Chapter 98: Shoot the Bird Before the Butterfly

On the very day Luo You left, Broken-Winged Butterfly leaked a piece of news to the public, reigniting the already cooling heat around the “Broken-Winged Butterfly Defeat Tragedy” back onto the trending search lists.

“In light of the baseless speculations and false reports directed at me these past few days, I have reached an agreement with Dark Witch Ariel to have an official showdown three days from now. Until then, all rumors about me are purely fabricated…”

Luo You watched the news report on TV and let out a scoff.

It sounded impressive, but who really cared whether it was a rumor or not?

As long as it was interesting.

Many hoped Broken-Winged Butterfly would be defeated, ending up at the mercy of Dark Witch Ariel’s cruel training.

Not for any reason other than to get a fresh thrill and some entertainment.

A magical girl defeated and harshly trained by a villain—that trope only exists in anime, but now it was happening in real life. How could it not be intriguing?

“Isn’t Broken-Winged Butterfly being a bit impulsive?”

Ji Yue frowned after watching the report.

The Broken-Winged Butterfly she knew was always a calm and composed person.

“Aunt, what do you think?”

Luo You asked her.

“…She’s probably been pushed into a corner. Otherwise, judging by her usual style, she would never act so openly.”

“Aunt knows her well.”

“Nothing special, just internet gossip,” Ji Yue said calmly, sipping her tea as time quietly passed.

That’s right, Aunt was visiting again.

Luo You didn’t understand why this unplayable woman kept coming back and forth between Huahai City and the Jiuming Sea during the Rift Tide.

Most likely, she couldn’t get a Silver Faction with Elera and was too lonely, so she wanted some consolation from Luo You.

After all, they had already become old friends~

Dang ga!

“Yo, You You, are you free lately?”

Ji Yue asked during the TV broadcast.

Her eyes glanced at Luo You’s body, as if wondering which part to rub with a steel wool ball.

Luo You shook her head and said, “I’m not free.”

“I won’t charge you.”

“Even so, I’m not free. I’ve been busy recently.”

Luo You refused unusually bluntly.

She was going to get back at this unplayable, scheming woman!

“This is your second refusal.”

Ji Yue’s face darkened, coldly asking, “Let me confirm first—you’re playing hard to get just to lure me on, refusing me repeatedly, right? If so, I advise you to stop. Just say how you want it directly.”

“No, really, I’m busy.”

After rejecting her, Luo You sneaked a mischievous question, “Aunt, you really need me now?”

“Yes, business has been bad lately. I need someone to vent on,” Ji Yue reached out, rubbing Luo You’s back with a suggestive tone.

“You’re perfect, and you enjoy it, don’t you?”

“Although I want to help you, Aunt… I really don’t have time.”

Aunt couldn’t resist, but Luo You could.

The Silver Faction was about to start when FBI called a sudden stop to it.

There was nothing in this world she couldn’t endure anymore.

Hearing this, Ji Yue clicked her tongue.

Her sharp gaze seemed ready to strip Luo You naked, hang her up, and give her a harsh lesson for being so ungrateful.

Not charging you and you still don’t seize the chance?

“Oh, really?”

Ji Yue quickly stood up.

“Then I’m leaving. If you have time, remember to come stay at my place.”

“Yeah, yeah! I will.”

Ji Yue left with a clearly displeased face.

Luo You wasn’t lying—she truly was very busy recently.

Three days later was the agreed battle with Broken-Winged Butterfly, and during this time, Luo You was busy digging into Broken-Winged Butterfly’s past.

After all, in a fight, attacking the body is secondary; attacking the mind is paramount.

If she could find out Broken-Winged Butterfly’s true identity, it would be perfect—a direct hit to her psyche, accelerating her complete collapse.

Until then, she ignored all invitations from Aunt!

“Hmph, Auntie, let’s see how long you can hold out!”

This was the advantage of having a harem! Aunt could only choose me, but I could choose more than just Aunt!

Luo You, like a victor, took a big gulp of the drink Aunt had just finished.

But right after drinking, the joy on her face suddenly stiffened.

【Oh no! Could this be drugged? That’s Aunt’s specialty!】

After being rejected repeatedly, a lonely Aunt might very well slip something into the drink to punish this ungrateful little pest!

But the next phone call completely dispelled Luo You’s unease.

“Hey? Dad, I finished my last exam. I’ll be back soon. Aunt told me she’s at your place, right? Should I buy something?”

“No need, she already left. Ah, by the way, we’re almost out of the honey tangerines at home. Get some, will you?”

Luo You hung up feeling reassured.

Since Ji Yue knew Luo Zining would be coming back, she probably wouldn’t take such a risk to drug her.

Then again, it didn’t seem very realistic either.

Ji Yue was a magical girl; drugging Elera would be somewhat understandable, but drugging an ordinary person with the intent of assault would cross the bottom line of magical girls.

“Maybe I’m thinking too badly of Aunt?”

Luo You sighed.

“Better to give her some basic trust.”

Well then, tomorrow it all begins.

Luo You looked out the window.

***

The Next Day, Northwest

“Broken-Winged Butterfly, you’ve been a bit reckless this time, not like you.”

“Who did you say that was? How did you get out of Seidheim?”

Broken-Winged Butterfly glanced at Manjusha Hua, who had just passed through the wall, rubbing her eyes.

“This is my personal matter. Mind your own business.”

“I have to mind this—it concerns the Magic Alliance’s reputation.” Manjusha Hua strode to her and asked, “Are you confident you can handle Dark Witch Ariel?”

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t act like this.”

“You should know, Dark Witch Ariel is not the type to confront you head-on. Your battle has already begun.”

“I know.”

Seeing she couldn’t persuade her, Manjusha Hua left.

But she left a backup plan: if Broken-Winged Butterfly couldn’t handle this mess, she would have to deal with it herself.

Moments later, the door knocked again.

“Big Sister, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

Creak.

Bailing Wu cautiously entered.

“How is Big Sister planning to deal with Dark Witch Ariel?”

“Hmph, the enemy is cunning and unpredictable. I have to be prepared.”

Broken-Winged Butterfly organized some files and took out a dossier, recording past cases where magical girls had been treacherously targeted by evil organizations.

“Bailing Wu, help me see if there’s anything I should watch out for. It’s also a good review for you.”

Bailing Wu unusually didn’t reply immediately but took the dossier and pondered for a few seconds.

Earlier, she had seen Aurora Witch Elera.

Fortunately, Elera wasn’t out hunting but came to deliver a message.

***

Half an hour ago—

Bang!

A cyan arrow hit a target a thousand meters away, destroying a hilltop.

Then the construction crew rushed to the site to carry out repairs.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

“Huff.”

Bailing Wu slowly dispersed the gathered magic power.

“Big Sister has been acting so strange lately.”

In less than ten days, Big Sister had already failed to maintain her usual image before her, causing Bailing Wu both jealousy and worry.

It felt like Big Sister hadn’t cared about her at all these days.

Bailing Wu’s eyes narrowed, spotting a figure waving at her from a kilometer away.

…Elera!?