"Are we really doing this?" Raenly whispers, clinging to the corner of a brick building like a house cat afraid of the rain. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea?"
The alley around The Mystbern's lays damp, narrow, and smells faintly of wet leather and regret.
Mysa crouches beside him in sleek traveling leathers, her long auburn hair bound in a thick, elegant braid. "Shhh. Of course we're doing this! Do you want to spend the rest of your life getting beaten by Vuvela Blackthorn and her giggle-powered sexbot?"
Raenly adjusts his oversized, custom-built spy goggles. "It's not just about her! That Pleasure Prince is... too perfect. No seams. No mana bleed. No residual magical flux aura. I have to know how she built him."
Mysa sighs dreamily. "I just want to touch him."
Raenly squints at her. "This is research! We're not putting our tails on the line so you can get your thrills."
"Suuuure," she purrs with a smirk. "Whatever you say, little brother."
They peer around the corner again, peeking nervously at the troop of royal knights. The gleaming wall of half-dressed warriors cut across the crowds and approach Vuvi's group. At the head of the formation stood Saint Sister Lihona, her sheer robes catching the sunlight like silk on holy fire, her flawless skin clear visible and clearly flushed underneath.
Raenly gasps. "Is that—?"
"A Saint Sister. The Sixth Tongue, I think." Mysa whispers. "This just got fun."
Raenly flails. "We can't spy on people the Church is involved with! There's knights now! The Crown is involved."
Mysa elbows him gently. "We're in it now. No turning back!"
At that moment, they both gasp as they watch Saint-Sister Lihona drop to her knees before Pip and Vuvi, pleading publically, devoid of any pride.
"Why is she always kneeling?" Vuvi mutters, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Penelo bounces beside her, clapping. "She's soooo respectful!"
Veena, arms crossed and amused, says nothing, but her eye twitches at the over-the-top reverence.
Pip stands motionless, his optics flickering rapidly, utterly unsure how to process the saintly woman prostrating herself in public.
Saint Sister Lihona looks up at Vuvi, eyes radiant and filled with hope. "Please. Allow us to escort the Prince of Pleasure to the High Temple. The Maiden Mother herself wishes to confirm his divine status. If he is the prophesied one, then he must be protected… and guided. The Church will help him fulfill his destiny."
Veena scoffs. "And by guide, you mean control. You brand all other beliefs heresy and now you want to leash the only spark of hope this world has seen in centuries?"
Lihona pales and swallows hard. "We mean no harm. I promise you on my faith as Saint-Sister! We offer blessings, wealth, a sanctuary—"
"—And influence," Veena cuts in.
"I'm not letting Pip go anywhere," Vuvi said, eyes sharp. "Not unless he says otherwise."
Pip blinks once.
He turns to Vuvi.
She smiles at him with a face devoid of expectations, and eyes filled with appreciation.
He then steps forward and gently grabs Vuvi's hand. He beeps a slow, appreciative beep and plants his metal feet firmly beside his creator.
She smiles, then grins as she gives him a wink. "Thought so."
Turning to Lihona, she says flatly, "We're going to save the world our way. If your church wants to help, maybe start with not trying to steal my creation."
Maribelle snorts behind her, twisting her blade-belt slightly with her hands.
The knights all gasp beneath their helmets and take a quivering step back.
Saint Sister Lihona bows her head in disappointment, then stands. "If you ever change your mind, the High Temple will welcome you."
Vuvi chuckles. "I'm sure they would."
"Please…" Lihona says softly, clasping her hands together between his breasts. "Please understand, we seek only to ensure The Prince's power is used to bring salvation—"
"Yes, yes." Vuvi groans. "I'm sure you have big plans for Pip. But until he's ready, I'd appreciate it if you left us alone."
Vuvi turns to her mother who cocks an eyebrow at the Saint-Sister.
Lihona muffles a yelp.
"Forgive us…" she says, bowing deeply.
As the group turns and heads back through Market Town's winding streets, the mood lightens… until Veena slows her pace.
Her ears twitch. She looks over her shoulder.
Vuvi notices. "What's wrong?"
Veena's gaze sharpens. "There's… something's watching us."
Penelo shivers. "I-I don't like this."
Maribelle barely reacts. She just keeps walking at a brisk pace.
"I picked up the scent a while ago. It's faint, but it reeks of the Demon Lands. Don't look scared. Don't stop. Just keep moving."
------------
They reach the inn after sunset. The city streets are already empty and quiet, but the tension still clings to the group like morning mist.
Vuvi flops dramatically onto the bed in their shared room, grinning. "I can't wait to see Raenly's face when he sees Pip's design win again. Today was perfect."
Unbeknownst to her, the wall behind the headboard has an unexpected visitor.
In the room next door, Raenly hunches over a bizarre contraption with a metal funnel and long coils of tubing, pressed awkwardly against the wall. "This should amplify ambient resonance vibrations enough to translate—"
The machine explodes in a puff of purple smoke and crystallized confetti.
Mysa, sprawled on the bed reading a romance novel titled Stirrups and Sweet Nothings, sighs. "That's your third one today."
"I'm innovating!" Raenly coughs. "Perfection takes practice."
Back in the team's room, Pip is helping Penelo fold their clothes while Veena reviews the map to plan their departure. Maribelle is absent having gone for tea with the innkeeper again before their departure from Market Town.
As Vuvi bends down to adjust a buckle on Pip's travel bag, the door slams open.
Maribelle storms in like thunder, eyes scanning the room.
Without a word, she throws a magically-infused dagger across the room… embedding it deep into the far wall.
Penelo shrieks. Veena gasps, Vuvi erupts into a chorus of cursing.
Until…
An invisible shape shimmers into view. A grotesque, winged eyeball, its tendrils quivering, black ichor pouring from its punctured body. It hisses, gurgles, and explodes in a puff of ashen smoke.
Silence.
Everyone stares.
Veena slowly closes the map.
Maribelle turns, deadly calm. "We're leaving. Now!"
Vuvi raises a hand. "But—"
Maribelle glares.
Vuvi folds. "Yep. Leaving!"