Case 109: When longing turns into an obsession.

''We can't just speed through from here on.''

''...I'd expected that. This is well past three, after all.''

Sipping a cup of water, Cecilia gazed out the window. As usual, monsters were attracted to the car's rather noisy engine sounds, and it wasn't as though its huge body was considered stealthy either.

This time, along the slightly swampy forest, countless fire-breathing lizards, ones as large as saltwater crocodiles, silently closed in toward the moving vehicle. Given the already treacherous terrain and the enemies' sharp hunter aspects, one couldn't expect to make it out without a fight.

The area beyond three was typically where inexperienced hunters struggled.

Yet, neither Yuria nor Cecilia panicked.

''I'm more of a brawler.'' The princess reported. ''If it's possible, I don't want to deal with those things personally.''

''I don't want their loot either. Can we skip straight ahead?'' Cecilia replied.

''Excellent. I'll speed up, so can you chase them off for me?''

''Sure.''

So, Cecilia began to look for various artifacts in her luggage. The crisp clinks of rings, bracelets, and even necklaces being put on made even Yuria, who was concentrating on the road, feel a sense of curiosity.

''...You fight with those?'' She raised a brow, sounding somewhat in disbelief.

''A little bit. To conserve my energy, you know.''

As Cecilia lowered the window on her side, letting the humid wind blow in, some ominous thoughts began to swirl in the feline princess's head. Clearly, no serious adventurer, or any fighter for that matter, relied wholly on artifacts in real battles. As for the story of trying to conserve energy... she didn't buy it.

No matter how one looked at this woman, she seemed like a runaway noble trying to get themselves killed—the type of naive, fearless nobles at that. Thinking about what could have happened out here if she hadn't offered her help to this woman... it gave Yuria chills.

''Let's see...''

However, those thoughts immediately dissipated the moment Cecilia activated the runes on her artifacts. Almost too expertly and casually, the woman wielded some five or six different attributes at the same time, weaving them smoothly with magic-boosting artifacts to create a colorful light show.

Not just any light show, but a deadly one.

In just a few moments, dozens of monsters were sent to the afterlife. Then, she aimed behind the vehicle, chopping off those who were coming up to them.

''W-Wait, Cecily, aren't you using too much? We'll have to fight beyond four and five, you know? Or do you want to resupply at four?!''

Yuria's righteous concerns were met with a chuckle, ''It's fine, it's fine. These are top-quality artifacts. They'll recharge in no time.''

''Huh? O-Oh—''

''Excuse me.''

More than the swamp's steaming air, it was Cecilia's exquisite feminine figure that made Yuria's blood rush to her face. The woman, like a mischievous child, crawled under the princess's arms that were holding the steering wheel, lay her stomach flat on her lap, and clung to the receding window.

She peeked out slightly, then sniped at the monsters on this side as well.

The magic fired all had certain levels of recoil, and Yuria felt them vividly through her partner's body. Especially... the underside of her ample chest that was in contact with her thigh. Moreover, when she inadvertently glanced down, the woman's round butt was in full display. Soft, fragrant scent filled her nose along with the soft cushions.

''Ugh...''

The road was filled with distractions!

Nonetheless, after a long but not particularly tense time, they finally made it out of the swamp.

''Phew... that was fun!'' Cecilia smiled in satisfaction, sensing her long-abandoned mana veins contracting.

''...''

In total contrast, Yuria was visibly tense, her brows tightly knitted as if trying to hold something in. Receiving a puzzled gaze from the woman, who was, again, the cause of her distraught, she nearly couldn't hold back a curse.

'My dignity...'

''Yuri, what's wrong?''

''You... next time, do it in the backseat!''

''...''

Lyra de Orleans felt increasingly irritated.

After school, she went straight to Lily for a second talk, yet that also amounted to nothing. The calm mother of Cecilia only told the heroine to wait.

''She won't die off suddenly.''

'Won't die... huh. What hopeful thoughts.'

Almost gullible. No, perhaps it was confidence. Lily knew much more about Cecilia than her, after all.

Still... Lyra's heart was anxious.

Her stepsister was the first person to care for her so deeply. Ever since that person arrived, her life had changed for the better. Receiving such tentative love for almost six years, to say that she depended on Cecilia was an understatement.

That person with a kind smile was Lyra's all. The one and only—an irreplaceable existence.

And only now that she was gone did the heroine feel such despair. From despair born intense longing, and from long born some sort of... obsession.

''Hah...''

The girl, now a grown-up beauty, sat silently on the chair where her sister used to be. Tracing the objects her sister used to touch, feeling up the residual presence...

The truth was, Lyra herself also knew it.

That she loved her sister the wrong way. That it was forbidden between them. If Cecilia didn't make lovers, if she didn't show such blissful expressions standing beside those people... Lyra might have pushed on.

Yet, staying beside her sister for the last few years as she matured had weakened her resolve.

For her sister's happiness, she was prepared to take a step back. Just like Cecilia was willing to sacrifice everything for her, she was willing to do the same.

'So... why do you still make me feel this way?'

An obsession.

Even if she wanted that love buried deep in her heart, Lyra couldn't suppress her desires. The desire to make Cecilia's whole being her own, to shower that charming woman with her wrongful love...

'Such a twisted love.'

Lyra chuckled bitterly.

'I'm sorry, big sis... it doesn't seem like I can hold back anymore.'

This longing, this swirling void—it was all Cecilia's fault. And if none of those lovers could bring Cecilia her salvation, Lyra would do it herself.

From this moment onward, the heroine would swear—that her everything would be dedicated to her love.

From this moment onward, she would stop being an obedient little sister.

This time, no limits, no boundaries. She would stop caring about the world's opinions.

''...''

The moment such resolutions were made, Lyra felt strangely liberated. Although somewhat clumsy, 'freer' ideas began to flash in her mind. If they were no longer sisters, she could righteously do so many things to Cecilia.

Some sort of excitement swelled up as the heroine imagined countless scenarios, some more compromising than others.

But first... it was essential that the misbehaving woman would never leave her side without permission again.

'Some chains and cuffs would do... not just ordinary ones, though. That woman is reckless.'

If necessary, even more... drastic measures could be considered. At any rate, it was practically impossible for Cecilia to escape anymore.

What could Lyra ever do? Cecilia raised this monster herself. Wouldn't it be just for her to take responsibility?

''Hahah...''

'Aah... I'm such a terrible person.'