I Will Protect You

“Is that so…”

Hearing Edenia’s words, Lofiel didn’t know why, but she chose to believe her.

Clearly, in this life, she had already decided never to trust anyone so easily again.

Yet her heart, her body, were both telling her that this dazzling girl before her, radiant like a flurry of blossoms, was absolutely someone worthy of trust.

And Lofiel seemed to understand why she could no longer hear Edenia’s inner voice.

“Because every word you speak matches exactly with your true thoughts, so there’s no need for another voice…”

Just as Edenia had said, she had always been treating Lofiel with sincerity—going so far as to ignore possible consequences and directly reveal her true name.

Such purity and flawlessness only made Lofiel like Edenia even more.

But she also knew—people with such a nature would inevitably be hurt by despicable scum.

Just as she herself had been in her previous life.

At this thought, Lofiel’s fists clenched tightly, her brows furrowing.

And then—warm, soft hands like boneless silk gently clasped her clenched fist and placed it against a chest.

It was Edenia.

Seeing the frown on Lofiel’s face, she had immediately taken her hand to comfort her.

“Don’t frown, okay ♪ Be careful or you’ll turn into a wrinkly old granny~”

Her words carried a strange magic, dispersing Lofiel’s dark memories and smoothing out her brows.

Lofiel looked down at her hand being held, pressed against Edenia’s perfectly shaped chest.

It felt as though a small movement of her fingers could easily touch that soft, tempting curve.

“I will protect you.”

For some reason, the words left Lofiel’s lips before she realized it—even she froze in surprise.

Edenia blinked, tightened her hold on Lofiel’s fist, and smiled tenderly.

“Alright ♪ Then from now on, I’ll have to rely on my sweet Lofiel a lot more~

But first, let’s save Alice and the others. They’re safe for now, but if too much time passes, it will become dangerous.”

Lofiel nodded, then asked,

“What should we do?”

It was her first time facing the Black Tide, an existence she had never encountered even in her past life.

Lofiel felt it best to follow Edenia’s advice—she looked like someone who knew exactly what to do.

She wasn’t the kind of arrogant fake genius who ignored everything. When it came to serious matters, she could clearly tell right from wrong.

Still, Lofiel had another question in her heart—there had been such a commotion here, the very sky itself had changed.

Yet the Kingdom of Augilis hadn’t sent even a single scout to investigate.

Especially since this was the venue for Alice’s banquet today—the royals and nobles couldn’t possibly be unaware.

But more than ten minutes had passed since it all began, and aside from the two of them, not a trace of anyone else could be felt.

Lofiel couldn’t make sense of it, but she decided not to voice her doubts. In truth, she felt it was better this way.

Otherwise, with Edenia’s beauty and unique aura, she would definitely attract the attention of royals and nobles. And with that, there would surely come filthy men trying to do something to her.

“It’s simple~”

Saying this, Edenia raised a finger toward the sky. At once, the blackened heavens burst with radiant white light, which condensed into a single beam and descended before them.

When the light faded, Lofiel finally saw its form.

It was a bow, crafted from crystals of shifting pink and violet.

At either end bloomed crystalline flowers of the same hue.

Its fine bowstring glowed faintly blue, tiny sparks flickering along it as if countless stars revolved around it.

“This is…?”

With just a glance, Lofiel could feel immense power radiating from the bow.

Edenia didn’t answer her question, only smiled and gently led her toward it.

As Edenia stepped onto the black liquid, starlike light shimmered from her soles.

Where the liquid touched, it dissolved into motes of light, scattering into the air.

And when her foot pressed firmly onto the ground, a magic circle spread outward, covering the entire area.

Unlike ordinary arrays, Edenia’s magic circle resembled a miniature universe.

Countless galaxies shone within it, radiating breathtaking brilliance.

The swamp-like terrain vanished in an instant, countless motes of light drifting upward toward the circle above.

And Edenia herself began to change.

The designs on her gown seemed to come alive, flowing and shifting across the fabric.

Her long pink hair now gleamed with silver at the tips.

Her starry eyes grew even brighter, the pink diamond at their center glowing faintly.

“I still can’t fully use this bow by myself… so I’ll need your help, little Lofiel ♪”

By now, Lofiel had seen so many astonishing things from Edenia that she recovered quickly.

Looking at her smiling face, she nodded.

“Of course, no problem. In fact, I don’t think anyone could say no to you right now.”

This wasn’t flattery—it was Lofiel’s truest thought.

The aura emanating from Edenia was divine, almost godlike.

Yet unlike distant deities, her holiness carried warmth, making people instinctively see her as a dear friend.

“Hehe ♪ Then I’ll gladly accept little Lofiel’s compliment~ Now, hold the bow.”

Smiling, Edenia guided Lofiel’s hand onto the bow.

The moment her fingers closed around it, Lofiel felt power flowing endlessly into her body.

Her strength multiplied several times over, and just as shock filled her heart, Edenia moved behind her.

Her soft body pressed tightly against Lofiel’s back, so close she could clearly feel the warmth of her curves.

Edenia’s hands overlapped with Lofiel’s on the bow, guiding her other hand to the bowstring.

“Feel its power. Then, with absolute determination to win, shape your will to save into an arrow ♪”