Chapter 24 : You can’t catch a wolf without risking your shoes

“You are?”

Leila furrowed brows, slight lift head.

Lofty gaze head to toe scan.

No respect, more cage animal view.

Clearly shorter than Xingyao, aura undiminished.

“S-She’s Xingyao.”

Considering Xingyao won’t or can’t speak.

“Slave we rescued last mission from bandit leader.”

Under silent majesty heavy air, Qianyu side answer.

“So, Qianyu’s dog.”

Leila absent, more self-mutter.

As if just noticed team extra, aware Xingyao.

“Not dog, she my…”

“Friend, want say? Laughable.”

Words cut, Leila careless interrupt.

“Only same class, mutual benefit friends.

Lowly her slave forever, your think useless.”

Facing heavy subjective rant.

No rebut Qianyu low:

“…But I, truly want friends her.”

Honest thoughts spoken.

“Heh. Asked her idea?

Maybe prefer treated special, or dog.”

“This—”

Want rebut Qianyu recall yesterday afternoon.

Xingyao shed magic old shell,

bath end, words to self.

(Want remain my slave etc.)

Leila words blunt rude.

But hit mark, as if witnessed.

Otherworld think hard strange,

Qianyu conclude.

…

“Seems answer already.”

Leila corner up, slow right lift.

Back pale purple long hair, usual attire hem,

wind blown slow float.

“Ah, one more.”

Palm condense—

Qianyu clear feel surround heat strip transfer,

gather swell abnormal light.

Familiar move, lost count close contacts.

“Own dog dare bite, teach for you.”

Instant,

Leila ready carriage attack magic on Xingyao.

Side Xingyao seem await, face danger.

Actually body mana fluctuate visible.

Conflict trigger.

“Wait, you two? No infight now!”

Sincere plea parties.

“Out way, Qianyu. No involve stay put.”

—

Master, leave me handle.

Fighting girls no heed, still confront.

Qianyu reins control, no special means magic.

Want stop powerless.

“B-But!”

But Qianyu inner clearest.

Leila not angry Xingyao free self.

Surface slave master.

Words metaphor self relation—

class differ, no mutual benefit. No friends.

Said eyes always stare Qianyu.

(Woman strong control me?!)

Somehow,

Qianyu feel:

no secret before her.

“Tell text mean.”

Thus, avoid worst.

Sacrifice secret best.

“Tch, should early.”

Purpose done, Leila light smack.

Ready fist down,

light air swallow fade.

“Then, honest confess.”

Back usual Leila urge.

Just want secret—Qianyu guessed right.

“Know.”

Thus,

Qianyu forced reveal discover time place,

Chinese specific mean—

few sure info to her.

Even Xingyao first hear.

[Cannot trust her words]

[After this forget things]

[Must find truth]

“…Anyway, all know.”

Said clear.

Shy Qianyu face red,

lift clothes show Leila arm inner, long sleeve cover again.

“Hm mm.”

Satisfied, Leila thoughtful nod.

Rare satisfied interested face:

“Written ‘that time’, unexpected.”

Words seem know,

“Y-You, know text origin?”

Qianyu soul lost, chase ask Leila.

Unaware close.

Dream answer front. Excite natural.

“Closer burn.”

“S-Sorry.”

Quick retreat steps, hands beg.

“Please, really want know.”

Polite Qianyu,

Leila rare no instant refuse.

Gaze distant.

Think time people unrelated—

rare compromise soft sigh.

“Planned no agree,

but today performance—slight hint.”

Even Qianyu try mind, agreed.

“Closer. Safe, no burn.”

Even allow close?!

Sudden shift Qianyu float.

“Okay. Ah, stop carriage first.”

Otherworld no traffic concept.

But safe consider,

drive stop roadside shade no disturb.

—

Master, careful. Girl magic maybe stronger me.

Xingyao telepathy.

Light tug Qianyu collar.

“Fine, Xingyao. Trust teammate here.”

No doubt,

stranger risk gamble.

But Leila personality aside, adventure teammate.

Near month together.

Over five missions.

Harm intent no need roundabout.

Weigh, Qianyu think correct choice.

“Start, Leila.”