“It doesn’t matter if I tell you. I’ve been living in the human world since I was born. I lived like a normal person — attending school, taking exams, working — all while hiding my identity.”
Mite pulled a cigarette from his suit lapel, lit it with the railcar’s lighter, and took a deep drag.
Ye Xingyao frowned. She had always hated the smell of smoke, and in today’s world, fewer and fewer people smoked… Most people used vapes, like the Rick 50th generation or something similar. She didn’t actually know much about them.
“Hah, an Eldest Miss who can’t stand the smell of smoke.”
Mite spoke sarcastically. At first, Ye Xingyao thought he was talking about her, but judging by his gaze in the rearview mirror, he was likely referring to Fumier. At this moment, the blonde girl’s reaction was much more intense than hers.
But Mite didn’t care what the two girls in the backseat thought. He had already kidnapped them, so why would he make things comfortable for them?
Fumier wore an expression of pure disgust.
“Anyway, back to the topic. I lived honestly for over thirty years, only to suddenly realize that many of the things I was chasing were things others were born with.”
Mite sighed, continuing to drive while puffing on his cigarette.
“Superpowers, Magical Girls… it’s just not fair. Even my innate talent as an Elf pales in comparison.”
“Tsk, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you. It must be nice to have a superpower.”
Mite lamented to himself.
As for all that… Ye Xingyao could actually empathize, but unfortunately, she was no saint. She couldn’t be bothered to care about his grudges or the state of the world. It wasn’t that important.
“Anyway, once I realized all of that, I gave up my research job. You look quite young, probably still a student? For people like you, that kind of research position is a real prize.”
“Then, because I couldn’t enter the Human Alliance, I became a Hunter. I picked up a lot of interesting information.”
“Just when I thought my life would continue like that, my fellow Elves from Xizhou contacted me… Never mind, you don’t need to know what happened after that.”
After revealing some of his inner thoughts, Mite seemed to remember something. He shook his head and ended his monologue, leaving Ye Xingyao somewhat baffled.
‘Seriously, playing the man of mystery at a time like this? You deserve to die.’
She gritted her teeth, thinking viciously.
Afterward, Mite continued driving in silence. Fumier remained quiet, while Ye Xingyao continued to calculate her next move.
With that Magic Stone filled with Starlight Magic, Xiaoyue and Sister Hongye were definitely keeping an eye out for trouble. They would likely be able to track her location soon.
The current problem was figuring out what Mite’s ambiguous attitude meant, how he was connected to that virus-like Monster, and what exactly that Blood Person was…
‘Tsk, this is such a pathetic state to be in. Since when did I, Ye Xingyao, start letting my guard down? Why did I take the risk of coming here and standing up to fight something beyond my capabilities?’
Well… her movement was restricted, and she didn’t even know where he was taking her…
Her entire body was bound. What else could she do?
‘I guess I’ll just give up for now.’
Was she supposed to find an opportunity to team up with the blonde girl, who seemed to have more freedom of movement?
‘The girl is an Elf, though. I better not suddenly turn into a lolicon and get myself into more trouble.’
Even if they could cooperate, the girl probably couldn’t do much. According to their earlier conversation, Fumier was currently in some kind of weakened state and wouldn’t recover her strength until tomorrow. Once she did, she would supposedly be even stronger than Mite.
However, based on their previous relationship, she might actually know something.
That was assuming Mite would even give the two of them a chance to be alone…
***
“Xiaoyi, things have become a bit difficult.”
Hongye Qiu put down her phone and spoke to the white-haired girl beside her with a grave expression, making the other girl feel a pang of anxiety.
After Ye Xingyao went inside, Yi Shiyue and Hongye Qiu had been on standby near the venue. When they saw the Human Alliance troops appear, they realized something was wrong and noticed that Ye Xingyao’s signal had been lost for some time.
This was a move none of them had anticipated. Having lived in this era for so long, a certain mindset had become ingrained in them, causing them to subconsciously overlook such a possibility. They hadn’t even discussed the potential for a signal jammer beforehand.
Hongye Qiu first calmed Yi Shiyue down before contacting the Human Alliance. She discovered that the Alliance was still fighting the Blood People outside and had no information regarding the interior of the venue.
Before she could enter the building herself, Qiluo appeared nearby. Hongye Qiu made contact with her and finally learned the situation inside.
“How is Xiao Yao? What happened?”
Yi Shiyue asked hurriedly. She had already been waiting anxiously, and Hongye Qiu’s words only heightened her concern.
“Xiao Yao? Never mind. Ye Xin was taken by an Elf, and the Human Alliance is tracking their movements.”
A certain emotion was hidden within Hongye Qiu’s eyes.
Since when had she and Ye Xingyao lost the vigilance they were supposed to have as Hunters?
“…”
“The Human Alliance’s primary objective is to secure the scene. By the time they track the direction and send out a team, it will be too late… The Magical Girls are tied up for the time being as well. So, this time, it’s just us.”
“You still have the item Ye Xin gave you, right? Tsk, thank goodness she thought that far ahead.”
Yi Shiyue said nothing but placed the star-blue Magic Stone she had been clutching into the older woman’s hand.
‘Xiao Yao…’
No, now was not the time to be swayed by emotions.
She had to find Xiao Yao. Xiao Yao would definitely be okay.
Why wasn’t she by her side this time?
Complex emotions flooded Yi Shiyue’s heart, but soon, her purple eyes filled with an inexplicable fire.
The white-haired girl stood up.
“Let’s go. We’re bringing Xiao Yao back.”
She spoke with firm determination.
Hongye Qiu placed the Magic Stone into a detector and quickly got a general direction. She glanced at the girl beside her in surprise.
“You’re right. Let’s go. I’ll get a vehicle from the Human Alliance.”
With that, Hongye Qiu left the spot.
Yi Shiyue looked up at the night sky. Tonight, there was neither a moon nor stars.
Why did she and Xiao Yao always have to be apart? They had already promised never to be separated again.
…If that was the case, then she would just have to take the initiative to find Xiao Yao. She would never let Xiao Yao be alone again…
No matter how many times it took, she would make sure of it.
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