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Since the "Slash and Burn" operation still has some time before it begins, and the preliminary clearance actions haven't started yet, Ignis remained in a state of rest and recovery.
It has to be said, a body blessed by The Emperor and Khorne recovers remarkably fast. Of course, that also had something to do with the rapidly diminishing supplies in the fridge. With plenty of food to replenish nutrients and ample rest, Ignis felt his Belisarian Furnace slowly stirring back to life.
Emile Volt's funeral was held yesterday, with only a few attendees. The Cunning Hares, Vesmir, Lin Xia—who had changed her name to Rene—and a few other familiar friends. Since the boy left no body behind, a ceremonial coffin was used instead.
No one really cared about the absence of his parents. In the eyes of the locals, Fritz and Martha had long since moved away, and after dragging reporters around for compensation, almost nobody felt any goodwill toward them.
Ignis, of course, knew where they had gone. Mr. Vito from Lucenti handled things efficiently, dealing with just two guys from the slums without a single leak of information.
"Not considering finding someone else to fill it in?" Nicole looked at the empty spot in the portrait. "It's missing just you."
The Salamander reached out to touch the wall painted over with colors; he could still feel the strokes Emile had left behind. The boy's future had been bright, but a fool's thought had completely buried it.
"No need…" Ignis sighed. "Some things are just like that. Not finishing it just means my connection with him ends here. It's over, it's time to move on."
Nicole shook her head at his expression. There's no way he's letting go—he obviously cares.
"You could find an artist to help fill it in. I know plenty who do street graffiti; some are especially good at mimicking other people's style," Nicole said, then quickly realized it sounded a bit off and added, "Well… then again. He's no longer the one you care about anyway…"
Life is full of regrets. Ignis clenched his fist and pressed it against the wall.
The topic suddenly grew heavy, and Nicole felt she needed to say something, or give this big guy another task to focus on. He'd barely come out of this little slump; he couldn't fall back in.
"Hey, big guy!" Billy jumped out at the worst possible timing, his entire robotic frame radiating excitement.
"We're heading to the children's park by Lumina Square today, and I have a show there!" The white-haired robot slicked back his hair into a pompadour. "So, interested in coming along?"
The slightly tense atmosphere instantly vanished with the appearance of this cheerful robot. Ignis wasn't one to kill the fun; seeing Billy this excited, he had no choice but to perk up.
"Seriously, Billy, haven't you washed that suit you bought last time?" Nekomata complained, running out with a paper bag. "I told you to take it to the laundromat—it stinks!"
"Nekomata, what's with your outfit?" Ignis blinked, a little taken aback by the tiny Thiren.
The little Thiren wore a shiny leather bodysuit with thick plush gloves and shoes. Her face was painted with long whiskers and black-and-white patterns over her nose… Is that supposed to be a lion? Ignis guessed silently.
Considering Nekomata's small stature, the lion outfit ended up looking quite miniature.
"Nekomata, you?" Nicole also froze a bit.
Nekomata's face flushed red, and she turned to kick Billy.
"It's all this robot's fault! He said he promised the kids a show at Lumina Square's sandbox." Nekomata kicked again. "He's playing the Starlight Knight, but couldn't find someone for the villain, so he picked me."
"Nekomata, your headpiece." Anby Demara stepped over, holding a lion's mane headpiece.
"I'll wear that on stage!" Nekomata's face burned as she took it. "It's way too hot to wear now."
"So, Anby, you're in too?" Ignis looked at Anby in a schoolgirl uniform, trying not to flinch.
"Mm. I'm playing the kidnapped girl. Billy's the Starlight Knight rescuer, and Nekomata is the evil officer," she said with a faint smile.
Nicole spun around her adopted daughter. "Anby… maybe try a wig? Long straight black hair fits better."
"Like a mascot," Anby replied expressionlessly.
Watching Nicole laugh, Nekomata's face turned red. "I'm too small to be intimidating! Playing an evil officer doesn't suit me at all!"
Her gaze shifted to Ignis. "Big guy! You have to come too! This is a Cunning Hares group act! You play the villain!"
"Why me?" The Salamander looked baffled.
"Exactly!" Billy slapped his hands. "Ignis, with your height and look, you're a born villain!"
"Look at this height! Look at this face!" The White Chariot of the Cunning Hares stomped excitedly. "No one fits better than you!"
"Billy, you know that's asking to get hit, right?" Ignis had no idea what to say. He couldn't even get mad.
The robot was genuinely happy, and his words weren't far from the truth. The Salamander's massive black face, red eyes, a height like a building and width like a wall—he did resemble a tokusatsu villain, a very capable one at that.
"Hit me if you want," Billy pounded his chest, clanging metal. "But you must play this villain."
Billy's gaze fell on Nekomata, half Ignis's height. "She's way too non-threatening; the performance wouldn't be effective."
"Sorry about my size!" Nekomata spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick to Billy's calf, but the robot didn't react. Nekomata clutched her foot and jumped in pain.
Ignis scooped up Nekomata, letting her sit on his shoulder.
"So, we're entering the stage like this?"
Billy tilted his head at Nekomata, completely excited. "Oooohhh! That's the vibe! Ignis, you're a genius!"
No, come to think of it, when Illya rode on Berserker back then, he had the big villain vibe too…
While the three of them caused a ruckus, Nicole grabbed a long black wig from her room and put it on Anby.
"Not bad, Anby actually looks the part now," Nicole said, satisfied, adding glasses as well.
In a sailor uniform, with round-framed glasses and sleek long black hair, Anby really did resemble a high school girl. Especially with her subtle three-no traits, she looked like one of those anime literature club members.
Literature club, three-nos (official name, address and origin), mysterious background… It's Nagato…
Ignis shook his head, dismissing the strange mental comparison. But Anby was serious about stabbing and killing; maybe a mix of Nagato and Asakura?
And indeed, Anby's age did look like a genuine high schooler. Nicole had never revealed her true background, only that she was the first member Nicole "rescued" for the Cunning Hares.
In fact, all of the Cunning Hares members had been "rescued," including Ignis himself from a Hollow.
Nicole, the legendary scavenger queen.
Nicole, the legendary scavenger queen, was now holding her adopted daughter, fussing over how cute Anby was, wishing she were really a high schooler, even muttering about finding her a school.
Anby, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy being hugged, clearly comfortable with Nicole.
"So, it's just the four of us?" Ignis looked at Billy.
The robot looked puzzled. "Yeah, what's wrong? You don't even need the suit; just stand there and the kids will be scared."
Hiss… The Salamander drew in a breath. He knew his appearance wasn't friendly, but the robot was so blunt… time to mess with him a little.
Ignis glanced at Nicole holding Anby taking selfies. "Nicole, wouldn't you make a better evil officer than Nekomata?"
"Think of all the cons and tricks she pulls in daily life. No prep needed; she does it naturally…"
The Salamander's whispered words triggered some memory in Billy. Nicole usually… wasn't exactly a good person.
"If she plays this evil officer, she'd be way better than Nekomata."
"True!" Billy immediately thought about how to drag Nicole in.
"Wait! What? What about me? My role?!" Nekomata protested.
"You'll be a fighter like me. Take the chance to hit him a few times during the show," Ignis quickly reassured her.
Billy dashed over to get between Nicole and Anby in the photo, causing Nicole's posed picture to now include the robot. The Cunning Hares leader was about to scold him, but he opened his mouth insisting he be the evil female villain.
He even said she didn't need to act; just tone it down like dealing with clients.
"Billy, you're asking for a beating!" Nicole shoved the phone into Anby's arms and jumped up to deliver a hand chop at the robot.
Watching Billy and Nicole chase each other, Nekomata on Ignis's shoulder, Anby taking photos, Ignis felt his frustrations melt away. Billy had definitely orchestrated this to get him out of his slump. They had assigned roles and were waiting for him to fall into their trap.
These guys…
Anyway, it's a children's tokusatsu show. With his look, he might as well be a special-type actor. As long as the kids are happy, that's enough.
Nekomata rubbed Ignis's head from his shoulder. "Looks like you're feeling better."
"Honestly, seeing you all having fun, it's hard to stay sad. Thanks."
"Don't thank me…" Nekomata turned her face away.
Once Nicole and Billy calmed down, the group boarded a rented truck, bringing Billy's props, and headed to Lumina Square. To Ignis's surprise, quite a few kids were already waiting.
Billy Kid, in the Starlight Knight suit, got cheers as soon as he appeared. But why was Belle hosting this hero show? Phaethon… that's your cue too?
Seeing Wise nearby, he guessed he'd been dragged along by her sister's enthusiasm. Fortunately, an extra pair of hands made stage setup faster.
The hero show repeated several times until the sun began to set, ending after the last child left. The female Cunning Hares members were exhausted, but the robot and the Space Marine were in the best condition, cleaning up the site.
"Ah, I'm dead tired!" Nicole sat cross-legged on the ground, ignoring her image.
"Totally, nya… two hundred backflips this afternoon," Nekomata held her waist. "I feel like I'm dying."
"Nekomata, you were excited!" Belle guzzled from a bottle. "Commentating all afternoon, my throat feels burnt."
"I'm fine," Anby nodded, signaling no problem.
"Of course! Just scream 'help' symbolically when you're caught!" Nekomata waved tiny fists. "Doing moves, lines, and fighting that metal guy, I'm dead tired."
"But the kids love you," Anby replied, shutting her down.
"Ugh…" Nekomata turned her head and grabbed her drink.
"That's mine," Anby said, "yours is on the left."
Ignis looked at the collapsed group and thought about the children's cheers just now, feeling genuinely happy. The kids always looked extremely nervous when he appeared, almost like he'd devour the Starlight Knight Billy was playing. But that just shows the Salamander's performance is realistic enough!
The thoughtful giant patted the "Starlight Knight" walking ahead.
"Thanks."
"We're comrades fighting together. No need to thank me." The robot swung his hand casually, looking effortlessly cool.
"But if you do want to thank me, how about making me a small Starlight Knight statue?" the robot added.
"Sure, as long as you pay for it," Ignis replied half-joking.
"Forget it, I'm broke. The stage props cost a lot," Billy shrugged.
"So, you spent all your money here? Don't you maintain your parts at all?"
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