"I'm sorry for disturbing you. I entered the wrong room."
Seeing the two young girls before her, Higokumaru instinctively retreated from the room, even preparing to close the door behind her.
But just as the door was about to shut, Higokumaru suddenly realized... she hadn't entered the wrong room at all!
"I must have been seeing things! That was definitely an illusion! Yes! That's it!" Higokumaru rubbed her eyes vigorously, then pushed the door open again to stare at the familiar figures inside...
This time, Higokumaru was absolutely certain she wasn't hallucinating.
"You... you two... Phoenix-nee, you... you..." Higokumaru suddenly pointed at Phoenix and Erica, stammering incoherently...
"What are you doing?"
I was here first! Why can a girl I just met do this with Phoenix-nee?
"Uh..."
When Higokumaru entered, Phoenix had already separated from Erica. Now she stared at the disbelieving girl standing in the doorway.
"Higokumaru, you misunderstood... I was just practicing," Phoenix felt compelled to explain.
"Practicing? Practicing kissing? Why didn't you ask me?!"
"No, it's not like that..."
"I don't care! I want to practice too!"
"..."
An hour later,
After a lengthy explanation, Phoenix finally managed to clarify things for Higokumaru.
However, once the explanation was complete, Phoenix suddenly realized why she had felt the need to explain so much to her pet? Why had she instinctively started rushing to explain after being caught by Higokumaru?
They weren't some kind of couple, after all.
Well, never mind...
"Even when teaching magic arts, there must be better methods than this! It's truly... it's just too... Is there no other way?"
Though Higokumaru accepted the explanation, she remained deeply unhappy with this method of instruction.
"Other methods... there really aren't any."
Phoenix pondered carefully. The magic of this world's mages was too weak. For a Campione wielding infinite power compared to ordinary humans, such methods proved ineffective.
Thus, aside from this intimate approach, there truly were no alternatives. Not that there weren't any options - it's just that other methods would be even more ambiguous, making this the preferable choice.
"Then... Phoenix-nee, I want one too..." Higokumaru pleaded, her small, cherry-like lips forming a pout as she looked up with a helpless expression.
"...Very well! You're impossible to refuse sometimes."
Phoenix hesitated briefly before brushing her lips against Higokumaru's cheek in a fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly touching water.
Only then did Higokumaru's smile return in full bloom. She cast a triumphant glance at Erica standing nearby.
Erica remained unfazed by Higokumaru's antics, maintaining her composed demeanor as she offered a serene smile in response.
She understood that in the New King's heart, Higokumaru would always hold greater weight. Thus, provoking her was never an option.
Yet a sudden realization struck. Though she'd initially resisted letting Liliana interact with the New King too early - believing one loyal knight was sufficient for her sovereign - circumstances now demanded swift action. The pressure of being the sole confidante proved overwhelming.
After all, Erica knew Liliana's temperament better than anyone...
"By the way, Phoenix-nee, shall we go play by the sea?" Higokumaru remembered her purpose for coming and asked Phoenix again.
"No, Higokumaru, you go play by yourself. I need to organize the magic knowledge in my mind." Phoenix shook her head. Erica had imparted a great deal of magical knowledge to her, including some of the spirit words she used.
Though Erica had poured all this information into her mind at once, Phoenix still needed to sort it out properly.
"Alright then!"
-
After Higokumaru and Erica left the Library, Phoenix walked to a small set of steps and waved her hand to clear non-existent stolen goods.
She then sat down cross-legged on the steps, just like ancient Taoist priests meditating.
Phoenix removed the beautiful hair ornament from her long hair. As the eighth divine key, Fenghuang Down, it wasn't something anyone could toy with casually.
When in Fu Hua's (Phoenix's) hands, Fenghuang Down became a sinister and vicious divine artifact - steady, precise, and ruthless.
But when it fell into Sirin's hands, it transformed into a "daydream generator." Ironically, it was Sirin herself who grew irritated watching others indulging in these "daydreams."
As a divine key controlling brain signals and dominating consciousness, it might seem rather useless at first glance.
But that's only because others don't know how to use it properly.
For example, Phoenix could now use it to more efficiently organize the knowledge in her mind.
Though it couldn't compare to the Void Archives.
If she had the Void Archives, or even the Core of Reason, mastering this knowledge would be child's play.
Phoenix sat cross-legged on the steps wearing traditional Han clothing. Her hands formed a seal as Fenghuang Down floated directly into her palm.
Simultaneously, countless beautiful feathers materialized around her, creating a shimmering halo.
Had any observer—Campione or Heretic God—seen these feathers, their consciousness would have been instantly affected.
Phoenix closed her eyes, rapidly organizing the knowledge she'd acquired to preserve it more effectively.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Phoenix's eyes snapped open.
She sensed a faint spiritual energy probing from afar, as if investigating her presence.
The intruder's luck proved poor—why must spiritual spies always choose the most dangerous targets? By attempting to observe her, they'd directly injured their consciousness and spiritual energy with Fenghuang Down.
"Still, in this world, only the White Princess would dare probe a Campione so boldly."
"I should meet her soon. It'd be a waste if she dies—she has considerable potential."
This time, however, she might find herself in for a surprise.
After murmuring to herself, Phoenix closed her eyes once more.
Fenghuang Down hovered before her, continuously producing beautiful feathers that created a mesmerizing display.
The next morning,
Erica's efficiency was remarkable. Having spoken to her yesterday afternoon, by this morning, Liliana Kranjcar—a great knight mage from the Bronze Black Cross and one of Italy's "Twin Beauties" alongside Erica—had already reported to Phoenix.
This swift arrival made sense; after all, she was already in Italy, requiring little travel time.
"Great Knight of the Bronze Black Cross, Liliana Kranjcar, pays the highest respects to the New King."
In the courtyard gently swayed by the breeze, the young girl's commanding voice resonated with a woman's unique softness, yet carried with it a clear confidence and volume.
-
Made a discord if anyone is interested
https://discord.gg/BFW77h7XyS