The missing person notice was ready.
Silvia handed her phone to Lina, asking her to quickly review the information:
[Missing Person Notice]
[Name: Kuganawa Castel]
[Appearance: Long silver hair, blood-gemstone eyes, 176 cm tall, cool white skin, with only the right hand having warm white skin…]
[Reference Picture: None available.]
[Contact Information: Ephemeral Bloom City Magical Girl Association Branch Service Hotline…]
[Bounty: To be delivered by Zhennu Yibai, negotiable.]
****
“What are your plans now?”
“I’ve already applied for a temporary visa on your behalf; if you wish to stay in the Iris Feather Kingdom for a while longer, you can come with me to collect it…”
“Of course, if you want to leave, I can also vouch for you, ensuring your safe departure.”
“Uh… you might not know much about the Iris Feather Kingdom, but simply put, it’s a nation where women hold the dominant position…”
Silvia patiently explained.
Lina listened, contemplating how such a peculiar human nation could exist in the vast Northern World.
However, her current strength was a mere fraction of what it once was.
Not only had her vital essence been completely depleted, leaving not a single drop, but her physical form had also drastically shrunk, reducing her to a naive young girl.
In this unfamiliar Northern World, it was better to stay for a while.
Moreover, Silvia’s blood, the blood of the person beside her, would be greatly beneficial for her recovery.
After a moment of thought, Lina looked up, her gaze drawn to Silvia’s alluring neck.
“I want to stay in the Iris Feather Kingdom for some time.”
****
Downstairs, in the cloakroom.
Before the full-length mirror.
Silvia twirled, lifting the hem of her skirt, the chiffon cape of her Lolita dress swirling to her knees.
The silver brooch fastened to her short-sleeved dress gleamed, touching her white socks and black leather shoes.
She casually picked up sunglasses, placing them on the bridge of her nose, then grabbed a hat and put it on.
Still feeling it wasn’t enough, she tore open a packet and put on a mask.
“Let’s go.”
Once dressed, she took Lina’s cool hand, ready to leave, her mesh shoulder bag swaying gently with each step.
Adorning it was a limited-edition, cute collaborative charm from Zhennu Yibai, jingling softly.
****
The streets of Ephemeral Bloom City were already bustling with the warmth of the morning market, and Silvia deliberately slowed her pace.
Though her attire concealed her face, it still drew many curious glances.
****
At the Personnel Registry Office.
The revolving door hummed, exhaling warm air, a blend of mahogany, sandalwood, and the scent of ink.
The glass door reflected their two figures, and Lina’s fingertips, clutching the temporary visa, trembled slightly.
The temporary visa was valid for just over a year, but that was sufficient.
“All formalities are complete; welcome to Ephemeral Bloom City, resident.”
The female clerk finally stamped the visa page with a steel seal, then handed it to the front desk.
“Remember, biometric verification is required on the seventh of every month…”
As a female staff member handed over the document, a flicker of admiration passed through her eyes.
Consequently, beneath the one-year validity, she hastily scrawled a note: ‘Compliant and renewable’.
After a while.
Silvia, holding Lina’s hand, exited the Personnel Registry Office.
Morning snow fell on their hair, instantly melting into sparkling droplets.
****
On the bustling street, traffic flowed steadily.
The two walked side by side, though Lina occasionally glanced at Silvia.
She found Silvia’s peculiar attire perplexing, wondering if it was really necessary to dress so mysteriously.
Lina had even wondered if Silvia had done something illicit and was afraid to be seen.
“Stop staring at me.”
Silvia tugged at her baseball cap, her white shoes crunching over the accumulated snow.
She explained that her actions were out of necessity; her illusion magic could only alter clothing, not her appearance.
If she were to go out on the street without a disguise, she would undoubtedly be mobbed by fans, causing chaos.
“Zhennu Yibai’s fans can block the pedestrian street into a beehive; last time I was chased for autographs, I scaled walls and fled through three streets…”
Silvia shook her shoulder bag, a half-opened zipper revealing a half-box of strawberry soft candies.
“Scaled walls? It can’t be that bad; you’re so strong, why would you be afraid of a bunch of mortals?”
Lina asked, puzzled.
Silvia, however, wagged her index finger.
“No, no, no! As a Magical Girl and a popular idol, I also need to maintain my public image; how could I rashly use magic to escape in front of so many media cameras…”
As she spoke.
Silvia pulled out a strawberry soft candy from her shoulder bag, the wrapper unfolding in a blush of crimson between her fingers.
She continued:
“If I didn’t dress like this, I wouldn’t even be able to leave the house, let alone go shopping…”
Upon hearing this.
Lina nodded, seeming to understand, but she didn’t take it too seriously, her gaze drawn to the various shops lining the street.
The display windows of the jewelry stores showcased ornaments, earrings, and bracelets made of gold, silver, or jade.
There were also beverage shops, supermarkets, and furniture and appliance stores.
Silvia followed Lina’s gaze and suggested:
“Do you want to go in and have a look? We could stock up on supplies and get you some daily necessities… like bedding, and some tasty snacks, perhaps?”
Lina hesitated, then nodded gently.
“Then let’s go.”
The supermarket’s automatic doors sensed their warmth, and a ‘ding-dong’ sound startled the sparrows pecking under the eaves.
****
Stepping into the supermarket, they were enveloped by warm yellow light.
The heating carried the scent of butter from the bakery section and the aroma of caramel from the snack aisle.
Silvia pushed the shopping cart, weaving through the aisles with Lina.
“Lina, look at this little bear pillow; it’s so soft and cuddly, it must be incredibly comfortable to sleep with…”
Silvia held the bear pillow, rubbing it against Lina’s cheek.
In response.
Lina slightly turned her face away, murmuring a soft ‘childish’.
The cart gradually filled with items.
In the snack section.
Silvia stood on tiptoes to retrieve dried fruit from the top shelf, then opened a sample pack of dried strawberries.
She picked up a piece and offered it to Lina’s mouth:
“Try this; it’s sweet but not cloying, super delicious.”
Seeing the dried fruit offered to her, Lina hesitated for a moment, then gently opened her mouth and bit into the strawberry.
But as soon as she chewed, her brows instantly furrowed, and a barely concealed look of disgust flashed across her face.
It was as if she had accidentally eaten garlic.
“Ugh…”
Lina covered her mouth with her hand, wanting to spit it out; after ‘struggling’ in her throat for a while, she finally swallowed it.
Seeing her reaction.
Silvia first froze.
Then she burst into laughter, poking Lina’s puffed-out cheek with her finger.
“I almost forgot you’re a blood-kin monster girl! It seems these dried strawberries aren’t to your taste; no worries, let’s find something else delicious, okay?”
With that.
She deftly placed the dried strawberries back on the shelf, perhaps intentionally teasing Lina.
****
A few minutes later.
The shopping cart was brimming, and the two of them arrived at the checkout counter.
The cashier scanned the items quickly and efficiently, occasionally stealing glances at Lina.
‘So cute, truly adorable…’
“Thank you for your patronage; the total is 406.2.”
“If you’re a couple ♥, you can enjoy a 30% discount!”
The cashier smiled as she informed them.
Upon hearing this.
Silvia gently nudged Lina with her arm, and even through her sunglasses, she winked, signaling:
‘Such a good chance to save money shouldn’t be missed…’
In response.
Lina wrung her fingers, feeling utterly embarrassed by the idea of pretending to be a couple with Silvia, whom she had only recently met.
However.
Silvia was not one to give up easily.
‘I absolutely must tease little Lina mercilessly; after all, she barged into my room and even found my ‘toys’ to play with…’
‘Playing with them was one thing, but she actually licked them!’
Silvia cleared her throat and spoke to the cashier with a straight face:
“Uh… actually, she’s my child bride, I can prove it.”
With that.
Silvia scooped Lina into her arms.
Lina gasped, instinctively clutching Silvia’s shoulders, her legs unconsciously curling up.
Silvia, seizing the opportunity, pulled down her mask and planted a kiss on Lina’s soft, rosy cheek.
At this.
Lina’s face flushed red, and she glared at Silvia, her cheeks puffed out.
Silvia put Lina down and playfully gave the cashier a victory sign.
The cashier smiled and nodded, applying the 30% discount to their purchase.
****
Exiting the supermarket.
The automatic doors closed behind them.
Silvia felt lighthearted, sipping her hot milk tea contentedly and humming an off-key tune.
Lina, on the other hand, carried two large bags of groceries, their weight making her small hands ache with red marks.
At that moment, Lina wished she could transport them with blood energy.
However.
Just as the marks from the plastic bags were about to form drops of blood, the sunlight scorched them away, turning them into wisps of crimson mist.
Lina lowered her eyes, staring at the dissipating blood energy, her eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them, realizing she couldn’t ‘slack off’ now.
Noticing Lina’s prolonged silence, Silvia leaned closer to her.
Thinking Lina was still upset about her ‘offense’, Silvia began to explain:
“Uh… actually, in the Iris Feather Kingdom, kissing someone’s cheek is often a social courtesy, as common as a handshake.”
“Besides that, there’s also hand-kissing and forehead-kissing; I definitely wasn’t trying to take advantage of you!”
Upon hearing this.
Lina’s ear tips were still red, and she mumbled softly:
“Even if it’s a courtesy, you can’t… just suddenly kiss me! I have a lover…”
****
The sun grew stronger, its light like countless fine needles pricking Lina’s skin.
She felt her skin grow slightly hot, as if being roasted by flames.
‘Sigh, am I already this weak? Not only can I not condense blood energy, but even sunlight can harm me now…’
Lina sighed, unconsciously frowning, her steps slowing.
Silvia quickly noticed Lina’s discomfort and asked with concern:
“What’s wrong, little Lina? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Lina paused.
“The sun… it’s a bit too strong.”
Upon hearing this.
Silvia immediately took off her baseball cap and gently placed it on Lina’s head.
Her fingertips brushed Lina’s golden hair.
“Mm-hmm, that’s much better.”
However, Lina’s wrist, holding the shopping bags, swayed weakly.
“Silvia, I’m tired… Can we rest over there for a bit?”
Lina gently bit her lower lip, staring at a bench in the shade by the street.
“Oh, are you hungry again?”
Silvia reached out to take the shopping bags.
****
After a while.
On the bench.
Lina leaned her head against Silvia’s shoulder, her movements nudging the baseball cap askew.
“I want to drink… let me drink…”
“Don’t be so impatient!”
Silvia took a big sip from the straw, then shook the milk tea cup, which still had a little less than half left.
Immediately after.
Her fingertip traced the rim of the cup, and the plastic film sealing it peeled off.
Then, she lightly grazed her index finger with her right thumb’s nail.
The skin broke, revealing a thin line of blood.
Immediately after.
The amber tea base swirled with beautiful patterns—a mixture of blood and milk tea.
“Open wide!”
Silvia held the milk tea, dangling it in front of Lina, but always raising it a few inches just as Lina tried to reach it.
Lina’s mouth twitched, her cheeks flushing, teased by Silvia.
When the milk tea brushed past her lips for the third time.
She ‘deliberately’ lunged into Silvia’s embrace, biting her neck.
A sweet, metallic scent, mingled with the aroma of milk tea, diffused between them.
Passersby, seeing this, chuckled and whispered, assuming it was merely an older sister teasing her younger sister.
Especially seeing the little girl clinging to her sister, playfully demanding attention.
But no one noticed.
Beneath the bench, a few drops of ‘red’ seeped into the snow, only to be washed away without a trace by the melting snow water in an instant.
****
After a while.
Silvia gently pinched Lina’s waist, urging her in her ear:
“Alright, alright, that’s enough sucking…”
Upon hearing this, Lina finally stopped, her lips still stained with blood as she released her bite.
She licked her lips, seemingly still unsatisfied.
So, she reached out and snatched the milk tea from Silvia’s hand—a ‘delicious’ blend of milk and blood.
She tilted her head back and drained it.
The amber liquid streamed down her jawline, gathering in a small puddle at her collarbone.
“Hey, do you have to be so thirsty?”
Silvia was amused by her soft yet domineering demeanor.
She reached into her shoulder bag for a tissue to wipe the milk tea from Lina’s lips, but the little one caught her wrist!
Lina’s warm fingers entwined with hers, and she raised an eyebrow at Silvia, still holding the straw.
Her crimson tongue, intentionally or not, brushed against the shared rim of the cup.
“Hmph, still trying to tease me? Now it’s your turn to be yearning…”
In response.
Silvia let out a faint ‘oh-ho’, her fingertips toying with Lina’s flushed earlobe.
Suddenly, she leaned in and nipped her earlobe.
“Oh, really! So, the little loli has learned to turn the tables?”
“Hmph!”
Lina let out a soft hum, then tossed the empty milk tea cup aside and wrapped both arms around Silvia’s neck.
The two ‘played’ on the bench, tumbling together.
****
After a while.
The two of them sat on the bench, settled after their ‘play’.
Then, Silvia stood up.
“Stay here for a bit; I’m going to hail a taxi.”
Lina watched Silvia’s back as she pulled out her phone, a strange warmth welling up in her heart.
She felt rather bashful.
Silvia quickly tapped on her phone screen, then deftly tucked it into her shoulder bag.
After a while.
A taxi, flashing its lights, pulled up to the curb.
Silvia stepped forward first, opening the rear passenger door.
Once inside.
Silvia then extended her other hand, seemingly casually resting it on Lina’s hand.
In that instant.
A cool surge of magic spread from Lina’s hand, through her veins, and throughout her entire body.
This healing magic brought a refreshing coolness.
It perfectly dispelled the burning sensation on Lina’s skin caused by the ‘baking’ sun.
Leaving her with a pleasant, tingling sensation all over.
“Feeling better?”
Silvia leaned in, gazing at Lina with concern.
“Mm-hmm.”
Lina’s cheeks flushed, and she thought to herself, ‘Next time, I’ll drink just a tiny bit less blood, okay?’
****
The taxi cruised steadily down the street.
Suddenly.
Without warning, the vehicle lurched violently, and the driver instantly lost control of the steering wheel.
“What’s happening? An earthquake!”
The female driver’s terrified cry was shrill within the shaking car.
With a loud bang.
The car was jolted airborne!
Silvia immediately pulled Lina into her embrace.
Then, with a raised hand, she used an invisible wind to support the airborne car, bringing it safely back to the ground.
She opened the car window, and a gust of wind, laden with thick dust, poured in.
The driver choked, almost unable to breathe.
Looking out, the previously flat street had transformed into undulating ‘waves’.
The ground rose and fell, twisting left and right.
Even the sturdy concrete pavement fractured like brittle glass, with cracks spreading outwards like a spiderweb.
A chilling creaking sound filled the air.
Immediately after.
The ground bulged, and a colossal spike erupted from beneath the earth.
This spike, easily over ten meters tall, was rough and uneven, covered in sharp barbs.
It forcefully tore open the earth.
Accompanying the spike’s appearance, a strong, pungent stench of decay permeated the air, as if the underground sewage system had been utterly destroyed!
Large amounts of dirt and rubble splattered outwards.
They smashed into surrounding buildings, creating gaping holes in the walls of several houses.
At the same time.
Three primary colors of light flashed across the sky.
Silvia’s pupils contracted slightly; she recognized them as Qiye, Weizhan, and Xincheng.
“Let’s settle the fare first.”
Silvia pulled out her phone, tapping on the screen to end the trip.
She turned to Lina, signaling for them to open the door and get out of the car.
They got out of the car.
Silvia’s expression subtly changed; there was no mistaking that aura—it was the same demon beast that had caused destruction in the western district a few days ago.
“The Mimic Beast has invaded.”
Silvia, still holding the two large bags of groceries, thought for a moment, then continued:
“I need to go to the site; how about you wait for me here?”
“I want to go with you.”
Lina intently watched the demon beast, which was tunneling underground and moving further away.
****
The next moment.
Silvia raised her hand and cast a spell, hiding the two large bags of groceries inside a nearby tree.
‘As long as no one chops down the tree, it probably won’t get stolen, right?’
Subsequently.
She took Lina’s hand.
“Later, whatever you do, don’t run off, and when we get to the site, remember to find a safe place…”
“And please, rest assured, I will protect you.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Soon.
The two of them ascended into the air, flying towards the earthquake’s epicenter.
****
Below, the city plunged into chaos, people panicking and fleeing in all directions.
Screams and shouts intertwined.
Houses swayed precariously under the earthquake’s impact.
From time to time, shattered bricks and glass plummeted from above, crashing down among the panicked crowds.
Clouds of dust obscured the sky.
When the two of them arrived near the incident site, they looked down from above.
They saw.
The demon beast resembled a moving black mountain.
Its exposed back alone already exceeded thirty meters.
It resembled a colossal lizard, yet possessed a shark-like head, its entire body covered in black scales.
The spike still had remnants of dirt and rocks, traces left from its tunneling underground.
Even more peculiar was its tail, which split into numerous whip-like appendages, fanning out like a blooming flower.
When it attacked, these tails struck surrounding buildings like deadly steel whips.
****
Qiye, Weizhan, and Xincheng stood on a high-rise rooftop, the fierce wind whipping their hair.
“Burning flames forge a fiery edge, Magical Girl Scarlet Star, sortie, transform!”
Qiye snatched the red bow tie from her collar with one hand.
In that instant.
An intense red light erupted from the red bow tie, engulfing Qiye.
Within the light.
A remarkably scandalous red battle suit gradually materialized: a low-cut design, with a lace trim adorning the neckline.
A micro-mini skirt, so short it barely covered her thighs, just managing to obscure her posterior.
The hem was adorned with red feathers that swayed in the wind, moving freely during any activity.
This undoubtedly posed a risk of accidental exposure.
The back of the battle suit was cut out, with only a few thin red ribbons crisscrossing to bind it.
She wore a pair of red high heels, easily ten centimeters tall.
Qiye’s weapon was, strikingly, a flaming magic sword.
Flames danced on its blade.
“Nimble water patterns temper the guardian’s blade, Magical Girl Azure Star, sortie, transform!”
Weizhan followed closely, letting out a clear shout, and also removed the blue bow tie from her collar.
Blue light, like flowing water, tightly enveloped her.
When the light dissipated.
A blue battle suit came into view.
The garment was largely translucent, subtly revealing the inner lining.
Her chest was adorned with two massive blue seashells.
They were remarkably lifelike, subtly opening and closing with each breath she took.
The skirt, meanwhile, was fashioned from interconnected blue scales.
Water-blue ribbons, like ripples of the sea, were wrapped around her arms and thighs.
On her feet, she wore blue peep-toe high heels, their heels designed in the shape of fish tails.
At this moment.
She tightly gripped a water blade, its edge composed of pure water elements, shimmering with cold light.
Water droplets continuously dripped from its cutting edge.
“Solid rock veins uphold the bulwark of light, Magical Girl Tawny Star, sortie, transform!”
Xincheng also removed the yellow bow tie from her collar.
Within the light.
Xincheng appeared, transformed into a luxurious, dazzling golden-yellow battle suit.
Her top was a short, midriff-baring design, studded with golden sequins that shimmered brilliantly with every step.
The puffy skirt below was decorated with layers of golden feathers, as magnificent as a peacock displaying its tail.
A golden belt cinched her waist.
She wore knee-high golden boots embossed with rock patterns.
Xincheng wielded a rock shield, forged from heavy stone, with flowing magical patterns etched upon its surface.
At this.
The three of them exchanged glances.
Qiye loudly declared:
“Commence operation!”