After the discussion wrapped up, everyone headed back to their rooms to rest. Illusionary Feather was no exception. But with everyone aboard the spaceship right now, Blazing Heart should’ve obediently returned to her room with Belka—not followed the only male here, her master Illusionary Feather. That’d seriously tarnish his reputation.
Yet today, Blazing Heart acted strangely. Normally stubborn, she’d cling to her master when parting, but never threw tantrums like this. Now, under everyone’s stares, she clung tightly to Illusionary Feather’s arm. No coaxing made her let go.
"Little sister Blazing Heart," Belka urged gently, "Feather can’t reach his room like this."
Blazing Heart ignored her. Silent and unyielding, she glanced up at Illusionary Feather with evasive eyes. Seeing his troubled expression, she clung harder, dragging him out of the crowd toward his room.
The others knew arguing was useless. As Illusionary Feather was pulled away, Belka smiled warmly but warned, "If I learn tomorrow you did anything odd, little brother Feather, who knows what I might do?"
The other girls said nothing, but their eyes and expressions warned him too. Illusionary Feather stayed silent, praying he’d give them no reason to scold him tomorrow.
Under their watchful gazes, he was dragged to his room. After he left, the girls chatted briefly before dispersing.
Inside, Blazing Heart still hugged his arm. "Can you let go now?" Illusionary Feather asked kindly. "I can’t remove my coat."
She looked up blankly, released him, and stepped back. When he took off his coat, she quickly hugged his arm again—as if fearing he’d vanish. He felt puzzled but shrugged it off.
After商量, they changed into pajamas. Surprisingly, Koya—who usually sneaked in—didn’t come. Illusionary Feather slept with Blazing Heart clinging to him.
That night stretched endlessly for her.
At dawn, Illusionary Feather woke to find Blazing Heart exhausted. Her face drooped, dark circles under her eyes. She hadn’t slept. This never happened before—she always slept soundly, no matter where. Now, her weary expression spoke volumes.
Seeing this, his heart ached. He pulled her close. "Blazing Heart, what’s wrong? What kept you up?"
She didn’t answer immediately. After a pause, eyes closing drowsily, she murmured, "Master… don’t leave me."
He smiled faintly. Before he could promise, she added, "Master… she… dangerous… Teleportation Array… must not… go…"
Illusionary Feather grew puzzled. Her words explained it—she’d stayed awake all night, fearing this person would steal him. But who was this opponent? Male or female? Her reluctance to speak clearly meant she didn’t want him knowing. This enemy seemed formidable.
He couldn’t discuss it with others. An unknown threat might scare everyone—and might not even exist. Better to investigate alone. Blazing Heart soon slept in his arms. Morning light meant the girls would storm in soon. He had to check the Teleportation Array before that. Acting solo meant Belka’s scolding later, but waiting was worse. With Blazing Heart clinging so intimately, the girls might blow up the spaceship if they saw them. No choice.
He changed clothes via spatial storage, tidied the room, jumped out the window, and left a note.
When Belka and the others finally entered, the room was spotless. Only a letter on the desk, addressed "Sister Belka." Her eyes scanned Illusionary Feather’s elegant script: "Sister, urgent matter—I left early. Don’t worry. Continue the search. I’ll return."
As they read it, Illusionary Feather entered the Teleportation Array hall. His senses prickled—an aura both familiar and alien filled the air. It chilled him, thick with possessiveness.
Blazing Heart woke in his arms. Rare fear twisted her small face. She stared up at him, her usually empty eyes wide with terror. This aura truly terrified her.
She struggled fiercely, as if the aura was her natural enemy. Illusionary Feather finally stopped at the Array’s entrance and set her down. Helplessness washed over him. He had to face this threat. Hiding wasn’t the answer.
"Blazing Heart, who is she?" he asked.
Silence.
Knowing her stubbornness, he bent to pick her up again.
She panicked. "Master… better not to know."
"Why?"
"Because…" she hesitated, pain twisting her face, "if you know… you might… not like me anymore."
His heart clenched. He nuzzled her head. "Silly girl. No matter what, Master will never dislike you."
"Really?" she whispered.
"Really," he affirmed instantly. Any delay would crush her.
Her resolve hardened. "Then… I’ll take you to her. Don’t be surprised."
Darkness swallowed Illusionary Feather before he realized it.
Outside, the girls resumed their duties.
Meanwhile, deep in a cave on Dragon Rearing Mountain, a shadowy figure grinned grotesquely at a swirling rift. "You’ve returned to face me… bringing my beloved master too. For this gift, should I spare you?" It vanished.
Elsewhere, ten black-clad figures discussed their failed raid near Dragon Rearing Mountain. They’d confirmed the item existed—future chances remained. Soon after, Belka’s group traced footprints to a new location. Their mission was identifying intruders; now knowing their path, they debated investigating. No objections arose. As they finalized plans, a green-haired girl glanced up from her book, then returned to reading.
