Chapter 7 - Lust's Debut: No 'Flat Chest' Allowed!

Without a second thought, she wrapped the around her neck, the red jewelry thrumming with the resolve to lie. This may be a useless trinket to her maid, but not so when used against anyone else aside from the Saintess. Of course, that includes the two Expert-Rank Knights coming her way.

"System. Appraisal."

Mel rolled her eyes when the System drew a ' o7 ' on the panel, before listing the item's property.

[ Mirage Collar ]

Rank: Divine

Description: An item by the greatest thief alive: The Red Fox. Discovered from the ancient grave and bought by Ed, this item again calls to its owner.

Skill:

< Active: The World's lies are but a Spin on Truths > ( Exarch Rank)

Allows the owner to replace the appearance. The changed appearance is customisable by the Owner's will.

< Passive: Dissociate. Deconstruct. Disconnect. > ( Demi-God Rank )

Anyone who witnessed your appearance couldn't associate it with their memories of anyone. This effect is toggleable.

Mel closed her eyes, and with a wish, she sensed a blurry fog drifting over the World surrounding her. The fog was there, yet not there, as if to hide the World's eyes from her rather than the opposite.

No need to change her appearance. Her original look would do with the Passive effect.

"Master." Nyxia's ear twitched. "Hostile presence approaching."

[ 10 seconds left! Run, Host! ]

"Alright. Let's intercept."

Completely igoring the System's advice, Mel licked her lips, both fear and anticipation flaring. From how her pet still recognised her, Nyxia's strength must be far beyond the Knights, so she could afford a gamble or two.

"Sorry, Sis."

The Witch mused. This would be her first battle and experimentation on how to fight like a pacifist, but with the perfect skillset of and magic, she is more than confident.

[ 5 seconds! ]

"It's time to payback for all those ettiquette lessons! "

Mana gathered at her right palm, summoning a familiar wooden staff.

The Witch only carried an excited grin for a petty payback.

------------

Saria POV

1 minute ago....

"A Witch will appear in the Northern Forest of Heima Village. Intercept and capture her alive."

A million curses clung to Saria's throat, her steady steps weaving through logs and bushes. When Emilia claimed the Saintess carried with her a shocking . It's only been 10 years since the defeat of the Witch of Pride, and now another literal embodiment of destruction has appeared out of nowhere? Emilia must be joking, right?

Unfortunately, her comrade's words drummed in her mind. "Detecting signs of mana usage at the front. Be readied, Saria!"

The Radiant Knight gripped the sword's hilt, the metallic handle all too sickeningly familiar. Her memory flashed back to the cruel war, to that flirty, perverted brat who had just reached 16.

She would not allow an innocent soul to be harmed. Not again.

The Knight's determined gaze swept over the forests, greeneries zipping past with no hint of threats. No demons, no cultists, no Undeads. Was the Witch of Lust not associated with the Witch of Pride? Or were they rivals in secret?

All questions came to a close, however, as she and Emilia stopped at a forest clearing.

A Witch in a lavender dress stood relaxed, her finger tapping a wooden staff in a slow rhythm, with a catgirl maid beside her. Strangely, both radiated no hint of mana, yet Saria's experience screamed at her: This is no mere disguise, and defeat would come in a heartbeat should she be careless.

Shing.

Without hesitation, both she and Emilia drew their swords. The Radiant Knight's glare met the curved golden eyes, the playfulness of the Witch not amiss to her.

"Surrender, Witch. And we will promise no harm will be done to you."

She gritted her teeth—one chance. Only one, but she hoped the Witch held no malice over them, that they could capture her without casualties, without worries, the village behind them would be involved in the chaos afterwards.

The pink-haired Witch tilted her head. "Demanding submission so soon? How kinky."

Great. On top of being a Witch, she's had a disgusting similarity of her bra-

Saria blinked, then shook her head. That brat? Why did she compare them? This Witch was in no way associated with her.

[ Confirmed Effect of ! ]

Mel frowned at the mouthful chant. "Shorten it next time."

[ Understood! Shortening it to ]

The Witch of Lust turned away, a wry, strained smile curling on her face. No way in hell did she fall for that. How did an artificial intellegence know a Deez nutz joke in the first place?

The utter exasperation calmed her slight nervousness as she scanned Saria and Emilia. The Knights' expressions were tensed, their gazes cautious and fearful, and their steps split apart for combative stances. They were ready to strike her down at a moment's notice.

"Well." Mel's finger twirled her staff. "Let's just fight."

Not wasting a breath on your opponent is the first step to victory. You taught me that, Sis.

"< Echo Series: Drowse >."

The air hummed a sweet melody, inducing its target for an early slumber. Saria's mind lightened, her stiffened muscle loosening like unwinding springs as her eyes fluttered close.

Yet Saria's strong will reeled her just enough for barely a whisper. "< Sacred Area Cleanse >."

Light sprouted from her chest, as she and Emilia heaved like a drowned person pulled back from the deep ocean.

Yet the spell was to merely buy time, as Mel's staff tapped the ground. "< Summon Series: Fistsu >."

Magic circles sprouted. Saria widened her eyes as she rushed forward. Attacking the summoner before the summon ritual was the basic rule.

Despite the readiness, her just-recovered legs dragged across the grass. The Knight gritted her teeth, mustering all her strength for a rightward swing at Mel-

-before a paw punched against the blade, gusts sliding across both's cheeks.

The Knight frowned at the two-foot-tall humanoid red panda, its red fur puffing up like tiny spikes as it admired the Knight, the karate outfit loosely fluttering in the clearing. A worthy opponent. Her Master has graced her with a priceless duel.

"Enjoy." Mel's closed eyes smiled. "< Resonance Cage >."

As if on cue, the red panda's paw thrusted against Saria's (non-existent) chest, sending the Knight flying before chasing her. Saria's back clashed against nothingness, the breeze thrumming against her ears with a crease-like tune, her body shuddering like a thin paper scratching against a wall.

Mel observed to the side for Emilia, her hand stretched in prayer. " < Nullify Ward > ! "

The Knight's palm light scattered across the clearing, accomplishing... absolutely nothing.

Mel shrugged at the Knight's shocked gaze. Despite its name, < Resonance Cage > was not a < Barrier > or < Ward >, but a < Sanctuary> spell. The guess on the spell type was wrong, meaning Emilia made a rare miscalculation.

The war veteran didn't flinch at the mistake, glancing at the flurry of blows Saria and the Fistsu exchanged. As an Expert ranked , there were very few spells she didn't learn how to disrupt.

A < Lost Magic>. That must be how her knowledge of disruption remained useless against the Witch.

Worse, it means her skill set is useless in this battle.

Then, only one gamble remained.

". < Holy Mindfortress >."

The most potent physical and mental strengthening spell she knew. A holiness shrouded Emilia's figure as she dashed with her sword drawn. She couldn't afford the Witch summoning for another familiar.

Wrong judgment again. Mel chuckled while aiming her staff. " < Echo Series: Shrill Burst >."

Emilia's feet collided as she stumbled forward, tumbling onto the grassland. A shriek penetrated her existence, her body convulsing not in pain but in an unfamiliar resonance, as if she recognised the owner of the shriek, as if she sympathised with the pain within.

How? How did her mental Defense fail? < Holy Mindfortress> should have at least-

"A common weakness of yours, Emilia Ainéar, is your utter reliance on your knowledge."

A war veteran was merely a title. Not all experiences enhanced caution. Instead, too much comfort taken from the experience would lead to carelessness.

The Witch of Lust sighed as Emilia fell into unconsciousness. "The Saintess made all of you win too easily. Come back after re-learning your school curriculum."

Waving for the cat maid to carry Emilia away, her skin tingled at a sudden burst of Holiness.

"< Sacred Cleave>."

Slice!

In one moment, Fitsu split in half, the force of the slash tearing through the < Resonance Cage > like butter, the holiness unable to be contained.

The red panda sent a gaze of awe and respect before disappearing; its form was shattered, but its unharmed soul returned to the realm it belonged to.

Mel mused how funny it would be if she immediately summoned Fitsu again against Saria, before respecting Fitsu's defeat. The Fighter would accept her orders, but dishonoring the duel is an ill spirit.

Besides, the ranked Spirit was there to test the extent of her summon's capability. Lasting until one of the strongest strikes in the World, an expert-ranked , was not an unsatisfying result.

She was sure now. still worked the way she remembered.

Meanwhile, Saria cast a sidelong glance at the cat maid settling Emilia against a tree stump, slinging her sword over her shoulders. She has a sneaking suspicion since the Witch summoned the spirit Fitsu, who was known for their fierceness in combat, but more so for their unusual pursuit of pacifism. Never in her duel did she feel any threat, and since Emilia was not killed right away...

"Would you like to negotiate?"

The Expert ranked , a job class held by only Saria, made her confident to stand on equal grounds with the Witch, especially when she demonstrated no hostility.

"Oya. I would like to!"

Mel pressed her finger to her cheek, a foxy smile curling up. "My condition is that for the rest of your years, never wear a pad on your chest again! And I may, just may spare you."

A vein popped on the Holy Knight's forehead, her anger exaggerated like an anime character.

"Don't regret your comment." The readied with her stance. This time, the fight is personal.

Mel held back an undignified laughter, her Witch's gracefulness unfaltering as she muttered.

"."

Let's bring a swift end to this PvP. Her Lila and Leia could wait no longer.