As Yukari continued her search into the early morning, she was determined to uncover anything about the harbingers. The potential connection with Akame nagged at her. Why had the knowledge she once had been forgotten? She couldn’t seem to recall the specific details of that night. Was it possible that the trauma inflicted by her attacker had clouded her memory, obscuring what she had read back then?

​

“Dammit!” Yukari exclaimed in frustration, throwing one of her books to the ground. “I was so close, and now, on the cusp of another clue, I can’t remember a damned thing from that night.”

​

Yukari yawned, the exhaustion catching up with her.

​

“It’s been three days since I last slept,” she murmured to herself. “I guess that’s one of the perks of being immortal now, I don’t have to sleep as much. I need to get rid of this damned headache, so I might as well lay down.”

​

Yukari headed to her room at the far end of her library, shutting the door behind her. She slowly undressed and put on a thin revealing night dress that Fae had purchased for her. As Yukari lay in her bed, her mind was filled with thoughts, trying to remember her last moments before the attack. Her thoughts drifted back to what she could remember, and she gradually fell asleep.

​

Yukari found herself in her library at the assassin’s guild over a hundred years ago, almost as if she were a spectator in her own body. The sensation was similar to being trapped by the curse again, but at least here she could re-watch her actions.

​

Watching herself from back then, she remembered how obsessed she was with the harbingers. She had multiple books referencing them, but only one that went into detail, the same one she had in her library in the present day.

​

“My lady,” a familiar voice called out. In the dream, Yukari tried to force herself to look to her left, but she had no control over her dream body. Her dream self finally turned, reluctantly pulling her gaze from the book she was reading, revealing a face she had forgotten.

​

It was Rose, Yukari’s personal maid and fellow assassin. An orphan Yukari had adopted many years ago, Rose’s beauty and loyalty had made her an integral part of Yukari’s life. How had she forgotten someone so important, someone who was like a daughter to her?

​

Rose brought over a couple more books to Yukari, “Thank you, sweety. I appreciate your help,” she thanked Rose.

​

“Would you like something to eat, my lady?” Rose asked politely.

​

“I’m fine. Why don’t you join the main group tonight?” Yukari suggested, putting away the books that Rose had given her.

​

“I don’t fit in with any of them, so I’d rather stay here with you and help you with your duties tonight, if you don’t mind,” Rose pleaded.

​

“You would definitely fit in, sweety, but I won’t push you to join them,” Yukari smiled and walked over to Rose, brushing her hair with her hand, “How about this, would you mind doing a special mission for me?” 

​

“Anything for you, my lady,” Rose agreed politely.

​

“Good girl,” Yukari said, backing away from Rose and grabbing a scroll. “Take this scroll. It's a list of books I’d like you to ‘borrow’ from the academy in Silverwrights territory of the Iron Legions.”

​

Rose took the scroll. “Yes, my lady.” She then headed to leave the room.

​

“Rose…” Yukari called out to her before she left. “Please be careful, and remember, if anything were to happen here, take anything you have or can get to the Alderford storehouse.”

​

Rose nodded and left on her assignment. Yukari resumed her reading, her dream consciousness eager to turn the pages, but her dream body moved slowly.

​

After reading through many pages she finally saw it, the passage she had just read earlier before falling asleep.

​

“Harbingers, as we can tell, are god-like beings chosen by Aelyndra, our planet. These beings are apparently required to keep balance in this world, even if they are good or evil, such as disease balancing health,” the book read.

​

Yukari turned the page, just as she had in the present day, but this time she saw the full passage. “There are always ten. They can be anything from monsters, humanoids, or spirits. Their auras are unmistakable as they frighten anything nearby. However, they have been inactive as of late; the past few centuries we have not heard of any movement or change in their hierarchy. Although, we are aware of two major things. One, they are always a harbinger until death, their aging slows down for them ever so slightly, and killing a harbinger entrusts their power to the killer. Two, Harbingers have titles relating them to what allowed them to become a harbinger. An example of this would be ‘Chaos’ or ‘Death’.”

​

This was precisely what Yukari needed to understand the text she had struggled to recall. The frustration of her forgotten knowledge gnawed at her, but now the pieces were beginning to fall into place. Again, Yukari’s dream consciousness was swept along as she moved through the motions of that fateful night.

​

Yukari set the book down, her eyes narrowing as the eerie silence of the guild hall enveloped her. It had been over an hour since Rose had left, yet the oppressive quiet was unsettling. The usual hum of magical devices, the comforting background noise, was absent.

​

In a sudden, chilling realization, Yukari recognized the event. This was the moment just before the necromancer, in league with Reynard, launched his attack. An icy dread crept over her, the same curse-induced paralysis she had felt back then. In her bed, Yukari jolted awake, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

​

“That was it... That’s what I needed. Thank the gods,” she murmured, relief washing over her. She sat up, her body trembling slightly from the vivid dream. Rising, she moved to her desk, her steps quickening as she sought to capture every fragment of memory from her vision.

​

A knock at her bedroom door startled her. Yukari crossed the room and opened the door to find Yuzuki and Suzuran in conversation. They turned at the sound of the door opening, their eyes widening as they took in Yukari’s appearance. Both of their faces turned a deep shade of crimson.

​

“Uh… Miss Yukari!” Suzuran stammered, pointing awkwardly. “Your night dress is, uh… falling off.”

​

Yukari glanced down to see the right side of her night dress had slipped, revealing her bare breast. Yuzuki’s gaze was fixed, her face flushed, while Suzuran quickly covered Yuzuki’s eyes.

​

“Hey! I should be covering your eyes! You’re the innocent one here!” Yuzuki protested.

​

Yukari chuckled softly. “Oh, my apologies, ladies. I didn’t mean to expose you to such maturity,” she said, readjusting her night dress.

​

“So, why did you two come to my room?” Yukari asked, her tone returning to its usual calm demeanor.

​

“We wanted to check in and see if there’s anything you need us to do. We’ve finished most of the major tasks around the village and are looking for smaller jobs,” Yuzuki explained.

​

Yukari contemplated for a moment, “There are stacks of books still in crates and my classroom that needs organizing.”

​

“We can help with all of that if you don’t mind,” Suzuran offered eagerly.

​

“Of course, I don’t mind a lovely couple like you assisting me. However, would you be okay with me continuing my research while you work?” Yukari inquired, her eyes softening with appreciation.

​

“Absolutely! We can handle everything. We should be done by later this morning,” Suzuran assured her.

​

Yukari thanked them both warmly and returned to her desk. She meticulously wrote down the details from her dream, her mind racing with new insights about the harbingers. She glanced at the book from the other night, now armed with the clarity she had sought. The question lingered in her mind—should she confide in Gelina or keep this knowledge to herself?

​

On the other side of the village that morning, Akiko wandered around, marveling at how quickly the new residents had settled in. Moving from house to house, she offered assistance with anything from gathering food to making deliveries or carrying items. However, the most frequent request she received was for someone to keep the children entertained.

​

Akiko was more than happy to oblige. Having enjoyed similar tasks in Mahina Village, she welcomed the opportunity to bring joy to the children. The parents quickly grew fond of her, grateful for the respite she provided. Laughter echoed through the narrow paths between the houses as the children darted around, leading Akiko on a spirited chase.

​

“If I catch you, you’re going to get tickled!” Akiko called out, her hands mimicking a tickling motion as she pursued them.

​

The parents, now able to relax, watched with amusement, their smiles widening as they observed the playful scene. In the distance, two figures approached the lively group: Gelina, who had honored her promise to remain in her human form, walked alongside Nova.

​

Akiko caught sight of them from the corner of her eye and waved enthusiastically. “Miss Gelina! Nova!” she called out.

​

Gelina waved back, while Nova responded with an enthusiastic bark. The children, however, noticed the wolf-like creature and instinctively hid behind Akiko. The parents, too, looked on with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Akiko realized she needed to address the growing unease without escalating the situation further. She took a few steps forward, kneeling down and calling out to Nova with a cheerful tone.

​

“Come here, Nova! You want some scratches?” Akiko said, her voice warm and inviting.

​

Hearing her call, Nova ran over to Akiko, his tail wagging and his excitement evident in his happy barks. The children’s fear momentarily spiked, and the parents began to approach with concern. But as Nova nuzzled Akiko with playful enthusiasm, their anxiety began to wane.

​

“Such a good boy! Nova loves scratches, doesn’t he?” Akiko cooed, her long fingernails delivering the most satisfying scratches.

​

Nova’s leg kicked in the air in pure delight, and his happy panting reassured the onlookers. The initial tension eased as they watched Nova’s affectionate behavior. Akiko turned her attention to the children, still kneeling and gently petting Nova.

​

“This is Nova,” she said soothingly, “He’s a friendly wolf and loves to be petted and scratched.”

​

One of the little boys, still scared but intrigued, stepped forward and hesitantly extended his hand. Nova, sensing the boy’s approach, lowered his head, inviting the touch. As the boy’s hand made contact, brushing against Nova’s fur, he began to relax.

​

Nova’s tail wagged vigorously, clearly enjoying the attention. The boy giggled, growing more comfortable with the friendly wolf. Encouraged, he wrapped his arms around Nova, giving him affectionate scratches. Seeing this, the other children joined in, their earlier fears forgotten as they eagerly petted and scratched Nova, who relished every moment of their attention.

​

Nova flipped over, begging for scratches on his stomach, his tail wagging furiously. Akiko laughed, knowing exactly how much he was enjoying the attention.

​

“Oh, you’re just enjoying this so much, aren’t you?” Akiko teased, indulging Nova with vigorous belly rubs.

​

“I haven’t seen Nova this happy in a very long time,” Gelina remarked, finally reaching Akiko's side.

​

“That’s because he’s getting so many good scratches! Plus, who can resist these nails of mine?” Akiko joked, showing off her nails with a playful smile.

​

“Nova, would you like to stay with the kids and keep them company?” Gelina asked, her tone gentle.

​

Nova barked happily, as if affirming his eagerness to stay. Gelina then turned to the parents nearby, seeking their approval.

​

“Do you all mind if Nova plays with them? I promise you he won’t harm anyone; in fact, he will defend them, now that he loves them,” Gelina assured.

​

The adults, seeing the joyful interaction, nodded in agreement. Gelina looked back at Nova, getting his attention.

​

“Nova,” she called out, “be gentle with them, okay?”

​

Nova responded with an enthusiastic bark, and immediately took off running around the houses, the children chasing after him with laughter echoing in the air. Gelina and Akiko decided to take a walk through the village.

​

“So, now that you’ve seen the village during the day, what do you think?” Akiko asked.

​

“It is very different from what I had imagined, to be honest,” Gelina admitted.

​

“Well, what did you imagine?” Akiko asked curiously.

​

“I imagined monsters. Not monsters in the technical sense, but a couple of your members give off auras that match or dwarf the monsters that used to reside in this area,” Gelina explained.

​

“Gelina, I’m sure you know this by now after seeing this place for yourself, but we aren’t evil like you make us sound. But then again, I can see how we could be seen as monsters in this case,” Akiko said thoughtfully.

​

“I would love a world where we wouldn’t have to kill monsters if we didn’t need to. Where we could live together with an understanding of helping each other,” Akiko stated. “But I know there are some monsters that are always aggressive, just like how some people are.”

​

Gelina appreciated Akiko’s ideals and her willingness to coexist with monsters, as long as they were non-aggressive. Keeping her thoughts to herself, Gelina began to see potential in the village for those she had been sheltering for many years.

​

“So, if someone scared all the monsters away, why did you and all your monsters stay behind?” Akiko asked, puzzled.

​

“I didn’t want to give up the home we had known for so long. If we were going to be forced out, it was at least going to be with some sort of fight,” Gelina stated. “But that aura disappeared as quickly as it appeared, so we thought maybe we were okay.”

​

“Was that the only aura you detected?” Akiko asked.

​

“The oppressive aura is gone, but I still detect three distinct auras that are very powerful,” Gelina said.

​

Akiko pondered which three members it could be. She speculated it must be Yukari, Kurohime, and Suzuran, as they seemed to be the strongest of the guild, aside from Akame’s overwhelming power.

​

“So what was so frightening about Akame’s aura then? You mentioned she was a ‘monstrosity,’ but I’ve never felt it as you are suggesting,” Akiko stated.

​

Gelina’s expression turned serious. “Anytime a creature has had an aura like that, from what I was told by my human friends from centuries ago, those creatures can sometimes destroy the world.”

​

Akiko was taken back, especially since this was about Akame, who she had known for a short time and who hadn’t shown any signs of such destructive potential. However, she couldn’t deny that Akame’s power was extraordinary, as witnessed during her duel with Suzuran.

​

After a few minutes of walking, the two reached the farms.

​

“There seems to still be quite a bit of land here that hasn’t been used,” Gelina noted, pointing to the land just past the farms. “Do you think Akame would let me grow a large garden for my friendly monsters?”

​

Akiko considered this, tapping her finger to her chin. “I don’t see why not, but I would assume Akame would want to see for herself how friendly they are.”

​

Gelina laughed. “Most of them are smaller than Nova and much more adorable. However…” Gelina hesitated.

​

“However?” Akiko asked, sensing there was more to the story.

​

“There is a larger monster I’ve been taking care of,” Gelina admitted.

​

“What... is the larger one?” Akiko asked hesitantly, imagining some hideous creature.

​

“It’s a younger dragon that was born a couple of years back after its mother abandoned it. I don’t think it’s developed an element yet,” Gelina explained.

​

Akiko was surprised to hear it was a dragon, but a thought began to form in her mind.

​

“Do you think it will be a problem, Miss Akiko?” Gelina asked, clearly concerned.

​

“I can’t really say if it will be a problem or not. I’m already concerned about what Akame might think about it,” Akiko said, clearly worried. “But, Miss Kurohime could be the perfect person to get involved in this decision.”

​

“Why Miss Kurohime?” Gelina asked.

​

“Miss Kurohime is a dragon demi-human! So if anyone were to understand taking care of a dragon, it would be her,” Akiko exclaimed. “Crystal and Ember would be the other two that would also understand, but I feel like they would both look towards Kurohime for a decision as well.”

​

Gelina nodded. “That does sound like a good idea. I’ll talk to her soon then.”

​

Akiko and Gelina headed back to where they had left Nova. As they returned, they found Nova all tuckered out and the parents were now petting him and giving him scratches.

​

As Akiko and Gelina watched from a distance, Gelina couldn’t help but laugh. “It looks like the parents are thankful for Nova’s hard work.”

​

“Nova! Are you ready to go back home?” Gelina called out.

​

Nova got up slowly and started heading back to the library’s garden, while Gelina said goodbye to the children and their parents.

​

Akiko stayed behind to have a quick talk with the children. “So, what did you think of Nova?”

​

“We loved him! Can we play with him again soon?” the children all asked excitedly.

​

Akiko laughed. “I’m sure you can! I’ll let Miss Gelina know to bring him over once in a while.” She waved goodbye to everyone and headed back to the guild hall, with the afternoon sun high in the sky.

​

Back in the library, Yukari’s frustration was apparent. She sifted through piles of documents, her fingers tracing the familiar paths of inked names and dates, seeking any hint of connections she might still have to loyal followers or their families from her days at the assassin’s guild. The documents, yellowed with age, rustled softly as she flipped through them.

​

For hours, Yukari and Fae poured over the records, meticulously cross-referencing names with towns and villages. Fae, her brow furrowed in concentration, pointed to several locations, her finger pausing at one in particular.

​

“The last spot that has potential from the notes you brought me would be Alderford. It sounds like you had an existing storehouse there, but I don’t know if we’ll have time to confirm if it’s still under the same control,” Fae said, a hint of discouragement in her voice.

​

Alderford. The name rang a bell, stirring memories long buried. Despite being mentioned in her dream, the place had completely slipped Yukari’s mind. She had been so consumed by the idea of the harbingers. She remembered now, telling Rose to go there if anything happened. Hope sparked within her. Perhaps Rose had found those books and taken them to Alderford.

​

“Fae, how far is Alderford from here?” Yukari asked, her voice steady despite the anticipation.

​

Fae scrutinized the map spread out before them, tracing routes with her finger. “It looks like it's about two days from the capital and three to four days from here on foot, depending on how quickly you travel.”

​

Yukari pondered this. Was Alderford still loyal to her? A century was a long time, and alliances could shift. The village might no longer have ties to her or the assassin’s guild. It was a risk, but one she had to take. She knew Reynard was not as meticulous as she was, so he might have overlooked this crucial detail.

​

“Fae,” Yukari said, her decision made, “can you summon Suzuran and Yuzuki here? I have a mission for them.”

​

“Of course, Miss Yukari.” Fae nodded and hurried out to find Suzuran and Yuzuki.

​

Left alone with her thoughts, Yukari’s mind raced. She remembered the security measures she had put in place for the storehouse in Alderford.

​

“What was that passphrase again?” Yukari murmured to herself, pacing back and forth by Fae’s desk. “Loyalty… Loyalty… and Love?” Her eyes lit up as the memory crystallized. “That's right, it was ‘Loyalty and Love.’”

​

It was the phrase she had given Rose for certain storehouses, specifically the one in Alderford that only Rose and Yukari herself had access to. The phrase couldn’t just be spoken; it had to be used in the correct context.

​

Fae returned, bringing news that Suzuran and Yuzuki were helping some villagers and would be at the guild by evening.

​

“Thank you, Fae. I’ll return to the library for now. Let me know if you find any other information.” Yukari offered a small smile before retreating back into the depths of the library.

 

She continued sorting through crates and old records, her mind whirring. As the golden light of the setting sun filtered through the library windows, casting long shadows across the floor, Yukari heard the familiar sound of footsteps. Suzuran and Yuzuki had finally arrived.

​

“Sorry we're late, Miss Yukari,” Yuzuki apologized, bowing respectfully.

​

“No need to apologize,” Yukari replied with a reassuring smile. “This was just a last-minute request that I feel only the two of you could accomplish.”

​

“Something only us two can do? What is it?” Suzuran asked, her curiosity piqued.

​

“Honestly, I think Yuzuki might enjoy this more than you, Suzuran, but here is my request.” Yukari handed them a map. “In a village called Alderford, I once had a storehouse that belonged to me. The family that owned it was loyal to me and only me.”

​

Yukari walked over to a chair, sat down, and crossed her legs. “Technically, it belonged to the assassin’s guild as well, since I used our funds to purchase it and secure the family's loyalty. But I kept it hidden from them as I suspected a betrayal could happen one day, and I’d need a safe place to deliver or hide my things.”

​

Yuzuki and Suzuran listened intently, although it was clear Yuzuki was more enthralled by the story, her eyes wide with admiration for Yukari.

​

“On my final day before being betrayed by Reynard, I sent my assistant, Rose, off to the Iron Legions to find some books that might have had major clues about something I was researching. I want to see if she actually found them and stored them at the storehouse in Alderford,” Yukari explained.

​

“What makes you think she went there after Reynard betrayed you?” Yuzuki asked.

​

“She was always told that Alderford was the safest among all the storehouses to place anything I requested personally. I instructed her to go there that night if anything happened to me or the guild,” Yukari explained further.

​

“Miss Yukari…” Yuzuki paused for a moment, “This is the first time I’m hearing of one of the assassin’s guild leaders having an assistant.”

​

Yukari leaned forward, chuckling slightly. “That custom probably ended with me. I adopted Rose on a whim because of something I saw her do at the orphanage in the capital. Soon, she became like a daughter to me.”

​

Yukari’s eyes softened, and she seemed visibly happy talking about Rose. “In time, she became probably the most dangerous member of the guild, but I had her true skills hidden the entire time. She was registered as a rookie assassin within the guild, but she served me personally.”

​

“Was she similar to a ‘Right’ or ‘Left’ hand of the leader? Like how Ren and I were to Cassian?” Yuzuki asked, trying to piece together Rose’s place in the guild.

​

“Let me ask you this. As an assassin, once all of your weapons are depleted or destroyed, what do you do?” Yukari asked, directing the question to Yuzuki.

​

Yuzuki pondered for a moment, recalling her training. “I was trained to use the environment if all else fails, but if I can’t fight anymore, I should retreat.”

​

“Correct, but that isn’t how I trained Rose,” Yukari said, leaning back in her chair with a proud look. “If you and Ren were the hands, then in my case, Rose was the claws. I trained her to fight to her very last breath.”

​

Yuzuki seemed surprised, the assassins she trained weren’t guided in such a way.

​

“If Rose was disarmed, she’d use her hands or teeth,” Yukari explained. “I remember she returned from a personal request of mine, and I thought she had painted her nails red, but she said it was the blood of a man, whose throat she had pierced just hours earlier.”

​

Yuzuki was visibly disturbed by this revelation.

​

“My apologies, please don’t get the wrong idea about Rose. I wish she had friends back then, but as a mother would, you don’t push your children into something they aren't comfortable with,” Yukari said, clearly happy to reminisce about Rose.

​

“Now, we got a bit sidetracked, so let's get back on topic,” Yukari stated.

​

Yukari went into detail about how the family that owned the storehouse was paid well to stay loyal. She regularly sent money to ensure they lived well rather than in fear. She was concerned now that if it was the same family, they might not be loyal to her anymore.

​

“To tie all of this together, Rose’s actual family lived in Alderford. So now you see why I probably chose Alderford as my biggest fallback storehouse,” Yukari finished.

​

“This was amazing to listen to” Suzuran clarified.

​

“We can head out tomorrow morning if that is fine with you,” Yuzuki replied.

​

“That’s fine. Take some horses as well; you’ll probably get there a day or so earlier with them,” Yukari suggested. “If you run into any issues along the way, just return home safely.”

​

“We will, thank you.” Suzuran bowed.

​

Suzuran, Yuzuki, and Yukari all smelled something delicious wafting into the library and automatically assumed it was dinner time. Scarlet and Azure called out that it was time to eat, and everyone enjoyed a nice dinner that night. Since they had a request from Yukari and needed to leave early in the morning, Suzuran and Yuzuki headed to bed early.

​

The third floor of the guild hall was quiet since everyone besides Suzuran and Yuzuki were either downstairs enjoying the extra food that Scarlet and Azure had cooked or just spending time together. Suzuran opened the door to her room and entered with Yuzuki following right behind her, closing and locking the door. Yuzuki could hardly contain her excitement about Yukari’s mission. She plopped down onto the bed, laying on her back before sitting up on the edge.

​

Suzuran couldn't help but giggle at Yuzuki's enthusiasm. “You really look up to Yukari, don’t you?”

​

“Of course! She is the legendary Yukari! This is the first time I’ve heard of a leader from the assassin’s guild having an assistant like that,” Yuzuki claimed.

​

“Most leaders in the assassin’s history always held families hostage to make them comply, but Yukari opposed that and cared for them,” Yuzuki said admiringly. “I would have loved to have Yukari as a guild leader, or at least lived during her time.”

​

That comment irked Suzuran just a bit. She walked over to the bed and suddenly gave Yuzuki a tight hug.

“Don’t say that. I know what you mean, but if you had lived in the past, I would never have had the chance to meet you. We wouldn’t be together like we are right now,” Suzuran said with a hint of sadness.

​

Yuzuki realized her comment had affected Suzuran differently than intended. She embraced her back in an equally tight hug.

​

“I’m sorry, Suzu. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything else. Nothing makes me happier than being with you,” Yuzuki said, placing her hand on Suzuran’s cheek and caressing it gently. “It’s funny, I have often thought that I wished I could have lived a different life, not being raised by assassins and going through so much hardship. But now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else because this path brought me to you.”

​

Suzuran didn’t know what to say, but she knew she was happy with Yuzuki’s answer. She gave her a big kiss before retreating back. “Let's get ready for bed, shall we?”

​

Yuzuki slowly undressed while still on the bed. “Suzu, can you throw me my clothing?” she asked in a playful coo towards Suzuran, her eyes locked onto Suzuran's figure.

​

Suzuran, who was also undressing, noticed Yuzuki watching her intently. “You’re thinking naughty thoughts, aren’t you?” she teased, bending over a bit longer than necessary while taking off her skirt, giving Yuzuki a tantalizing view from behind.

​

Yuzuki bit her lip at the sight. “Oh, I definitely am now...” she said, clearly entranced.

​

Suzuran grabbed Yuzuki’s night wear and tossed it at her face, causing Yuzuki to pout. “Hey! I had a nice view!” she complained, pulling her clothing off her face.

​

“I’m sure you did,” Suzuran replied, slowly walking over to Yuzuki in a seductive manner, still in her underwear. “How about I give you a much better view?”

​

Reaching Yuzuki at the edge of the bed, Suzuran embraced her with another loving kiss, this time pushing Yuzuki back, causing her to lay flat on the bed. Suzuran wanted to take the lead tonight. She slowly crawled on top of Yuzuki in the most seductive way possible, planting a welcoming, wet kiss on her lips.

 

Straddling Yuzuki, Suzuran took the chance to tease her. “I seem to remember someone saying that I wasn’t hungry once because I was too busy devouring their face.”

​

“I do remember saying that… but I wasn’t lying, was I?” Yuzuki teased back.

​

Suzuran pouted for a moment before her expression transformed into a devious one as she ravaged Yuzuki’s neck with kisses. Yuzuki's mind raced, engulfed by Suzuran’s affection.

​

Sitting up in a straddling position, Suzuran noticed Yuzuki blushing, a rare sight since Yuzuki was usually the confident one. “Why are you blushing?” Suzuran asked curiously.

​

“I didn’t think you being on top of me would be so mesmerizing,” Yuzuki admitted, her tone sincere.

​

Suzuran blushed at the comment but strengthened her resolve. Leaning in slowly, she gave Yuzuki a gentle, wet kiss, moving towards her ear to whisper, “Oh, I’ll show you mesmerizing,” in the most seductive way Yuzuki had ever heard from her.

​

Caught off guard, Yuzuki let out a passionate moan followed by heavy breathing. Suzuran, equally surprised, giggled. “Did you just… orgasm?” she asked, her giggle growing.

​

Yuzuki, still recovering from the pleasurable experience, tried to deny it. “No… No I didn’t,” she said, her words punctuated by another small moan. Embarrassed, she covered her face with her hands, blushing deeply.

​

Suzuran grabbed the bed sheets and covered them both. She immediately attacked Yuzuki with another barrage of kisses. The sound of their laughter and kisses filled the room as they enjoyed each other’s company, eventually falling asleep in each other's arms.

​

The following morning, Suzuran and Yuzuki packed their equipment while Scarlet prepared their horses for the trip. As they made their way to the stable, Yukari was already waiting for them.

​

“Good morning, you two. I hope you slept well?” Yukari asked, her tone warm and friendly.

​

Suzuran and Yuzuki exchanged smiles before nodding in confirmation. Yukari then shared the crucial passphrase they’d need if they encountered anyone guarding the storehouse.

 

“The passphrase is ‘Loyalty and Love’. You’ll need to use it naturally in conversation. Sometimes you’ll need to create the opening, while other times it will be given to you. Just stay alert,” Yukari explained.

​

“I’ll leave that up to Suzuran. She’s more of a people person than I am,” Yuzuki teased lightly.

​

Yukari replied, “Yuzuki, you know when we first met, I treated you much like my sister probably would have.”

​

“I know, I know. But you’re truly the better talker between us,” Yuzuki continued.

​

Suzuran sighed, “I’ll handle the talking if it comes to that.”

​

Yukari nodded, “There’s a good chance talking may not even be needed. It’s been a hundred years. The storehouse might not exist anymore, or the family might not even be alive.”

​

“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t at least check, right? No stone left unturned,” Yuzuki said, determined.

​

“Agreed,” Yukari said. “Please be careful out there and look out for each other.”

​

“We’ll try to be as quick as possible,” Suzuran assured.

​

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Yukari said urgently, walking over to Yuzuki, who was mounted on her horse. “Take this pendant with you.”

​

Yuzuki accepted the pendant, examining its basic design, almost like a family heirloom. “What’s this for?”

​

“Think of it as protection and a gift from a guild leader you admire,” Yukari said with a wink.

​

Suzuran and Yuzuki then set off towards the western gate of the village. As they rode away, Yukari watched them with hopeful eyes, while Akiko, who had witnessed their departure, approached her.

​

“Where are they headed?” Akiko asked, still rubbing sleep from her eyes.

​

“I’ve sent them on a small mission,” Yukari replied, turning to face Akiko.

​

“What’s the mission?” Akiko yawned.

​

“To see if my name still carries weight and if any secrets from my time remain,” Yukari explained.

​

As evening fell, Suzuran and Yuzuki made their way towards Alderford, making only necessary stops for the horses and themselves to rest and eat. They found a spot to camp for the night, letting the horses graze and rest.

​

“We’ve made a lot of progress today, much more than I expected,” Yuzuki said, feeding her horse an apple. “I can actually see Alderford on the horizon. We might be less than an hour or two away.”

​

Suzuran, sitting near the campfire, looked up. “So, what’s our plan once we get there?”

​

Yuzuki thought for a moment. “First, we need to investigate to see if the storehouse still exists. If it does, we’ll check if it’s occupied.”

​

Suzuran nodded, preparing for their next day’s journey. The night grew quiet around them, filled with the crackling of the campfire and the distant sounds of the horses settling down.

 

The following morning, sunlight filtered through the trees as Yuzuki and Suzuran prepared for their departure to Alderford. Upon entering the village, they discovered it was significantly smaller than anticipated. Children played amidst the dilapidated houses, scattering at their approach. Yuzuki estimated only six or seven families resided there. As they progressed towards the village's northern outskirts, they encountered a storehouse guarded by a fully armored figure.

​

"I'll talk to him," Suzuran proposed to Yuzuki, who nodded in agreement.

 

Dismounting, they secured their horses to a nearby post. Suzuran approached the guard while Yuzuki blended into the shadows and began searching the houses and storehouse.

​

"Hello, who's in charge of this storehouse?" Suzuran inquired.

​

The guard remained motionless, ignoring her.

​

"Hello? Anyone home, or are you going to ignore me?" Suzuran's irritation grew, her foot poised to deliver a kick.

 

Before she could act, an elderly woman emerged, "I wouldn't do that, young lady."

​

"Why not? He's ignoring me," Suzuran retorted.

​

The woman ambled towards the guard, striking his head with her walking stick. The helmet fell, revealing an empty interior.

​

"How did I miss that?" Suzuran was both surprised and embarrassed, "Who owns this storehouse?" she asked the woman.

​

"My family," the woman replied. "Why do you ask?"

​

"I'd like to gain access if possible," Suzuran requested.

​

The woman's expression turned cautious, "Why do you need to go inside? I don't recognize you, so it's unusual for a stranger to suddenly want to enter an unfamiliar building."

​

Before Suzuran could respond, two young men appeared from nearby alleyways, swords drawn. She remained calm, defusing the situation.

​

"Why the aggression? I just wanted to ask about entering," Suzuran said, forcing a smile.

​

"You can never be too careful these days," the woman replied, her guard still up.

​

Suzuran sensed hostility, but it wasn't directed at her. A realization dawned on her. "Yuzuki, calm down," she said loudly, knowing Yuzuki was nearby. Suzuran was impressed by Yuzuki's stealth, given the village's openness.

​

"What's that about? Are you planning something?" the woman asked, suspicious.

​

"Nothing, just talking to the voices in my head," Suzuran replied casually, smiling.

​

The woman repeated herself, her voice carrying a sharp edge. “What are you really doing here?”

​

Suzuran maintained her composure, a calm smile playing on her lips. “I’m just checking on the place for a friend,” she replied. “You know how some people are for their friends, we'll do anything for loyalty and love.”

​

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she signaled for the men to back down. She stepped closer, scrutinizing Suzuran with a critical eye. Suzuran stood firm, her gaze unwavering. The woman continued her inspection, taking in Suzuran’s appearance.

 

“You lot aren’t as intimidating as I used to hear from my grandmother. Your breasts shouldn’t be that exposed like they are right now. It defeats the whole stealth idea,” she remarked, grabbing Suzuran’s shirt and attempting to cover her exposed chest.

​

Suzuran was taken aback by the sudden gesture but realized the hostility she felt earlier from Yuzuki had returned.

​

“Yuzuki… stop it, she's fine. You can come out now,” Suzuran demanded.

​

The air around them seemed to relax as Yuzuki instantly appeared behind the old woman. “Listen here, lady,” Yuzuki said, cracking her knuckles, “Don’t... touch her... ever again,” her voice carrying an exaggerated menace.

​

The old woman looked at Yuzuki, then back at Suzuran, and then once more at Yuzuki.

​

“Goodness, could you make it less obvious you two are lovers?” she said, patting Yuzuki on the arm as she walked past her.

​

Yuzuki was left speechless, watching the woman walk away. The old woman gestured for them to follow. “Come along, youngins. I assume we have a bit to talk about since you’re using a phrase only I am aware of.”

​

Suzuran and Yuzuki quickly fell in step behind her, trying to keep up with the old woman who moved surprisingly quickly for her age.

 

“Uhm, excuse me! What's your name?” Suzuran asked as she caught up.

​

“The name’s Amara. Pleasure to meet you two lovebirds.” After a few minutes, Amara led them to a small house that stood in better shape than the others in the village.

​

She opened the door and gestured for them to come inside. As they entered, the men who had been guarding Amara locked the doors behind them. Suzuran and Yuzuki exchanged wary glances but followed Amara into another room that led to a basement. They were guided into a massive underground area.

Both Suzuran and Yuzuki were awestruck by what they saw.

​

“We made Alderford look as if it were down in the dumps and struggling in order to avoid attention. We’ve been this way for at least the past fifty years or so. My mother was the one who put this into motion, and I saw it through,” Amara explained.

​

This was unlike anything they had ever seen. The vast underground area hosted more than a dozen homes and numerous storehouses. There were even merchants selling basic goods.

​

“How has all of this been kept a secret for so long?” Yuzuki asked, her voice tinged with amazement.

​

“My mother and grandmother were very good at keeping secrets. I didn’t become aware of this place until right before my mother passed away.” Amara looked back at them, a proud smile on her face. “No one moved into this place until I took over. They handed this off to me once it was ready.”

​

As they continued down the paved dirt paths, Amara led them to a heavily guarded storehouse. Twelve armored guards stood outside—these ones were very much alive, unlike the fake one from earlier. They stopped in front of a giant metal door as Amara turned to face them, her expression serious.

​

“Well, ladies, while you got the phrase right, I want you to tell me who sent you,” Amara said, her tone sharp and alert.

​

The twelve guards surrounding the storehouse brandished their weapons, encircling Yuzuki and Suzuran.

​

“If you give me the wrong answer, you won’t be able to escape, and we’ll kill you here,” Amara concluded, her voice icy.

​

Suzuran and Yuzuki exchanged a look, silently agreeing to remain calm and not do anything drastic.

Amara pointed at Suzuran. “I know this one here isn’t an assassin,” she said, slowly turning her gaze to Yuzuki, “but you, on the other hand, you didn’t reveal yourself until you were called out. Who are you, and do you serve the traitor?”

​

Yuzuki quickly intervened, sensing the conversation was veering into dangerous territory. “Do you mean Cassian?” she responded, trying to keep her tone steady.

​

Amara’s eyes narrowed. “Is Cassian a follower of Reynard?”

​

Suddenly, Yuzuki realized the gravity of the situation. Amara was clearly out of touch with the current state of the assassin’s guild, likely only familiar with events from Yukari’s era. Yuzuki took a deep breath, aiming to de-escalate the tension.

​

“Reynard, the person you mentioned, was the man who betrayed Yukari. Cassian is one of his descendants and was the most recent guild leader of the assassin’s guild.”

​

Amara’s face tightened as she struggled to understand Yuzuki’s words. “What do you mean ‘was’ the guild leader?”

​

Yuzuki crossed her arms, her expression firm. “I killed Cassian and destroyed the assassin’s guild here in Valralor.” She hoped that being upfront about the guild’s destruction would prevent further conflict.

​

Amara’s anger flared instantly. “You would trample over everything and destroy the guild Yukari held dear?!”

​

Yuzuki was surprised by Amara’s sudden rage. The guards, sensing the shift in mood, began to close in on them. “I didn’t trample over anything! Yukari was the one who sent us!” Yuzuki tried to explain, but her words were cut short by Amara’s command.

​

“Men! Kill these two and hide the bodies after!” Amara ordered sharply.

​

“I don’t think that was a good idea, Yuzuki,” Suzuran said, nodding toward the guards who were drawing their weapons. They prepared themselves for a fight. Yuzuki assumed a defensive stance, the pendant Yukari had given her dangling prominently from her neck.

​

Before Amara could leave, she caught sight of the pendant. Her eyes widened in recognition as she compared it to her own similar pendant.

​

“Wait! Hold on a moment! Lower your weapons!” Amara shouted, quickly striding back toward them.

​

“Amara, what's wrong?” one of the guards asked, puzzled.

​

“Assassin girl, where did you get that pendant?” Amara demanded, her tone now urgent.

​

“I got it from Yukari. She gave it to us before we came here. Why?” Yuzuki replied, her voice steady.

​

“Stop joking around with me. Yukari is dead. Who did you really get that from?” Amara’s voice was firm, but her eyes held a hint of doubt.

​

Yuzuki sighed, realizing she needed to clarify everything to resolve the misunderstanding. She lowered her weapon, drawing confused looks from Amara and her guards. She then sat down on a nearby crate and gestured for Suzuran to do the same.

​

“What are you two up to? Answer my damn question!” Amara’s frustration was clear.

​

“I will, but you need to listen to the entire story without interrupting. I promise you this is the truth,” Yuzuki said, her gaze intense. Amara, sensing the seriousness in Yuzuki’s tone, gestured for a guard to bring over a crate for her to sit on.

​

Yuzuki began recounting their journey. She detailed how she joined the Crimson Moon guild and discovered Yukari was also a member. She described Yukari’s curse, placed by a necromancer, and Reynard’s scheme to take control of the guild. Yuzuki explained how she had killed Cassian and how much of the guild had sought to erase Yukari’s teachings, a legacy Yuzuki had greatly admired. As Yuzuki spoke, Amara and her guards became absorbed in the story, their hostility gradually dissipating.

​

“Well… it seems a lot has happened over the years. I suppose that's what happens when a guild loses contact and isolates itself from the world,” Amara said, her tone softening. “I must apologize to you both for the misunderstanding. I hope you can forgive us.”

​

“It’s completely fine, Miss Amara. We understand the caution you had to take, which is why we tried to avoid conflict,” Suzuran reassured her.

​

“Now that we have things cleared up, follow me,” Amara said, leading them toward the storehouse. The guards opened the large metal door.

​

Inside, the storehouse seemed empty, which made Suzuran and Yuzuki exchange wary glances again. However, Amara approached a rock wall at the back of the room. She pressed five stones in a specific sequence, causing the wall to rumble and slide open, revealing a hidden chamber. As they entered, they were greeted by a vast room filled with rows of books and statues dressed in various outfits. The room exuded an aura of ancient knowledge and secrecy.

​

As Yuzuki's eyes fell upon the first outfit in the row, she couldn’t help but be captivated by its elegance. Meanwhile, Suzuran, absorbed in her examination of the books, was oblivious to Yuzuki's fascination. Amara approached Yuzuki, noting her intense interest.

​

“This outfit belonged to Yukari during her prime, before she took on the leadership of the assassin’s guild,” Amara said with a nostalgic smile. “It would make a wonderful gift to her, don’t you think?”

​

Yuzuki nodded, a hint of excitement in her eyes. “I’ll definitely take it back for her. She would probably love it,” she replied. Deep down, though, Yuzuki hoped Yukari might not want it, so she could keep it for herself and wear it in front of Suzuran.

​

“Come on, let’s get what you two obviously came for,” Amara said, guiding Yuzuki toward the back of the room. Suzuran, still engrossed in a book, was gently pulled along by Yuzuki. They reached the end of the room and came upon a pedestal with three books resting atop it.

​

“If Yukari sent you, and given the phrase you used, these books are likely what she wanted,” Amara explained.

​

Suzuran looked up, her curiosity piqued. “You mean there are different phrases for different things?”

​

“Yes, there are. But since you brought me such significant news, I’ll let the outfit your girlfriend is taking slide,” Amara said with a chuckle.

​

Yuzuki’s interest was now fully piqued. “So, what are these books about?”

​

“We’re not sure,” Amara replied. “We looked at just the first page, and it was written in a cryptic language we’ve never seen before.”

​

Suzuran picked up one of the books and flipped through its pages. The text was incomprehensible, resembling a paper she vaguely remembered from Akame’s old books. She showed the book to Yuzuki, who confirmed she couldn’t decipher it either.

​

“Well then, now that you have what you came for, I think it’s best if you two head out,” Amara said, ushering them toward the exit. She paused for a moment, turning back. “Please let Yukari know how much I appreciate everything she did for my family in the past.”

​

Yuzuki smiled warmly. “I’ll make sure she visits so you can tell her yourself,” she promised. With that, she and Suzuran left the storehouse and returned to their waiting horses.

​

They set off for their previous campsite, settling in for the night. As Yuzuki added a few more logs to the campfire, Suzuran’s thoughts were clearly preoccupied with the mysterious books.

​

“Do you think Yukari will be able to decipher whatever’s in these books?” Suzuran asked, breaking the silence.

​

“I’m sure she can. She’s extremely knowledgeable, so I bet she’ll have it figured out in no time,” Yuzuki replied, her voice reassuring.

​

“Do you think these books might contain any information about what Gelina mentioned in connection to my sister?” Suzuran continued, her concern evident.

​

“I’m not sure. Do you hope they do?” Yuzuki asked, her tone sincere.

​

“None of this has sat well with me, especially after the duel. Since you pointed out the inconsistencies in our village’s story, it’s become clear there are gaps in what I was told,” Suzuran’s voice tinged with sadness.

​

“Would you like me to be there when you talk to her?” Yuzuki offered.

​

“I’d love your support, but I think this needs to be a sister-to-sister talk. I need to get her to open up about our past, and I need to do it soon,” Suzuran replied, her voice tinged with a touch of melancholy. “Unless she decides to tell everyone.”

​

“I’m hoping for the best, Suzu,” Yuzuki said gently, placing a comforting hand on Suzuran’s cheek. They shared a quiet meal, talked a bit longer, and then settled down for the night, preparing for their journey back home.

​

The next morning began with an unexpected twist. They discovered they couldn’t retrace their original route due to the Adventurer’s Guild and local kingdom guards blocking it because of a bandit issue.

Opting for a more scenic route, which would add a few hours to their journey but still allow them to return the same day, they set off. The detour offered breathtaking views: vibrant flower fields, hidden waterfalls, and mist-shrouded lakes.

​

Their final scenic stop was a vast, hilly field stretching as far as the eye could see, reminiscent of colorful paintings they had seen. The gentle breeze swayed the tall grass in a mesmerizing dance.

​

(End of Part 1)