Transformed into a pink fairy, I will make all the players cry with my sword

paradise.

Upon hearing this word, Tao Yao was slightly taken aback.

She looked at the hand that Fei Ying had extended. The hand was not slender, and there were even some thin calluses and small scars on the palm and knuckles, but it was very clean and strong.

Above that were Hiyori's bright eyes, burning with anticipation.

In this desolate and lifeless post-apocalyptic wasteland, this glimmer of light is all the more precious.

Tao Yao's mood inexplicably improved.

She didn't reach for the hand, but instead, using the petals for support, she gracefully stood up and emerged from the enormous pink enchanting flower.

The demonic flower withered rapidly after she left, turning into countless pink specks of light that vanished without a trace.

"Okay."

Tao Yao gave Fei Ying a sweet and harmless smile.

"Then let's go together."

……

Looking at the pink-haired girl in front of her who had agreed so readily, Hiyori still wasn't completely at ease.

She withdrew her hand from mid-air and pointed to the modified off-road vehicle.

"We're still quite a distance from the next camp, and there are always monstrous beasts roaming around here, so it's not exactly safe."

Hiyori's voice regained its calmness and composure.

"You can sit in the passenger seat; it'll be easier to keep an eye on things."

After saying that, she turned around first, opened the car door, and quickly got into the driver's seat.

Tao Yao watched her retreating figure with great interest, then readily opened the passenger door and got in.

The off-road vehicle restarted, its engine emitting a deep roar, and continued its journey across the wilderness.

The atmosphere inside the car became somewhat somber for a moment.

Tao Yao didn't speak, but turned her head to the side, focusing most of her attention on the red-haired girl beside her.

She could clearly sense that although the old Scarlet Cherry beside her had invited her to come along, the wariness stemming from her survival instincts in the apocalypse had never disappeared.

Her left hand rested on the steering wheel, her posture seemingly relaxed, but her right hand never left the loaded pistol placed between the two seats.

While driving, Fei Ying's gaze wasn't just fixed on the road ahead; she would also occasionally glance at Tao Yao inside the car and the desolate scenery outside through the rearview and side mirrors.

That vigilance was ingrained in his very bones.

Tao Yao couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

This is completely different from the silly little guy of later generations.

If it were the future Hiiro, she would probably have been completely fooled by his words long ago, and wouldn't be like she is now, always with a gun in hand and on guard.

It’s time to say it or not.

The legendary Hizakura, though not wielding the power of a fairy, possessed a ruthlessness and caution far surpassing her future self.

It's also... even more attractive.

The thought uncontrollably popped into Tao Yao's mind.

Seemingly noticing Tao Yao's undisguised scrutiny, or perhaps sensing that the silent atmosphere was rather strange.

Hiyori took the initiative to speak.

"I still don't know your name."

"My name is Hiiro. What's yours?"

Her questions were direct and without any unnecessary formalities; they were purely intended to break the ice and exchange basic information.

Upon hearing this question, Tao Yao's smile widened even further.

"Peach Blossom".

She answered lazily, her voice carrying a unique, sweet tone.

"The peach blossom in the peach tree".

Hiyori's hand, which was gripping the steering wheel, paused almost imperceptibly.

She turned her head and, for the first time, took a proper and careful look at the pink-haired girl beside her.

"Taoyao..."

She repeated the name softly, then turned her attention back to the road ahead.

"A very nice name."

"So we're quite destined to be together, since our names are both related to flowers."

The tense vigilance in Fei Ying's voice seemed to have loosened slightly because of this small coincidence.

“Yes, it’s quite a coincidence,” Tao Yao echoed with a smile.

"Hiyō, what kind of place is this 'paradise' you mentioned?"

Hearing Tao Yao ask the question, Fei Ying seemed to open up a bit more.

"I heard this from some wandering merchants."

"It is said that in the heart of the continent, there is a city built by the 'First Knights' of the Golden Kingdom before the disaster. It has the strongest city walls and the most elite warriors, capable of resisting the highest level of demonic calamity."

"All the surviving humans want to go there."

"Everyone says that it is everyone's 'paradise'."

When talking about the amusement park, Hiyori's speech quickened, filled with longing.

The two chatted casually, asking and answering questions.

When Fei Ying asked about Tao Yao's background, Tao Yao recounted her tragic life story, which she had already fabricated—a story of family ruin, death, and wandering alone—in a perfectly fitting manner, tinged with both melancholy and resilience.

These words clearly resonated with Hiyori.

The wariness in her gaze towards Tao Yao lessened considerably; the shared experience of suffering brought them much closer.

However, the hand that was on the gun remained in place.

Tao Yao had no doubt whatsoever.

If it were the future Hiiro, in this kind of atmosphere, she would probably have already started to open her heart and soul, and wouldn't even know she was selling herself out.

However, the woman in front of her, Hiiro, maintained a last shred of rationality and vigilance.

Therefore.

Tao Yao was happy to cooperate, completely playing the role of a beautiful survivor who was weak and helpless, yet pretended to be strong.

She suppressed all her divinity and aura, making herself appear harmless, and gradually opened up to Fei Ying, chatting about her experiences in this era.

Time flew by as the two chatted intermittently.

Before they knew it, the off-road vehicle had left the wilderness, and the outlines of some dilapidated buildings appeared ahead.

"Greystone Town is just ahead."

Hiyori pointed ahead.

"Let's rest here for a bit, replenish our supplies, and gather some information."

However, as the vehicle drew closer, the ease on Hizakura's face vanished.

There were none of the campfires, human voices, or even defensive fortifications that the survivor camp was supposed to have.

All that met the eye was a desolate wasteland.

Collapsed houses, charred vehicles, and scattered, long-dried dark red bloodstains.

A faint, nauseating stench of blood and decay filled the air.

squeak--

The screeching sound of brakes shattered the silence of the ruins.

Hiyori slammed her foot on the SUV to a sudden stop.

All the emotions on her face vanished in an instant, leaving only extreme calmness and solemnity.

She grabbed the pistol, checked the magazine, and did so swiftly and decisively.

"Peach Blossom".

Fei Ying lowered her voice, and that decisiveness and sharpness resurfaced once again.

"It seems this camp has fallen."

"It is estimated that monstrous beasts may emerge from the ruins at any time."

"For your safety, you must stay close to me and not leave my side for even a moment."

"We need to go in and see if there are any survivors, find out what happened here, and while we're at it... collect some usable supplies."

Hearing this protective admonition, a subtle, pleasant smile, unnoticed even by herself, curved Tao Yao's lips.

interesting.

The Hirosaka of this era, though covered in thorns and as wary as a wildcat ready to fight at any moment, possesses a damnably gentle sense of responsibility deep down.

The feeling of being protected by such a little guy is just...

Novel and fascinating.

Tao Yao's mischievous, primordial sense of humor, which belonged to the original gods, began to resurface uncontrollably.

She simply suppressed all her extraneous aura, disguising herself as a complete vase that was nothing but pretty, and obediently nodded.

"Ah."

She followed closely behind Fei Ying, her posture suggesting that she had truly entrusted her life and fortune to the red-haired girl before her.

Fei Ying was clearly also worried about leaving Tao Yao alone in the car; who knew what else might be lurking in these ruins.

The two of them entered the desolate town, one after the other.

The concrete road beneath my feet was covered in cracks, and dried, dark brown bloodstains, like ugly graffiti, were everywhere. An overturned armored vehicle lay across the middle of the road, its body torn open by some kind of claw, its interior already hollowed out.

Hiyori's movements were very professional.

Instead of taking the main road, she chose to stay close to the shadows of buildings, using the ruins as cover, and moved quickly and silently.

Every step she took landed on the most secure spot, her gun always ready to fire, her sharp eyes scanning every corner that might be hiding danger.

Tao Yao perfectly played her role.

She followed closely behind Fei Ying, her steps light, her eyes conveying just the right amount of tension and unease, perfectly portraying the image of a vulnerable survivor newly entered into danger.

The two soon arrived at a relatively intact building, which seemed to be the camp's former command post.

Hiyori crouched down and carefully examined the marks on the ground.

She picked up a speck of dust with her fingers and examined the extent of the corrosion from the claw marks on the wall.

A moment later, she stood up, a hint of helplessness showing on her previously tense face.

"Judging from these traces, this place was breached by the calamity beasts at least a month ago."

Hiyori's voice carried a hint of self-deprecation.

"The information I received from the merchants was completely outdated. This place may have been a survivor camp before, but now it's just a huge graveyard."

She sighed softly, leaned against the dilapidated wall, and rubbed her temples.

“Tao Yao, according to my original plan, if this camp is still there, we can rest here for a few days, replenish our supplies, and then try to get a better vehicle before going to find ‘Paradise’.”

"But given the current situation... I'm afraid we'll have to change our plans."

The journey to the apocalypse is always full of unexpected events. Plans can never keep up with changes.

Tao Yao listened quietly, then responded softly with complete trust.

"Well, I support you."

There were no further questions, nor any panic.

That calmness even made the somewhat agitated Fei Ying pause for a moment.

She turned her head to look at the pink-haired girl beside her. The girl was quietly looking back at her, her clear eyes filled with pure trust, devoid of fear.

This feeling is very strange.

It's as if no matter what decision I make, the other person will follow unconditionally.

Hiyori's heart inexplicably calmed down.

The helplessness and exhaustion on her face faded considerably, and she cheered up, revealing a faint smile.