“Is that a threat to me?”
The Director of the Arbitration Office found it somewhat amusing, but more than that, he was angry. Yet he showed no sign of losing his temper, instead speaking with a sarcastic tone:
“Wow, the brightest Pink Heart Gem of our Arbitration Office, the brilliantly wise Shigure-sama, what lesson will you be giving me today regarding my humble duties?”
Faced with the sarcasm, Noble Lady Hana remained unfazed and accepted it completely. “Thank you for the compliment, you truly understand~”
Sometimes, Lania really envied people with thick skin like this. Unlike her, who played the sunny role but would shut down and disappear into herself when faced with certain matters.
As the teacher said, there are always people beyond people. And beyond a sunny personality, there are super high school level sunny personalities.
The Director of the Arbitration Office handled it smoothly. “Please, brilliant Shigure-sama, enlighten this humble servant.”
Hana Shigure raised her beautiful brows, her eyes shining brightly, and didn’t forget to wink at the purple-haired Hero brooding in the corner.
Lania: “…”
“Shigure-senpai, stop teasing. Think of a solution…”
“Hmm?”
Hana Shigure remained unhurried, seemingly indifferent to the current chaos in the Arbitration Office. She raised her palm to her ear and leaned slightly forward towards Lania:
“Purple Sister, what did you just call me? I couldn’t hear clearly~”
“Shigure, little sister.”
Lania took a deep breath, her modest chest rising and falling. If it weren’t for needing help, she would have already held a scythe to someone’s neck to force them to hurry up and work! Enough messing around!
“Eh, I still can’t hear~”
“#!!!”
With a flash of purple light, Lania wielded her Violet Surge, filling the Monitoring Room with a killing intent. The staff trembled in fear.
Hana Shigure blinked her sakura-like sparkling eyes, having learned when to quit while ahead, her tone softening:
“Don’t be like that. We’ve known each other for so long, let me first understand a bit about that monster girl before making any judgments, okay?”
“I’m just planning to go find her myself.” Lania pursed her lips and said honestly.
“…” Only a fool would believe that!
Hana Shigure wiped away imaginary sweat on her brow and finally got serious. She asked, “How long have you known each other? How far has it gone? Holding hands? Hugging? Or kissing and going to bed?”
Clang!
The blade of the scythe stopped just in front of Hana Shigure, as if it was ready to strike the next moment.
“Oh, don’t scare me~” Hana Shigure snapped her fingers on the scythe, producing a crisp clang clang that echoed through the Monitoring Room.
“All my questions just now were serious ones~ Purple, Sis, Sis!”
“None of that.” Lania said, expressionless. “We’re friends.”
Friends? Then hugging and holding hands, right?
Hana Shigure nodded and continued to ask:
“How many days have you known each other?”
“Three or five days, maybe?” Lania’s gaze drifted.
“Huh?” For the first time, Noble Lady Hana looked shocked, her sakura-pink eyes wide. “Are you sure you’re not lying to me?!”
Lania felt a bit guilty. “Probably not.”
“I really give up. Are you still the Purple Sister I know?”
Hana Shigure muttered softly, “Young people these days, always rushing—meet one day, hold hands the next, go to bed the third. Super efficient socializing…”
“It’s not like you think!”
“You’re not me, how do you know what I think?”
“#!”
Seeing the Hero’s cold glare, Hana Shigure didn’t dare tease anymore and steered the topic back on track:
“I remember you said that Ninth Rank monster, almost at Demon King level, is that little girl’s maid?”
“Yes, disguised as a maid close to Vyea!” Lania emphasized.
“Alright, so it’s a covert disguise.” Hana Shigure accepted the Hero’s explanation and continued: “You haven’t noticed anything wrong along the way?”
“No.” Lania said firmly. Feeling the rhythm of the giant scythe in her hand, she spoke softly, “Her aura is very pure and clear, like clean water. Even if she’s a monster, she’s never tainted by human blood.”
“I see!”
Hearing this, Noble Lady Hana’s previously playful tone suddenly turned serious. She folded her hands and slowly paced, appearing thoughtful as she muttered:
“I’ve got it!”
“Oh?” The Director of the Arbitration Office, eavesdropping nearby, became curious and looked her way.
Lania, a little excited, asked:
“Shigure-senpai, did you find some clue?”
Meanwhile, the timid staff in the Monitoring Room breathed a sigh of relief, secretly hoping for an answer this time.
Clap!
Hana Shigure clasped her hands together and then revealed a mysterious smile:
“Sorry, I have no clue at all!”
Creak!
Before everyone’s emotions spiraled out of control.
“Ahem!”
Hana Shigure quickly cleared her throat, resting her delicate hand on her fair chin, her clear eyes scanning the many screens in the Monitoring Room. Finally, she raised her index finger, pointing towards the courtroom corridor where Lania had discovered Vyea’s disappearance:
“Based on the info Purple Sister gave me, this is where that strange monster girl stopped responding to her. Maybe there’s something special about this place. Anyway, let’s go check it out.”
…
Thud!
The dull sound of a body hitting the ground echoed as Vyea dragged an unconscious staff member into the storage room.
“Sorry, I have to let you sleep for a while.”
Vyea whispered to herself, peeling off the staff’s uniform and ID badge. After taking anything useful, she thoughtfully found a blanket in the storage room to cover the victim.
That way, there was no worry about them catching a chill.
“Hoo…”
Vyea exhaled, holding the clothes in hand. What next? How to wear them? Somehow… the size didn’t seem to fit?
The white-haired loli froze in place, feeling her hands and feet grow cold.
What to do?
“Hmm hmm hmm~ hmm hmm…”
A soft laugh came from behind her, warm and gentle like spring sunlight melting into her heart.
Suddenly, the storage room door swung open, and the sunlight from the corridor poured in in large patches.
Vyea couldn’t help but raise her hand to shield her eyes and looked up.
Then.
Her heart began to race wildly.
A girl with golden eyes stood at the doorway, wearing a white gown that reached her ankles, stepping lightly in flat sandals. Her golden hair shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
“Long time no see, Hero.”
Vyea gazed at her quietly, ripples stirring in her heart’s depths. Sensing the stirring inside Vyea, the visiting girl responded, turning slightly into the sunlight. The breeze lifted her skirt, and her profile under the sun was sly and perfect.
Lost in the moment, Vyea seemed to drift back to that distant afternoon years ago when she first met the Demon King.
A slender figure, a pure face not glamorous nor bewitching, yet it felt as if she was a fairy. With just one glance, all things would worship her.