That was what Lonis thought:
Elucia might be acting like she didn't care, but she had to be really upset inside, right? It couldn't feel good. Lonis should go comfort her.
But the instant Lonis said those words, the atmosphere in the cave changed completely.
…
An unknown chill ran through her from head to toe. Lonis felt as though it had pierced her entire body.
Thick black mist spread from beneath Elucia's feet. In the blink of an eye, it covered her entire body… When the dark light faded, the once tiny, adorable girl had become a cold, stern young woman.
“Huh?”
“How dare a masochistic maid like you presume to understand my master's feelings?”
In an instant, Elucia drew her blade and pressed it against Lonis's neck.
A dense killing intent poured from the girl's eyes. The razor-sharp blade was only a millimeter from Lonis's skin… She had no doubt that if she so much as turned her head, her own would go plop onto the ground.
(Oh no. I screwed up!)
Lonis was terrified. She knew that plenty of people had things they didn't want anyone else to bring up.
Elucia was probably the same, wasn't she? Lonis had touched a sore spot, and now Elucia hated her for it.
But then, just a second later…
“Cough, cough! Cough!”
Elucia suddenly began coughing violently.
She tried her best to hide it, but a mouthful of bright red blood still burst from her body and splattered onto the ground with a wet plop.
“E-Elucia…”
“Damn it…”
The black-haired girl still seemed to want to say something fierce, but her body wouldn't let her go on.
Another wave of black mist swept past. The black-haired girl had turned back into a little black-haired girl, kneeling on the ground.
“Elucia, you're hurt!”
It had only lasted an instant, but Lonis could tell Elucia's injury was far worse than she'd imagined!
Lonis hurried over and helped support her.
“Elucia, are you all right?”
“You… you…”
Back in her little-girl form, Elucia looked a little better. But a hint of menace still lingered in her brow. She looked ready to kill Lonis at the slightest provocation.
“You. Aren't you afraid to die?”
“Huh?”
“I just told you not to pry into my master's affairs…”
By now, Lonis could tell Elucia was forcing herself to keep going.
So she quickly shook her head and said,
“Of course I'm afraid to die. But don't forget, Elucia—I can't die in the first place, can I?”
“What?”
“My body keeps trying to come back to life. I bet even getting my head cut off wouldn't be a problem… And didn't you say you were going to treat me as your slave and servant, Elucia? As your servant, it's only natural for me to worry about you, right?”
Embarrassed, Lonis said “servant” instead of “maid.” “Still, I admit I got a little carried away just now. We've only known each other for a few days, so it's normal for you to be wary of me… But we're partners, aren't we? We should get to know each other.”
“You…”
Elucia hadn't expected Lonis to say something like that, either.
She gazed at the silver-haired girl's face. Something seemed to surge through her sharp eyes.
“You aren't afraid to die because you can't die?”
“…”
“Hmph. Fine, have it your way! Take the toolbox out of my storage ring, then find the yellow bottle inside and take out a capsule.”
“Huh?”
“You have permission. Just touch it!”
“!”
Without hesitating for long, Lonis quickly touched Elucia's finger—and the instant she touched the storage ring, data flowed from it into her.
It was hard to describe the sensation. It was like seeing a hallucination: a translucent UI appeared in Lonis's field of vision.
It displayed all kinds of items, like an inventory of everything inside the storage ring.
Total capacity: 1000 kg.
Liquid: Drinking water
Item: Toolbox
Item: Beef ×72
Item: Bed sheets and bedding ×2
Item: Hand-cranked portable mobile magic unit
…
As soon as Lonis selected the toolbox, a blue box, sixty centimeters wide, appeared in the cave.
(Th-that's amazing!)
Lonis hurried to open the toolbox and take out the yellow capsule for Elucia.
But…
“Idiot. Did I say I was the one who needed to take it?”
“Huh?”
“It's for you. Take it.”
“Uh… huh?”
Lonis had no idea what the capsule did, but she swallowed it whole like a well-behaved little maid.
And then…
“I-it's so hot?”
Warmth spread through Lonis from the depths of her heart. Her body, which had been stiff from the cold, suddenly felt as though she'd stepped into a hot spring. It was wonderful.
Her heart began to race. The timing couldn't have been worse, but Lonis's thoughts drifted somewhere they shouldn't.
She thought of Elucia's tiny, adorable form, and how cute she looked.
Then she thought of Elucia in her young-woman form, so mature and elegant. She seemed like someone you'd want to hug.
(No, no! What am I thinking?)
Lonis shook her head in a panic. Elucia was mature and cute, sure, but if Lonis did anything like that, Elucia would definitely torment her.
She'd find a way to keep Lonis from getting away, and wouldn't let her go no matter how much she begged…
(But why did I suddenly think of that…?)
(Wait… is this an aphrodisiac?)
Realizing what was going on, Lonis shuddered.
Elucia stepped forward and rested her right hand on Lonis.
“So, how is it? Is your heart beating faster now?”
“Y-yes.”
“Mm. Your reaction seems normal, then. Now give me your lips.”
“M-my lips?!”
Lonis took a flustered step back, never imagining Elucia would order her to do that. “You mean… you want me to kiss you?”
“Of course… As long as you don't kiss me on the mouth, anywhere is fine. Hurry up!!!!!!”
“Oh! Got it!”
Lonis nodded and, flustered, leaned in to kiss Elucia on the forehead… The little girl's body was so small that holding her close to kiss her forehead felt very comfortable.
Her lips lightly touched Elucia's forehead. A strange sensation came from the corner of her mouth.
It was a little bitter, a little damp. Then Lonis felt a cool sensation pass from her lips and gradually spread through her body.
The burning sensation eased considerably, but it seemed like a lot of her strength had disappeared, too.
…
Lonis's body went limp, and she started to fall toward the ground. Just then, Elucia reached out and caught her.
“Hmph. You're a masochist, but your magic's not bad.”
“Magic…”
“At least you're a little useful. I'll grant you the title ‘Silver-Haired Fluffball’ and allow you to stay by my side.”
Elucia smiled faintly as she said this.
