Punishment

Appearing before Kaguya was a girl with a stunning figure. She had golden hair cascading down her shoulders, slender and taut eyebrows, vibrant golden eyes, and an oval face that exuded a sense of heroic spirit. Her tall and curvaceous figure, especially her prominent chest, stood out even among those Kaguya had encountered.

She was none other than Leone, the first member of the Night Raid that Kaguya had met.

"Princess, I didn't expect us to meet here," Leone said, a dangerous glint flashing in her golden eyes. Her golden hair suddenly grew longer, reaching down to her waist, and her ears transformed into furry animal ears, while her hands morphed into lion-like claws.

This was her Teigu, the Lionelle, a waist-worn Teigu that could beastify her body, greatly enhancing her physical abilities and senses, allowing her to track enemies. Her ultimate ability, "Regenerator," increased her regeneration ability, enabling her to stop bleeding and reattach limbs even if they were severed, or her eyes gouged out.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to deceive you last time," Kaguya said with an awkward smile, feeling that deception was never a commendable act, especially when facing the very person she had deceived.

"Is that so?" Leone clenched her fists and said menacingly, "The first time wasn't intentional, but what about the second time?"

"There were unavoidable reasons for the second time as well," Kaguya replied with a light cough.

"Why waste time talking to her? Just shoot her," came a voice from behind Leone.

A girl with twin pink ponytails emerged, wearing a pink long dress, a ribbon in her hair, a fluffy shawl, black stockings, and pink shoes, giving off a vibrant energy. She was holding a sniper rifle over a meter long, aiming it directly at Kaguya, ready to turn her into a sieve at the slightest provocation.

This pink-haired girl was another member of the Night Raid, Mine.

"Sorry, I'm not here to fight. My friend is sick, and I'm just looking for a place to rest," Kaguya said seriously. "I don't want any unpleasant conflicts between us. It wouldn't be good for anyone. I hope you can understand."

"Are you threatening us?" Mine said coldly. "Then go ahead and try."

"Mine, that's enough," Leone suddenly interjected. "Since your friend is sick, we'll call a temporary truce. But remember, we're still enemies."

As she spoke, the changes in Leone's body caused by the Teigu gradually receded, and she returned from her half-beast form to her human appearance.

"Leone," Mine grumbled discontentedly, "Don't you realize she's our enemy?"

"I don't think she seems like a bad person," Leone said, her golden eyes fixed on Kaguya.

"Not a bad person? Do you think bad people would label themselves as such?" Mine pouted and clenched her small fists in frustration. "Maybe your brain hasn't fully developed because all the nutrients went to your chest?"

"What do you know, kid?" Leone laughed heartily, rubbing Mine's head. "I'll be happy when your heart is as big as your chest."

"Leone!" Mine puffed up like an angry kitten, her hair practically standing on end.

At that moment, Leone looked at Kaguya's back in surprise, carefully observing the girl lying there, seemingly discovering something.

In the end, Leone and Mine allowed Kaguya to use a small room. The room was modest, with only about ten square meters, simply furnished with a bed, a table, two chairs, and a bookshelf. Although it seemed somewhat shabby, considering the widespread poverty, it was already quite decent.

At this moment, the girl lying quietly on the bed, Black Pupil, was breathing steadily, and her pale face had regained some color as her fever had subsided.

Kaguya sat on a nearby chair, flipping through a book she had taken from the bookshelf. She found the books interesting, recording the history of the entire empire and some strange tales—a good way to pass the time.

"Mmm."

Suddenly, a soft, kitten-like groan echoed in the room. Kaguya turned around to find Kurome awake, holding her forehead with her small, pale hand, her brows furrowed as if she was in discomfort.

"How are you feeling?" Kaguya walked over and sat by her bedside, smiling. "Feeling better?"

Startled by Kaguya's sudden appearance, Kurome trembled slightly and instinctively shrank back, her face blushing.

"So, sneaking out on your own? Have you grown bold enough to ignore what I say?" Kaguya feigned a stern expression as she spoke.

To be honest, Kaguya had been quite angry earlier, especially since Kurome had snuck out without a word.

Realizing her mistake, Kurome shrank under the covers, leaving only her large, black-and-white eyes visible, looking at Kaguya with a pitiful expression.

"Do you know what you did wrong?" Kaguya said with a cold face, her tone severe.

Kuromenodded quickly, like a chick pecking at rice.

"Since you know you were wrong, you need to be punished," Kaguya said.

Upon hearing this, Kurome immediately pulled the covers over her head, hiding like an ostrich.

Kaguya found her behavior amusing. She never expected Kurome to have such a childish side, something she had never noticed before.

In reality, Kurome was only a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, just about the age to start middle school in Kaguya's original world. But Kurome's mature demeanor often made people forget her actual age.

Patting the covered Kurome Kaguya tried to suppress her laughter. "There's no escaping it. Be good and take your punishment."

A head suddenly poked out from under the covers, but when she saw Kaguya's stern gaze, Kurome quickly ducked back in.

As Kaguya wondered what was going on, the soft blanket was slightly lifted, revealing a smooth, jade-like bottom, along with a pair of freshly removed underwear.