to the courtyard, she saw Aglaea playing with a 'cat'.
She was instantly filled with jealousy.
"Ha~? Who are you? Let go of the Seamstress; the Seamstress is mine!"
She cried out and took a step forward, looking aggressive.
"Whoa! You're the 'Hajimi-Cipher' they were talking about."
Pardo also noticed Cipher, and her tail instantly puffed up.
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Cat and cat, facing off like arch-enemies.
Perhaps like-minded individuals repel each other, and cats are the same?
Anyway, both sides looked a bit displeased with each other.
...
"Ha~"
"Ha~"
Cipher and Pardo both opened their mouths at the same time, hissing like cats.
A bit provocative, yet also a bit childish.
"Seamstress, am I still your favorite cat?"
Cipher took a step forward, her hands hugging Aglaea's arm, her head rubbing against her shoulder.
Her tail was held high, gently swaying back and forth.
"Uh..."
Aglaea stood frozen in place, blinking as she looked at the coquettish Cipher in her arms. Was happiness coming this quickly?
"Heh heh~"
Pardo gave a mischievous laugh.
Poof!
A soft magical glow suddenly exploded, drifting down like stardust.
Pardo transformed on the spot into a brownish-yellow 'Magical Cat' with clear, glass-like eyes.
She leaped lightly, her four paws treading on air as if walking on solid ground, taking cat steps in mid-air with ease.
Her tail was held high, and as her paws landed, they kicked up circles of golden ripples; she was quite arrogant, elegant, and composed.
"Wow~"
"She, she turned into a cat."
"This is too cute!"
The courtyard instantly erupted, and the girls covered their mouths, crying out in surprise.
Aglaea held her breath, light flowing in her eyes.
Cipher's mouth hung open, her ears stiffened, and she was completely stunned.
"Heh heh~"
Pardo turned gracefully, smiling triumphantly, and traced a beautiful arc, sliding into Aglaea's arms.
"Meow~"
A soft, sweet meow struck straight at Aglaea's heart.
Aglaea hurriedly reached out to catch her, holding her in her arms and rubbing her repeatedly, the smile on her face exceptionally bright.
There wasn't even a trace of Cipher left in her eyes.
"..."
Hajimi-Cipher's face turned red with anger, and her furry tail flicked and twitched: "You, you, you're cheating! Using magical transformation is too much of a cheat!"
"If you're so capable, you transform too? Heh heh~, you can't, can you?"
Pardo looked up, her glass-like eyes narrowed, provocatively challenging her.
"You—I—Hmph!"
Cipher bit her lip and stomped her foot in anger.
She didn't know how to turn into a cat; she was just a slightly special 'cat girl'.
Just as she was about to explode, her back suddenly tightened, her collar was yanked up, and she was lifted into the air.
In the next instant, a familiar scent enveloped her.
A warm chest, a steady heartbeat, and that scent unique to Ryuga that made her feel safe to her bones.
"Alright, both of you stop it."
Ryuga let out a low laugh, pulling Hajimi-Cipher into his arms and gently rubbing those furry ears.
Cipher first stiffened, then her face turned red, and she deliberately puffed out her chest, tilting her chin at Pardo and letting out a triumphant snort.
"..."
Pardo snuggled in Aglaea's arms, purring comfortably.
Hmm, strange, why did it feel like she had won, yet also lost?
She won, yet it seemed she hadn't completely won.
...
After the little farce.
Ryuga gently stroked Cipher's back: "How many 'Chivalrous Thieves' have you found?"
"I plan to gather three hundred 'Chivalrous Thieves'; the tests of character and temperament are quite troublesome... Now there are only two spots left."
"In the end, I was brought back by Sister Trianne."
Cipher leaned against Ryuga's arm, her face flushed with a faint red, her eyes misting over as she was petted.
"Oh~"
"Then isn't it just full now?"
A brilliant ripple appeared in Elysia's eyes, and she spun around.
In the next instant, a 'Zorro mask' appeared from somewhere on her face, with only a pair of lively eyes shining brightly.
"Chivalrous Thief! Elysia! Reporting for duty!"
As she spoke, she conveniently took the Pardo-cat into her arms.
"Chivalrous Thief! Hajimi! Reporting for duty!"
Pardo: "Meow???"
To be continued…
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