Nila and Kasumi were the first to slip out of the inn under the cover of darkness, headed towards the sealed libraries of the capital. Public libraries might hold basic knowledge, but the information they sought would likely be hidden in archives that only select officials had access to. These sealed libraries, protected by the Valralorian Republic, housed sensitive or forbidden information—whether due to its potential danger to the public, relevance to ongoing investigations, or even the unknown. Breaking into such places carried immense risk, but Akame had faith in their abilities.

​

Yuzuki had a different task, infiltrating the Mages Guild headquarters was what she wanted to accomplish. The expansive library within was rumored to contain volumes of knowledge even the republic didn’t have access to. If there were any unique or valuable leads, they’d be there. 

Reaching the grounds of the mages guild presented its first challenge. Detection spells shimmered faintly on multiple doors leading to the library, each one carefully guarded. The main entrances were heavily patrolled, leaving no clear path inside. Yuzuki’s eyes scanned the massive structure, calculating her options. Deciding to take a risk, she climbed the outer wall and reached the roof, searching for alternative points of entry.

​

A broken window near the top of the library caught her eye. The jagged edges glinted faintly in the moonlight as she passed by. Using a small cloth, she carefully removed loose shards of glass to create an opening just big enough for her to slip through. The storage room beyond was dimly lit by the moon, with fewer detection spells than the main doors. Still, Yuzuki disabled any she encountered, marking her route with tiny, near-invisible scratches on the walls to ensure she could find her way out quickly if needed.

​

After navigating the winding corridors of the mages guild, she came across a wooden hatch with faint light streaming through. Easing it open, Yuzuki found herself overlooking a vast, candlelit library. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched out beneath her, their surfaces gleaming with polished wood and brass fixtures. Scrolls, tomes, and ancient manuscripts were meticulously organized, some encased in protective glass. Dropping silently onto one of the top shelves, Yuzuki stayed low, blending into the shadows as she surveyed the area.

​

The library was eerily quiet, the only sounds coming from the faint flicker of candlelight. Yuzuki crawled across the tops of the shelves, up ahead was the restricted section reserved for the high mages. Only the most elite members of the guild were allowed access, making it the perfect place to hopefully find what she was looking for.

​

As she neared the restricted area, movement caught her eye. A lone guard stood at the doorway, his armor glinting faintly in the dim light. The door opened briefly as he exited, locking it behind him with a heavy click. His audible sigh revealed his lack of alertness, and Yuzuki smirked.

​

She crept closer, her body melting into the shadows, her glowing eyes peering down at him. The guard began a strange monologue, speaking aloud to himself.

​

“I... the hero will stop you!” he said, swinging his sword dramatically.

​

“Don’t worry, Princess,” he continued, brandishing the blade as if in combat. “I’m here to save you! You’ve fallen in love with me? Princess, I couldn’t... not here, not right now. We need to wed first before we have children”

​

Yuzuki stifled a groan as she heard every word. The guard’s theatrics were ridiculous, but it could work in her favor.

​

“Princess, please relax. Let me make you happy...” the guard murmured, mimicking a kiss on an imaginary neck.

​

A soft, girlish giggle echoed faintly down the hallway, causing the guard to freeze mid-kiss. His face paled as he gripped and pulled out his sword, scanning the corridor nervously. “I thought the older guards were teasing me, but this place really is haunted...” he whispered, inching forward.

​

In the shadows above, Yuzuki sighed inwardly. “Ugh, Suzu is the only one I allow to hear me giggle like that”... she thought, slightly irritated as she sunk back into the shadows moving to her original spot.

​

With the guard distracted and nervously investigating the source of the sound, Yuzuki silently dropped from the shelf near the restricted door. Glancing back to confirm the guard was still preoccupied, she picked the lock quickly and eased the heavy door open just enough to slip inside, locking it again once inside.

​

The air within was cooler, carrying the faint scent of aged parchment. The room was dimly lit only by the candles that lined the rows of shelves. Yuzuki quickly checked for detection spells and, finding none, moved deeper into the room, her steps soundless. Navigating the shelves, Yuzuki made a mental note of what she passed: scrolls sealed with wax, tomes bound in enchanted leather, and glass cases housing rare artifacts.

​

“Oh? A defensive ice wall spell?” she murmured, carefully tucking a scroll into her pouch. “Crystal might like this.”

​

She sifted through the books, carefully scanning each title and passage for anything of interest. One by one, the shelves yielded nothing but mundane or irrelevant content. Her frustration mounted as she reached the final shelf in the restricted archives. Time was slipping away, and the tension of one of the high mage’s possibly appearing made her every movement more deliberate. Still, she pressed on, determined to find even the faintest lead. Reading through whatever caught her attention until she verified there wasn’t anything of interest.

​

As she rifled through the final row, her eyes caught a peculiar-looking diary tucked between two imposing tomes. Its weathered leather cover and delicate bindings suggested it had been preserved for a number of years. Flipping it open, she found entries by a researcher. Her eyes darted across each page, quickly scanning for anything useful.

​

Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted something of interest.

​

"In my travels throughout the northwestern and northeastern parts of the Valralorian Outskirts, I met a particularly interesting woman. I had just been attacked by monsters and barely escaped with my life when a hooded woman came to my rescue. I don’t remember much since I had apparently fainted from fear and injuries, but she must have helped me get to a local church where clerics attended to me. She stayed by my side, ensuring I survived despite having no connection to me. When I saw her face, it felt like I was gazing upon the gods themselves. Her skin was slightly pale but flawless, with bright emerald-green eyes and hair as white as fresh snow. She appeared to be in her late twenties. I asked her name to thank her, but she only smiled and spoke a few words that warmed my very soul. ‘Please, sir, rest up. A knowledgeable soul like yours should survive and tell the tales of all you have seen.’ ”

​

Yuzuki’s brow furrowed, her breath quickening as she continued to read on.

​

"The next morning, she was gone. Before I passed out, I thought I glimpsed something unusual beneath her hood. They looked like... horns? The clerics later told me she had mentioned she was traveling to Solvarra.”

​

This was something Kurohime and Akame needed to see as it was a diary dated almost five years ago. She tucked the diary into her pouch just as one of her detection spells went off. Someone was heading toward where she was. She continued to press on reading as quickly as she could to see if this diary was indeed what she came for before she needed to escape.

​

A high mage had entered the restricted area, his ornate robes swishing faintly with every step. He appeared older, his graying beard and cautious movements suggesting years of experience. He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he noticed a shadow cast against the wall, a shadow that resembled a woman.

​

“Who's there?” he barked, gripping his staff tightly as it began to glow faintly. He stepped closer, ready to fire off a spell.

​

When he rounded the corner, he found... nothing. The figure that had caught his attention was nothing more than a pile of books stacked precariously near a lantern. The arrangement of the books cast the illusion of a woman’s figure. Still, the mage lingered, his suspicion evident.

​

High above, perched on the top of the bookshelves, Yuzuki watched silently, sinking into the shadows. She hadn’t expected a high mage to show up at this hour, and she knew better than to underestimate their abilities, so she began retreating along her marked path.

​

The exit was within sight, and she slipped out the same way she had entered. Back on the rooftop, she saw that Nila and Kasumi waited on the roofs across the way, crouched like gargoyles watching over their territory.

​

“Did you two find anything?” Yuzuki asked as she joined them, her voice hushed.

​

Both shook their heads. “Not a single useful thing,” Nila replied with a sigh.

​

“What about you?” Kasumi asked, her tail flicking with faint hope.

​

Yuzuki pulled the diary from her pouch. “I found something,” she said, holding it up. “It might possibly be what Akame is looking for, but I’ll need to confirm with her. Oh, and I found this too,” she added, pulling the spell scroll out of her pouch. “A defensive icewall spell. Crystal should be able to use it.”

​

Kasumi and Nila’s eyes lit up, though they both knew the real prize was the diary.

​

“Let’s get back to the inn,” Yuzuki said. “We are planning to leave in the morning, so sleep while you can.”

​

The three melted back into the shadows following the darkness until they reached the inn. Quietly, they slipped back into their rooms from the windows, while Yuzuki waited for a moment on the roof of the inn to make sure they weren’t followed. Once she made sure there was no one trailing them, she swung herself near the window of her room and quietly opened the window and climbed inside.

​

The warm glow of a single candle illuminated Suzuran, who lay sprawled on the bed, her blanket barely covering her fully nude body. Yuzuki felt heat rise in her chest, as she could see Suzuran’s breasts outlined under the thin sheets.

​

Stepping closer, she gently pulled the blanket up, tucking Suzuran in before leaning down to press a kiss to her lips. During the kiss, Suzuran woke up, her eyes fluttering open just enough to smile. Slowly, she kissed back, surprising Yuzuki.

​

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Yuzuki whispered softly. “I just got back.”

​

“I don’t mind waking up to this at all,” Suzuran murmured, her voice drowsy. “How did everything go?”

​

“We found one thing that might help. I need to talk to Akame first, but then I’ll come back,” Yuzuki said, pulling away gently.

​

Before she could step back, Suzuran uncovered herself, revealing her naked body completely. In one swift movement, she grabbed Yuzuki’s arm, pulling her on top of her and wrapping her legs tightly around her hips.

“Or you can talk to my sister later... and keep me warm right now,” Suzuran said with a playful, sleepy smirk.

​

Yuzuki’s breath hitched, “Suzu... let me finish work first. I can't afford to get horny right now.” She gently unwrapped Suzuran’s legs, earning a dramatic pout in return.

​

“Fine,” Suzuran muttered, pulling the blanket back over herself. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

​

Yuzuki smiled warmly. “I love being wrapped up by those legs of yours. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

​

With a final kiss on Suzuran’s forehead, Yuzuki left the room, carefully closing the door behind her. Her heart still raced and she had to take a moment to steady herself before heading downstairs.

​

When she reached the tavern area, Akame sat in a dimly lit corner, the flickering candlelight casting sharp shadows across her calm expression. Two patrons at the bar laughed quietly, oblivious to both women.

Yuzuki walked over to Akame, grabbing a drink from the counter as she passed, and sat down across from her.

​

“Any luck on your first mission together?” Akame asked, her tone calm as she rested her chin on her hand.

​

“Nila and Kasumi didn’t find anything,” Yuzuki began, pulling the diary from her pouch. “But I found something very interesting inside the mages guild.” She slid the diary across the table, already marked at the section of interest.

​

Akame opened the diary and began to read, her expression neutral at first. However, as she continued to read her eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line. Yuzuki could tell exactly when Akame hit the key description.

​

“Think it’s enough for Kurohime and Yukari to go off of?” Yuzuki asked, leaning back in her chair.

​

“There are other demi-humans with horns, but none I’ve heard of with this specific combination of white hair and green eyes.” Akame closed the diary and slid it back toward Yuzuki. “This might give us something to work with, at least for now. Don’t worry too much, this was just a small first mission, and it’s not uncommon to hit dead ends.”

​

Akame stood, finishing her drink with a single, deliberate gulp. She placed the empty mug gently on the table and turned to leave. “Get some rest,” she said with a smile. “I’m sure my sister is waiting for you to come back.”

​

Yuzuki couldn’t help but grin as Akame ascended the stairs. She lingered for a moment, finishing her own drink before returning back to her room to join Suzuran in bed.

​

The next morning, the group gathered in the courtyard to prepare for the journey home. Horses were saddled, supplies were being loaded, and the cool morning air filled with the gentle sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Fae stood at the forefront, orchestrating the final preparations.

​

“Fae,” Akame called, handing her an envelope. “Would you mind submitting this to the government building before we leave?”

​

“What is it, Miss Akame?” Fae asked, glancing at the document.

​

She opened the envelope and scanned its contents, her eyes widening in surprise. “This is a village naming request!” she exclaimed. “But it’s not filled out?”

​

“That’s because I want you to name it,” Akame said, placing a reassuring hand on Fae’s shoulder. “I couldn’t think of anything that felt right, but I know you always have good ideas.”

​

Fae blinked, clearly overwhelmed. “Miss Akame… are you sure? This is your village, your guild. I couldn’t possibly—”

​

“Fae,” Akame interrupted gently. “This isn’t my village. It’s our village, a home for all of us. I trust you to give it a proper name.”

​

Fae hesitated, her fingers clutching the envelope tightly, before she finally nodded. “I’ll do my best to give it a nice name.”

​

She hurried off toward the government building as the rest of the group finished preparing. By the time Fae returned an hour later, everything for the trip back was packed and everyone was ready to leave.

​

“What did you decide on?” Akame asked, sitting astride her horse beside Fae.

​

“Redcrest,” Fae replied, her cheeks flushed. “I hope it’s to your liking, Miss Akame.”

​

“It’s perfect,” Akame said with a warm smile. “A fitting name for the land and the family we’ve built.” Turning to the group, she called, “Alright, everyone, let’s head home!”

​

The journey back was peaceful, much to everyone’s relief. The cool breeze that surrounded them made for a relaxing ride. For Nila and Kasumi, the journey was filled with relief. The realization that they were no longer tied to Abyss and were now part of a guild that felt like family was almost too good to be true.

After several days, they reached the outskirts of the village, now newly named Redcrest. The improvements that were still underway were immediately noticeable. The dirt paths leading into the village had been replaced with neatly paved stone roads, making travel easier for merchants and visitors.

​

As they approached the guild hall in the late afternoon, Nila’s ears twitched, catching sight of a familiar figure sitting on the steps. Her heart leapt as she recognized the person.

​

“Akiko?!” Nila called out, her voice filled with excitement.

​

The figure turned toward her, waving energetically. “Nila!” Akiko called back, standing and sprinting toward the group.

​

Nila didn’t hesitate. Urging her horse forward, she bolted ahead of the others. As she reached Akiko, she leapt off her horse mid-gallop. Akiko caught her effortlessly, wrapping her arms tightly around Nila as they spun in a loving embrace.

​

Their lips meeting in a passionate kiss as Akiko held Nila close. When they finally pulled apart, Akiko brushed a strand of loose hair from her face. “I missed you,” she said softly, her voice full of warmth.

​

“I missed you too,” Nila replied, leaning in for another kiss.

​

Akiko giggled, her cheeks flushed as she pulled back slightly. “I’m guessing everything went well, since you’re back safe?”

​

“Of course! Kasumi and I are officially members of Crimson Moon now!”

​

Akiko’s eyes lit up, and she leaned in close, her lips brushing against Nila’s ear as she whispered, “How about we celebrate upstairs? Just the two of us.”

​

Nila’s ears perked up, and her tail swished excitedly. “Yes!” she whispered back eagerly, squeezing Akiko in another tight hug.

​

Akiko turned to wave at the rest of the group, who were now catching up. “Welcome back, everyone! We’ll be upstairs if you need us!” With that, she grabbed Nila’s hand and practically dragged her inside the guild hall.

​

Akame and Fae exchanged amused glances, both stifling small giggles.

​

As the rest of the group unloaded their equipment, Yukari and Kurohime emerged from the guild hall, meeting Akame and Fae at the base of the stairs.

​

“We figured you returned when we saw Akiko dragging Nila inside,” Yukari said with a grin.

​

“How did everything go?” Kurohime asked, her curiosity evident.

​

Akame adjusted her katana at her waist and replied, “The duel went smoothly. Suzu and Yuzuki handled their fight without breaking a sweat.”

​

“And your match with Rajen?” Kurohime asked.

​

“Ah, well I won…” Akame scratched the back of her neck, her expression sheepish.

​

“Miss Akame destroyed a third of the arena during her fight,” Fae interjected with a sigh.

​

“You what?!” Kurohime exclaimed.

​

“Relax,” Akame said with a dismissive wave. “It’s not a big deal.”

​

“Miss Akame, Mr. Caldur said we’d be receiving a fee for all the damages,” Fae added, earning simultaneous facepalms from both Yukari and Kurohime.

​

“We’ve got the money,” Akame replied nonchalantly, clearly unfazed.

​

As Fae, Suzuran, Yuzuki, and Kasumi headed inside to settle in, Kurohime stopped Akame with one last question. “Did you find anything else while you were there?”

​

Akame nodded. “Yuzuki found a researcher’s diary in the mage’s guild library. It might have something useful.”

​

“Shall we meet in my library after everyone gets settled?” Yukari suggested.

​

Akame nodded. “Yes, I’ll be back downstairs in a few minutes, and we can discuss everything,”

​

Kurohime and Yukari made their way to the library, with Akame heading upstairs. On the third floor, Akame entered her room and began to unpack some of her belongings. As she exited, she noticed that the door to Akiko’s room was slightly ajar. A faint noise caught her attention, and from where she stood, she could see Nila straddling Akiko on the bed. The two were locked in a passionate kiss, their hands delicately working to remove each other’s clothing. Akame, with the utmost care, closed the door just enough to ensure their privacy.

​

Descending the stairs, she passed by Kasumi’s room and noticed her sitting on the edge of the bed, her posture tense as if lost in deep thought.

​

“Everything okay, Kasumi?” Akame asked, leaning casually in the doorway.

​

Kasumi snapped out of her trance, her ears twitching as she turned toward Akame. “Oh! Miss Akame! Yeh… everything’s fine. Just letting it sink in that Nyla and I finally got out of Abyss.”

​

“Was it that bad the entire time?” Akame asked, her tone gentle.

​

“Nyo,” Kasumi replied, her ears drooping slightly. “Not at first. It got worse after the guild master stopped showing up. That’s when things started falling apart.”

​

Akame stepped into the room, her presence calm. “You don’t have to worry about any of that now. You two are safe here, and more than anything, you’re a welcome addition to our family.”

​

Kasumi’s ears perked up slightly, though her expression still showed a hint of lingering uncertainty. “Thank you, Miss Akame. I’m relieved to be here. I think it’s just going to take some time to feel like I belong after all those years.”

​

Akame nodded, understanding the sentiment. As she turned to leave, a thought struck her. “Oh, and if there’s anything you need from Abyss… personal belongings, keepsakes, let Fae know. She can coordinate with the Adventurer’s Guild to retrieve your things, or we can always buy new items to help you settle in.”

​

Kasumi’s face lit up, her tail flicking with excitement. “Really?! Thank you so much, nya!” she exclaimed, rushing over to give Akame a tight hug.

​

In the library, Kurohime and Yukari were discussing the addition of Kasumi and Nila to the guild.

​

“Well, it looks like Yuzuki got what she wanted… two new members for her little assassin’s group,” Kurohime said with a chuckle.

​

“They seem promising,” Yukari agreed. “Maybe we should have Luna spar with them before she leaves.”

​

“I keep forgetting she’s not staying here,” Kurohime sighed. Then, with a mischievous grin, she added, “Such a shame. She seemed… delicious.”

​

Yukari raised an eyebrow and gave Kurohime a playful, almost possessive glare. “Delicious, huh?”

​

In one swift motion, Yukari moved closer, placing her hands on either side of Kurohime’s chair and leaning in until their faces were mere inches apart. Her voice turned low and sultry. “I don’t think she could compete with my tongue and fingers. Or have you forgotten how much you arched your back last night when you came?”

​

Kurohime’s confident grin faltered ever so slightly, but before she could respond, the sound of someone clearing their throat broke the moment.

​

The two froze and slowly turned their heads toward the door, where Akame stood with a blank expression, the door closing behind her.

​

“Akame, you know you could have knocked,” Kurohime said, trying to maintain her composure.

​

“When has knocking ever stopped you two from oversharing in front of me?” Akame replied dryly, walking over to one of the chairs and plopping down with an air of exasperated tolerance.

​

Yukari backed away from Kurohime, gracefully sitting in a chair across from the others. “So,” she began, crossing her legs, “where’s this diary you mentioned?”

​

Akame pulled the diary from her outfit and tossed it to Yukari, who caught it and began flipping through the marked pages. She skimmed the contents, her brow furrowing slightly as she read.

​

“I see why Yuzuki took this,” Yukari said. “But this could describe any horned demi-human in Valralor or Solvarra.” She handed the diary to Kurohime.

​

Kurohime began to read, her expression calm at first. But as she flipped through a few more pages, her eyes widened, and she abruptly stood. “I don’t believe it,” she whispered.

​

“Believe what?” Yukari asked, sitting forward.

​

“This is Hikari!” Kurohime exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

​

Akame’s eyes narrowed. “How can you be so sure?”

​

Kurohime handed the diary back to Akame, pointing to a passage a few pages beyond the original section. The researcher had noted additional details after asking around and speaking to someone who had accompanied the mysterious woman during his rescue.

​

“That horned woman with white hair? Yeah, I was with her when we saved you,” the passage read. “At first, I thought she’d need my help, but she did all the work herself. She didn’t look like a fighter, but when she used that blade of hers, she moved like a seasoned warrior and oddly enough looked like she was dancing while fighting.”

​

Akame read the passage carefully, then looked back up at Kurohime. “What makes you certain this is her?”

​

“Hikari has white hair, vivid emerald eyes that almost glow, and even as a child, she trained with a blade and she mixed her dancing into her fighting. This matches her perfectly,” Kurohime explained. “If the diary had more details about her horns, we could confirm it beyond a doubt.”

​

Akame handed the diary back to Kurohime. “You and Yukari should review the entire diary to see if there are any additional clues.”

​

Yukari nodded, taking the diary from Kurohime. “We’ll get to work immediately.”

​

Akame paused. “How’s Morye doing?”

​

Kurohime sighed. “She’s still struggling. She’s a mix of depression and rage. When I asked if she was ready to join us when the time came, the fire in her eyes was undeniable. She’s ready, but…”

​

“We’ll need to watch her closely,” Akame finished. “If we do encounter her father, we can’t risk her emotions jeopardizing the mission.”

​

“I’ll make sure she stays close to me,” Kurohime promised. “If her emotions spiral, I’ll handle it.”

​

Akame nodded. “Good. Let’s call it for tonight. I’ll talk to Fae before bed and have her arrange a meeting tomorrow. We need to prepare our trip to the Domain of Tides.”

​

As Akame left the library, she met Fae waiting just outside. Kurohime and Yukari remained behind, their focus already back on the diary as they began combing through its pages for anything they might have missed.

​

The next morning, life in the village returned to its normal rhythm, though the atmosphere felt lighter and more joyous. Morning rays filtered through the window of Suzuran and Yuzuki’s bedroom. Yuzuki stirred, barely covered by the bedsheets as Suzuran had hogged most of them. Not that it mattered; Suzuran was sprawled halfway on top of Yuzuki, her legs wrapped snugly around her. The warmth of their bare bodies pressed together warded off any cold.

​

As Yuzuki stretched, her eyes wandered around the room, noting articles of clothing thrown haphazardly. The sight of Suzuran’s underwear dangling from the doorknob brought back memories of the night before, and a sly grin spread across her face.

​

Meanwhile, Akiko and Nila awoke in a similarly intimate setting, the two were still partially dressed. Lying in bed, they faced each other, hands intertwined. Akiko woke up first, her heart swelling with affection as she gazed at the love of her life. Unable to resist, she leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on Nila’s lips, causing her to also wake.

​

Nila blinked a few times, her cheeks turning a soft pink as the realization of what had just happened set in. Without a word, she buried her face in Akiko’s chest, causing Akiko to giggle as she placed a series of kisses on Nila’s forehead.

​

Nila peeked up at Akiko with a playful gleam in her eyes. “Hey, hey! Not there…” she whispered, pointing to her lips, “here…” Her finger then trailed down her body. “And maybe someday… here.” With a bold grin, she guided Akiko’s hand between her legs.

​

Akiko let out a startled yelp, her face flushing furiously.

​

Nila chuckled softly. “I told you… when you’re ready,” she said, her voice gentle but teasing.

​

Akiko’s lips curved into a shy smile. She kissed Nila again, this time on the lips. “I think we missed breakfast.”

​

“Well, I’ve got my breakfast right here,” Nila quipped before diving into Akiko’s neck and chest with playful kisses and nibbles making playful munching noises.

​

Akiko burst into laughter, pulling Nila closer in a warm embrace.

​

Downstairs, the enticing aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the guild hall. Azure, Scarlet, and Luna had been busy since dawn, preparing a feast to accommodate the entire guild. The table was laden with steaming plates of steak, rice, dumplings, roasted vegetables, and even an array of rare sweets.

Scarlet and Azure worked tirelessly, ferrying food and drinks between the kitchen and dining area, while Luna ensured everyone’s needs were met.

​

One by one, the guild members filled the table, chatting and enjoying the spread. Akame was the last to descend, her presence immediately quieting the room.

​

Akame let out a small sigh, “You can keep being yourselves. No one’s in trouble, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

​

The reassurance worked, and the lively chatter resumed as the members returned to their meals. Akame took her place at the head of the table, sitting next to Yukari and Kurohime. Luna soon arrived with a plate tailored to Akame’s simple but particular tastes, steak topped with brown gravy.

​

Ember, sitting further down the table, broke the silence. “I assume you didn’t call us all here just to eat, right?”

​

Akame finished her first bite of steak, placed her fork down, and nodded. “No. As much as I enjoy seeing everyone together, Fae and I called this meeting to discuss our next plans.”

​

The table quieted, all eyes on Akame except for Yukari and Kurohime, who were already aware of the topic.

​

“For those of you who haven’t heard yet,” Akame began, “Kurami received a letter from her family in the Domain of Tides. There have been unusual sightings of undead in the caverns and dungeons there.”

​

The members exchanged glances, curiosity and concern flickering in their expressions.

​

“These aren’t ordinary undead either,” Akame continued. “They’re described as demonic in nature. Worse, they seem to be controlled by someone.”

​

“Draconia?” Crystal asked, swallowing a mouthful of food.

​

Akame shook her head. “That’s a possibility, but based on what information we have, it’s more likely a kingdom from the depths of hell, Carrion Coven.”

​

“My father…” Morye spoke softly, her voice strained. She sat stiffly next to Kurohime, her untouched plate a stark contrast to the others. The weight of her anxiety, depression, and simmering rage was evident in her body language.

​

The room grew tense. Some members looked visibly surprised, while others waited for Akame to elaborate.

​

Akame continued, “We’ll be embarking on an expedition to investigate these occurrences. Kurami received a second letter yesterday, pinpointing the suspected source of the undead activity. The Adventurer’s Guild is mobilizing trusted parties to clear the area before we arrive, but I want Crimson Moon to lead the charge and, if possible, resolve the situation.”

​

“Are we all going?” Crystal asked, raising her hand as if she were a student.

​

Akame sighed lightly. “I wish we could all go, but that wouldn’t be the smartest move.”

​

“A smaller group is likely better,” Kurohime added. “We’ll need some members to stay behind.”

​

“Myself and Fae will be the first two staying,” Yukari stated.

​

“But Miss Yukari,” Akiko said, her brow furrowing, “wouldn’t having you with us improve the group’s odds?”

​

“It would,” Akame interjected, “but we also need someone powerful to remain behind to protect the guild and village. Kurohime and I will already be leading the group, so Yukari is the obvious choice to stay.”

​

“Exactly,” Yukari agreed. “We also need others to remain behind in case any of our members, or the village itself, are targeted.”

​

“Given that this situation ties into Morye and her family, and the attack on her in broad daylight, we need to maintain a strong presence here for safety,” Akame explained.

​

Yuzuki raised her hand slightly. “So who do you suggest goes and stays?”

​

Kurohime and Akame exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Akame nodded, signaling for Kurohime to speak.

​

“The members going on this expedition will be Akame, myself, Akiko, Nila, Kasumi, Kurami, Ember, Morye, and Eve,” Kurohime stated.

​

Yuzuki looked surprised. “Wait, Miss Kurohime, you don’t want Suzu and me to go?”

​

“I know you two just came back from an excellent performance in the duel,” Kurohime replied, “but I need your skills here to ensure the village and guild are well-protected.”

​

Akame nodded in agreement. “With you two staying, alongside Crystal, Hana, Luna, Azure, and Scarlet, we’ll have a strong balance of power and defense.”

​

Suzuran leaned over to whisper in Yuzuki’s ear, “It’s fine. With fewer people here, we can probably sneak into the hot springs one night and have sex there.”

​

Yuzuki perked up at the suggestion, as she started to drool slightly at the thought and had no further objections.

​

Luna entered the room, overhearing the conversation. “Since you’re all leaving soon, I might as well give you an update on my status with your guild.”

​

Akame turned to Luna, signaling her full attention, and the rest of the group followed suit.

​

“I’d like to see this through with all of you,” Luna began. “So my decision can wait until you return safely, if that’s alright with you.”

​

“That’s perfectly fine,” Akame said, offering a genuine smile. “Thank you, Luna, for staying with us through something you’re not obligated to. I’m sure you’ve noticed, but we love having you here.”

​

The rest of the members smiled warmly at Luna, who felt her heart lighten.

​

Yukari chimed in, “Once this expedition concludes, we may have another one shortly after, likely a month or two after the group returns.”

​

“Where to? And for what?” Hana asked curiously.

​

“We may have a lead on Kurohime’s younger sister, Hikari.” Yukari replied.

​

A wave of audible silence and stunned expressions swept through the room.

​

“You’ve found Miss Hikari?” Morye’s demeanor shifted completely, excitement and hope lighting up her face—expressions Kurohime hadn’t seen in weeks.

​

Kurohime and Yukari nodded in unison. “If our information is accurate, she may have traveled to Solvarra, but the information is about five years old,” Kurohime said.

​

“Solvarra… the land of my people, felines, and Lamia,” Luna added thoughtfully.

​

Morye’s enthusiasm grew as she turned to Kurohime. “Miss Kurohime, may I join the expedition to Solvarra when the time comes?”

​

Kurohime smiled softly. “Of course, Morye. We’ll find her together.”

​

Akame stood, addressing the room. “For now, eat up. We’ll start preparing to head out in two days.”

​

“For those going, bring your weapons and gear to me,” Hana said, pounding her chest with her left arm. “I’ll make sure everything’s ready.”

​

The members nodded and returned to their meals, the room filled with chatter and laughter. Scarlet and Azure continued bringing out more food, while Luna observed, a contemplative look on her face. Though she debated whether this could truly be her home, seeing the camaraderie and warmth around her made her feel as if she was indeed already home. As her gaze drifted, she caught Kurohime winking at her and pointing upstairs, Luna smiled and winked back at her.

​

About an hour later, most of the members were slouched back in their chairs, their stomachs full from the feast. Nila lay with her head down on the table, groaning about having eaten too much while Akiko gently rubbed her back. Crystal and Ember looked half-asleep, their overeating rendering them sluggish.

​

Kurohime noticed Morye’s improved mood, it was a welcoming change from the gloom that had shadowed her for weeks. Kasumi, meanwhile, was checking on Nila, but after seeing her respond more to Akiko, she decided to let them have their moment.

​

“I’m going to take a quick walk. Keep an eye on her for me, okay?” Kasumi said to Akiko.

​

“Of course,” Akiko replied with a giggle. “Though I think Nila’s about to take a nap after all that food.”

​

Kasumi smiled and headed outside, descending the steps into the main courtyard. The crisp air greeted her, and she stretched with a contented sigh. The peaceful atmosphere of her new home filled her with some sense of belonging.

​

Her walk took her to Gelina’s garden on the outskirts of the village. The vibrant vegetation and flowers captivated her, their colors and scents were wonderful. Further ahead, she spotted Nova chasing butterflies through the greenery.

​

As she strolled, a noise from her right caught her attention. Her ears twitched, and she instinctively dropped to all fours, slipping into the bushes to investigate.

​

Creeping closer, she found the source of the noise, a black cat with patches of red fur.

​

“What a strange-looking cat,” Kasumi thought, her curiosity piqued. She carefully approached, her movements slow.

​

The cat sat calmly, its eyes closed as if meditating. Suddenly, its red eyes shot open, and it turned to meet Kasumi’s gaze.

​

Startled, Kasumi froze, expecting the cat to bolt. Instead, it rose gracefully and approached her, rubbing against her arms and legs and purring.

​

“Hey there… cousin?” Kasumi said awkwardly. “I mean, we’re the same species, sort of. Just, uh, I’m a demi-human, and you’re… an actual cat.”

​

Though Kasumi could understand feline speech, the cat said nothing, continuing to purr and nuzzle her.

​

“Can you not speak?” Kasumi asked, crouching to pet the cat’s head.

​

The cat tilted its head, staring at her with an almost thoughtful expression, but remained silent.

​

“Well, at least you’re friendly,” Kasumi mused. “Want to come back home with me?” She opened her arms invitingly.

​

The cat seemed to understand, leaping into her arms and purring contentedly.

​

“Let’s head back. You can stay in my room… as long as Miss Fae’s okay with it,” Kasumi said, stroking the cat’s fur as she walked back to the village.

​

The sun shone brightly over Redcrest as the guild buzzed with activity, preparing for the challenges ahead. Though the mood was lively, an undercurrent of anxiety lingered with some of the members.