Night had fallen, a spring rain pattering steadily against the train window without any particular rush.
The soft light inside the carriage glinted off the young girl's golden hair, giving it a faint sheen.
She sat quietly by the window, her eyes gently closed, lending her an exceptionally serene air.
Seemingly disturbed by the sound of the rain outside, her eyelashes fluttered lightly, like dancing butterflies.
Then, she opened her resolute eyes.
"I... I don't want to eat the Golden Broken Silver anymore!"
Avrora declared with determination.
It had been seven days in a row since Trimmau had taken over dinner duties.
It seemed that even after studying under Irori, Trimmau still hadn't managed to master cooking.
The only dish she could somewhat pull off was that 'Golden Broken Silver'—egg fried rice.
Arcueid Brunestud gently closed the book in her hands.
A different, enticing aroma happened to drift in from outside the door.
Avrora was immediately captivated by this unfamiliar scent, so unlike the previous ones.
The girl instantly straightened her posture, a gleam of anticipation shining in her eyes.
Somehow, her cutlery had already been laid out on the table.
As the silver-haired maid pushed the door open, the light in Avrora's eyes grew even brighter.
"Q-quickly... bring it forth," she stammered.
The fragrant tray was slowly placed before her by Trimmau, whose slender, delicate fingers gently lifted the lid.
With a slight effort, the lid was slowly raised.
As she did so, it seemed as if a golden radiance was shining out from beneath the cover.
"Oooohhhh!"
The light in Avrora's eyes practically burst forth, becoming almost tangible.
She swallowed hard, her gaze fixed intently on the opening lid.
Golden light shimmered, and the aroma wafted up.
Yet, within the unfamiliar scent, a familiar note made her feel that something was amiss.
Whoosh—
The lid came off, revealing the glimmering—shrimp and egg fried rice.
"It's this again..."
Avrora slumped onto the table, curling into a helpless ball, looking at Arcueid Brunestud with tearful, pleading eyes.
"The... the pangs of hunger surge within me."
It seemed Trimmau still hadn't learned how to cook.
Arcueid Brunestud shook her head helplessly, lightly tapping Avrora's forehead with her finger. "Natsuki will bring something later."
"Natsuki-chan!"
Avrora's head shot up, her eyes bursting with expectant light.
No sooner had she spoken than the door opened once more.
"Don't add '-chan' to my name."
A petite girl with long, raven-black hair stood in the doorway. Dressed in an extravagant red and black gown, she nonetheless exuded an air of incredible authority.
Minamiya Natsuki rapped Avrora on the head and placed the bag she was carrying in front of her.
Avrora eagerly tore open the packaging, her eyes sparkling at the sight of the colorful ice cream inside.
"Princess, Sister Trimmau."
Akatsuki Nagisa greeted them obediently before quickly scurrying to Avrora's side, her eyes also shining as she looked at the ice cream. "Ah, it's Lulu's ice cream!"
"There's a portion for you too."
Minamiya Natsuki snapped her fan shut with a clack, her brow slightly furrowed. "Why do you call her 'Sister Trimmau', but call me 'Natsuki-chan'?"
"Ehehe~"
Akatsuki Nagisa blinked, then swished over to the Princess. A chibi-style mermaid slowly emerged from behind her.
"I discovered this yesterday. I can summon her from the Mystic Eyes."
It seemed the transfer of the 'Root' was proceeding smoothly.
Arcueid Brunestud nodded in satisfaction.
The pair of Mystic Eyes given to Akatsuki Nagisa was the new vessel for the 'Root'.
Simply put, these Mystic Eyes within Akatsuki Nagisa would gradually transfer the 'Root's consciousness and its Beast Vassals into the eyes themselves.
The fact that the Beast Vassals could already be used indicated that the transfer of the 'Root's consciousness was nearly complete.
Arcueid Brunestud gently pressed a finger to Akatsuki Nagisa's eyelid, mana flowing.
A few seconds later, Nagisa, her Mystic Eyes adjusted, happily went off to eat ice cream with Avrora.
The kids' group began enjoying their ice cream, while the adults' group needed to start discussing serious matters.
The men's group?
The sole member of the men's group had been hauled off by Trimmau to be used as manual labor.
"What did the Lion King Organization say?"
Minamiya Natsuki asked the black-clad Neco-Arc in the room.
Since she hadn't been invited to the meeting, she naturally wouldn't attend arbitrarily.
Although most people privately considered her and Arcueid Brunestud to be on the same side, it wasn't appropriate to declare it openly.
After all, she still held a high-ranking position on Itogami Island.
Ahem, ahem. "The Lion King Organization has proposed the 'Blazing Banquet' this time. The specific location for the banquet is Itogami Island."
The black-clad Neco-Arc cleared her throat twice, then placed her hands behind her back.
The Blazing Banquet—a ritual meant to awaken the Fourth Primogenitor.
Was the Lion King Organization trying to have the Fourth Primogenitor awaken on Itogami Island to make it easier for them to control it?
But she hadn't been informed about this.
Minamiya Natsuki narrowed her eyes displeased.
The existence of the Fourth Primogenitor would undoubtedly become a point of contention. Whichever country or faction obtained it, the Fourth Primogenitor would surely plunge the world into misfortune.
But Itogami Island was an exceptional safe zone.
Based on the Holy Ground Treaty, the 'Demon Sanctuary' was explicitly permitted to accept all Demons and prohibited their political utilization. It could safely isolate the Fourth Primogenitor.
"The representative from the Warlord's Empire is Dimitrie Vatler. He will bring three 'Kaleid Bloods' to Itogami Island."
The black-clad Neco-Arc continued.
"The Second Primogenitor's representative is one of their descendants. The specific 'Kaleid Blood' involved is unknown."
"The Third Primogenitor will attend in person. She will bring two 'Kaleid Bloods'."
She's attending personally?
"Is the Third Primogenitor also bringing her 'Kaleid Blood' to Itogami Island?" Minamiya Natsuki asked.
"No. Those two are already aboard this train."
A low, magnetic voice replied.
"...What?"
She could understand the Lion King Organization holding a meeting on the train. Ever since word got out that the train possessed something resembling Mystic Eyes capable of killing a Primogenitor, the Lion King Organization had been intensely interested.
But why would the Third Primogenitor, the 'Chaos Bride,'...
"The Third Primogenitor provided this as an exchange for the train's anonymous invitation. Simultaneously, the two parties have forged a profound friendship."
As the words fell, the door opened once again.
Two golden-haired girls, beautiful as fairies and looking nearly identical to Avrora, entered the room.
Avrora immediately put down her ice cream, a hostile gleam in her eyes.
Akatsuki Nagisa glanced at Avrora, then at the two golden-haired girls.
"Huh?"
The girl tilted her head, voicing her confusion.
But her Demon early-warning system hadn't sounded any alarm... which meant, these were both Avroras?
The twelve Kaleid Blood were soon to be gathered. The Blazing Banquet was about to commence.
It was time for their side to enter the stage as well.
"Nagisa, Avrora will be going to school with you afterward."
Arcueid Brunestud said softly, then slowly turned her gaze to Minamiya Natsuki.
"Also, prepare an identity for me."
Is someone else coming?
Minamiya Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a name?"
Arcueid Brunestud gave a slight nod, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside the window, her cherry lips parting slightly.
"Arcueid Brunestud."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.