Time always slipped away in silence.
Just as every change in this world had always taken place soundlessly, by the time one noticed, all that remained was the result.
"How many years had passed, exactly?"
"One year, or ten?"
"A hundred years, or a thousand?"
"Or perhaps even longer?"
Amid the endless passage of time, in a place that seemed changed yet unchanged, a golden-haired woman with pure white wings on her back gazed up at the starry sky. As though waking from a dream, she could not help but sigh, passing the time by murmuring to herself, "Thinking back on it now is almost frightening. So much time passed without me even realizing it..."
"Thinking about him?"
A delicate, lovely woman wearing rabbit-ear hair ornaments and a long silver dress stepped out from the palace behind her. Seeing the golden-haired woman leaning against the railing outside and looking up at the stars, she hesitated briefly before walking over.
Then she asked softly.
Both women were breathtaking beauties.
Only their styles of dress differed.
The former wore armor, sharp-edged and angular. Though feathers filled certain areas, softening some of its harshness, most of the armor still bore an obvious hard texture. It could be described as a standard suit of battle armor, especially around her long legs, where golden greaves tightly wrapped her calves and ankles.
The latter wore a long dress. Although it seemed to offer little protection, it was actually a layer of soft armor. It had no excessive adornments, nor did it need decorations to soften its inherent charm. Its simple, close-fitting design allowed its wearer to better exploit the advantages of close combat. Of course, it had its drawbacks as well. If an opponent could withstand her attacks, it might instead feel as though they were