The Endless Peaks ran like a dragon’s spine into the clouds, their backs still glazed with white even in high summer.

This was the border of the Elven Kingdom, the only seam where the Elven Forest met the Orc Wastes.

Few set foot there. Snow ogres nested upon the ridges and struck at any outsider. On clear-blue days, ice drakes beat their wings and stitched silver arcs through the sky.

Almost no one knew a vast amusement park had been hollowed out deep beneath those peaks.

Lightless tunnels curled like buried snakes, swallowing every secret into the dark.

This was Crimson Paradise’s main base in the New Land, playground to the Crimson Baroness and her beloved retinue.

…

At the park’s heart, on the platform of its largest roller coaster, a petite girl in a black robe bent carefully at the waist and offered up a phone.

“Master, we’ve found the prey’s trail.”

“Oh? Well done, my sweet.”

Devil was the only word that fit.

The woman stroking the robed girl’s head was sin made flesh. She had the kind of body that made blood surge—an S-curve, ten-centimeter heels.

Her eyes were lacquer-black, like wells that drank the world’s light. They pulled at you, always, like silk cords.

Compared to her, the Blood Dancer was a candle before a bonfire.

“Th-thank you… for Master’s praise…”

One glance at the woman and the robed girl blushed. Her body trembled, as if holding back a tide.

“Black, pass my order. Tonight, we hunt.”

“Yes… Master!”

The little robed girl nodded, happiness bright on her face, and began to turn away.

“Wait, Master! Something’s off.”

Another girl stepped onto the platform—a black-haired beauty with calm intelligence banked in her deep-blue eyes.

It didn’t match her outfit at all. She wore an extremely revealing bikini, thin strings and scraps that couldn’t hide her strong, even lines. Shame turned into spectacle.

“Sea-Sword Maiden, what feels wrong to you?”

The succubus-like woman didn’t anger. She let her gaze roam over the bikini girl’s skin, unabashed.

“Um… Master…”

Under that burning look, the black-haired girl flushed. Even her sure steps softened. “Yedie Snow vanished for so long. For her to show now—i-it reeks of a trap.”

“A trap? So what? If I, the Crimson Baroness, set eyes on prey, how could it possibly escape?”

“But Master, this target is unusual. She’s a sub-branch president of the Rangers Lodge… Maybe we should consider another plan…”

“Sea-Sword Maiden, I know you don’t like sharing affection… But my love is for every beautiful thing in this soiled world. To gather them here, to let them live forever in my paradise—tell me that isn’t the most beautiful end?”

Her lips tilted, a bloom of lethal joy. The smile stole breath like a soul-drawing charm.

“M-Master is right! I… I was jealous…”

“Good you know. I’ll forgive you this time, but a small punishment is due. Your bikini—one size smaller, fabric half as thick.”

“I… I understand! Thank you for the punishment, Master!!”

The black-haired girl nodded wildly, as if she’d been awarded a medal, not shame.

“Enough. Go prepare. Tonight, you and Black’s unit hunt with me.”

“Yes! I’ll get it done!”

Sea-Sword Maiden and Black left, alight with excitement.

The Crimson Baroness stepped forward and lifted her gaze to the lantern-braided park.

Under her hand, every retainer in Crimson Paradise lived like a flower in warm light.

“Yedie Snow, Tisinate, I truly hope you’ll join us here.”

She raised the phone. On the screen shone Dixue’s flawless face, clear as moonlight on snow.

…

“Butterfly Snow President, will our enemy show tonight?”

“I’ve spread the word. If they’re interested in me, this is Crimson Paradise’s last chance.”

“Then tonight it’s our turn as officers—to cut out a plague for the people!”

Officer Chen nodded. His magic was only at the professional tier, but he was a criminal officer with specialized gear. Perfect for catching criminals.

Magic ranks weren’t everything. Equipment and teamwork mattered.

“Thank you, Officer Chen. I’ll support everyone too.”

“Then, Miss Yue…”

The cute girl drifting in midair made him pause. He wasn’t sure what to call her.

“Just call me Yue. Anything’s fine—as long as it’s not ‘Your Excellency, Body Pillow’!”

“Uh… okay, Miss Yue.”

Officer Chen rubbed his gleaming bald head and grinned.

…

A minute ago, Yue Liuyi had scared everyone out of their skins.

She’d been excited and forgot she was still moving around in a doll body. She simply floated out in front of everyone.

The reaction went off like a pot boiling over.

“Whoa! Why is the body pillow flying?!”

“I-Is that the Yue Liuyi doll that’s all the rage? But why is it this cute?!”

“Eh!? Um! Don’t be scared, everyone! I—I’m Yue Liuyi! Also known as Fengyi. Because of a small accident I’m… temporarily attached to the body pillow…”

“M-Miss Yue Liuyi? After a little while apart, how did you…”

“Did Butterfly Snow President’s pet turn into a body pillow? What happened?!”

“Yet somehow… it fits.”

“Miss Yue! Please permit me to be your eternal, uh, fan!”

A doll popping into your face was pure horror. But once Yue Liuyi stated who she was, the scene shifted from horror flick to easygoing cartoon.

In that eased mood, everyone gathered and began hammering out tonight’s battle plan.

Adventurers hauled over homemade wooden stools and sat in a circle, like a high-end seminar, eyes on a silver-white silhouette.

In her human form, Yedie Snow revealed her identity, then soon returned to her original look.

“Next, I’ll assign tonight’s tasks.”

Dixue stood prim and proper. She seemed to enjoy keeping her ice-and-snow persona before a crowd. Her tone and wording turned formal.

“Though there are councilors in the Elven Parliament who support releasing innocent adventurers, the Elven Queen’s strong opposition has blocked the ordinance.”

As Dixue spoke, Yue Liuyi grasped the current lay of the land.

They were holding back. Their combined strength could form a rescue team and free their companions.

But a forced breakout could lead to casualties among the Elven Guard. No one wanted that. The elves loved peace, and those guards were only doing their duty. They weren’t villains.

“So we’ll run a lure-and-ambush.”

Dixue’s voice stayed cool. Tonight she would return to her human adventurer identity, feign capture, and be escorted by Elven Guards toward the Elven Capital.

In truth, those “guards” were all arranged by Qiu Ruyi—elite Special Envoy Rangers of the elves, reliable to the core.

The adventurers would split into three action units: the Interception Team, the Capture Team, and the Guerrilla Team.

Different jobs. Clear lines.

The Interception Team would hit the incoming enemy and help the Elven Guard repel them.

Captain Duanmu Liang, once of the Sky Voyager, would lead them. The old gentleman was master-tier. Though he’d been controlled by Sikong Qinhui in the past, his own power was ironclad.

The Capture Team would record the fight and capture members of Crimson Paradise whenever possible. With hard evidence after the fact, their allies in the Elven Parliament could rally greater public force.

Officer Chen would lead the Capture Team. When it came to catching criminals and collecting evidence, no one was more professional.

The Guerrilla Team would be the reserve and recon. Their job was to strangle any surprises in the crib. Crimson Paradise wasn’t to be underestimated. If the battle bogged down, the Guerrilla Team would trigger multiple contingencies to prevent the worst.

Chulei would command the Guerrilla Team. The head of the Thunderclap smuggling crew excelled at covert ops. He often traded with elves and knew the Elven Forest like his own palm.

Others were assigned by their strengths. Tiger Girl and Mino, both powerhouses, went to the Interception Team. Lia and Ailuna joined the Guerrilla Team. Emily and Gong Linxun went with the Capture Team.

Yue Liuyi couldn’t help admiring Dixue’s command. This careful, comprehensive division wasn’t easy.

Only those who’d run such ops often could move with this smooth order and put the right people in the right place.

(What exactly did LittleSnow used to do? I’ll have to ask when I get the chance…)

Yue Liuyi nodded and began her own prep.

She wasn’t a mascot anymore. With a body pillow for a body, Yue Liuyi could be a recon drone.

Tonight she’d drift above the field and relay the battle through telepathy.

…

“Oh-ho, an ancient spirit-pledge technique? To master it this young—remarkable.”

Captain Duanmu Liang strode over, his beard and hair touched with white. He studied the half-floating Yue Liuyi doll with sincere praise.

“Eh? Captain, you know this spell’s name?”

“You learned it without even knowing what it’s called, Miss Yue? A heaven-sent talent! I see startling bones and radiant grace. I have a dear friend to introduce. Would you be interested?”

“A dear friend?”

“Yes.”

“Captain Duanmu, now isn’t the time for that!”

Seeing the captain chatting up her Little Yue, Dixue hurried over. The silver-haired girl had shifted back to human, ears no longer long…

But her aura hadn’t changed. Like the elves, she carried quiet and green shade in her breath.

“Haha. Then I overstepped. When this is done, I’ll mention it to you both.”

“Oh? Captain, do you mean…”

“Hush. She told me to keep the mystery until you meet.”

“Uu… I know who it is! After we finish here, I’ll visit with Little Yue.”

“Excellent…”

With talk and light laughter, the hour of battle drew near.