"As expected, we can't find anything."
Fíliya closed the book in front of her, shook her head, and looked over at Solitär.
This was already the seventh time she and Solitär had come to the Imperial Library. Spending a large amount of time burying themselves in the library every day had resulted in absolutely nothing.
Although Fíliya hadn't held much hope to begin with, such a result was inevitably a bit disappointing.
"Well, didn't that human girl say the Imperial Library underwent a purge? Many books are missing... Even if it hadn't been purged, anything involving [Great Mage Flamme] would certainly be a secret among secrets. It's impossible to find any clues," Solitär spoke slowly, then turned her head to meet Fíliya's gaze.
"Tsk, so you actually knew it wasn't possible either, huh... Yet you still accompanied me to waste time."
Fíliya curled her lips.
"That's not true. Since I am searching with you, it doesn't count as wasting time," Solitär said with a smile. This was her honest thought; as long as she could be with Fíliya, doing even the most boring things held meaning for her.
"Ew... so cheesy."
Fíliya deliberately exaggerated her reaction and scooted half a step back.
Just as she and Solitär were teasing each other, the sound of steady footsteps slowly approached them.
"Hmm? Lutine? It's quite rare for you to actively come find me. What's the matter?"
Fíliya looked at the librarian lady with curiosity. If there was any extra harvest from this week... it was getting slightly acquainted with this librarian.
Mm... after all, her main position in the Magic Association was also a librarian, so she actually had quite a few topics to chat about with this Miss Lutine.
"..."
Facing Fíliya, Lutine didn't speak immediately. Instead, she took a deep breath.
"The Commander wants to see you..." Lutine spoke slowly, her expression appearing somewhat hesitant.
During this week, Miss Fíliya hadn't been idle aside from visiting the library. While touring the entire Imperial Capital with Solitär, she had also caught most of the [Shadow Warriors] hiding in the crowd.
Such behavior was practically an open provocation, but this was exactly what Fíliya intended.
"Oh? Finally here? It seems my labor bore fruit after all." Fíliya chuckled lightly. "And the location?"
"It's right in the tavern..." Lutine hurriedly supplemented.
"Is that so... Then I'll just refuse."
The corners of Fíliya's mouth outlined a wicked smile.
"Eh!?"
Lutine's expression froze. It was clear she completely hadn't expected this development.
After all... Fíliya's actions clearly signaled an intent to communicate with their superiors... so why would she refuse after they issued the invitation?
Lutine couldn't figure it out. Such complex matters were never her responsibility. Although she looked like a clerical worker, her real job was slaughtering on the front lines.
"Hmm... But if I do that, it would be a bit pitiful for you, Lutine. I heard that if [Shadow Warriors] fail a mission, they face terrifying punishments... What should we do?"
Fíliya looked Lutine up and down with ill-intentioned eyes.
Then, she was gifted a slap by Solitär. Of course, this slap landed on her back.
"Don't look at people with those lecherous eyes," Solitär said displeasedly.
[?... As expected of the human-loving Miss Solitär, standing on the human side instantly...? Uh, fine, I was wrong.]
Fíliya suddenly had the thought of teasing Solitär a bit, but seeing Solitär raise her hand again, she immediately chose to chicken out.
Sigh, soft and squishy human girls are still easier to bully... Fíliya thought to herself, then shrugged.
"Um, then, Fíliya, what will it take for you to accept the invitation?"
Lutine placed her hands before her chest, looking at Fíliya with a slightly nervous expression.
"Heheh... That depends on your [Sincerity], Lutine-dear. You don't want the mission sent down from above to fail, right?"
As Fíliya spoke, she took a step forward and pinched Miss Lutine's hand.
"..."
Lutine's expression grew increasingly grave, yet she dared not pull her hand away. This reaction made Fíliya incomparably satisfied.
"Miss Solitär..."
Lutine cast a helpless look of distress toward Solitär. After all, in her view, only that mysterious mage beside Fíliya could possibly make this Lady Fíliya listen to reason.
"Get away from Lutine!"
But before Solitär could speak, another delicate shout was heard, followed by a bustling figure rapidly approaching Fíliya's side.
"Get lost!"
That pink figure leaped up, delivering a flying kick straight at Fíliya.
But Fíliya seemed completely unaware of the danger, still leaning on Lutine's body, reluctant to leave. It was unclear whether this fellow was overly confident in [Self-Gold Transformation] or simply wanted to take advantage of the situation a bit longer.
Thus, Solitär could only help helplessly, grabbing Fíliya by the back of her collar and yanking her aside, causing the pink-haired girl's kick to miss.
"Oh my? Isn't this Miss Iris? Not acting anymore? That obedient look in the tavern was indeed just a disguise."
Even while being held by the collar by Solitär, Fíliya still had the energy to deliver taunts.
But her taunts didn't have much effect. After all, Miss Iris's attention wasn't on her at all right now.
"Lutine, how are you? Did that guy do anything excessive to you?"
Seeing her attack miss, Iris didn't get angry. She immediately placed her hands on Lutine's shoulders and began asking about her well-being.
"I'm fine..."
Lutine smiled at the newcomer, then reached out to wipe the sweat from Iris's forehead. She knew Iris must have rushed here all the way out of worry for her.
"My, my, what a pair of tragic lovebirds..."
Fíliya stood properly again, laughing as she clapped for the two in front of her.
"You... You bastard! You already have three of your own! A whole three! Why do you still have to make a move on Lutine!"
Iris shielded Miss Lutine behind her, glaring viciously at Fíliya.
But in Fíliya's eyes, this fierce appearance looked exactly like a... hissing kitten.
What do you mean I made a move on Lutine? Did I?
Miss Fíliya asked herself honestly. She had only teased her casually; it was far from the level of "making a move." This guy is just being overprotective, isn't she...
Hmm... I feel like things have become interesting.
Looking at Miss Iris's appearance of a wife-protecting maniac, the smile at the corner of Fíliya's mouth couldn't help but become increasingly brilliant.
____
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