Chapter 240: Agreement

When Cuique returned to the Colorful Cloud Wetland, perhaps because she came back earlier than expected, or perhaps because Lin Xiaolu's group was occupied with something else, the viewing cottage belonging to the Fang Ting City squad remained empty.

But in truth, she had no time to care about such matters, for something far more troubling demanded her immediate attention.

—Mohe also lived here.

Not only did Mohe live here, but her cottage was only a few hundred meters away from the one where Cuique and the others stayed.

Only when Cuique cross-checked details with Mohe did she realize that the magical girl she had felt familiar with near the hot spring the previous night was Mohe herself.

Yet even then, Mohe had worn a mask, which was why Cuique hadn't recognized her.

"So why wear a mask?"

By this point in the conversation, even though Cuique had done her best to suppress unnecessary curiosity, she couldn't help asking.

"To conceal my identity," Mohe replied.

"Why conceal it?" Cuique still found it strange.

"For a mission," Mohe added.

"The Nation's mission?"

"The Nation's mission."

"Oh, I see."

"Mm."

Though Cuique still felt something was off, from Mohe's tone and demeanor, she judged that Mohe wasn't lying. And based on her experience reading people, Mohe wasn't skilled at deception.

"By the way, how did you recognize me?" After a moment's thought, she decided to resolve another question first.

"Recognize you?" Mohe sounded puzzled: "Isn't the captain just the captain?"

Stunned by the reply, Cuique paused, then rephrased: "I, too, disguised myself for a mission."

"Disguised?" Mohe looked at Cuique with confusion, her gaze lingering for seconds on Cuique's face and body, then asked even more perplexedly: "Where?"

"Haircut, clothes, and… maybe makeup?"

Cuique listed them with uncertain tone: "I thought… I was still somewhat different from how I was twenty years ago?"

"Ah, now that you mention it, you're right."

Only then did Mohe slowly nod: "Captain doesn't have long hair anymore."

"... That's it?" Cuique didn't know what expression to show, only blinked helplessly.

"Mm. Because the captain is the captain. Even if you say you've changed, I don't think you have."

During this exchange, Mohe had already walked to her cottage, raised her hand, activated a spell, and in a flash of light, disarmed the door lock.

"Come in for a while?" She turned her head, asking as if casually.

"No, thank you."

Cuique declined politely: "Your companions are probably here too. It would be odd for me to intrude unannounced."

Mohe stepped a few paces into the viewing cottage, as if checking inside.

Then she stepped back out, deactivated her personal visual barrier spell, and showed Cuique the interior:

"It's fine—they're not here."

"... Anyway, don't trouble yourself. Let's call it a day for now."

Cuique declined again: "It's getting late. Better to return and rest."

She didn't know who Mohe's companions were. Though she herself was disguised, given Mohe's complete disregard for her "Dragon's Thorn" alias, Cuique had begun to doubt herself—wondering whether Mohe's companions might also see through her disguise.

She understood well enough the fame of "Cornflower" in the Magic Nation—not out of arrogance, but because objectively, she had once been extremely well-known. So she must avoid contact with anyone who might recognize her, even though her injuries had improved.

"Understood."

Mohe clearly wouldn't speculate about Cuique's inner thoughts; she simply knew Cuique didn't want to, so she dropped the subject and asked: "Then, tomorrow..."

"Mm, see you tomorrow," Cuique agreed.

She accepted Mohe's invitation to dine together tomorrow.

Not merely out of social obligation, but also genuine sincerity. Now that she had returned to the Nation, the past she had deliberately set aside could no longer be avoided. She didn't want to ignore her old comrades who had once shared life and death with her—especially Mohe, who was already unique among them.

After spending this afternoon together, she could clearly judge that Mohe's state was poor—not at all mentally uplifted, but deeply concerning. Perhaps she ought to learn more about Mohe's condition, and consider whether she could do something.

But their connection had been severed too long; Cuique didn't wish to pry into Mohe's life before Mohe opened up. So before delving into Mohe's past, accepting her kindness, agreeing to dine together, and gently revisiting old bonds was necessary.

"We'll see each other again tomorrow."

After Cuique's affirmation, Mohe nodded, lowered her gaze slightly, stepped back two paces into the doorway, and softly murmured something like "It worked." Then, as if remembering something, she lifted her head:

"Do you want me to drive you?"

"... I have errands to run tomorrow morning," Cuique said, immediately averting her gaze.

"Where? I can pick you up at noon."

"It's far, and vehicles probably aren't allowed there. No need—I'll just meet you somewhere."

Intuition told Cuique that if she stayed longer, Mohe would go to great lengths to "show off" her "convertible," so she cut the conversation short:

"Alright, that's it. I won't trouble you further."

With that, she turned to leave.

"... Rosamducat, Lunaservet."

Almost simultaneously, as Cuique hurried to escape, Mohe suddenly spoke those words from behind—utterly unrelated to their prior conversation.

It was a phrase with no connection to their talk, but Cuique knew its meaning.

"Rose Guides, Moon Guards the Return"—a wartime oath used by soldiers twenty years ago as greeting and farewell. "Rose" referred to the Rose Palace; in the Magic Nation's traditional script, the moon was often linked to death, eternal slumber, and similar elements. The oath was a soldier's promise to each other: to defend the Nation's glory with their lives.

She turned back and saw that Mohe had, without her noticing, raised her hand, palm outward, giving a perfectly standard National Army salute.

Cuique suddenly felt she had glimpsed something—something that might explain why Mohe was the way she was now.

"Rose Guides, Moon Guards the Return."

But she did not turn to explore these matters at this time.

Instead, like Mohe, she bid farewell with an oath, then raised her hand, attempting to form the military salute—now alien, yet strangely familiar.

But she could not accomplish it.

Her hand rose halfway, yet could not reach her temple. Cuique's motion seemed stuck by something, Tang Tu halting midair.

So she lowered her hand.

"See you tomorrow."

She said this to Mohe, then turned toward her small hut.