Eden

They heard her voice before they saw her.

Just as the members of the House of Oddities found themselves in danger, an elegant, languid voice reached them—like silk softened in fine wine.

Yuzuha looked toward the entrance. A woman with long burgundy hair walked in slowly, wearing a gown woven in deep red and gold and swirling a wineglass in her hand.

"Looks like you could use my help," the woman said softly.

"Did Griseo send you to help us?"

Yuzuha's eyes lit up. She knew it!

There was no way Griseo would throw herself into the fire without a backup plan.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Eden, the Golden one of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers." Eden gave Yuzuha and the others a classical bow.

Griseo had asked her to help, and Eden had gladly agreed.

"Miss Eden is so courteous?" Alice said beside Yuzuha, her eyes shining. As the eldest daughter of the Thymefield Family, she knew elegance better than anyone.

She could always spot the carefully cultivated manners of noble society. But Eden's grace was nothing like that.

Her ease and composure seemed innate.

"You flatter me, Miss Alice."

A smile entered Eden's eyes. "Offering my sincerest thanks to my audience has always been my habit."

"Your audience?"

Yuzuha looked past Eden at the Ethereals continually emerging ahead. Could Ethereals be part of a performance? Or were they the audience?

"You, of course, are my audience."

Eden saw Yuzuha's confusion and turned to look ahead. From the Anomalous Corruptive Breath pouring out of the spherical device, Notorious Ethereals stepped out of the darkness one after another.

Yuzuha could not help worrying. "Eden, are you sure you don't need help? Can you really take on that many Ethereals alone?"

After speaking, Yuzuha turned back toward Eden. Eden turned too