Watching Shana

The moon was high when we arrived at Lilibel 's gate .

The city's lanterns formed a warm and silent path, completely different from the suffocating cold of the dungeon .

Shouta walked a step behind me, keeping the necessary distance so as not to attract attention, but…

I could feel his breath on my neck.

Warm.

Impatient.

" Yumi , the tavern is over there," he called softly as we entered the central square.

I nodded, trying to ignore my racing heart.

We entered the old wooden building, lit by orange lights. The tavern was almost empty. Only the sound of dishes being washed in the kitchen could be heard.

The attendant greeted us with a tired smile.

"Two bedrooms...?" she asked.

Shouta stepped forward.

"No. Just one," he replied calmly.

My face burned immediately.

I looked at the ground, but I could feel her gaze on us, as if she knew exactly why.

The key fell onto the table.

Last room in the hallway. Second floor.

Shouta picked up the key. His hand brushed against mine, and a shiver ran through my entire body.

We climbed the stairs in silence, each step echoing, building the tension until it became suffocating.

When the door closed behind us, the silence exploded.

Shouta leaned his back against the door, breathing deeply, as if he were holding something inside him about to burst.

I turned to him slowly.

— Shouta … — I whispered.

He raised his head.

That look…

Neither hunger. Nor simple desire.

It was necessary.

It was old pain mixed with love, a desperate love.

I took a step.

He came to me in pairs.

His hand gripped my waist tightly, pulling me against his chest, and our lips met as if the world were ending.

Warm.

Under pressure.

Almost wild.

I kissed him back with equal intensity, gripping his shirt tightly, feeling his heavy, uncontrolled breath against my mouth.

"I've waited so long for this, I almost went crazy not being able to touch you, " he murmured between kisses, his voice hoarse and trembling.

"Me too," I replied, breathless, not recognizing my own voice.

He lifted me by the waist and pinned me against the wall, my fingers tangling in his hair.

Our bodies seemed to be trying to merge, as if we were afraid of being separated again.

— Yumi … I love you. — Shouta whispered against my skin, his voice broken.

I felt hot tears welling up uncontrollably.

I ran my hand across his face and pulled his lips to mine again, a deep and almost desperate kiss.

"Don't let go of me. Not for a second," I pleaded .

He carried me to the bed, and when we fell onto the sheets, the world disappeared.

His touch was firm, urgent, almost fierce.

Mine, hungry and filled with longing accumulated over months.

There was no fear.

Not a single hesitation.

Delivery only.

It was love burning like wildfire.

And then, in the warmth of the room lit only by the moon, our bodies united, intense, uncontrolled, as if there were no tomorrow.

Speechless.

Only broken breaths, whispers, and the sound of the bed scraping the floor as he held me as if I were about to lose everything again.

And when the silence finally came, we stayed together, breathless, embracing so tightly that it seemed our hearts were beating in the same rhythm.

Shouta rested his forehead against mine.

"I will never leave you alone again," he said . Shouta .

I closed my eyes.

"If you abandon me, I'll kill you," I said , laughing hoarsely.

He smiled, tired and happy, and pulled me into his arms.

We fell asleep like that.

No masks.

Without fear.

Just love.

I woke up to the soft sound of rain pattering on the tavern roof.

My body was still warm, wrapped in the sheets, and the quiet breathing beside me told me that Shouta was still asleep.

I looked at him.

His relaxed face was a stark contrast to the weight he carried when he was awake.

The way her hair fell over her eyes made me smile uncontrollably.

"Good morning, Shouta …" I murmured, gently stroking his cheek.

He slowly opened his eyes and smiled in that way that always made my heart race.

"Good morning, Yumi . Did you sleep well?" he asked. Shouta .

I nodded, trying not to blush too much as I remembered the previous night.

"Yes. I think it was the first night in years without nightmares," I replied.

He stood up slowly, resting his forehead against mine.

"Even in another world, I always want to be your safe place," he said.

My chest tightened.

" Shouta ... I need to ask you something important," I said.

He looked at me with instant seriousness. I told him everything about my mission.

"I need to find Shana and observe her from a distance," I said.

"And now that I know she's here in the Human Kingdom... I want to ask for your help," I asked him.

He smiled confidently.

"You don't even need to ask. I'll always be by your side," she replied . SHouta .

We got dressed and went down to the tavern's main hall together.

The smell of warm bread and strong coffee filled the air.

We sat at a table near the window.

While we were eating, two waitresses were chatting quietly behind us:

— Did you hear? A strange group arrived in town yesterday.

Two heroes, a fighter and a priestess…

My hand froze in mid-air.

"Two heroes, a fighter and a priestess..."

— Shouta . — I whispered , leaning in.

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

He nodded.

"The priestess... must be Shana ," he replied.

My heart pounded, a mixture of tension and hope.

"Then we need to confirm this today," I said.

"And if that's true, we need to act before Hiroshi does something stupid," Shouta said.

He lightly tapped his hand on the table.

"I have a plan," Shouta said.

A few hours later, Night in Lilibel

The rain had stopped and a thin mist covered the streets when we arrived quietly behind the Adventurers' House.

"They'll probably investigate the spiritual presence and try to level up by tomorrow," I whispered .

Shouta drew his energy axe.

"If I scare them enough, they'll try to run away and become vulnerable, " he said . Shouta .

"This will be our chance to find out who the priestess really is," I said.

I agreed.

But before we could act, the innkeeper, Ros , appeared alone outside to close the windows.

Shouta moved like a shadow.

With a precise blow from the handle of the axe, Ros fainted without pain.

I held my breath, watching.

" Yumi , help me drag him to the back," she said . Shouta .

We placed Ros unconscious on the stone floor.

Shouta placed his left hand on Ros 's navel , and his right hand on his own navel.

His mana flowed like a spiraling white smoke that glowed intensely.

— Metamorphosis.

The light enveloped his body, contorting and reshaping his muscles, skin, and form.

When it dissipated, Ros was standing... but it was Shouta inside.

I almost didn't recognize him.

"The voice will be the same too," he said, now in the voice of the innkeeper.

"Incredible…" I murmured.

He adjusted the axe on his shoulder and turned around.

Fujimoto group and disappear," he explained . Shouta .

"When I get back, I'll know if the priestess is really Shana ," he continued . Shouta .

Before leaving, he stopped and turned to me with a teasing smile.

"Ah, and yes... I convinced Hiroshi that he needed to patrol alone to lure the 'ghost'," he said . Shouta .

"He fell for it perfectly." Shouta was smiling.

I couldn't help but smile.

"You're really good at this," I said.

"Anything for you, Yumi ," he said.

Then he disappeared into the shadows.

Later, a secret meeting.

She was hiding among the trees when he returned, breathless but smiling.

"It worked. And I saw her face up close. It's Shana . I'm absolutely sure," he said . Shouta .

I felt a cold shiver.

"And then... the moment arrived."

"Tomorrow they're going to the hot springs," Shouta continued.

"I overheard the conversation. It will be early, before dawn," he continued . Shouta .

"Then let's go before them," I said firmly.

The next day, dawn in the mountains.

Yumi and Shouta walked along the path illuminated only by the moon and magic lanterns.

We arrived in front of a secluded house, next to the Hot Springs building.

The door was unlocked.

We entered silently.

In the main room lay a blonde girl, asleep, Dolberg Cassandra, owner of the fountains.

Shouta approached the sleeping blonde girl and placed his left hand on her navel.

Then he extended his right hand to my navel, touching it gently.

I felt a warm shiver run through my body.

— Metamorphosis.

The mana spread like a luminous electric current, connecting the three points.

The light enveloped my body completely, and I felt my skin, bones, and hair change shape.

When the light faded…

The person in front of the mirror was no longer Mayumi. Yumi .

It was Dolberg Cassandra.

Shouta slowly released my hand with a calm smile.

"It worked. Three hours, maximum. After that, the process will be reversed," Shouta explained.

— Shouta … thank you. — My voice came out low and trembling, not from fear, but from adrenaline.

He touched my shoulder.

"I'll be watching from afar. You won't be alone," Shouta said.

Hot water trickled down the smooth surface of the stones as the steam rose, dense and white, forming a curtain that obscured everything just a few meters away. I stood at the entrance to the women's area of Lilibel 's Bathhouse , now using the body and voice of Dolberg Cassandra, thanks to Shouta 's metamorphosis .

" Shana ... Koharu ... let's see who you really are."

The gentle sound of running water echoed off the stone walls. I took a deep breath and took my first step.

The main doors opened.

Soon after, I heard footsteps and voices coming from outside. Smiles, carefree conversation. They had arrived.

I turned around to greet them.

"Welcome," she said, inclining her head with Cassandra's trained elegance.

"My name is Dolberg Cassandra. I'm the receptionist at this spa," I introduced myself.

The fog had cleared enough for me to see clearly who was there:

Koharu , with a curious and impatient look.

Max, serious as always.

Fujimoto , observant and restless.

And in the center…

Shana .

His blue eyes shone with focused intelligence. The calm, calculated smile on his face sent shivers down one's spine. There was no trace of weakness: only restrained strength.

"Which area do you want to use?" I asked .

"The men will use the male part, and we two will use the female part," Shana replied matter-of-factly.

I nodded, smiling gently.

"Perfect. Everyone can leave their clothes in the enchanted baskets," I said.

They headed towards the locker room.

I stood watching through the fog.

"So... that's what she's like. Absolute serenity. Even sealed in human form."

Minutes later, in the women's area of the hot spring.

Shana leaned back on the edge of the natural pool. Drops of water slid down her neck and shoulders.

"Hey, Koharu ... what do you think the boys are thinking about right now?" Shana asked in a casual, almost playful tone.

Koharu snorted.

"Can you stop this?" he said. Koharu .

I smiled subtly and approached.

"Ladies, would you like something to drink?" I asked.

Koharu turned around.

"Thank you, but no." she replied . Koharu .

"Oh, but I want to," Shana said with a mysterious smile.

I moved closer. The steam reflected the golden sheen of Cassandra's long hair.

"What do you want, Shana ?" I asked.

Come closer. I need you to listen very closely. — he responded Shana

I leaned in slowly, keeping my breathing under control. Her face was just inches from mine. Her eyes shone with something I couldn't read.

"You can speak," I said.

Shana opened her eyes suddenly.

"I want to know... if Cassandra is alive or dead," he said . Shana surprised me.

The silence tore through the steam.

Koharu held her breath.

Shana didn't blink.

She smiled, without backing down.

"Cassandra is alive," I replied.

"And what's more... The current Queen of Demons should know that she's not the only one with secrets," I said, letting my voice drop into a deep tone.

My body began to glow. The metamorphosis was undone, revealing my true body, dark green hair, and intense eyes.

Koharu took a step back.

— You are… Mayumi Yumi ! — she shouted Koharu .

I lifted the crystal strapped to my chest.

An axe of energy took shape in my hands.

"So, Shana ... are you going to come out of that fountain and fight, or should I force you?" I asked.

She closed her eyes, serene.

"You know I don't need to leave here to defeat you," he said . Shana .

Koharu immediately raised a barrier, trembling.

Demons emerged and advanced against me, creatures made of condensed demonic mana.

I laughed and swung the axe, opening fissures of cutting light around me.

"Come, little creatures! Show me the power of the Queen!" I said ironically.

Shana walked calmly out of the water, without any hurry.

A demonic aura exploded around him, a shadow of red and violet.

Black flames roared like thunder.

Boiling water rose in violent waves.

— Shana ! Why did you leave the barrier?! — Koharu shouted.

" Koharu , break the barrier," she said . Shana .

— WHAT?! — he shouted Koharu .

"Trust me," he replied . Shana .

The barrier broke down.

We stood face to face.

Alone.

Heavy breathing echoed through the flames.

Shana crossed her arms.

— Heroine Yumi . Tell me your status. — she asked. Shana .

Smile.

"Why not?" I said ironically.

The invisible window appeared before us.

Name: Mayumi Yumi

Class: Heroine

Level: 15

Attack : 203

Def: 163

Int : 223

HP: 179

Vel : 184

Atk Mag : 184

Def Mag : 217

Koharu's eyes widened.

"That's absurd..." said Koharu .

"And her skill?" Shana asked.

"That... I can't say," I said with a smile on my face.

Shana sighed.

"Then I'll have to finish you off here," he said . Shana .

The black flames rose like a dragon.

Infernal Technique: Crimson Punishment!!!

The explosion consumed my image.

My body dissolved in the flames, because that body... was an illusory clone.

From atop the stone structure above the cave, hidden in the shadows, I watched the light disappear.

Koharu fell to her knees, exhausted.

Max carried Fujimoto , who was stunned.

Everyone fled in despair.

When they were far enough away, I silently jumped to the ground.

Behind me, hurried footsteps echoed.

Shouta appeared, panting, with red eyes.

— Yumi ! — she shouted Shouta .

He took my hand and led me down the stone steps to the side exit of the Bath House.

"It happened just as we planned," I murmured .

"They believe I'm dead," I continued.

"Let's get out of here," Shouta said, still trembling.

We walked to the tavern in heavy silence, feeling the heat of the flames still vibrating on our skin.

When we went inside, I sat down and put my hands on the table.

"Three days," I said , looking at Shouta .

"In three days, we'll observe Shana and find out everything," I said.