Chapter 78 - Subjugation (4) (1/2)
Emersyn remained silent as she collected the monster's huge remains into her inventory. She saw a few treasures and gold coins.
”... master...” Flora called as soon as Emersyn finished looting.
”Yes?” Emersyn responded, looking back at Flora.
”You… you're not going to deny it?”
”Of course I won't. Besides, I am not really hiding it.”
Before Emersyn knew it, she was embraced tightly. Her head was on Flora's bosom as the female squeezed her tight. Emersyn settled her hand on Flora's back, patting it.
”I surrender!”
”Master...” Flora cried.
”...”
”I thought I wouldn't be able to see you again...” she said as she broke off her embrace and cupped Emersyn's cheeks. She gently c.a.r.e.s.sed it and Emersyn could see the fondness in her eyes. It… it was too warm. Thinking that she wouldn't be able to bear it, it was already too late when she was brought into another tight hug.
”Flora...”
”Tell me how have you been in another world. Please?”
”...”
”Master?”
”When I woke up, I was in a prison cell... I was part of the mafia there, a criminal organization. I got promoted in ranks, I succeeded in a mission, and… got the eyes of the Blanche. They searched high and low for me, and I ended up here when matters got tight. I am merely escaping… and now, I have to get stronger. Stronger than ever and fight back.”
”What will they do to you, Master?”
”I don't know, Flora… maybe isolated. I am already a criminal.”
”Master did nothing wrong, right? You saved us and gave us a reason to live. If it's the matter of killing those people that helped us five years ago, then it is of no matter. You saved us there, Master.”
”... you have a point, but my crime is bone deep, it seems.”
”Bone deep?”
”The Blanche told me that my parents are both heinous criminals. I don't know what they did, but it seemed deep rooted in the universe's history. I was killed once too, when I was on Earth. I was living peacefully there though, so I was confused first. Then, one day, this person from the Blanche came and killed me. Even after I died here, they still showed hostility. What can I do but fight back?”
”... they killed you without you knowing?” Flora said through gritted teeth.
”So it would seem.”
”Fight back! I can't let my master die again before my eyes! So, what is your plan, master?!”
”... Flora, calm down. I was thinking of fighting Calamity rank monsters again in huge numbers.”
”To seek enlightenment?”
”... to deplete my energy and gain back my oceanic Life Energy. Then, in three days, I will go to Elodiaren's location.”
”I will come too, master.”
”No.”
”Wha-”
”Flora, I don't want you to be involved in my mess.”
”I don't care!”
Emersyn flinched. ”Flora?!”
”I don't care at all, master! I don't want to lose you again to those people!”
”... Flora, I am more afraid of losing you.”
Flora's mouth immediately shut, her eyes gazing at Emersyn.
”I still have a lot of lives. How about you? It is not certain if you will live again once you die. Flora, can you stay in the ChangHao firm to wait for me? I want a place where I can return to. In your arms.”
”...”
Did she buy it?
”... okay...” Flora mumbled. ”I will, no, we will protect your home until our last breath.”
”Good,” Emersyn said as she patted Flora's head gently. Flora's tail flicked then swayed. She was clearly happy, and Emersyn liked it. She had to protect this bundle of happiness despite the harsh journey she would take. Her hand suddenly stopped as her eyes stared at the sky.
”...ter! Master!”
”Ah. Yes? What's the matter?”
”You're spacing out!” Flora pouted. ”Did you even hear me?”
”Sorry, sorry,” Emersyn awkwardly smiled then smoothed out Flora's hair. ”Let's get going.”
”How many days has it been?”