However, when her gaze fell on that corner again, her fox ears instantly froze.
The spot where two people had been standing was now completely empty.
Miko's smile froze on her face as a sense of foreboding shot from the tip of her tail to the top of her head.
She slowly, stiffly turned around—
A purple figure was already standing silently behind her and Mo Wang.
Raiden Ei looked expressionless, her deep purple eyes devoid of emotion as she gazed down at the two crouching in the shadows.
The firelight flickered behind her, stretching her shadow long enough to envelop Miko and Mo Wang.
Beside Ei, Yomotsu stood quietly as well, still holding that barely touched cup of wine.
Her calm gaze rested on Mo Wang, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Miko." Ei's voice carried no inflection, though killing intent was boiling beneath it. "What are you doing here?"
At almost the same moment, Yomotsu spoke in an equally flat tone. "Mo Wang, what are you doing here again?"
The air seemed to freeze.
Mo Wang and Miko exchanged a glance, seeing the same embarrassment in each other's eyes.
Miko reacted quickly. She instantly rose from the shadows, covered her face with her sleeve, and let out a string of dry laughs. "Ahem, ahem! Well... weren't we worried something might have happened to you two? So we came over to take a look. Yes, just take a look!"
As she spoke, she jabbed Mo Wang frantically with her elbow.
Mo Wang immediately got the hint. He sprang to his feet and nodded repeatedly. "Right, right, right! Seeing that you two are fine puts us at ease. Don't worry, carry on. We'll leave right now!"
The moment he finished speaking, the two turned around in perfect sync and lifted their