By evening, Beatrice had dragged Ryuzu off to Liliana's room to listen to music.
That left Hayashi Maki standing outside Emilia's door.
He knocked politely. "Lia, are you asleep?"
"Not yet."
The door opened, and the silver-haired half-elf stepped into view—graceful and stunning.
Fresh from a shower, Emilia wore a simple white slip dress. Her fair, jade-like skin caught the air with a soft, luminous sheen. The thin straps showed more of her shoulders and collarbone, and the gentle curve of her figure was unmistakably feminine.
Hayashi Maki's gaze drifted—first to the deep, tempting line at her neckline, then down past her slim waist. Beneath the hem, her long, pale legs made her look even more poised and elegant.
"Maki-kun… what is it?" Emilia's cheeks turned faintly pink under his stare. She lowered her head shyly, twisting a lock of hair between her fingers.
That cute, bashful gesture made Hayashi Maki's heart thrum.
"Nothing." He smiled. "I was just thinking… my Lia really is beautiful."
Then he asked softly, "May I come in?"
"Mm. Of course." Emilia's lips curved, clearly pleased by the compliment. She stepped aside. "Come in."
Hayashi Maki sat on the edge of her bed and patted his knee. "Lia, come here for a second."
Emilia glanced at him, shy but not refusing. She swayed closer and sat down on his lap with her back to him, moving carefully and slowly.
Hayashi Maki's warm breath brushed her delicate ear. Half-elf ears tapered slightly at the tip; paired with her pretty face, violet eyes, and creamy skin, it only made her charm more overwhelming.
Up close, her soft, feminine scent washed over him, and he couldn't help wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Lia… are you getting used to traveling by ship?" he asked.
"I'm not the type to get seasick," she replied with a bright smile. "So I'm totally fine."
Her gaze dropped to the arms around her, and something warm settled in her chest.
Hayashi Maki lightly touched his lips to her ear—an affectionate, teasing brush.
"Good," he murmured. "If I got seasick, I'd miss out on watching the ocean with you."
Emilia gave a small sound of agreement, but the touch made her go a little weak. She turned in his lap, slowly facing him, and lifted her arms to circle his neck.
"Maki-kun…" Her voice was already clear and sweet, but with that soft, pleading edge, it hit even harder. "Can you stay with me tonight?"
Hayashi Maki couldn't possibly say no—and he hadn't planned to.
He didn't waste words. He stroked her hair, then eased her down onto the bed, leaning in to kiss her.
Everything else didn't need to be spoken.
They finally reached the Watergate City.
Under Joshua and the cat-eared girl Mimi's guidance, Hayashi Maki's group passed through the entry checks and made their way into a large hall built in a distinctly Japanese style.
A modern layout like this was proof of "otherworld" influence—something left behind by travelers from elsewhere. Most likely, it traced back to the Sage… or, more precisely, to Hoshin of Kararagi, the great merchant said to have connections to the Sage.
But that wasn't important.
With Hayashi Maki here, history itself was destined to be rewritten—marked with his own imprint.
In the reception room, they met the purple-haired, petite Anastasia.
"Welcome to Priestella," she said with a smile and practiced warmth. "Hayashi Maki-san, Emilia-san, and everyone else—Ah've been lookin' forward tae yer visit."
But when her eyes landed on Echidna, her pupils tightened slightly.
"We're looking forward to Priestella too," Hayashi Maki replied smoothly, then went straight to the point. "Also—where did you hear about high-purity, colorless mana crystals?"
That was the item Anastasia had mentioned in her letter.
A high-purity, colorless mana crystal could serve as a vessel for contracting spirits. And since Puck had broken his contract with Emilia, his crystal had shattered. If Emilia wanted to find him again and re-contract him, she needed a replacement.
Of course, Hayashi Maki could produce something similar with alchemy if he wanted—but he was still curious.
Anastasia sighed. "Ye really don't waste time, do ye? Fine. Since you're mah biggest partner…"
She held up a finger.
"The high-purity, colorless mana crystal is in the hands of the Muse Company's heir—Kiritaka. If ye can offer a price he likes, he'll probably sell. But only if Ah introduce ye."
Then she added, with a meaningful look toward Liliana—who was perched close to Hayashi Maki, cheeks pink.
"And… ye'd best not let Liliana-san be seen by him. That fellow's famous. They call him the 'Songstress Maniac.'"
At that, Anastasia's mood turned faintly complicated.
Hayashi Maki really was dangerous. Even Liliana—a celebrated songstress—had ended up sitting close to him without much resistance, looking more shy than unwilling.
If Kiritaka saw Liliana sitting that intimately with Hayashi Maki, he'd probably lose his mind. And that crystal would never be sold.
"…Ah, then it's Kiritaka," Liliana blurted, eager to prove herself in front of Hayashi Maki. "Let me handle it! I'm telling you, in Priestella, if I say the word, he'll listen!"
She puffed out her chest—petite, confident, and completely sincere.
Anastasia looked like she wanted to put her head through the table.
"Liliana-san… Ah really think ye should not go see him. Ever since ye disappeared, he's been looking for ye like a madman."
"But I want to repay everyone's kindness," Liliana insisted. "Maki-sama and Emilia-sama need that crystal, right? If I ask, Kiritaka will definitely give it to me!"
She sounded so sure—sweetly clueless.
She had no idea how much that would cut a devoted, obsessive admirer like Kiritaka.
Anastasia could only shake her head at the earnest, oblivious songstress.
"Hayashi Maki-san… you're unbelievable," she muttered. "So how did ye even win Liliana over?"
Hayashi Maki smiled. "That's a secret. If you really want to know, come to my room tonight and I'll tell you everything."
"—No, thank you," Anastasia said instantly, waving both hands. "Ah'm not that curious."
She wasn't stupid. Going to his room alone was basically volunteering to get eaten alive.
Hayashi Maki put on a disappointed expression, then pinched Liliana's cheek gently and spoke in a firm, caring tone.
"As for the crystal, Liliana—don't go to him for that. I'm not letting you owe someone that kind of favor over a rock."
"But… you do need it, don't you?" Liliana hesitated, torn.
"Not enough to pay that price," Hayashi Maki said, calm and decisive. "Just listen to me, okay?"