The white scenery highlighted all the red surrounding Akane.
ā Akane-sama, you shouldnāt leave-
ā I heard some familiar voices, so I came here to help.
ā Help⦠the intruders?
ā Help you two.
The horns on Akaneās forehead disappeared.
Souji and Kihachirou kneeled in front of her.
ā You underestimated them too much. If Mi- If the wolf wanted to, she could take you both out, even while protecting him.
ā Akane-samaā¦
ā Go back. Iāll explain it to Grandmother later.
ā Understood.
Both of the men disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Their outfits, their movement, their techniques⦠Everything resembled a ninja.
ā Akane! (Mike)
Mike ran towards Akane and hugged her.
ā Did you miss me? Itās only been a few days. (Akane)
ā Of course! You went pretty farā¦
Akaneās hands stopped petting Mike.
ā Akane-san, were they using magic?
ā Yes. But only in that state. Their entire constitution changes when their horn comes out.
So there are different types of Oni descendants?
Iāve known Akane for so long, and now it feels like I donāt know her at all.
ā Why did you leave the sageās palace? Do you not like that life?
ā Every day there was trouble to take care of. Only bothersome errands. But, overall, I would say I was satisfied with it.
Then why is she here?
ā So, will you come back with us? We can spend a few more days here if you want to, and then go back-
ā No. I refuse.
A blunt rejection without quivering in the slightest.
ā I have made my decision. I will live the rest of my life here. My relationship with that woman is over.
ā Why?ā¦
I wonāt be able to see her again?
This is Akane weāre talking about. It wasnāt an abrupt decision, she mustāve been thinking about this for a while.
Could it beā¦
ā Is this⦠my fault?
ā ā¦
Silence, but it feels like enough of a response.
ā Youāll catch a cold if we stay here. Come on.
ā Youāll let us in?
ā Iām guessing the Grandmaster will be coming back for you eventually. I would prefer she didnāt find you freezing to death. I will at least arrange a bed for you.
Akane turned around and walked up the stairs.
ā Letās go, Mike.
ā Butā¦
ā Itās fine, we still have a week to convince her.
Although truth be told, itās not looking good for us.