Chapter 290

Chapter 290: A Close Friend Turns Red

"Huh? What’s that!"

Just as boredom was about to make me leave, Lvzi’s surprised voice caught my attention.

Following her gaze—

Army Lady? Stealth One is here too?

Lin Yu froze momentarily.

After two members of the human race withdrew from the arena with injuries, a golden-haired maiden and a silver-gray-haired young woman took their positions.

During the city gate grouping earlier, Army Lady had been paired with Stealth One.

But…why had they come to the colosseum? Were they planning to duel?

…

The impromptu appearance of Moat Blade’s two adventurers electrified the arena. Townsfolk erupted like kindled flames, spontaneous betting pools blossoming across spectator seats.

Odds stood evenly at one-to-one for both Army Lady and Stealth One.

To these human spectators, the two combatants appeared equally matched.

Arena Stage.

After stunned hesitation, the arena host scrambled to approach the women.

"Miladies, will this be a friendly spar…or mortal combat?"

"Spar."

Stealth One leveled an indifferent glance at the host.

"Understood."

The host exhaled audibly in relief.

"Then if you’d please distance yourselves—"

"Silence. Your services are no longer required."

The host’s jaw snapped shut beneath Army Lady’s razor-edged stare, retreating with nervous steps.

Her piercing gaze then shifted to Stealth One.

"I’ve nursed this irritation toward your Stealth Ant kin for ages. Finally, a chance to test your mettle."

"How fortuitous. The sentiment’s mutual."

Stealth One met the challenge unflinchingly.

"Your theatrical skills were pitiful that day. Had you not faced away from the gate, your ruse would’ve crumbled."

"My acting? You dare criticize?" Army Lady’s teeth ground audibly. "Mother chose Lvzi precisely because your incompetence tainted us both!"

"Preposterous. You clearly inverted the truth."

In fact, they all knew this wasn’t the real reason.

Though they had both remained in town for months without seeing Lin Yu like Lvzi, their mother’s choice of Lvzi upon reunion left them somewhat disheartened.

What vexed them more was being paired together in the subsequent grouping.

After the group assignments, their exchange of biting sarcasms only fueled growing irritation, until the sight of the arena ahead drew them in through silent mutual understanding.

…

Back to the present moment.

"Begin already! The betting pool’s opened—why aren’t they starting?"

"Quit stalling! Move faster!!"

"Fight! Fight!"

Impatient shouts erupted as spectators noticed the two girls still conversing.

Yet when Army Lady’s frosty gaze swept across the stands, the clamor dwindled into hushed silence.

That very glance froze her mid-motion—there sat Lin Yu and Lvzi amidst the audience.

"What’s wrong?"

Stealth One sensed the shift and followed her gaze.

M-Mother?!

「What are you two doing?」

Lin Yu’s voice materialized sharply in their minds.

「J-just sparring! Mother knows I live for combat,」 Army Lady hurriedly clarified.

Truthfully, she genuinely only intended to exchange blows with Stealth One.

Both understood well—true sisterly bloodshed would inevitably displease their mother.

「Would Mother care to observe our match?」

Stealth One chimed in.

「Hm.」

The cool voice resonated again, pausing briefly before adding:

「Exercise caution. Do not cross limits.」

「Understood.」

They answered in unison.

The duel commenced then, both pouring their entire focus into the clash beneath Lin Yu’s watchful eyes.

Yet that same maternal attention restrained their movements, each strike measured to avoid incurring disapproval.

Most spectators, being amateurs, roared enthusiastically at the girls’ flashy exchanges regardless.

When dust settled, Stealth One emerged with marginal superiority.

The combination of the "Stealth" and "Invisibility" skills proved more advantageous in sparring matches meant for "friendly practice," though the outcome might differ entirely in a true life-or-death battle.

As the clash concluded, cheers mingled with sighs across the arena.

Amidst the lingering excitement, Lin Yu departed with Lvzi in tow, while Army Lady and Stealth One followed after disentangling themselves from certain persistent members of the human race.

"Night approaches," Lin Yu suggested. "Shall we return together?"

"Mm." "Mm."

Both girls murmured assent, yet their eyes remained fixed on the white-haired arm currently claimed by Lvzi.

The emerald-haired trickster winked conspiratorially, gesturing with her free hand toward Lin Yu’s unoccupied side.

An invitation to claim the mother’s other arm?

The silent message came through clearly.

Yet…

The two warriors exchanged uneasy glances, their boots suddenly fascinating as heat crept up their necks.

Though not as timid as Weak Sound, they lacked Red Pupil and Lvzi’s effortless ease in seeking physical closeness with Lin Yu.

Thus they remained locked in hesitation throughout the journey.

Just as Army Lady steeled her resolve to advance, an unexpected weight anchored her arm.

"You—"

She turned burning eyes toward Stealth One.

"Problem?" The Stealth Ant’s lips curved frostily. "Sisters should maintain proper bonds, no?"

"Sisters?" Army Lady arched an eyebrow. "By rights, you should address me as ‘elder sister.’"

"Elder sister?"

Stealth One paused, mentally reviewing their hierarchy. Indeed, all Stealth Ants including herself emerged after Army Lady and Lvzi’s creation.

Her chilling smile returned. "Excellent. Elder sisters should dote on their juniors."

Releasing her grip, she turned toward Lin Yu—only to find herself restrained by Army Lady’s sudden embrace.

"Release me."

"Negatory." Army Lady’s eyes glinted. "Having finally gained a proper younger sister, bonding seems prudent."

Mid-retort, both froze as eerie familiarity washed over them.

This banter…

Their interlocked arms…

They’d somehow morphed into carbon copies of that green-maned mischief-maker.

Hanging around vermilion turns you red, lingering near ink turns you black… The ancient proverb materialized in their shared consciousness.

…

"Seems they’re getting along better," Lin Yu observed, glancing back at the suddenly chummy pair.

She’d worried their arena clash stemmed from discord, but apparently misread the situation.

"Giggle! Daughter helped fix Army Lady and Stealth One’s relationship!" Lvzi chimed, swinging their conjoined arms.

"Indeed."

Given both girls’ reticent natures, left alone they might have moved through the city like ships in night’s fog for months.

Perhaps aside from her… eccentricities, few flaws could be found in this emerald-haired bundle of energy?

"We’re here."

Lvzi’s announcement shook Lin Yu from her musings.

Before them loomed a four-story inn, its stature dwarfing neighboring single and double-tiered buildings.

Yet…

An equally imposing structure stood beside it, bearing a blush-pink sign declaring "Night Song" in bold strokes.

"That is…?"

"Ah," Lvzi stage-whispered, "the inner district’s brothel."