Shoda panted like a maniac outside Charlotte's door. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his chest heaved.
"What's wrong with barging into someone's room like that?" Charlotte's voice was calm, yet sharp.
"I… I need to ask you something, Charlotte," Shoda said, barely able to catch his breath.
She arched an eyebrow. "It seems you've found the wrong room. I have no intention of telling you anything. Now leave… if you must."
"Please! I need answers!" Shoda pleaded.
Charlotte's eyes narrowed. In an instant, a magic structural brick shot out from her hand, striking Shoda and sending him sprawling into the wall outside.
He groaned, quickly pushed himself upright, and grit his teeth. "I'm not leaving until you answer my questions!"
Shoda's gaze darted down the hall, cautiously checking each door, counting as he went: one, two, three… twelve… thirteen. He stopped.
"Ohh… if they want to find you, they must open the thirteenth door."
Charlotte exhaled, irritated, but resigned. "Well… you are annoying. Ask away, if you must."
Shoda smiled. "Thanks, I appreciate it."
"Hmph." She floated gracefully to a stool, clearing the laboratory side of her room with a flick of structural magic until only the library remained. She pulled a book from the shelf and began reading.
Shoda frowned. "Who is this woman they call Lysa Crow?"
Charlotte looked up from her book, her dark eyes sharp. "She is the so-called King's attendant. She has served him for the past five years. She was a street rat from the capital. Originally, the king summoned her for execution… but she was brilliant, cunning, and intelligent. Eldritch Cain decided to hire her. Is that all? If you must, leave."
Shoda straightened. "I need to know… the origin of the world."
Charlotte's lips pressed together. "Tch. Wait a minute. If you must… there is no one—no one alive—who truly knows the origin of Astrae."
Shoda hesitated, then half-lied. "Well… hehe… I was a shut-in all my life."
Charlotte groaned. "You're hopeless. If you must…" She grabbed another book and began.
"Listen carefully. There was once a period where nothing existed. No time, no space. Then… the world boomed into existence."
"Ohh… like the Big Bang?" Shoda interrupted eagerly.
"Shut up, if you must," Charlotte snapped.
She continued, her voice steady. "A god caused the explosions. Scholars debate the creation of Astrae in different ways. Centuries passed, and the world thrived. Humans evolved."
"How old is the world?" Shoda asked.
"I was getting to that," Charlotte said, irritation creeping in. "The world is one thousand years old. We are entering the first century after that thousand-year mark."
Shoda nodded, fascinated. "And then?"
Charlotte's tone darkened slightly. "Seven women appeared. They sowed chaos and war across Astrae. A hundred years of their terror followed. They became known as the Devil Sisters."
Shoda's eyes lit up. "That's a cool name… but they really sound terrible."
"If you interrupt me again, I will send you out of here, if you must," Charlotte warned.
She paused, then began to explain each sister:
Daenerys, Devil Sister of Time. Sociopathic and unempathetic.
Evangeline, Devil Sister of War. Started wars for no reason, often fought for her own amusement.
Arwen, Devil Sister of Endless Love. Forced hearts to unite, stripping lovers of independence.
Elara, Devil Sister of Weather. Caused natural disasters for her whims; childish and unpredictable.
Aurora, Devil Sister of the Ocean. Greedy and possessive, always wanting more.
Lysandra, Devil Sister of Provision. Appeared helpful, but would later take away what she gave.
Anastasia, Devil Sister of Hatred. Complex and possessive, harboring the world's hatred.
Shoda rubbed his chin, thinking. Hmm… I've heard some of this Anastasia name before… but where?
"Maybe a villager mentioned it," Charlotte suggested, noticing his contemplation.
Shoda nodded slowly.
Charlotte's eyes darkened slightly, her tone softening. "These sisters were pure terror. But not all of them… especially Daenerys," she added, a faint sadness crossing her face.
Shoda noticed immediately. "There it is again… that weird face."
"Ohh… shut up, if you must," Charlotte muttered, returning to her book.
She continued. "They ruled for centuries, until a family bore a child—the Vale family. That child became the world's knight, protector of Astrae."
"Roderic," Shoda said, connecting the dots.
"Indeed," Charlotte said. Her eyes flicked back to her pages. "In recent years, a new threat emerged—the Immaculate Circle. One hundred and fifty years ago, they began their reign of terror. Their goal: revive the Devil Sisters' powers and seize control of the world for themselves."
Shoda's eyes widened. "That… that's so cool!"
"Yes. Now that you have some history in your skull, get out, if you must," Charlotte said flatly.
Shoda grinned. "I thought you didn't like company?"
"I don't, if you must. But I do enjoy telling stories. Now leave, if you must."
With that, a magic brick shot from her hand, flinging Shoda out of the room.
He tumbled into the hallway and froze—Elmira and Lucky stood just outside the door, waiting silently.
Shoda blinked, catching his breath, heart still pounding. … the Devil Sisters… the Immaculate Circle…
He realized some answers had been given, but many more waited, hidden deep in the shadows of the Cain estate.
Chapter 6 — Confessions, Revelations, and a Date Proposal
Shoda lay on his back, staring at Elmira's gentle face, heart still racing. Lucky, with a mischievous glint, poured water over him using her water magic.
"Ohh, you silly cat! You're gonna fry your brain!" Shoda sputtered, dripping wet.
"Hmph. Of course you'd say that, since you yourself are brainless and in need of someone to leech off," Lucky shot back, flicking her tail.
"Hey! I'm not a zombie, alright?!" Shoda protested.
Elmira stepped between them, laughing softly. "Hey, you two—stop bickering like small boys."
Shoda and Lucky looked at her. She tilted her head, puzzled. "Eh… did I say something wrong?"
"No, you didn't, silly Millie," Shoda said, chuckling.
"Geez, you," Elmira replied, shaking her head and smiling.
Shoda took a deep breath, his heart thudding. "Umm… Elmira…"
Elmira paused mid-laugh. "What is it?"
His face streaked red as he stammered, "W-will you… go on a date with me?"
"What's a date?" she asked innocently.
Shoda bowed deeply, his chest tight with emotion, remembering how awkward he'd been when he first tried to ask. Then he straightened, cheeks burning. "It's… when two people who trust and care for each other go out and have fun together."
Elmira's blush deepened, and she looked away. "Shoda… do we… love each other if we go on this… date thing?"
Shoda rubbed the back of his head, stuttering. Lucky, seeing the hesitation, chimed in: "Hmm… Ellie, go with him. I give him permission."
"But Papa wouldn't approve…" Elmira said softly.
Resting her furry forehead against hers, Lucky purred, "I'll be with you for all time, and I won't leave."
Shoda took her hand gently. "Elmira… you're not your papa. You're Elmira. You don't need to hide behind him for everything. He loves you, sure, but you are human, and you have your own will. If anyone speaks wrongly of you, ignore them. Walk with pride, because you are you—and not your father's shadow."
Tears filled Elmira's eyes. "Ohh… Shoda… thank you… no one's ever said that to me before."
Shoda smiled softly. "Then… let me be your first," he said, extending his hand for her to shake and accept.
"Ellie," Lucky whispered, "I trust Shoda. He's a good guy. And if he tries anything, I'll be watching."
Elmira hesitated, then slowly took his hand.
Suddenly, a harsh cough interrupted them. Lysa Crow appeared, dark and icy-eyed. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I'm going to kill this kid next to you."
Lucky leapt forward, eyes glowing. "Ohh, sorry little girl, but that's not gonna happen."
"I wish not to fight you," Lysa said, tension radiating, "but I will if it means I can't do what I have to do."
Shoda frowned. "You're crazy, lady! What did I ever do to you?"
She lunged, surrounding herself with a cold, frosted wind. Ice and frost swirled around her, clashing against Lucky's water and ice magic. The battle raged for a tense moment, but Lucky had the upper hand and pinned her to the ground.
"What do you want with Shoda?" Lucky demanded.
Lysa looked away, ashamed. "He… knows where Drayla Vasha is."
Shoda froze. "How do you know Drayla?"
Ashamed, Lysa whispered, "She's my elder sister."
Elmira, Lucky, and Lucy gasped in unison. "Eh? Whaaaat?!"
Shoda nodded slowly. "No wonder you two look so alike…"
Elmira frowned. "Shoda… that has nothing to do with you."
Lysa's voice grew quiet, almost sad. "We grew up together, had a difficult childhood… our parents were abusive our father was a drunkard who would cimq home to vent his anger on our mother she was his punching bag when he was done with her she would come to us and hit us to she would blame us for not doing anything even though we we're ten years old.
"...One day my sister had enough while our father was done with our mother our mother was coming with a stick but this time my sister was with a knife she stuck my mother down decapitating her blood spilled round the room I watch with horror but with a little satisfaction then my father came saw what we my Sister did and she rushed towards her but hw too met the same fate as our mother.
"... Two year's passed we we're twelve we we're orphan's and homelywe lived on the streets we stole we begged but nu sister was unhinged she would kill anyone who mocked she would kill them by decapitation and she became a fanatic for head's she loves decapitation but one day we we're caught.."
" We were put in prison but then three days later my sister was taken and it wasn't by guard's they took her and she left me to die as she was leaving she said "stay there and die you stock up bitch' those words pierced my soul And I was shattered.
".. then guards came in and saw me alone and they postponed our execution till tomorrow and Tomorrow came and I was set for beheading it was king Eldritch who saved me but his reputation worsened by helping a criminal he lied saying he talked to me while I was in the cell and found out I was brilliant and I could be if use to him that day I swore loyalty to him.."
'And that's why" she says sobbing I want to kill you Iwamoto shoda for not killing her but I was glad you didn't because I wanted to finish her myself I wanted to kill her"
Shoda placed a hand over his heart. "I'm sorry for your pain, but you shouldn't take your anger out on others."
Elmira stepped forward, voice gentle. "Shoda is right, Miss Lysa. I've learned not to let hatred control me. If I did, I wouldn't be the person I am today."
Lysa looked down, then nodded. "I… apologize."
Mira and Shun rushed in, panting. Shun warned, "Big bro, Miss Lysa is coming for you!"
Shoda grinned. "Run, you idiots! What are you waiting for?"
He smirked, realizing the immediate threat had passed. Lysa and he were now… on hold terms. Lucky yawned, curling up in Elmira's pendant for a nap. "Goodbye, my daughter," he murmured softly.
The group settled down, catching their breath. Elmira suddenly remembered something. "Ohh, guys! Papa says we're going to the great city of Minerals and Resources—Anruin in the north. Every resident will leave, so I asked Charlotte to join us."
Shun raised an eyebrow. "Knowing Lady Charlotte, she probably wouldn't agree. She's… not into that kind of thing."
Shoda's eyes lit up. "I'll convince her."
Turning to Elmira, he asked, grinning, "Are we still on our date, Millie?"
Shun blinked. "Date? What date? Lady Elmira, accept!"
Mira snorted. "What nonsense… this is ridiculous!"
Lysa simply raised a brow, smirking.
Elmira shook her head, then laughed softly, agreeing. Shoda's grin stretched from ear to ear as the scene faded out, the first step of their tentative, joyous outing finally set.