Sicily’s coastline boasted the most beautiful beaches on the Reno Continent.

Every year, it became a tourist paradise, especially for noble ladies from the Imperial Capital eager to splash their gold coins.

At this moment, a secluded stretch of shore—naturally partitioned by clusters of reefs—held three girls at play.

The sun still hung low, its rays gentle and warm…

“Take this! Serpent Water Gun!”

“Eek!”

A blossoming maiden wielding a water pistol chased a lovely girl, who tried to retaliate but…

“No! It’s freezing! Ugh… Miss, save me!”

The lovely girl reached toward a woman with russet-brown skin, but she sat unmoving on a reef, chin resting on her palm, gazing absently at the horizon where sea met sky.

The blossoming maiden was none other than Kozi—the third-ranked Serpent of the Radiant Ten Stars.

The russet-skinned woman was Saori—the fifth-ranked Tyrant.

And the lovely girl letting out playful shrieks? Their adorable maid, Xier.

“Ahhh!”

Xier yelped as Kozi tackled her onto the sand.

“Oho~ Xier’s younger than me, yet her curves seem… fuller! Let big sister inspect!”

Kozi pinned herself atop that softness while Xier squirmed helplessly.

“No… Miss…”

Saori remained lost in thought, oblivious.

“Shh!” Kozi suddenly stilled, lips brushing Xier’s earlobe.

“W-what are you—don’t you dare…”

Xier froze rigid, not daring to twitch.

“Like *this*…”

Kozi murmured a scheme into Xier’s ear. Hearing it, Xier cried out:

“We can’t!”

Kozi’s face hardened. She straddled Xier’s smooth, flat stomach.

“Xier… understood…”

“That’s my girl!” Kozi snapped her fingers, grinning at some private delight.

A sea breeze swept in, smooth as a maiden’s kiss.

Saori shivered unexpectedly, goosebumps rising on her arms.

Those noisy two had gone silent.

*Hmph… probably bored and gone back to their rooms.*

Unsuspecting, Saori kept her legs crossed, still admiring the seascape from her reef perch.

Utterly unaware that two mischievous auras crept up behind her.

Step by step…

Closer…

“Take this!”

“Sorry, Miss!”

Beneath the brilliant sun, four slender arms shot out together, shoving Saori off the reef into the sea.

“Hahaha! Tired of your brooding act, Miss Tyrant? How’s *this* for refreshing!”

Kozi cackled without a shred of dignity.

Xier, having pushed her mistress, immediately leaned over the reef edge.

“Miss! Are you alright?!”

She regretted looking. Her jaw nearly dropped.

Because…

Beneath that reef…

—lay another reef!

“Miss… I-I didn’t mean… it was all Miss Kozi’s idea! N-not my fault… I swear!”

Xier stammered, her face flushed crimson.

Saori lifted her head slowly, water dripping from her hair. A small bump already swelled on her lovely forehead.

She ground her teeth, hissing through clenched jaws—

“Xieeerrr…!”

“I’m sorry, Miss!”

Xier whirled to seek help—only to find empty space behind her.

The so-called “Serpent” had vanished, leaving only a tantalizing silhouette fleeing down the shore!

“Miss Kozi!”

Realizing she’d been tricked, Xier sprinted after her in fury.

At the same instant, Saori erupted with Battle Qi. Shattered reef fragments flew as she launched herself skyward, chasing Kozi.

“Idioooot! We’re on the same side! Why chase *me*?!”

Kozi zigzagged while shouting over her shoulder, hips swaying wildly.

“Ah! Right!”

Xier instinctively agreed—then froze at the killing intent radiating behind her. She backpedaled fast.

“Pfft! Who’s on your side?! Don’t worry, Miss! Leave it to Xier! I’ll tie Miss Kozi up and drag her back!”

Kozi shrieked in outrage.

“Holy crap! You backstabbing maid! Fence-sitter!”

Xier’s lips twitched into a strained smile. Her feet never slowed.

“Heh… heh… My loyalty to Miss is absolute. Say what you will!”

Saori materialized behind Xier like a ghost. A chill wind prickled Xier’s neck.

“Eh? Miss? D-don’t get so close… Xier… Xier needs help!”

On Sicily’s shore, a blush-inducing youthful farce unfolded…

Unseen by all—

A wooden door creaked open in a seaside cottage.

A silver-haired youth stepped out, his expression stormy.

None other than the long-absent—our Iceflower Evil God Dragon—Sima Liangjie.

Bare-chested, he wore only loose shorts.

“Old man… where are you…”

Liangjie scanned the beach. Only playing girls dotted the shore. Nothing but sea, reefs, and cottages met his eyes.

He frowned, memories of the Poison Fog Swamp flooding back. He raked his fingers through his hair—now grown past his shoulders.

The sunlight stabbed his eyes.

Liangjie lifted his head slowly, forcing open gritty eyelids.

“Seems I haven’t seen the sun in quite a while…”

Since entering the swamp, he recalled only a long, long dream.

Its contents? Unknown.

“So someone saved me… Who dragged this unworthy one out…”

His thoughts drifted. The sunlight seemed to melt the gloom between his brows.

“Damn it. The wardrobe’s full of nothing but shorts. No shirts at all. Someone’s messing with me…”

“If I find out who…” Liangjie exhaled sharply. “I’ll make them regret it.”

He smirked bitterly. Even his voice felt flat, drained of energy. *Must be from oversleeping.*

His gaze flicked to the three girls splashing nearby, their Battle Qi and magic flaring playfully.

“What idiots. Turning water games into a battlefield…”

He looked away—then snapped his head back.

“This… this can’t be…”

His expression betrayed him. He knew all three. Two ran deep in his history!

The receptionist from the Adventurers’ Guild. Saori of the Radiant Ten Stars. And her maid-assistant, Xier.

“What are *they* doing here…”

Liangjie’s jaw hung slack. Suddenly, he clutched his chest, patting himself down. His fingers came away slightly greasy. He yanked open his shorts for a frantic peek inside.

Slowly, he raised his head. His eyes glazed over.

“Don’t tell me… someone took advantage of this unworthy one…”

***

Meanwhile—on the official road to Sicily City—a lavish carriage jolted along.

Perched atop a magnificent stallion sat an old man.

Call him the coachman.

Leather reins in hand, he lashed the whip again and again across the horse’s back.

His face was deeply lined, draped in a crumpled black cloak. At first glance, he looked nothing like a coachman.

No—he was far worse!

“Why… Why must *I*, the second-year dean of Kempfa Academy and president of the Adventurers’ Guild headquarters, stoop to being a coachman…”

The old man grumbled under his breath, stealing longing glances at the carriage behind him.

Behind its elegant curtain, two girls’ voices drifted softly.

“Sister Alice… do you really think Master’s in Sicily City?”

A black-haired loli asked anxiously.

“Relax.” A golden-haired loli patted her shoulder confidently. “Old man Bolong guaranteed it. If he lies again? I’ll have Silips tear him apart!”

“Silips?”

The black-haired loli tilted her head, her expression utterly—

—enchanting.

Undoubtedly, these were Alice and Alpha, who’d slipped out under the guise of “training trips.”

And the coachman? Our pitiful, unloved Dean Bolong.

If Liangjie saw Alpha now, he’d turn to stone on the spot.

Since the lecture hall performance, Alpha’s mind had awakened further. No longer just a mewing kitten, she was now the undisputed queen of adorably airheaded lolis.

Even Alice found herself momentarily stunned by that pure, otherworldly charm.

“Goodness! Our Alpha grows more captivating by the day. What a waste on that guy! She’d be perfect for me!”

Alice pulled Alpha into a hug. Alpha squirmed away, keeping her distance.

“Don’t… Sister Alice… Master might find out…”

Alice snorted, covering her mouth to laugh.

“Oh no, oh no! Our Black Reaper’s completely smitten with the Silver Demon King!”

Alpha’s head dipped lower, crimson flooding her cheeks. Fully aware now, she understood Alice’s teasing perfectly.

“Please spare me, Sister Alice…”

She whispered like a mosquito.

Alice shot her a playful look. Alpha shrank further, shoulders hunched tight.

Yet no one noticed—

—a flicker of loneliness vanishing in Alice’s sapphire eyes.

Alice suddenly stood, yanking aside the curtain. Her eyes locked with the coachman’s.

Poor old Bolong had been eavesdropping on the girls’ secrets. Startled, he flashed a fawning grin.

“Ah! Little Miss Alice! What’s wrong? Is the carriage too bumpy? I’ll slow down! Smooth ride from now on!”

Alice bared her tiny fangs, scowling fiercely:

“Listen up, old man! If you dare circle us around the wrong way—I’ll call… call my *brother* to deal with you!”

Bolong flinched at first—then relaxed at “brother.”

*Dilu?* Bolong almost laughed. *That poor soul’s probably sleeping three hours a night now, stuck managing all the second-years.*

Thinking of his own clever escape, Bolong nearly howled at the sky.

As for the intel from his subordinate Kozi—she’d given the location, but hammered one warning again and again:

*You can provoke anyone—even King Zhanma IX himself! But…*

*Never, ever provoke him—Sima Liangjie!*

Bolong had pressed for reasons. Kozi refused to say a word, only hinting at his ties to the Abyss Adventurer.

“Hmph. A silver-haired brat causing trouble? Ridiculous.”

Bolong grumbled inwardly. Though he hadn’t lost much—escorting two beauties on scenic detours (“Liangjie’s in Moore City today!” “No, Kritam Valley tomorrow!”) had its perks.

“Old man! Are you even listening?!”

“Huh? What?!”

The mighty Guild President Bolong had one fatal flaw—he could never refuse a loli’s command.

“Huh my head! Faster! We reach Sicily City before dark—or you’re finished!”

“Yes, yes!”

Bolong nodded like a bobblehead, his heart brimming with joy.

Because today, he'd actually spoken one extra sentence to the blonde loli.

—Compared to yesterday.