To be continued.
She looked at those words, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Yes, to be continued.
The story is not over yet.
Her story, Illya's story, and Higashino Makoto's story are not over yet.
The carriage continued on its way, heading towards the Re-Estize Kingdom.
Illya leaned on Higashino Makoto's shoulder, her long silver hair cascading over his arm, her crimson eyes half-open and half-closed.
"Big brother."
"Um."
"Are we going to the Re-Estize Kingdom next? What kind of place is the Re-Estize Kingdom?"
"I don't know. I've never been there."
"Shall we go take a look?"
"Good."
What happens after you go?
"Let's see first."
Illya smiled.
"Okay, I'll see."
She closed her eyes, a smile playing on her lips.
That smile was innocent and radiant, and her crimson eyes sparkled with anticipation.
She was really looking forward to it.
The Re-Estize Kingdom E-Rantel, the city where the dark, Momon became famous.
Higashino Makoto jumped off the carriage and stretched.
Illya followed behind him, her long, silvery-white hair shimmering with golden light in the sunset, and her purple dress standing out vividly in the twilight.
Kurumi was the last to get off the bus, carrying a suitcase, with the black cat "Zafkiel" following at her feet.
"Sir, shall we rest here tonight?"
"Um."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"Let's continue our journey early tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir."
Kurumi bowed slightly, then turned and walked towards the hotel.
After walking a few steps, she stopped and turned around.
"Miss Illya."
"What?"
"I still have to accompany you tonight, sir. Should I keep an eye on things?"
Illya's face turned red again.
"You--you--"
"I was just asking."
Kurumi's right eye curved into a crescent moon.
"If you wish to see it, I would not mind."
"Who wants to watch this!"
Illya stomped her foot.
You little philanderer!
"Thank you for the compliment."
I wasn't complimenting you!
"I know. But I take it as a compliment."
Illya took a deep breath, then another, and then another.
Then she turned around and took Higashino Makoto's hand.
"Big brother, let's go! Let's ignore her!"
Higashino Makoto stumbled slightly as she pulled him along, then followed.
"Slow down, don't fall."
"I won't fall! I'm not a little kid!"
"Do not you?"
"No!"
How old are you?
"Eighteen!"
"Still holding an older brother's hand at eighteen?"
"So what if you're eighteen? You can hold hands at eighteen!"
Higashino Makoto remained silent.
He was simply led by her into the hotel, into the room, into the night that was about to unfold many stories.
Kurumi stood at the hotel entrance, watching their backs as her right eye curved into a crescent moon.
"Miss Illya..."
She said softly.
"You're so cute."
The black cat "Zafkiel" crouched at her feet, its golden eyes fixed on the closed door.
Meow~
It called out once, and its tail swayed gently.
Kurumi lowered her head and glanced at it.
"Let's go, Zafkiel. We'll sleep next door tonight."
"Meow."
The black cat stood up and walked gracefully into the hotel.
Kurumi lifted her skirt and followed.
The next day, the carriage entered the Royal Capital, "Li Yestege," in the afternoon.
Sunlight poured down from the sky, but it failed to illuminate the city.
It only shone on those low, old, and gray buildings, casting their shadows on the potholed streets, as if draping this ancient city in a gray-white shroud.
Higashino Makoto lifted the curtain, glanced outside, and then lowered it again.
"How about it?"
Illya sat beside him, her long, silvery-white hair cascading over her shoulders, her purple dress standing out vividly in the dim light of the carriage.
Its crimson eyes stared at him curiously, like a child waiting for a story to begin.
"Not very good."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"Worse than I expected."
Illya tilted her head.
"Bad? Where is it bad?"
"It's bad in every way."
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes gazing at the roof of the car.
The streets were dilapidated, the buildings were low, and the pedestrians looked numb. There was an indescribable smell in the air.
It wasn't a foul smell, it was the smell of decay.
The city is rotting.
Illya blinked.
"Rot?"
"Yes. Rotten."
Higashino Makoto closed his eyes.
"It's like an apple; it looks fine on the outside, but it's rotten inside. You take a bite, and your mouth is full of bitterness."
Illya was silent for a moment.
"Why did the older brother come here?"
"Because the dice rolled here."
"But didn't my older brother say, 'Only the most foolish people completely believe in fate'?"
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at Illya.
Do you remember what I said?
"Certainly."
Illya straightened her back, her crimson eyes gleaming with pride.
"I remember every single thing my older brother said."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"Then you should also remember that I said, fate gave me an option, but whether I choose it or not is my own business."
"So, big brother chose the Re-Estize Kingdom?"
"Right."
"Why?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"Because I want to see."
What are you looking at?
"Look at how rotten a country can become after two hundred years of peace and tranquility without any external threats."
Illya tilted her head, a hint of confusion flashing in her crimson eyes.
"Big brother, you don't seem to like this country very much?"
It's not a matter of liking or disliking.
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"I just feel it's a pity."
"Pity?"
"Yes. It's a pity."
Higashino Makoto's voice softened.
"This land is fertile, rich in resources, and geographically advantageous. If governed properly, it could have become the most prosperous nation in the northwest corner of the continent. But it wasn't. It was ruined by a group of nobles who only knew how to fight for power and profit."
He paused.
"It's like a piece of fertile land planted with weeds. The weeds grow stronger and stronger, while the crops grow weaker and weaker. In the end, the whole land is ruined."
Illya looked at him, a complex light flashing in her crimson eyes.
"Big brother, do you want to pull out those weeds?"
"In no mood."
Higashino Makoto's answer was concise and to the point.
"Why?"
"Because it will grow back after you pull it out."
Higashino Makoto closed his eyes.
"The roots of the weeds have gone too deep. Pull out the top ones, the bottom ones will still be there. They'll grow back soon."
"What should we do then?"
"Have no idea."
Higashino Makoto's voice was very soft.
"Perhaps, let the fire burn it all down, then plant it again."
Illya remained silent for a long time.
"Big brother."
"Um."
Sometimes I don't understand what you're saying.
"It doesn't matter."
Higashino Makoto reached out and patted her head.
"You don't need to understand. You just need to follow me."
Illya smiled.
That smile was innocent and radiant, and joy sparkled in her crimson eyes.
"Okay. I'll follow you, big brother. Wherever you go, I'll go."