"A Flame Haze?"
Nitocris's words caused Shana's pretty face to shift slightly. Her fluttering heartbeat gradually calmed down, and her powerful sense of duty instantly switched her into the Flame Haze mindset.
Even though she didn't sense the distinctive dissonance normally surrounding a Flame Haze, she believed in Nitocris and trusted Nitocris's perception.
"Hmm… as long as Shana lets out her presence, that one should retreat and leave... probably?" Alastor's words carried a faint trace of uncertainty. After all, they'd recently encountered the unreasonable special case that was Margery Daw, the Interpreter of Condolence.
But this time was obviously even more special than Margery's case.
"This Flame Haze is someone Shana knows personally. Rather than leaving upon sensing Shana's presence, she'll likely head straight toward us." Nitocris didn't keep them guessing, directly stating, "It's Wilhelmina."
"Wilhelmina?"
Shana froze momentarily; she hadn't expected to hear that name, here and now.
"Wilhelmina... ah, I remember now. She's the one who raised Shana, right?" Hirai Yukari lowered her gaze to the pendant on her chest, a pink-haired maid's figure surfacing in her memory.
"Mmm…" Shana nodded slightly.
It was no exaggeration to say Wilhelmina had changed the course of Shana's entire life. If Wilhelmina hadn't brought her, an abandoned infant, back to Tendōkyū, Shana probably wouldn't have survived until now.
After forming a contract with Alastor, the God of Retribution, and becoming a Flame Haze, Shana had bid farewell to Wilhelmina and set out alone on her journey to hone herself. In the two years since, she hadn't met Wilhelmina even once, nor heard a single word of news from her.
Unexpectedly, she heard Wilhelmina's name again here, today.
It was only natural to feel joy, to anticipate—the longing she'd accumulated over two years felt as though it might explode out in a single breath.
And, of course, even more importantly, she mustn't disappoint her guardian. She had to show her very best self, to display clearly just how much she had grown during their time apart, to make Wilhelmina see her in a new light.
This thought alone made Shana feel a fluttering tension.
"Well then, perhaps you should return and change clothes first. At least, you can't meet the 'Manipulator of Objects' looking as you do now," Alastor suggested carefully.
He knew Wilhelmina far too well. If she saw Shana dressed in a deep-crimson kimono, wearing a fox mask, carrying a goldfish in one hand and candied apple in the other, her mood definitely wouldn't be pleasant. She'd certainly think Shana had fallen into depravity.
To Wilhelmina's eyes, Shana's current appearance would be no different than parents seeing their beloved daughter coming home with rainbow-colored hair, multiple piercings in ears and tongue, a thoroughly delinquent look—especially horrifying when said daughter wasn't even an adult yet. At that moment, Wilhelmina would probably be ready to commit murder.
And Nitocris and Hirai Yukari would then become the punks who led her precious daughter astray.
Honestly speaking, had Alastor not spoken to Nitocris before, causing a tremendous shock to his worldview, even he might have been unable to accept Shana's current relaxed state.
Then, Alastor turned to Nitocris, asking, "Do we have enough time?"
"More than enough. I can help conceal Shana's presence. Wilhelmina won't notice you until after you've changed."
Friagne, the "Hunter," had once possessed a Treasure Tool called the "Glass Jar," originally crafted by the Snake of the Festival himself. After passing through multiple hands, it ended up with Friagne, and now belonged to Nitocris. This Treasure Tool allowed observation of human activity and the flow of the Power of Existence within a designated area, though its drawback was the inability to track Crimson Denizens.
Despite being made by the esteemed Crimson God of Creation himself, in Nitocris's eyes the Glass Jar was less useful than Trigger Happy and Azure, as Nitocris's own sensory range surpassed it significantly. She could sense humans, Crimson Denizens, and even the Power of Existence itself, and being the center of her own perception made her far more versatile than the Glass Jar.
When Nitocris claimed she sensed Wilhelmina's presence, in truth, Wilhelmina was still in another city. It was perfectly normal that Shana couldn't yet detect Wilhelmina from this distance, giving them ample time to make preparations before the reunion—such as changing clothes.
The deep-crimson kimono Shana wore truly looked lovely, but it definitely wasn't suitable for Wilhelmina's eyes… at least, not yet. Alastor thought Wilhelmina needed time for an ideological transformation as well. After all, if Nitocris could persuade him, surely she could eventually persuade Wilhelmina—it would just take a little time.
...
They didn't return to Hirai Yukari's home, instead heading for Shana's apartment. Holding fast to the philosophy that "a girl's place must have extra clothes," Hirai Yukari had previously dragged Shana through an extensive shopping spree, buying several outfits that were now stored neatly at the apartment.
Shana chose a cyan-colored dress that wouldn't hinder her movement, slipping a black coat over it. This black coat was a Treasure Tool called "Yogasa" (Night Cloak), symbolizing the identity of the Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter. Unlike Nietono no Shana, which belonged exclusively to Shana, Yogasa was integrated with the wings of Alastor, the God of Retribution, capable of freely altering shape and providing defense, storage, and concealment. Shana typically wore it during battle.
As for the deep-crimson kimono, Shana stored it away carefully, almost lovingly.
Nitocris initially had no intention of tagging along. A "mother-daughter" reunion—why should she and Hirai Yukari, those two delinquents, interfere?
But unexpectedly, despite Nitocris's intentions, Shana extended an invitation.
"You want us to meet your guardian together?"
Faced with the startled Nitocris and Hirai Yukari, Shana nodded seriously.
"Shana, are you certain?" Alastor's tone was solemn. "Their identities are unique; meeting another Flame Haze might not be suitable…"
"I trust Wilhelmina," Shana lowered her eyes slightly, continuing softly, "And more importantly, I really, really want to introduce Yukari and Nito to Wilhelmina... I want her to know I've made friends."
"Shana-chan…"
Hirai Yukari raised a hand to cover her mouth, eyes glistening and brimming with emotion.
Though she'd known it deep inside—that Shana saw her as a friend—the countless alleyways they'd walked together, melon bread they'd shared, the warmth hidden between casual conversations had all left a gentle heat in Yukari's heart.
But knowing inside and hearing it explicitly from Shana herself were entirely different matters.
"Shana-chan!"
With a joyful cry, Hirai Yukari threw open her arms and leapt forward, landing squarely on Shana.
Aside from her cheeks turning slightly hot and red at Yukari's affectionate gesture, Shana showed no other reaction.
...
Meanwhile, the country beneath Wilhelmina's feet felt inexplicably strange.
She knew that the immensely powerful Crimson Lord, Sydonay the "Thousand Changes," had once suffered defeat here. Ever since that event, the Bal Masqué had continuously dispatched forces to this far-eastern island country, yet no one knew precisely what they sought here.
Wilhelmina had imagined that with so many Crimson Denizens present, countless humans would surely be devoured, causing massive distortions and drawing in numerous Flame Hazes into fierce battles against them.
She had fully expected to witness a fiery hellscape of war and lost souls—Torches—in a human inferno.
However, reality turned out completely different from her expectations.
In this period, she'd passed through several cities, yet saw barely any Torches—let alone encountering any vicious Crimson Denizens.
Even distortions were pitifully scarce. Even if Japan was too remote to attract many Crimson Denizens, it still shouldn't have been like this.
Even more unexpected was sensing a familiar presence in this country.
That person wasn't concealing herself; she boldly radiated her aura outward, which meant she likely had already noticed her approach.
"She truly has grown, de arimasu..."
"A sight to behold."
Following the guidance of that presence, Wilhelmina sped swiftly towards Shana's location. Too many mysteries and doubts surrounded this country. Perhaps she could gain clarity from her.
But more than anything, it was longing—an impulse simply to see her again.
At last, atop the rooftop of an office building, Wilhelmina succeeded in finding her.
That flame-like hair swaying gently, glowing beneath the night sky like a lighthouse guiding lost souls—sparks scattering continuously, as if even the stars followed behind the girl.
Seeing that crimson-red from afar, Wilhelmina fell momentarily into a daze.
For just an instant, she seemed to glimpse Mathilde—the first Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter.
But even more deeply, memories surged of those more than ten years spent together in Tendōkyū, rising like relentless waves in her heart.
"So, it really is you here, Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter."
Wilhelmina's words as she landed were cool and distant, but upon gazing at the girl she'd personally raised, her expression softened involuntarily. Yet this faint shift was hidden entirely by the darkness of the night.
"Long time no see," said Tiamat, the "Crown-and-Sash of Fantasies," dwelling quietly within Wilhelmina's hair ornament. This taciturn presence was also a powerful Crimson Lord.
"Wilhelmina…"
Seeing that familiar figure, Shana's face filled with the purest joy.
Alastor likewise replied, "Crown-and-Sash of Fantasies, Tiamat; Manipulator of Objects, Wilhelmina—it truly has been a long time. Never did I expect we'd meet again in this city."
"We share that surprise, de arimasu."
"Beyond expectation."
A maid with strange speech habits and a Crimson Lord whose words never exceeded four syllables—indeed a perfect match.
"And who is that one over there?"
After briefly exchanging greetings, Wilhelmina, still carrying her large military-green pack, turned her gaze to Hirai Yukari.
"This is Hirai Yukari, along with Nitocris, who's contracted with her. They're friends I made in this country."
Wearing an exceedingly rare, adorably soft smile, Shana introduced her friends as though proudly seeking approval from her mother.
This utterly unprecedented behavior made Wilhelmina unconsciously furrow her brows.
The current Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter appeared simply as an ordinary girl—completely devoid of sharpness, her expression lacking all seriousness.
"You must be Miss Wilhelmina Carmel, whom Shana-chan has mentioned before, yes? It's a pleasure to meet you."
Still wearing her blue kimono, Hirai Yukari stood confidently before the maid, giving her a graceful bow.
"To Shana-chan, you who raised her are practically family. It's truly wonderful to finally meet you."
"...A pleasure," Wilhelmina responded courteously, though in a tone even stiffer than her usual emotionless voice.
"Nice to meet you both as well—I am Nitocris."
Wilhelmina shifted her gaze toward the pendant on Hirai Yukari's chest, as the voice had clearly emanated from there.
"A combination of Flame Haze and Crimson Lord?" Wilhelmina's brows knitted tightly as she carefully sensed the presence of the duo before her. Though Shana introduced only their names without epithets, such a pairing, in her experience, could only be Flame Haze and Crimson Lord—though their aura was disturbingly unusual.
"Nitocris… the last pharaoh of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty, is it?"
Wilhelmina, far more versed in history than either Shana or Hirai Yukari, swiftly retrieved the name "Nitocris" from memory.
"An ancient Egyptian Pharaoh… a Crimson Lord?"
"No recollection," Tiamat also expressed confusion. She'd similarly presumed Nitocris to be a Crimson Lord, yet had never encountered her in the Crimson Realm.
Amidst this confusion, Wilhelmina's gaze toward Hirai Yukari gradually grew cold with hostility.
Those eyes—it was as though she were staring at a thief who had stolen away her most precious possession.
"They are not Flame Haze nor Crimson Lord, Wilhelmina Carmel."
Through Shana's pendant, Alastor's thunderous voice rumbled out slowly, "Before you stands a Pillar of the Present World—the God of the Underworld, Nitocris, and her contracted human."
"...!?"
Such explosive information was naturally best delivered by Alastor, the God of Retribution himself—exactly as they'd previously agreed.
Though visibly stunned for a moment, the maid swiftly recovered her usual blank expression, making it impossible to discern whether she fully believed this revelation.
"Then, if I may be so bold, Miss Hirai Yukari, Miss Nitocris, just how long have you two known the Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter?"
"Hmm… counting from when Shana first arrived in this city, formally speaking, it's been around two months, I think?"
Tapping her chin lightly with her finger, Hirai Yukari earnestly thought it over.
"Two months… terrifying indeed. Merely two months, yet you've already corrupted her to this extent, de arimasu?" Wilhelmina stared straight into Hirai Yukari's eyes, her tone icy and stern. "I would appreciate it if, from now on, you refrain from addressing her by that name, de arimasu."