Upon hearing Guuji Yae's words, Lumine blurted out without hesitation,
"How is Ying? And Paimon and Paimo?"
"Hmmph... you really are fond of your little sister, just as the rumors say... Don't worry, those two little ones have already reunited with your little sister. And they even gave them a good scolding on your behalf~"
"A scolding?"
Lumine blinked slightly, clearly disbelieving her ears.
"You heard me correctly. My subordinates who stayed there told me themselves. I was thinking if something happened to your little sister, I'd lend a hand and do you a favor. Who would have thought she'd defeat that automaton and heavily wound Scaramouche all by herself?"
"Is that so... Ying has become that capable?"
Hearing others praise her little wife... ahem, little sister, Lumine couldn't help but feel happy for her.
"Hehehe... Alright, for now, you rest here well. This place is very far from where you were just now. Before they reach here, we'll have enough time to discuss the reward for my saving you~"
"Uh... I feel like you've got me in a bind..."
Lumine shook her head helplessly. Although she didn't know what kind of thanks was expected, she wasn't someone who would repay a kindness with ingratitude.
Of course, the most important thing was that she couldn't use teleportation or elemental power, and her strength was greatly diminished. Otherwise, she would have repaid the favor immediately and gone to find Ying.
"Sigh... In the end, I'm the only one who hasn't seen Ying... Woohoo... so unfair..."
A few days later...
Ying and Paimon traveled together during these days and soon arrived at the seaside again.
"Woah~ It's the sea! (✪▽✪)"
Paimon's excited reaction made Ying chuckle.
"Didn't you just see it a few days ago?"
"Hehe, I was too focused on finding clues about you back then, I had no mood to admire it."
"Hmmph..."
Ying drew out her tone, feigning surprise.
"You like me that much?"
"Hehe~ Of course! So, are you going to treat me to a meal to show your appreciation?"
As she spoke, Paimon unconsciously drooled. Seeing this, Ying by her side pouted and said,
"Uh... I feel like you like my Mora more..."
"Hehe, I like both, I like both~"
Seeing her shy expression, Ying rolled her eyes. Then, she summoned the wind and flew up, heading rapidly towards the shore on the other side of the sea with Paimon.
On their journey, the two of them discussed their next plans and soon formulated a perfect plan, which was...
"We'll let Lumine decide when we find her~"
Seeing Paimon speak what she had intended to say, Ying nodded in satisfaction.
"Hehe~ Not bad, a truly excellent plan."
Emm... Actually, the host is just too lazy to think of one...
Oh, come on...
"Cough! Let's not dwell on the details~"
Ying scratched her head sheepishly. However, there was another reason for doing so: she hadn't seen Lumine in so long and missed her dearly.
"Oh? Paimo, you're finally awake?"
Paimon happily flew around Ying, saying. Since her existence was no longer a secret, as long as Paimo wanted to, anyone nearby could hear her voice.
Yeah, I've had a good rest these past few days, but that power within me has been lingering, preventing me from taking physical form.
Ying nodded and said earnestly,
"Don't worry. Next time I encounter Scaramouche, I will definitely interrogate him for the method to break this power, and then I'll let that scoundrel's head be separated from his body!"
Speaking of which, Ying was glad she had destroyed Scaramouche's factory before, cutting off his energy supply.
Although she didn't know if they had other bases, after enduring her attack, which had consumed nearly all her elemental power, he certainly wouldn't be able to cause trouble for a long time.
Hehe, but I haven't stayed inside the host's body for a long time. Such a comfortable place, I almost don't want to leave now~
Ying: ...
"That should be called consciousness... And what you just said sounds a bit strange..."
Hehe~ Let's not dwell on the details~
Ying gave Paimo a look. She was about to say something when she suddenly noticed a building standing on the sea in front of them.
"Huh? If I remember correctly, that looks like a special building from a past event. Why would I encounter it here?"
Paimon looked in the direction Ying was gazing and soon noticed the building Ying mentioned.
"It looks like it's newly built. But it's quite amazing that Hilichurls have the intelligence to build a platform on the sea."
Ying intended to bypass them, but then she thought of fishermen nearby and finally abandoned the idea.
"Sigh... Never mind, they're just a few small fries."
Host, you should run quickly. Without a single-handed sword, you don't seem to be able to attack from a distance.
Ying didn't say anything further and immediately activated her Electro element, instantly landing on the platform. She sidestepped and kicked an approaching Hilichurl Archer into the sea before slowly saying,
"Do you still think I'm like when I first arrived?"
Oh, that... Cough, cough, I take it back...
Ying quickly dealt with these Hilichurls. Just as she was about to continue her journey, she unexpectedly encountered another similar structure not long after.
"Huh?"
Ying frowned. After quickly dispatching the Hilichurls here, she continued forward. Soon, she saw a third similar structure.
Paimon on the side scratched her head in confusion.
"Strange, why are there suddenly so many Hilichurls in this area of the sea?"
After pondering for a moment, Ying offered a conjecture.
"Judging by their positions, these Hilichurls should be like sentries. Normally, setting up such outposts in advance means a large army or an important leader will pass through later."
"But if I remember correctly, the highest leaders of the Hilichurls are only at the level of the Mitachurl. To organize an operation of this scale is quite far-fetched. Therefore, they must be manipulated by someone."
As she said this, Ying subconsciously thought of Aether.
Could it be him? But it feels a bit inexplicable...
Shaking her head and dismissing these unrealistic thoughts, Jian Li continued,
"If nothing unexpected happens, Inazuma will face a tough battle next. It seems we need to speed up our journey and can no longer bother with these small fries."
Phew~ What a perfect excuse. That way, even if it really is Aether's doing, it won't ruin his plans. Hehehe... I'm such a genius~
Paimo: ...
Did this host forget that I can hear her thoughts now...?