In the end, things naturally developed into their current state.
Aside from the fact that Meng Xingyao's still seemed to be faintly smoldering, she was now lying on the bed like a salted fish that had lost all its dreams, completely devoid of the strength to even turn over.
Meanwhile, Cipher sat leisurely at the bedside with her legs crossed, looking as though she were enjoying some absurd comedy.
She completely ignored the despair written all over the Little Princess's face.
This time, however, her brows were slightly furrowed.
A trace of genuine displeasure flickered within her blue eyes.
Because she really was a little angry.
The scene from that day remained vivid in her memory.
Blood flowing from all seven orifices.
A pale face devoid of color.
A fragile body curled into itself like a broken branch after a storm.
Even now, the memory still made her uncomfortable.
Although everything had already passed.
Back then, Cipher had immediately used her divine Authority of Trickery to protect the Little Princess's mind.
Otherwise, the consequences would've been unimaginable.
After all, ordinary people would suffer mental abnormalities merely by approaching that level of pollution.
Even though Meng Xingyao's mental strength far exceeded that of normal people, she had still been directly contaminated by the Swarm.
The fact that she could continue functioning like an ordinary person was already a miracle.
The damage she had suffered, however, was very real.
Even Cipher couldn't confidently predict what would happen if she suddenly withdrew her divine Authority and removed all the blessings she had placed upon the Little Princess.
Would she collapse?
Would she become like a puppet whose soul had been hollowed out?
Nobody knew.
Just as in the distant past, when the divine Authority vanished and darkness swallowed an entire world.
Therefore, ever since the Anime Convention incident ended, Cipher had never truly stopped using her Authority.
Although Meng Xingyao knew nothing about it.
An invisible layer of protection constantly surrounded her.
Protecting her.
Guiding her.
Quietly influencing her life.
As for when that protection could finally be removed...
At the very least, it had to wait until Meng Xingyao's condition had completely stabilized.
Physical wounds could heal within weeks.
But injuries of the mind were another matter entirely.
Those scars required far more time.
Perhaps months.
Perhaps even longer.
If things became more serious...
Cipher might even have to spend an enormous amount of money begging Silver Wolf for help.
Hadn't the other victims from that incident still been lying in hospital beds like empty shells?
And yet...
The very next day.
The moment Cipher relaxed her vigilance slightly, this troublesome girl used the excuse of "going for a walk" and disappeared for an entire night.
That alone had nearly driven the Cat Girl crazy.
If their connection through the Authority hadn't remained intact, she might've already dragged Silver Wolf out to conduct a citywide search.
...
"You're already a grown girl. Don't act like the sky is falling."
Cipher's tone carried faint amusement.
"Otherwise, people will misunderstand things~"
"Hmph! And whose fault do you think that is?!"
Hearing the teasing in Cipher's voice, Meng Xingyao immediately gave up pretending to be polite.
Although there were still many things she didn't fully understand.
One thing was certain.
She had only hidden at her best friend house for a few days.
Just because she avoided Cat Sister and didn't come home.
The moment she returned, she was greeted by a "surprise attack."
How unfair was that?!
As for all this talk about injuries...
She didn't believe a word of it.
Several days had already passed since the Anime Convention.
Wasn't she still perfectly fine?
She could eat.
She could sleep.
She could run.
What injury?
What recovery?
Clearly Cat Sister was just making excuses to bully her.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Meng Xingyao puffed up her cheeks and turned her head away.
Her entire body radiated stubborn dissatisfaction.
Meng Xingyao o(´^｀)o:
'Hmph!' First she toyed with my emotions...Then she spanked me for no reason! Tomorrow I'm running away from home! Wait...Something isn't right.'
The Little Princess froze.
A realization struck her.
This villa belonged to her.
She was the owner!
Why should she be the one running away?!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Instantly revitalized, Meng Xingyao struggled upright.
Pointing furiously at Cipher's head, she declared:
Meng Xingyao (╬•᷅д•᷄╬)σ:
"Hmph! This is my house! Cat Sister, you move out tomorrow! And don't come back! There's no room for you in this house anymore!"
Cipher (=ↀ⩊ↀ=)?:
"Huh?"
Smack!
...
A moment later.
Peace returned to the room.
"Master...I was wrong...
"Oh? The Little Princess is reforming herself now? Why aren't you acting tough anymore?"
"...I don't dare...Please have mercy..."
Meng Xingyao became completely obedient.
"Sit up. We need to talk properly."
"...Can we talk like this instead?"
Meng Xingyao buried her face into the bed and refused to move.
As for the reason?
Cipher naturally understood.
'Heh. What a stubborn little thing.'
The corners of her lips curved upward slightly.
A teasing chuckle escaped her mouth.
At the same time, her movements became noticeably gentler.
She could clearly feel the faint trembling beneath her hand.
Like a frightened butterfly.
Cipher shook her head helplessly.
Her silver hair swayed softly.
Leaning closer, she lowered her voice.
"Relax. I'll help with the pain."
"C-Cat Sister...Y-you...Please be gentle..."
Meng Xingyao squeezed her eyes shut.
Her body tensed unconsciously.
Cipher: (๑˙ー˙๑)
Several black lines immediately appeared across the Cat Girl's forehead.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed the restless Little Princess back down.
Her expression was full of helplessness.
Watching the other tremble like a leaf in a storm, Cipher finally decided to test something.
The power of Trickery quietly flowed outward.
Like invisible sand drifting through the air.
The moment it activated successfully, a faint smile appeared on Cipher's face.
"Eh?"
Meng Xingyao suddenly blinked.
A warm current flowed through her body.
Like a clear spring washing away discomfort.
The lingering burning sensation disappeared almost instantly.
Everything felt light and comfortable.
By the time she recovered her senses, her eyes widened in surprise.
It didn't hurt anymore.
Not at all.
Meanwhile, Cipher watched the slowly sitting Little Princess with great interest.
A thoughtful look appeared in her eyes.
'This girl is strange. Usually, people's bodies are more honest than their mouths. But for the Little Princess... Both her body and her thoughts seem equally dishonest. Or perhaps...A little too honest.'