Chapter 46: I’m Willing, Meow?

A Surprising Perspective

Ye Xinglan didn’t care whether Su Ying was a monster. However, seeing Xiao Xi smile and bid Su Ying goodbye, she felt a bit surprised.

Wasn’t Xiao Xi a fan of Eternal Star? Ye Xinglan assumed fans of Eternal Star would despise monsters and find them unacceptable.

On the way home, Ye Xinglan casually brought it up, as if chatting idly.

“I’d never think that way!” Xiao Xi answered seriously. “Not all monsters are evil. Many under the Divine Assembly were pitiful, controlled victims too!”

Pitiful… huh? Ye Xinglan paused, then, almost impulsively, asked another question.

“What about the Blood Moon Witch? She’s a terrifying monster. Would you see her the same way?”

The moment she asked, Ye Xinglan regretted it. The question was too pointed. What if Xiao Xi suspected something?

She sneaked a glance at Xiao Xi’s expression. When she saw Xiao Xi looking at her earnestly, Ye Xinglan guiltily turned her head away.

“Xinglan, do you think it’s weird I’d defend monsters?” Xiao Xi’s tone was sincere. “But I mean it. Even if it’s the Blood Moon Witch, I’d feel the same.”

The Blood Moon Witch was a fearsome enemy, but as her rival, Xiao Xi understood her better. The witch was just a pawn of the Divine Assembly. Who’d want to be a manipulated chess piece?

Xiao Xi always knew the real villains were the cowardly Divine Assembly higher-ups, hiding in safety while exploiting monsters for profit.

“Plus, I have a feeling,” Xiao Xi’s thoughts drifted. “The Blood Moon Witch must be… a lonely person, right? If she had a choice, maybe she’d rather be ordinary.”

Xiao Xi glanced at Ye Xinglan. “Like you—eat, sleep, play games. Maybe she dreams of that kind of life.”

This was Xiao Xi’s honest conclusion after putting herself in the witch’s shoes. A bloodthirsty, infamous figure like the Blood Moon Witch probably had no one willing to get close. That’d make anyone lonely, right?

Xiao Xi recalled past battles. The Blood Moon Witch was always alone, save for her support unit [Alanbell]. She rarely fought alongside others.

Ye Xinglan stared at Xiao Xi, stunned. She hadn’t expected that answer.

Lonely… huh?

A Heartfelt Exchange

Ye Xinglan knew she shouldn’t keep this topic going, but she couldn’t help herself. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

“If—hypothetically—you got the chance to meet the Blood Moon Witch, would you treat her… like you treat me? I mean, like a friend?”

Xiao Xi tilted her head, puzzled, but looked into Ye Xinglan’s eyes and answered clearly, “Of course, I’m willing.”

She’d thought about this before, especially after getting pummeled by the Blood Moon Witch in battles. If the witch hadn’t been controlled by the Divine Assembly, could they have been friends?

A strange, heart-pounding feeling surged in Ye Xinglan’s chest.

“Okay, enough of this random talk,” Xiao Xi said. “What do you want for dinner? I’ll cook when we get home.”

Ye Xinglan stayed silent. Suddenly, she grabbed Xiao Xi’s hand, intertwining their fingers like a real couple.

“Whoa, don’t crowd me! The sidewalk’s wide enough—why’re you sticking so close?”

“Hmm?”

Ye Xinglan ignored her, leaning even closer, resting her head on Xiao Xi’s shoulder.

“Xinglan, you’re making it hard to walk…”

As the sun set, the two walked side by side on South Street’s sidewalk, their shadows stretching long under the fading light.

A Shady Deal

Late at night, in a bar within Xia Hai City’s underground black market.

Logically, the black market’s main function was trade—shady deals, at that. A bar, an entertainment venue, shouldn’t exist here. Yet, Xia Hai’s black market, established long ago during the great chaos, had grown vibrant over time.

This market, built during that chaotic era, dealt in magic-related items, even trading monsters and magical creatures. Even now, its roots in Xia Hai City ran deep.

Inside the bar, dazzling disco balls and ear-splitting DJ music provided perfect cover for deals and talks. In a corner booth, two people sat across from each other.

“Your plan’s not as foolproof as you claimed,” one said. “The Association’s already tracing clues about you selling Divine Assembly relics. How long do you think you can hide?”

The speaker was a young girl, slim, with eye-catching fluorescent blue hair.

“No rush, Flash Butterfly,” the cloaked figure across from her said, swirling a glass. “Let’s play with them.”

Flash Butterfly glared at the cloaked figure. The robe couldn’t hide her alluring frame, its secrecy adding a tantalizing charm.

“Play what?” Flash Butterfly scoffed. “You think the Magical Girl Association’s full of idiots? They’ll soon trace it to the black market. Why act so cryptic?”

The cloaked figure stayed silent, swirling her drink. Ice clinked against the glass. For a moment, Flash Butterfly thought she saw a flower blooming on the figure’s wrist, wrapped in thorny vines, as if feeding on her flesh.

As the disco light flashed, Flash Butterfly realized it was just a tattoo—thorns and flowers winding around her wrist.

“Flash Butterfly, how do you know I didn’t plant those clues on purpose?”

Her words stunned Flash Butterfly. After a long pause, she spoke, incredulous.

“You did it on purpose? You staged the monster attack at the café to lead the Association to black market clues?”

“Are you insane? What’s the point?”

The cloaked figure smiled, her red lips curling under the hood.

“Ugh, I can’t figure you out,” Flash Butterfly muttered. “Just don’t screw it up.”

She reached for her glass but grabbed air.

Looking down, she saw her drink was now in the cloaked figure’s hand.

“Kids shouldn’t drink,” the figure said, downing the amber liquid. “Here, juice.”

An orange juice slid toward her. Flash Butterfly suspected the figure just wanted to steal her drink.

“I’m an adult,” Flash Butterfly snapped, grabbing the juice and chugging it, mimicking the figure’s move.