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If we're to keep a low profile, I don't think I should bring more than four people. Usually it's me, Niki, Eva, and Amara, but admittedly, this isn't that much of a party so far. Mina as far as I know only has crafting stills, and Mela is a ghost. Banshees are powerful at least, from what I've seen so far. Thing is, I'm pretty powerful now myself. I shouldn't need an army for something like this. King Thadius. Queen Catherine II. I just need information. Someone in Tolis is going to have some answers, especially in the underworld. Anyway I'd love to bring someone like Yin sometime, or one of the monster girls, but I think more ordinary-looking individuals with a lot of talent would help a lot. Well... ordinary is a strong word. I don't think I could describe anyone here as normal.

As you ponder, you stand just down the steps from Laira's shop, along with the floating spirit of Mela over your shoulder--a cute, scholarly, elven maiden, that may not be completely opaque nor have any colour to her visage, but with her short hair and glasses, she's an adorable nerd. At your feet is the short rodent-girl Mina rustling through her pack of supplies. She's just as sweet, and you can't help but want to pat such a tiny mousey. Her ears are big and round, and while she doesn't stand any taller than Stax, she emits an entirely different aura. As usual, past her neck-length grey hair is a set of blue gemstone goggles over her forehead with matching eyes below. Her little buckteeth are precious too, and she's wearing her typical attire of a short, dark orange dress tightly bound around her waist by a belt of pouches and trinkets, and with a brown scarf around her neck which matches the colour of her tall boots.

Though I haven't spent a lot of time with either of them, I do like these two. And Mela is a lot more than she appears. I experienced that first hand, that's for sure. Mina I'm not so sure. Would it be wrong to think of her in the same way? She's small, but so is Stax. It's just that she seems a lot more innocent than that busty goblin. Ah, I think this world is messing with my head. Not every girl is going to end up freaky. Right?

That's when you spot a figure walking down the pathway. The first thing you see is her pointed cap, before your eyes travel downwards to the cute witch Vivi seemingly on a thoughtful stroll of her own. She isn't specifically coming in your direction.

It seems she has a new outfit as well! It's not all that different to her last, but now she wears a cute, short-sleeved black blouse with a subtle frilly trim. Beneath that, it looks to be an orange undershirt, though it's only visible beneath her collar. Below a sash of various tiny pouches is a short black skirt, but the hem is cut intricately into a series of spikes or triangles, almost like a witch's costume you'd find in a Halloween store. Her thigh-high socks are striped orange and black, which lead into a pair of small boots. After she notices your presence, she pinches the brim of her cap and tilts it upwards--long white hair floating down her shoulders, a radiant glow beneath the sun--and she looks to you with bright blue eyes.

Mina's spindly tail sways left and right as she peers up from her bag. "Oh, that's Vivilia, correct? I'm trying to learn everybody's name."

You nod. "That's right. Vivi."

"Are you talking about me over here?" asks the witch. She stops in front of your group and crosses her arms beneath her chest with a smile. "That would be rude."

"Not at all, Ms. Vivilia!" Mela replies.

"I'm just joking. What are you all up to over here? I heard you were setting out somewhere soon. Is that right, Kyle?"

"To the capital, yeah." Actually, she wouldn't be such a bad fit. Sure she was a hermit for a long time, and she's some kind of ancient witch, but by this world's standards, she looks ordinary enough. Plus, she's really powerful. Last time she went to the capital though, she was imprisoned. Damn. I mean, I'm definitely more wanted being the one that broke her out, but would it really be safe to bring her back?

As you think to yourself, Vivi removes her hat. She slides her fingers back through her hair with one hand as her other grips the garment at her side. "You're thinking about whether or not it would be reasonable to invite me along, right?"

"You could tell, huh?"

"I get it. Last time, I really blew it."

"No, that's not--"

"But regardless, I'll come with you if you'll have me. There's no way I'll let something like that happen again."

"Vivi." You take a step towards her. "That isn't what I was thinking at all. You didn't blow it. As the Demon King, it falls to me if something happens to someone from our family. I let you get captured. If you do still want to come, I'll make sure to stay by your side this time. All right?"

Faint pink glows over her nose. "I can protect myself."

"That isn't the point."

Mela nods. "Indeed. Those who live here seem to care much for each other. Regardless of strength, I believe whole-heartedly that those who reside within Castle Phoenix would protect one another no matter what. Those bonds are very important. A link between souls."

"Don't say such cheesy things," Vivi mumbles as the blush becomes increasingly more visible. She holds her hat tight against her chest with both arms. "Well, don't you get cocky either, because I'll protect you too, Kyle. Demon King."

"My thoughts were more concerns about how much you'd want to go, and if you'd be wanted," you clarify.

"Not as wanted as you are." She snickers.

"True enough."

"Don't worry about that. Just because the king put a bounty on your head doesn't mean every guard will see your face and magically recognize you immediately. All we need to do is prepare properly, and keep it low-key. Once we're in the city, well that's easy."

Mina speaks up. "She's right. I know all about navigating Tolis' backstreets. We'll never have to deal with getting caught once we're in the heart of the capital. Trust me. Shadow Garden exists as it does for many reasons, and one of those is knowing the city even better than those who rule it."

Someone clears their throat down near your legs. At first, you think it's Mina, but you notice another figure just as short standing beside her. A hood rests over his bald head, but his green skin is still visible from the shadow of the cloak. "Pardon me, Kyle," Koblix says--red eyes peering up towards you.

"Oh. What's up?" you ask.

"Lynx told me to tell you to get to Luna Silk when you have the chance."

"Huh. I was just there earlier. I wonder what's going on."

"She didn't say."

"Well, we might as well head that way. Mina, Mela, Vivi, you good?"

Mina hoists her backpack around over her shoulders. "Yep!"

"I do not have many things to be concerned about in terms of preparation," Mela replies with a nervous chuckle.

Vivi pops her hat back onto her head. "Let's see what's going on."