"Looks like a fight already happened."
Rushing to the edge of the great barrier of the Golden Land, the first thing that caught Fíliya's eye was the severed strands of hair scattered on the ground. It was clearly Solitär's handiwork.
But when Fíliya turned her head, she saw Sense standing unharmed a few meters away, which relieved her greatly.
Only then did she take in Sense's current appearance.
Sense's eyes were vacant, and her hair, no longer in an attack posture, hung loosely behind her. Her body swayed slightly, as if she were engaged in some invisible struggle, until a few seconds later, she fell completely silent.
Hmm... this strange state. It was obvious whose handiwork this was.
So Fíliya turned and narrowed her eyes at Aura.
"Phew, Fíliya, you're finally back."
Aura smiled unconsciously as Fíliya approached, but when Fíliya finally stopped in front of her, she noticed a faint sense of unease.
Hmm?
Aura was a little confused.
Why did Fíliya have such a grim expression?
Why did she suddenly raise her hand, and so high...?
Wait a second?! She's not going to hit me, is she!
Aura suddenly realized and quickly raised her hands to shield her face, shouting at the same time.
"No! It has nothing to do with me! This long-haired woman attacked us... Solitär and I were already being very patient with her! We had no choice, so Solitär had me control her to stop her from running wild!"
Aura explained herself while slowly closing her eyes.
Interestingly, even though she expected a slap from Fíliya, she only took a defensive stance and didn't try to dodge.
Forget it... I remember this human is important to Fíliya... If she wants to vent, I'll just take the slap... It's not like she hits very hard anyway.
Aura thought, and simply gave up resisting, letting her hands fall to her sides. She even turned her face towards Fíliya, making it easier for her to strike.
But after several seconds, the pain she expected never came. Instead, something was placed on top of her head.
Hmm? It wasn't some thing, but Fíliya's hand.
Eh? So she wasn't going to hit me?
Aura nervously opened one eye to confirm, then belatedly grasped the reality of the situation.
"Good job, Aura. This was the best way to handle it."
Fíliya reached out and patted Aura's head, praising her with a smile.
"Eh? You... you're really not angry?"
Aura asked tentatively.
"Hmm? Why would I be angry? You handled this very well. Seeing that none of you are hurt, I'm relieved."
Fíliya said in a relaxed tone, then turned to look at Solitär.
Solitär's expression seemed a bit awkward, so she avoided Fíliya's gaze, silently turning her head to look elsewhere.
So Fíliya decided to approach her.
Then came a big bear hug.
"Thank you, Solitär... From the traces of the fight here, I can tell you were holding back the entire time, completely on the defensive... Thank you for not hurting her."
Hearing Fíliya's sincere gratitude, Solitär didn't feel happy. Instead, she felt a tightness in her chest.
Ever since learning that Fíliya had a human 'older sister,' a thorn had been planted in her heart. And today, that thorn had begun to sprout.
While buying time for Aura to cast her Magic of Obedience (Auserlese), Solitär had felt a palpable killing intent from Sense.
This feeling made Solitär very uncomfortable.
Because when it came to 'killing intent,' she certainly had it too.
How could she not want to eliminate this human named Sense? But Solitär knew very well that if she did, it would mean a complete break with Fíliya.
She didn't want that, so she restrained herself.
The result was a situation where one side could freely unleash their killing intent, while the other had to suppress it out of consideration.
Solitär was displeased. In her long life, this was the first time she had ever felt 'unfairness,' or rather, the emotion of being 'wronged'.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
Solitär didn't turn her head, simply asking Fíliya in a toneless voice.
"Hmm... For now, release the Magic of Obedience from Sense, Aura."
Fíliya thought for a moment, then instructed Aura to dispel her magic.
"Oh... I understand."
Unlike Solitär's current vexation, Aura wasn't feeling anything strange and simply followed Fíliya's command, freeing Sense's mind.
The instant the Magic of Obedience was lifted, Sense, regaining consciousness, attacked the three members of the Demon Race as if by reflex. She transformed her hair into sharp drills and thrust them directly at the demons.
Already prepared, Fíliya dodged in a flash, immediately shielding Linie behind her.
She didn't deploy Defensive Magic, because Sense's physical attacks using her hair were a strong counter to it. So, Fíliya chose a more efficient and safer method.
She simply raised her left hand, which had undergone Gold Transformation. Because anything encased in this golden shell becomes indestructible, it was perfectly suited to be used as a shield.
The reason she chose to protect Linie was simple.
Both Solitär and Aura had ways to protect themselves. The only one whose life would be threatened by Sense's surprise attack was Linie.
After blocking Sense's reflexive attack, Fíliya immediately called out her name.
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Sense's expression changed, and she quickly retracted her hair.
"Fíliya..."
Sense stared in disbelief at the scene before her. The attack just now had indeed been a reflex upon regaining her senses.
But she had never imagined that Fíliya would actually protect a member of the Demon Race.
And wasn't that demon the very 'one who got away' due to her own mistake?
Even though Sense had long known her muddle-headed younger sister was trying to study the Demon Race, the sight of Fíliya actually standing beside them was still a profound shock.
"Um... well, you see. I think I can explain."
An awkward smile hung on Fíliya's lips as she slowly walked towards Sense.
Fíliya's current feelings weren't complicated.
Although she had tried desperately to avoid running into Sense—the thought of being seen 'hanging out' with demons made her extremely nervous.
But... now that it had actually happened and she had no choice but to face it, she found herself becoming calm instead.
___
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