By evening, Barbara finally sat up in bed, clutching her aching head.
A hangover.
She massaged her temples, drank some water, and felt a bit better.
What was that wine?
She hadn't felt it while drinking—just a mellow, sweet fragrance, with an almost blissful euphoria.
Remembering that floating sensation, she licked her lips unconsciously.
Then she glanced out the window at the dimming sky and gasped. "So late already?!"
She hurried to change, wash her face, and tidy herself up before rushing out.
Not far from the Church of Favonius, at the corner of the street, was a bookstore.
Hopefully still open!
Panting, she ran in and asked the shopkeeper for the title of Mr. Xia's novel.
The owner, a mature older woman, eyed Barbara's nun attire with an odd expression.
"You're sure you want that book?"
"Yes!"
"…Wait a moment."
The woman disappeared into the shelves and returned with a copy, handing it to her.
"Here."
Barbara checked the cover. Exactly the same as the one Amber had shown earlier. She paid quickly, hugging it to her chest as she left with a satisfied smile.
The shopkeeper leaned on the counter, muttering at her back: "Nuns these days, tsk…"
Back at the cathedral, Barbara spotted Rosaria sitting in the last pew.
She wasn't smoking today—instead, she cradled a fluffy white cat, gently stroking it.
Barbara blinked. Rosaria looked… softer than usual.
So she quit smoking and started "smoking cats"?
Barbara greeted her, glanced at the cat again, then hurried off clutching her book.
Cute as cats were—her sister's business came first!
---
That night, after dinner, everyone took their usual stroll by Cider Lake.
Xia Le wasn't as excitable as she'd been upon entering the city that morning, but she still used her "newcomer advantage" to stick close to her Big Brother, peppering him with curious questions.
Klee seemed fascinated by the newcomer, insisting on taking her to watch fireworks later.
Xia Le, unable to resist her enthusiasm (and admittedly curious about fireworks herself), agreed to go with them to the statue square.
After the walk, back in the Serenitea Pot, Xia Ci stopped Xia Le—who was about to bathe with Klee and the others.
"There's something even more fun."
"What is it, Sister Xia Ci?"
"Follow me."
She led her to a door, from which strange sounds drifted out.
"…What's this?"
"Your Big Brother's secret service."
"…Huh?"
"Massage. You'll go in next."
"Oh…"
Xia Le didn't really understand.
She was just a dragon newly transformed into human form.
Though her possessiveness and twisted emotions made her cling to her Big Brother, she was still pure at heart. Even hearing those strange noises, she made no associations.
When the previous client emerged looking blissful, Xia Ci pushed her inside.
"Big Brother."
"Xia Le? What brings you here?"
"Sister Xia Ci brought me!"
"…Her, huh. Well, do you want a massage too?"
"Yes!"
"Alright then. Lie down on the bed."
"Okay!"
And then Xia Le felt sensations she had never known before.
So this was what it meant to be human.
As a dragon, she had never known such enjoyment.
"All done."
"Eh? Already? I want more!"
"No more. Go take a bath—there are others waiting."
She pouted, unsatisfied.
Thinking quickly, she said: "Big Brother, you could use Time Stop—then we'd have plenty of time…"
He pinched her cheek, smiling. "Don't even think about it. I'll give you another one tomorrow."
"…Fine."
She slid off the bed and left.
At the door, Xia Ci was waiting.
Eyeing her clothes, she asked: "Didn't you take them off for the massage?"
"…Take them off? You're supposed to?"
"Of course."
"But Big Brother never said."
"He wouldn't. That's part of the hidden service—you have to ask for it yourself."
"…Huh?"
"Remember the sister before you? Didn't her skin look shiny?"
"…Yes?"
"That was essential oil. It's called an oil massage. Much more comfortable than over clothes."
"Really?!"
"I forgot to tell you. Tomorrow, when you get a massage, remember to ask."
"…."
As Xia Ci slipped into the room, Xia Le bit her lip thoughtfully.
---
Later, washed and ready for bed, Xia Zhi returned to his room.
He turned his thoughts to Noelle.
He had promised her a Transformation Badge. He had already made two before—easy enough to craft another.
The real question was: what form should it take?
It should match her character, like Fischl's eyepatch.
Noelle was a maid of the Knights of Favonius, with silver hair. A silver-haired maid… it made Xia Zhi think of Izayoi Sakuya, with her ability to stop time.
With his mastery of temporal laws, creating an artifact that could freeze time within a certain range wouldn't be difficult.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
A message from Furina.
[Cousin, what are you up to?]
They chatted a while, and Xia Zhi mentioned Noelle's situation.
[A girl who wants to become a true knight?]
Furina paused, then her eyes lit up. She typed quickly:
[Cousin! Then it has to be Knights with the ahoge!]
The so-called Knights with the ahoge refers to Artoria Pendragon from Fate/stay night, class Saber, whose Noble Phantasm is Excalibur.
And coincidentally, Noelle also uses a greatsword.
Compared to Sakuya Izayoi, Artoria really does fit Noelle's character design better.
[Cousin, you really get it.]
[So just pick Saber!]
[Only kids think they have to choose…]
[!?]
[Of course I want them all!]
Inside the Palais Mermonia.
Focalors noticed Furina giggling at her phone, and asked suspiciously, "What's with you?"
"I just asked cousin whether he'd pick me or you."
"Boring."
"He said he wants both."
"?"
---
Xia Zhi put down his phone and pulled a stone from his inventory.
Following his plan, he transformed the stone into a metal rod about twenty centimeters long.
Then, concentrating divine power at his fingertip, he began inscribing godly script along the rod.
Minutes later, the inscription was finished.
Strange, glowing runes floated above the little rod—honestly, it looked more like a magic staff than a greatsword.
He tucked it back into his inventory and checked the description.
[Hilt of Wind]
Quality: Platinum
Type: Charging Item
Trait: Divine Blessing, Transformation
Effect: Absorbs Faith Power for charging. Once fully charged, the wielder can transform into a Divine-Blessed form.
Hidden Effect: The purer the creator's faith, the greater the power that can be used after transformation.
Recyclable: 1000 points.
It wasn't much different from the [Key of Light] or [Eye of Darkness].
As for the transformed outfit, that would have to wait until tomorrow night when Noelle actually tried it out.