Victoria looked at Mischan.

"I'll create a diversion. Once you see an opening, go for it," she whispered to Christine.

Christine nodded silently.

Victoria powered up her handy golf balls. Swinging her club, she fired one at Mischan, who dodged.

"Hmmm...pathetic."

Victoria scowled. She swung her club again, and sent an arc of flaming violet balls towards Mischan.

"Eeh?"

Mischan tried to swat the balls away.

"Christine! Now!"

While Mischan was preoccupied with the balls, Christine leapt up from behind and fired up a shot.


Mischan was slammed into the trees.


Victoria breathed a sigh of relief.


"Whew. When Yiernoshi hears that we managed to take out someone powerful from the enemy, she'll be pleased!"


Christine sighed, deactivating her weapon.


"Yeah...the Fourteenth will be really happy."
-----
Yiernoshi sneezed while running.

Is someone thinking about me?
-----
A streak of lightning flame shot out. It encircled Victoria, trapping her.

"Victoria!"

Another streak of flame materialized, hitting Christine.

"Oh my. That hurt, y'know."

Mischan limped into view.

"And what's this about the Carbonara Fourteenth?"
-----
Somewhere else in the forest, a little cylinder with wings was flapping around.

Spotting a figure, it descended gracefully onto its shoulder.

The figure looked up at the sky.

"It's been a long time, Tutipore."
-----
Mischan smirked slightly.

"The apparent youth of the both of you had me surprised. Then again, it is the Carbonara family I'm dealing with. I wouldn't put it past you guys to do this kind of thing. But if it's about the Fourteenth boss of Carbonara and why she's still living, it's not that simple, is it?"

Christine stared at Mischan.

"She was gunned down. Many of her comrades saw it too."

She flicked her wrist, and three of her balls came flying at Christine, electrocuting her. Christine fell backwards onto the forest floor, bleeding.

"Now, tell me. Why is the Fourteenth boss still alive? And where is she?"

Christine groaned.

"As if...I'd...tell...you...anything..."

"That's something else I'm curious about."

Mischan stepped hard on Christine's bloodied hand.

"Ow!"

"I recognise the rings you both are using. What kind of joke is that?"

She kicked Christine's face.

"Owowowowow!"

"Urgh..."

Victoria had slowly brought her arm up, to point it at Mischan's throat.

"Tch."

A ball flew at Victoria, knocking her backwards.

"I only need one of you to torture. Don't interfere."
-----
Pounding footsteps sounded down the corridor.

"Big trouble, Master Mitong! Our radar has picked up two rings of purity highed than A. They could be the Carbonara Rings!"

(Note: The higher the purity of the ring, the stronger/better the flame...I think.)

"What? Why didn't we detect them until now?"

"The radar has been malfunctioning!"

"Oh. Get a mechanic to make sure it won't happen again."

"Yes, sir. Also, you should know that the Black Tomatoes Third Squad got dispatched to Tutipore."

"Really?"

Finally, things are beginning. She must be here too, then? Yiernoshi Lai.
-----
Yiernoshi pointed at the horizon.

"It's smoke!"

"Looks like there's been a battle. Victoria and Christine were there."

Yiernoshi looked at the rising smoke.

Please, be all right!
-----
Mischan gripped Christine's throat, hoisting her up.

Christine bit her lip to prevent a moan of agony from escaping, as the cold air struck her many open wounds.

"If you still refuse to tell, I'm afraid there may be no turning back."

"...Then..."

"Hmm? What did you say?"

Christine let out an annoyed breath, and...

"Peh."

Mischan wrinkled her nose. She removed one hand from Christine's gullet, and wiped off the spit on her face.

"You spit in my face, hmm?"

She knocked Christine to the ground.

"Then you'll just die here."

Before she could do so, however, a huge torrent of blue flame blasted her.

Standing where the flame had come from, was a slim, tall figure.

"I'll give you a hint about what you want to know. They came over from the past."

Mischan frowned thoughtfully.

"You seem to know a lot of things, but the rule is, join the fight, give your name."

"There's no need for that. I'm in a very bad mood."

"Hmm?"

"So right here, right now..."

"I'll book you to death."