However, this so-called System could no longer affect Tina.
It seemed to have shifted from an unstable state to one she could control at any time, transforming from an enemy into an ally.
Sometimes it would even speak up on her behalf. In short, it was no longer the System from long ago that could only mechanically analyze data.
When she created Krulu, she had acted entirely on instinct. Although Blood Lotus's obsession was clear, she did not let out a “wailing” sound like Krulu had.
She suddenly remembered how Sathya had comforted her when she turned into a magical beast, and a familiar warmth rippled through her heart.
She was going to establish a kingdom of magical beasts.
For Little Ya...
After Blood Lotus finished crying, Tina originally thought she would leave on her own. After all, realizing that her sister cared so deeply about her, yet she herself had failed to keep her promise to her sister—this realization had an incredibly obvious effect on a little girl who, despite having lived for a very long time, was still incomparably naive.
Yet, she actually glared at Tina, staring at her fiercely. “Are you trying to manipulate me?”
“Is that what you think?”
“If it weren't for your Immortality, the Saintess would have killed you long ago!”
Tina gave a playful smile. “Actually, she does punish me quite often. I'm also very willing to see the moment she pierces through my chest.”
But saying it like that felt like it would only deepen the misunderstanding, and she regretted it a little.
Then again, Little Ya really could make up anything.
Or rather, having a human seek out a magical beast to share their worries was bizarre in itself.
Tina was certain she wasn't actually any different from a normal human; she just had a tail, horns, wings, and a lot of scales on her body. If she could turn back to normal like typical magical beasts, no one would suspect she was a magical beast.
She said gently, “I follow Little Ya's orders completely. Blood Lotus, just as you said, you don't need to worry about me harming you.”
“...” Blood Lotus's tears had already been wiped dry, all over her sleeves. If Black Lotus were here, she would probably tell her not to do that.
Tina continued, “I think you're actually quite gentle. Although you didn't have the courage to face it directly, your reason for coming to me must be to solve the problem with your sister, right?”
Blood Lotus nodded. Although she was still looking at Tina with vigilant eyes, she was clearly able to listen now, no longer looking like she was about to explode at any moment like when she first arrived.
This was an excellent sign for Tina's upcoming plans.
Tina crossed her legs, resting both hands on her knees as her tail swayed back and forth.
“Magical beasts are the incarnations of obsessions. Actually, I don't just obey Little Ya; it's simply because I like her so much that I listen to everything she says~”
Hearing this, a look of disbelief appeared on Blood Lotus's face. “You didn't attack me... Is it really not because your power was taken away?”
“Actually, I can use my power here however I want. Watch.”
As she spoke, Tina channeled the power within her body. Black and dark blue flames erupted over her body, then all gathered in her palm to form a large fireball.
The fireball gradually compressed to the size of a basketball, then shrank further to the size of an apple, then to the size of a soybean, before finally vanishing completely.
However, as a result of this display, red chains appeared on the surrounding walls of the room, ready to move against Tina as if they would instantly bind her if she continued.
Fortunately, Blood Lotus did not see these chains. The air temperature had suddenly spiked, and she was now so frightened by Tina's display that her face had gone pale, recalling how she had been instantly defeated that day.
“...What?”
“I won't attack humans because Little Ya ordered me not to harm you. Does that explanation make sense to you?”
Blood Lotus nodded; she seemed to understand this time.
“Why do magical beasts have such powerful strength...”
Blood Lotus muttered to herself. Although there had been clear hostility in her eyes just now, she no longer had any intention of making a move.
“Actually, your sister is the same. If she is tainted by obsession, she will truly become a magical beast, a magical beast just like me... But no matter what, she will never harm you because you are her sister~ Do you understand?”
“You're lying to me again.” Blood Lotus knit her brow. “When a magical beast awakens, it destroys everything!”
“Yes, that's why Black Lotus can still be saved right now. But if you keep avoiding her, that might not remain true.”
“...”
“Do you know what you should do now?”
Blood Lotus heard this and stood up. Although she still harbored doubts, she seemed to have understood something deep down.
She quickly left the room without saying anything before she departed.
The palace doors were protected by a special lock created by Sathya, allowing passage only to those she chose to let in. Blood Lotus opened the door as easily as opening an unobstructed door carved with beautiful patterns.
Watching her leave, Tina stood up and was about to head back to her bedroom when Shetiel suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Sister Tina~”
“...”
Tina simply sighed, completely ignoring Shetiel as she continued walking forward.
But Shetiel didn't seem to get the hint. She caught up, talking as she walked alongside her, “Sister Tina, are we going to get a new member?”
“Why do you look so happy about it?”
“Because you are going to establish a kingdom of magical beasts, and isn't everything going very smoothly right now~”
As she spoke, she tugged on Tina's sleeve. It seemed these magical beasts all regarded her as a very close and friendly figure, even though Tina didn't actually want to interact with them much.
“Sister Tina, Black Lotus said she is coming to see you this afternoon.”
“Huh?”
“Black Lotus has something she needs to talk to you about.”
“Next time, you can just have her pass the message through you to tell me directly.”
“To put it simply, it's a plan!”
Tina instantly felt a wave of helplessness wash over her again.
Was she a prisoner locked up by Little Ya, a Demon King, or just an older sister who was here to babysit?
...
Sure enough, Black Lotus arrived in the afternoon.
Tina had thought she would be left alone in this palace for months or even years. She didn't really mind; any complaints she voiced were just playful banter.
Unexpectedly, both Shetiel and Black Lotus had begun visiting her one after another, and even humans were being let in.
When Black Lotus arrived, her attitude was completely different from her sister's. She was wearing the same Church-style white dress as her sister.
“Thank you, Lord Demon King. Blood Lotus came back and apologized to me today. However, I don't think she did anything wrong.”
She bowed her head slightly and spoke respectfully.
“Did she say anything else to you?”
“No. She just hugged me and let me pat her head like before, then snuggled up to me. She was obedient and submissive, even more clingy than she used to be.”
“...” Tina suddenly felt that the Blood Lotus described by her was a completely different person from the Blood Lotus she had met.
Rate on N.U.
