Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 35: The Highest Bidder, Part Ten

{September 29, 239 2E}

One day.

That was all that remained before the gala was set to take place.

Maybe it was the stress of what was, effectively, walking into a battlefield. Maybe it was the excitement at finally having her name cleared once the administrator released the footage today. Maybe it was the heavy weight of the responsibilities on her shoulders. But, for some reason, Lianna barely slept last night.

[We trained a lot at that VR place, and that android was pretty helpful with regard to helping us learn about the Fiends we’ll be fighting in the future. That said, it’s not like our stats went up or anything. But, it was still good for our mentalities. Will that sort of thing be enough, though? Maybe I should have been doing more.]

Now, while these types of thoughts went through her mind, Lianna was pacing back and forth in the living room, watching people react to the video.

The administrator had already released it.

The articles were as abundant as raindrops in a hurricane.

"Vara Stormcaller’s final hour REVEALED!"

"The SHOCKING TRUTH behind Vara Stormcaller’s tragic demise!"

"Jack Caldwell exposed!? The REAL murderer of Vara Stormcaller!"

Many, many headlines like these flooded Lianna’s social media. Lianna’s legs lost their strength and she fell on the couch, holding her phone against her chest as she stared up at the ceiling.

Finally, there was a chance people would just leave her alone.

[... Wishful thinking, probably, given all the bullshit that’s going to happen in the future. But, still.]

One article Lianna saw as she kept scrolling made her realize that, although this was undeniably good news, it wasn’t quite the perfect outcome Lianna had been celebrating a moment ago.

"Lianna?" Enverna called out to her and, from that same position, Lianna turned toward her. "Are you alright?"

Lianna patted the spot on the couch. Taking the hint, Enverna went and sat down next to her.

"Better, now... Wait, that wasn’t me trying to hit on you or anything, I genuinely mean I’m better now. Look."

Lianna showed Enverna the news. The instant she read the article Lianna had been looking at, she let out the same sigh of relief Lianna had.

"Finally! Thank Saren."

Lianna couldn’t quite share the same level of excitement, however, as she did have a couple of concerns.

"Hold on, you should probably see this before you celebrate a little too hard..." Lianna replied as she played the video.

Lianna then clicked on the specific video most sites were sharing. Thankfully, the administrator had the sense to mute the video so that no one would find out Lianna and Enverna were a Constellation’s followers, but one bit of information did make it through the net.

Enverna’s Instinct.

As Lianna knew well, thanks to her own Instinct, information was power in this world. And, the fact that Enverna’s Instinct was now public knowledge meant others could plan ahead, going up against her.

"Um... W-Well, my Instinct is rather simple anyway," Enverna coped. "It’s certainly better than people finding out about your Instinct."

"I guess so. But, be careful," Lianna told her fiance. "Even if your Instinct is pretty straightforward, just knowing that might make some people feel like they can take you down."

"Hmph. Let them try," Enverna stood up from the couch, walking to the kitchen. "I could use the practice."

Usually, Lianna would be endeared by the show of confidence. She wasn’t this time, though, mainly because she knew the confidence on display wasn’t real.

[I just hope no one gets any ideas...] Lianna thought, keeping her eyes on her phone. [We still don’t know who all the other Constellation’s followers are. I wonder what they’re thinking, seeing this.]

---

At noon, Lianna and Enverna walked to the Neon Gates. This time, the open hostility they’d normally be graced with was replaced by simple curiosity. Lianna could see the questions circling the minds of every civilian nearby.

Questions that only intensified as Mel appeared, walking up to the two of them.

"Hey," Lianna greeted her. "How are you feeling?"

"U-Um... I’m good..."

Mel threw a shy glance at Enverna. Lianna’s fiance stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"Greetings."

"H-Hi."

Enverna threw a slightly concerned glance at Lianna. As someone who put a lot of stock on how people presented themselves, seeing Mel, knowing she would be going on this mission with them, was probably not very inspiring. The girl was standing before them in a regular white shirt and some jean shorts, with old running shoes that Lianna wouldn’t have been surprised to find out had holes in their soles.

"We did not get to speak too much last time we saw each other. Perhaps, we should formally introduce ourselves. My name is Enverna. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Um... I’m Mel."

"Well then, Mel, what are you capable of as a player?" Enverna asked, as the Neon Gates opened and the three of them began to walk out of the city.

"I-I can use a lot of mana..." Mel murmured. "So... I can cast a lot of spells..."

"Is that so? Then, I suppose I do see why Lianna has seen fit to invite you to tag along with us. What kinds of spells can you cast?"

"Um, I’m mainly focusing on lightning magic," Mel stated.

"Ah, I would have preferred for you to have some more supportive abilities but I suppose that’s fine."

"I-I can learn some!" Both Lianna and Enverna pulled back a bit. Mel had all but yelled that. Getting quiet again, Mel added, "i-if you think that kind of magic would be better for you..."

"Um... Thank you," Enverna replied. "Though, it is not that serious..."

---

Later, in the same Haunted Forest where Lianna and Enverna had gone before, the three of them were standing before a Fiend, another writhing mess of flesh slithering toward them. Enverna stood in front of the creature while Lianna stood behind her with her bow and Mel stood next to her in turn.

After a quick nod from Lianna, Mel kicked the battle off, launching an electric sphere at the creature.

The blast connected and the monster was seared, just as a couple of Lianna’s arrows reached it as well.

"Aaah!" Enverna let out a battle cry as she moved forward and, with several elegant, calculated thrusts of her spear, she brought that Fiend’s life to an end.

The low-tier creature fell and Enverna wiped some sweat off her brow.

"Well done, ladies," Enverna said.

"You’re the only real ’lady’ here," Lianna replied with a smirk.

"Ah, forgive me, I shall refer to you as my wenches from now on. Would you prefer that?"

"Yep. Sounds hot."

"Ugh."

On that note the three of them went to loot the Fiend’s body.

[A Lesser Mana Core, an iron dagger, an iron sword...]

Out of kindness, Lianna said:

"Uh, Envy, how about we let Mel take the mana core? She hasn’t gotten to do much adventuring so, she’s pretty far behind. Maybe she could get herself some better gear for next time."

"I agree," Enverna replied. "Nothing else of use, though."

This was precisely why Enverna was confused upon seeing Lianna take more time to loot the body. But, Lianna did so because everything the Fiend had was of use to her. She could sell it off in her shop.

The prices in that shop were obscene, so Lianna hadn’t spent too much time looking through it, but slowly she was trying to accumulate "tokens" to make some purchases with.

Behind Lianna, Mel suddenly said:

"Um... Do I need to be stronger?"

Lianna and Enverna looked at each other before looking back at her.

"Uh, it would help," Lianna shrugged.

"Oh," Mel replied, looking so strangely conflicted about something. "I... I understand."