“This is indeed a tricky problem.” Aetherina said. “The pearl taken by that demon can conceal her demonic aura, making it hard for us to track her through it.”
“But I do have another way to find her.”
Hearing Aetherina’s words, Ian’s heart leapt to his throat.
He thought, “Could Aetherina really have some kind of backup plan?”
Aetherina pulled a few scales from her pocket and said, “These are scales I took from that demon. We can use them to track her.”
So that’s what Aetherina was banking on.
Ian inwardly scoffed, seeing her pull out the scales he’d shed when disguised as Ian.
She was in for a disappointment, though—there wasn’t a single scale left on his body now.
Ian nearly laughed, the weight in his chest lifting.
No matter how thoroughly they searched him, they wouldn’t find a single scale.
But Ian’s purpose here wasn’t to help Aetherina find her item.
What, was he supposed to turn himself in and admit he stole it? That would be absurd.
His sole goal was to help Lilian win Aetherina over.
The first step was to create an opportunity for Lilian and Aetherina to be alone.
Looking at Sophia and Flora hovering around Aetherina, and Lilian standing by his side, Ian felt a headache coming on.
No matter how he looked at it, Lilian, the farthest from Aetherina, seemed like the odd one out.
Creating a private moment for Lilian and Aetherina seemed daunting.
Sophia was manageable—a chuuni girl like her couldn’t have much cunning.
But Princess Flora of the Elves was different.
Despite her elegant and refined demeanor, she was the most calculating of the heroines.
As Ian pondered, Flora spoke up first, looking at Aetherina. “Why don’t we split into pairs to search? It’d be more efficient and safer against a sudden demon attack.”
Sophia, hearing Flora’s suggestion, tilted her cute head and mocked, “As the heir of the Phoenix God, I must tell thee: with five of us, how can we form pairs?”
Indeed, five people couldn’t be evenly divided into pairs, meaning one person would lose the chance to be alone with Aetherina and be out of the game early.
Flora’s suggestion was exactly what Ian had been thinking.
Pairing up was the only way to create a private moment for Lilian and Aetherina.
Ian hoped the one left out would be either Sophia or Flora.
That way, he could distract the other, leaving Lilian and Aetherina alone.
But since Flora proposed the idea, her goal was clear: to sideline the others and be alone with Aetherina.
Flora’s not easy to fool, Ian sighed inwardly.
He’d initially thought none of the heroines in the story had seen through Aetherina’s true nature.
But today’s exchange with Flora changed his mind—at least she had noticed something.
After all, Veronica’s rejection by Aetherina had spread over the day.
The heroines couldn’t possibly be unaware.
If they hadn’t seen through Aetherina’s facade, they’d believe she preferred independent people.
Yet Flora’s suggestion to pair up showed she wasn’t fooled.
If she had been, she’d have gone off alone to find the pearl, like Veronica.
“Looks like the elf princess is Lilian’s biggest rival.” Ian thought.
If Flora couldn’t be deceived, what about Princess Sophia?
Surely a chuuni girl wouldn’t be that cunning.
Could she have seen through Aetherina’s act too?
As Ian mused, Flora’s voice rang out again. “Since five can’t be evenly split into pairs, why not have one person search alone?”
“With Princess Sophia’s immense strength and Phoenix bloodline, a natural counter to demons, why not let her search for the treasure on her own?”
“Brilliant move.” Ian mentally praised Flora.
Hearing Flora’s flattery, Sophia grew smug. “Thou knowest me well. My Divine Phoenix Flame can burn away all the world’s impurities.”
Seeing her words take effect, Flora pressed on. “Since Princess Sophia is so capable, could you trouble yourself to search for Aetherina’s lost item alone?”
Sophia lowered her previously proud head, lost in thought.
Ian saw this as a golden opportunity.
If he could land the final blow, the chuuni girl would be out of the picture.
He slowly approached Sophia, crouched down, and whispered, “Princess Sophia, you want Aetherina to like you, don’t you?”
“W-What nonsense art thou spouting?” Sophia was thrown off by Ian’s words, stepping back, her already pink face blushing deeper.
“I have no such intentions.”
“No need to pretend, Princess Sophia. Just admit it, and I can help you win Aetherina over.” Ian’s words lingered in her ears.
“I said I have no such thoughts.”
“But… I have a friend whose beloved is much like Aetherina. Pray, tell me how I might aid her.” Sophia countered.
Ian chuckled inwardly at Sophia’s transparent “friend” excuse, trying to fish for tips on winning Aetherina from another angle.
Such a simple lie—she’s no smarter than Lilian.
Just as Ian mocked Sophia in his head, Lilian sneezed nearby.
Lilian thought, “I’m not sick, so why the sneeze? Weird.”
“If your friend’s beloved is similar to Aetherina,” Ian paused, gauging Sophia’s reaction.
Seeing Ian stop at the crucial part, Sophia grew impatient. “What should my friend do? Speak quickly!”
Seeing Sophia take the bait, Ian dropped the pretense and enacted his plan.
“Then I suggest she show more independence in front of her beloved.”
“Think about it. Since your friend’s beloved is like Aetherina, you know Veronica was rejected yesterday for not being independent enough.”
“If your friend can show her independent side, winning her beloved’s heart should be simple.”