Taming Beasts in a Ruined World-Chapter 191 –Tea Tasting

After dinner, in the guest room.

The quiet hum of evening filled the guest room. Shadows danced along the pale wooden walls as lamplight flickered softly. Mia and Carmilla sat across from each other, the silence between them edged with unspoken tension.

Mino entered quietly, her rabbit ears twitching. "Come on, have some tea," she said, setting a tray between them. Steam curled up from two porcelain cups, carrying the faint fragrance of Starlight tea.

Carmilla’s golden eyes flicked toward the cup as if it were an enemy. "I’m full," she muttered. "You should start explaining instead."

She had never learned to appreciate tea. The last time she’d tried it—back in Moonlight City—it had been so bitter she’d nearly spat it out. Sweetness, not bitterness, was her comfort; sugar water was more her style.

"Have a sip first," Mia said coolly. "This is a good blend."

"I don’t like tea." Carmilla’s lips curled.

Mia pushed the cup closer. "This one’s different," she said, narrowing her crimson eyes. "Far better than the usual kind."

"No. Tea is ugly," Carmilla declared flatly, folding her arms in stubborn refusal.

Mia’s jaw twitched. Without another word, she lifted her own cup and drank deeply, her expression turning almost reverent, as if the tea itself had washed her soul clean.

Mino tried to stifle a laugh behind her hand and sat down beside them, eager to listen. She wanted to know what her Big Sister had to say.

"Well?" Carmilla leaned forward, baring a hint of her small tiger-like teeth. "Speak."

Mia sighed. "Yesterday..." She began recounting the events of the previous night—everything important, leaving nothing vital unsaid. When she finished, she bowed her head slightly. "I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner."

Her tone was formal, sincere. In truth, she had been deeply moved that Carmilla—despite everything—had ignored her warnings and rushed into Black Tortoise to rescue her.

"That’s it?" Carmilla’s golden eyes narrowed. "All that chaos... and that’s the whole story?"

Mia nodded. "That’s all. It was all just a misunderstanding."

Carmilla stared at her for a long moment. The words warm the bed and maid still echoed mockingly in her mind. She exhaled sharply, annoyed but faintly relieved. "So... everything was just a misunderstanding."

"Yes."

"Fine," Carmilla muttered, still pouting. "But I’m still irritated."

"Have a sip of tea," Mia said, holding out the cup again. "It helps you calm down."

"No," Carmilla huffed, crossing her arms again.

"Suit yourself," Mia murmured, her tone halfway between amusement and exasperation.

A pause hung in the air before Carmilla spoke again, her voice softer. "So, when are we leaving?"

Mia turned her gaze to Mino instead of answering. Her expression hardened slightly. "Mino," she said. "You’ll come with me."

"Huh?" Mino blinked, caught off guard. Her fingers twisted nervously at the hem of her dress. "I... I don’t want to."

"Why not?" Mia frowned.

"I just don’t." Mino’s voice dropped to a whisper, her cheeks turning pink.

Luciel’s face rose unbidden in her mind—the gentle smile, the calm eyes that had saved her more than once.

Carmilla tilted her head, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Oh? Sounds like someone’s fallen for a certain man in Black Tortoise."

Mino’s face flared scarlet. "No! It’s not like that!"

"Then why stay?" Mia pressed, her brow furrowing.

Mino bit her lip and looked up. "It’s safe here," she murmured. "There’s plenty to eat and drink... and water that never runs out."

Those excuses sounded flimsy, even to her own ears. But in truth, it wasn’t comfort that bound her—it was him.

Mia fell silent, studying her sister. Over the past few days, she’d seen much of Black Tortoise. Food was abundant, safety well-guarded, and the people—though strange—were kind. Perhaps staying wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Better than hiding in the wilds, always one step away from danger.

"Sister," Mino said softly, taking her hand. "Why don’t you stay too? I can talk to Luciel. He’d agree, I’m sure."

Mia’s expression tightened. "No. I still have matters to settle."

She had to return to the Oasis—deliver her yearly reports, and perhaps recommend Carmilla for membership there.

"Could you stay... after you’ve handled everything?" Mino asked, her blue eyes full of quiet hope.

"I can’t promise that." Mia shook her head. "No one can say what the future holds."

Mino’s ears drooped, her voice small. "I see..."

A long silence followed, then she asked hesitantly, "Can you at least stay a few more days?"

Mia considered. If Black Tortoise’s route led toward Asuka City, she could accompany them that far—it was on the way back to the Oasis anyway.

"All right," she said at last. "I’ll stay a little longer. I’ll go with you to Asuka City... and then I’ll leave."

Mino’s face brightened instantly. "Really? That’s wonderful!"

Carmilla, lounging back with her cup, raised an eyebrow. "Asuka City, hm? So that’s the plan?"

"It’s on the way," Mia said curtly, giving her a warning glance.

"Ah. I see." Carmilla caught the look and understood at once—Mia didn’t want the Oasis mentioned aloud.

Still, the thought of lingering in Black Tortoise made her uncomfortable. Too many awkward memories.

Then something else struck her. "Wait—what about the Thunder Spirit Beast egg? You brought it back, didn’t you?"

Mia shook her head. "No. I left it."

Carmilla’s eyes went wide. "What?"

"You heard me," Mia said calmly.

Carmilla stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. "You left it? That’s insane."

"It’s not." Mia’s voice was steady. "Luciel saved my sister’s life. The egg is my way of repaying that debt."

For a long moment, Carmilla was silent. Then she sighed. "When you put it like that..."

It did make sense. One rare spirit beast egg for a life—perhaps even a fair trade.

"Was it really that valuable?" Mino asked curiously. "I saw it in Luciel’s study this morning. It looked... ordinary."

"It’s important," Carmilla said before Mia could answer. "Very important—to Ten Thousand Demons City." Her tone darkened. "If they realize that egg’s missing, someone might come looking for it."

Mia’s expression grew tense. "Then I’ll speak with Luciel directly."

"Ten Thousand Demons City," Carmilla repeated, grimacing. "The name alone sounds ridiculous."

Mia ignored her.

Carmilla stretched and exhaled. "At least we can rest a few days. No more running, no more hiding. Food, shelter, and water—what luxury."

"Drink the tea," Mia said again, her tone mild but firm. "It’s good for you."

"Why are you so determined to make me drink it?" Carmilla grumbled, wrinkling her nose.

Mino leaned closer and whispered, "For people who are exhausted or injured, Starlight tea can help restore strength. It’s special."

Carmilla raised a skeptical brow. "Truly?"

"Try it," Mia said, half smiling. "You’ll see."

Carmilla hesitated, eyeing the steaming cup like it might bite her. But curiosity won. She lifted it carefully and took a sip.

The first taste was bitter, sharp enough to make her wince. But a heartbeat later, sweetness bloomed on her tongue—light, floral, and deeply refreshing. Cool energy spread through her chest, then surged to her head, washing away the lingering fatigue of their travels.

"Mmm..." A soft sound escaped her lips.

"How is it?" Mia asked, an amused curve at the corner of her mouth.

Carmilla opened her eyes wide. "It’s marvelous. Is this really just tea? Or some kind of elixir?"

"It’s tea," Mino said proudly, refilling her cup.

"Well then," Carmilla said, grinning, "I’ll have another."

She gulped down the second cup eagerly, then sighed in bliss. "That’s incredible. Pour me one more."

At the doorway, a shadow shifted.

Elara stood there silently, her expression unreadable. The faintest frown creased her lips as she caught a few words from inside.

Ten Thousand Demons City...

Her eyes darkened.

She lingered for a moment longer, listening to their chatter, then slipped away down the corridor without a sound.

The room filled again with soft warmth and laughter—the tension of earlier slowly melting away. Mia allowed herself a rare moment of quiet contentment as she watched the two younger girls talking animatedly over tea.

For now, at least, there was peace.

But the mention of Ten Thousand Demons City lingered in her thoughts like a shadow on still water.

Something was coming. She could feel it.

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