Sup Anavel! It seems that you didn’t forget about me!

  “I fortunately did not. I would never forgive myself for forgetting a friend and a benefactor. It’s nice to meet you again. I see familiar faces, but this is the first time we meet. I am Anavel Seynoux, the empress of the Aquini Kingdom.”

  If I may… if this is a kingdom, shouldn’t you be the queen?

  Shht Greg, she likes the title of ‘Empress’.

  Right…

  We introduced ourselves and held some small talk. She nodded at her attendants and all left. It was just Anavel and team Hourai left.

  “I will reintroduce myself as Naqu Maru, what you would call a Sea Phoenix Fairy.” Anavel made a polite bow and team Hourai got put on edge.

  You…you! You can't fool me! I know that you're an abomination underneath!

  Uhh, not this one Raishin, her true appearance just adds some bird wings made out of water. This is a rare exception. How do I know? I would’ve been fairy dust otherwise.

  “I’m sorry, but I will get to the point… some of my kind have arrived. Not the foolish weaklings that have swarmed and terrorized this beautiful planet. They are akin to me or the large snake like one that had appeared a year ago.”

  I raised my hand.

  “Yes?”

  Is there a chance that this is not our problem but just a warning?

  “Of course! I wouldn’t want you to get devoured. This is serving as a warning. I will solve this problem myself. My race, my problem. I want to warn you that it would be wise to avoid my country for the coming year, especially this city. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

  Are you sure that we can’t help?

  “I’m sorry Raishin, I have seen how my kin devours spirits. I hope those 2 stay far from it. But I haven’t invited you just for this warning. The idols and Silver Torrent have missed 2 celebrations of Alledra’s restoration, so while I’m busy I hope that you can relax and enjoy my city before it gets plunged into chaos again… I have been keeping in touch with Barusu, who is aware.”

  Anavel seemed upset. Can she really do this by herself? But is this our problem? It is if she loses.

  What about the Floating Lotus?

  Oh right!

  “What does the beauty parlor have to do with this?” Anavel asked confused.

  It would be nice if Greg stopped blabbering.

  “Oh, we’ve always wanted to visit it, right girls?”!” The idols said and started to get excited.

  Well…

  I gagged Greg with my tail.

  This guy needs a break. We will enjoy your city and we will stay clear. Just… win please…

  “Thank you. I need many preparations, excuse me, but I won’t be able to accompany you during your stay.”

  Greg was struggling, so I dragged him out while waving and saying goodbye to Anavel.

  Hey Greg, would it hurt you to stop blabbering about other people’s identities and whereabouts?

  But she’s the ruler of this country, shouldn’t she know?

  Why does she have to know? What if the enemies are already here and spying. You will just be blabbering sensitive information.

  Have you detected anything?

  No, but that still doesn’t mean that you can keep doing this.

  “Deca, is there something wrong with the Floating Lotus?”

  I could see that Giana wanted to go badly, same for Yv and Noelle.

  Guys! My house! Now!

  The team followed me to my house. It was as we had left it behind and I had missed this place.

  “Wow, lil’ bro, you never told us that you own a house like this!”

  My team got let in and I released Nilah.

  Nilah, you look for traps! I’m going to up the security!

  Nilah went upstairs, and I started to add layers of barriers and protection on my house.

  Giana was looking around uncomfortably. “Your house has a strange vibe…Deca?”

  Oh maybe there are still some of Hisui’s traps! Greg let's go look!

  Giana glared at Gregory as she caught him staring. “Gregory, explanation?”

  Uhm, the three of us were recuperating in Agnis’ house when Hisui attacked us. His house was seeped in pink, and it took me a whole day to get rid of most of it but… there were still some traps here and there. It is possible that we missed some. It could explain the reason why Nilah went to look for traps and why Giana feels uncomfortable.

  “Deca, do you mind if I blast your house with my charm?”

  Uhhh won’t that affect the others?

  “it only affects the one I desire and his belongings.”

  It will save Nilah a lot of time, go for it, but… can you do it without making everything pink… I like the colors of my home…

  “I will do my best. Can the rest wait outside for a bit?”

  We got up and cleared the room. “Not you Deca…”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  I got pulled back in. Giana sang, and the whole house got nuked by charm magic.

  “Tell me when the pink is gone.”

  Is it possible that you can’t see how pink this is?

  “I can’t, no, not if it’s my own charm magic.”

  So 9t are selectively charm blind? Great…

  It took a while but the pink disappeared after Giana’s effort. At least nobody can charm blast this place anymore. It will instantly set off Giana and that person will get into trouble.

  Everything was set, my house was vixen and eavesdropper proof.

  You can blabber now, Greg.

  I think you’re making too much of a fuss about this… the Floating Lotus is the home of the Mikazuki vixens.

  Giana got up. “I’m sorry girls, I don’t think we can go there…”

  Don’t be silly, you guys go have fun there, I will stay here.

  “Deca…”

  You always wanted to go there. Don’t mind me. My house is vixen proof because of you. I will be safe here.

  “But..”

  Yv, sis, please kidnap her when you’re leaving. She could use some relaxation.

  Yv and Noelle nodded.

  What about your auntie?

  Well you two are going so you go figure that out.

  Is it a good idea to leave you behind?

  Sure, a better idea than me going there. I’ve never seen a vixen territorial battle before, but I’m sure I don’t want to be near that.

  “All the fans in the area got charmed when Giana and Hisui clashed…It took so long to punch the charm out of them…” Noelle said.

  See?!

  Giana beat Hisui?!

  Well, if she had lost it would be Hisui here instead of Giana.

  Giana… how strong are you actually?

  Greg asked, showing interest in Giana.

  “I can one shot Deca!”

  But that’s not an achievement... almost anyone can…

  Hey! Do I need to kick you out of my house?!

  “Don’t fight. Lil’ bro, are you sure? Honestly, I’m a bit worried leaving you alone. I will stay behind to look after you.”

  I’m not a kid… I’ll be fine, and have you tried Raishin’s massages yet? Go spend time with him at the Floating Lotus.

  I would like to stay behind, but I have several questions for the vixens and since Agnis isn’t coming the responsibility will fall on me.

  “Then I will stay behind with Deca!”

  Girls! Kidnap her!

  “I will look after him, Giana. I will relax there for a bit and then hop back.” Yv said while patting Giana’s back.

  Giana shook her head, and it appeared as if the environment got affected by her mood. “Are you sure, Yv? You wanted to visit it the most.”

  Yv nodded her head. “We might return to a large crater if I don’t.”

  You don’t have to Yv…

  “Too late, I already decided!”

  Yes! I finally get to see Noelle in a spa environment! Here is the plan!

  Raishin slammed a map of the Floating Lotus down on the table.

  What the fuck? What is this?

  Haha! You need glasses! This is a map of the Floating Lotus! Greg helped me draw it the last time we were there!

  I facepalmed to Raishin’s rookie mistake.

  You doofus, that place is made out of illusions. Maps don’t work as they can easily move rooms around, make the building larger or smaller etc. A map is pointless… especially if stinky dragons come and crash in, demanding stupid shit in Draconian. Aah! I’m getting pissed thinking about it!

  I grabbed Giana’s hands.

  If you encounter jungle dragons and they keep spouting nonsense in Draconian. Please light some foxfires below them.

  “Uhh, ok…”

  Raishin abandoned the map and planned out a 7-day holiday of relaxation. I hope that Giana can relax.

  She was squeezing my hand, and it was as if I could feel her turbulent emotions.

  Listen Deca. This is good for you. You need some relaxation but also…hang out with some vixens. Medea is very cool. Please make use of this situation to hang out with the gender of your race… I can’t… Also… I need you to do something.

  I leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

  “I…never thought about it like that… thank you. I will put my best tail forward. And that is an interesting idea.”

  We did some shopping and sightseeing. The city was as beautiful as ever. Giana’s mood improved, but not by a lot. Some time away from me might do wonders for her. Who knows, maybe they can heal traumas.

  The morning of their departure came.

  Don’t burn the house down!

  Make sure the city is still here when we return.

  “Deca…please take care of yourself.”

  “Stay out of trouble, lil’ bro!”

  “I will make sure to hop by soon!”

  Stop being overprotective! I’ll be fine!

  They hopped into the mini bus Noelle had hired. These coffins on wheels are getting popular, but are still expensive as fuck. I never knew that she could drive, but it wasn’t unsurprising. I wonder who else can drive. Maybe Greg? Raishin probably can't. Not sure about Giana and Yv. So just Noelle, Greg and me, eh?

  Giana gave a sad wave, like a small child leaving their parents for a sleepover.

  I’m sorry Nilah, you’re a female too, so I’m sure you wanted to go too, but I’m quite screwed if something happens, and you’re not here.

  Nilah didn’t seem to mind and was enjoying having so much space to run around.

  The gods are having issues and an empress extends a warning to us. Everyone is fighting their own battles. Complaining about our problems is unfair, as everyone has their own issues to deal with. Although, our issue is quite unfair.

  ?

  follow if the story is interesting enough.

  Moorland Menace