Perfectly Balanced [ON-GOING]

Chapter Sixty Five: Understood

65. Understood

07-21-2024

A/N: I had to listen to the Infinity Castle Theme from Demon Slayer just to push me through this chapter because DAMN that song is SO GOOD.

Q: Do you guys like OC fanfics? I've been thinking of writing one in the future when this one is done.

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"Hey, did you see them this morning?"

"Yes! Something strange is happening on the island!"

You were walking amongst the women, who were preparing to be a part of the harem, when you heard them speaking amongst themselves like school girls. You immediately recognized the behavior when you saw them huddling together in their groups and cliques. Even after thousands of years, the ability to gossip had never faded away. It was quite amusing, in your opinion, but you were grateful to have a source of intel on the inside.

"What do you mean by 'strange?'" You heard the girls continue.

"The minister and his left and right hands keep going to the village at the end of the island to investigate some weird boat!"

"Oh, I've heard of that! They've already petrified everyone on board, but I heard that some of them escaped! They say they've infiltrated the palace!"

You widen your eyes when those words enter your ears. With a "worried" look on your face, you approached them with your hands behind your back. "Are you sure they've infiltrated the palace? Who said that?"

The girls jumped when hearing your voice, but let out a sigh of relief escaped their lips when they saw it was just you. "Oh, it's just you, blessed (Y/N). I only heard Oarashi-sama speaking about it."

"Really?" You tilted your head to the side as you placed a hand under your chin, urging them to continue. "What did he say exactly?"

"He said that he and the minister were going to retrieve something from the ship and gather the harem...but we're not sure what it is," one explained to you as she perked her head upward to recall previous events.

Another added to her statement, "They also mentioned going back again but taking someone else with them."

You blinked when the girls had finished, but gently gave them a small smile. "I see. Thank you girls for the explanation. Here's a gift for your troubles."

You flicked your hand to show them the beautiful jasmine flowers that you had plucked somewhere nearby.

"Wha--are you sure? Certainly, the master would love to have these flowers more than us!" The girls were flattered.

"I assure you--you are more delightful than the master himself, just like these flowers," you told them with a poised look.

In appreciation and admiration, as well as flustered expressions, they took the plants from you and continued on their way. As they had left out of sight, the smile on your face had faded into a serious frown, and you went off to find the rest of the spy group.

At the same time, different thoughts played out in your head. What gave Ibara the idea that there was an intruder in the harem? Did they hear you and Kohaku taking the treasure? But they didn't see you! You made sure that the two of you safely escaped without any witnesses. But it didn't matter now. You and your friends had to be careful--you especially. You had a feeling that Ibara didn't request your presence before just because he wanted to. He had ulterior motives.

"Oh, (Y/N)! Over here!" You heard someone calling out to you. Turning toward the voice, you spotted Amaryllis and the others heading your way.

You walk up to them, and they all notice the firm expression you had. The island woman questioned, "What happened?"