Chapter 13: A Strategic Outing

No sooner had Bai Zhi finished speaking than the other three were plunged into a momentary silence.

After a long while, Xia Ranxin hesitantly spoke.

“I apologize, Miss Bai Zhi… I’m not quite following the connection here…”

“Ah, perhaps I didn’t express myself clearly.”

With a serious expression, Bai Zhi began to elaborate.

“You see, to guard against the lurking Shadow Beasts, we must stay together at all times, right?”

Xia Ranxin nodded.

“That’s correct…”

“But we never know when a Shadow Beast might appear, so we’re forced to stay cooped up at home. Viewed from another perspective, isn’t it just like being imprisoned in our homes by the Shadow Beasts!”

Lin remained silent, but Xia Ranxin looked a little perplexed.

“Is… it?”

“Therefore!”

Bai Zhi declared with an exuberant manner.

“Precisely at times like these, we must break free from these constraints and escape this confinement! Only then can we mentally defeat that Shadow Beast!”

Lin, Xia Ranxin: ???

“She simply wants to experience going out with friends,” Rena unceremoniously punctured Bai Zhi’s little scheme.

“It’s not entirely incomprehensible. After all, Bai Zhi has always lived alone. Being surrounded by so many peers like this is likely her first time, so her excitement is quite natural.”

“Is that how it is?”

Xia Ranxin wore a look of sudden realization, then earnestly looked at Bai Zhi.

“In that case… I’m willing to accompany you, Miss Bai Zhi!”

Bai Zhi’s eyes glistened with tears.

“Ranxin…”

“I object.”

Before Bai Zhi’s heartfelt emotion could fully settle, Lin, standing nearby, spoke, as cold and unyielding as ever.

“Deliberately exposing oneself to danger, even when aware of potential risks, can hardly be called a wise choice.”

“It’s fine!” Bai Zhi brandished her fist in a defiant gesture. “If that Shadow Beast dares to come, I’ll make sure it regrets it dearly!”

“Wouldn’t that negate the very purpose of Lady Ranxin’s secluded retreat here?”

Lin’s attitude remained unwavering.

“The original intention was to protect Lady Ranxin in this remote suburban area precisely to avoid involving the general populace in battles with Shadow Beasts, wasn’t it?”

Lin crossed her arms, her gaze deep, and continued to articulate her perspective.

“What’s more, according to that large-chested woman over there, Shadow Beasts are immune to most attacks. In that case, even a formidable individual like yourself, Miss Bai Zhi, might not be able to guarantee a hundred percent victory against a Shadow Beast, would they?”

“Hey! Who are you calling large-chested?”

Rena snapped irritably, then turned to Bai Zhi.

“This person isn’t wrong. Besides the late former captain, Lord Jeremiah, there are no other records of successfully vanquishing a Shadow Beast. Naturally, no one knows how to effectively deal with them.”

Lin let out a cold scoff.

“Hmph, it seems you still retain some capacity for rational thought.”

“Rena, even you…”

“However, I still agree with Bai Zhi’s suggestion.”

Suddenly, Rena abruptly changed her tune.

“Going out together seems like a rather good option.”

“Hey, large-chested woman! Don’t let personal grudges interfere at a time like this!”

Lin glared furiously at Rena.

“This concerns Lady Ranxin’s safety; it is no laughing matter!”

“Don’t infer my motives with your superficial thinking.”

Rena maintained an unfazed expression.

“Firstly, our household’s food supply is already critically low, especially now, with two additional people to feed.

Secondly, if you’re going to live here for a while, essential daily necessities will also need to be purchased, won’t they? So, now is precisely the time for an outing to procure supplies.”

Lin considered this, her attitude still firm but showing a slight waver compared to before.

“But, there’s no need to bring Lady Ranxin…”

“It seems you’ve forgotten something.”

Rena calmly explained.

“I mentioned before, didn’t I, that Holy Light can, to a certain extent, repel Shadow Beasts? From this perspective, wouldn’t it be safest for Miss Xia to remain by my side at all times?”

Lin looked at Rena, her attitude hadn’t softened significantly.

“In that case, let me go…”

“Oh, how terribly grateful I am to you, then.”

Rena’s expression was sarcastic, her tone dripping with mockery.

“Surely you haven’t forgotten the glorious achievement of nearly starving yourself to death when you first arrived in this world, knowing nothing? What, have you adapted to this world now? Can you already distinguish its currency?”

“Hmph.”

Lin closed her mouth, clearly unwilling to concede.

“As for Bai Zhi, if we let her go out alone, she’ll buy things indiscriminately.”

Rena looked at Bai Zhi, shaking her head with a hint of helplessness.

“Our household budget isn’t quite that generous yet.”

“It’s not *that* exaggerated, I think…”

Bai Zhi lowered her head in embarrassment.

“Therefore—”

In that instant, Rena’s imposing aura overshadowed everyone present.

“I must be among those going out to procure supplies, and for safety’s sake, Miss Xia had best accompany me as well.”

She then turned to Lin.

“Since Miss Xia is going out, you will certainly go too, won’t you?”

Lin nodded.

“That is my duty.”

“Which means at least three of us must go out together. In such a scenario, having the strongest, Bai Zhi, guard the house alone would be pointless; it would be better for her to come along, which would even enhance our safety.”

“So, it’s decided then: we’re all going out. Does anyone still object?”

Rena had assumed the air of a household head, and for a moment, no one dared to raise any further objections.

‘Rena… she’s so assertive…’

Bai Zhi praised her inwardly, stealthily giving Rena a thumbs-up. The latter returned a smug look.

Regardless of the justification, her wish to go out and play had finally been granted.

Consensus was finally reached.

Without undue hesitation, the four girls went to make their respective preparations before heading out. These preparations, however, amounted to little more than freshening up and changing clothes.

Not long after, the four left the house together. Yet, no sooner had they stepped outside than Xia Ranxin seemed to recall something. After a moment of hesitation, she asked,

“Um, how… how are we going to get there? I mean, it’s quite a distance from here to the city’s shopping district. If we go now, it’ll almost be evening by the time we arrive…”

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”

Rena smiled.

“I can take you with me, you know~ Even just by running, I’m much faster than your usual ‘four-wheeled vehicle.'”

“No, Lady Ranxin should come with me instead.”

No sooner had Rena finished speaking than Lin’s voice rang out. Lin offered her own opinion, casting a glance at Rena.

“As for that large-chested woman, she relies solely on brute strength. When it comes to speed, I am still swifter. What’s more…”

With that, Lin approached Xia Ranxin and swiftly scooped her up.

“What’s more, protecting Lady Ranxin is my duty, so escorting her naturally falls to me.”

She then lowered her head, speaking in a gentle tone to Xia Ranxin, who was momentarily taken aback in her arms.

“Lady Ranxin, you merely need to hold on tight to me. I shall safely transport you to your destination like a griffon.”

“Uh… I don’t know what a griffon is, but thank you anyway, Lin…”

After recovering her composure, Xia Ranxin said earnestly.

Following Lin’s instruction, she wrapped her arms around Lin and tightly closed her eyes, like some small, huddled animal.

Seeing this, Rena shrugged helplessly.

“I was merely making a suggestion; I had no intention of competing with you.”

With that, she turned to Bai Zhi.

“Then I’ll take Bai Zhi…”

“Huh? No need, I can get there on my own.”

Bai Zhi spread her hands, exuding confidence.

“But didn’t you cause quite a stir just yesterday? It would probably be safer if I took you…”

“Don’t worry! I’ve mastered the technique, and there will be no more mistakes this time.” Bai Zhi waved her hand. “The trick lies in reducing the output of magical energy, so Rena, you can just observe from the side.”

Bai Zhi smiled confidently, turning back to Rena.

“Besides, I finally came up with a good name for this skill after so much effort. Wouldn’t it be a huge waste if I didn’t use it here at least once!”

She then took a deep breath and softly uttered a word.

“‘Magic Weave’!”

As if a signal had been emitted, Bai Zhi’s body was suddenly enveloped by a faint reddish membrane of light. This luminous membrane flickered once, then fully receded into Bai Zhi’s body.

Witnessing this, Rena and Lin exchanged glances, the astonishment in their eyes unmistakable.

“I had initially thought Miss Bai Zhi was a spellcaster class, such as a ‘Magician’ or ‘Sorcerer,’ but what just happened was clearly…”

Lin lowered her voice and leaned closer to Rena.

“Don’t ask me about this; I don’t know either…”

Rena replied in a hushed tone.

“I thought yesterday’s commotion was due to Bai Zhi attempting ‘Flight Magic.’ After all, every year, thousands, if not tens of thousands, of ‘Magic Apprentices’ attempt flight for the first time only to lose control of their mana and smash themselves into walls. But this now…”

She glanced at Bai Zhi’s back again, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“At the very least, that ‘Magic Weave’ just now cannot be achieved through magic, at least not within my understanding. What exactly is this power within Bai Zhi?”