The sky was clear, with soft, drifting clouds. The winter sun streamed down like gentle threads, warm and soothing. The howling cold wind had ceased, and the snow on the ground was gradually melting, forming small, trickling streams. The water flowed over the smooth stones, producing a pleasant, tinkling sound.
Kaguya stretched lazily, feeling refreshed all over. In this mild winter sun, she found herself becoming a bit drowsy.
"If only it could always be like this," Kaguya thought to herself.
"But, it seems like I've forgotten something," Kaguya tilted her head, tapping her cheek lightly with her delicate finger. "Oh well, if I've forgotten it, it probably wasn't that important. Filling my stomach is more urgent."
Saying this, Kaguya took out a bag of cookies from her pocket. The rich aroma wafted from the bag. These cookies were originally made for Kurome, but just before Kaguya left, Kurome had forced them into her hands. Seeing Kurome's blushing face, Kaguya didn't refuse and even took the opportunity to give her a kiss.
Well, compared to cookies, girls are definitely more fragrant.
Kaguya picked up a cookie from the bag with her fingers and placed it in her mouth, enjoying the crisp and fragrant taste.
"I wonder if Kurome and Mine will end up fighting," Kaguya thought as she chewed. "But it doesn't really matter, as long as I can get Leona..."
Oh no!
Kaguya suddenly stood up, the cookie in her hand falling to the ground. She realized with a start that she had forgotten something important—Leona!
No longer in the mood to eat, Kaguya hastily stuffed the bag of cookies into her ample chest. Fortunately, her chest was full and firm, so she didn't have to worry about the bag slipping down.
With a swift stomp, Kaguya's body turned into a flash of light, speeding off into the distance.
As the snow on the ground gradually melted, most of the tracks had disappeared, making it harder to search. This posed some difficulties for Kaguya, but fortunately, her ocular powers still allowed her to pick up on some clues.
Suddenly, Kaguya halted in her tracks, her eyes lighting up as if she had discovered something. She walked to a large tree, bent down, and picked up a piece of white cloth from the ground.
Kaguya's eyes narrowed as she recognized the cloth as a part of Leona's scarf. She had a vivid memory of this scarf, which Leona wore around her neck.
Around the area where the cloth was found, there were many dark red stains. If Kaguya wasn't mistaken, these were dried bloodstains.
Could she have been in trouble? Kaguya's heart sank.
Just then, Kaguya furrowed her brows, her eyes flashing with a sharp glint. She spun around abruptly, calling out to the distant forest, "Who's there? Come out!"
"Darling, you're just as sharp as ever."
A familiar figure with light blue hair emerged from the dense pine forest.
"Esdeath," Kaguya said, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Fancy meeting you here again," Esdeath said with a smile, striding over to Kaguya with her long, shapely legs. "What a coincidence. Could it be fate?"
"What are you doing here?" Kaguya asked, a bad feeling growing in her heart. Leona's scarf had been found here, and now Esdeath appeared as well. Could this really be a coincidence, as Esdeath claimed?
"Why shouldn't I be here?" Esdeath replied with a light laugh as she approached. "As a general of the Empire, it's only natural to patrol the Empire's territories, isn't it?"
Kaguya didn't want to get bogged down in such a discussion, so she smiled and said, "Since you're patrolling here, General, you've probably come across a friend of mine."
"A friend of yours?" Esdeath asked with mild curiosity.
"Yes, my friend. I wonder if you've seen her," Kaguya said, describing Leona's appearance to Esdeath.
"Are you talking about her?" Esdeath's lips curled into a smile as she snapped her fingers.
At the sound of rumbling wheels, a prison cart slowly emerged from the forest. Kaguya's eyes narrowed as she saw Leona inside the cart.
Leona was tied to a cross within the cart, looking utterly defeated. Blood trickled from the corners of her mouth, and her usually neat hair was disheveled. Her body was covered in wounds, with fresh blood constantly seeping out.
She looked utterly wretched, her once bright and cheerful face now clouded with pain. Her teeth were clenched, her brows furrowed, and her body trembled slightly, as if she was enduring great agony.
Upon seeing Kaguya, Leona's eyes brightened, but before she could say anything, a guard standing nearby struck her hard in the abdomen with a baton. Leona let out a painful groan, her head lolling to the side as she fell unconscious.
Kaguya's rosy face darkened instantly, and she turned to Esdeath, her voice cold. "What's the meaning of this?"
"Hmm?" Esdeath brushed back her light blue hair, chuckling. "She's a member of Night Raid and a wanted criminal of the Empire. It's only natural that she's been captured, don't you think?"
"But she's also my friend," Kaguya said in a stern tone.
"Your friend?" Esdeath looked slightly surprised, glancing back at the bound Leona.
"Exactly," Kaguya confirmed with a nod.
"I never would have guessed that my dear has such an interesting preference—liking wild little kittens," Esdeath's face flushed slightly. "If that's what you're into, I could dress up like that too."
Kaguya's mind involuntarily pictured Esdeath wearing a sheer white shirt, with cat ears on her head, paws on her hands, a long cat tail swishing behind her shapely hips, crawling on the ground while meowing.
What a sight...
"No!" Kaguya shook off the temptation in her mind, firmly rejecting the idea. "I won't be swayed by you. Release my friend."
"But she's a wanted criminal of the Empire and an important member of Night Raid. It's impossible to let her go," Esdeath said, pretending to be troubled.
Kaguya sighed softly, realizing that the situation wouldn't be easily resolved. It seemed that force would be necessary. With this thought, a cold glint flashed in Kaguya's eyes as she felt a surge of immense power rising from within her.
"However," Esdeath continued, seemingly oblivious to Kaguya's growing aura, "if you agree to do one thing for me, I'll let her go."
"What is it?" Kaguya asked, her eyes narrowing. She didn't hold out much hope; the condition for releasing Leona was bound to be something difficult. Rather than bargaining, it might be better to fight.
At the same time, an overwhelming presence radiated from Kaguya, wrapping around her like a tangible force. She was ready for battle; she was serious.
"Go on a date with me."
"What?"
Kaguya stumbled, nearly choking.