Takuto introduces the plague doctors to everyone and informs Maria and Caria that these medics are not only capable of treating injuries and diseases, but also of fighting to protect them during their journey. Ira (Atou) then steps forward and formally assigns the medics to guard Maria and Caria, while also instructing them to observe and learn as much about local culture as possible during their stay in Dragan.
The medics are thrilled by the mission, eagerly promising to blend in with the humans and study their ways. Amused by their enthusiasm, Takuto rewards them early by giving them proper names: Achiro, Jirro, and Suburro. Overjoyed with their new identities, the three thank him excessively, though their boundless excitement makes both Takuto and Ira question whether sending them as guards is truly wise. Caria seems unimpressed by them, but Maria enjoys their antics, finding them entertaining.
Meanwhile, in Dragan, the mayor, an elf named Antic, is having a meltdown after being buried under paperwork for an entire week. She had taken this position believing it would free her from the strict traditions of elven society and perhaps even allow her to find a husband. Instead, she now suffers from back pain, endless desk work, and a growing drinking problem. To make matters worse, she has recently been informed that she must cooperate with the “forces of darkness” to protect the city—though she has no idea what that even means.
Just then, Antic’s assistant knocks on her office door, startling her. Irritated, she snaps at the assistant to go away but quickly realizes she’s being too harsh. Correcting her tone, she politely asks what the matter is. Her assistant explains that some visitors have arrived to meet her. Assuming they lack an appointment, Antic orders her assistant to dismiss them. However, upon hearing that the visitors are emissaries from Manara, her attitude changes instantly. She hurries to prepare tea before going to greet them.
When Antic enters the meeting room, she introduces herself as the mayor of Dragan and warmly welcomes Maria and Caria. However, she’s caught off guard by the three shadowy figures standing behind them. The sight unsettles her, and she wonders what Tanukapoli was thinking when she agreed to an alliance with people like this. Nevertheless, it is her responsibility to deal with them properly, so she thanks the emissaries for making the long journey.
Maria and Caria politely introduce themselves as emissaries of Manara, earning Antic’s praise for their courtesy. Internally, however, Antic notes that they are dark elves. Suspicion gnaws at her as she assumes the three figures behind them are assassins, but she hides her concerns and maintains a friendly demeanor. She apologizes for not having prepared a proper welcome ceremony, explaining she didn’t know of their arrival. The twins assure her they don’t mind.
Then, Antic remembers that Tanukapoli once mentioned twin dark elves who were being trained by the king to become leaders of Manara. Realizing these are the very twins before her, she panics slightly—if she were to offend them, it could jeopardize relations between Dragan and Manara.
Nervously, she asks about the purpose of their visit. Since there isn’t an official reason, Caria hesitates, unsure what to say. At that moment, Jirro steps forward and explains that they are there in response to Pepe’s invitation to come and “play.” He clarifies that this trip should be regarded as two students visiting to learn about local culture, not an official diplomatic mission.
Relieved, Antic realizes this means she won’t need to begin formal negotiations about the alliance just yet. If the twins are here only as tourists, her burden is much lighter—though she still knows she must tread carefully to avoid offending them. Smiling, she tells Maria and Caria that they are welcome to stay as long as they like, even offering them a personal tour of the city.
Maria and Caria ask if it is truly all right for the mayor to guide them herself, and Antic cheerfully assures them that she knows every corner of the city, making her the perfect guide. In truth, she wants to make a strong impression on the twins to strengthen Dragan’s relationship with Manara, and this also provides her with a perfect excuse to escape her dreaded paperwork. There’s no way she would pass up such an opportunity.
The group spends the day touring the city, with Antic proudly showing Maria and Caria around. The atmosphere is light and enjoyable, and the twins seem to be having fun.
Meanwhile, back in Manara, Takuto is buried under a mountain of paperwork of his own, but he makes sure to monitor how things are going with Maria and Caria. He is relieved and glad to see that they are enjoying themselves.
That evening, Antic bids farewell to her guests, and once Maria and Caria return to their room, they begin reviewing the day’s events. Caria asks her sister what she thinks of the city so far. Maria replies that the townspeople seemed anxious, carrying a sense of unease: complaints of food shortages, rumors of an impending enemy attack, and hope that the Gnome would soon arrive to help.
The plague doctors are surprised by how much information Maria managed to gather, since they hadn’t seen her speaking with anyone directly. But Maria explains that she is simply skilled at reading people’s emotions, and her judgments are rarely wrong. The medics are impressed—they hadn’t realized she possessed such insight.
At that moment, Jirro hands Maria a small bag she had asked for earlier. She pulls out a plant and explains that it is Poppel Grass—a powerful narcotic that is banned in nearly every nation. Jirro sheepishly admits he had purchased it from a shady vendor in a back alley, not realizing what it was at the time. Alarmed, he scolds Maria, warning her that drugs are dangerous and she should dispose of it immediately.
What concerns them most, however, is how easily the substance was obtained despite its prohibition. The group quickly concludes that someone within the city must be cultivating and distributing Poppel Grass, which is highly dangerous. Caria is troubled, remarking how terrible it is for people to be doing such things when Antic is working so hard to maintain the city. Suburro adds that with criminal activity present, they will need to be even more vigilant in protecting the twins, as there is no telling what else could happen.
The next day, the medics escort Maria and Caria to see the dragon vein, where they marvel at the breathtaking crystals glittering throughout the mine. But then, a man named Vesta approaches them and casually mentions that Poppel Grass grows exceptionally well in this area.
Remaining polite but firm, Caria greets Vesta and asks him to get straight to the point. Vesta introduces himself and reveals that he has heard they are emissaries of Manara. He adds that he believes this land will soon be jointly governed by Dragan and Manara, and therefore he wishes to propose a business arrangement. His offer is simple: a partnership with the twins in cultivating Poppel Grass.
Intrigued, Caria decides to see how far he will take this. She calmly asks what benefits Manara would receive should they choose to cooperate with him.
Vesta explains that Poppel Grass sells for a high price in the market, so naturally Manara would receive a share of the profits. However, he also hints at other “offerings” he could provide. Caria presses him to specify what kind of offerings he means, but Vesta insists that such matters are too illegal to discuss in public. Instead, he hands Caria a map pointing to a secluded location where they could continue their conversation privately.
Though hesitant at first, Caria eventually accepts the map. Vesta grins, saying he always enjoys working with those of “evil alignment” because they tend to understand him. He complains that the current mayor of the city enforces foolish policies like banning drug sales or prohibiting human trafficking. But once the King of Manara takes control, he believes leadership will be far more sympathetic to his “business practices.”
A few days later, Maria and Caria meet with Antic again. Since they will be leaving town soon, Antic warmly thanks them for their visit, saying it has been wonderful getting to know the twins. The sisters thank her in return for being such a gracious host, and ask if there’s anything they can do for her. Antic replies that she would be grateful if they spoke well of her the next time they met with King Takuto, and the twins agree without hesitation.
Suddenly, the door bursts open and Vesta barges in with two thugs at his side. Outraged, Antic shouts that he has no right to enter without permission. But Vesta casually reminds her that he never cared about rules to begin with. He announces that he has come to hear the twins’ answer to the business proposal, since they never attended the private meeting he had arranged.
Maria calmly asks if he is referring to his offer of selling Poppel Grass together. Hearing this, Antic begins to panic—she had no idea Vesta had approached the twins, and fears that if Manara were to ally with him, her city would be destroyed. But Maria, sensing her worry, reassures her: neither she nor Caria would ever consider working with a “scumbag” like Vesta. Their refusal to attend his meeting should have been more than enough for him to realize they were not interested.
Caria then turns to Antic and respectfully asks if she may handle Vesta herself. Though she would normally avoid interfering in another city’s affairs, she fears letting him go unchecked could cause greater harm—and they would hate to spark an international incident by acting without permission. Antic, however, is quick to grant her approval, explaining that Vesta has been a constant nuisance to the people of the city.
At Maria and Caria’s signal, the plague doctors step forward to confront Vesta. Yet, instead of looking worried, Vesta appears strangely confident. He reveals a small vial in his possession—a concentrated extract of the Poppel Flower. He boasts that a single dose is enough to enslave anyone, reducing them to a mindless addict.
Maria and Caria immediately recognize his intent: he plans to use the drug against them. Calmly but firmly, they ask him if he has truly thought this through. Though they may appear to be just two young girls, laying a hand on them would make him the enemy of the entire Kingdom of Manara. Surely, King Takuto would not take kindly to such an insult.
But in his arrogance, Vesta believes he can blackmail the king by enslaving the twins as his personal property. What he fails to consider, however, is the presence of the three loyal guardians standing directly in front of him.
Vesta hands the vial of Siren Extract to his goons and orders them to seize the twins. But before they can even take a step forward, a sword suddenly goes flying across the room and lodges itself into the wall just inches from Vesta’s head. He turns, horrified, only to witness the gruesome fate his men have suffered.
Meanwhile, back in Manara, Takuto enjoys a quiet cup of tea with Au, feeling quite pleased with himself. He reflects on how wise it was to create those medics, as they have proven invaluable in protecting the twins. Curious, Emil asks why Takuto chose to send medics instead of simply dispatching a squad of trained warriors with Maria and Caria.
Au explains that the three plague doctors have an… unusual fascination with humans and demihumans. They love studying human biology, and while their knowledge makes them excellent healers, their obsession has a much darker side—because sometimes, they also eat brains. That duality makes them absolutely terrifying when they decide to unleash their true nature.
Back in Dragontin, the medics have just finished dismembering Vesta’s goons with surgical precision. Now, in an almost childlike display of glee, they dance around the office holding up the flayed skins, delighted to add them to their growing collection.
The sight causes Antic to collapse to her knees in sheer horror. But before she can fully break down, Maria approaches and gently comforts her, offering a calm presence amidst the nightmare.
As for Vesta, his end is far from comforting. Trembling, he falls to the floor and begs for mercy. But Caria steps forward coldly, her voice steady with righteous fury. She tells him he has already gone too far. She had been willing to overlook his drug trafficking, since it wasn’t her concern. But by daring to threaten her and her sister—and worse, by insulting her glorious king, Takuto—he sealed his fate.
With a commanding tone, Caria orders the medics to kill him. They obey without hesitation. Minutes later, the three plague doctors are parading around the office, proudly cosplaying in Vesta’s skin as though it were just another trophy.
Antic is left speechless, her mind struggling to process the surreal horror she has just witnessed. Caria turns to her politely and apologizes for making such a mess in her office. She even asks if she should cover the cleaning bill. Shaking nervously, Antic insists it’s not necessary.
When Caria smiles warmly in gratitude, Antic realizes that expression is somehow even more terrifying than the sight of the medics wearing their grisly new suits. In that moment, she can’t help but regret ever becoming the mayor of this city. But whether she likes it or not, this is her life now—and she’ll just have to get used to it.
