At this moment, Luvia was already curled up in Shade's arms with her eyes half-closed. It was impossible to tell whether she had fallen asleep or was listening to the two of them talk. Iluna listened carefully as Shade explained:
"I see. I more or less understand now. It looks like this time, we're going to the Creation Church's Church to resolve the trouble. Shade, try not to make too much of a commotion in Arcadia City today. I heard that besides me, several Thirteenth Ring Warlocks will be going there as well."
It was about time, so Iluna stood as she spoke:
"I'll go to the basement and get that gun myself. You don't need to see me off. The Church's notice described this trip as a short business assignment. I don't think I'll be staying there for more than a week. If there's a chance, we'll meet in Arcadia City~"
She waved goodbye to Shade. Seeing that Luvia, curled up in Shade's arms, had truly fallen asleep again, the eighteen-year-old girl bent down and kissed Shade on the forehead. Then she pursed her lips and pointed at her own cheek. Trying not to wake Luvia, Shade also kissed Iluna on the cheek.
"Goodbye, I'm leaving~"
Feeling exceptionally energized, Iluna mouthed the words silently before skipping downstairs. Only after the sound of the door closing came from below did Luvia, who had seemed asleep, speak with her eyes still closed:
"Iluna is really interesting. I thought just now that she wanted you to kiss her while holding me. I mean a real kiss, not merely a kiss on the cheek."
Shade held her close.
"Luvia, you know what Iluna is like."
"That's why she has known you longer than Sivie has, yet she never developed the same sense of