The southern climate was famous across the whole continent for its fickleness. When they set out, the air had been dry, with no sign of rain, yet less than two hours later, a fine drizzle was falling from the sky.
“Hopefully Jasmine, raised among demons, won’t be as foolish as a monster, and at least knows enough to take shelter when it rains...”
The party of Fairy’s Wings rode atop the dragon beast’s spine. Vieya stretched her hand outside the magic barrier, the cool drizzle quickly soaking her palm.
Sigh.
She rembered Jasmine when they first t—dirty all over, picking things off the ground to eat—and her whole body felt uneasy.
“Vieya-sister, would you like so fruit to restore your strength? We’ll be reaching the Monster Forest soon.”
Liufir held out a plate of neatly cut fruit slices, offering it at Vieya’s side. Her pretty little face shone with a gentle smile.
“These fruits are really tasty. I’ve already peeled and sliced them for you.”
“Thanks.”
Normally Vieya could eat enough for ten people, but strangely she had no appetite now. Still, when faced with the girl’s bright, expectant eyes, she picked up a piece of fruit and slowly chewed it.
“The taste is good.”
“I’m glad! Vieya-sister, this whole plate is yours. If it’s not enough, just tell .”
Liufir was very happy. She sat casually on the beige cashre blanket, smooth little legs crossed, her white lace stockings tracing out the dainty shape of her feet. The picture was tranquil and lovely.
Acting captain Luna stood at the front, steering the direction. The other mbers lay scattered across the dragon’s back—so resting, so ditating.
The closer they drew to the Monster Forest, the darker the sky grew.
From Vieya’s view, the whole expanse below was veiled in misty rain. Lightning occasionally lit the lead-gray clouds, and deafening thunder cracked right after.
The barrier that blocked the rain couldn’t keep out the rumble of thunder or the howl of wind. Through the translucent shield, Vieya looked down. In the lush forest below, great craters could be seen here and there—not ford naturally, but left by battles fought not long ago.
Did Rotisha and the others fight here too?
How were they now?
Vieya gazed at the clouds in a daze.
She didn’t know how long had passed before the dragon beast slowed, then adjusted its course and dove downward.
Liufir, unable to keep her balance, nearly pitched forward, but Vieya quickly steadied her with an outstretched hand.
“Haha, after riding dragons so many tis, and still you’re always toppled by inertia.”
Kare laughed heartily, waving to everyone. “I’ll go ahead to scout tonight’s resting place. See you later...”
With that, the straw-hat boy burst through the barrier and leapt from the dragon’s back, his agile figure vanishing into the rain like a swallow.
“We’ll be landing soon. Everyone, hold onto your things,” Luna reminded from the front, then turned her gaze to Vieya and Liufir.
“Saintess, do you know how to dragon-jump?”
“...What? Dragon-jump?”
Vieya froze. Separately, she knew both words. But together?
No—did this an, like that straw-hat boy, jumping straight down from the dragon’s back?
Shouldn’t they find a place to land first...?
Luna took Vieya’s silence as an admission of ignorance, and promptly turned to Yuancherin, who was standing with her pack and a mischievous smile. “You’ll be in charge of bringing the Saintess down in the dragon-jump.”
“Of course, Captain. I’ll see it done.”
Yuancherin ca smiling over to Vieya’s back, patting her shoulder. “What’s wrong, lovely miss? Ready for a thrilling, fun little skydive with ?”
“You all travel like this?” Vieya asked in puzzlent. “No protective asures at all?”
“Aiya, what protective asures? Adventurers are poor, you know.” Yuancherin shook her head. “Don’t worry, everyone does it. Close your eyes, open them again, and you’re there.”
“Then...” Vieya turned her head toward Liufir, only to find that she wasn’t standing up like the others, but squatting down, shivering.
“Little Liufir? Oh, don’t mind her,” Yuancherin said gleefully, following Vieya’s gaze. “You’ll understand soon enough.”
Sure enough.
When Luna’s eyes fell on Liufir, that trembling little body froze stiff.
Luna’s face showed a hard-to-describe look. “Still haven’t learned to dragon-jump? It’s a very simple maneuver. It’s already been half a year...”
“Wuu... I’m such a noob, I’m really sorry.”
“Noobs jump first.”
Luna said this, then grabbed Liufir like a chick and plop tossed her straight down.
Her terrified scream lingered in the air. Vieya’s cheek twitched. “You’re sure this won’t end in soone’s death?”
“It’ll be fine.”
Luna shook her head, then leapt after Liufir in the sa direction.
“All right, Saintess...”
Yuancherin rose up on tiptoe, slowly leaning close to Vieya’s ear, warm breath whispering against it.
“...It’s our turn.”
The instant Vieya felt an arm wrap around her waist, her whole body froze. Before she could even react, the whoosh of air and Yuancherin’s bell-like laugh rang out by her ear.
The sky spun past at insane speed. The world turned upside down.
It was as if she’d been thrown into a washing machine set on maximum spin—no fancy diving athlete had ever experienced sothing this outrageous!
Nausea and dizziness surged. Vieya’s face turned pale. Damn it, this rotten woman has bad intentions!
“Mnn, maybe that was a little fast?” Yuancherin asked with false concern.
“Fuck.”
“How can a Saintess curse? Even I... I’ll feel hurt if spoken to so harshly, sob sob sob...”
“......”
Enough. I’ve judged plenty of green-tea types like this before. Just put down already!
Thinking this, Vieya deliberately loosened her mind, and in the overwhelming weightlessness drifted into unconsciousness.
If you’ve got the guts, then go ahead and smash a sli to death right here.
“?”
“Eh? She passed out from playing too rough?”
“No way, no way, she’s broken already?”
“Uu, why is the Saintess’ body so delicate? The Captain won’t scold later, will she...”
Yuancherin fretted.
......
When Vieya woke again, it was to noise.
Rowdy, just like a high school graduation party.
“Yuancherin, you went too far! It was bad enough when you pulled tricks on last ti, but this ti you knew Vieya-sister was a newcor, and you still ssed with her like that.” That ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) was Liufir speaking.
“Exactly, exactly.” That was Kare, gleefully fanning the flas.
“You’ve gone overboard. Can’t even tell what’s important and what’s not.” That was bald Arc, adding on.
“......”
“......”
Luna said nothing, just cast Yuancherin a cold, sharp look.
This wasn’t a graduation party at all—it was clearly a struggle session aid at Yuancherin alone!
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