Reports from the front said the earth above had become a nest of monsters, like iron weeds overrunning a field.
Neither side expected Mechanical Monsters to blossom beneath their feet. Order shattered like glass, and panic rippled through the ranks.
Mystic Illusion Cafe was no better off. More monsters crawled through the tunnels, and the steady floor began to shiver like a magnitude 4–5 quake, as if a buried dragon rolled.
“Master, careful—this place could cave in!”
Yin Mu’s heart fluttered like a trapped sparrow. She leaned toward Yue Liuyi, a helper now, a nurse by necessity.
“Mm. We’ll pause the treatment… But don’t worry, Purple Illusion. Your sister’s stable.” Her voice poured warm as tea.
Yue Liuyi wiped the dew of sweat from her brow and looked at the violet-haired girl.
Emerald vines wrapped the patient like a forest cocoon, tender and sure. Leaves pulsed, one beat after another, and pure life force flowed along branch and vein like spring sap.
Soft light rose around Purple Dream. It filled the room like dawn, and it lit the blue-haired girl’s eyes, deep as sky.
In Purple Illusion’s gaze, Yue Liuyi felt like a tiny deity, impossibly cute, the kind that calms storms.
“Are you… really a World Tree Maiden?”
She had watched the whole process, awed as life gathered around the blue-haired girl like mist over a lake.
“Of course I am! Though I’m more a trainee World Tree Maiden, you know? I’m miles behind the pros.”
Yue Liuyi sank onto a waiting stool. Healing Purple Dream had taken more mana than she’d planned, her spirit dimming like a lantern in wind.
But the cells inside Purple Dream had awakened, thawing like frost at sunrise. Keep treating, and she’d return to full health.
Joy surged first, then words. “My… sister…”
Purple Illusion had waited so long. She’d tried a hundred paths to save her, and watched hope crumble like sand. Now, with real promise set before her, she froze like a deer in snow.
She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know what to do. Too many lies, too many masks—her feelings felt locked like a sealed jar.
“Easy now. I won’t lie to you~ Right now, just smile and let yourself be happy!”
Yue Liuyi reached out and ruffled the violet hair, a soft breeze through willow leaves.
A girl’s happy sobs rang in the room, like rain on warm stone.
…
…
…
When the treatment paused, Yue Liuyi stepped out.
The floor of Mystic Illusion Cafe was a wreck, rubble and grime scattered like fallen shale. The air, once clean, had turned murky as a stirred pond.
“Little Moon, you okay?”
Dixue wrapped the tired Yue Liuyi in a gentle hug, silver hair drifting like moonlit silk. Her eyes dipped shut, her touch careful as snowfall.
“I’m fine… LittleSnow, is everyone ready?”
Yue Liuyi loved that calm warmth in LittleSnow, that reliable softness like cloud against cheek—especially those snowy curves. Leaning into them felt too good.
“Mm… We packed the critical assets. We told the customers: sticking with us is the only way out.”
“Great! Let’s grab our things and head out!”
“Huh? Not even a short rest, Little Moon?”
“This place is risky. It could collapse any time! And with the Mechanical Monsters prowling, the sooner we get back, the better.”
They’d already discussed it. Logic first, then action.
With monsters bursting from below, an underground cafe was a tiger’s den. Even if the monsters didn’t breach the walls, a cut to water or ventilation would be fatal to most guests and staff left here.
So the girls planned to pack only what was necessary and evacuate as soon as they could.
But… where to shelter was the hard choice.
Xinke District was out; a fierce battle was raging there, with more Mechanical Monsters.
The central commercial district was no good. The fighting hadn’t reached it, but it was too far for a safe move.
Only the Winterwood District looked right, a cold grove of derelict buildings where people could bed down for now. Luyao, Purple Illusion, and Yue Liuyi knew it like a map etched in the heart.
“Mm! If Little Moon wants to pull out now, then I’ll just…”
“Huh?”
Yue Dier didn’t even ask. She scooped Yue Liuyi straight into her arms, as smooth as lifting a cloud.
“Whoa! LittleSnow, put me down! We’ve got to lead the way. We can’t march like this!”
“Why not? Little Moon’s tired, so it’s only right she rests in her big sister’s arms~”
“This is super embarrassing!”
…
…
Dashi rubbed his temples, half amused, half troubled.
If Yue Liuyi hadn’t told him secrets only Dongfang Chen knew, he’d never believe that cute, soft blue-haired pillow was his upright, iron-boned brother.
“Eh? Why’s Purple Illusion all dewy?”
“Miss Yin Mu~ Little Huan’s soaked because Sister Yue Liuyi worked her magic! Her skills are so deft, Little Huan can only bow in awe!”
“Wait—Little Moon, what was that about? What did you do to another girl in that room?!”
“Hey! LittleSnow, don’t tickle me— I didn’t… Hey! Purple Illusion, traitor! That’s payback for kindness!”
The blue-haired little pillow was being kneaded back and forth by her sisters, fluffed till she looked like a plush ball. Even Dashi felt his hand itch to reach out and test that softness.
But business came first. If he wanted to mess around with Brother Dongfang Chen later, the Moon Post Bookstore would still be there.
“Everyone, don’t worry. I’m Teng Dashi, scion of Teng Capital. I’ll keep you safe. And I vouch for these sisters—they’re solid.”
As a capital insider, Dashi was known to some customers at Mystic Illusion Cafe. Trust spread like fire catching dry grass.
“What’s going on out there?!”
“Ahh! I should’ve stayed home and managed things from behind the lines, not drinking in a war!”
“I’m only a visitor from an offworld colony. Don’t drag me into your civil mess!”
“I’ll pay. Name the price—just keep me safe!”
Voices tangled like a flock of sparrows. Even so, the makeshift caravan—Flame Ruins Gang, Mystic Illusion Cafe, and the girls—flowed out like a river, beginning the road home.
