"Phew, so comfortable." When she opened her eyes, the sun outside the window had already dipped toward dusk. The soft afterglow shone upon her body, bringing a sense of indescribable comfort.
A mixture of different feminine fragrances lingered in the air. Soft bodies pressed against both her back and front. She froze slightly, then lifted her head just a bit to glance around the bed—and her eyes widened at once.
Inori was clinging tightly to her back, with much of her delicate skin exposed, while in her arms lay Anna, whose sleeping posture was, frankly, a bit messy. Not far beyond Inori were Ruriko Nana and Lux Lyle, who were sleeping in each other's embrace. In front of her, Liu Yanran's hand had reached out to grasp her arm, and behind her, Chu Chu was cuddling Li Xiu'er.
Except for Cai Ya, who was still recuperating, and the white-haired girl standing alone on the balcony gazing at the sunset, everyone else was there—filling the entire bed to the brim, a sight both sensual and heart-stirring.
"You girls..." Chu Lian shook her head helplessly. These girls seemed to be growing more and more attached to her. Even those who had been a bit distant at first had drawn close after this ordeal that had been nothing short of a brush with death.
Carefully, she lifted Inori's hand from her waist, moved Anna's little hand from inside her nightdress, and gently freed herself from Liu Yanran's grasp. Rising quietly, she made sure not to wake anyone.
Seeing the solitary figure of Kurosaki Satsuki standing on the balcony, Chu Lian hesitated for a moment, then walked over.
"You're awake?" The white-haired girl's hair fluttered in the evening breeze, adding a touch of wildness to her calm demeanor. She didn't turn around to face Chu Lian but asked faintly.
Chu Lian didn't mind. She was used to her personality by now and knew that such words already expressed as much warmth as Satsuki could show. "Mm, I'm fine. I didn't miss the time." She smiled softly, resting both hands on the railing as she gazed at the distant glow of the setting sun.
Most of the city had become ruins. Only this small area, as if shielded by some invisible barrier, remained mostly intact. Order here still barely held.
A hundred meters away, countless people were busy—moving debris, searching for survivors, and laying the dead to rest.
The hum of machines, the shouts of rescuers, the cries of grief, the barking of dogs, the rumble of cars, and the speeches of politicians—all these sounds blended together into a strange, mournful symphony, a song titled "Elegy of the City."
Swinging her legs over the balcony rail, Chu Lian let her bare, slender legs dangle in the air. Running her fingers through her wind-tossed hair, she murmured, "Satsuki, do you know? This is the thing I regret the most in my life."
"Because too many people died?" The blood-red eyes turned toward her, then back to the ruins. Her tone was quiet.
"That's part of it. But more than that, it's because I dragged all of you into danger too." Chu Lian shook her head, then nodded slightly. That was just the kind of person she was—if something didn't directly involve her actions, she rarely cared. But this time… this time was different. Too many had died. The destruction of Miami was too vast. If she claimed to feel no regret, that would be more shocking.
"I don't think it was dangerous—just that, during the first battle, I was useless. I couldn't contribute at all. I'm sorry." Kurosaki Satsuki stared blankly at the shattered city below, her voice faint and tinged with self-blame.
"It wasn't your fault. The enemy was just too powerful." Chu Lian knew well this was something weighing heavily on her heart, but she didn't know how to console her. All she could do was try to keep her from thinking too much.
"If the enemy was too strong, doesn't that just mean I was too weak?" The white-haired girl turned her head, showing a sorrowful expression. "I once believed I was strong enough—to avenge my parents."
"But everything since then has shattered that confidence again and again." She didn't look at Chu Lian, her gaze fixed on her own fingertips. "If it weren't for your help, I'd probably already be dead."
"Being weak isn't an excuse—but neither is someone else's strength a reason to throw your life away." Even from the thirty-seventh floor, Chu Lian could clearly see the expressions of the people below—faces filled with confusion and despair. For ordinary people, what had happened today was beyond comprehension. It was the helpless reality that weakness forced upon them.
"That's why I have to become stronger." The white-haired girl waved her hand, and a katana appeared within her grasp. She gazed at her own reflection on the blade's surface, her expression icy.
"Do you still remember what you've realized? True strength doesn't come from power—it comes from the strength of one's heart." Chu Lian flicked her finger, and a small sphere of spiritual power appeared in her hand. The faint glow it emitted made her pale face look even paler.
"Take that dragon, for example. Its power was undeniably immense—half-step Heaven-tier, easily. But do you know what its original level was?" Chu Lian lowered her hand, letting the orb float freely, and turned toward Kurosaki Satsuki as she asked.
"Could it be... Heaven-tier?" The white-haired girl was briefly startled, hesitating slightly but still speaking with certainty.
"Heaven-tier, initial stage. But since it was of another race, its strength was higher than that of most Heaven-tier beings—though not by much. Do you know why it fell all the way to Earth-tier?" Chu Lian brushed aside a lock of her hair, gazing calmly into Satsuki's crimson eyes.
"Because its spirit was weak?" If she couldn't see that much, then she truly would've been hopelessly foolish.
"Mm. I don't know the exact reason, but I could sense its condition—it was mentally chaotic, its consciousness completely lost." Chu Lian knew there were likely deeper causes behind that, but she chose not to mention what she didn't fully understand. The girl before her already looked so lost—no need to add confusion.
"So... a true powerhouse's strength depends on the state of their heart?" Satsuki's eyes brightened, her once-wavering heart now firm again—and stronger than before.
She was certain now: to become truly strong, she needed to temper her heart. Only then could she keep walking the path of the warrior—just like the person beside her. After confronting her own heart, Chu Lian had grown steadily stronger ever since.
"Can you take me as your disciple?" The white-haired girl sheathed her katana and suddenly knelt on one knee before Chu Lian on the balcony.
"A disciple? I'm not the right teacher for you." Seeing the earnest look in Satsuki's eyes, Chu Lian shook her head, refusing the request.
"Is it because I'm too dull—or unworthy to be your student?" Satsuki asked in confusion. Her sincerity was clear; Chu Lian could see that easily. So what was the reason for rejection?
"I mean, I'm just not suited to be your master. The paths we walk are completely different. If I were to teach you, I'd only lead you astray." Chu Lian smiled faintly. It was the truth.
Kurosaki Satsuki walked the path of the assassin—swift, precise, and deadly, excelling in close combat and surprise strikes, her techniques unpredictable and lethal.
Chu Lian, however, fought through versatility—combining long-range archery, spiritual power projectiles, and techniques from the Divine Spirit Art. She also possessed close-combat moves from the same art, raw physical strikes, and other unique abilities. Her arsenal included the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, the Apocalypse Virus, Remilia-sama's Dignity, and control over the Void.
Soon, she would also master the alchemy and necromancy that Tírnas had promised to teach her. And she already commanded subordinates like the Water Lord, Tina, and the growing doomsday weapon, Nina.
Her fighting style was complex, full of variety—a chaotic mix that didn't align with Satsuki's focused, assassin-based approach.
More importantly, Chu Lian didn't even know how to properly teach others. If she truly became Satsuki's master, she feared she'd end up ruining the girl instead.
"Even if you can't teach me your techniques, can't you at least teach me how to become strong?" Satsuki pressed on, unwilling to give up. After witnessing Chu Lian's battle with the dragon, she longed more than ever to reach that level of power.
"Then just ask me. I'll tell you everything I've learned. But let's skip the master-disciple part. Once we're back, I'll find a teacher who actually suits you." Chu Lian smiled again, confident in her promise.
After all, even if she didn't personally know many who followed the same path as Satsuki, she still had an unfinished quest as a Spacetime Traveling Merchant. Once she returned home, she was sure she could complete it—and if necessary, trade with someone powerful enough to mentor Satsuki.
Inside that mysterious market, surely—probably—there would be someone suitable, right? Still, the idea of "purchasing" a powerful being from another world carried a certain... strange feeling.
"If that person can't surpass you, then forget it." Seeing that Chu Lian was firmly unwilling to take her as a disciple, the white-haired girl stood up with slight disappointment, looking at her seriously as she spoke.
That point, though, was hard to argue. Skill didn't always depend on power—someone weaker could still possess better technique. But what if the teacher she found for Satsuki ended up being a sword saint whose strength didn't quite match Chu Lian's own? That would be... awkward.
Ah well, she'd figure it out later. Worst case, she could open a special Dungeon Space related to swordsmanship and send Satsuki inside to train and gain experience.
That slightly irresponsible thought flashed through Chu Lian's mind for a moment before vanishing. After all, a promise made was a promise to keep.
"Wait, didn't I start this conversation talking about my thoughts on the dragon incident? How did we end up talking about your martial training again?" Only now did Chu Lian realize she'd let the topic wander completely off course when she saw the white-haired girl's cold expression return.
"Mommy, Mommy..." Just as she was about to speak again, a small voice called out behind her. Turning around, she saw a golden-haired little girl running barefoot toward her—and leaping straight into her arms.
"Hey—my little troublemaker, be careful! This is the thirty-seventh floor! Even the toughest body would shatter into pieces if you fell!" Catching the girl midair, Chu Lian pressed her forehead gently against Anna's, half scolding, half amused.
"Anna's not scared! Anna can fly! And Anna knows Mommy will always protect her!" the little girl said brightly, planting a kiss on Chu Lian's cheek with a happy smile.
"Alright, alright—Mommy will protect you," Chu Lian said helplessly, unable to bring herself to scold the girl. Then, glancing toward the darkening sky, she suddenly remembered something and asked the white-haired girl, "Satsuki, what time is it now?"
"It's already past six..." Satsuki replied calmly.
The moment the words left her mouth, Chu Lian froze—then shouted, "Ah! Wake everyone up—we're late!"
"Huh? We're late? Late for class?" The first to respond wasn't Satsuki but Li Xiu'er, who sat up drowsily, rubbing her eyes. Her sudden movement made the entire bed shake, forcing the rest of the girls awake one by one.
And then—
"Ah! Hurry and put on your clothes!"
"Well, if I'm not the only one late this time, then I guess it's fine," Chu Lian said with a laugh, holding the squirming little girl in her arms as she watched the lively scene unfold. It seemed... everyone had gotten a good rest after all.