After freshening up, Ayumu and Rhea were each handed a set of finely woven silk garments. The fabric shimmered softly beneath the firelight, impossibly smooth against their skin. Even someone unfamiliar with luxury could tell these were expensive—far too expensive to simply accept as gifts.
"I... I'm not sure we should be taking these," Ayumu murmured.
The women attending them only laughed, waving away her concerns as though they were meaningless. With practiced hands, they wrapped the silk around their bodies until it draped elegantly over their figures.
There was, however, one small problem.
There were no undergarments.
Both Ayumu and Rhea exchanged awkward glances, instinctively tugging at the loose silk in a futile attempt to cover themselves more. The garments left far more exposed than either of them was accustomed to.
The women, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed.
Soon, they were escorted toward the heart of the settlement, where the evening's banquet was being held.
A massive bonfire blazed in the center of an open stretch of pristine white sand, its warm glow illuminating the entire gathering. Long wooden tables had been arranged around the fire, overflowing with roasted meats, exotic fruits, fresh seafood, fragrant breads, and dishes unlike anything Ayumu had ever seen.
Hand-carved stools and polished logs served as seats, while a gently elevated platform overlooked the gathering. Upon it rested several beautifully decorated chairs, clearly reserved for the village leader and her closest advisers.
Before either girl could object, they were gently—but firmly—guided onto seats near the front.
Moments later, one of the women placed a carved wooden cup into Ayumu's hands.
A sweet fragrance drifted from the crimson liquid inside.
Rhea took an immediate sip.
"Mmm... this is actually really good."
Ayumu merely stared at the cup.
One of the women noticed her hesitation and smirked.
"We didn't poison your fruit wine, White One."
Ayumu nearly jumped.
"O-Oh! It's not that!" she hurriedly replied. "I've just... never... drunk alcohol before."
"You haven't?"
The woman's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Well, then that's even more reason to start."
Before Ayumu could protest, the woman gently tipped the cup toward her lips.
"J-Just a little—"
Ayumu instinctively swallowed.
Her eyes widened.
"...Well?"
Ayumu blinked several times before smiling.
"...It's delicious." Then she hesitated. "Later... may I have some more?"
The women around her burst into cheerful laughter.
"Of course, White One. You're our special guest tonight."
Special guest?
Ayumu tilted her head.
Why? Did they welcome every newcomer like this?
If they did... then this village was far kinder than she had imagined.
Music soon filled the air.
Drums echoed through the clearing while flutes and stringed instruments blended into a lively melody. The women rose one after another, dancing freely around the roaring bonfire.
Without hesitation, Rhea joined them.
Ayumu watched for a while before taking another sip.
Then another. And another. Before long, she found herself laughing alongside everyone else.
There was something strangely liberating about the atmosphere.
Women danced barefoot across the warm sand, dressed in little more than flowing silk, unconcerned by judgment or wandering eyes.
No leering men. No expectations. No fear.
Just laughter... and freedom to express oneself as a woman.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Ayumu and Rhea simply enjoyed themselves.
So much so that they nearly forgot why they had come.
Gradually, the music softened and the dancing ceased.
Conversations died down as several armed women emerged from the shadows, forming two orderly lines.
Then she appeared.
Camilla.
The women of the village immediately straightened, their faces lighting up with admiration.
Camilla ascended the platform with several others and gracefully took her seat upon the ornate chair at its center.
Every eye was fixed upon her.
Ayumu squinted and tilted her head.
Camilla looked really familiar. But maybe because she was feeling a bit fuzzy, she just couldn't remember who she was.
As it was her first time drinking, the world around Ayumu seemed to be swaying ever so slightly.
Rhea noticed immediately.
"Are you okay, Ayumu?"
Ayumu blinked slowly.
"I'm fine, Rhea..." She frowned. "...Although..." She looked around. "...Is the whole place spinning... or is it just me?"
Rhea sighed under her breath.
Great. She's drunk. She couldn't exactly blame Ayumu. Truthfully, she herself had become so caught up in the festivities that she'd nearly forgotten their mission as well.
Camilla rose from her seat, her voice carrying effortlessly across the gathering.
"Ladies."
The crowd immediately fell silent.
"Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of two new members of our clan."
She extended a hand toward them.
"Ayumu and Rhea."
The clearing erupted into applause.
Ayumu and Rhea forced awkward smiles while exchanging uneasy glances.
Camilla continued.
"The Umajo Clan has long lived beneath the cruelty of men."
Her voice grew heavier.
"Some among us were slaves. Some were wives. Some were mistresses. Many of us were treated as little more than possessions."
She paused.
"We were beaten. Some of us were raped. We were told our lives held less worth than theirs."
Her eyes then hardened.
"I say... no more!"
The women erupted into thunderous cheers. Some even raised their fists toward the night sky.
Camilla waited until the excitement settled before speaking again.
"But sisters... our clan must continue to grow. Some among us already carry the next generation. And for those who have volunteered to bear children during this season... we have prepared suitable men for you."
She raised a hand.
"Bring them out."
Moments later, the guards returned.
This time... they were escorting prisoners.
Kaiser. Levain. Drobar. And Fifi.
Each of them had been thoroughly washed, their skin clean and lightly scented with fragrant oils. Their upper bodies were bare, while only simple white togas covered their waists.
Blindfolds concealed their eyes.
They stumbled forward clumsily before being forced onto their knees.
The women watching burst into laughter and playful whistles.
The men, however, could barely react. The lingering smoke of the Angel's Trumpet still clouded their minds. Their bodies burned with uncontrollable desire, yet their limbs felt sluggish and weak.
Unable to see. Unable to resist.
They could hear dozens of women surrounding them.
Drobar groaned miserably. "...I feel so exposed..." He shivered. "...I don't think I like this..."
Beside him, Levain whimpered pitifully. "...S-So this... this is how I lose my chastity...?"
The women around them giggled even louder.
The sight instantly sobered Ayumu and Rhea.
Their carefree smiles disappeared. This was the opportunity they had been waiting for.
If they acted now, they could put everyone in the village to sleep and escape before anyone realized what had happened.
Ayumu and Rhea exchanged a single glance.
No words were needed. They both nodded.
In one swift motion, they rose from their seats.
"STOP!"
The joyous atmosphere froze in an instant.
The music ceased.
Every pair of eyes turned toward the two outsiders.
Rhea stepped forward, her voice ringing clearly across the clearing.
"Those men are our friends."
She pointed toward the kneeling prisoners.
"They are not breeding stock. They are not tools. And they most certainly shall not be treated as nothing more than sperm donors."
A heavy silence settled over the gathering.
Then, almost in unison, the women surrounding them reached for their weapons.
Yet, something felt... strange.
There was no hostility in their expressions. Some of them were even smiling.
As though...they had been waiting for this very moment.
Ayumu's heart skipped a beat.
Without hesitation, she reached beneath the folds of her robe for the hidden pouch containing the sleeping powder.
Her hand found...nothing.
Her eyes widened.
A quiet chuckle echoed from the platform.
Ayumu and Rhea looked up.
Camilla sat calmly upon her chair, a playful smile dancing across her lips.
"Oh, White One..." She slowly raised a familiar cloth pouch between two fingers. "...Were you perhaps looking for this?"
Ayumu's face paled.
The sleeping powder. Their only advantage without getting into a fight and injuring these women.
Rhea stared in disbelief. "...How...?"
How did she even know? How did she find it? Neither of them had noticed anyone searching them.
Camilla's soft laughter filled the clearing.
One by one, the women joined in until the entire gathering echoed with knowing amusement.
They knew. They had known all along. From the moment Ayumu and Rhea had entered the village.
Ayumu clenched her fists.
If subtlety had failed...then there was only one option left.
"Vesta!"
At her call, a tiny streak of golden light burst from within Levain's long hair.
The glowing bird emerged into the open air before soaring high above the bonfire. Its radiant feathers unfurled one by one, expanding into magnificent wings woven entirely from light. Golden motes drifted from its body like falling stars, illuminating the night sky as it grew to its true size.
Gasps spread throughout the crowd.
Rhea stepped forward as well.
"Come forth..." She raised her hand. "Willow."
A warm emerald glow blossomed across the sand.
From within the light, a rabbit appeared. Its fur was chestnut brown, adorned with patches of snowy white. Though unmistakably a rabbit, it dwarfed any ordinary beast, standing nearly as large as a bear. Its powerful hind legs dug into the sand while long ears twitched attentively, emerald eyes fixed upon its summoner.
Without another word, Ayumu and Rhea rushed toward their captured companions.
They barely made it three steps.
Several warriors landed before them with astonishing speed. Steel flashed beneath the firelight.
Camilla descended from the platform, accompanied by a handful of elite soldiers.
Their path was completely blocked.
Ayumu raised both hands, refusing to draw a weapon.
"We don't want to hurt anyone."
Her voice was calm despite the pounding of her heart.
"Please..." She glanced toward Kaiser, Levain, Drobar, and Fifi. "Return our friends to us. We'll leave peacefully, and you'll never see us again."
For a brief moment...Camilla's smile faded.
She looked at Ayumu with an expression that was almost... sorrowful.
"Oh, White One..." Her voice softened. "...Ayumu. It saddens me that you don't remember me."
Ayumu eyes widen again.
Remember? Her?
She studied Camilla's face more carefully. There was... something. A faint sense of familiarity tugged at the edge of her memory. But every time she reached for it, it slipped away like mist between her fingers.
The fruit wine still clouded her thoughts, leaving her mind frustratingly hazy.
"...Who..." Ayumu whispered, squinting at the woman before her.