“And that’s why I was searching for you, to bring you back to our country. It took so much effort since there’s no way of contacting you…”
Mira gave a brief explanation about the current state of their country and the Nine Wisen. In response, ilin looked rather sullen, as she really wanted to keep traveling.
(That side of her hasn’t changed at all either…)
ilin’s emotions were always obvious on her face, just like they were way back when.
She had never been able to stay in their country even during the ga days. If there was any type of battle, they would let her know and she would co back imdiately, but they pretty much had to find her and drag her along for any other type of event. Other than that, she was always absent from Arkite.
“Ah, if everyone else is there then I’m sure you’ll be fine. You can just cover for !”
After a long ti thinking, she said that like she had just co up with a really bright idea.
That was pretty much the reaction Mira had expected. They were only gathering to avoid a potential invasion, standing proudly as a symbol of peace for their country. So ilin did not feel like it was worth her ti to be there.
But she could not forget that she was still part of the Nine Wisen, and more importantly, this world was real now.
Mira was fully aware of that, so much to her chagrin, she could not afford to be lenient with ilin.
“If you really don’t want to co back, then I understand. But there’s still another issue…”
She began by showing a bit of kindness, saying it was not fully necessary for ilin to be back, before cornering her right away.
Back in the day, whenever the Nine Wisen went on an adventure, fought a battle, or made public appearances, ilin would always wear a monk robe and fox thed half mask, so her face was not known to the common people.
But other players, especially those in high positions in other countries or highly skilled, had t her in person and knew what she looked like.
“I can tell you’re faintly aware of this, given the fake na you gave, but…”
Mira did not take a break, continuing to reprimand ilin’s carelessness, while making sure she understood the situation. ilin had been really lucky that she had not run into anyone who recognized her yet, as otherwise it could cause a big international issue.
“I’m sure you understand luck isn’t going to save you this ti, yes? This tournant is a really big deal, and the best combatants from every country are taking part. So there’s plenty of people in this city that can recognize you…”
She continued to explain how dangerous it could be if ilin’s identity beca widespread, just like Solomon had explained it before. It was only a matter of ti before reports of ilin sightings all over the continent would co rushing in, putting all of Arkite in a difficult position.
“I don’t want to cause Solomon any trouble… But I want to fight…”
The Nine Wisen were the leading military force of Arkite, so seeing one of them wandering unannounced through other countries could lead to a lot of suspicion being cast on the country, especially as they were still in a ceasefire.
ilin understood the circumstances and lowered her face, looking dejected as she mumbled to Mira. Even if she understood the dangers, she had been really looking forward to the tournant, and found it hard to let go.
“Well, I have a suggestion about that.”
Seeing ilin’s reaction, Mira put so more energy in her voice as she revealed her plan. Put simply, they simply had to make it impossible to tie her to the Nine Wisen.
“That’s why we prepared this entire disguise for you. I’ll give it to you if you promise to return to Arkite afterward. Solomon also said you can take part in the tournant if you wear it.”
The disguise was the hair dye, the Magical Girl getup prepared by Lily and the maids, and a special choker to deter photographs, which would let out a particular type of mana that made it impossible for lenses to focus on the wearer’s face.
“Okay! I promise! Please let fight in the tournant!”
She made a full recovery from her dejected state. That was exactly what Solomon had anticipated would happen if ilin was first told she could not participate, and then given a way out, either because he knew how to manipulate others, or because ilin’s personality was so straightforward. Regardless, she had happily promised to return and to wear the disguise, so Mira triumphantly told her, “Then I’ll grant you this disguise.”
Now that ilin had promised to go back to Arkite, Mira had fulfilled half her mission. All that was left to do was to make sure ilin would not get recognized.
So Mira quickly told ilin to put on the disguise, starting with the hair dye, which would turn her dark blue hair into a bright red.
“Hmm…that’s about it, I’d say.”
ilin was obediently going along with everything, as she really wanted to take part in the tournant. That made it easy for Mira to apply the hair dye, and now she nodded satisfied at the result.
Mira had gotten a good idea of how to do it after watching Theresa the day before, and she had done a decent job at it. The color was largely uniform, although there was a slight darkening in so areas. But at a quick glance, it looked like raging flas, so Mira decided to call it a lucky coincidence, since she thought it looked pretty cool.
“That’s incredible! It’s all so red!”
When they were done, ilin also ran up to a mirror to look at herself, amazed at how different her hair looked. She also noticed the variation in color, which made her say, “That’s so cool, it’s like I’m on fire!”
“I know, I know! That’s what I was going for!”
ilin seed to like that, and Mira acted like that had been her plan all along. Then Mira made ilin sit down again to apply the conditioner which would preserve the dyed color for longer. And with that, the first step of the disguise was complete.
With her hair done, it was ti to put on the new clothes, the special Magical Girl outfit carefully crafted by Lily and the maids.
“Grandfather…I don’t understand these clothes…” ilin went to put them on, and only a few seconds later was already asking for help.
“Hm? What is it?”
Mira was looking away while ilin changed, but turned around since otherwise she would not be able to help. Once she checked out the issue, she let out a, “Oh no…” while frowning, and then sighing as she silently cursed the maids for going overboard again.
Back when they handed the outfit to Mira, she had not asked what it was supposed to look like or anything like that. It was a disguise for ilin so she did not really care, or rather, it was not her issue.
At the sa ti, she had already been subjected to so much by Lily and the maids that she felt confident she could figure out clothes, but that confidence was her downfall. Mira had only glimpsed at a fraction of the world of fashion, and only realized that truth now.
ilin’s disguise was far more complicated than any dress Mira had ever laid her eyes on.
It was a mishmash of colors, a short and very revealing skirt paired with a pink petticoat. And all of that was covered in a jumble of cute frills and lace.
“Hmmm, I can’t figure this out either… Wait a bit.”
On top of being so unexpectedly complex, there was an almost ridiculous number of additional pieces of cloth, and it was impossible to figure out what went where. Mira deed it a lost cause herself, and rushed out to seek Vanessa’s help to rescue them.
“Woahh, it’s all done! You look so cute, ii!”
Ten odd minutes later, ilin succeeded in wearing the whole disguise, thanks to the aid provided by Vanessa, and the reference sheets that Vanessa had found.
When she arrived, she said that a dress that complicated should have a diagram showing what it was ant to look like, so she searched the bag that the dress ca in, and found those reference sheets. After that, it was just a matter of following the drawings and getting ilin all dressed up like a brand new fighting Magical Girl.
“I can’t believe it! It’s like I’ve beco soone else!”
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