The next morning, after a very intense night with Shinji, Tiana got ready and went to the tent where the eting would be held. Inside, her respected Master, Luluane, and her younger Disciple, Tiona, were already there, smiling at her.
”Good morning, Tiana,” Luluane said.
”Good morning, Tiana-san,” Tiona added politely.
”Good morning. Sorry I’m late! I’ll get ready right away!” Tiana said.
”No need to rush,” Luluane replied with a gentle smile.
Luluane already held a Naginata in her hands, ready for their usual morning training. Tiona was ready too, as if she could start practice at any mont.
Every morning, they practiced with their Naginata. They checked their forms, ward up their bodies, and focused their minds. This light training had beco essential since they had gone on missions in another world.
”It’s strange. You’re usually the one waiting, Tiana-san,” Luluane said.
”This environnt is different. Sotis things are like this… hmm, you look well,” she added, noticing Tiana’s healthy appearance.
Thanks to Shinji stopping at the right mont last night, Tiana had slept deeply and recovered her strength. Even though magic erased the signs of last night, she felt so guilt but kept her calm and acted normally.
”I’m sorry. I’ll focus properly now,” Tiana said.
”Good. Then let’s start our morning practice. Both of you ready?”
”Yes!” Tiana and Tiona replied together.
Following Luluane, the three of them moved outside and began swinging their Naginata side by side. Their movents were smooth, flowing like a dance, showing how skilled they were.
So mbers of the Resistance, already active early in the morning, watched them. So n glanced at their bodies inappropriately, but Luluane and Tiona stayed focused, ditating silently.
Tiana also kept calm, processing what had happened last night, and thinking ahead.
(The result was different than I expected, but the main goal was achieved… I must not make such a mistake again.)
Her service to Shinji had gone exactly at his pace. The reason was the unknown pleasure he gave her. But after experiencing it, it was no longer unknown. She now understood his skill and strength, and knew she could handle future encounters.
”Alright, that’s enough for this morning. Let’s do our duties as the goddess’s apostles today,” Luluane said.
”Yes!” the disciples replied.
After finishing their forms, Luluane stopped, and Tiana and Tiona did the sa. With a cheerful smile from their Master, the disciples steadied themselves for the day ahead.
* * *
A little earlier than scheduled, Shinji arrived at the tent. Not only Luluane and her disciples were there, but also several young n. They were of different races and builds, but all wore black bands on their foreheads, arms, or thighs. Later, Shinji would learn these bands marked them as mbers of the Resistance.
One young man stepped forward and shook Shinji’s hand firmly.
”I’m Richt. I lead the Resistance ‘Liberators.’ Nice to et you,” he said.
”I’m Shinji. I’ll help as best I can. Nice to et you,” Shinji replied.
All the Resistance mbers looked like trained fighters. They seed more like adventurers from another world than soldiers from Soukai Country. Shinji felt a small relief seeing that they valued individual skill over numbers.
The rest of the Resistance silently observed Shinji. He noticed so of them were skeptical.
(Not just , they feel this way about her too.)
It was understandable. They had fought hard against the hated Sect Theocracy. The gods they worshiped were different, and that alone caused war and suffering.
At first, it seed the war-ready country would lose quickly. But the self-proclaid gods’ servants, who used incredible powers, caused massive destruction. So countries fell, the Sect Theocracy grew, and eventually, brave volunteers ford the Liberators. Even combining all nearby forces, they still struggled against the servants’ strength.
Richt must have cursed the heavens, the gods, and fate many tis, losing comrades while resisting invasions.
Now, only the senior Liberators knew about the hidden truth from the goddess’s apostles, Luluane and her group. They hadn’t told the lower mbers, because the truth—that all their hard work had been manipulated by an evil goddess—would be too cruel.
In truth, no one wanted help from gods. But even if goddess Satin was replaced, the servants remained strong. Fighting alone would only bring more casualties. So they swallowed their complaints and accepted help from the goddess’s apostles. Publicly, it was presented as the apostles helping to improve morale, which worked. Supporters increased, and the Resistance could even rescue captured civilians and comrades.
Still, there was caution. If the goddess withdrew her protection, they couldn’t fully trust the apostles. Shinji, like the others, knew the apostles were tools of the goddess, not permanent allies.
He could not fully understand their feelings, but he sensed the tension and thought quietly:
(For now, the only ones I can rely on are them. But for results, I should try to improve the relationship.)
He wondered if Luluane and her disciples understood the fragile trust they had. For now, they maintained polite greetings. Shinji stepped back to join Luluane’s line.
”Shinji-san has joined us. Let’s review the operation again. Richt-san, please lead,” Luluane said.
”Understood,” Richt replied.
Under Luluane’s guidance, the joint strategy eting with the Resistance began.
Notes:
• Luluane – Female. An apostle of a different goddess. She has long, flowing hair and a pale complexion. She is sincere and remorseful for the accidental summoning, repeatedly apologizing and showing genuine concern. Her relationship with Shinji is initially tense but becos more relaxed as they work together. She is also a summoner and has a close bond with her disciples, who see her as an older sister figure.
• Tiana – Female. Luluane’s first disciple. She has blue hair tied in a round bun, a petite build, and a well-defined, feminine figure. Energetic, confident, and competitive, she is quick to speak and express gratitude. Her relationship with Shinji is respectful and positive.
• Tiona – Female. Luluane’s second disciple. She has red braided hair and fluffy cat ears. Slender yet curvaceous, she is modest, quiet, and reserved, contrasting sharply with Tiana. Her relationship with Shinji is polite and apologetic for the rude summoning.
• Resistance – A group of fighters opposing the Sect Theocracy, marked by black bands and composed of various races.
• Liberators – A faction within the Resistance ford to combat the Sect Theocracy’s servants.
• Richt – Leader of the Resistance group ‘Liberators,’ who welcod Shinji and led strategy discussions.
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