"You can buy something to eat in town and get some rest... Staying with Lillia would be... such a waste of time..."
"It's fine. We're already here, so there's no harm in taking a look at the spirit tree," Chen Ce comforted her gently. "Besides, I have to make sure you're safe."
"Safe...?"
"Yes."
"Is there something dangerous here...?"
The grass in the forest stirred in the wind, and a few unknown little insects just so happened to start chirping. Lillia immediately shrank her neck in fear.
"I'm not sure either. It's only a possibility." Chen Ce silently moved to the inner side of the path, putting himself between Lillia and the grass, while firmly taking Ahri's hand. "But as long as there's even the slightest chance, I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."
"Thank you..." Lillia lowered her head in embarrassment.
Ahri, meanwhile, looked both delighted and a little puzzled. "Although I'm very happy that you care so much, darling... what danger could there be here?"
"The danger of having your soul devoured," Chen Ce explained. "As for Azakana... all right, that's a bit complicated, so let's set it aside for now. You can judge from that old lady's attitude earlier—don't you think it was a little unusual?"
"Unusual? Wasn't that old granny very enthusiastic?" Ahri was even more confused.
Lillia also looked as if she did not quite understand.
Clearly, these two beautiful "beast-eared girls" were still a bit too young and inexperienced in the ways of the world.
"It's precisely because she was so enthusiastic that it was unusual," Chen Ce said as he pushed at the mask on his face. "I keep feeling like she was a little... ill-intentioned. In any case, we should be cautious. It never hurts."
"Then why are you still