Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

After all, Sapphire rarely hoped for her like that, she thought, while also wondering why Sapphire hadn't come along.

The chaotic noise filled her ears again, causing Miyu to sigh deeply. After all, her body wasn't strong enough to break through the crowd, so she could only wait for the right opportunity. However, seeing so many shadows obscuring her, the girl felt that it wouldn't be easy at all.

But soon, Miyu suddenly thought:

...I didn't comb Luvia's hair today. She and Rin seem to be going to the beach a lot these past few days. I don't know what they're doing, but they look exhausted. As part of the exchange, I have to do it properly.

The more she thought about it, the more a sense of unease suddenly pierced her heart.

The deal between Miyu and Luvia was that Miyu would help her retrieve her job cards, and Luvia would arrange everything for her to live a normal life. Moreover, at home, Miyu dressed in a maid outfit, just like Rin Tohsaka, who worked for Luvia.

Perhaps it was some unease brought on by her thoughts that made her appear somewhat preoccupied despite her indifferent expression in the crowd. To outsiders, it seemed as if she was at a loss because of the crowded conditions. Just then, a figure walked out from the group of 'Lion's' side by side.

Compared to the Lion-kun, whose bodysuit clearly indicated an adult inside, this Lion-kun appeared to be a smaller version. Because he was followed by several other Lion-kuns, the crowded people initially thought something was amiss, and thus allowed him to walk into the crowd.

"you are?"

Miyu muttered to herself as her hand was being held, while the man, Lion-kun, seemed to merely glance at her before forcefully pulling her out of the crowded throng. Once they reached an empty seat nearby, he released Miyu's hand and turned to leave.

Regardless of whether a person knows magic or not, being treated like this by a stranger would generally make one wary or afraid. However, for Miyu, she was surprisingly not afraid. In fact, for a moment, she felt a kind of static-like friction.

And so, in Miyu's jewel-like eyes, the departing Lion was reflected, with these words written in large characters on its back—

"The evil leader who invaded Fuyuki, Dr. Hell, Tiger King"

Looking at the 'special mark' that distinguished it from other Lion-class ships, she observed it briefly but still couldn't understand what it represented.

However, not long after, when she saw the Lion-kun grabbing the children or being defeated by the children using their 'fancy' moves from a distance, and when the parents around her were not confused by the situation but instead smiled as they witnessed this scene, Miyu instantly understood.

This is probably some kind of interactive event held by an animal park to celebrate today's holiday.

Children often fantasize about being in a specific environment for various reasons, such as 'transforming into or piloting a giant robot to fight against monsters or organizations that plunge the world into darkness and despair, thus protecting world peace', or 'suddenly becoming a tragic villain who hates the world after experiencing various misfortunes, or simply a villain who is just handsome'.

Of course, the former is more common in younger children, while the latter is more common in slightly older children. If there is any difference, it is probably the desire to perform. The latter is difficult to achieve in actual combat, while the former is often achieved in actual combat.

For Ilya, who was secretly hiding in some bushes, holding a sapling to conceal her presence, she was extremely envious. She also wanted to go up and play like that without any restraint. It was so cool! If she could add the magical girl Bushido Musashi, it would be even more perfect!

"I really want to go play..."

"childish."

Because the silver-haired girl's expression was so visibly envious, Chloe, who was standing next to Ilya, felt extremely embarrassed seeing her like this and couldn't accept that 'Ilya' would be like this.

Even if you say that, Xiao Hei, I still want to play.

"I'm really impressed with you. You should watch less magical girl movies. If the ancestors of the Einzbern family saw you like this, they would probably be so angry that they would come back to life from the ground."

The two, who almost got into another fight at school, had their relationship improved a lot because of Ivia that day. The reason they came together now was simple: they had both seen the invitation letter that Miyu had given to Ivia, so the two who came to check on things on their way here just happened to meet.

As for Ruby, she seems to be entangled with Sapphire in some way, and it is thanks to Ruby's 'sacrifice' that Ilya was able to break free from Sapphire's entanglement.

"……hehe."

Ilya gritted her teeth and laughed twice, "Little Black, don't think I don't know you actually want to go up and play too."

"Who, who would want to play that? I stopped watching such childish activities ages ago. I'd rather die than watch or play them..."

At this point, Chloe waved her hand dismissively, "Of course, it's different if my brother is here. One thing is one thing, and the other is completely different."

"Ah! I knew it!"

In fact, the two arrived much earlier than Miyu, so they had already seen that Ivia, who should have been waiting at the entrance, was now wearing the Lion King's costume. It seemed that the animal park was short-staffed and wanted to select one of the children participating in the activity.

As a result, everyone was unhappy when they heard that he was the villain, and even the boss had no interest in it. So the staff randomly picked someone and, quite by chance, found Ivia sitting at the door to see if she could help them out.

At the time, Ilya made a bet with Chloe, one betting not to participate and the other betting to participate. Ilya won. The reason she made the bet was because of the time Ivia waved her magic wand in front of so many people at the theater, which left a deep impression on her. At the same time, Ilya discovered that Chloe seemed unaware of the reason for this... Although she didn't quite understand, Ilya was still quite happy at that moment.

This is because it indicates that this is a very valuable and exclusive experience.

Her gesticulating manner at that time puzzled Chloe, who wondered, "Is it really necessary to be so happy about winning a bet where nothing is being wagered?" But if viewed from another perspective, Chloe might also be unable to resist being happy, after all, her unique experience was that night was "so cute".

Looking down from inside a cabin of the Ferris wheel in the animal park, Luce sighed in admiration.

"Everyone, assemble!"

Upon hearing this from the highest-ranking official from the church headquarters, Karen glanced at her furtively.

Since meeting Luce yesterday, Karen couldn't help but feel confused about her. She only glanced at the information that she should have looked at and asked her more questions about 'Ivia'. At first, Karen thought it was like the Einzbern kid, but as they talked, she realized it was a completely different kind of emotion... more like familial affection.

"By the way, are you related to him?"

“Really? I’m quite happy that Karen would say that.”

Luce smiled genuinely.

In fact, when talking to Karen about Ivia, she never hid the joy on her face, and it was unclear what she was happy about.

"By the way, I've finished checking Fuyuki. You'll be going to other regions and countries soon, right?"

"Ugh, just thinking about this makes me sad."

Luce answered dejectedly, his cane twirling gently in his hand.

Even though the current crackdown is progressing relatively smoothly, human desires remain a challenge, and nothing can be achieved overnight.

"Oh? Could something have happened?"

Karen stood up. "You should think of it this way: others have nothing to do with you. Helping them is a favor, not your duty. Your responsibility is to check on them, so there's no need to feel bad about it. Humans are all useless pigs."

Karen's statement was probably intended to imply that church members in other regions had done something that Luce found unacceptable.

"Of course, but everyone here is actually a good person."

"Really? That's good—they're all good people?"

Karen was puzzled as to why she received that answer.

Perhaps this is what she, living in such a privileged environment, thinks. But with such power, she shouldn't be blind to it; rather, she should have witnessed it since childhood—the struggle for desire, the exchange of interests, and so on, Karen thought.

After all, in the renowned church orphanages, in addition to the adopted children, there were also quite a few illegitimate children of cardinals.

"Yes, because that's what my father hoped for, so I try my best to hope for that too, even though such hope might be painful. But the reality I've seen isn't so terrible; it's all possible."

These words touched Karen's thoughts and feelings.

Realizing that Luce's mud-covered shoes were not intentional decorations, but genuine proof of her 'arduous and long journey'.

"Father?"

"Ah."

"Because we have always been a 'community,' and the 'community' of the Holy Church is established for each of its members, as well as for all those in the world who are suffering, unfortunate, or confused about the future. It was established solely for people."

For the first time, the blue-haired girl smiled shyly, a smile that seemed both familiar and genuinely innocent.

"That's what my father hoped for."

This statement was perfectly clear to Karen, as it was a declaration made at the First Ecumenical Council, the words of St. Novia, the founder of the Church. Therefore, she unconsciously repeated the same words.

"hope……"

So that's how it is. So Luce considered the past San Novia as his 'father'.

Karen thought to herself.

……

Sitting in the sunny animal park, Miyu silently observes everything from the crowded and noisy crowd, while also listening to the children's innocent words of "Protect the world."

She gives the impression that she has been practicing asceticism in the mountains for a long time and rarely comes to the city.

Time ticked by, and eventually the event seemed to be over; at least Miyu saw the Lion-kuns dispersing.

Then, by chance, Miyu saw a pair of children holding hands passing by her and overheard their conversation.

"If it weren't for you, brother, I wouldn't have wanted to come here at all."

The boy probably didn't know how to answer, so he could only nod in agreement.

This is normal. After all, only boys are interested in hero games at a young age, and girls are still rare. Even if they want to play with their families, most of the time they are acting as hostages, and the people they know save or invade the world before sunset.

"By the way, brother, let me tell you, when Lion-kun took me hostage just now, I was a little scared."

The older brother, a boy, probably didn't know why his sister said those things. After thinking about it, he figured that compared to their usual games, Lion King from the animal park was quite the actor, getting into character quite well. He would laugh evilly at an impressive volume, accompanied by monologues that were exactly like those of villains on TV. As the leader, Little Lion King really looked like a villainous leader, since he hadn't said a word.

So after thinking about it this way, the boy understood that his sister must be very scared, frightened by the villainous organization's utterly wicked words and voices.

"But only a little bit."

The girl's hands trembled slightly as she spoke.

"But because my brother is here, I'm not afraid."

“…What?”

The boy smiled at his sister and said, "So you're not afraid after all?"

Then he remembered that Little Lion hadn't been silent the whole time. When he saw his sister being taken away, he panicked, and at that moment, a voice came from inside the suit.

"You, and all of you, have to win."

The simple, brief sentence uttered by the 'villain leader' Little Lion was more resolute and powerful than anything else.

The two siblings gradually departed, and the surrounding environment slowly changed with the passage of time.

Miyu didn't know what to do, so she sat there quietly like a doll, waiting.

Then raindrops began to fall from the still-blue sky, causing Miyu to subconsciously look up. She wasn't too confused, since the weather forecast did say it would rain today. But as she stood up, thinking she should take shelter first, Miyu's eyes narrowed instantly, as if she were in some kind of disbelief.

Because she only just realized that the pendant hanging around her neck was missing.

And so, in this misty drizzle that obscured everything, in the sun shower that quietly drifted down from the clear sky, the girl in the raincoat began her search, staring blankly at her surroundings, turning her neck slightly, as if she were groping for the path that had become a small puddle with her eyes.

Since the sapphire wasn't with her, she couldn't use that power to search for it. Even when she told the staff, she only got perfunctory replies like, "We know, you can go back now."

Before she knew it, Miyu's raincoat was covered with tiny silver water droplets, as if it were covered with a layer of frost. She quietly walked along the original path, searching.

The fine, powdery rain continued to fall quietly. Soon after, she looked up and saw the rain-soaked world stretching endlessly before her eyes, spreading outwards in the misty drizzle. Even though the sky was still blue, it felt somewhat heavy.

Some people on the road saw Miyu and advised her not to walk in the rain, but the girl ignored them. However, powerless, she eventually sat down on a log by the bridge, still in the rain, like an exhausted traveler.

We cannot give up; that is extremely important...

Miyu was just a little tired, but she hadn't really given up. Even though it was a remnant of the past, she didn't want to discard it.

"Alright, let's continue..."

The black-haired girl looked up and saw a hand reaching out from under the bridge. Her eyes widened immediately.

Immediately afterwards, a man named Shishio, completely soaked, jumped up from below. After patting himself off, he looked at Miyu, who had also appeared in his sight, and then threw what he was holding high over his shoulder.

Even in the misty drizzle, the small jade stone still traced a beautiful parabolic arc.

The endpoint of the parabola—

It was Miyu Sakuzuki's outstretched right hand.

She caught the thing that would have fallen to the ground if ignored, something she had lost in the crowd.

Therefore, the girl remained silent for a while, then quietly walked up to Little Lion. At first, she reached out as if she wanted to remove the headgear, but she hesitated just before touching it. Then she threw the jade in her hand down in front of him and left a sentence.

"Do you think this creates a great atmosphere? It's perfect for having fun like this, but even so, we'll soon become strangers again."

Miyu's eyes were like those of a puppet, completely devoid of emotion.

Knowing that this might mean there would be no chance to reconnect, I still did it anyway.

This scene greatly surprised Ilya, who was secretly observing from the side. She hadn't expected Miyu to say such a thing. She almost ran out in a hurry, but Chloe held her back.

"Let's not go out."

"This is really strange, Miyu..."

"I don't care anymore, I will always stay by my brother's side."

Although it was obvious that Ivia and Miyu had some unknown past, Chloe firmly stood by Ivia's side. Moreover, she could tell that Ivia hadn't used her powers at all today, so she felt sorry for her as she braved the rain to find things for Miyu.

"Um, I—"

Ilya wanted to protest loudly, saying she wanted Miyu and Ivia to get back together, but Chloe's powerful eyes wouldn't allow her to refuse.

Even so, the silver-haired girl continued to murmur softly.

"If Ivia really did something wrong, I will apologize with him..."

on the other hand.

After saying that, Miyu lowered her head and stared at the ground, while Little Lion remained looking straight ahead. Although the two were sitting on the same bridge, it was as if they were driving in opposite lanes.