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When the Federation approached her through neutral channels later that day, Emilia wasn't too surprised.
Of course, she accepted their request for them to meet face-to-face.
What caught her off guard, though, was the venue they proposed. After all… Phoenix was her ally now, and if the Federation's leaders dared to actually step foot there during an ongoing war… they were either too confident, or were trying to prove a point.
Either way, it showed that they were willing to put their lives on the line this time.
The crimson-haired girl didn't dare to completely let down her guard, though, and still instructed her forces to remain on full alert.
Of course, this meant that Noelle and Sam also had to stay in Carmen to oversee the management of resources and troops there, and aside from Dixie, Crystal, and a small crew to accompany her, the rest would have to stay to defend the empire.
Emilia had been hoping that Cynthia would be ready for their 'evolution' before the meeting, but unfortunately, luck didn't seem to be on her side, and even trying to enter her 'isolation chamber' didn't work, thanks to a thick golden barrier around the place.
The crimson-haired girl frowned. "Well, it's not like I can't take care of them as I am… but it will definitely create a mess for Phoenix later."
Crystal coughed. "T-There's no need to be too hasty. Why don't you listen to what they have to say first?"
"Of course I will." Emilia sighed. "It's just… I have a feeling that Cynthia must have just erased whatever effect the old world will had on them, but that doesn't mean they have changed as a person."
After all, even if their feelings on certain matters changed, since their interests were already deeply involved, those people would still be quite motivated to continue the war.
The blonde girl didn't know how to refute that, so she could only shrug. "It's just… I have felt a lot more positive and pure feelings for you ever since 'it' happened, and almost nothing bad seems to be heading your way now."
Emilia smiled. "Of course, but we've only been in Blue Dawn until now, so that's natural."
Crystal couldn't bring herself to clarify that even the people of Blue Dawn hadn't been so 'pure' in their admiration for her in the past. After all, everyone had a different character, and different ways of loving and admiring those they liked.
Some were content simply gazing at her from afar and would be happy if she was happy, while others wouldn't be happy unless they could somehow be a part of her happiness.
Of course, there were also those with darker desires, the type she didn't dare to let too close to her princess, lest they take advantage of her.
Some of them might have gotten past her before she awakened her ability, but Crystal would never allow such a thing to happen again.
One Penny was enough. At least she knew how far she could and couldn't go. As for Koko… well, she was still too na?ve to truly enact her desires.
Of course, Crystal couldn't feel any disdain for them. After all, to feel that way was just proof that they were human.
Even Noelle, Sam, and Dixie weren't free of these dark desires, and Crystal sometimes even felt that she might be the only one good enough to be close to Emilia. But then she realized that it might be only because she couldn't use her ability on herself.
After 'it' happened though, many of the more 'extreme' of these dark desires simply seemed to have vanished from her senses, and for a while, Crystal couldn't help but be alarmed.
Was her ability turning dull? Did she need to ask Emilia for a 'booster'? But looking at her current mood…
Of course, she soon realized another possibility, and immediately felt enlightened. 'Since they called it the world will, and now it's been 'defeated'… isn't it possible that whatever subtle influence it had on people is also gone?!'
Although Crystal herself didn't feel any kind of change in her heart before and after 'it' happened, she realized that it be because her proximity to Emilia made her 'special', or maybe because her feelings were just too strong.
The blonde girl frowned. 'If it can have an effect even on people who are so strongly obsessed with Emilia… then surely, those who didn't like her to begin with must have felt much, much worse.'
In the end, Crystal felt that even if she couldn't 'disillusion' Emilia from the people of Blue Dawn, she had to let her know about something so important before she met her enemies.
With only thirty minutes left before their flight landed, she didn't have much time to think.
Sending an apologetic look to the confused Dixie, Crystal whispered 'something' in Emilia's ears to support her argument before leaning back and clearing her throat. "S-So surely, you cannot underestimate how much everyone's 'intentions' could have changed. And by everyone… I do mean literally everyone."
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Bella was more than happy to receive Emilia in person this time, and didn't seem to care much about the 'implications' anymore as she hugged her.
The crimson-haired beauty was still as stunning as she remembered, though lamentably, she couldn't see the phoenix tattoo on her back because of the obstruction of her dress. "Don't worry, no matter what it is that they have to say, I'll stand by your side."
Emilia didn't seem to mind the taller girl's extended and overly intimate embrace, and only smiled gently when she was finally released. "Thank you. Just taking care of my parents as you have was already good enough, helping as much as you have was more than I ever expected."
Of course, it was mostly flattery. She'd offered real benefits in return of their cooperation. And she would have definitely withdrawn them if the other side hadn't fulfilled the deal. But it didn't hurt to make her allies a little happier, did it?
As expected, the smile on Bella's face bloomed like a rose, full of mature charm. "Auntie and Uncle have taken care of me more, to be honest."
If Mr. and Mrs. White were embarrassed, they didn't let it show on their face, and only took turns hugging their precious daughter.
"You've been doing amazing, darling."
"Mom and Dad are proud of you."
Naturally, they couldn't shed tears in front of her now, when they believed she really needed to stay strong.
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