Ayumu had devised a plan.
They would enter the village, release the sleeping powder, and knock out the inhabitants. Then they would escape with the men.
It was a very simple plan.
They waited until the sun began its descent toward the horizon.
Ayumu and Rhea adjusted their clothing, removing the inner tights that magis usually wore beneath their robes. They loosened their outer garments, draping them in a way that matched the style of the village women—flowing, revealing, showing a bit more skin. It was contrary to the magis' prudish way of dressing.
Fifi, on the other hand, had his hands bound in front of him. His top was removed entirely, leaving his slim torso bare. He was slender and slightly shorter than the average man, with almost delicate features. Without his shirt, it was clear he was indeed male—that was the idea.
Fifi was protesting before they even reached the gates. "Are you sure this plan of yours will work?! This is stupid. They will never believe such a trick!"
Rhea kicked him to make him stumble. "Well, do you have any better ideas?! This is the best one we can come up with, so man up and cooperate!"
Fifi scowled. "Fine. Okay. But on one condition." He pointed at Ayumu. "She should not say a single word! She will definitely blow our cover!"
Rhea crossed her arms. "And why is that? Ayumu has more knowledge of these people than either of us."
Fifi's voice was flat. "You are forgetting something. White magis cannot tell lies."
Rhea stood there for a moment, processing his words. Then her expression shifted to one of reluctant agreement.
"…You have a point." She turned to Ayumu. "Ayumu, let me do all the talking. I think it is best if you pretend you are mute. Just until we reach the boys for the rescue, okay?"
Ayumu's face fell into a sulk. "Okay, I understand, Rhea."
Fifi nodded. "Good. So let us do this!"
The three of them approached the village gates.
The barricade was tall—sharpened logs woven together with rope and vine. At the top, a guard post overlooked the entrance, where several women stood watch.
As soon as they spotted the three magis, a voice shouted down: "Stop! Who goes there?"
Rhea stepped forward, her hands raised in a gesture of peace. "We are women who seek refuge in this village! We have been hurt by men before, and we wish to stay here. We will be forever in your debt if you allow us!"
The guards whispered among themselves. Some had smiles on their faces—knowing smiles, as if they had heard this story many times before.
Rhea found it odd.
One of the guards called down, "So who is that one you brought? The one with tied hands?"
Ayumu was holding the rope binding Fifi's wrists. She yanked him forward just as they had practiced, and Fifi stumbled to his knees with a dramatic grunt.
Rhea continued the act. "We brought a slave. As proof of our dedication."
The guards stared at Fifi for a long moment.
Then one of them spoke: "We have no use for such a dainty man. You can let him go."
Fifi's head snapped up, his pride wounded. "What did you say?!"
Rhea kicked him to the side, silencing him. Fifi whimpered.
Rhea forced a laugh. "Ahh, hahaha! Even if he is not manly, he can still be of use. Perhaps as a servant boy, or a water boy." She clasped her hands together. "We simply hoped that we might be granted permission to stay in this village filled with strong independent women."
The guard's gaze shifted to Ayumu.
"You there," she called down. "Answer me. Where have you heard of our village?"
Ayumu froze.
Her eyes darted to Rhea, wide and uncertain.
The guard's voice grew sharper. "Are you mute, white one?"
Then Ayumu answered, her voice stumbling out before she could stop herself. "I am not—I mean! Ummm, I mean…"
She flustered, her cheeks flushing bright red. She was supposed to pretend to be mute. But if people asked her a direct question, she could not help but answer. It was simply her nature. She was afraid to look at Rhea, who was glaring at her from the corner of her eye.
I am sorry, Rhea!, she said in her heart.
Fifi sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
The guard called down again, her voice sharp and impatient. "So? Where have you heard of us, white one?"
Ayumu stumbled over her words. "I—uh—I just know."
That was all she said. It was not a lie.
The other guards at the top of the barricade giggled, some covering their mouths with their hands. They exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by the flustered white magis.
The main guard cleared her throat loudly, and they all stopped laughing.
"Very well," she said. "Enter."
Fifi's eyes widened in surprise. They had actually let them in.
The gates swung open, and they stepped inside.
The village was like a dream.
The beach stretched along one side, the sand pale and soft, lapped by gentle waves. On the other side, the forest crept close, its trees laden with vegetables and herbs planted in neat rows. The houses were white, with wooden roofs, most of them covered in climbing roses and flowering vines that spilled over the walls in cascades of color.
Rhea looked around, her eyes softening. She had to admit—it was beautiful. She wondered, briefly, if they needed a doctor here. She would gladly stay.
One of the guards walked beside them. "You are quite lucky tonight," she said. "There will be a banquet, and our leader, Camilla, will be present."
Rhea's ears perked up. "What is the celebration for?"
The guard smirked. "We found some good men to mate with and bear children."
Rhea and Ayumu exchanged a glance. Their suspicions were confirmed—it had to be Drobar, Levain, and Kaiser.
Fifi, on the other hand, was deeply offended. He thought he too was a fine specimen. A real man. And yet, no one seemed to see his worth.
Rhea and Ayumu were sent to freshen up and change for the event that night.
Fifi was escorted away separately—but before he left, Ayumu subtly placed Vesta in his pocket. The phoenix had shrunk into a tiny, pocket-sized bird, small enough to hide in the fold of his clothing.
----------------------------------------------
Fifi was brought to the room where the men were being held.
The guards shoved him inside, and he stumbled forward, the door slamming shut behind him. He looked around and immediately noticed the red smoke that hung in the air, thick and cloying. It coiled around the room like living mist.
Drobar, Levain, and Kaiser were there—all of them struggling to stay sane. They were sweating, their faces flushed, their breathing heavy. Kaiser's hands were clenched into fists. Drobar was slumped against the wall. Levain was on his knees, his head bowed.
Fifi covered his nose and mouth. "What is this smell? Urghh!"
Kaiser looked up, his red eyes finding Fifi. "Fifi… haaa… if you are here, where are Ayumu and Rhea?"
Fifi rolled his eyes. "You only care about the ladies, do you not?" He pulled a cloth from his pocket and tied it around his face, covering his nose and mouth. "They are fine. Do not worry. They were accepted to stay in this village."
He pulled Vesta from his pocket. "Ayumu made sure Vesta is with me."
Vesta popped out, its tiny form flapping her wings. Its ancient voice, incongruous with its small size, echoed through the room. "There is never a dull moment with you bunch."
Levain struggled to lift his head. "If they are here. So… what is the plan?" His voice was strained, each word an effort. "Haa…"
Fifi moved closer, keeping his voice low. "Its perfect timing as they are about to have a banquet tonight. I am sure we will be brought there. Rhea said that once we are all gathered together, they will put sleeping powder in the fire. You need to make sure to cover your mouth, like I am. Then we get out of this place."
Drobar's eyes lit up with something between relief and hope. "Sounds like a plan… haa… now that I think of it, I do not think I want to be a sex slave here." He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "What would Rhea think of me?"
Levain looked at him with flat exhaustion. "Drobar… I am sorry to say this, but I do not think Rhea cares."
Drobar gasped, his hand flying to his chest as if wounded. "What does that mean?!"
Before anyone could answer, the door creaked open.
Ladies entered the room—several of them. They carried silks and oils and ornaments, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
They had come to prepare the men for tonight's banquet.
The men are terrified of the women here.