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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Unsupervised Disaster Lesbian

Freedom (Sort Of)

Just as Maya opened her mouth to blurt out something about glowing screens and harem systems—because clearly her verbal filter had died along with her original body—Captain Silvermoon stood abruptly.

"Enough." She strode to the window, gazing out at what Maya could now see was a bustling medieval courtyard. "Your story is either elaborate fiction or you're genuinely mad. Either way, you're not an immediate threat."

Maya blinked. "I'm... not?"

"You're too incompetent to be a spy and too harmless to be an assassin." The Captain's assessment was brutally matter-of-fact. "However, if even half of what you've said is true, this 'Tokyo' and its flying machines could be valuable intelligence."

Elena straightened. "Orders, Captain?"

"Keep her close. Learn everything you can about her homeland's military capabilities, technology, and weaknesses." Captain Silvermoon turned back to Maya, her piercing gaze making Maya's knees feel unreliable. "Consider yourself Elena's responsibility. Don't make me regret this decision."

[New Quest Unlocked: Convince Elena You're Not Completely Hopeless! Difficulty: Extreme!]

"I won't!" Maya said quickly. "I'll be the best... whatever I am now. Really well-behaved and informative and—"

"Don't push it." But there was the faintest hint of amusement in the Captain's voice. She moved toward the stairs, then paused. "Elena, bring her to the evening briefing. I want the other knights to hear these stories about flying machines and instant communication."

As the Captain's footsteps faded upstairs, Maya turned to Elena with what she hoped was a charming smile and probably looked like indigestion.

"So! Looks like we're going to be spending more time together."

Elena's expression was unreadable. "Lucky me."

Back to Elena's Place

The walk back to Elena's house—apparently the interrogation had taken place in some kind of guard barracks—gave Maya her first real look at the Kingdom of Lesbianos. And honestly? It was like someone had taken every fantasy fever dream and made it reality.

Female knights in gleaming armor strode confidently through cobblestone streets, their beauty only enhanced by their obvious competence. Female blacksmiths with stunning faces and impressive physiques hammered at forges while male apprentices—handsome in their own right but clearly in supporting roles—worked the bellows and organized tools. A group of female paladins in pristine white armor rode past on horseback, their flowing hair and perfect features making Maya's heart skip beats.

Male servants hurried past carrying messages and supplies, well-dressed and attractive but keeping respectfully to the sides of the streets as the warrior women conducted their business.

"This place is incredible," Maya breathed, watching a statuesque woman who looked like she could grace magazine covers effortlessly direct a group of male laborers in moving stone blocks. "It's like... everyone here is gorgeous."

"Everyone?" Elena glanced at her curiously.

"Well, yeah. The women are obviously stunning—I mean, look around—but even the guys are handsome. It's like this whole kingdom won some kind of genetic lottery." Maya's brain caught up with her mouth. "Though the women are definitely in charge, which is..." She gestured helplessly. "Amazing."

Elena's cheeks turned slightly pink. "You think the women here are beautiful?"

[Flirting opportunity detected! Elena is fishing for compliments!]

"Are you kidding?" Maya stopped walking entirely, turning to stare at Elena with the intensity of someone who'd just discovered fire. "You're all gorgeous. Like, ridiculously, impossibly gorgeous. I keep expecting to wake up and find out this is all some kind of elaborate dream."

A male courier jogged past, his handsome features flushed from exertion as he delivered messages between the female commanders. Maya barely noticed him—her attention was completely fixed on Elena.

Elena's blush deepened. "And you... prefer women?"

"Stories about women who love other women are very popular in my world," Maya said, then realized how that sounded. "I mean, I personally love them. The stories. And women. Women loving women is like... the most beautiful thing in any world."

Elena had stopped walking entirely now, staring at Maya with wide eyes.

"I mean," Maya continued, gaining confidence from Elena's attention, "look at you. You're strong enough to tie me up without breaking a sweat—which was honestly impressive—but gentle enough to make sure I didn't get hurt. You're protective and kind and beautiful and any woman would be lucky to—"

Maya's brain finally caught up to her mouth and she realized she'd been rambling romantic poetry at a woman she'd known for less than twenty-four hours.

"I should stop talking now," she muttered, her face burning.

Elena's House, Round Two

Elena's house looked different in daylight—less intimidating armory, more cozy home that happened to belong to someone who could kill you with a dinner fork. Maya noticed male servants had clearly been by during their absence—fresh bread sat on the table, the floors had been swept, and clean water filled the basin.

Elena moved around the space with practiced ease, hanging up her armor and weapons with casual efficiency.

"The servants do good work," Maya commented, trying to make conversation.

"Marcus and his team are excellent. They keep the knights' quarter running smoothly." Elena stripped down to a simple linen shirt and pants, and Maya tried very hard not to stare. "They're well-compensated for their service."

Maya tried very hard not to stare as Elena changed, but her eyes apparently had their own agenda.

"You're staring again," Elena said without turning around.

"Sorry! I just... you're really beautiful and I have no self-control."

Elena turned, and Maya was surprised to see her smiling—actually smiling, not the polite professional expression from before.

"Can I ask you something?" Maya said.

"You've been asking me things all morning."

"Fair point. But this is different." Maya took a breath. "Are you interested in women? Romantically, I mean. Because I keep getting mixed signals and I'm terrible at reading people."

Elena was quiet for a long moment, her back turned as she organized weapons that were already perfectly organized.

"The Kingdom of Lesbianos," she said finally, "wasn't named ironically. Though we welcome all kinds of beauty here." She gestured toward the window where a handsome male gardener could be seen tending the courtyard flowers. "But yes, most of the warrior class... prefers women."

Maya's heart did something complicated in her chest. "So that's a yes?"

"That's a yes." Elena turned around, her cheeks pink but smiling. "And since we're being direct—yes, I think you're attractive. Even if you are completely insane."

[AFFECTION LEVEL INCREASE! Elena Blackwater: -3 → +15 (Thinks You're Cute But Crazy)!]

Maya's brain short-circuited. "You think I'm attractive?"

"I think you're a disaster," Elena corrected, moving closer. "But a charming disaster. You complimented my rope work, flirted with my interrogation techniques, and just spent five minutes explaining why women loving women is beautiful while looking at me like I hung the moon."

"You kind of did hang the moon," Maya said honestly. "Yesterday I was a lonely shut-in, and now I'm in a world where gorgeous warrior women rule and the most beautiful one thinks I'm attractive. If this is the afterlife, I definitely lucked out."

Elena laughed—actually laughed, warm and genuine—and Maya felt something in her chest flutter.

"Come on," Elena said, extending her hand. "Let me show you around properly. If you're going to be my responsibility, I should probably make sure you don't accidentally start a diplomatic incident."

Maya took her hand, marveling at the strength in Elena's fingers.

[Quest Progress: Elena thinks you're adorable! Keep this up and you might actually survive your first week!]

For once, Maya thought the system might be right.

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