"That is..."
Another brand new day. Fíliya was strolling through the streets with Solitär and the others.
While walking, a giant statue in the distance attracted Solitär's attention.
"Oh, that. Didn't I tell you? The Empire's [Flamme] statue... looks just like that."
Fíliya looked in the direction Solitär pointed, and a trace of helplessness immediately surfaced on her face.
Flamme herself was a big sister with flowing long hair, but this [Flamme] statue of the Empire was the image of a stern-faced, very serious middle-aged man.
"Is it that true history naturally lost its fidelity during transmission, or was this the Empire's intentional doing?"
Solitär fell into thought. It seemed her inner 'expert on humans' had been roused to research interest in this instant.
"Oh? That is quite an interesting topic... Worth exploring."
Fíliya seemed to get interested as well, and then led the group to the front of a huge library.
"Although I don't hold much hope, let's start searching here. I recall there are quite a few books regarding the Empire's history here."
Fíliya signaled Solitär with her eyes, and Solitär naturally followed behind Fíliya.
"Uh... well, I'm not interested in this kind of thing... Can I go back first?"
Holding quite a few things in her hands, mostly food, Miss Aura had a somewhat subtle expression.
"Mm... that works too. Forcing you to read books you aren't interested in isn't good... But there's a limit to sneaking food, you know?"
After narrowing her eyes and scanning Aura, Fíliya tossed a warning at her.
"Uh... Don't worry, I'll save some for you."
Miss Aura replied with a slightly guilty conscience.
"Then what about Linie? Going back with her?"
Fíliya turned her head to look at Linie.
Linie's gaze hesitated between Aura and Fíliya for a brief moment, but ultimately, she stood behind Fíliya.
"I will stay with Lady Fíliya... Lady Aura won't get lost anyway."
Linie spoke slowly.
Heh.
Seeing this, Fíliya immediately cast a triumphant, victorious glance at Aura.
Didn't expect that, did you, Aura? Linie has long since been my person. Even you are my person!
"...Whatever."
After appreciating Linie's betrayal from zero distance once again, Miss Aura turned her head away as if abandoning herself to despair, unable to bear looking directly at that pain.
Judging by her performance, once this fellow returns home, she'll probably turn her grief into appetite.
The three entered the interior of the Imperial Library. Fíliya rushed to the front desk quickly, then revealed a puzzled expression.
"Hmm? Little girl... Wasn't there an old granny working as the administrator here before? Where is she?"
Fíliya asked the girl before her curiously.
Hearing Fíliya's words, a momentary look of astonishment surfaced in the eyes of the girl serving as the librarian.
This was a very beautiful girl, with short silver-grey hair. Her face was haggard and slightly melancholic, simply looking like a sickly girl who had walked out of a storybook.
"The previous administrator has passed away."
The girl's voice was very clear, her tone containing a hint of sadness.
"...Oh. Such things happen from time to time. Died... so she died."
Fíliya was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, but her dejection only lasted for an instant before she quickly returned to normal.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
The maiden serving as the librarian continued to ask.
"...Books regarding the Empire's history. Where are they? Please take us there."
"The Empire's history...?"
The administrator lady frowned slightly, then spoke.
"What a pity. About three years ago, the library's collection was inventoried and organized once. Many of the older books were disposed of. I don't know how many books on the Empire's history remain... Please follow me."
The administrator lady slowly stood up, then stood by Fíliya's side to lead the way.
"? So you can stand up. Looking at your appearance... I thought you couldn't get up."
Fíliya sized up this cute girl before her. After all, this girl was full of a sickly temperament, making one feel she ought to be in a wheelchair.
"Words like that are very rude, you know? Please do not say them again."
Regarding Fíliya's teasing, the librarian lady's expression remained very calm, only a faint hint of rebuke flowing between her brows.
"Mm-hm, indeed. I was wrong."
Fíliya rarely admitted a mistake, and only then did the group head elsewhere.
After a period of time, the librarian finally stopped, then turned to look at Fíliya's group.
"This is probably the place. This area records various ancient histories—the Empire's, and other countries' as well... Please help yourself. Also... please absolutely do not damage the books."
The administrator lady exhorted with a serious face.
"Mm, got it. But can you do me one more favor?"
Fíliya called out to stop the administrator lady.
"Hmm? Is there something else?"
The administrator lady tilted her head blankly.
"You seem to have forgotten to tell me your name?"
Fíliya also imitated the other's posture, tilting her head and meeting her gaze.
"...You really are an interesting person."
Seeing Fíliya's strange appearance, the administrator lady couldn't help but reveal a smile.
"My name is Lutine."
"? Not bad. Sounds like a well-behaved good child."
After obtaining the other party's true name, Fíliya immediately nodded.
After giving her name, Lutine slowly disappeared from everyone's sight.
Immediately after, Fíliya felt a burst of stinging pain.
That was Solitär fiercely elbowing her.
Although she and Solitär often bickered, the force this time was different from usual.
"Hiss!"
Fíliya immediately rubbed her waist, the look in her eyes towards Solitär containing a trace of pleading for mercy.
"When did you become so gentle? Being so patient with good-looking human girls."
Solitär spoke faintly.
"Where was that... I don't think I have double standards. Aren't I very patient with demon girls too..."
Fíliya muttered something in a low voice.
"So why did you ask for her name?"
Solitär asked with ill intentions.
"Hmm? Because she is obviously a member of the [Shadow Warriors] too. Asking is never wrong."
Fíliya spoke with an innocent face.
...?
This time it was Solitär's turn to be stunned. She truly hadn't expected Fíliya's reason to be this.
Moreover... she did feel there was something odd about that seemingly frail human girl just now, but she hadn't thought much of it.
So... Fíliya had seen through the other's identity long ago?
She thought Fíliya was engaging in some kind of... activity motivated by lust again.
"I saw something was off at first glance... That child looks like a sickly girl, but her body isn't weak at all. Her muscles are quite tough. Really, Solitär, are you being a little too jealous lately?"
Fíliya crossed her arms over her chest, observing Solitär's reaction with a teasing expression.
"Am I?"
Solitär blinked blankly.
"You just are."
Fíliya nodded with absolute certainty.
____
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