**Village of Armoura.**

  The group walked in silence. The atmosphere was still heavy.

  Pikonota followed quietly, melancholic and wounded, isolated in her corner.

  Souta walked with slow steps, still embarrassed by the previous situation.

  Meliora led the group without saying a word.

  Souta decided to break the silence.

  — Princess… here. — he extended a small book.

  Meliora looked suspicious.

  — What is this? A book?

  — It’s a recorder. — Souta explained. — Everything we’ve seen is written here. Even the places you couldn’t visit because of your father’s funeral.

  Meliora blushed as she opened the book. Her eyes shone like those of a child.

  She thought to herself: *Incredible… he drew everything. It looks so realistic. There are no books this detailed in Magnapis. The rest are just text…*

  With each page she turned, she became more enchanted.

  Pikonota observed, surprised:

  — Ahh… so that’s why he made me accompany him to different areas.

  Souta scratched his neck, awkward.

  — I’m an idiot. I’ll probably disappoint you and irritate you even more. But… I can’t help it. That’s how I am now.

  — Accept this as my apology. — he said, holding the book above his head.

  Meliora began to blush, averting her gaze.

  — Lord Kihara… this is unfair play. — she murmured, shy.

  But her smile was comforting.

  She raised her head.

  — You’re forgiven. Even though I had no reason to be so irritated… you endured me.

  — As an apology for the slaps on your face… ask for anything. I will grant it.

  Souta hesitated.

  — Anything…?

  Meliora grew uncomfortable, anxious for his answer.

  Souta replied:

  — Could you transcribe or explain more of the Ancient Scriptures to me?

  Meliora felt disappointed inside.

  She thought: *What… he scared me. Why didn’t he ask for something bolder?*

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  — Yes, I can. Whenever you need, just say. I am the second person with the most knowledge of the Scriptures in Magnapis. The first is the Queen.

  Creamy appeared, excited:

  — Sir, I can materialize the princess’s knowledge directly into your mind. It’s your new ability: **Search Brain**.

  Souta widened his eyes.

  — Really? Let’s try.

  — Princess, I can access your memories and extract only what I need. That way it won’t be so much work for you.

  Meliora blushed violently.

  — What?! You want to see my mind?! Since when can you do that?! Absolutely not!

  — Why? I’ll only peek at what’s necessary…

  — Absolutely not! You want to see all my memories! That’s embarrassing! I… I bathe constantly! What if you see me naked?! I’d never overcome that shame!

  Souta choked.

  — I… hadn’t thought about that… — he thought to himself: *How do I do this? I need to access the encrypted royal files… the Ancient Scriptures…*

  Creamy suggested:

  — Sir, you can partially fuse me with the princess’s memories, using a familiar.

  Souta agreed:

  — That might work.

  — Lady Meliora, what if you create a familiar with me? That way, I’d have access to your memories — only the selected ones, related to the Scriptures. What do you think?

  Meliora thought: *Fusing my memories with a familiar… I suppose only the familiar would see my recollections…*

  — Fine… I accept.

  Souta walked up to her, placed his hand on her head.

  Meliora was tense.

  A magic circle appeared.

  The intense glow dispersed the dust.

  Golden particles of mana fused and created… a bee.

  Cute. With a crown.

  Meliora smiled, eyes sparkling.

  — Cute!

  Souta looked curious.

  — A bee?

  The bee spun in the air, stopped, and said:

  — H-h-hello e-everyone… — trembling and sweating, visibly nervous.

  Souta thought: *Is it just me, or is she way too shy? She’s sweating like crazy…*

  Creamy explained:

  — That’s because she’s composed of the princess’s insecurities. Meliora knows how to hide her weaknesses… but her familiar doesn’t.

  Souta raised an eyebrow.

  — Hmmm… well, it works for me.

  — I’ll call you **Mel**, since you’re Meliora’s familiar.

  Meliora agreed:

  — It’s a cute name. It suits her well.

  Creamy added:

  — Everything she records in image will automatically be stored in your recorder book.

  — With this, you can keep memories of the journey. And don’t worry: the book has infinite pages.

  Souta smiled.

  — Too practical.

  He turned to Pikonota:

  — Hey, don’t stay so quiet. Come closer. I already apologized, didn’t I?

  Pikonota approached, cheeks puffed, face closed.

  The group continued walking.

  Meliora and Souta laughed as they talked.

  Suddenly, an aura sliced through the air at high speed.

  Souta reacted, pulling Meliora and Pikonota out of the way.

  **THUMD!**

  The impact destroyed some houses in the village.

  Dust rose.

  A silhouette appeared in the smoke.

  **VOOSH.**

  It was Tears.

  She smiled, wild.

  — I knew it… I really smelled Lady Meliora!

  Will Souta be able to protect Meliora from this new threat?

  If you enjoyed this chapter, leave your rating ? and comment: Did Tears come to fight… or to negotiate?

  Every bit of support helps us dig deeper on the path toward the throne!”*