Renard had said the demons were crafty and cunning, their every move layered with hidden intentions that could shift the balance of power in an instant.

And the demons Elara had killed were nothing more than testers, feelers sent out specifically to taunt us a little and probe for weaknesses.

He was assuming that the demons sending these feelers at that exact time was weird, and almost too coincidental.

You know, I had just disappeared not too long ago...

It made one think the demons were watching us closely, their unseen eyes tracking every development with patient calculation.

If that was the case, Renard, who claimed to have participated in all the Celestial Wars across the ages, said the demons were setting up an ambush this time, preparing the battlefield long before any open clash.

They would almost definitely not fight a straightforward battle, which would turn into a massive pain in the ass for everyone involved, forcing endless maneuvers and traps instead of honorable combat.

He also said I should refine my martial arts and fighting techniques until they became second nature, sharpening every strike and movement until nothing could catch me off guard.

He said I should learn even more dangerous and forbidden magic, delving into arts that most would fear to touch...

Because according to Renard, I might be targeted by the demons sooner than we all think, their focus locking onto me like a predator sighting easy prey.

Scary!

Then I have to learn about my enemy before they come for me, no?

Thus, why this meeting—or tea party, honestly—was holding right now in the quiet luxury of the small hut, the warm afternoon light filtering gently through the hanging flowers overhead.

Awww!

Sakura and Elara were acting like sisters right now, their usual sharp edges softened as they sat close together on the low couch, sharing quiet words and occasional small laughs.

It was like a perfect wish I hadn’t even asked for, the sight warming something deep in my chest as I watched them from across the low central table.

Damnit, I should be taking their picture right now!

{Noted.}

SNAP!

Ack!

My eyes suddenly flashed them a quick sharp light that startled both queens, their heads jerking slightly as the bright spark caught them off guard.

And now, the clear image of them sitting together so comfortably was burned vividly into the back of my head, every detail of their contrasting postures and soft expressions preserved perfectly.

I immediately started sipping my tea with forced casualness, lifting the warm cup to my lips and staring intently at some random spot on the far wall, the steam curling upward past my nose while my heart beat a little faster.

The girls later ignored the phenomenon entirely, returning to their conversation as if nothing unusual had happened, their bodies relaxing back into the plush cushions.

[Hey, warn me first before you do stuff like that?!] I thought sharply toward Sys.

{But I did warn Master.}

[You call that a warning?! Okay, ask me first then.]

Somehow, Titania was sitting comfortably on my lap like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Her small frame nestling against my chest with her delicate butterfly wings neatly behind her, her silver twin braids brushing lightly against my shoulder as she leaned back casually.

The scene did get some quick glances from Elara and Sakura, their eyes flicking over for a brief moment with subtle raises of brows, but it was mostly ignored, the conversation flowing on without comment.

Cool.

Hey!!

How come these guys are this close as friends now?!

Their usual tensions seemed to have melted away completely, replaced by this easy familiarity that felt almost surreal.

Sh-should I trespass?

Should I poke the bear and ask what’s up between them?

No, no, I’m scared that somehow it would make them snap out of it and ruin the moment!

Let’s just continue the discussion with the demons and keep things smooth.

"So..." I started, picking up one of the crisp round snacks from the tray and feeding it gently to Titania, holding the savory bite to her lips while she accepted it with a small, playful nibble. "If I see a devil, I should be more willing to run than if I see a demon?"

Sakura and Elara looked at each other and laughed a bit, their shoulders shaking lightly with genuine amusement as they exchanged warm glances with me across the low table, the sound light and melodic in the flower-scented hut.

"It is good to see you did not truly change, Benjamin," Elara held her hand over her mouth, still laughing softly while her frame relaxed deeper into the couch cushions, her dark eyes sparkling with relief.

"Right?!" Sakura added, leaning SO CLOSE TO HER FACE that their cheeks nearly brushed, her pink hair shifting as she grinned widely. "I thought for a moment that he had suffered a personality shift after the evolution. He is indeed noticeably more powerful now... But he is still our Benjamin..."

She and Elara shared a warm, lingering smile, their expressions softening in a way that made something bright bloom in my chest, and I was happy to be alive to see it, the moment feeling precious and rare.

Titania... was just eating the snacks nonchalantly.

She wasn’t fully together with this meeting at all, acting all baby with me as she snuggled closer on my lap, her small head resting lightly on my chest while she made soft, content sounds.

And she even had the audacity to ask in her bright, innocent voice, "Hey, can we play hide and seek after this is all over?"

But surprisingly, she finally spoke up with real seriousness, her usual playful demeanor shifting as she straightened a little on my lap, her delicate wings giving a small flutter.

"Benjamin, let me give you some advice, coming from someone who knows all the timelines here," suddenly going seriously, Titania started, her violet eyes locking onto mine with uncharacteristic gravity.

"Demons are rags. A pitiful imitation of the true monsters; the Devils. Demons are just basically more fortified and supreme mortals."

*****

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*****

SPECIAL EPISODE: Sakura the Strategist (Sakura’s POV)

Hehehe.

I never expected it, but I actually managed to befriend the reclusive Amazon Queen.

The three of us — myself, the Fairy Queen Titania, and Elara — had gathered inside a small hut while Benjamin went to explore his old home.

That tiny, mischievous fairy was as troublesome as ever, but at least she was manageable. What was annoying was how quickly she had given Benjamin several children. Not to mention, she had kidnapped him using almost the exact same method I did. So infuriating!

Still... she was precious to Benjamin, so I could tolerate her. And she was cute.

I turned my head and found Elara lost in thought.

Haha! Foolish queen.

This woman was ridiculously slow. To think that I — the great sorceress of the Ninth Celestial War — would end up befriending a monkey like her.

I was only doing this to win her favor so she wouldn’t stand between Benjamin and me. Can you imagine? She had even forgiven the "terrible crime" of me abducting the man she loved.

Baka.

Maybe I should slowly take over the Verdant Spire while their queen is still this soft-hearted and weak-willed—

Ah. She caught me staring.

Hm? Why is she blushing now?

"Uhm..." Elara began, shyly looking away for a moment. "Sakura, please forgive my manners. I... don’t know how to interact well with others. I’ve been a recluse for so long."

I didn’t fully understand what she meant, but I smiled and nodded anyway.

She continued, her voice soft. "You’re an ancient and powerful fox demigod... yet you still found room in your heart to accept me as a friend. I don’t have that kind of maturity. I truly want to learn from you."

Elara took a small breath.

"As women who both love Benjamin... I see that you set aside our differences and extended a friendly hand. I’ll confess... I hated you at first for kidnapping him. But after thinking about it deeply... you fell in love with him at first sight, didn’t you? And you wanted him for yourself right away. I understand that feeling. I really do."

She smiled gently.

"So I just wanted to say... I hope we can stay good friends. Not just because of Benjamin."

"..."

...Why did she have to be so stupidly naive?

I stood up from my cushion, walked over to her, and wrapped my arms around her shoulders.

"Eh?! Sakura?! Why are you crying?!" Elara exclaimed in shock.

"Maybe she wants to pee?" Titania offered helpfully.

That wasn’t it. Not even close. And I’m drowning that insect later.

"Goooomeeeenasaaaaiiii!!" I sobbed into her neck. "Gomen... gomen neeeee!!"

Damn it. She was too good-hearted.

I had assumed she was like me, but no — she was genuinely kind. And now I felt terrible for trying to use her.

I pulled back slightly as she gently wiped my tears with a small cloth, wearing a wry smile.

"You don’t need to apologize, Sakura," she said softly. "From now on... we’re sisters."

Arghhh! Stop tormenting me already!!

I pulled her back into my embrace and cried even harder.

At some point, Titania had snuck in between us, hugging both of us tightly and crying too — for reasons only she understood.

Fine. I’ll admit it.

Benjamin would never fall for a truly nasty woman, so Elara was safe.

...Well, I was a nasty woman. The world needed nasty people sometimes. Maybe I should teach Elara that.

No... she probably already knew. The real difference was that Elara was a good person who had no choice but to act like a queen.

Whereas I was simply born wicked.

Being around soft, gentle people like her and Benjamin... it might actually soothe this restless heart of mine.

"Uh, Sakura...?" Elara’s voice came out shy and hesitant. "Why are you groping me?"

"..."