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Evening.
The opening ceremony of the Elven Sword Dance Festival began in the city hall that was the dormitory for the representatives of each country.
In the hall of the city hall, there were already many guests gathered and chatting.
The hall was already decorated with a large number of chandeliers made of Elven ores. Elegant music sounded in the hall.
The long table in the center was covered with a layer of exquisite tablecloth. Luxurious dishes and fruits were placed on top of it.
In this opening ceremony, other than the elven representatives representing each country, there were also the nobles of each country.
Although Ashina prepared an evening dress for Eight-cloud Ink, Eight-cloud Ink didn't wear it.
She still wore a black robe embroidered with mountains, rivers, plants, flowers, birds, insects, and fish. Although it looked a bit strange, it wasn't any worse than an evening dress.
It also didn't give people the feeling that it was rude, as if it was supposed to be like this.
Ashina and the others hadn't arrived yet. The person beside Eight-cloud Ink was surprisingly Aistel.
Ashina's contracted elf.
Eight-cloud Ink, who was holding a tray in her hand, looked down.
"Aistel, is there anything you want to eat?"
Although elves didn't need to eat, the highest humanoid elves were more or less similar to humans in terms of habits.
As for Eight-cloud Ink, this real elven that loved to enjoy life, there was no need to talk about it.
"I want to eat fish this time."
The sword elf girl raised her head. Her navy blue eyes flashed as she looked at Eight-cloud Ink.
After this period of time together, Aistel was no longer as hostile towards Eight-cloud Ink as before.
Perhaps it was because they were both contracted by Ashina, but Aistel was also a bit closer to Eight-cloud Ink.
"Not picky with food is a good child."
Thinking of her daughter Yui who was picky with food, Eight-cloud Ink smiled as she picked up a piece of sashimi and gently put it into Aistel's slightly opened mouth.
Then, looking at Aistel chewing in small bites, Eight-cloud Ink couldn't help but raise her hand and put it on the head of the Holy Sword Maiden.
Caress, caress.
Aistel, who was so comfortable that she closed her eyes, was as cute as a snow fairy.
"Aistel is really cute."
Eight-cloud Ink couldn't help but say this.
Aistel's small ears.
"Brother Black Sword —"
Ever since he saw that Yakumo Mo's Elf Device was a black longsword, Astor had been calling him that.
"Hmm?"
"Please say that again."
She stared at Yakumo with her mysterious and beautiful blue eyes.
"Please say that again," he repeated in a flat tone.
"Okay, Aistel is really cute …"
Unable to resist Aistel's gaze, Eight-cloud Ink said it again.
Then, at the same time that Aistel showed a satisfied expression, Ashina's dissatisfied voice came from the side.
"Ah, so Ashina is starting to be interested in a child like Aistel?"
Turning around, Eight-cloud Ink's eyes flashed with a touch of surprise.
The light yellow off-shoulder evening gown perfectly outlined Ashina's curves. Her bare arms were covered with lace long gloves of the same color. Her waist and skirt were decorated with rose decorations. The slender legs exposed from the slit were not wrapped in stockings as usual, but they were covered with looped lace leg accessories. There were even jade bracelets tied around her ankles. Paired with crystal high heels, Ashina's charm was perfectly displayed.
"Ashina …"
Eight-cloud Ink stepped forward and gently hugged Ashina's slender waist. He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "You're so beautiful!"
"Hmph!"
Although she was shy and happy, Ashina still rolled her eyes at Eight-cloud Ink. Then, she pulled Aistel to the side and whispered something.
With the arrival of Ashina, the other members of Team Asuna also appeared one after another.
Whether it was Claire, Lynslet, or Alice, they all looked more beautiful than usual in their evening gowns.
"Dad —"
Yakumo felt someone tugging at her sleeve. She lowered her head to look.
Yui, who had changed into a specially tailored white evening gown, stood there like a beautiful fairy in the snow.
Although there was nothing good about her figure, when paired with Yui's cute little face, it would only make some people with special interests unable to control themselves.
"Is Yui pretty?"
Yui, who was blushing, asked shyly.
Eight-cloud Ink squatted down so that his eyes were at the same level as Yui's. He patted his daughter's head, just like how he patted Aistel.
"You're very pretty. Yui will definitely be as beautiful as Mommy when she grows up!"
[That's true, but will Yui, who has already become a Spirit-branded Retainer, be able to grow up?]
Eight-cloud Ink complained in his heart.
"Really!?"
The little girl's face lit up. She happily kissed Eight-cloud Ink's cheek, then ran to Ashina's side with a smile.
"Your Majesty, we meet again."
Turning around, it was a beautiful girl with short hair.
"You are — —" Eight-cloud Ink's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, but he immediately reacted, "You're the Dragon Spirit Envoy on the ship?"
The girl in front of him was Raiola Lancaster, the leader of the Order of the Dragon King, and a strong opponent in this Elven Sword Dance Festival.
She changed into a light purple evening gown and looked very different from her previous image, so Eight-cloud Ink didn't recognize her immediately.
"It seems that Your Majesty doesn't have a deep impression of me."
Raiola wasn't angry at Eight-cloud Ink's reaction. She continued to speak with her unique voice filled with confidence.
"But I believe that after this Elven Sword Dance Festival, Your Majesty will always remember me."
Eight-cloud Ink nodded, but didn't have much of a reaction. Although the girl was beautiful, he wasn't interested.
He had seen his fair share of beautiful young girls.
"I haven't fought against a Dragon Spirit before — —"
He stood up and took a plate of sashimi from a waiter who passed by him.
"— — That's why I'm looking forward to fighting against you."
"I won't disappoint Your Majesty!"
Raiola smiled and nodded, then turned around and left.
Not long after Raiola left, the noisy hall suddenly quieted down.
Ka — —
The sound of high heels hitting the ground could be heard.
Dressed in a dark evening gown, Rubiah looked like the queen who ruled the night.
She, who was still wearing the Blood Red Mask, instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the hall.
"It's Ren Asubel!"
There were exclamations from the people around.
On the other side, the Deity in a white suit looked at Rubiah who entered the hall and frowned as he stared at her figure.
[Is that the other Ren Asubel who pretended to be me? Who is she?]
The Deity had too many doubts about this person who pretended to be him three years ago.
Who is she? What's her relationship with Restia?
Why is she pretending to be me?
Ignoring the gazes of the people around her, Rubiah walked straight to the Deity and extended her right hand.
"Are you, Kazuhachi Kagami?"
The Deity secretly swallowed his saliva and felt that the gazes of the people around him had become unfriendly. He awkwardly shook Rubiah's outstretched hand.
"Nice to meet you, Ren Asubel."
When he said that name, the Deity felt indescribably strange.
She was clearly the real Lian Asubel.
Then, under the playful gaze of Eight-cloud Ink and the incredulous gazes of the others, Rubiah invited the Deity to dance.
"Interesting …"
Eight-cloud Ink, who was holding a plate of sashimi in one hand and a fork in the other, leaned against the marble wall and laughed softly.
"The real and fake strongest swordswoman, what will you do — Kazuhachi Kagami?"
The dance music that stopped because of Rubiah's entrance started again.
The Deity and Rubiah began to dance on the dance floor.
After asking a waiter to take away the plate of sashimi that he had eaten, Eight-cloud Ink gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a brocade handkerchief and walked to Ashina's side.
"Ashina, how about we dance as well?"
Ashina chuckled and put a yellow lace glove on Eight-cloud Ink's shoulder.
"Okay!"
Then, Eight-cloud Ink and Ashina appeared on the dance floor that was originally just Rubiah and Deity.
If the dance of the Deity and Rubiah was a swordsmanship dance full of hostility, then the dance of Ashina and Eight-cloud Ink was a swordsmanship dance with the most tacit cooperation.
It was the same swordsmanship dance, but it gave off a completely different feeling.
"Dad, mom, you're amazing …"
Yui clenched her fists and placed them on her flat chest. Her beautiful eyes blinked as she watched Eight-cloud Ink and Ashina on the dance floor.
When Eight-cloud Ink and Ashina finished their dance, the Deity and Rubiah also came to the balcony outside the hall.
There was no one there.
After glancing at the figures of the Deity and Rubiah behind the gauze curtain, Eight-cloud Ink held Ashina's hand and returned to Claire and the others.
"Tonight's show is about to start."
As if responding to Eight-cloud Ink's words, on the balcony, Rubiah's palm gently pressed on the chest of the Deity, who was caught off guard, and then —
The defenseless Deity was pushed down by Rubiah.
"Well, I don't know if that guy Kazuhachi Kagami can withstand your Dark Fire of Calamity."
The Dark Fire of Calamity, or the Dark Mark, was the "seed" that Rubiah put into the body of the Deity to promote the awakening of his Demon King power.
"Thinking about it, he must be in pain."
Eight-cloud Ink's sharp hearing allowed him to faintly hear the painful cries of the Deity outside.
Then, he noticed that Fiana, who seemed to have sensed something strange, ran out in a panic.
Without caring about what happened after, Eight-cloud Ink focused on enjoying the banquet.
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