"Alright…"
Kiana gave a slight nod, casually opened an Imaginary Gate, then tilted her head.
"If you ever need to reach me, you can do it through the Throne of Heroes."
"Got it~ Thanks, Kiana."
Great Xilian watched Kiana, gratitude brimming in her eyes.
"No need to thank me. The beauty of this world includes adorable girls like you, Xi Lian~ ^_-"
With a wink at Great Xilian, she stepped into the Imaginary Gate and vanished.
Kiana had been watching the stream in the tavern, but when she sensed my "memory" power in the Interstice of the Paths she slipped away for a moment.
The instant she arrived, she noticed Great Xilian's life-force dissipating at terrifying speed.
Without hesitation she rushed over and signed the contract; any later and Xi Lian might have vanished forever.
Back on Warahip, Kiana returned to the tavern—she rather enjoyed having all the Kianas together.
Great Xilian stared at the spot where Kiana had disappeared, lost in thought for a long while.
"Honestly… even girls shouldn't flirt so casually—people can really fall for it, you know~"
With those words, Great Xilian dissolved into pink petals and vanished.
Who could tell whether her "falling for it" had been a joke or deadly serious?
Inside Amphoreus, Digi-Na's trio was strolling along when pink petals suddenly drifted before them.
"These flowers are so pretty~"
Cyrene stretched out a delicate hand, caught a drifting petal, and sniffed it with a contented smile.
"And they're the same pink as me~"
With a flick she spun a golden thread, stringing the petals into a garland and setting it gently on her head.
Light-footed, she hopped in front of Digi-Na and Phainon, hands behind her back, beaming.
"Does it look good on me~?"
"Cyrene looks lovely no matter what."
A calmer Phainon nodded, his gaze soft.
Digi-Na nodded in agreement.
With the pink circlet Cyrene resembled a rose-pink sprite, radiant and enchanting.
Their praise widened her smile; she even began to hum, bouncing before them.
Unnoticed by anyone, a wisp of pink energy slipped into Cyrene's body.
Not even Cyrene herself sensed it.
Meanwhile, Kiana—
Having signed Great Xilian, she returned to the tavern aboard the Xianzhou.
"Yo~ I'm back!"
Kiana slipped inside, trotted to the group, and looked up at the big stream-screen.
"Y-you're back~ *hic* hehehe~"
Special Operations Na pressed her mug against Kiana's cheek and giggled foolishly.
Mug squashed to her face, Kiana's lips pouted leftward, black lines over her head.
She'd looked so honest—once drunk she became a totally different person.
"Cut it out…"
Shoving the mug away, Kiana heaved a sigh.
Eyes hazy, Special Operations Na hugged Kiana and rubbed cheeks madly.
"Looks like SpecOps really likes you, Group Owner~"
Gojo Na rested her chin on her wrist, eyes gleaming at the yuri-scented pair.
"Clearly—she never clings to us."
Little Moonlight nodded in agreement.
Just then SpecOps released Kiana, eyes sparkling at Little Moonlight.
"Eek…! Oysters! Oysters, y'know!"
Sensing the stare at her ears, Little Moonlight covered them, shaking her head pitifully.
"Aww~ just a touch won't get you pregnant~"
"Oysters! Still no!"
Guarding her ears, Little Moonlight glared warily at SpecOps.
"Boo-hoo! She won't lemme touch!"
SpecOps gulped a huge swig, then collapsed wailing into Void Hunting Kiana's arms.
"I take it back—she clings to everyone…"
Watching the drunk sprawled against her, Void Hunting Kiana's temple darkened.
Why's everyone obsessed with these? Even Suzu keeps finding excuses to sleep hugging her… Life's hard—Void Hunt sigh.
But SpecOps was still herself.
Spoil her, then~
With a soft sigh Void Hunting Kiana tousled SpecOps' dishevelled hair.
"By the way, are Cow-horse and the others done yet?"
Kiana licked her ice-cream, speaking vaguely while watching the stream.
"No idea, she's still spamming the group."
Gojo Na shrugged.
"Probably still helping her guild-mistress with business. Everyone else busy too?"
"Yoohoo~ so many people!"
The door swung; Senju Na stepped in splattered with blood, waving casually.
"What happened to you! Why the bloodbath!"
Instinctively Little Moonlight clutched Kiana's hand, staring in horror at Senju Na.
Like a psycho killer straight out of a slasher film!
The kind who dismembers victims then grins as they walk toward you!
Kiana smoothed Little Moonlight's bristling ponytail and pointed toward the inn door.
"Why not wash off the blood first…? You're scaring Little Moonlight…"
"Haha… I just came for a shower…"
Senju Na scratched her head sheepishly and headed for the back door to the inn.
After she left, the tavern door opened again; everyone turned to look.
A petite white-haired bundle, about Pretty Cure Na's size, peeked in curiously.
Silky white hair, a braided strand dangling beside her cheek, a hair-clip pinning her bangs.
Bright eyes blinked as she glanced around.
Spotting Kiana and the others, her eyes sparkled—stars practically showing.
If Kiana guessed right, this cutie was the newcomer Magical Girl Kiana.
"Hello, sisters! I'm Kaname Kiana, adopted daughter of the Kaname family."
Sake Kiana politely bowed, then naturally plopped into the empty seat beside Void Hunting Kiana.
Perched on the chair, she swung her legs happily, eyes sparkling at the floating menu.
Perfect—first day in the group meant check-in points, enough to afford these.
Soon Sake Kiana ordered several mini-cakes.
Noticing the others watching, she split the cakes evenly among them.
"Sisters, eat up—no need to be shy!"
"Ehehe~ then sis won't stand on ceremony~"
"Eek!"
Suddenly the reeking-of-alcohol Special Operations Na cackled and lunged, startling Sake Kiana.
Kiana moved like lightning, karate-chopping SpecOps' nape and knocking her out.
"Honestly…"
With a sigh Kiana lifted SpecOps in a princess carry and smiled apologetically at Sake Kiana.
"Sorry, she's had too much—don't mind her…"
"No-no, I overreacted…"
Sake Kiana waved her hands, cheeks flushed.
What an angel… everyone thought, charmed by her adorable reaction.
Kiana gave her a gentle smile, carried SpecOps toward the back door, and ordered a sober-up soup on the way.
"I'll take her to rest; be right back…"
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