"Wait, don't come over yet."
"Aya seems... a little off?!"
Hoshimi Miyabi spoke up to remind them, sizing up Hoshimi Aya's distinctly different eyes.
Her gaze was no longer as clear and pure as before.
Hoshimi Aya, who had snapped back to her senses, ignored Hoshimi Miyabi's words.
"... Did I escape?"
Hoshimi Aya looked around silently.
After the first sentence Hoshimi Aya spoke, the black flames covering her body revealed her delicate skin.
However, Hoshimi Aya did not notice this; instead, she was drawn to Tsukishiro Yanagi not far away, and Hoshimi Miyabi standing before her.
"Miyabi, why are all of you here?"
Hoshimi Aya asked everyone in confusion.
"Yes, Father sent someone to notify me that you were kidnapped, and I rushed over immediately."
"Can you tell me about your situation back then?"
"Or why you lost control?"
Hoshimi Miyabi asked, puzzled.
After Hoshimi Miyabi finished speaking, Rina floated over with a blanket and draped it over Hoshimi Aya.
Seeing this, the others also came over.
"Aya, where are your clothes?"
"Were they burned off by those black flames?"
Rin asked with concern.
"No, they took off my clothes when they were checking my body."
"There's no problem."
Hoshimi Aya clutched the blanket and shook her head; she only realized she wasn't wearing clothes after Rina covered her with the blanket.
But thankfully, her underwear was still on, so she wasn't completely exposed.
After all, there was always the concept of a swimsuit, wasn't there?
"... Aya, are you really not noticing anything wrong?"
Rin looked at Hoshimi Aya's eyes, which were different from usual, and inquired.
She felt that Aya had changed, yet also felt like she hadn't changed.
"No, if I really have to say something... I feel like my current state is incredibly good."
"It's a sense of exhilaration I've never had before,"
Hoshimi Aya said with a smile.
"Alright, then let's get out of here quickly."
"This isn't the place to chat."
"We can talk more after we leave."
Rin nodded. Although she truly felt Hoshimi Aya was a bit different, her tone was still the same.
As for what was different, she could check slowly after they returned.
"Yes, okay."
"But did you guys see that person named Sarah when you arrived?"
Hoshimi Aya inquired; she had to get revenge for being toyed with!
"No, when we arrived, there were only a few small fries."
"We didn't hear about the person you mentioned."
Hoshimi Miyabi shook her head.
They had originally intended to capture the mastermind first, but the soldier didn't lead them properly, so they didn't find her.
Hoshimi Aya heard this and nodded.
Then, led by Rin, the group left The Hollow.
...Wildfire Town.
Hoshimi Aya changed into her own clothes.
No longer just wrapped in a blanket.
After Hoshimi Aya left The Hollow, the reinforcements sent by the Hoshimi Family returned the way they came; after all, the person had been rescued.
If they lingered too long, it might cause unnecessary speculation.
As soon as Hoshimi Aya stepped out the door, she saw people from Victoria Housekeeping mingling with those from Cunning Hares.
Ellen was leaning against the wall with her eyes squinted, seemingly asleep, while a cat nearby watched the tail with bright eyes.
Tsukishiro Yanagi and Rina were chatting.
Lycaon, Rin, Zhe, Nicole, and Hoshimi Miyabi were gathered together, chatting about something unknown.
Corin, Soukakku, and Anby were gathered together eating hamburgers.
Everyone had their own business to attend to.
"Rin, what are you guys talking about?"
Hoshimi Aya walked up beside Rin and asked.
"Oh, nothing much."
"Just about you being captured."
"We understand; the people who caught you were from an organization called the Praise Society."
Rin explained.
"Yes, I was just about to talk about that."
"Their goal in capturing me was the power of the Demon Blade in my possession."
"Next, their target might be..."
Saying this, Hoshimi Aya placed her hand on Tailless, which was in Hoshimi Miyabi's hand, her meaning being self-evident.
"Don't worry, if they really target Tailless in my possession..."
"I won't let them succeed, and my power doesn't come from the Demon Blade."
"It's a power I possess inherently."
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded, indicating she understood.
"Yes, it seems the information I gathered before was also about the Praise Society."
"I didn't expect them to be so bold as to covet the power of a Void Hunter,"
Nicole mused.
"This time was an accident."
"Next time, they won't be so lucky."
"I will make them suffer a bit,"
Hoshimi Aya said with a threatening tone.
"Yes, I will go ask the Mayor about news regarding the Praise Society. If I get any information, I will let you know."
"I still have some things on my plate, so Victoria Housekeeping will take our leave now,"
Lycaon said, and then left with the people from Victoria Housekeeping.
As for the Sons of Calydon, they were currently dealing with the Hellfire Ride situation. Because Pompey voluntarily withdrew,
It was confirmed that the Sons of Calydon would become the overlord.
"In that case, I'll be taking my leave too."
"Keep in touch if you need anything."
"I'm online anytime."
After speaking, Nicole also left with the people from Cunning Hares; after all, they also had commissions to handle.
It was because of Rin's urgent tone that they immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed over.
"Yes, I don't have anything that needs handling."
"Should I stay behind to accompany you guys?"
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded.
"Ah?"
"That won't be necessary, and we're almost done with our matters here too."
Hoshimi Aya refused.
"Alright then. Aya, when are you returning to the city?"
"Both Father and I miss you a lot. When he learned about your situation this time, he immediately sent people to look for me."
"He even dispatched the Hoshimi Family's private troops. It's clear Father is very worried about you."
"If you have time, come visit the Hoshimi Family more often."
Hoshimi Miyabi said, her tone slightly disappointed.
Then she left with the people from H.S.O.S 6.
"Phew, they're finally gone."
"Aya, how are you feeling?"
"You mentioned earlier that you were experimented on."
"Is there anything wrong with your body?"
Rin inquired.
"That's right, we can't be careless about this sort of thing."
"When we get back to the city, we should go to the hospital for a full-body checkup,"
Zhe agreed.
At the same time, he also sensed that Hoshimi Aya was different, but he couldn't articulate exactly where the difference lay.
So it was safer to get a checkup at the hospital.
"Really, there's no need. I don't have any problems."
"If I must say something is off, it's that the Nine-Tails seems a bit more active."
"There's nothing wrong with my body; I'm doing great."
Hoshimi Aya refused again; after all, there was truly nothing wrong with her body.
Moreover, she felt incredibly well—at least, that was how she felt.
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