The most famous landmark of Sighișoara was the clock tower standing tall in the city center. Reaching a height of sixty-four meters, it was the tallest building in the city. Not only did it provide a panoramic view of the entire city, it also served as an excellent sniping point. The only downside was that this towering structure could be easily seen from any corner of the city.
The central spire was surrounded by four smaller towers. At this moment, the Shogun and Fiore were at the very top balcony of the central spire.
The Shogun stood at the edge of the high tower's observation point, surveying the corners of the city below. The wind at this altitude howled, lifting the hem of her kimono to just below her hips, leaving the entirety of her alluring thighs exposed above her dark purple stockings, while the long sleeves at her sides fluttered continuously behind her.
Above, the clouds thickened ever further… and from time to time, the faint sound of thunder could be heard.
Sitting on the steps behind her, Fiore was no longer in her wheelchair. Her slender legs rested on the edge of the tower's top. It had been the Shogun who had carried her in a princess hold to this height, causing Fiore's heart to pound wildly the entire way up.
Now, she was adjusting a set of silver-white mechanical equipment from a box by her side. Although it was mechanical, it could only be driven by the magical circuits on her legs, so even someone as clumsy with machinery as her could manage it.
Beep—
A clear notification sounded. Fiore brushed back her wind-blown hair and finally let out a sigh of relief. She then looked at the Shogun's back.
"Shogun… could you help me for a moment?"
Her delicate and soft voice was carried by the wind into the Shogun's ears.
The Shogun turned her head toward the girl holding the equipment in both hands. Fiore gave her a small smile and gestured at the device. Nodding, the Shogun steadily walked back along the observation point to her side and unfolded the device.
Clack…
With a press of a switch, the mechanical device unfolded like a backpack. Fiore swiftly strapped it onto her back and pressed the mechanical handle at her side.
With an electronic chime, two pairs of tentacle-like electronic suction pads extended outward from the backpack.
The Shogun picked up one pair and examined the ends. Each was about two centimeters in diameter.
"Shogun… please place those on my back."
Fiore shyly lifted her coat and shirt, her face flushed red, inviting the Shogun to place them.
Clack…
As the suction pads adhered to either side of the girl's bare back, a pair of wing-like mechanisms began to transform, as though alive, ultimately becoming two long metallic claws. Each claw clamped firmly onto opposite ends of the tower spire, emitting mechanical screeches.
The Shogun silently drew back her hand, watching the strange sight unfold. In the process, her cold fingers accidentally brushed against Fiore's exposed skin.
"Ah~"
The girl let out a sensitive gasp at the sudden touch, quickly pulling her clothes back down, her face crimson.
"Are my hands that cold?"
The Shogun, puzzled at her reaction, sighed slightly before asking.
"N-no, it's nothing…"
Fiore shook her head in embarrassment.
The Shogun pulled her hand back, stepping slightly away.
"…"
In that instant, Fiore felt a pang of regret. Should she not have cried out? If she hadn't… would the Shogun have touched her again?
She sighed softly, then picked up the other pair of suction pads and pressed them onto her thighs over her white stockings. The pads instantly adhered to her skin beneath, and her magical circuits flared briefly.
Clack!
With all the suction pads activated, the lower pair of mechanical arms engaged, floating like octopus tentacles in the air around Fiore.
With the sound of bearings clicking into place, her delicate body was lifted by the two long mechanical claws extending from below, raising her higher than even the Shogun's height.
"…"
The Shogun looked at the scene in silence, her expression unreadable.
[Truly remarkable.]
Ei sighed with wonder.
'I agree.'
Supported by the mechanical arms, Fiore's legs now dangled in midair, suspended weightlessly.
To ensure the mechanical suction pads could better adhere to the magical circuits in her legs, Fiore had changed into a black short skirt before setting out. The hem reached only mid-thigh, revealing her white stockings fully, which had previously been hidden beneath her pants.
Though her lower body had long been paralyzed, the girl's legs were still slender and beautiful, no less than the Shogun's. Fiore's natural height exceeded 162 cm, and in this powerless suspended posture, her legs appeared even longer.
"This… is my equipment… Since my legs are paralyzed, I have to rely on these."
Fiore softly explained, a bit embarrassed at noticing the Shogun's gaze. Beside her, the mechanical arms flexed their claws slightly.
"Understood… What is our next step?"
The Shogun asked calmly.
"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. We'll wait for Red's Saber to locate Assassin. When they clash, we'll strike."
Fiore maneuvered the mechanical arms delicately, lowering herself back down to sit at the edge beside the Shogun.
From this vantage point, nearly every corner of the city was visible. Once a battle broke out, it would be difficult to miss.
"In that case, I'll follow your lead."
The Shogun gave her a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"Mm… Thank you for trusting me, Shogun."
Fiore nodded sweetly in response.
[The Shogun indulging in beauty—how rare. Then why not indulge in me instead? Is it because we look the same, so you feel nothing?]
Ei occasionally teased her like this.
'Foolishness. This is only normal conversation. How could it be called indulgence?'
[But you smiled at her just now, didn't you? Could it be this girl reminds you of Ayaka?]
'Hmph. Why don't we trade places? I could go meditate and rest a while, while you, who laze around all day, stop making such baseless accusations.'
No wonder Yae Miko had once said Ei was nothing but a shut-in who disliked leaving home.
[…]
At first, she thought Ei hadn't responded, but then silence lingered.
'What's wrong?'
She asked inwardly.
[Haa… I don't recall ever teaching you such thoughts. So you've grown up too? Your heart… is stirred.]
What nonsense was that?
'Ridiculous. You're speaking nothing but nonsense.'
She muttered in complaint at the voice within her.
…
Within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei lowered her eyes slightly and sighed, as though lamenting that her child had grown distant from her.
"Shogun… can you attack from long range?"
Fiore's soft voice drew the Shogun back from her thoughts. She turned her gaze toward the girl, recalling her earlier words.
"Archery, perhaps?"
She asked after a pause.
"Mm. How is your accuracy?"
"Almost never missing… basically."
"Good. Then that's our plan. From here, when the time comes, we'll eliminate Assassin."
Fiore exhaled in relief as she shared her intended strategy with the Shogun.