The living room was neither big nor too small, but it's enough to comfortably entertain two young guests at the short tea table.
Momo couldn't help but notice a plethora of swords, daggers, spears and many other weaponry hanging neatly on the wall. Every piece of equipment was well maintained, polished even.
However, Momo's attention was fixated on the twin katana swords at the praying altar.
"Please have a seat while I brew the tea."
"Thank you, Lady Hanako." Alice replied meekly.
Momo took her seat, her posture was perfect.
Alice imitated Momo sitting on the floor cushion. Two knees folded, and she had to sit on her calves. It's not the most comfortable sitting position, but Alice had to follow the custom when she's in somebody else's home.
Before long, Lady Hanako returned with a tray of tea cups and small cookies. The fresh and fragrant aroma from the tea was irresistible. Momo wagged her tail in excitement, she couldn't wait to try them.
After taking the first sip together, Lady Hanako muttered.
"Pray tell, what brings you two here?" Lady Hanako glanced at Momo.
Momo's tail straightened behind her, ears perked up high. "Errm, Alice wanted to be an adventurer, exploring Ancient Dungeons and grew stronger. However, her expedition plan was shifted due to the Chieftess' delayed marriage. Since you're a Pioneer, we kindly ask your help to train Alice in one way or another."
"To help her enter Uncharted Dungeons, I presume?" The cat lady glanced at Alice lazily.
"That would sum it all, yes." Momo nodded, smiling awkwardly.
"Why should I?" Lady Hanako remarked after sipping her tea calmly. "I don't know her, not in the slightest. Besides, she has her guardian, Chieftess Andariel, and the other madams adore her even. She could get whatever she wanted from them."
"But a small Koi fish must swim against the treacherous waterfall and climb the sky if it wants to evolve into a dragon. You always taught me that, Lady Hanako." Momo said sternly. "Furthermore, they all are busy with their duties. She needs someone who could train her!"
At this moment, Lady Hanako realized how important Alice was to Momo. The fox girl wouldn't talk back to her mentor unless it's the right thing to do. She was actually satisfied, it's proof that she succeeded in educating Momo.
"If she wants to be my disciple, the young succubus must properly introduce her true nature before me. I won't accept lies and dishonesty. No disguise or illusion would work on me."
Alice was taken aback, she thought that Lady Hanako was a gentle and kind elder character who would accept her right away and went with the plot. But, she was clearly wrong about it. This world was her new reality where the people actually have their free will. It wasn't even a surprise that Lady Hanako could see through Alice in just a glance.
In fact, it's fairly logical for Lady Hanako to be able to see the duality of Alice's aura. She acquired the title of Pioneer without a reason.
"Fair enough…" Alice stood up, walking away from the table a tad. "Momo, would you hate me if I showed you my true self?"
"I will not…" Momo held Alice's hand firmly.
"Very well…"
Alice undid the disguise spell, revealing her true demoness form. Her wings grew larger, the once long and slender tail elongated, covered with reddish scales. A pair of black horns stood proudly on either side of her temples.
Momo was flabbergasted, mouth wide agape upon witnessing Alice's drastic transformation. "Alice…"
"I know, I should have told you sooner, but this is who I am."
"That doesn't bother me at all. You are so beautiful, Alice." Momo shook her head. She accepted Alice without exception.
Afterward, Alice kneeled before the cat lady, she even planted her head onto the tatami mat.
"Let me introduce myself once again." Alice said. "My name is Alice Nightflame, the sole daughter of Aleena and Aleister Nightflame. Princess of Diablo. Lady Hanako, please accept me to be your disciple!"
"Demon Princess of all beings in this world. Now, what should I do?" Lady Hanako shook her head, while sighing lazily.
She deliberately took a long and slender smoking pipe from the wooden box, padded the pipe's furnace with dried green herb and lit up the herb. After a few puffs, she finally came to her decision.
"First, what would Catharina say if you become my disciple? I wish no quarrel with the former Demon General. She could easily level a mountain if she wanted to."
"She might get very uneasy, but she'll definitely understand. Her duty is to protect me, while also educating me to a certain extent. But my words are absolute, she wouldn't defy me."
"If that's the case, I will accept you as my disciple. But, I won't go easy on you. You are on your own under my tutelage."
"I wouldn't expect less from you, Lady Hanako! I will be in your care!"
While Alice was bowing before the cat lady, Momo looked at Lady Hanako, asking in silence whether she needed to reveal her true self or not. But Lady Hanako shook her head while frowning sternly.
Momo's ears slumped down, laying flat to either side.
Lady Hanako then sent a telepathic message to Momo. 'Alice is still far too young to learn about Momo's true self. Besides, unleashing Momo's divine seal would attract unnecessary trouble.'
'Yes, Momo understand, Lady Hanako.'
"Alright, you may lift your face, Alice." Lady Hanako placed a hand on Alice's head gently, the latter sat up straight, eyes filled with anticipation.
"So, when are we going to start exploring? Which Uncharted Dungeon? What equipment do we need? And, how many provisions do we need to carry?!"
Lady Hanako raised a hand before Alice's face, politely asking her to shut up for a moment.
"Hold your horse, young lady." Lady Hanako said. "They were called Uncharted Dungeons for nothing. Unlike already well mapped and explored Ancient Dungeons, the Uncharted Dungeon is a whole different species. Each one has its own set of both physical and magical laws. Your corporeal body might disintegrate the moment you enter the dungeon."
Alice tilted her head, slightly puzzled. "Such as…"
"Each Uncharted Dungeon has its own quirk and characteristic. For example, I once found a dungeon filled with nothing but cursed green scorpions. Their size was enormous. It emits a curse that could melt your flesh within a minute without feeling anything beforehand. Luckily, I cladded myself with In-Yo aura and escaped the dungeon before it was too late. Only five survive out of hundred Adventurers. Afterward, I categorize the dungeon as an S-Rank Dungeon, Extremely Dangerous."
'Radioactive monsters?!' Alice was so excited instead of dispirited after hearing such a horrifying story.
"That's so cool!"
"It's not all fun and games down there, young lady. If you really want to explore the Uncharted Dungeons to gain experience and grow stronger, you have to master the In-Yo aura, or any kind of body strengthening method to protect yourself from the unknown."
"Hmm… Actually, I could muster and manipulate my demonic energy to form a barrier around myself. But I rarely used it due to safety reasons."
"Interesting…" Lady Hanako snapped her finger, deploying an energy barrier in the whole room. "You're free to go wild. Show me what you got."
"Yes, master!"