317 Departure

-----Kaede's POV

Kaede: "Alright~"

I successfully managed to harvest as much of the human blood from the Leris soldiers as I can. I also rummaged through some of the homes, finding as many containers as I can just to fill up as much blood possible. I didn't get all the blood, but this is still a tremendous amount of blood I managed to get. I guess now's the time to return.

Mai: "Would you like me to notify the queen about this plan of yours?"

Kaede: "Yes please. Oh, and have mom be at my place."

Mai: "Understood."

And with that, Mai leaves, leaving me to finish preparations on my end.

Neri: "So... We just leave?"

Kaede: "Not yet. I need to pick up Rina."

Neri: "The dark elf?"

Kaede: "Yeah. But I guess you guys can start heading back."

Neri: "...I'll stick with you."

Kaede: "Okay."

After Neri finished notifying her captain, we both joined up with Ilfa before we head back over to the castle. It feels weird having the soldiers leave without us, but Mai can always teleport us back home at any given moment, so we should be fine.

-----Fabian's POV

With Rina agreeing to help Kaede, we end up finding her mother, letting her know what's happening. She was quite defensive about it, but I vouched for Kaede which did seem to calm Alenia down a bit, but I understand why she was still weary about it.

When we came back, as if right on time, Ilfa came back, along with Kaede and the black figure, Neri.

Fabian: "I'm guessing it's all over?"

Ilfa: "Mhmm. Kaede's soldiers have now left, and my people are now beginning the repairs. Also, I couldn't help but notice that the humans we had are now missing. I wonder why~"

I watch as Ilfa eyes up Kaede as if she knows exactly what had happened. But it doesn't look like Ilfa is mad, but instead more so being a tease.

Kaede: "Sorry. That was also part of our plan."

Ilfa: "Well, I guess that's fine. Well played though."

Rina: "So, am I now leaving with you?"

Kaede: "Not yet. I need to wait for Mai to return."

Rina: "Mai?"

Kaede: "She'll be teleporting us straight back to Yar-"

Suddenly, Neri covered Kaede's mouth, stopping what she was about to say. I guess I can see why they want to keep where they come from a secret, as they are in the presence of the leader of monsters right now.

Kaede: "Sorry."

Ilfa: "I'll be meeting your queen soon anyways, so I don't see what the big deal is with keeping where you came from a secret."

Neri: "Still... I'd prefer to leave that to the queen's decision."

Ilfa: "Fair enough."

Fabian: "...So then, how long will Mai take?"

Kaede: "She says she's nearly finished."

Ilfa: "Oh?~ So you can use telepathy that far away?"

Kaede: "Hmm? Ah, yeah."

Ilfa: "Impressive."

Mai is Kaede's familiar, and I'm aware that you can communicate with your familiar. But Mai is quite a unique case being able to actually talk. So I'm unsure if what Kaede's using is actually telepathy. I'll keep this to myself though as it does seem like Ilfa is thinking highly of Kaede.

...

Mai: "I'm back~"

After waiting for a bit longer, Mai suddenly popped up into the room next to Kaede. It's still crazy seeing someone, or something use movement magic like that. I can't even wrap my head around doing such a thing. It was then that Rina grabbed my hand as we turn our heads to face one another. I guess it's time.

Mai: "Wait. So I'm taking the three of you back?"

Kaede: "Yeah. We're leaving Fabian here with Ilfa until she meets with the queen."

Mai: "I've never tried teleporting three people before."

Kaede: "Is that too much for you?"

Mai: "No, but it will be awkward. I need to make sure everyone is secured."

Kaede: "Hmmm."

I feel Rina squeeze my hand a bit tighter as I feel her hand begin to tremble ever so slightly.

Rina: "H-how does, t-teleporting feel?"

Kaede: "My first time made me a bit queasy, but it went away quickly. You get used to it."

Rina: "...Okay."

It's funny. I can tell that Rina has no idea what they're talking about exactly. She's probably imagining what teleporting is or what feeling "queasy" feels like. But I just smile at her, letting her know that she'll be fine.

Mai: "Alright. Then Rina and Neri can hold onto either of my hands. And Kaede, I'll need you to hold onto me somewhere."

Kaede: "Okay."

Rina ends up hugging me, knowing that it's time for us to be separated. I tighten my embrace around her for a moment before we finally let go of one another.

Fabian: "Stay safe."

Rina: "Mm! I'll be back."

I watch from the bedside as Rina slowly gets up, walking over to Mai. It's cute to see Rina carefully take Mai's hand, but Mai makes sure that her grip on her hand is secure, taking Rina off guard as her ears spring up for a second. Neri also went ahead and took Mai's other hand.

Neri: "This will actually be my first time as well."

Rina: "Really?"

Neri: "Yup."

Mai: "Alright Kaede, come on."

I then watch Kaede walk behind Mai as she ends up wrapping both arms around Mai's neck. Ilfa ends up coming over to my side, sitting on the bed next to me as we both watch them get into a comfortable position. I lock eyes with Rina once more as we both smile with one another.

Mai: "Okay, on three. One-"

And before Mai finished the countdown, all four of them disappeared, leaving without a trace as silence quickly took over the room. I put on a smile all the way through, but now that I know Rina is now gone, my smile quickly fades as I end up falling back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Fabian: "Hahhh~"

Ilfa: "What's that for? You upset that you're now stuck here with me?"

Fabian: "Pfft. No."

And just as quickly, I sit back up, addressing Ilfa. It just came to me that me laying down, sighing like that could be seen as rude, but before I could apologize for it, Ilfa stops me, patting me on my head.

Ilfa: "It'll be okay. She'll be back soon."

Weird... Since when did Ilfa care about me like this? Sure I head patted her that one time, but feeling her head pat me like this, it's clear that she's trying to comfort me. I don't mind it, and in fact I love it. But I'm still used to Ilfa just having her way with me, so this is definitely odd.

Ilfa: "You don't like this? Want me to stop?"

Fabian: "Ah! No, no. I like it."

Ilfa: "Very well. Then I'll continue."

It was then that she brought my head just above her chest as her warmth slowly spreads over my body as her hand continues to caress the top of my head. I would enjoy this, if it weren't for the fact that I can now feel her breasts just under my head. Not to mention this sweet fragrance... Now all I'm thinking about is-

Ilfa: "Does Rina do this for you?"

Fabian: "Huh?"

Ilfa: "She comforts you like this when you're down, right?"

Why is she bringing up Rina like that? I find it very strange for some reason, especially with me being pampered like this.

Fabian: "...Not like this."

Ilfa: "Oh?"

Fabian: "We hug often, but we've never done this before."

The opposite is true however, having Rina rest up against my chest. But before I could say anything more, I feel Ilfa hand move down from my head as she then proceeds to wraps both her arms around my body, bringing me into a soft embrace. Now my mind is purely focused on Ilfa's warmth and her soft, breasts.

Ilfa: "Like this?"

Again? Why is she comparing herself to Rina like this? Something's definitely wrong here, but I can't figure it out. Mainly because of how incredibly soft Ilfa's body is, being enveloped in her warmth. I want to ask why she's acting like this, but my mouth stays shut as my body slowly succumbs to her comfort.

Ilfa: "..."

But just then, I feel something drop on top of my head, almost like the ceiling was leaking. But when I look up, what I find is something even more strange. Ilfa's eyes were tearing up despite her having such a beautiful smile on her face. All of my embarrassment washes away in that moment as now I'm filled with even more questions than before.

Ilfa: "Sorry."

Fabian: "What's wrong?"

Ilfa: "Nothing. I Just feel incredible happy right now."

She's so happy that she's brought to tears? Did she enjoying hugging me like this that much? Hearing that makes my heart flutter, but I still question what made this sudden change in her attitude. I don't even think I've seen her cry like this before.

Ilfa: "I felt bad wanting to keep you here. So when I heard you say that you wanted to be able to stay here as well... It was hard to contain my happiness."

I feel her tighten her embrace around me a bit more as I feel another tear drop land on top of my head.

Ilfa: "I was afraid you'd hate me."

Fabian: "Are you kidding? Why would I hate you?"

Ilfa: "You've been trapped here for so long. I know you have a family, yet I took advantage of you all this time... Even now..."

Now even her voice is starting to become a bit shaky. I never knew Ilfa could express emotions like this. It almost feels as if-

Ilfa: "So I'm... I'm just really happy to have you with me."

Fabian: "Ilfa."

Feeling like this has gone on enough, I pull myself up to Ilfa's level, looking directly into her eyes that are still pooling up in tears. My mind quickly fills with conflicting thoughts. Thoughts like kissing her right here and now, or hugging her back, but all of those thoughts brings a stabbing pain in my chest. I know I shouldn't be doing anything after everything that's happened with Rina, but I can't just leave Ilfa like this, especially now that I can see how tense her face has become despite trying to smile. My feelings for her haven't disappeared, so having her say all that to me is just as painful.

And so, I choose the safest option, bringing her into a proper hug as I tightly wrap my arms around her. Her arms wrap around my body just as quickly as we find ourselves clinging to eachother's bodies as I feel her tears begin to fall onto my shoulder. I can't believe that Ilfa felt this way about me. It makes me unbelievably happy, but I can't act too rashly. I feel like if I make the wrong move, my whole world will blow up. But at least for now, I'll enjoy this feeling, Ilfa's warmth. I naturally begin to pat her head as we hug, brushing her hair though my fingers as our embrace doesn't show any signs of stopping.