"A messenger from Sword Pavilion..."
Standing on the steps, Ishii Mitsugu nodded with respectful deference.
"There's no need for formalities, Lord Ishii," she laughed softly. "Just call me by my name, or Ice Butterfly."
In terms of age, status, position, and power, Ishii Mitsugu held all the cards over Yuuki Nao. She couldn't very well maintain her earlier demeanor, so her expression eased slightly.
"When we arrived..."
"They were just minor matters. I've sent people to deal with them; we should hear news soon," Ishii Mitsugu interrupted Yuuki Nao without a trace, completely ignoring Roger standing beside him.
Roger didn't mind. He surveyed the surroundings—the buildings on the mountain were mostly a monochrome earthen gold, sprinkled with touches of vermilion.
It was then he felt a peculiar sensation and, turning his head, saw the girl standing beside Ishii Mitsugu staring intently at him.