During this time, Ei continuously searched through the Shogun's program for any supposed abnormalities. She even combed through every function and conducted a full-system scan. However—
Humm~
"Haa..."
After the scan ended, Ei looked at the results that appeared before her, sighed softly, and exited the Shogun's system. The fingertip that had been resting on the birthmark slowly withdrew.
"...?"
The Shogun looked at her in confusion. Ei met her gaze, her eyes carrying a complicated expression.
"...There's no abnormality."
She answered this way, though her tone held a trace of doubt. Still, she felt somewhat relieved. As long as nothing was wrong, that was enough.
She helped the Shogun pull her half-loosened clothing back into place, covering the exposed smooth back. Then she gently arranged her daughter's beautiful purple hair, drawing it out from the collar so it cascaded down her back.
"Ei..."
"Mm?"
"Am I... sick?"
She touched her forehead. Though the headache had faded, her complexion remained pale and weak, and her voice carried a soft, fragile tone.
"Impossible... your immunity simulation hasn't even been activated. How could you be sick? Don't overthink it~"
Ei gently pinched her delicate cheek, comforting her with affectionate reproach.
The difference between their conditions was obvious. The Shogun looked noticeably weak, and curled up in Ei's arms as she was now, she appeared even more pitifully endearing.
"..."
Ei held her daughter a little tighter, silently accompanying her.
"In any case... as long as you're alright, that's what matters. As long as you're alright, Shogun."
Her soft lips pressed lightly against the forehead of the person in her arms as she murmured gently.
She had truly been frightened just now. Nothing must happen to her... she only had this one precious treasure left. If anything happened to the Shogun, she would lose even the will to live. She already carried trauma from loss. She feared it deeply.
Even a god could fear losing someone.
"Mm..."
The Shogun did not resist the contact against her forehead. She nodded obediently, slipping off her shoes and slowly climbing onto the bed, her black-stockinged legs folding beneath her. She buried herself in her mother's embrace, breathing in that familiar scent. In that moment, nothing brought her more peace. Even pain felt easier to bear.
Not yet five hundred years old... perhaps she was still just a little girl after all? Though it would be embarrassing if others heard that.
"Ei..."
"Mm?"
Her voice remained gentle, and Ei responded with increasing tenderness instead of impatience.
"Sleep with me tonight..."
She spoke in a muffled voice against Ei's chest.
"Pfft... when have I ever not slept with you before?"
Ei laughed softly and patted her daughter's head teasingly. Ever since she had activated the Shogun's sleep simulation, the girl had been unable to sleep alone. Each time, Ei held her as they slept. Over time, it became habit. If Ei didn't accompany her, she would even ask on her own.
"I was afraid you might forget..."
The Shogun protested cutely.
"I won't..."
How could she ever forget anything about you?
Though perhaps tonight someone else would be the one keeping her company.
Just as the two were about to remove their clothing, someone gently knocked on the door from outside.
"?" ×2
Both of them paused and looked over instinctively.
"...Who is it?"
The Shogun spoke first.
"Um... Shogun? It's me... Emilia. Um... are you asleep yet?"
The familiar voice sounded slightly muffled through the door.
"..."
Hearing this, the Shogun instinctively glanced toward Ei.
"Haa... why are you looking at me~? She came to see you."
Seeing her slightly awkward and adorable expression, Ei affectionately tapped her nose with a fingertip as she said this.
"...You don't mind?"
She asked.
"Pfft... mind what? I'm your mother. Seeing you have good relationships makes me happy."
Ei smiled gently at her.
"..."
She stared blankly at that smiling face.
"...Go on."
Ei lightly pushed the child before her, urging her quietly.
The Shogun rose silently, slipping her black-stockinged feet into her high heels without even tying the ribbon at her ankle. She walked to the door. Before opening it, she glanced back toward the edge of the bed, only to find that Ei had already vanished.
Click~
She opened the door. The gap widened, revealing Emilia's delicate face on the other side.
"Emilia..."
She softly called out upon seeing her.
"Mm... Shogun, good evening... um, although maybe it's not the best time to say that."
Emilia greeted her awkwardly, smiling shyly as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"...What's wrong?"
She asked, confused as to why Emilia had come to her room at this hour.
But when she noticed the pillow hidden behind Emilia's back, she immediately understood her intention. She didn't find it strange. Emilia had done this before—more than once.
'Looks like you won't need me to accompany you tonight after all... Shogun.'
Ei's teasing voice sounded in her mind.
'...You already expected this?'
She asked inwardly.
'More or less...'
Ei replied.
"I... I couldn't really fall asleep tonight... so... um... I thought maybe if someone stayed with me, it might feel a little better."
Emilia's cheeks flushed as she brought the pillow from behind her to the front, partially hiding her face with it.
"Where is Puck?"
She asked.
"He already went to sleep... since dusk."
Emilia complained softly.
"I see... then come in."
Of course, she would not turn her away. She was not that cold-hearted. Besides, she genuinely liked this girl. Ever since the night they met, Emilia had treated her kindly. She wished to return that kindness.
"...!"
Emilia's face lit up with a delighted smile. She obediently entered the room, hugging her pillow.
Click~
The door closed gently behind her. Sitting at the edge of the bed, Emilia had already removed her white robe and now wore only her inner outfit—a sleeveless white-and-purple shirt paired with a simple pleated skirt. Her long legs were no longer clad in daytime boots but in white knee socks, giving her an at-home aura that was pure yet faintly playful.
"Are you comfortable staying here, Shogun?"
As she removed her shoes and revealed her white-socked feet, Emilia climbed onto the bed with practiced ease. Leaning against the headboard, she hugged her knees as she asked.
"It is quite pleasant. Very comfortable. And you?"
She sat beside her at the edge of the bed and returned the question.
"Mm... at first I wasn't used to it, but now it's much better. Thanks to Roswaal."
Emilia nodded.
"...I have some doubts about him."
She said.
"...Mm, I know. Actually, I've had some doubts too. Leaving aside whether meeting him was merely coincidence, the matter of making me a candidate is already somewhat strange. Though I don't dislike it."
Emilia drew her knees slightly closer.
"Since we are already here, we take things one step at a time. That's how I've always moved forward. Hehe... sounds rather miserable, doesn't it?"
She smiled bitterly.
"...How is that miserable? Isn't that how everyone lives?"
The Shogun shook her head in rebuttal.
"That's true... maybe there are people in this world who have it far worse than I do. Perhaps I don't have the right to complain."
"That's not what I meant..."
Fearing she had been misunderstood, the Shogun spoke quickly.
"Hehe, mm, I know... that's just my own way of thinking."
Thump~
The silver-haired half-elf slowly lay down on the bed, picking up a nearby cushion and curling her body slightly.
"That assassin from today... her name was Elsa, right?"
Emilia asked.
"It seems so..."
"Was she trying to kill me?"
"Very likely."
If the goal had merely been to steal the badge, there would have been no need to make such a grand display. With her agility, she could have taken it easily. Waiting there so deliberately made it obvious she wanted Emilia to enter her field of vision so she could eliminate her in one decisive strike. Or perhaps the badge had simply been bait. The true target... was Emilia alone.
Tap~
A warm touch landed on the back of her hand. Lowering her gaze, she saw the girl lying on the bed reaching out to stroke her hand. Emilia even lifted her eyes playfully to meet hers.
"Aren't you afraid?"
She asked. It seemed Emilia felt nothing at all.
"Not afraid... I don't feel much of anything. Maybe it's because you're here, Shogun."
Emilia shook her head and tightened her grip around her hand.
"Do you have any leads?"
"...Not sure. It could be another candidate trying to eliminate me while they have the chance. Anything is possible."
Emilia answered casually.
"And you're just going to sit and wait for death?"
She frowned slightly.
"Mm... there's no other way, is there? I might as well use myself as bait to draw them out and find out who it is."
Emilia smiled bitterly.
Squeeze~
The Shogun reached out and pinched her cheek, distorting that delicate face.
"Mmph—don't~"
Emilia wriggled adorably on the bed as if trying to break free, though it was clearly more like coquettish protest than actual resistance.
"You're not even concerned about yourself, yet you expect me to worry. I'll pinch your face~!"
She smiled as she continued kneading Emilia's soft cheek in a teasing, gentle manner.
"Mm~! Shogun~ instead of pinching my face, why don't you come to bed? I've already warmed the blankets for you."
Emilia slipped free of her hand and lifted the quilt, guiding the Shogun's hand inside so she could feel the warmth she had built up.
"Haa..."
The Shogun shook her head lightly and stood up.
"Eh? Where are you going?"
Emilia blinked.
"To bathe."
She answered.
"Eh? Shogun... you haven't showered yet?"
"Because you delayed me."
She walked into the bathroom, then poked her head back out to complain.
"Mm~ s-sorry... but I've already washed. Hehe~"
Emilia winked mischievously. Her slender legs swung back and forth atop the bed, and she propped her chin on her hands like a blooming flower, gazing sweetly at her.
"Then why didn't you change into your sleepwear before coming in?"
From behind the door, the Shogun's muffled voice asked as water began to run.
"C-changing into pajamas outside my room is embarrassing~!"
Emilia protested with flushed cheeks.
"Mm-hm... noted."
Standing beneath the stream of water, the woman ran her fingers through her long purple hair and replied meaningfully.
Noted what?! Honestly~!
Emilia flopped forward onto the bed, burying her face in mild exasperation.
Inside the bathroom, the Shogun stood before the mirror, observing her perfectly proportioned body. Water droplets clung to her exquisite features, making her all the more alluring.
Humm~
In the next instant, a violet radiance bloomed within her eyes. The fair skin across her body dissolved into purple light, fading away particle by particle like dispersing nanites. In its place emerged a beautifully jointed puppet frame. Even her pupils shifted into patterned mechanical forms. The electro-shaped birthmark at the back of her neck protruded slightly, forming a ring that began to rotate slowly.
Whirr~
As the joints moved, a faint mechanical sound like precision bearings turning echoed softly.
This was her true form—her factory state. It had been a long time since she had revealed herself like this. Looking at it now, she felt strangely unfamiliar with her own reflection.
"Ei..."
'Mm?'
"Do you think... if Ayaka and the others—or even Emilia—saw me like this... would they be afraid?"
'...Haa. If they were the type to be afraid, they wouldn't be themselves.'
Ei replied teasingly.
"That's true..."
'Shogun, I've actually wanted to have a talk with you about this for some time.'
"About what?"
A talk?
She blinked.
'Your true body is like a skeleton. Who goes around showing people their skeleton?'
"Pfft..."
'What are you laughing at?'
Ei narrowed her eyes slightly in dissatisfaction.
"You know, Ei... what you just said sounded exactly like something Yae would say. It doesn't sound like you at all."
'Haa... Raiden Shogun, if you call me 'straight-laced' again, don't blame me if I raise your sensitivity settings to the limit~!'
Ei warned through clenched teeth.
"Mm—! D-don't... please don't do that. I won't say it again."
Her body trembled instantly as she hurriedly gave in.
'Hm. Good.'
Ei nodded in satisfaction. As if she couldn't discipline this little brat.
"Haa..."
The Shogun exhaled in relief. Confirming Ei had not actually acted, she quickly restored the artificial skin over her puppet frame, dried herself, and stepped out of the bathroom.
By then, Emilia had already changed into her nightclothes and slipped beneath the covers. Seeing her emerge, she patted the empty space beside her.
"Come on~ Shogun... it's nice and warm."
After drying her hair and changing into her nightdress, the Shogun obediently slipped into the quilt warmed by the girl beside her. She narrowed her eyes slightly in comfort and spread her long hair across the pillow.
"Shall I turn off the lights?"
She propped herself up slightly and asked the silver-haired girl.
"Mm..."
Emilia nodded.
Click~
With the sound of the switch, the faint warm glow in the room vanished, leaving only darkness. A sliver of moonlight slipped through a gap in the curtains, illuminating the space between them so they could see each other.
"...///"
Emilia grew shy under the moonlight, her flushed cheeks clearly visible.
"The insomnia was just an excuse, wasn't it?"
The Shogun pulled the quilt up to cover her lips and asked softly.
"Eh? Was it... really?"
Emilia feigned innocence.
"Playing dumb~"
She gently tapped her forehead.
"Hehe~"
Feeling the touch, Emilia smiled sweetly and moved closer, taking her hand.
"Now I can fall asleep."
"..."
The Shogun said nothing. She merely closed her eyes, intending to drift into dreams.
"...Shogun?"
Emilia's voice sounded again in the darkness.
"...Mm?"
She responded lazily with a soft nasal hum.
"You... won't stay here forever, will you?"
The moonlight gradually shifted toward the corner of the wall. The faint illumination between them faded until everything was dim once more.
"..."
After a few seconds, she nodded lightly.
"..."
Emilia's expression dimmed for a moment, but her grip tightened again.
"Emilia... do you have a home?"
She asked sleepily, eyes still closed.
"Mm, I do... Puck is my family. As long as he's there, I have a home."
Emilia answered.
"...I have a home too. Far away. There will always be someone there waiting for me to return."
She said softly.
"...Are you happy there, Shogun?"
Hearing this, Emilia's earlier trace of loss slowly faded, replaced by a relieved and gentle smile.
"Mm."
The room grew darker still. She could no longer see her face, but she heard that quiet affirmation, light as if already drifting into dreams.
That's good. As long as you're happy, Shogun.
With a faint smile, Emilia followed her into sleep.
Humm~
After the two girls had fallen asleep, a warm violet glow slowly gathered at the edge of the bed. Ei manifested, lowering her gaze to look at her sleeping daughter.
Chuu~
She bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Good night, Shogun."
When her eyes fell upon their intertwined hands, a complicated emotion flickered within them. But she slowly shook her head, smiling in quiet acceptance, before dispersing once more.
—
—
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven