Chapter 2: The Hunt for White
Inside the castle.
Loti Shana stood gloomily on the balcony, gazing at her nation.
“Even the Star Eclipses’ pollution is gone…”
To Loti Shana, that multi-layered pollution from hundreds of Star Eclipses was no big deal. It was like air, sort of.
Moreover, being called a “Biological Prohibition Zone” sounded much more authoritative.
Star Eclipses’ pollution could turn the Star Eclipse Nation into a biological no-go zone, where only Star Eclipses could survive.
That was then.
But now with all the pollution gone, even humans can roam freely here.
Now it’s really turned into a back garden.
Loti Shana felt quite conflicted inside.
She seriously just wanted to grab a bucket and make a run for it, heading to another Star Eclipse Nation.
There, she’d maybe not have to suffer from some human’s harassment. She could be the full-on authoritative ruler, dominating the Star Eclipses and living life to the fullest, finally satisfying her obsession.
Though, that isn’t really great or anything, but still, somewhat acceptable.
She used to wish to turn the whole world into a Star Eclipse Nation, including turning humans into Star Eclipses to be her nationals.
A ruler unifying the world would be truly magnificent.
However, after losing that ability to Night Star, Loti Shana had to give up.
Probably she could settle to stay as the ruler of a Star Eclipse Nation.
But there’s another obsession she had.
As long as that obsession wasn’t met, she’ll never hide and just chill.
If she can’t find the Origin of the Stars, she fears she’d be stuck here forever.
Half of it is with Night Star, so there’s no way they’ll meet without her dignity taking a hit.
So frustrating.
Seems like to keep her dignity intact, she can only hope for the other part of the Origin of the Stars to help out, the Star-part of it, [White].
If she could get White, Loti Shana might flip the script and win everything back.
Then she’d stomp all over Night Star, making sure she knows exactly how humiliating defeat feels!
And not just that, she wants to make Night Star her servant, not just underfoot, but riding the throne with her!
She’d take everything White holds dear.
Then, seeing Night Star’s teary, frustrated face, Loti Shana finds it incredibly cathartic!
But alas, all that can only be wished for now.
“Wait for me, White, I will definitely find you!”
Where the star-part of the Origin of the Stars lies remains a mystery.
Otherwise, Loti Shana would’ve found clues ages ago.
Suddenly, a voice breaks through.
“Oh? Who’s White? Aren’t they the other part of the Origin of the Stars? You want to find them, right? But you’re so weak now, where could you go looking? You’d probably get caught real quick and stuffed into a teddy bear! There are many wild scientists out looking for rare Star Eclipses, better to stay put.”
Night Star suddenly appears behind Loti Shana, with a playful grin.
Loti Shana tightens up, her purple-red hair standing on end in no time.
“Why do you always show up out of nowhere?”
“Because, this is my backyard, right? Where I go shouldn’t require your permission. And you’re mine anyway, so no matter what, it doesn’t matter.”
“Grr… This is my Star Eclipse Nation…”
Loti Shana feels like she can’t argue back.
Why does she feel she should naturally own this?
Night Star tenderly pats Loti Shana’s head.
“But look at the condition of the Star Eclipse Nation now! Flowers blooming everywhere, the pollution gone, sky bright… Seems like a nice backyard. Even this castle and you both belong to me, everything is mine, right?”
Night Star keeps pushing, gradually dampening Loti Shana’s spirit.
“Grr… We’ll see about that. I won’t submit, someday I’ll step on you.”
“Such determination?”
Night Star can’t help but rub Loti Shana’s face, like kneading dough—soft yet elastic, almost human-like.
“Grr…”
Loti Shana is upset but dares not speak.
As a First Generation Star Eclipse and a ruler of a grand nation, feeling shy is unusual for her.
“You’re too dangerous with your obsession, wanting to turn the world into a Star Eclipse Nation. At first, thinking about eliminating you seemed right, but seeing you’re a loli… maybe leaving you alone is okay.”
Night Star has the power to act however she wants.
Because she can handle any crisis arising from her actions.
“I’m actually less bothered by your obsession compared to the Ballad Conductor’s extremism. Isn’t it possible to simply rule here? Greatness shouldn’t be up to you; it’s other people who decide.”
“To rule a grand nation, as long as your citizens believe you’ve built something great, then you are the ruler. Instead of conquering, perhaps you should focus on making the locals recognize you. That’s the best for you, don’t you think?”
Loti Shana narrows her eyes, contemplating something.
“Your authority mustn’t be challenged; you must respect and serve me, and I won’t tolerate resistance.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
Night Star firmly denies.
She starts to wonder if Loti Shana’s thought process is off-track.
“Grr, of course.”
“How can you claim such audacity when I could literally crush you and erase your title?”
“Hmph, you’re always a troublemaker. Forcing yourself upon me is premature.”
Loti Shana is a lady of high rank. She won’t bow low like a loyal dog despite being able to be crushed by Night Star.
Night Star loves and hates this about her.
So, she gets this idea to mold her properly.
“What a daring troublemaker you are…”
Night Star starts testing Loti Shana’s limits little by little, not only rubbing her face but also slipping her fingers into Loti Shana’s mouth.
It’s silky and smooth, with a bit of a tingly sensation.
Night Star has wanted to try this for a while.
But around Lolis that seem so innocent and cute, she couldn’t bring herself to.
Even someone like Zero Meow, who understands this well, wouldn’t go for it.
Those sensations are overwhelming, even with normal interactions reaching her threshold.
Tentative artists don’t count, as real experience trumps theoretical.
Letting bigger ones slide is fine.
Like Kong Yu Bai and company.
Night Star can’t imagine facing their consequences.
For Loti Shana, though, she needn’t worry about boundaries.
Being a First Generation Star Eclipse, she’s endured countless years.
A cute loli figure is cute but not pitiable.
For those aiming to create trouble, strict discipline applies.
Inserting her fingers into Loti Shana’s mouth and teasing her soft tongue seems like playtesting her reactions.
Seems she’s hesitating to bite.
Usually speaking of authority, but when it comes to her losing face, there’s nary a fightback.
Does it stem from wishing upon the Wish Princess?
Or perhaps no plans to rebel?
How does she balance being a troublemaker and yet somewhat cute?
That mix of defiance and adorableness appeals to Night Star.
Though having lived long, Loti Shana maintains an amusing soul. Admirable!
This uniqueness lies in obsessions driving actions toward fulfillment.
Only obsessions remain undamaged by time, souls too.
Perhaps Loti Shana’s vitality is eternal.
At this thought, Night Star grins, pulling her fingers out from Loti Shana’s mouth.
Glistening droplets cling, likely drool but vanish soon.
Star Eclipses’ saliva isn’t liquid; it dissipates similarly.
Would other bodily fluids share this trait?
Night Star shakes away those thoughts and turns her focus back to Loti Shana’s face.
Her cheeks flush, indicating struggle.
Though resisting emotions is tough, she’s not hopeless.
First-generation Star Eclipses aren’t ruled solely by emotions, yet they do feel.
Without feeling, they’re mere monstrosities.
Such high-class entities understand restraint.
Seeing Loti Shana’s tenacity, a plan dawns on Night Star.
Denying her powers does little to curb her schemes.
Better to tame her properly and govern the nations.
“Loti Shana, you mentioned wanting to find the star part, didn’t you?”
“Grr?”
A dark premonition hits her.
Then reality echoes her fears.
“If I’m first to get half of the origin and secure it like Kuro, what will you do?”
Night Star hadn’t been interested in the origin before.
But avoiding confrontations made her passive.
Like Kuro, it was thrust upon her.
Now, intrigue catches her gaze.
Since Loti Shana desires the star part of White, Night Star decides to get ahead of her.
Avoiding sudden enemies like the Ballad Conductor makes sense.
