《Demon Prince is Resurrected》 Volume 1 Chapter 1 Awakening In the depths of a young man''s sleep, he was trapped in an unnerving dream. As he traversed through this dream, a chilling sensation of death gradually started to consume him. It left him trembling with his hands over his ears, shaking in fear and anxiety. His surroundings were nothing short of haunting. Mist shrouded the desolate landscape and cast an ominous feeling over everything. The air was thick with an eerie silence that only intensified the already unfathomable feeling of dread. He slapped himself to continue walking, with each step he took, the weight of his mortality pressed upon him. A bone-chilling wind whispering terrifying screams, reminding him of his finite existence. As if to show him the fragility of life, unraveling his darkest fears before his eyes. Such a sight would normally break someone''s mind, yet he was unscathed. He continued walking till he reached a home that looked identical to his own, as he got closer visions of his loved ones succumbing to death soon flooded his mind. Ethereal images of them, one by one, plummeting into an abyss of darkness that was death. Their anguished screams echoed, intertwining with the whispers of the night, only adding to the young man''s torment. His heart pounded widely, struggling against the nightmare grip, pure horror he was experiencing. His bright red hair which his mother praised him for turned as dark as the night. Desperation consumed him as he desperately tried to wake himself up from this nightmare, but no matter what efforts he used, he found himself being dragged deeper into the abyss. The dream only twisted and contorted, manifesting his darkest fears, but after being tormented for what felt like an eternity, the look in his eyes changed. The look of innocence now gone, his eyes only staring deeply into the abyss, he slapped himself to get up, his legs no longer shaking as he continued to walk. The land started to change, from a dark and misty forest to a dark realm where nightmarish creatures roamed freely. The bodies of countless soldiers lay in pools of blood, he was disgusted with how violently they were killed. Their bodies were torn and ripped apart, pieces of their faces missing, and the vocal cords ripped out. Yet, he stood tall amidst the chaos, determination etched across his face. One of the Demonic creatures noticed and lunged at him, their menacing claws leaving a deep gash on his body. "Argh," he fell on one knee, his blood starting to drip on the floor, he held his chest trying to stop the bleeding. The beast tried ramming into his body with its horns, but he threw himself to the side and near a soldier''s corpse. He grabbed the sword from their corpse and pressed forward stabbing the beast in the forehead as it tried ramming him once more. The beast howled before dying, letting the other Demonic beast know of his existence in this realm, his heart pounded, filling his veins with all-consuming adrenaline. The first beast towered over him, its blackened scales reminiscent of the dark sky. Its fierce breath released scorching fire as it lunged at him with ferocity. Undaunted, the young man sidestepped the beast''s attack with grace before swiftly slicing through its thick hide. It unloaded an even louder roar that echoed throughout the land, but his body did not completely dodge as he suffered burn marks on his right arm and leg. "Kgh," He had no time to worry as another one lunged at him with its razor-sharp claws, and failed to swipe at him so it opened its mouth, revealing its venomous fangs. Its eyes gleamed with madness as it pounced repeatedly, seeking to tear him apart, injured as he may be. He managed to move as quickly as lightning, dodging and countering every attack, before his blade found its mark, severing its limbs. The beast howled in agony as its blood poured like a river, before the young man sliced its head off, ending its life. He squirmed as he began removing the claw that impaled his right shoulder and bandaging his body with his ripped clothing, before getting up to see another one coming at him. A colossal serpent bigger than anything he''d seen, its body adorned with glowing runes, its hypnotic gaze that threatened to lure him into submission "Come on Yuto, get it together" Yuto, still unyielding to its gaze, stared back into the eyes of the serpent. Revealing a defiance that burned brighter than any form of magic the serpent was using. Enraged at him seeing as its gaze had no effect on him but with one swing of his blade, he cleaved through the scales of the creature, extinguishing its life. The pain of his injuries urged him to surrender, to succumb to his wounds, but the fire that burned within him. A flame of unwavering courage in him that refused to give up. Thoughts of defeat were banished from his mind as he fought against the hordes of Demonic beasts coming at him. His blade, despite being rusted with blood and guts from each beast that he slayed, gleamed with each slice through the beast''s flesh of the grotesque adversaries. Their monstrous bodies writhing in agony, each strike was deliberate and calculated, fueled by his burning desire to overcome this nightmare that haunted him. Despite the odds being stacked against him, he did not yield to the endless torment of the beast he had slain. As he endured blow after blow, his steps grew heavier, his muscles aching with fatigue. His blood trickled from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him and yet, he still refused to yield to the abyss and its beast''s Each drop of his blood that fell was a testament to his unwavering resolve, a mark of his unyielding spirit. Through the relentless torment and battles he faced, the mountain of beasts he had slain, their blood being enough to fill the entire ocean. He marched forward, never letting go of his sword for even a moment before Yuto felt a presence glaring at him. He looked up, and high above the jagged peaks, he saw a beast with wings that blotted out any light. Its talons sharpened to a deadly point, and raked across the ground, causing tremors that unbalanced Yuto. "I guess you''re the final boss right now, am I correct?" Yuto raised his bloody sword. The beast swooped down, and Yuto leaped into the air, sword in hand he collided with it mid-flight. Both now fighting for dominance, it pierced Yuto''s right shoulder, while Yuto pierced its left eye. It shook violently as to get him off, Yuto in an attempt not to fall, grabbed the back of its neck while getting his blade ready. With a final devastating blow, Yuto brought the beast crashing down, its wings tattered and its neck broken. He lays next to its corpse, removing the talon from his shoulder. "You truly were like a final boss, haha regardless I''ll take this" Yuto cut off the remaining talons from it, crafting it into a brand-new sword. He also cut some of its flesh off and skin making it a bag to hold the meat that was cut for emergency rations. "This should be enough for now" He got up and continued walking but with every strike and with every step he took, he felt immense pain, but he continued to fight against the demons that plagued his dreams. He reached a dense swamp where he tried purifying the water before a grotesque beast tried to hypnotize him, locking eyes with Yuto. His heart raced as dark memories and fears threatened to overcome him, but a flicker of resilience ignited within him. Breaking free from the swap creature''s control, he lunged forward, burying his blade deep within its heart, shattering its illusion. "You fucker, making me remember things that should never be seen again" Yuto wiped away a tear and the little vomit from his mouth, and he began to walk once more. He traversed this realm for what felt like an eternity before coming across the cabin again, the surroundings around him being changed. "This isn''t right, why am I back here?" He asked, puzzled and confused, as his wounds stopped bleeding and began to close up. He hears footsteps approaching him, he turns around sword in hand, the figure becoming clear and sees them limping and covered in blood. They soon fall to the ground coughing up blood before wiping his mouth and grabbing an item from his side. He soon begins to unwrap the cloth around it revealing a very beautiful sword. Its design was very lovely with two red ribbons attached to it, its edge looking so sharp that the sword in his hand pales in comparison. They proceeded to get up, Yuto noticed them struggling, and he tried reaching for their arm only to be walked past. Did he walk past him? That''s when he could hear him talking to someone else. "Father, what could be strong enough to make you this badly hurt?" His eyes widen, and that''s his voice. He turns around slowly to see an older, taller, and much more built version of himself. Although his hair is a bit of a mess his clothes are covered in blood as well and it looks like he hasn''t slept in weeks.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. His eyes look dead but is surprised when tears start to form, his body shaking with grief. His father approaches his future self, hugging him, as his father also begins to weep. His father stops to clear his throat and pulls him in to speak to his ear directly. "Demons, goblins, ogres, and many more dangerous beings stand as a threat to all living things, especially us humans" "So get strong enough to protect those you care for, for that feeling will drive you to ruin" "Of course, I shall always do my best to avoid such a path" "Yuto" "Yes, Father?" "Don''t ever lose your emotions, that was the wish of your mother and sister" His future self looked at him with a smile and a tear falling. It''s quite frightening to see a version of him that is a strong man crying. He thought that he would change as he got older. He nodded his head "I understand, Father, just say hello to Mother and my sister for me" His Father with a smile then collapsed to the floor, his lifeless body no longer breathing. He was gone now, although he had seen his family die hundreds of times, seeing it in person felt¡­ unnatural. "Will our future end with such sorrow?" He couldn''t accept this but he didn''t have time to think as he saw his future self fall to his knees grabbing the sword. His tears fell as he then gently laid his father in a comfortable position for him to rest. His future self got up and looked Yuto straight in the eye with a cold expression. His look is dead serious. His eyes were as cold as dead, for when he first saw him, the air around him was a bit chilly, but now the winds were getting stronger. "I shall awaken your powers a bit earlier than expected even if you lose them continue living" Yuto blinked in surprise, "Lost what exactly?" His power or emotions? Yuto looked up, his voice, sounding confused and afraid. "Yo-you can see me?" Yuto can''t even finish his train of thought as his future self interrupts him. Ancient Magic: Recall of power "This is going to hurt a lot since it''s the highest form of magic, but no matter it''s only for a bit," A loud ping can be heard as a ray of light shoots from his fingers, hitting Yuto''s forehead. It doesn''t do anything at first until he feels a burning sensation. His head began ringing, and the pain was so unbearable that it felt as if his body was going to explode soon. Yuto collapsed on the floor with blood coming out of his nose and ears. He saw his future self starting to disappear before looking at him once more, saying. "Most if not all abilities are going to come back slowly, but I promise they will come back when you need them" Unlocking a collection of martial arts, the blood demon awakens, and blood arts awaken. The system is online again. -System Rebooting: Synchronizing 20%- -System Rebooting: Synchronizing 50%- -System Rebooting: Synchronizing 90%- [System Error: Level is not high enough, abilities will be sealed until requirements are met] He looked at Yuto and smiled, his eyes filled with a bit of tears. He throws the sword from his hand to Yuto''s "Take care of her for me, her name is Mizuki, and she''ll take care of you in return" Yuto is confused but only nods in agreement, gripping the sword tightly. He smiles before he starts to walk toward the abyss as his body completely disappears. The ringing in his head finally stops, and he can finally close his eyes. The pain is gone, and it doesn''t seem like he''s bleeding but if what he just saw was the future. "What can I do to stop it?" His voice sounded afraid and upset. He opens his eyes and feels the tears falling, he gets up in a sweat, all the corpses around him are completely gone, and the pitch-blood sky is replaced with his room. He looked around, nothing had changed except a couple of books had fallen and his bed seemed to be broken. He gets up from his broken bed and walks over to his desk to grab a towel and wipe his head. "Mizuki?" The name escapes his lips, remembering the beautiful sword he held in his dream Putting the towel down, he walks to the room and holds out his right hand. "Mizuki, I call upon you," he begins to feel a warm sensation. Is this it? Before letting out a huge fart and hearing a knock on his door "Yuto, come have breakfast sweetie," he heard his mother''s voice as he squats in embarrassment. "Yeah Mom, I''ll be there," he hides his face with his hands, mortified, before looking around his room and seeing it in shambles. "After I clean up though," he grabs a broom and begins cleaning. 10 minutes later, he hears a knock on his door. He throws the trash away and opens the door. "Yes?" he says, trying to hide his broken bed. Outside the door is his younger sister "Hey, what''s up with all the noise?" "Mom was so worried she sent me here to check up on you," she huffed in an annoyed manner. [-Cynthia Akimitsu-] Age 16 Height 5''2 Title: Youngest Mage Class: 6th Tier Mage Level: 45 Stats: LEVEL TOO LOW Skills: LEVEL TOO LOW Likes: Her big brother, her parents, and sweets "Huh?" Yuto says, clearly confused at what he just saw, rubbing his eyes, but the blue board still hasn''t moved. "Hey, Cynthia?" "Yeah?" He points at the blue screen, "Do you see this, or am I just imagining things?" She crosses her arms, and although her attitude seems annoyed she appears concerned that he was losing his marbles. She looks at the door, "See what, a ghost?" He pats her head, "No forget it, anyways what did Mom say?" "Mom got worried because you made so much noise in your room and because your plate is getting cold," she turns her head away. "S-so come down and eat with us already," she pulls his hand and leads him downstairs. "You don''t have to drag me, you know?" His tired expression says it all. "What''s up with the broken bed then?" She says with a smirk. He lets out a laugh, "Okay, point taken, you don''t ask, and I don''t ask, deal?" "Deal" They finally make it to the kitchen where his father is drinking his coffee, and his mom is nowhere to be seen. "Hey Cynthia, didn''t you say mom was worried? Where is she?" He feels a presence approaching him. He tried to dodge but felt his mother tackle him with a hug. "Right here sweetie" Her smile expressing such warmth, kindness, and love was practically spilling over. [- Cara Akimitsu -] Age 40 Height 5''6 Title: Ghost exorcist Class: Exorcist Level: LEVEL TO LOW Stats: LEVEL TO LOW Skills: LEVEL TO LOW Likes: Everything sweet, her family she adores them Once again, Yuto sees the mysterious blue box appear beside his mother. He shakes his head and helps his mother up, "What''s the special occasion mom, you only tackle us if you have good news?" "Come to the kitchen first" Both his mother and little sister pulled him to the kitchen. He sits down, and his father greets him before looking at him with surprise. "S-something wrong, Father?" The strange blue box didn''t appear for his father, this only amplified the questions he had but his train of thought was cut by his father speaking. "Yuto, did you look into the mirror today?" His father put down his coffee cup and put his hands together, his expression very serious. "No, I was too busy cleaning" Yuto responds with a puzzled look, Cynthia notices his confusion and sighs, so she creates a mirror for him to look at and hands it to him. Yuto looks at his father, who has the go-ahead expression. His mother just smiles at him as she walks to the living room. Cynthia just gulps down her food. He takes the mirror and looks in horror as his appearance completely changes overnight. His messy red hair became raven black and soft, and his jet-blue eyes became crimson-red [- Yuto Akimitsu -] Age 17 Height 5''8 Title: Youngest Demon Prince Class: Prince of Darkness Level: 30 Stats: Strength 150 / Speed 60 / Agility 60 / Defense 100 / Health 1000 / Mana 100 Skills: Click to see more He got up from his chair, clearly confused and worried, "W-what is this?" "Awakening, usually in our family, awakening happens at age 14, since it passed you I thought you would never awaken," his father says, patting his back with a big smile. "That''s why your mother was so happy because my boy, you finally tapped into the awakening process" Yuto does his best to smile back at his father and at Cynthia, who is crying while smiling. "Congrats, big bro" Yuto also begins to tear up as well, "Yes, thank you" Still, the one thing on Yuto''s mind is the title he saw, Youngest Demon Prince. He''s a human right? And the class, something about it worries him. However, he doesn''t have time to think as his mother walks back with a small black box. ¡°This was supposed to be given to you on your 14th birthday, of course, things didn''t go as planned¡± Cara gave a soft chuckle as she placed the box on the table. ¡°So forgive us for giving this gift of yours late¡± ¡°It''s okay Mom, I understand¡± Yuto looked at the box and back at his parents, they nodded as he reached for it, inside it was a small black ring. "A ring?" He took it out of the box and inspected it closely. He sees a bit of engraving but can''t make out what it says. "Put it on you moron," Cynthia says, grabbing his plate of food. He sighs as his food is being gulped down, before he can put on the ring his mother stops him. "Dear, do you mind explaining what the ring is first before Yuto puts it on," she stares at her husband. "Cough, Yuto the ring can turn into a suit of armor, an armor that adapts to any situation, it also reacts to the user''s emotions" Yuto nods before putting on the ring, at first nothing happens but he hears the same female voice that appears with the blue box. <- System detecting Artifact -> Artifact Name: Ring of Ernaline Stats: Defense 1000 / Attack 1000 / Mana 1000 Special abilities: Shield of Ernaline - Creates a giant Shield out of the air - Mana needed 10,000 Suit of Armor and clothing formed from one''s deepest desire. Black mist starts engulfing Yuto, his parents do seem a bit worried but have faith in him. Cynthia on the other hand is too busy eating everyone''s food to even notice - CLANK CLANK CLANK - Dark armor starts to form on Yuto''s body as if he is being knighted. Beautiful gold lines look as if holding the armor, surprisingly, it felt incredibly light. The final piece was the helmet that came with two horns on the side, and a long red scarf around his neck. "This is awesome," he can''t help but check out the armor feeling invincible in it. "We can talk later sweetie, I''m sure you have lots of questions but for now you should probably take a shower", his mother says very sweetly. <- System -> [ Cancel Rings Affects? ] [ Yes or No ] [ The host has clicked yes, and ring effects are canceled ] The armor starts to vanish, leaving Yuto to fall on his ass, the weight of the armor was something he was going to get used to "Wait do I smell?" Yuto asked, embarrassed. "No son, it''s because we''re going to visit your aunt and tell her the good news, that means you as well Cynthia, get ready-" His father looked at Cynthia with horror as she was covered in Maple syrup. It seems that being a mage also increases the hunger of a person because she''s practically eating the table. Yuto got up and headed towards his room with a big smile that reached from ear to ear. "This is so cool" He stomps his feet in excitement, for a single moment, he forgot the horrors of his dream. As he opens the door, he sees a beautiful woman on his broken bed. Her appearance is stunning, with short silver hair that reminds him of his father''s beautiful blade. With a strange hairpin that reminds him of a Phoenix that he''s only seen in books. Crimson eyes like his, but that captivate him, and a beautiful white kimono with black roses for its design. He instantly knew without using the strange blue box, that the person in front of him was Mizuki. "Close the door, we have to talk," her tone seemed cold, and yet her eyes expressed a bit of happiness. Yuto closes the door very carefully, he''s nervous but also excited to know more about this strange blue box, the dreams, and why she suddenly appeared before him. "Mizuki?" He pulls the chair, sets it closer to her, and sits with a shy smile. He holds out his hand, "It''s nice to meet you finally," in the past, he has heard about her but would focus solely on surviving. Mizuki grabs his hand and pulls him into a hug, "Did you forget about me?" Her tone sounded upset, as he felt a few tears fall and hit his shoulder. "Forget you?" Yuto asked with a puzzled look, isn''t this their first meeting? Suddenly a loud ping is heard again, countless memories start flooding his mind. He falls to the ground, his hands on his head, the pain is increasing with new memories. Eating, sleeping, fighting together, and lastly dying together in a run-down castle. Mizuki gets off the bed and holds him, "It''s a lot isn''t it?" The ping finally stops as Yuto looks up, using Mizuki''s legs as a lap pillow. "You''re finally up," she lovingly caresses his hair. "Mizuki?" He holds out his hand. "Yes, Yuto?" And she holds it. "Why are you here now?" She smiles, "I have always been here with you, your memories haven''t returned fully, I''ve only shown you what I want you to see" "What''s an ego sword, at least answer that question" She caresses his knuckles with her thumb, "As the name states, a sword with a mind of its own" "I am also bound to your soul, since the first day we met," a few tears escaped her. The ping hits again as a memory hits, he remembers the older him finding her in a cave chained up to a wall. He had taken her in, feeding her every day till her strength returned, reading stories for her to fall asleep. They forged a bond when her sanity returned, a bond that would last for a lifetime. "The memories that just returned," Yuto begins to tear up. "Are they true?" Mizuki nods her head yes, "I was abandoned by my former master for almost a century when you found me, you took me in, fed me, gave me shelter and even became my new master" "Is that why you''re here now?" He said with a serious look. "To form a contract with me once again, am I correct?" She nods her head, "Of course, although our souls are bound, a contract helps us grow faster" He gets up from her lap, "So then how does this work?" He doesn''t have time to react as she pulls him by the shirt. Into a simple quick kiss, Yuto is flustered and Mizuki smirks before an old piece of paper appears before them floating mid-air. "W-what now M-Mizuki" Yuto tried to recover his composure, still flustered as it was his first semi-kiss it was quick. "Bite your thumb till It bleeds and press it on the paper," Mizuki bites her thumb and presses it against the paper. Yuto also repeats her action, and with that, the contract is formed, and the paper burns. He could feel a strange warm sensation on his left shoulder. "Hey Mizuki, why does my shoulder feel like it''s burning?" "Check it out, dummy," she giggles, lifting his sleeve. A small black tattoo is formed on his shoulder, "A sword and shield?" he asked confused. Mizuki pulls him back into a lap pillow, "It represents our bond, I am your sword, and you have always protected me" Yuto cups her cheek, "So will you appear as a sword or a ring?" She giggles, "A ring for now, when it is time to leave and go on our journey, I will turn back into a sword, but remember we can talk using our minds" Yuto nods but still needs clarification about one thing. "The blue box?" He whispers, helping himself up. "The system, correct?" She looks at him surprised. "Yeah, I was calling it the blue box, for some reason, I can see the abilities, Stats, level, and even what they like" "I would love to answer you but only when you retrieve my remaining fragments can I tell you the truth" "Fragments, Mizuki, what does that mean, are you missing pieces?" He asked, concerned. She flicks his head, "Easy my love, time will tell, can''t spill too much now can I?" Her smirk says it all. "I understand, only when I begin my journey will I uncover the questions I have" Mizuki nods, "Good now, I''m going to turn off the barrier so you can take your shower and get ready" "Barrier?" Yuto gets up from the bed, taking off his shirt. "Why else do your parents not come in after you screamed," she laughs, such a beautiful smile is all he can think. "I get it, anyways just wait here until I''m done okay?" She just shakes her hand, "I''ll fix the bed in the meantime" As Yuto turns on the shower he can''t help but wonder about the true extent of their relationship. The meaning behind the dreams, her missing fragments, and his memories. "Sigh, time will tell, I guess" The feeling of uneasiness washes away, at least he''s making progress and now he knows that the blue box is called the system. 30 Minutes Later after drying himself, he heads back to his room "Mizuki, I''m done with my bath" Yuto uses the ring to make comfortable clothing, "Nifty little thing aren''t you" Yuto looks around and she is nowhere in sight before noticing a new ring on his finger, "Ah so this is where you were hiding" He could hear Mizuki''s laughter as she appeared before him, although it was in the form of seeing a spirit. However, he doesn''t have time to ask more questions as he hears his mother outside his door. "Yuto, sweetie are you ready, everyone is waiting for you" "Yeah gimme a minute I''ll be there in a bit" He raised his hand as if to say be quiet to Mizuki. "Okay, but you better hurry" He could hear his mom walk off, leaving Mizuki to come out again laughing. "You know we can communicate via thought right?" Yuto shook his head, "I kinda forgot, I mean a lot of information was just given to me" "Ready to meet my aunt, we''re going down to the village, which takes at least a week to get there" Mizuki nods in excitement, and with that Yuto heads outside, unknowingly walking to the same fate he''s trying to avoid. Volume 1 Chapter 2 Training or One-sided fight? Yuto met up with the rest of his family outside setting things up for this week''s trip. "Wow they look even more excited than you Master¡± Mizuki states nodding her head, she floats around seeing all the delicious food that they are packing, the warm blankets, and coffee beans. Yuto sighs and thinks, ["To be clear, I am the only one who can hear and see you correct?"] Mizuki floats back in front of him, "Of course, unless you wish for me to show and be heard by anyone else, I will but of course, I know currently that''s not what you want right?" Yuto nods his head, "Heh, of course, don''t even get me started on what my mom would say if she knew a beauty like you was in my room" He walks over to where his dad is loading up the boxes to place them in his storage ring carefully. <- System -> [ Detecting item: Storage Ring ] [ A handy tool that can store almost any item, as it allows the user to put objects into another space ] "The system truly is helpful," he whispers to himself.f He taps his dad on the back, "Umm, Dad do you and Mom need some help packing up?" His dad smiles and points at his storage ring, "It''s fine as this is a special day for you, so just wait in the carriage I have this storage ring so me, your mother, and sister will help set things up for me to put away" Yuto nods and heads to the carriage, making himself comfortable by laying out a blanket and sitting on it. Mizuki shows herself again, sitting beside him, her appearance still stunning him. "Oh so even your father knows the importance of awakening", she reaches over to his side and grabs his leather flask. "What do you mean?" He watches in amazement as she drinks his whole fla.sk "I''ll explain down the road, but you''ll see that natural awakening is better than artificial awakening," she wipes her mouth handing back the flask. Yuto turns his head to Mizuki, his heart beating as he stares into her eyes, this is a thought that''s been bothering him for a while now. "What exactly is our relationship?" "Are we master and servant" "Partners?" Mizuki smirks, "What do you want our relationship to be?" She lays her head down on her knees, her eyes never leaving his sight. "Come on Mizuki, I''m asking honestly, those memories you showed me, we seemed so close, but it feels as if you are putting up a barrier" Mizuki pats his head, such a simple action and yet it brings him comfort, "Although I cannot say much, we are partners, and maybe more in the future, is that good enough" Yuto smiles widely, he caresses the ring on his finger, "I still have some questions but knowing we are partners is more than enough" "Well, I''ll allow you one more question, as I know you must be curious about one thing I''ve said in the past right?" Yuto bites his lip but doesn''t hesitate to ask, "What did you mean when you said I had to collect the other fragments?" She stayed quiet for a second before grabbing his hand and placing it on her chest, where her heart is supposed to be "My soul was shattered, it shattered when my original master abounded me and because they broke the bond and contract I paid the price, your job is now to collect my shards so I can become whole again" Yuto is angry, remembering how she was locked up for so many years, afraid and alone, "If I am to retrieve those fragments for you, will our memories return, and will you explain the truth of my past?" She cups his cheek, "Once I become whole again all of your memories will be restored, including the ones I''m hiding from you, as soon as that happens I will explain everything you''ve been dying to know" "Hah, how long do you think that will take?" He wraps his hand around hers and squeezes it gently. She chuckles as she leans on his shoulder, "Depends on your determination really, but if we work hard enough we may achieve our goal before our final quest" He rested his head on her shoulder as well, "Okay, I won''t ask any more questions, for the time being, I can see that you want to answer them even though you can''t right now" She pulls Yuto close to her and wraps her arms around him, resting her chin on top of his head, "Trust me, I want to spill everything to you, but that would ruin things for the long run" He wrapped his arms around her, "Promise you won''t leave me" She hugged Yuto tighter at his words, resting her head in the crook of his neck and not his head anymore. "Never, I''m contractually obligated to stay by your side 24/7, and even if I weren''t I would still do it, trust me, I''m too attached to you to let you go now" They hear his family coming back, it seems like they stored everything away already, "We can talk via thought right?" he smiles wiping away the few tears that escaped. She nods, letting him go, "That''s right, as said, we are tied now, I can feel everything you feel, think everything you think, and vice versa" "What a useful ability," he grins patting her head and staring into her eyes "Heh, imagine what else it could be used for," she said with a smirk and wink. Yuto blushes, "J-just go back to the ring," she chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Okay, okay, no need to get so flustered, we have time, after all, we will be together for a long long time" She said before transforming back to the ring and going around his finger. "Jeez, what am I going to do with you," it''s been a while since he smiled since his heart felt warm Yuto could faintly hear her voice inside his mind. "Heh, I already have a bunch of ideas, and trust me they are all entertaining ~" Leaving Yuto to turn extremely beat red, his mother is the first one to enter the carriage. "Yuto, do you have a fever?" She presses her head against his head, and he pulls away covering his face. "It''s fine Mom, I''m just a bit flustered you know?" His father begins the carriage, and they begin to ride off to the forest, "This is going to be a long journey," his father said with a big smile, it''s been a long time since they visited their family members. Mizuki''s voice replied in Yuto''s head, "I hope you don''t mind me being stuck with you for months or years. Who knows?" Yuto replied, "Of course not, but I''m going to look at the skills the system says I have" Her voice chuckled at that, "Okay, look at them then, and tell me what you see" Yuto opened up the system again, it feels weird that he did it so naturally but that''s not important right now "Blood arts level 1, Shadow step level 1, Stealth level 1, Evolution level 1, Shadow knives level 1, Alert, Do you know what any of this means?" Her voice seems genuinely amused. "Hehe, of course, I do, it''s quite self-explanatory when you think about it, I''m more surprised to see ''Blood arts'' there, I thought you hated using that type of martial arts but I guess that was another memory you lost" "It seems so, blood arts just the name gives me shivers, you seem to know about it though, is it related to our lost memories, Mizuki?" Her voice seems a bit... colder than before, "You can say that yeah... ''Blood arts'' is what my original master called my martial arts, it has limitless possibilities, but with a hefty cost..." Yuto tries to comfort her in the mind space, "So then why do I have it?" She chuckled, her mood brightening again. "My best guess is because you''re my owner. Your soul probably became tied to mine as soon as I bound to you, so you could say you can feel a fraction of my power... but that''s just me rambling. It could very well be something else entirely" Yuto nods and goes down the list, "Shadow knives, Shadow step, and Stealth are pretty self-explanatory, but what is Evolution and Alert?" Her voice took a serious tone, "Evolution lets you access stronger and more refined skills. Your body and mind will become sharper and more powerful with time. Think of it as you leveling up in a game" "And alert... well, the name speaks for itself, it''s a passive skill, it lets you see your surroundings with extreme clarity, and it will also help you in predicting your foe''s next move"If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Yuto nods, "Thank you Mizuki, still though, getting stronger and refining skills seems like a cheat. Her voice chuckled again, "It is a cheat in a sense, but remember that everything has a cost and that even your own body has its limits, you can''t train and train without stopping, it could do more harm than good if you push yourself too much" Yuto lightens up, "Ah so it has a hidden condition to use, probably has to do something with the system" She chuckled again, "Ding ding ding, and you got it in one try! Yeah, for every skill you use, every time you level up or gain EXP, you pay a hidden cost, it varies from skill to skill depending on their importance and usefulness¡± "Interesting, so does the system give me a quest? I haven''t received anything like that since I got it," Yuto looks up and down the system, and yet cannot see anything that says quest or anything related to it. There was a small pause before her voice replied, she had to think if she knew the answer. "I don''t think ''Quests'' is the right word for it, instead, what you get are ''goals'', you won''t receive a quest, but you might stumble on something in your path, let''s say you find a strange object, and it catches your attention, so now your goal is to find out what this object is and what it does" "So it''s based on my actions and the path I take," he thinks about the dreams, the monsters he slayed, and the ways he killed them countless times. She smiled as she nodded her head, agreeing with him. "Exactly, you won''t get a random ''Quest'' that you must complete, you create your path, and the system just supports you in your journey" "My level is currently 30, usually in situations like this, you get a quest at level 1, so you''re right that it''s not random" Do his dreams affect reality or at least his system? Her voice chuckled at level 30, "Well, as I said before... you are quite the special case, your situation is a far cry from the norm, a level 30 ''Noob'' is not something you see every day" "Hahaha," He stopped laughing when he noticed that his mother and sister were looking at him concerned, hell even his father was about to stop the carriage because he was laughing at nothing. Yuto buries his face under his blanket, "I forgot they can''t hear you" She chuckled in response, "They must think you are just a little bonkers right about now, laughing alone like that" They continue their journey through the forest, finally stopping in a safe location, at night his father asks if he wants to do some training. Yuto simply nods and follows his father to the middle of their campsite, his mother and sister sit and watch from the side, Cynthia reaches for the bag and pulls out some popcorn, while his mother already has some potions ready. "Your sister is quite the glutton and your mother already seems worried about how this fight is going to be," Mizuki says with a smile pointing out how Cynthia is already on her 3rd bag of popcorn. Yuto simply nods, not being able to respond as his father has a very serious look, his hands hovering over his sword. "Yuto," his father''s voice seems a bit cold, not like this morning when his father was practically lifting him off the ground. "Y-yes Dad?" Mizuki could feel Yuto''s emotions spinning and turning "What are you trying to learn?", his eyes never leaving Yuto''s, as if trying to read how his body responds to each question. "I wish to learn your martial arts" His father raises his eyebrow, clearly curious, his mother and sister practically choke on the popcorn after hearing Yuto''s response. "May I ask why?", his father smirks, Yuto has asked for the longest time but because he never awakened, he could not understand how the martial art works. "To protect our family and the people I will meet," Mizuki pats Yutos head, she was happy to hear that response. "Are you willing to go to extreme lengths to protect them?" Yuto calls forth Mizuki, she takes the form that Yuto saw in the dream, a beautiful sword with 2 red ribbons attached to it, "I am" His father watches Yuto carefully, his eyes analyzing how his son holds the blade, "My boy it seems you''ve had some training, but will you walk the path of a Sword Master?" Yuto simply nods his head, "Mizuki are you ready?" He can feel Mizuki''s response as the sword faintly glows His father chuckles, amused with his confident response, "Very well, you seem passionate about this goal of yours. You need that determination to see this through to the end" "Honey, Cynthia, do not intervene until one of us surrenders okay?" his mother and sister nod in agreement, already on their 6th bag of popcorn. "Come at me, son," his father does not draw out his blade though, just simply keeping it in its scabbard. Yuto runs at him drawing his blade upwards, clearly intending to cut his father''s arm. His father quickly blocks Yuto''s sword, parrying it effortlessly, "Not bad. You''re fast, but too straightforward" He pushes him back lightly, "Try a feint attack next" Mizuki chuckles at his dad''s response, "He''s right, it''s always better to take things slowly and build proper fundamentals than over-rely on speed and brute force" Yuto nodded at Mizuki and thought, "I doubt he''ll give us that advantage though" Yuto comes back sword by his side, this time throwing some dirt toward his father''s eyes and trying to attack his blind spot. His father easily ducks as he sees the dirt being thrown at his eyes, "You''re smarter than I thought" Yuto tries to attack his blind spot, but his father quickly swings his sword in a wide arc, predicting the feint. "But not quite smart enough," he blocks the next swing and follows it up with a quick slash, attempting to disarm Yuto. Yuto tries to back up before feeling pain in his stomach. His attempt to fall back was useless as his father delivered a swift knee strike to his stomach, the force of it caused Yuto to stagger backward, pain coursing through his body. Mizuki is worried about him as she too feels the pain coursing through her body, "The state we''re in right now is like a lamb trying to attack a lion, Yuto the outcome was very clear from the beginning, it seems the reasons you couldn''t see your father''s level is simply because it''s too high" His father approaches Yuto, his hand stopping his mother and sister from intervening, Yuto does his best not to fall, gripping the sword more tightly. "You have spirit, my boy, I''ll give you that. But you''re still too predictable" Yuto coughs out the blood and wipes his mouth, "Not yet", shadow step -> quick step level 1 His father raises his eyebrow again, impressed by the sudden burst of speed his son has shown. "Very fast, it seems like you''re trying to show me that you''re serious about this goal" His father quickly moves to match Yuto''s speed, his eyes already reading his every move. Yuto is shocked, he even used this new skill and yet he quickly caught up to him using nothing but pure muscle, Yuto aims for his father''s core. His father smiles, his eyes narrowing as he sees his son aim for his core, "You''re trying to go for vitals now?" "DODGE YUTO!" Mizuki shouts but it''s too late His father dodges Yuto''s attack at the last second, moving with incredible reflexes, "But you''ll have to be faster than that to land a hit" Yuto felt a heavy blow to his back, such pain almost causing him to black out, his father followed up his dodge with a swift kick to his back, knocking Yuto to the ground harshly. "You''re too focused on offense. You forgot about your defense" His father looks at Yuto a bit disappointed but notices how he never lets go of his sword. Yuto tries to get up but feels another kick to his hand, forcing him to drop his sword. His father continues the relentless assault as Yuto tries reaching for his sword through the relentless assault. Mizuki appears by his side, as she feels his father''s attack, "This is no longer a fight Yuto, it''s slaughter at best, I wonder how long it will take until your old man decides to stop this humiliating beating" Yuto lets out a small laugh at her responses, he knows how she feels and is trying to make light of this one-sided beat-down "It seems as if you are starting to rely too much on your weapon, it''s nothing but a crutch for your weaknesses", his father looks at Yuto his eyes showing remorse Time appears to come to a stop as Mizuki and Yuto meet in the mind space, looking at how Yuto was quickly disarmed and put down on the ground "Mizuki, I''m going to fight him differently this time, as much as I hate to admit it, I do feel as if I''ve been relying on weapons too much" Mizuki simply smiles and pats his head, "Show him then, show him the man who has never backed down not even once" Yuto smiles as he returns to reality, Mizuki returns to his finger as a ring, he raises his fist, his blood still dripping from his nose His father chuckles as he puts his sword on the ground and raises his fist as well, "So you''re going with your fist now? How bold" He raises his fist forward already preparing for Yuto''s next attack Yuto comes at his father throwing a hook before switching up to an uppercut His father blocks the hook with his forearms, the impact slightly causing him to grunt "Not bad son, you''re switching up your techniques between attacks" He dodges Yuto''s uppercut and tries to sweep his legs Yuto quickly jumps up, throwing an ax kick His father backs up to avoid Yuto''s kick, but his eyes narrowly avoid it "Impressive, your agility and unpredictability improved in such a short time" He takes advantage of Yuto''s airborne movement, attempting to grab his ankle Yuto uses the speed he built up to throw a roundhouse kick His father blocks the kick, but the force causes him to stumble back a bit "You''re adapting quickly", his father pats his shoulders, still no sign of damage Yuto falls back to the ground, quickly getting up to start a Dempsey Roll His father looks in surprise, "Interesting, who did you learn boxing from, this is different from how others use it" His father tries to counter Yuto''s barrage of blows, blocking and parrying almost every attack, his eyes narrow, as if he''s studying his son''s techniques His father tries to maintain his footing as Yuto continues his relentless attacks, he prevents his father from counter-attacking "Relentless just like your old man heh", his father smiles and Yuto feels pain on his chin His father had leaped towards him and launched a flying kick that stroked Yuto''s chin, sending him flying a few feet back He merely wipes a bit of sweat off his forehead as he sees Yuto trying his best to stand up again <- System Warning -> [ The host health has fallen below half, some stats and abilities may not be the same due to low health ] Yuto''s whole world is starting to look blurry, he knows he won''t last long so he charges up one final attack, he has to ignore the system''s warning His father sees him rushing towards him and prepares to counter his attack "I assume that this is your final attack?" Yuto pretends to throw a punch while hiding his last technique, following Mizuki words he lands a Crescent kick His father prepared to block a punch but is caught off guard by the sudden new technique Yuto revealed "Haha sneaky", the kick landed right on his abdomen, catching him off balance and sending him stumbling backward Yuto falls forward, the amount of blood loss and damage that his body accumulated finally catches up to him, and he faints As he was falling his father quickly caught him, preventing Yuto from hitting the ground "Easy there, that was quite the foolish move, attacking with what little strength you had left" He notices a small smile on Yuto''s lips "Despite that foolishness, my boy, I am incredibly proud of you and the potential you have shown me" He picks up Yuto and begins walking back to where the rest of his family are Yuto feels Mizuki patting his head gently, "That was an amazing fight, I knew it, you are returning to me" His mother and sister run towards them, already ready to take care of his every wound [-System Rewards-] - Host has fought and survived against the kingdom''s Sword Master +5 levels / New martial art collection / + 3 to every stat, new stat available - Mentality - . . . . . . Hey . . Wake . . . .up . . . .hey A faint voice can be heard but does not reach Yuto, as he falls into an ocean of warmth as if washing away his pain before he feels the ground again "So you''ve returned here, I guess the questions you have kept hidden are reappearing here" Yuto immediately gets up at the sound of a new voice and spots a hooded figure drinking tea He looks around and notices that he''s back at the cabin, he feels a pit in his stomach as if he''s going to throw up "Woah now, can''t have you making a mess, why don''t you sit down and have a cup of tea?" The hooded figure gestures their hand toward the empty seat Yuto nods and walks to the chair, although they are back at the cabin, there is no sign of blood anywhere, no smell of corpses instead the smell of flowers, and the red sky is replaced with beautiful blue Yuto takes his seat and looks at the hooded figure still drinking their tea and eating a few treats "Who are you?" Yuto asked bluntly, his tone wasn''t accusive but curious The figure stops, "You can call me Ernaline" Yuto''s eyes widen, as he looks down to his ring, "Ernaline, you say?" Ernaline nods, "But I doubt that''s what you want to know, so I''ll give you one question" Yuto bit his lip, his hands were playing with the ring, he had a lot to ask but his number one was, "What exactly is this place?" Ernaline turns her head as if trying to read his body movement, she can tell that Yuto is serious about this question, she sighs as she pours herself another cup "We are where you wanna be, a place not disturbed by reality and not influenced by the mind or dreamworld, to put it into words, we are in another space of your creation" Yuto immediately gets up from his chair, his hands hitting the table, "M-my creation you say, how could I create all of this, and why would I?" Ernaline puts down her cup and sighs, "While I would love to answer you, it seems like we''ve run out of time" The world around them starts cracking, as the floor beneath them starts to shake, "When we see each other again, I will answer 3 questions, so think very hard of what those questions are My King" She takes off her hoodie, she has beautiful pink hair with elf ears, and she cups his cheek, "So take care until then, for this is merely our first meeting" Yuto feels the floor beneath him disappear and fall into the void, he reaches out his hand, "WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ERNALINE!" All he can see is that smile, a smile that holds nostalgia but also a pang of sadness So many questions enter his mind, why did she look at him like that, what''s her goal and why just why did she look at him like that? As he falls deeper and deeper into the void, he feels a hand reach out and grabs him . . . . . "YUTO!" Mizuki''s voice finally gets through to him, as she helps Yuto up, "Mizuki, where are we?" He looks around and sees the only ones in the carriage are him and her, and notices that he''s covered in bandages "No, how long was I out?", Mizuki helps him sit up and passes him his leather flask "3 days I''m afraid, your father did a number on you, so much that your mother and sister refused to talk to him" 3 days, he thinks, so he missed 3 days'' worth of training and admiring the beauty of nature "What are each of my family members doing right now?" Mizuki helps change his bandages, "If I recall, your mother is starting lunch, while your sister and father are out hunting" "I''m sorry Mizuki" She looks at him surprised, "For what, Yuto?" "I should have relied on you, asked you for help, instead I merely thought of you as a sword and instead of my partner" He puts his head down in shame, he can''t even make eye contact with hair, but he feels warm hands cupping his cheek "Yuto, Sweetie, it''s okay, it was our first fight together as partners, that''s why it''s called training for a reason, to practice for situations like this" "Still I sh-", she puts her fingers on his lips, "Ah ah I told you it''s okay, now come outside, I''m sure your mother would be very happy to see you awake" Yuto smiles as he pulls Mizuki into a hug, "Thank you" He puts on his coat as Mizuki transforms back into a ring "I do have one question though" Mizuki says with curiosity Yuto stops, "Oh, and what is it?" "Back when you fought your dad, why didn''t you use the suit of armor the other ring gives you?" The ring of Ernaline, Yuto himself doesn''t know the answer but can''t disappoint her, "Because I wanted to take my father down, just the two of us" Mizuki chuckles at his response, "Yeah instead we ended up getting our asses handed to us" Yuto laughs as well, "I''ll make sure to use it next time, I promise" <- System Rewards -> [ Would the host like to receive their rewards now? ] Yuto stops again, looking at how the system just appeared before him, as Mizuki said, it''s not quests but actions that give Yuto rewards He reaches out his hand and accepts the rewards [ The host has accepted rewards ] Volume 1 Chapter 3 I do not have time to waste Yuto looked at the system as he accepted the rewards, and although he was happy he received rewards from the system, this also proved what Mizuki stated, that whatever choice he makes does affect the system. "So getting my ass handed to me, gives me rewards?", he let out a chuckle. <- System Rewards -> [ The host has fought and survived against the kingdom''s Sword Master ] Title: One-sided Slaughter Victim +5 Levels New Martial Art Collection + 3 to every stat [ New stat available: Mentality - deals with spells such as mind control if leveled up to a mental barrier ] He couldn''t believe his eyes, the rewards were one thing but what he couldn''t get out of his head was the title the system used to describe his father. "The Kingdom''s Sword Master?" He took a step back, that title alone gave his father a lot of status and respect, but if this is true, why do they live in the woods? How did his father die, no one was strong enough to kill his father in the dream. Mizuki came out of the ring, feeling that Yuto''s heart was beating too fast, he was panicking and she could feel his thoughts racing. "Easy does it" She helped him sit down, "Here drink some water, and then you can explain what is happening" She poured him a cup and gave it to a trembling Yuto. Yuto gratefully accepted, "Mizuki, can you see the system?" He asked while taking little sips. "To a certain degree, I can see things like your martial arts collection, class, and skills, anything else and I have to hear it from you", she took the cup back. "When I received the rewards from the system, it called my father by his official title, just like how the rest of my family has a title he does too" Mizuki tilted her head in curiosity, "And may I ask what his title is?" Yuto took a deep breath while holding her hand, before slowly whispering "The Kingdom''s Sword Master" Mizuki''s eyes went wide, she clearly understood that his father was on a different level from what they originally thought, and how he could quickly catch up to Yuto who was using a skill on nothing but pure strength. "Holy shit, Yuto that means it was a one-sided beatdown that you could never win", she smirked and started patting his back. Yuto let out a chuckle, his head was popping out questions left and right, but as Mizuki said, he would know the answers as soon as he started his journey. "Well let me check how my stats were affected by the rewards", he pulled out the system and clicked on his stats. [-Yuto Akimitsu-] Title: Youngest Demon Prince One-sided Slaughter Victim Class: Prince of Darkness Level: 35 Stats: Strength 153 / Speed 63 / Agility 63 / Durability 103 / Health 1003 / Mana 103 / Mentality 1000 Skills: Click to see more Martial Art Collection: Click to see more "Aside from my level jumping to 35 and the new Mentality stat there is also a martial arts collection", he remembered when the system sealed this part, along with the martial arts that his future self gave him. He clicked it with Mizuki leaning against his shoulder. [ New Martial Art - Lunar Arts ] [ Due to the host''s level, only 3 are currently available ] Mizuki and Yuto both shared a confused look but scrolled down to see what the 3 available techniques are [ Lunar Arts ] Crescent Kick - A spinning kick, that mimics the form of the moon, allowing an elegant strike that deals with precision Full Moon Stance - A defensive posture that embodies the moon, enabling the user to absorb and deflect attacks with minimal effort. New Moon Strike -A swift and elusive attack designed to catch opponents off guard, mirroring the hidden nature of the moon Yuto smiles as he looks at each technique, "They all sound so interesting, I wonder when I''ll get to use them" Despite his injuries limiting his movement, he did not want his family fighting over something he asked his father to do, he opened the carriage door and saw his mom making soup for lunch. "Cough, H-hey Mom" His mom stopped spinning the soup and looked up to see Yuto walking towards her, she tried her best not to tackle him with a hug. "Are you okay?" she asked with a soft worried tone. Yuto winced, but tried not to worry his mother, "I seem to have healed up nicely, you know being passed out for 3 days" She gives him a gentle hug, as she gently touches the bandage on his head, "Are you hungry, lunch is going to be ready soon" Yuto lets out a chuckle, "I was gonna ask because I feel like eating a horse" She pats his head and helps him sit on the log, "Of course sweetie, sit down and wait for your sister and father to return" She started cutting the onions and other vegetables to add to the soup. Yuto looks down to the ground before speaking up, "A-are you mad at Dad for what happened during our fight?" With a little bit of hesitation in her voice, "I . . . am still a little angry at him . . . it was dumb of him to use that much strength against you" "How did Cynthia take it?", Yuto felt guilty, his mother''s usual loving demeanor seemed cold toward his father. She sighed as she stirred the soup, "Your sister was the most worried about you, I had to calm her down every night you were asleep" "How did she treat Dad?" She paused for a few seconds looking at the pot, "Well she''s pretty mad at him. .she thinks he was very unfair to you, she didn''t talk or even look at him for those 3 days" Yuto bit his lip, his selfishness caused a rift, the opposite of what he wanted. "How is dad, how did he react after our fight?" His mom stayed silent, "He felt very guilty, even I saw it in his eyes, although he was proud of how you stood your ground, he knew he took it too far when you didn''t wake up the next day" Yuto felt the tears welling up, "I''m sorry Mom" Surprised, She looked up, "S-sweetie, what are you apologizing for?" Yuto''s tears started falling, "Because I made you worry" She walked up to Yuto and kneeled before him, "Sweetie, it''s not your fault, it was you know your dad''s fault so please don''t apologize, yes I was worried but don''t apologize for that" She gave him a warm smile and caressed his cheek, she moved her hand to his chin and lifted it, wiping his tears, "It was not your fault, your sister and I worry because we love you" Yuto nodded his head slowly, Mizuki stayed silent, she felt all of his emotions swirling, his guilt felt like a giant monster at times, it looked like it finally left a crack in Yuto''s shell. A warm smile spreads over her face, "I want you to promise me one thing" "What is it Mom?", Yuto tilted his head, even Mizuki was curious about what this promise could be She gave him a gentle smile, but it soon turned firm but still soft and warm. "I want you to promise me that you will never, and I mean never, apologize for making your sister and me worry about you again, deal?" Yuto felt a lump in his throat. Knowing the future to some extent and the pain he had felt, he thought, "How can I not apologize when I feel your sadness?" This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. She listened to his words and noticed that Yuto was on the verge of crying again. "I''m serious, Yuto. The only thing you need to do instead of apologizing is make sure you''re careful so you don''t get hurt. Do you understand?" Yuto nods his head, "I promise" She gave his cheek another gentle caress, "Good sweetie, but may I ask you one last thing?" Yuto nodded, his mother hesitated for a second her warm smile disappeared, and looked into his eyes with a serious expression. "Are you sure you''re alright? I mean are you in any pain?" Yuto bit his lip, knowing his next words were going to be a lie, "Haha well my injuries have healed up pretty nicely, so I say I''m doing okay" Mizuki stayed silent, she was building up silent anger, and his body could collapse at any moment. She smiled as Yuto pointed to the woods, "Looks like they brought back the rabbits" His mom turned away and looked at them with a slight smile, "Welcome back you too, looks like you were lucky with hunting" They nod but Cynthia runs toward Yuto crying, his dad tries walking towards Yuto but his mom shoots him a quick glare that clearly says, "Don''t you dare talk to him right now" She looked back at Yuto, comforting his sister, "Go talk to her, I''ll finish lunch right now, Yuto nodded and led Cynthia to the front of the carriage. They sat up front, Cynthia was still clinging to his chest, she was crying and looked up, "B-brother" He pats her back gently, "H-hey, I''m not going anywhere" She hugged him tighter as she sniffed her tears, "P-promise?" Yuto felt the guilt creep in, he felt horrible that he had broken her usual calm and collected demeanor, "Y-yeah, I promise you" She gripped him tightly from the back of his shirt, as if she didn''t want to let him go, "Please don''t leave me" The lump in his throat came back, crying has always been a sore subject for Yuto, as it reminds him of the dream world, and seeing his little sister cry for what felt like forever, broke his heart. "I won''t ever leave you Cynthia, and I don''t ever plan on doing it either" She nodded and slowly stopped crying, she was still clinging to him with her small body trembling lightly, as she nuzzled her face into his shirt. "I missed you," before he can answer, his dad walks toward him. Cynthia turned around to look at their father, her expression quickly going back to a glare, she wrapped an arm around Yuto''s waist, holding him closely. Yuto felt her anger building up as their dad tried to take one more step, she stood in front of Yuto, her grip on his waist getting tighter and her other hand balled into a fist. Her magic started causing her eyes to glow before Yuto bonked her head, "It''s okay dummy, and I was going to talk to Dad next" She looked back at Yuto for a brief second before looking back at their dad and clenching her jaw, her body trembling slightly, but it was clear with her expression and her body language that she did not want him to get too close. "Help Mom finish lunch while I speak to Dad, okay?" She slowly let him go, giving one last glare at your dad before walking off to their mother, the look of anger was still evident on her face, but slowly began to calm down as she spoke with their mother. They both just stare at the ground, his dad scratching the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable by the silence that feels suffocating Yuto is the one to break the ice, "I notice that Mom and Cynthia are quite angry at you" His Dad pulls out a tea set and a small table and places them down, before pulling two cups and setting them down. He pours some tea and hands Yuto a cup, he looks slightly sad. "They were quite . . . displeased with me, as your mother told me off for being too rough with you during the fight" Yuto accepts the cup, slightly bowing down, "No, I should also apologize, I know I was being unreasonable, asking to learn your techniques when I haven''t even mastered the basics" His father chuckled softly, taking a sip of his tea, "Although I agree that you should learn the basics first as it is a fundamental step in mastering my techniques, I still shouldn''t have been that rough to you" Yuto stays quiet, not being able to explain why he desires strength, he just silently sips his tea. His father is the one who speaks up, "Although you''re driven with the desire to protect us, strength alone isn''t enough, skill, discipline, and understanding your martial arts is a crucial step in becoming a Sword Master" Yuto puts down his cup and moves the small table aside, before bowing his head down, "Father, will you take me as your student?" His father sets down his cup with a serious expression, he''s impressed that Yuto is still determined and persistent. "Very well, I''ll teach you my martial arts, but you have to remember something" Yuto lifts his head, "What is it?" "My martial arts involve cultivating a strong body and mind, the fight we had was to show you how it''s going to be when you reach higher levels" He takes another sip of his tea, starting at Yuto as if waiting for his answer. "I understand" He smiles at his responses, "Good, when we get back home, your training will start, it''ll take dedication and hard work" Yuto nods his head, while his dad puts the tea set and table away, Yuto taps his shoulder "Wait, why do I have to wait until we get home?" His father shivers, "If I do anything right now, I think your mother and sister might kill me" They both look at each other and share a laugh, Yuto and his father both know their bond would not be so easily broken over a mistake. They walk back to camp where his mother runs over to him, "Is everything alright?" "Mom, can you do me a favor?" His mom nods, taking his hand in hers, "Anything?" Yuto bit his lip, "C-can you forgive Dad please?" His Mom looked surprised and seemed a bit angry but tried to hide it. "What makes you think I should forgive him when he almost killed you?" "Because it was training Mom" She flinched a bit, "He almost KILLED you!, I don''t care if it was only training, he was being an irresponsible idiot!" Yuto gets on his knees, "Please?" An annoyed expression appears but quickly disappears as she gives in and helps him up. ". . .Fine, I will forgive him. But only Because YOU asked for it" Yuto pulls her into a hug, "Pretty sure it''s because you still love him" "Sigh, yes I still love him. Despite him being an idiot" "That''s why you married him" She can''t help but let out a short chuckle, "Yes, it''s one of the many reasons I married him, he''s an idiot but he''s my idiot" Yuto pulls back from his mom, "So please go talk to him, he truly is sorry" She pats his head, "Alright, I''ll speak to him" She looked over to his dad, who looked a bit nervous, she let out a sigh as she walked over to him. He smiles as he sees her walking towards him he''s nervous as her eyes feel like knives. She stood in front of him and crossed her arms, looking at Jim with a stern expression, for a few minutes they silently looked at each other before she broke the silence. "Yuto told me you wanted to talk?" He nods, and leads her inside the carriage, "Not in front of the kids" She nodded and followed him inside, after entering the carriage and closing the door, they both sat on opposite sides. "H-honey," his father was practically sweating bullets at this point, he hadn''t seen her this angry in a long time. She has a stern look, with both her hands clenched, "You better have a good explanation for what you did" "C-come on he''s my son too" His mother slams her fist down, "That''s exactly why you shouldn''t have done something so reckless to him!" She paused for a few seconds, with a look that made it clear that if said something stupid, she would punch him. "He needs to be stronger Cara" "He is your SON, not a warrior or a mercenary, if you wanted to train him you should have at least been more gentle!" His father looks down to the ground, "The King has called for me to return to the castle" She looked surprised, "The King? What does he want with you?" His father bites his lip, "The Demon Lord is active again" Her expression becomes more concerned, "The demon lord, he''s active again?" She walks a few steps toward him and kneels in front so that their eyes meet. His father''s fingers move around clearly anxious, "So I need him to be strong, I know I was rough on him, but he needs to be a warrior" Her expression becomes serious and strict when he keeps talking about Yuto as a warrior, she grabs his shoulders firmly. "He Is your son, not a warrior. What he needs is to be treated with kindness and care" She tightens her grip on his shoulders, "You''re his FATHER, not a military instructor" His father pauses but responds, "For the kingdom, I will be his master in sword" She pulls him closer towards her by his shoulders and looks deep and intently into his eyes with still a serious and strict expression. "Even if your goal is to teach him to properly master a sword you have to be gentle to him" She speaks in a firm and stern voice, "You. Almost. KILLED. Him" He looks down, "He was so confident, and I know he recently had his awakening, but you''re right, I''m sorry honey" She looked at him for a few seconds and tried not to let her guard down. His apology was unexpected but it was genuine... she loosened her grip on his shoulders a bit. "You have to understand one thing. You. Are. His. Father. So please treat him accordingly... he''s still a young, fragile boy¡­" She looked into his eyes with a caring expression, cupping his cheeks so that he would look at her. "Promise me that you will be more gentle to him and stop treating him like a soldier" ". . . Of course," his father smiles, holding her hand and kissing it. A small wave of relief starts flowing through her, as she sees that he agrees with her statement. "Good, then I will forgive you... even tho you are also an idiot" "So kisses?" He puckers his lips like a fish She rolls her eyes in annoyance because of that stupid expression, but gives in and gives him a gentle but short kiss on his pouting lips. "Thank you, honey" She gives another soft roll of her eyes while a small smile appears on her face, "You''re welcome dummy" She gently flicked against his forehead with two of her fingers. They walk out of the carriage and see Yuto and Cynthia grinning like idiots. Yuto laughs, "See, you did forgive him" His mother shrugged her shoulders, "Well can''t stay mad forever" Yuto speaks with his mom and she nods her head as Yuto takes Cynthia one last time to the carriage. "You know I''m also at fault right?" He cupped her cheeks, "So please don''t blame Dad too much, love and cherish him as well" She looked up at him still upset but now with a look of hurt across her face, "How can I love or cherish him after what he did...?" She leaned into his hand as she pouted, her bottom lip quivering slightly as she spoke He pulled her into a hug, "Stop, it''s not his fault, I have to get stronger. It was training Cynthia" She huffed and buried her face into his chest as Yuto hugged her, her body trembling a bit as she tried to hold back her tears. "I don''t care if it was training... I don''t care if you have to get stronger... I don''t want you getting hurt... ever again" "I-i can''t make that promise", Yuto brushed her hair with his hand. She slowly looked up, her eyes welling up with tears as she heard what Yuto said. She was quiet for a while just staring at him, her expression was hurt but also filled with worry as she slowly began to speak "Yes you can... I don''t want to see you getting hurt anymore, I don''t want to see you almost die... again... I''m scared..." He felt the lump come back, he couldn''t tell her anything of what he saw in the dream, he couldn''t tell her why he had to get stronger, why he did the things he did, "Cynthia, forgive Dad, we don''t know how much time we have with family before they disappear," he feels a small tear falling down. She looked up at him and watched as the tear slid down his cheek, her expression softened slightly as she reached up to wipe away the tear. "But... I... but..." She was at a loss for words, knowing that he was right, but still not wanting him to get hurt again, she was so worried and scared of losing him He started patting her head, "Mom is forgiving him, now come on, I know how much you love food", he led her back to the camp where everyone was She slowly nodded and followed beside him, still clinging to his side with her arm around his waist, she pouted a bit but began to perk up at the mention of food. Yuto grins seeing her light up at the mention of food. She glanced up at him seeing that he was smiling and began to pout again although it was a fake pout. "Hmph!" She let go of him and crossed her arms over her chest "You always know how to get me in a better mood..." They sat down with both their parents and began eating the rabbit soup. Yuto makes a joke about how with all the talking it''s practically dinner now. She sat down next to him, sitting as closely to him as she could as she began to eat the soup, she glanced at their dad from time to time but didn''t glare at him, as she was starting to forgive him, her expression remained neutral with a hint of irritation now and then. Yuto pats your head, knowing well that she is already forgiving him, which makes him happy. She glanced up at Yuto with a neutral expression before pouting again and playfully hitting his hand away, but soon went back to eating, as she felt Yuto''s gaze on her, she began to slowly calm down and focus on finishing her food. After making everyone in his family forgive each other Yuto goes back inside the carriage where he falls on his knee, coughing out blood Mizuki sets up the barrier once again, no sound will leave this area she mumbles, she once again sighed upon seeing his current state. "You look like crap, you should get some rest instead of trying to move so soon, you''re only making your injuries much worse by straining yourself like this" "Geez I love you too" Despite his sarcasm, she chuckled warmly, "I''m just saying, I know very well that you are a stubborn idiot, you wouldn''t stop moving even if we tied you down and forced you to rest" Yuto sat up against the door, "You know what I saw in the dream, I don''t want my family fighting, and I have to get stronger to find the fragments" She chuckled slightly "Your determination and stubbornness are impressive, it''s almost admirable, but it''s also very annoying. You can''t keep trying to ignore your own body and mind, you need rest and time to recover and become stronger!" "I DON''T HAVE TIME" She raised her voice to match his "OH YOU DO, JUST LOOK AT YOUR BODY, YOU''RE MORE WOUNDS THAN SKIN, STOP THIS PERSISTENT INSISTENCE ON PUSHING YOURSELF BEYOND YOUR LIMIT" "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!" Her voice got icy and cold. "I EXPECT YOU TO BEHAVE LIKE A REASONABLE PERSON AND NOT A COMPLETE IDIOT, WHY ARE YOU EVEN PUSHING YOURSELF SO HARD, YOU HAVE NO TIME LIMIT, AND THERE IS NO BIG BAD VILLAIN THAT YOU NEED TO STOP FROM DESTROYING THE WORLD, SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU TRYING TO DO BY OVERWORKING AND HURTING YOURSELF LIKE THIS?!" "I HAVE TOO YOU KNOW WHY, I AM NOT TO BLAME!", he shouts back, he knows she''s right, he rushing into things too quickly. Her tone became enraged. "IF YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME THEN WHO IS?! WHO PUSHES YOU SO MUCH THAT YOU FORGET TO EAT, TO SLEEP, EVEN TO STOP AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR INJURIES?! WHO IS GUILTY OF THAT TELL ME?!" Yuto laughs, a bit of tears falling, "I don''t know, the dream never shows me who''s responsible for their deaths" She paused at that, his tearful laughter taking her by surprise, "What... Do you mean responsible for their deaths?" "I guess I need to explain the dreams better" Calming down from her anger and taking a breath, she sits down, "Explain. Everything, all the details, from the very beginning until you wake up, and don''t leave anything out" "My dreams, for the past 3 years, I have seen my family die in different ways, I walked destroyed lands and fought Demonic beasts for what felt like an eternity, that might explain why I''m level 30 to the system, in the last dream 4 days ago, I finally saw my father alive for only a minute talking to my future self, warning me, before dying" She listened intently, absorbing all the information provided, taking a moment to think his words over and process them. "That... would explain a lot. How many dreams like this have you had?" "I''ve been having them since I was 14" She paused, shocked at that, "For 3 years...? Every day, the same dream, the same nightmare? Every single day for 3 YEARS?!" "That''s why I have to get stronger Mizuki, I don''t have time, I don''t know what is strong enough to kill my father the kingdom''s Sword Master" She sighed at that, her anger finally quelled and replaced by resignation and concern, "I... understand. I know why you''re doing this. Just promise me something" She pulls him into a hug, resting her head on top of his "Anything," Yuto stares at her with curiosity Her usual smug demeanor was all but gone as she felt his embrace. "Promise me that you will try to pace yourself. That you will slow down and learn to think before you act. Stop this habit of pushing yourself to the limit, and try not to get involved in any unnecessary dangerous situations. Do NOT overwork yourself like you have been. Can you promise me that at least?" Yuto nodded his head, "I''m sorry I worried you, knowing our past I still seem to be making decisions based on emotion" She chuckled a bit and smiled warmly. "You make decisions impulsively even when you know they are stupid and wrong, it''s almost surprising that you even survived the beating you received from your old man. You''re an idiot, but... I guess that''s one of the reasons that I like you" "Mizuki?" Yuto stares at her red lips She noticed Yuto staring at her lips and smirked "Hm? Something wrong? You''re staring quite a bit there, or are you just admiring how pretty my lips look?" He cups her cheek and caresses her back pulling her closer. She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation of his hand against her skin, such warmth and gentleness. "You have a thing for my looks, don''t you? You just can''t take your eyes off me" "Vise versa you''re also staring at my lips" She chuckled, "Guilty as charged. You can''t blame me though, you''re not bad looking for a human, you''re also very easy to admire and I can''t deny that your face is quite pleasing to look at" They felt each other getting closer, her hand now cupping his cheek too, her eyes meeting his Volume 1 Chapter 4 Magic Training She pulled Yuto even closer, his face mere inches away from her own, her hand still gently caressing the side of his face. "You keep doing this, getting so close to me, looking at my lips with so much desire... why haven''t you kissed me yet?" Yuto felt a slight blush building, "l-i have never kissed a girl" It''s true, although when signing the contract with Mizuki, he considered what they did a peck rather than a kiss She blinked surprised before she chuckled warmly at his words and obvious blushing. "Oh really? A handsome young man like you and no girl has ever tried to kiss you? Come on now, you must be lying, there must have been at least one girl who tried to steal a kiss from you" "My childhood friend Alice, when we were 14, she tried to kiss me when we were under a tree but I ended up dodging at the last second" She smirked at his statement, amused by the thought of him dodging a kiss from a girl. "Oh? That''s quite harsh, turning down a kiss from a childhood friend, you must have broken the poor girl''s heart. Did she ever try again? Or did she give up after getting rejected like that?" "We''re still friends but I guess she took that as a no" She chuckled warmly at that, "Hehe, I can imagine how much that probably hurt her, she must have been so disappointed when you dodged her kiss like that. I bet she probably cried for days" "So why aren''t you k-kissing?" Yuto tries to change the conversation She pulled him even closer, his face mere centimeters away from hers, he could feel her soft breath against his skin. "Simple, it''s MUCH more fun to tease you like this, seeing you so nervous and flustered, it''s adorable to watch, and I just love to see how much redder your beautiful face gets whenever I get so close to you" "Big talk, I can feel your heart beating faster" She paused for a moment, surprised that he noticed, she quickly regained her smirk, however, still holding him close. "Hmph, and why wouldn''t my heart be beating faster, we are very... very close right now. You''re so close to my face that I can practically feel your skin against mine, how could my heart NOT beat faster in this situation?" He doesn''t let her finish as he dives into the kiss. She was cut off by his sudden advance, shocked as she felt his lips against her own, after the surprise wore off however she leaned into the kiss, matching his pace and wrapping her arms around him, pulling him even closer to her. "I never thought that my first kiss would be an ego sword" She chuckled warmly pulling away slightly to catch her breath. "Well, you can now say that you have. How did it feel to kiss someone like me, someone who is not human?" "I-it feels right" She smiled warmly, a look of affection and fondness on her face as she looked at him, her crimson eyes practically glowing. "It... feels right, huh? How very sweet of you. You are a charmer, you know that? You''re going to make me blush with such romantic words" Yuto pins her down, she playfully raises an eyebrow, impressed as he suddenly forces her down onto her back. "Oh my, being very daring today, aren''t you? You suddenly take the lead like that. You can''t imagine how attractive this side of you is, it makes me shiver with excitement" He smiled as he stared at her, "one last kiss for the night?" She chuckled at his request, her expression warm and filled with affection. "Of course dear, one more kiss for tonight, and then you''d better rest for the night, I don''t want you trying to wander around with all the Injuries you have. You''ve certainly been getting braver these past days haven''t you, asking for kisses and being bold enough to pin me down to the floor like this, you''re being surprisingly forward tonight" "I guess this is like an apology", he said with the blush being more clear in her eyes. She smirked, amused at his statement. "Oh is it now, and what exactly are you apologizing for here? For not taking care of yourself? Do you need to work harder and overdo it for far too long? Getting to hurt and refusing to rest like a stubborn idiot? Which one?" "I guess I''m apologizing for everything," he pulled her in. She smiled warmly, her expression gentle and affectionate as he pulled her closer, the feeling of his skin against herself, causing her to shiver slightly. "Hmmm, I suppose that is a valid reason, I can forgive you then for all of your wrongdoings, all of your mistakes, on one simple condition though..." He pulled back breathlessly, "Yes?" A smirk slowly crept onto her face and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his face close to hers. "Simple, I want you to promise me that no more stupid decisions, no more working yourself to death, no more overworking yourself, and you finally get a good night''s rest. Can you promise me that, my dear?" He pulls her hand up and kisses it, "Yes Mizuki" A warm smile spread across her face as she watched him hold her hand and kiss it, such a gentle and sweet action caused her heart to flutter. "Good. I''ll hold you to your word. And remember, no more stupid decisions and no working yourself to death, I''m not going to stand by while you get yourself injured again. And also-" She pulled him closer, her face mere millimeters from his "I want you to sleep properly in a bed, NO more falling asleep in chairs" "I promise when we get to my aunt''s house, I''ll sleep on the bed" She smiled and nodded in acceptance, her smirk slowly returning. "Good, that''s all that I ask. And I''ll be watching you, so no falling asleep in any chairs, if I catch you sitting down to rest and you drift off into sleep I won''t hesitate to pull you onto the bed and lock you there for the night" Yuto gets up and prepares to sleep for the night, laying his blanket on one of the seats. He chuckled softly and closed his eyes, Mizuki silently waited for him to fall asleep. After some time passed and he seemed to have dozed off, she opened her eyes, silently watching over him, making sure he stayed asleep, and that no nightmares or enemies bothered him that night. -Morning- His sleep was thankfully undisturbed, which meant that Yuto was finally able to get proper and much-needed rest. When he finally awoke the next morning, he caught sight of Mizuki, who was sitting next to him, silently watching him and waiting for him to wake up. A warm smile spread across her face when she saw that he had awoken. "There you are, it took you long enough to wake up, sleepyhead." "How long was I out for?" She chuckled at his question and smirked "Quite a while, it''s already noon. You''ve been asleep for 10 hours. Seems like you needed that sleep, huh?" "Yeah", he gets up and puts on a shirt, "I''m guessing my family slept outside and rode the carriage with Dad, while I slept inside" She nodded in agreement as she watched him get up and put on his attire. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Yes, that''s correct. Your family took care of everything last night while you slept, you slept through all of the commotion last night. And it seems like your dad is in a much better mood today, he was whistling cheerfully earlier" "Well Mom, Cynthia did forgive him, although I''m sure some part of Cynthia is still mad" She paused, her expression softening a bit as she thought about what he just said, and chuckled slightly. "He must have been pleased to hear that, it''s good you all were able to forgive him. You certainly made this journey easier for all of you. We should probably get going however, we still have a long way to go before we get to your aunt''s house" "He also agreed to teach me his techniques so that''s a plus" A smirk spread across her face as she chuckled, a teasing tone in her voice "Oh really? Did he know? Did your old man promise to teach you his fighting style? It seems like you''re going to become quite the capable fighter once he''s done teaching you" "How about you, are you mad at him" She thought over his question for a moment, her expression becoming unreadable, before it softened and she sighed "No, I''m not mad at him, I never was, not really. Your father is just a simple man with a lot of struggles to deal with, so I can''t blame him completely for his past mistakes." Yuto plants a small kiss on her cheek, "That''s a relief to hear" She chuckled softly and smiled warmly as she felt his lips against her cheek. Such a simple and affectionate action caused her cheeks to redden slightly and her heart to flutter. "Hmph, such affection so early in the morning, are you always so sweet first thing in the morning?" "Making up for lost time I guess" She raised an eyebrow before chuckling warmly, her fond smile returning to her face. "Hehe, make up for lost time are you, and how exactly do you plan to do that then? Do you want to spend the entire day being all sweet and affectionate? If so you should have started a bit sooner, you''re a little late in making up for lost time" He plants another kiss on the other side. She chuckled warmly once again as she felt him plant another kiss on the other side of her face, the feeling of his lips against her skin causing her to blush slightly, her expression becoming softer and more affectionate. "Heh, you''re being very forward today. You want to keep being affectionate don''t you, you''re certainly enjoying yourself a lot" He smiles as he turns his head back to the door, "Alright time to start my day" She chuckled and nodded, matching his smile with one of her own "Yes the day awaits us, we still have a lot of travel time to go and a lot of distance to cover. We''ve made good progress so far though, so I''m sure we''ll reach your aunt in no time at this rate" Mizuki turned back into a ring, she sighed quietly as she felt herself transform into a ring, she had been enjoying being in her human form and the extra freedom that came with it for a short while "Hmph, being stuck inside this ring again is going to be rather annoying." "Well, when we get to my aunt''s house, you can take your sword form again, you can also take on the spiritual form so you can fly around" She chuckled a bit, her warm smirk returning, "Oh really, I''ll have to wait until we reach your aunt''s house before I can change back. You''re going to make me suffer in this ring all day until we finally reach our destination?" "We can joke inside the mind space, so don''t worry about entertainment" She chuckled warmly at the thought of having their own private space to chat and speak to each other, free from the ears of others. "Oh that''s true, I suppose I can talk with you mentally while I''m in this ring. At least I won''t get bored while I wait." Yuto thinks of a pig riding on top of another pig. She chuckled warmly when he suddenly began imagining this mental image in his head, her voice then echoed through his subconscious. "What on earth is this image you''re thinking of? Why are you suddenly picturing pigs riding each other?" The pig does multiple backflips. She burst into hysterical laughter when Yuto suddenly added this absurd backflip move to the pig''s imaginary actions, the goofy imagination causing her to laugh mentally. "OH GOD- why are you giving the imaginary pig riding another pig such a ridiculously athletic skill like that?!" Now they start to box with small gloves. Her laughter returned even louder when his imagination became even more ridiculous. Boxing?! PIG BOXING?? "Now you''re turning the imaginary pig ride into a BOXING MATCH of all things?!, Who would even teach pigs how to BOX??" Yuto chuckled as he opened the door of the carriage, "See how you will get bored when I can come up with the most ridiculous stuff?" She chuckled warmly, her laughter beginning to die down as she listened to his statement and thought over the images he was thinking of "Hehe, I suppose you have a point there. With your level of crazy imagination, I doubt I''ll get bored any time soon. Just how long can you keep coming up with these ridiculous scenarios?" This time, it''s a horse doing a backflip. She burst into laughter again as a very mental image of a horse doing a backflip entered her mind. "God- why are you giving these animals so many acrobatic capabilities?! Now a horse just did a backflip, what''s next? An elephant doing a front flip?" Exactly that, as an elephant walks into the room doing an impossibly absurd gymnastic front flip, her laughter returns even louder, the concept of such a large animal doing something so insane and impossible somehow being hilarious to her. "Hehe, oh my GOD, you''re insane. Why are you giving these animals such insane skills and abilities?" "Because it''s funny, and I want to hear you laugh" She chuckled warmly, her warm smirk returning as her laughter slowly subsided. "Hehe, I guess you''re right. These mental images ARE quite humorous, watching these animals do insane things. And it certainly makes the journey entertaining when you can keep coming up with these crazy scenarios." "So will you be board now", he made the pig ask. She laughed warmly as she heard the pig suddenly talking to her in the mental world. "Haha, no I don''t think I''ll be bored now, not with you imagining all of these crazy scenarios. I never thought I''d be mentally chatting with a pig doing back flips and speaking to me in a little suit" The pig oinks before waddling back She chuckled warmly as the pig oinked at her and then waddled away, the whole scenario suddenly feeling even more entertaining now that the pig was waddling out. "Hehe, farewell, small oinking pig doing backflips. I''ll be sure to have more absurd conversations like this with you again sometime" Yuto heads outside where he spots his mother making lunch, this time it looks to be fish that his father caught and some meat from the rabbit Cynthia found ~It seems everyone is enjoying this trip, your mother seems to be in a very good mood you know~ Mizuki walked beside him in her spiritual form, Yuto stopped, thought about something, and then looked at Mizuki. "My mom''s class is an exorcist, right?" Mizuki stops and looks at him, "Yeah, why?" "Does that mean she can see you when you go into that form, I mean a spirit is also a ghost right?" Mizuki shakes her head, "Beats me, she probably would have already said or done something before we left, I mean I was flying over their heads" A shiver went through Mizuki''s spine as she turned her head towards Yuto''s mother, it looked as if she was staring directly at her. "Go hang out with your sister, I''ll call you when lunch is ready", his mom said with her usual tone, her smile was warm to Yuto but to Mizuki, it just felt a bit creepy. Yuto nodded as he spotted Cynthia practicing her magic near the river, Mizuki on the other hand couldn''t shake off the weird feeling and went back inside the ring. ~Are you okay Mizuki? You suddenly went back into the ring ~We''ll talk later for right now just learn from your sister Yuto nodded as he ran up to his younger sister, she was with her staff standing in the middle, "Hey Cynthia" She stopped practicing her magic and glanced over at Yuto, her expression changed immediately and she began to smile, jogging over to him. "Hi, brother! What are you up to?" "Well, since my wounds healed, I was hoping you could teach me some magic?" He asked while fidgeting his fingers, not only does he not have a staff but he also doesn''t have any experience at all with magic ["I mean I have Mana so I should be able to use some basic magic right?"] Her smile widened as she nodded her head vigorously, clearly excited that her brother wanted to learn some magic, she had pestered him for years but since he never awakened he just never felt worthy to "Of course, I can teach you! Anything specific you wanted to learn?" "Well, not really, as it''s only been about 5 days since I''ve awakened, and my class isn''t a mage class" She hummed and thought for a while, trying to think of what she could realistically teach him, that he would find easy enough to learn, her hands on her hips. "Hmm... since you just awakened recently I''m not going to teach you anything too intense, don''t want to overwork that small little brain of yours" She joked and poked his forehead before a smirk appeared on her face. "So what can you teach me?" He flicked her forehead in return She flinched when he flicked her forehead, and her smirk grew wider, she puffed out her cheeks slightly, "Hey! I''m the one that''s supposed to be annoying you, not the other way around." She jokingly scolded him and then her smirk quickly faded to a smile, "And I''ll teach you some of the very basic magic, we can slowly work our way up to more advanced stuff later on, so you don''t push yourself too hard yet." "What do you consider basic magic?" He asked while rubbing her head, she pouted before moving his hand away "Basic magic would be being able to make things float, changing the color of things, starting a fire, or even something like making something cold." She glanced around before grabbing a large stone and holding it out to him, "I want you to try and make this float, a couple of inches off the ground" "How the hell is that basic?" He grabbed the rock and threw it across the river She chuckled a bit at his response, "Yeah, it may seem complicated, but trust me it''s easy. Just focus and picture the stone levitating in your mind, imagine it floating in the air and you lifting it off the ground" Mizuki laughed as she poked his cheek, ~Basic indeed, it sounds like she''s willing to teach you if you at least tried. "Really?" Yuto asked sarcastically "Yeah really, just have some more faith in yourself, focus and you''ll get it." Yuto lifted out his right hand, "Oh stone I command you, float!" She stared at the stone as Yuto began to lift the stone by merely commanding it, she was quite amazed that he did it correctly on the first try, the stone lifted off the ground a couple of inches and hovered in the air. "Wow, didn''t think you got it on the first try, good job!" "Cynthia, I can see your hand moving" She quickly hid the hand that she was moving behind her back, "What! I have no idea what you''re talking about" She tried to play it off and make it sound like she wasn''t helping, although secretly she was quite impressed that he was able to notice she was moving the stone with her hand. "Look show me some actual magic", She pouted seeing Yuto catch her little act of trying to help him but shrugged and sighed lightly. "Okay, watch closely", She raised her hand, and a fireball the size of her head formed in the palm of her hand, she seemed to have done it effortlessly without any trouble at all. <- Quick Quest -> [ Make your fireball ] [ Reward: Beginners Magic ] ["Mizuki, are you seeing this?"] Mizuki asked him what he was looking at, ''Can''t come out of the ring right now, what happened?'' ["A quest appeared, it seems I did something to the system to unlock the quest part of it"] Mizuki stays silent, before poking his cheek again, ''Follow whatever the system says, you''ll get rewards either way'' Yuto nods as he holds out his right hand and begins to concentrate. ["Heat Maintains Compress Circle Accelerate and finally"] "Fire Ball" Tier 1 A fireball the size of his head formed at the palm of his hand Cynthia watched as Yuto held up his hand trying to make a fireball, she was very impressed when he got the spell right, and she smiled as she watched the fireball form in his hand, she was a bit speechless over the fact that he managed to do it perfectly on his first try. "W-woah, you... did it..." "What the fuck?" He shook his arm violently before accidentally launching it into the river She let out a light laugh as she watched him shaking his arm and accidentally shooting it into the river. "It''s normal for your arm to feel a bit warm or like it''s burning when you first cast a fire spell, it''s just a new sensation that you''re unfamiliar with, after a while your arm won''t feel that uncomfortable when you use fire magic" "I also use a staff to release my magic and since I''m more well-versed in it I can also use my hands, it''s no surprise you didn''t know what to do with it", she said with a light chuckle. Yuto finally put out the small flame that remained and looked at her, "Any other magic you can teach me?" She hummed as she began to tap her chin with her index finger, "Hmm... Well, you just did fire magic, and I showed you a fire spell which is quite easy for most people to pick up first... I could show you some water magic¡­" She slowly held out her palm towards a nearby puddle of water, she began to mutter an incantation under her breath and a small floating sphere of water appeared in the palm of her hand. <- Quick Quest -> [ Create your very own water spell ] [ Reward: Non-verbal spell magic ] Yuto raised his left hand this time and concentrated once more, Water Swift Fast Blade Cut, A Water Blade shot out of his hand. She was genuinely impressed that Yuto was picking up magic so quickly and accurately, as no one usually learned magic this fast. She watched again as he lifted his left hand and the water started to form into a blade and shot straight ahead, she was at a loss for words as she just stared at the waterblade that he made. "... Woah, did you just-" <- System Rewards -> [ The host has created a fireball and water spell [ Non-verbal spells now available / Beginners Magic now available ] Yuto smirked as he lifted both his hands and without an incantation made both a fireball and a water blade he could hold She continued to watch closely as he did the water and fireball spell again but without an incantation, her eyes widened in shock as she realized that he had succeeded in doing the spell nonverbal. Something that took her 4 years to master, it felt like a gut punch as she knew her brother''s talent was far beyond her own "How did you even-? You just-" She was genuinely baffled, her surprise evident on her face as she struggled to speak. Yuto smirked and flicked her forehead, "Guess I''m the master now haha", she could swear she saw his nose grow pointy. She flinched from the flick, pouting at him as Yuto suddenly called himself a ''Master'' She crossed her arms with a pout on her face, "Hmph! You''re not a master yet, you have a long way to go before you can call yourself a ''Master" They both walk towards their Mother who''s finishing lunch, but when walking Cynthia speeds up "Aw come on, Cynthia, I was playing around, you know you''re better at magic than me" She looked back at him, over her shoulder as she continued to pout, "I know you were playing around! Still doesn''t change the fact that you''re not a master yet! ["Hey Mizuki, did I say something wrong?"] ''Well since you''re not a mage and a beginner who just used a nonverbal spell, I''m guessing you hurt her pride a bit'' Yuto sighed, "So what do I have to do exactly? ''Apologize you, idiot, it''s not that hard now come on before she gets to your mother'' ''Skill: Quick Step'' He quickly catches up to her and pulls her hand, "I''m sorry, I said something insensitive to you, you spent more time at magic than me, and you deserve the title of a master" Cynthia stops in her tracks and stares at him, "Are you sorry?" Yuto nods, "I am, I''m truly sorry, you were teaching me and I was being a jerk" Cynthia gave him a quick hug before running off to get her lunch. ''See all you had to do was apologize, now you must be hungry Yuto'' Yuto nodded as he ran up to the camp, when he got there his mother handed him his plate and Yuto sat on the log while the rest of the family told stories or sang songs, either way, they all had a good time. When they finished, everyone started to pack up for the night, Yuto''s mother stopped him and sat him down. "Yuto, I have a question to ask you son", Mizuki felt Yuto''s chest tighten, and her chest also felt a bit suffocated, she knew what his mother was going to ask. "Y-yeah Mom, what''s up?" His mother lifted her hand and pointed straight at Mizuki who was sitting beside him, her eyes were glowing blue, and a sword that looked like a staff appeared in her left hand. "Who is that sitting next to you?" Volume 1 Chapter 5 A Promise They both stared at each other, Mizuki felt a drop of sweat fall, his mother was staring at her, her hand moved to hold Yuto''s who held her hand back in response. "W-what do you mean Mom?" His mother lifted her staff and pointed it at Mizuki, Yuto got in front of Mizuki to protect her. "The one next to you Yuto, I sent your father and sister to do their own thing so we can talk, now tell me son, who is that?" Yuto felt his throat tighten, he looked over to Mizuki who felt his mother''s strength, with their current strength they were no match for her. "S-she is my partner" "Your partner, huh? What kind of ''partner''?" "Sigh, I can''t lie to you mom, she''s my ego sword, we made a contract before we started the trip to aunt''s" Surprised by this sudden reveal, his mother does her best to keep her thoughts down and is not happy about Yuto having an Ego weapon without her knowing. "An ego weapon... Why didn''t you tell me about that? Does your father know?'' "I can''t tell him either," Yuto grips Mizuki''s hand tightly, she can feel his heartbeat picking up, and caresses his knuckles with her thumb. She raised her eyebrow when she noticed that he had gripped his sword''s hand tightly. "Why can''t you tell your father, sweetheart?" She puts her weapon away and simply stares at him, waiting for an answer anything to explain what is going on with him. "I know he''ll just say I''m relying on others and not my strength" His Mom crossed her arms in front of her chest with a stern expression, "Sweetie... your father has a point. You become stronger when you rely on yourself and not on a weapon" "SHE''S NOT A WEAPON!", His mother flinches slightly, surprised that Yuto shouted at her, Mizuki tugs his hand to calm him down, Yuto looks at his mother and sighs, "I''m sorry Mom" His mother sighs as well, her expression becoming softer again. "It''s ok sweetie... just calm down and use a normal tone when you talk ok? I don''t like it when you shout that loud in anger" Yuto nods as he sits back down, "I can''t explain everything right now, but she''s my partner. She was in the fight with Dad too, remember the sword I used during that fight, it was her" She nodded as she was reminded of the ''fight'', "Ah... that was your Ego weapon, huh? It was a pretty impressive sword" "T-thank you, ma''am" His mother looked at her and looked her up and down, when she saw her blush from the compliment, she gave her a warm smile, "No need to call me ma''am sweetie, just call me Mom" Mizuki''s blush deepens, and so does Yuto''s as he can''t believe what his mother is suggesting. ["No comeback?"] Yuto snickers at Mizuki as she covers her face with her hands, clearly embarrassed and flustered at his mother''s statement His mother can''t help but notice that both of them are blushing from her words and gives them both a soft chuckle. "You two are honestly so cute" "So yeah, she''s my partner, I''m sorry I couldn''t tell you, it just I couldn''t predict how you would react" His mother strictly looks at him as she crosses her arms in front of her chest and gives Yuto a stern look. "Sweetie... you really should have told me about that before. Ego weapons are quite serious and powerful things and I don''t like the fact that you had one before this adventure started and kept it a secret from me until now" "Ma''am I can explain", Mizuki raised her hand and stepped in front of Yuto, His mother raised her eyebrow as she looked at Mizuki. "Explain then¡­" "Although we can not tell you the full story, Yuto only has good intentions, and all he cares about is the safety of this family, and trust me when I say it hurts him to keep secrets, especially from you" His mother looks at Mizuki as she speaks, she continues to have her eyebrow raised while she listens to her words. "Good intentions, huh?" Mizuki nods as she pats Yuto''s back and rubs it in support. She looks at both of them for a few seconds in a serious way, before letting out a heavy sigh and letting her arms fall by her side again. "Fine... but you have to promise to always be truthful to me and tell me when there''s something important going on, sweetheart. Understood?" Yuto bit his lip and so did Mizuki, they put their heads down, and Yuto clenched his fist as he spoke, "O-of course Mom" When his mother notices that both of them put their heads down, she can already tell that there is something else he is not telling her. She puts her index finger under Yuto''s chin and lifts his head so that he is looking into her eyes. She spoke firmly but gently, her eyes bore no malice or anger, only a concerned mother worried about her son. "Sweetheart... is there something else you want to tell me? Be honest, please" Yuto felt his tears forming before shaking his head, "I''m sorry Mom, I just can''t tell you" She can see that he is trying his best to hold back his tears, and her expression becomes softer, she gently places her hands on his cheeks. "Sweetie, look at me..." She tilts his head to look her straight in the eyes, Yuto looks at her, his eyes holding back tears. She sees the tears in his eyes and speaks gently and softly, "Sweetheart... I know you''re hiding something else from me¡­so please... be honest. You know I wouldn''t get mad at you... I''m your mother. You can tell me anything, sweetie..." He puts his head down, "I can''t, I want to so badly but I can''t tell you" She could see that he was still trying to hide something from her even though she was trying her best to convince him to tell her. She spoke in a firm but soft tone again. "Sweetheart... please... don''t hide important things from me. I can see that you and Mizuki are trying to hide something from me, so please... I''m begging you as your mother to tell me the truth..." Yuto got up and helped his mother get up as well, "Next time when I get a bit stronger, I will tell you" His mother looked at him for a few seconds after he stood up and promised to explain everything to her once he became stronger. She let out a heavy sigh before she nodded, giving him a warm smile and a pat on his head. "Alright, sweetie... as long as you promise to tell me the truth. I can wait a little longer" He helps Mizuki up, but she can''t help but stare at the ground in awkwardness, Yuto only nods his head in agreement with his mother. "So how did you even see me, ma''am?" She looked at Mizuki and chuckled softly when she heard her question. She can''t help but think "God she''s cute..." before she answers Mizuki''s question. "Well... I actually could feel your presence next to Yuto, sweetie. It''s quite weird to explain but it just didn''t feel like Yuto was alone, if you understand what I mean" "Exorcist powers?" Mizuki said bluntly She raised her eyebrow, surprised about her direct response before letting out a lighthearted chuckle, "Exactly, Exorcist powers. My power to see supernatural presences also allowed me to see and sense you" They all laugh as Yuto hugs his mother, "Someday Mother, I will tell you everything, for that is a promise." Yuto stepped back, surprised that his body moved on his own but ignored it and looked back at his mother "A promise" His mother is also surprised when Yuto suddenly hugs her tight. After he takes a step back and tells her that he promised to tell her everything eventually, she gives him a warm smile and nods. "Yes, a promise. I will wait as long as I have until you tell me, but you will someday tell me the whole truth, sweetie. I trust my son" Mizuki went back into her spiritual form and stood behind him, "So please keep it a secret from Dad and Cynthia", Yuto glanced at Mizuki in her spiritual form before he looked back at his mom. She crossed her arms before her chest, "Are you sure you don''t want me to tell your father?" "No, now is not the time, we can tell him when we get back home" His mom sighed but nodded as she uncrossed her arms, "Very well, then I promise I won''t tell your father for now. I will wait until we''re back home before I say anything" "Thank you, Mom", He walks with Mizuki back to the river to just relax a little and enjoy the scenery.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. His Mom watched as both of them walked away to the river. She let out a soft sigh and sat down near a tree, crossed her legs, and leaned back against the tree. She mumbled to herself, "What are you both hiding from me" -River- Mizuki sat beside him by the river, her warm smirk replaced with a more pensive expression as she thought over the conversation they just had with his mother. She knew how painful it was to keep such a secret from his own family and lie even when questioned directly about it. "Mizuki?" His tone seemed tired and yet calm and warm at the same time. "Yes? What is it, darling?" "We will tell them everything when I recover my missing memories and power right?" She paused before nodding in agreement, a serious and confident tone in her voice. "Of course, I never intend to lie to your family permanently. I only agreed to keep everything hidden and stay quiet until you regained your memories. Once you recover your memory, we will tell them everything, I promise." Yuto kissed her cheek, "Thank you, honestly, I don''t think I would have been able to hold on much longer without you" A warm smile spread across her face as she felt him plant a kiss on her cheek, her expression softening as the affectionate action stirred her heart. "Hehe, you''re very welcome. I''m glad I''ve been able to help you keep going and holding out. You''re stronger than you realize." "Well I do have you now by my side" She chuckled and smirked warmly, her smile growing a bit as she heard his lighthearted comment. "Hehe, yes I suppose you do have me now. Does knowing that you have me make you feel a bit more confident? Do I make that much of a difference in your life?" Yuto takes her hand and kisses it, "I held so much in for the past 3 years, so to have someone to laugh with, to fight with, to cry with, made me not feel alone anymore" She blushed softly when he kissed her hand, her heart fluttering with affection from his words and actions, her expression softened and her smirk faded into a warm, genuine smile. "Hehe, I see. So that''s what I am to you... Well, know that you can continue to rely on me and laugh with me, fight with me, cry with me. I''ll always be there with you and help lift you when you''re feeling alone or down." "Hah is that a proposal?" He patted her head with a chuckle. She chuckled warmly at his playful question, her expression becoming a bit amused and teasing, "Hmph, and what if it was a proposal? Would you accept it if I was proposing to you?" "Of course, I would," he turned his head away, his right hand covering his mouth as a light blush began to build She smirked, her expression turning both teasing and affectionate. "Oh really, you''re saying you would accept it if it WAS a proposal? You would want to get engaged to me, be with me forever? Even though I''m an egotistical, overprotective, ego sword?" "Yes, but let''s wait a bit till I get stronger," She chuckled warmly at his response, a hint of amusement on her face at such a cute reply. "Hehe, very well I suppose we can wait... Although you know, you don''t need to wait until you are stronger. Your level of strength doesn''t have anything to do with how much I want to be with you." Yuto kissed her lips before getting up, "We are going to travel Mizuki, me and you will travel to find out the truth" Her eyes widened with surprise for a moment as his lips met with hers in a kiss, her heart skipping a beat before a warm, affectionate smile spread across her face. She chuckled softly and nodded in agreement before replying. "Yes, me and you... we''re going to travel together, and spend every day with each other, growing stronger and getting to experience life together." Mizuki goes back into her spiritual form as Yuto leaves to go check up on his sister, as he left to check on his sister, staying in a dormant state inside the mental realm as their minds become connected again. "Wanna see the pig do a backflip again?" She chuckled warmly as she heard his voice echo in the mind realm, a smile spreading across her face as she replied with a chuckle. "Hehe, sure, why not? I could go for another mental performance from the backflip pig. This time, maybe I''ll even imagine doing a front flip instead." They both laugh as Yuto imagines the pig doing crazy acts that would normally never happen. Eventually, Yuto reaches his sister who is practicing some new spells, when she sees Yuto she smiles, stopping her magic and running up to him. "Hi, brother! What are you up to now?" Yuto ponders for a bit before he smirks, "Wanna spar?" She raised her eyebrow, her expression was one of surprise but also a bit of curiosity, and she couldn''t believe the balls on this dude. "Sparring? Sure, I''m up for that, we haven''t sparred in a while, but don''t start complaining when I win" "This time I''ll use beginner magic", Yuto was confident since the system had handed him some basic spells, obviously not to win but to improve his magic''s quality. She chuckled and placed her hands on her hips, "Oh really? Think you''re good enough to beat me, using beginner''s magic huh?" He nods and lifts his hand, in a come-at-me motion. She smirked, her competitive nature starting to shine through as she also lifted one of her hands and began muttering an incantation under her breath "Ready to lose so quickly?" "Let''s go!" She smirked as he said ''Let''s go'', and almost immediately, she shot out a medium-sized fireball near his head. Yuto nearly got hit but dodged at the last second ducking his head down. [ Water Blade: Tier 1 ] Seeing that Yuto got out of the way made her a bit frustrated as she expected to hit him with that fireball at the start. She was about to launch another one but she was surprised at his ''Water Blade'' being mixed with another elemental magic. [ Air Cutter: Tier 1 ] She had no time to react at all when he shot out the air cutter x wind blade, it hit her straight on and sent her flying back a couple of meters. "Oomph! Oh... my god... you hit me- I can''t believe you-! I was not expecting that..." She looked at him in disbelief, her eyes slightly widened in shock that he managed to get a hit in one. "Who''s gonna lose now?", Yuto was confident his stats weren''t that bad, his mana was at 103, of course, he still had no way of knowing her stats since her level was higher than his Although he knew one thing, and that was that her class -Mage- was there for a reason, and she was still holding back on him. She grumbled under her breath as she got up from the ground, brushing the dirt off herself as she let out an irritated huff. "Oh shut it... I was caught off guard, I wasn''t expecting you to shoot out the air cutter!" "Just came up with it, mixed it with simple wind and water magic" "Of course, you''d come up with something like that on the spot, why am I not surprised..." She muttered quietly, although she was thoroughly impressed and a bit annoyed that he was able to create a whole new spell just by combining two basic spells. "Come on, sis. You''re a 6-tier mage, so start using some advanced magic, you''re holding back right?" She huffed, her irritation growing a bit further as he had challenged her and told her to use some "advanced" magic, usually anyone who would dare tell a mage of her caliber to step it up would die on the spot. "Oh trust me, I''m holding back. The moment I use anything above tier 5 is when you''ll be on the floor." He waves his hand in a come at me motion again, this time his smirk looked a lot more stupid and cocky. She smirked as he waved his hand, her irritation fully turning into her competitiveness showing, and she started to feel excited to take him on in a real fight, not some stupid spar but a fight where only one would stand. "Careful what you wish for, brother", She lifted her hand and a blue glow began to appear in her palm. Yuto wasted no time setting up his defense, he raised his right arm. Stone Wall: Tier 2 Ring of Ernaline: His suit of armor reinforces, and his defense stat increases 103 + 1000 = 1103 Defensive stat "Come at me", his voice was confident but he also knew that his level was not high enough to fully tank this hit. She raised her eyebrow as he set up an earth stone wall, "What the? You seriously are improving way too fast..." "I have an excellent teacher", although she couldn''t see his face, she could tell he was giving her a genuine smile. Her cheeks tinted red as she was complimented, her competitive attitude fading slightly as she mumbled quietly. "Hmpf, you''re just trying to flatter me now... it won''t work, of course, I''m immune" Yuto could see her spell building in power and yup it was above 5-tier magic, he took a defensive position, his current defensive stat should at least keep him alive. ~Master will you survive this, that spell holds a lot of power even if she does hold back Yuto just smirked, a reassuring chuckle was all he gave her. Cynthia took on a more serious expression as she saw that he was ready to defend against her incoming attack, she put all her focus into this upcoming attack, as even with Yuto''s high defense stat, she still wanted to test the limits of his strength. She muttered an incantation under her breath, the glow in her palm growing brighter than it was before as lightning began to form in her palm and it took only a second before she launched it. [ Divine Judgment: Tier 6 ] She launched a massive lightning bolt straight at him, it was going at an incredible speed, and it was headed straight toward his chest. It broke through the 3 earth walls that he had built and sent giant jolts inside of him. He bit his lips to not yell in pain, some of his wounds reopened as some blood started to leak out, eventually sending him flying to a nearby tree. She watched as her attack made a clear opening in all three of the stone walls, and then it made a direct hit on Yuto, sending him flying into a tree with a loud thud. She was quite surprised and shocked that her attack was successful, and she wasn''t expecting him to get flung back like a piece of meat. She rushed over to him, her competitive attitude was completely gone and replaced with nothing but worry, "O-oh my- are you okay??!" She was starting to panic as he didn''t respond, it didn''t help seeing that the wounds on his body began to reopen a bit because of her attack, she knelt beside him, gently shaking him. "Brother? Hey come on, say something! Did I go too far with that one?!" Yuto lifts his right hand and pinches her cheek lightly, "Aw, is someone worried?" She pouted as he pinched her cheek, slapping his hand away, "Hey-! Don''t give me that tone! Of course, I''m worried, I just hit you with a lightning bolt for crying out loud!" <- System -> [ Cancel Rings Effects? ] [ Yes or No ] [ The host has clicked YES ] The armor around Yuto begins to disappear, he struggles but succeeds in taking off his shirt, and it is clear that her spell did do a lot of damage as he now has a small ball-sized burnt on his chest. ~It seems like your sister earned her title of mage, even with high defense she left you a small mark and sent you flying Yuto nodded ~This also means that I must get stronger if 5th and 6-tier magic can injure me like this, she managed to reopen my wounds and send me flying back despite having the ring of Ernaline activated "Haha and just a day ago you were giving Dad grief for beating my ass in a fight," Yuto could only chuckle through the pain. "W-well this is completely different!" She protested, still pouting a bit, her hand gently grazing over the areas where your wounds had opened up again due to her lightning bolt. "I don''t know if you''ve noticed, but you''re bleeding again..." "I am indeed bleeding again," he pinches her cheek again, "So you see, accidents can happen in these ''spars'', that''s why it''s important to get along with Dad" She gently grabbed his wrist and moved his hand away as he pinched her cheek yet again, although she didn''t say anything this time around. "Yeah yeah, whatever... I guess this time I do get why he beats you so much. You''re annoying as hell sometimes, you know that?" "Hmm, I remember someone crying and clinging to my chest begging me not to leave them, and making me promise, I wonder who that could be?" Her face began to turn red as Yuto brought up a couple of very embarrassing memories, she was about to say something in protest but ended up sputtering, flustered beyond belief at the fact that he brought up such memories. "S-shut up! T-that was years ago!" "That was yesterday", he gave out a little chuckle patting her head. "Oh my god- Shut up! You know what I mean!" She swat his hand away. She huffed and looked away from him, pouting as she tried to look tough despite her bright red cheeks that were probably making her look just cute rather than intimidating. "Come here," he pulls her into a hug. She didn''t resist the hug and let him pull her into it, her arms wrapping around you gently, being quite careful not to touch any of your open wounds. "Hmph...you''re so... annoying... you know that?" "I''m also your big brother" "I know that, idiot" She said this, but she still hugged him tight, her head resting on his shoulder gently. "Cynthia, it''s my job to show you, that as long as I''m around I''ll protect you" She nuzzled her face into his shoulder gently, her expression softened at his words. "I know you will... you''re always gonna be there to kick anyone''s ass that hurts me, but I''m also not defenseless you know. I can protect myself just fine" "Cynthia, one day, I will tell you the truth about why I have to get stronger and why I''m asking for our family''s support" She paused, a bit surprised to hear these words, she pulled away from the hug, a quizzical expression on her face as she tried to get a look at his "The truth...? Get stronger...? Family''s support? Why? Is there something you''re not telling us? Something serious?" "I already spoke to Mom, and she understands" She paused, she had no idea what he was talking about and felt a bit left out that he would tell their mother but not her. "Mom knows? So does that mean you''re not going to tell me? Why am I not in the know about this?" "Because it would hurt you" Hearing those words only caused her feelings of curiosity and slight irritation to amplify, her hands clenched into loose fists as she looked at him with a pout and a mixture of annoyance and worry. "Not telling me isn''t going to make this any better, it''ll just make me more worried! Just tell me already, whatever it is, I can handle it." "Mizuki", as he says that name a beautiful woman with short silver hair and beautiful crimson eyes appears next to him straight out of his ring, "She is my ego sword" She watched, a bit baffled as a woman appeared out of his ring, she stared at the woman for a few seconds before turning her attention back to Yuto. "Your...ego sword? So...is she your partner sort of? And your ego sword? I''m... so confused..." "Let me explain, I am his ego sword, partner, and part-time lover, we made a contract before you all left to see your aunt, as for what is an ego sword, well it is a sword with a soul of its own, and will grow with their contractor, in this case, your brother" She was even more confused by the explanation, she had even more questions but decided to focus on the most important one, well at least important to her at the moment. "Part-time lover- what? Wait- hold on-" She stumbled over her words, trying to process exactly what was going on. After a few seconds of sputtering in confusion, she took a breath and spoke again. "Okay... so basically, what you''re saying is that you have a sword, who''s your... lover? And she can come out of your ring?" Yuto flicks Mizuki''s head, "Her form is a very beautiful sword. She''s only taking on a ring appearance for now" She looked at the woman again, trying to imagine her but as a sword instead. But then a thought came to mind and she looked at him again. "That... still doesn''t explain the part-time lover thing... unless you''re joking. You are joking, right? You''re not serious about dating a sword" Yuto quickly darts his head away, while Mizuki with a smirk clings to his arm. She raised an eyebrow, noticing him look away and the sudden change in their body language. "Hey... answer the question. Are you seriously dating your sword or did you just forget to add the "just kidding" at the end of your joke?" "Cough, is that important?", Yuto stared dumbfounded. She pouted and crossed her arms again, growing irritated that Yuto didn''t give her a straightforward answer. "Yes, that is important! You can''t just drop something like that on me and not expect me to ask you about it!" "A woman comes out of my ring, is an ego sword, and has a powerful presence but you''re more focused on the lover part?" "Of course I am! The fact that she''s your ego sword is weird enough! Adding ''lover'' to the mix is even weirder!" "Hev. I didn''t judge you when you had a crush on-" She flinched when he started to mention her embarrassing secret, her cheeks immediately turning redder as she quickly interrupted him by placing her hands over his lips. "SHH! Don''t talk about that out loud!!" "Anyways, this is all I can tell you for now. No more questions, and you better hide this from Dad" She huffed in annoyance as he once again wouldn''t tell her much but she nodded in agreement, "Fine fine... I get it, no more questions. I''m great at keeping secrets, so you don''t have to worry about Dad finding out from me" Mizuki hovers over Cynthia and pats her head, "What a cute one, no wonder you care for her" She looked at Mizuki as she patted her head, her cheeks turning a brighter shade of red. She couldn''t help but blush slightly from having a beautiful woman compliment her like that. "H-hey... th-thanks..." She mumbled out quietly, she wasn''t expecting a compliment from her, which only made her cheeks turn even redder. Mizuki smirks as she goes back into the ring, "Trust this brother of yours, Cynthia" She watched as Mizuki went back into the ring and huffed, shifting her focus back to Yuto. She sighed, crossing her arms and giving him a pouty look. "I do trust you. Just don''t be stupid, got it?" Yuto leans forward and gives her a quick peck on the forehead, he used to do this when they were younger as a promise to be kept. A light shade of pink dusted her cheeks as he kissed her forehead, and she huffed, looking away in an attempt to look like she wasn''t that flustered. "Ugh- I know that already, you idiot..." "Man, I kinda miss when you were crying and practically holding me down not to leave" Her face turned even redder as he brought up that memory, and she looked at him with an expression that was a mixture of irritation and embarrassment. "Wha- HEY don''t bring that up out of the blue like that! That was years ago, back when I was a lot younger and didn''t know how to handle my emotions!" "Come on we have to get back to camp, only 2 more days and we are at aunties" Cynthia sighed after recovering from her embarrassment and nodded in agreement, "Yeah yeah, let''s go. I can''t wait to see Aunt Lily, you know how good her cooking is?" "Except Mom hates her," Yuto rolls his eyes remembering all the annoying fights they''ve had to break up between the crazy duo. "Yeah, Aunt Lilly always has a way of annoying her, and Mom always gets worked up over what she says." <- System Reward -> [ New Passive: Recovery twice a day ] Yuto forgot about his injuries for a second before noticing a green light envelope him, his wounds started to close and the smaller scars started to disappear, and was a bit shocked to gain a new ability, one that healed every wound and restored a bit of mana and stamina. Volume 1 Chapter 6 Family Gathering <- System Rewards -> [-New Passive: Recovery twice a day-] Defense Stat +10 Mana Stat +10 Strength Stat +10 [ New Stat Available: Stamina- Allows Host a certain amount of time to remain active, and exert itself for prolonged periods ] Yuto saw his body being healed and felt a rush of strength and endurance return to him, and his body felt so alive and powerful. Even Cynthia turned her head back as she noticed the glowing green light, she looked in awe as his wounds healed up, leaving no trace of scars. "B-brother, what did you do?" Cynthia stopped in her tracks, she was confused and rather curious about how her brother managed to heal such wounds and felt stupid to have forgotten the fact that he was bleeding out Yuto smirked, "Looks like I learned some healing magic, wait why didn''t you heal me before?" Cynthia looked a bit sheepish as she turned her head away, "W-well I mean, hey they healed up now, so no harm done right?", she asked with a stupid grin. He flicked her forehead and proceeded to continue walking, "Sure you did now hurry up, I''m starving, talking about Aunt Lily''s food made me hungry" ~Yuto, I felt your strength increase, did you receive some rewards from the system? Yuto chuckles, [-Yes, it seems as if my actions truly do matter, I''ll check the rest later, for right now I''m a bit hungry-] Mizuki in her spiritual form, patted his head. ~You''re not in pain anymore, are you?, her usual demeanor was gone, as although his injuries healed she was worried about his mental health Yuto gave her a reassuring smile, [-No, in fact, I feel a lot better, so don''t worry we can discuss the rest after I eat-] Mizuki takes a smaller form, the size of his hand, and sits on his shoulder. ~Now this is more comfortable Yuto lets out a little chuckle as he pinches Mizuki''s cheek, [-Jeez, what am I going to do with you-] Mizuki chuckled, ~So you decide to tell her about me? [-It''s the least I can do, I''m still keeping secrets from Mom and her, the most I can tell them is about you-] ~Whatever you decide Yuto, I''ll support you Although she saw that her brother was smiling and talking to Mizuki, she couldn''t help but feel a bit tense, her thoughts were all over the place but the clear one was ~ Healing magic is only available to those in the 3rd Tier so Mizuki must have done that green light, so she knows healing magic? With that thought it was almost easy to pinpoint Yuto''s level but also impossible to grasp, how can a newly awakened be in the 3rd Tier? "Cynthia?" She snapped out of it as Yuto called her name out "Coming!" As if her brother can be in the 3rd Tier, Mizuki probably healed him After eating their fill, and finishing the rest of their journey, they finally reached his aunt''s home, in the city of Driffield, a city that most adventurers will call "The Beginners Town," a great place for a newly awakened Yuto to train for a month. -Aunt''s Home- It was at the end of the city, a large mansion that puts his family home to shame, how can she afford all this? She is a high-ranking mage who has a lot of accomplishments as an adventurer, publishing her books on magic, Cara does not like her sister as she sees her as nothing more than an immature brat who has money and other personal issues. "Hey Mom," Yuto asked with the utmost cutest tone he could give, Mizuki was laughing her guts off at how out of pocket Yuto sounded, even his Dad and Cynthia looked at each other with surprise. "Yes, sweetie?" She answered with a soft smile on her face as she looked at him and then at the city, they arrived in, it was truly a sight to behold as they had lived in the mountains in a small village for 17 years "Are you going to be okay, I mean me and Cynthia know you don''t have a good relationship with Aunt Lily," Yuto was in no way going to mention his Dad as he looked away rather quickly, away from the conversation. His Mom let out a chuckle and gave him a bright smile, she patted his head with her hand, gently and reassuring him. "Don''t worry sweetie, I''ll be fine. I can handle your Aunty" Yuto and Cynthia both looked at each other worried, from past experiences, they could tell when their mother was lying, she would usually hold her finger on her leg and close her eyes as she spoke sweetly. It is a truly terrifying thing to see as no one can imagine this sweet-looking woman would be capable of one-shotting a bear. ~Jeez I''m more scared of your mother than the time your dad beat the shit out of us if looks can kill I promise you this, your mother would be a world champion Yuto agrees with Mizuki almost instantly, [-Careful now my mother is very perspective if she knows I''m talking to you in my mind, it''s over for me-] They both laugh with each other. It is very clear who wears the belt in this family, and it ain''t the dad with how quickly he looks away when the topic of Aunt Lily is brought up. His Mother looks at both Yuto and Cynthia and can''t help but raise her eyebrow when she notices that both of them look worried. She let out a chuckle, "Hey, what are you both worrying about? I can handle your Aunt Lily alright" Their father was just staring out the window, just hoping they would get out of the carriage before their Mother exploded. Cara looked at her husband, surprised when she noticed that he was worried as well, she couldn''t help but scoff and look at all of them in annoyance. "Can you all stop worrying for a moment and trust me? I can handle a conversation with your Aunty, alright?" The Carriage doors finally opened, and who other than Aunt Lily was waiting by her door, along with 10 other servants waiting to carry any luggage they might have Lily was wearing a very beautiful purple dress, her smooth black hair tied in a bun, and her brown eyes looked captivating as her eyes met their mothers. She gave her a very cocky grin. Cara glared a little when she saw Aunt Lily in front of her door and gave her a false smile in "Greeting" The family left the carriage and walked up to her doorstep, Cara zooms past both Yuto and Cynthia, her arms crossed across her chest as she waves her hair back. "Hello Lily," Cara gave her sister the most sarcastic greeting, Yuto, Cynthia, Mizuki, and their Father all looked at the both of them with a tired expression. "Oh boy here we go again," Cynthia sighed as she shook her head. Cara could feel a vein pumping on her forehead as Lily spoke in such a careless tone to her. She let out a soft chuckle that was mostly just anger and annoyance before she spoke again. "Yes... it''s nice to see that you didn''t change at all"Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Lily with a smudged look walked even closer, with every step she took the air around them started to feel like suffocation, she enjoyed the look on her sister''s face knowing she could do nothing as she was not a mage or a swordsman. "So what''s so special that you''ll come to visit little old me?" Yuto''s Dad was the one to stop the suffocating air as Cynthia was about to counter Lily''s spell with hers, Lily noticed this and gave her a wink, which only made Cynthia angry. Both Yuto and his father looked at each other, on the verge of tears trying to stop the 3 ladies from ripping each other apart. Cara resisted the urge to just snap at Lily in anger and instead kept her usual smile. She let out a soft sigh before speaking again. "Well, I need to talk to you for a moment. A family matter," Cara asked with a neutral tone, Yuto''s dad finally stepped up and reassuringly held Cara''s hand. "Oh, scared I''ll steal your husband if he comes in?" Lily responded with her usual cockiness. That sentence was the single most triggering sentence that could''ve come out of her mouth. Cara felt her eyes widen as her fake smile turned into a scowl. She clenched her teeth as she spoke in an angered, yet still quiet tone. Yuto, Cynthia, and even Mizuki backed away giving their condolences to Yuto''s dad, who was now trapped as Cara gripped his hand with a lot of strength, 50 percent for support and the other 50 was to hold her back from ripping Lily''s face off. "Excuse me?! What in the hell makes you think that I''d be scared you''d steal my husband?" "Jeez Cara, almost 41 and still acting 15," Lily started walking back to her doorstep. Cara felt another vein pumping on her forehead as Lily walked away, her smug look only fueling the fire of resentment, Cara could barely hold the anger inside her. Her eyes start to twitch slightly from annoyance and anger, "I''m not acting 15! And why do you always get on my damn nerves!" Yuto stepped up and patted her back, "Mom," Mizuki passed out from the amount of energy his Mom was leaking. His Mom took a deep breath to calm her anger when she felt Yuto patting her back. She spoke with a calmer tone and turned to look at him and the others while she still looked annoyed at Lily. "Yes, sweetie?" "We need to talk to her about my awakening and I am hungry" She nodded in agreement with Yuto, as Cynthia was now passed out in their dad''s arms and looked back at Aunt Lily. She stares back at her with an annoying smirk on her face that Cara wants to slap off. She spoke with a little anger in her tone. "We have something to discuss with you, Lily it is important" "Oh, what is it that you would bow your head down?" Cara felt the anger and annoyance rising again when she spoke to her in her careless tone. Cara crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at her with a serious expression. "It''s about Yuto''s awakening" "Huh, he finally awakened?"Aunt Lily''s usual cocky demeanor stopped, and she walk down to check Yuto''s progress, she grabbed his arms of course with his permission, and started to inject some of her mana into his body "I didn''t notice at first but his hair and eye color are different" <- System -> Skill: Appraisal, has been copied Yuto is surprised when the system appears, moreover, he gains a new skill. ["I can copy skills if it''s used on me?"] <- System Alert -> HOST UNKNOWN MANA IS BEING INJECTED, WILL THE HOST ACCEPT MANA VIEWING AND APPRAISAL SKILL? HOST HAS ACCEPTED Cara felt a little satisfied when she saw Aunt Lily dropping her usually annoying demeanor, and walking closer to check on Yuto. Cara looked at Yuto and then looked back at Aunt Lily, "So... what do you think, Lily?" "Incredible, a late bloomer who awakened just recently, has talent in both magic and aura, hell even in almost every type of weapon use" Cara with a proud look nodded as Aunt Lily spoke with her observations about Yuto''s growth and talent. She patted Yuto''s head softly when she mentioned how he was a late bloomer. "I know, right? I''m honestly quite surprised by his talent and speed he developed already" "This ring, you finally gave him the ring of Ernaline?" Yuto spoke up, "You know about this ring Aunty?" Lily let out a chuckle as she patted his back, "Brat, who do you think sold this ring?" Cara looked surprised that Lily immediately recognized the ring from its aura, but still nodded and answered her question. "Yes... I and my husband gave that to Yuto 6 days ago, he was supposed to receive it 3 years ago but seeing as he did not awaken back then it would have been dangerous without any abilities to back it up" "Hmm, what''s this other ring?" Cara looked at Lily, surprised that she noticed that Yuto had not only one but two rings on his fingers. Cara raised her eyebrow and looked at the other ring Lily mentioned, "You noticed the other ring on his finger?" Yuto after the talk with his sister started to conceal Mizuki with his magic, of course to those who were stronger than him, they were bound to notice Yuto gave his mother a look that said, "I do not want her to know about Mizuki so bail me out" His mother noticed the expression shift in Yuto and the look he gave her and understood that he did not want Lily to know about that ''ring''. She looked back at Lily and gave her a confident smile. "It''s just a normal ring... don''t worry about it," she glanced at Yuto and winked, Mizuki gave her a smile in return. ["Looks like Mom is keeping her promise about keeping you a secret"] Mizuki responds, her voice amused and slightly skeptical. ~Hehe, I''m rather grateful that your mother is keeping her word. Still, just because she hasn''t mentioned anything yet doesn''t mean she won''t later on. She might just be waiting for the right time to bring it up again. ["At least she''s giving us the right to bring it up when we want to, others wouldn''t even get such an opportunity"] Mizuki nods in agreement, a hint of relief in her voice. ~Yeah, that''s true. At least she didn''t immediately start asking questions or demanding explanations like she did 2 days ago. Giving us the right to speak about it in due time is a small victory in a way. "Hmm, so what about Yuto''s awakening did you want to talk about?"Aunt Lily looks at Cara with a serious tone. Cara nodded, as she stepped in front of Yuto, "Well... about that..." Aunt Lily sighs, "Jeez, come in first. It''s cold, and talking to you makes me hungry" "Sure, thank you..." They enter the giant mansion and get set in their rooms, where his mother remarks that each room is just too big for its good, everyone agrees because all 3 rooms put together are already bigger than their small cabin in the woods. The 3 adults went to the ''Living Room'', talked, and planned to stay for a week, maybe even a month. "Yuto dinner is ready" Cynthia barges into Yuto''s room, Mizuki is lying on his bed bored out of her mind, her legs against the wall. Cynthia sees this and slams his door behind her, "W-what is she doing on your bed?" Yuto chuckles, "I did promise her that she could be in her physical form when we reached Aunt''s home" "Yes, you did promise her that, but did you seriously have to ask her to stay in such a position?" Cynthia did her best to keep her voice down, she was embarrassed while looking between her brother and Miuzki in disbelief. Mizuki with a smirk chimes in, "Oh dear, what exactly did you have in mind?" "Wh-?! I wasn''t thinking of anything!" Cynthia became defensive and started to stammer out in response to Mizuki''s teasing, her cheeks turning to a nice shade of red as she quickly looked away avoiding eye contact. "Mizuki, don''t tease my little sister, she is as red as a tomato" Cynthia blushed even harder, her face felt like it was on fire as she mumbled quietly, "Y-yeah stop teasing me, I''ve already seen enough to get scared for life.." Mizuki gave her a wink before going back to lying down, Cynthia took a few breaths, trying to get her embarrassment to die down, before replying, "I just came in to tell you dinner was ready, and then I see... this" Yuto walks up and pats Cynthia''s head, "Well I don''t mean to blame you, but you did just barge into my room" She paused when Yuto said that, glancing at the door for a brief second, "I- well- I didn''t know you two were doing that! You didn''t even lock the door!" "Sure, whatever you say, I''ll meet you in the dining room," Yuto already looked worn out, thinking this was becoming another Aunt and mother situation. "Tch.. whatever.." She huffed, mumbling quietly to herself as she left the room, closing the door behind her, her face still bright red from the embarrassment of walking in on Yuto and Mizuki. "St-stupid brother, always teasing me" After putting on the clothes his Aunt picked out for him, Yuto made his way into the hall that connected to the living room. His mother sees him walking to the dining room but stops Yuto to speak to him, she quietly pulls him aside. "Sweetie..." her voice was gentle yet nervous. "Yes, Mom?" Both Mizuki and Yuto were surprised at how small his mother looked. Yuto and Cynthia both knew that she didn''t like coming to her sister''s home but she had never backed down or had a nervous look. His Mother looked at him as he answered with a concerned tone, she took a deep breath before she spoke nervously but still tried to keep her voice down. "Remember what we talked about earlier?.." "About Mizuki?" Yuto holds his mother''s hands. His mother nodded and glanced around the room for a moment before she looked back at him and spoke quietly again. "Yes, about her..." Mizuki pops out, "What''s wrong ma''am" His mother flinches a little when Mizuki suddenly pops out of seemingly nowhere. His mother glanced around the room again to make sure that no one saw her before she looked at her. "Stop with those sudden appearances, I almost had a heart attack" Mizuki chuckles and so does Yuto as she turns small again and sits on Yuto''s shoulder. Cara let out an annoyed sigh as both Mizuki and her son chuckled at her. She looked at Yuto and glanced a few times around the room again before she leaned closer to his ear. "Did anyone see her just now?" "No, she''s in her spiritual form so only you should be able to see her, let alone sense her" His mother felt relieved when Yuto mentioned that nobody else should''ve seen Mizuki, She let out a soft sigh and leaned back. "How much did you hear?" "Well, ma''am. Your sister is a mage and a 6th tier one like Cynthia, which would explain why you couldn''t stop the wind magic from earlier" Cara blinks in surprise at Mizuki''s remark about Lily being a mage. "Yes, that''s right... it''s good that you''re aware that she is a mage" "So what''s wrong Mom?" "Sweetie... there is something about Aunt Lily that you should know..." Both Mizuki and Yuto tilt their heads in curiosity, Yuto this has been a family mystery for years, why his mother had such a dislike for Aunt Lily. Cara looks at Yuto and Mizuki for a moment, she takes a deep breath and finally continues to speak, "Promise me that what I tell you will remain a secret, okay?" They shake their heads incredibly fast, Cara feels relief when they both agree to keep the secret that she''s about to tell them. She spoke in a quiet and nervous tone, "Good... you probably noticed how Aunt Lily and I are not exactly on good terms, right?" Yuto let out a soft sigh and nodded, "Yes," Yuto thought that it was pretty obvious they were not on good terms when they tore each other apart like rabid dogs. "The reason for that is... that Aunt Lily and I have a long story of tension between each other..." Mizuki sets up a noise-canceling barrier. "Aunt Lily and I are not on good terms like this just because of family tension. But instead because she... has... feelings... for your father" They both slap their faces, "Mom, I think that''s pretty clear" Cara raises her eyebrow in surprise, "Is it really THAT obvious?" "Jeez, I''m starting to think Aunt Lily is right when she says you act like a 15-year-old" Wrong words as both Mizuki and Yuto felt the taste of death, as a vein started pumping on her forehead in irritation. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and spoke in a slightly annoyed tone. "What do you mean by that? Me acting like a 15-year-old old? "Mom, Dad only has eyes for you, and you alone" Cara felt a slight blush on her cheeks when Yuto mentioned it with such a laid-back attitude, she let out a soft sigh, She looked back at him and spoke with less irritation. "Your father indeed has eyes only for me... but Aunt Lily''s feelings make me... worried..." "Jeez, Mom, trust my Father, you and Dad have been married for 20 years by this point" Cara looks at her son and lets out another sigh when he tells her to trust her husband. She spoke in her usual soft tone, her eyes filled with warmth and love. "Y-You is right, I should... but it''s hard when Aunt Lily always flirts with him..." "And Dad shuts her down quickly, now please I''m starving and so is Mizuki" His mother looked a little surprised when Yuto mentioned how her husband shuts down Aunt Lily''s flirts quickly. She looked at Yuto and Mizuki for a moment before speaking again. "Alright, alright. We can talk more about this later. Let''s just eat already", they make it to the dining table and sit. "What took you so long?" Aunt Lily asks, Cara pauses for a moment before answering. "Oh uhm... we were talking about something..." "So, Yuto''s awakening" Cara nodded when Aunt Lily mentioned Yuto''s awakening, Cara let out another soft sigh. "Yes, Yuto''s awakening... there''s something we need to talk about with you regarding that..." "His talent and you want to see what else aside from his talent, right?" Lily received her cut-up steak from one of the servants and poured a glass of wine to all the adults. They even poured Yuto a glass of non-alcoholic wine and gave an extra large portion of food to Cynthia who was destroying all the food inside her black hole stomach. Cara nodded and looked at Aunt Lily with a serious expression, her tone held no anger, no sass, but one of a mother worried about her son. "You are correct... his talent, skills, and as well as what he''s capable of are what we want you to view and help him get a grasp on his abilities, we need you to talk to him to better understand his awakening" "Hmm, that should be fine, we can view more of his talent tomorrow morning, for right now eat and rest I''m sure your family hasn''t slept on a bed for a week" Cara nodded again and let out a soft sigh of relief when Lily said they could view more of Yuto''s talent tomorrow morning. Cara crossed her arms in front of her chest and spoke in a calmer tone. "That would be great... thank you, sister," she gave Lily a genuine smile, one that caught everyone off guard, hell even Lily seemed most surprised and felt a blush creeping in. "H-huh?" this was the first time in their family''s history where Lily had nothing to say, no snarky remark, no cocky attitude, just a cute woman whose entire face when beat red, Cynthia took a quick picture for ''Memories'' "W-whatever just eat the food and go to bed, we can discuss his schedule later", Although she tried to hide it, Aunt Lily had a huge smile on her face, this was the first time in almost 2 decades that both sisters stopped fighting, and where just eating like a normal family. -Yuto''s Room- Yuto was lying on his bed with Mizuki, she was caressing his right knuckle with her thumb, before the system appeared before him. <- New Quest -> Visit Your Father In The Backyard [ Rewards will be ] - +10 stat points to every stat -New Skill -New Passive Volume 1 Chapter 7 Re-match against Father Yuto looked at the system, surprised that it randomly popped up with a new quest, as he had done nothing to trigger a quest so late at night. "Jeez, a quest this late at night, all I did was eat?" "Does the system have a quest for you?" Mizuki, who just took a shower, was in nothing but a bathrobe "G-get dressed," Yuto''s face was flushed with embarrassment as he quickly looked away. Is this what Cynthia feels with Mizuki''s teasing? Mizuki laughs softly at his reaction, a teasing smirk spreading across her face. She let the bathrobe slip a bit lower on her shoulders, deliberately giving Yuto an enticing view of her exposed skin. "Hehe, why so shy all of a sudden? It''s just a piece of clothing, no need to hide. Besides, you seemed to enjoy the view earlier, didn''t you? There''s no need to look away and pretend you''re not tempted" "C-come on don''t tease me Mizuki, especially when a quest just appeared" She let out another soft chuckle, her smirk growing wider at his response. She takes a step closer to him, the silken material of the bathrobe brushing against his arm as she reaches for him. "Hmph, why not? Teasing you is so much fun, you know. Your reactions are always adorable. Besides, can you blame me for wanting to mess with you a little? It''s just too easy" Yuto cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the odd situation he found himself in, "Just wait until my training is done" She chuckled softly again, enjoying the sight of his flushed face. She leaned in slightly closer, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "Aww, you''re so cute when you''re all flustered. But fine, I can wait for now. But don''t expect me to wait forever, you know. I tend to get impatient" "Anyways, this quest says to meet my father outside in the back. The rewards seem good it''s just that it feels rather ominous" Mizuki listens intently as Yuto mentions the quest and its requirements, a flicker of concern crossing her face at the mention of it feeling ominous. "Meet your father outside in the back... and the rewards seem good, you say? Hmm, it could be a tricky one. But what do you mean by it feeling ominous? Something about it is making you uneasy, isn''t it?" "Don''t you find it strange that this whole week, my family hasn''t seen any type of monster?" She pauses for a moment, considering his words and letting the weight of his comment sink in before responding. "Hmm, you''re right. It is rather unusual. No monsters around at all this entire week" "That''s suspicious. It''s like the monsters are intentionally avoiding us, waiting for the right moment to strike¡­" "Strike. . ." Yuto can''t help but feel uneasy with the whole thing. "They wouldn''t be stupid to attack a beginner town, not when they have the guild here" Mizuki listens intently, hearing the unease and uncertainty in his voice. She nodded in agreement with his statement. "No, it doesn''t make sense for monsters to attack a beginner town like this. It''s too risky. They would probably steer clear of an area like this" "Which makes it even stranger that there have been no reports of monsters all week. Something''s fishy here¡­" They both start to grow uneasy. Why does the system want him to meet his father in the backyard? Why haven''t the monsters shown themselves? The more they thought, the more questions were asked. In the end, Yuto decided to meet his father, he got up, put on a pair of boots and a coat, and Mizuki returned to the ring. Mizuki watches in silence as Yuto prepares himself, mentally noting the items he''s equipping as he dresses himself, once he''s ready, she slips back into the ring. Her presence was quiet and unassuming as she waited patiently to be unleashed when needed. <- Quest -> Meet Your Father in the Backyard "System, what happens if I decline this quest?" <- System -> The host will lose possible Rewards and any special interactions. Yuto sighed and scratched his head, "Fine, I accept" <- System -> The host has accepted, Now teleporting to the destination. - Backyard Of The Mansion - In the blink of an eye, Yuto was in the backyard. Both he and Mizuki were surprised that the system could teleport him but did not question it as there were more important matters. "Man, it sure is cold out here," Yuto rubbed his arms to produce some heat. ~Hmm, I''m in a ring wrapped around your finger, I say I''m quite comfortable Mizuki says in her usual playful tone, Yuto chuckles as he rubs the ring, "Lucky" He felt a presence behind him as well as a small lamp turning on. He looked back to see his father sitting down and drinking some tea. ~It seems that your father loves his tea. He practically didn''t even notice us teleporting here. Yuto let out a chuckle as he made his way over to his father, "Why are you here, Dad?" Yuto remembers that it was the system that brought him outside. Now, it''s a question to see if it was true what it said. His father stared at him before chuckling, "And here I was about to drag your ass outside" Both Yuto and Mizuki shudder as they remember the title Yuto earned during their last ''Spar'', One-sided Slaughter Victim, a title that temporarily boosts all of his stats by 50 for 5 minutes when below 50 hp. "So then you wanted to meet here?" He looked up from his teacup, his expression softening slightly, "Yes, I wanted to talk to you. Come, sit down" He gestures for him to take a seat next to him, pours a new cup of tea, and passes it to Yuto. Yuto takes his seat next to his father and gratefully accepts the tea, "Is this about what Mom and Auntie were talking about during dinner, my awakening?" He nods, taking a thoughtful sip from his tea, "Yes, in part. We''ve noticed your progress in the sparing you took part in and that determination" "However, there''s a significant aspect of your training that needs to be addressed" Yuto took a sip from his cup, "And that would be what?" He sets down the teacup and looks at him intently. "My son, your emotional control and mental fortitude must be built up. You possess physical strength and skill, but your emotional state can easily dictate your actions and decisions" "In the heat of battle, unbridled anger or excessive emotions can lead to careless mistakes and costly slip-ups" Yuto gets a quick flash of what his father said in the dream world, Mizuki calms him down as she feels his heart start to speed up. ~Are you okay? ["Y-yeah, it just reminded me of what was said in the dream"] "Never lose your emotions. . ." He raises an eyebrow, a bit surprised by Yuto''s sudden response. "That''s correct. Emotion itself isn''t a weakness. However, uncontrolled emotions can cloud your judgment and lead to irrational actions" "In battle, you must remain calm under pressure, assessing situations objectively and making swift yet rational decisions" ~Heh, your father spoke like a true Sword Master, truly worthy of respect if he can control his emotions even in the heart of battle Yuto lets out a chuckle as he sips more tea, "So you wanna beat me till I learn how to control my emotions?" His father looks at him dead in the eye, his expression serious. "No, that''s not my intention. Beating you senseless won''t solve the issue, and it would contradict my training principles" "Instead, we''ll focus on techniques that teach you to channel and control your anger, rather than suppress it" <- Error / New Mission -> [ Learn Your Father''s Technique of Suppression ] Yuto looks at the system, confused but astonished. ["Mizuki I might need to have a duel with my father after all"] Mizuki sees through Yuto''s eyes and looks at the quest given. ~Just be careful, I don''t like that an error is showing up on the system "Then Dad, how long will that take?" He considers Yuto''s question, taking another sip of tea. "It''s going to take time and dedication. Learning to control your anger won''t happen in a day or even a month. It''s a continuous process" "The more you train and the more you face challenging situations, the better you''ll understand yourself, your emotions, and how to handle them in battle" Yuto and Mizuki both smirk and the system will make sure that Yuto masters this technique in a week. Yuto finished his tea, got up, and walked over to the yard, "Then do you wanna have a quick match? This time, Mom and Cynthia won''t interrupt" Mizuki smiles as Yuto calls her to his side, a very beautiful sword with two red ribbons attached. His father''s eyes flicker with interest as he gazes at Yuto''s sword. He sets his teacup down and stands up, walking into the yard with a graceful stride. "Very well. I accept your challenge. " He unsheathed his katana, the steel blade gleaming in the sunlight. Yuto smiles as Mizuki switches forms to a katana, her true weapon form, sharp, swift, and the 2 red ribbons still attached. He appraises Yuto''s sword, recognizing its balance and elegance. "Your blade has an elegance to it. But beauty alone doesn''t win battles. " He took a fighting stance, poised and ready to move at any moment. ~While I am rather thankful that your father complimented me, you feel it too don''t you, the feeling of death looming, he''s serious this time Yuto grips his katana with both hands rather tightly. ["We just can''t back out this time. We need to show him that we can do it, that he can trust us with his secrets"] Mizuki smiles at him, her spiritual form appearing next to him, helping him grip the blade in a better position. As his father notices Mizuki''s presence, a flicker of surprise crosses his face. "I see you''ve received some help," He remains focused, his eyes locked on his son''s stance and movements. "I''ll tell you more about her if you can knock me out within 10 minutes" His father raises an eyebrow at the challenge, intrigued by Yuto''s bold proposal. "Very well. I''ll take it. " He crouches slightly, ready to begin the countdown. "You have 10 minutes starting... now" In a flash, Yuto sees his father bring down his sword, breaking the ground. Yuto just barely as his shirt was ripped off. [ Skill: Phantom step ] ["Shit, if it wasn''t for phantom step, my ass would be down right now"] Mizuki chuckles as she looks at the giant hole in the ground. ~Come on, we can win if we can read some of his movements like last time, don''t go giving up on me, Yuto ["We''ll win!"] [ Skill: Quick x phantom step ] His father is taken off guard by Yuto''s sudden burst of speed and dodging skill, his attack missing him by a narrow margin. He quickly recovers his composure, adapting to Yuto''s altered speed. "Ah, so you''re faster now. Impressive" ["He caught up!"] [ Skill: Quick Step ] Yuto''s speed increases, almost like teleportation, appearing right behind his father [ Martial Art: New Moon Strike ] Yuto aimed to catch his father off guard by attacking his flanks. His father senses Yuto''s fast approach and pivots to dodge the New Moon Strike. His blade swerves up to deflect the attack, but the quick step skill still manages to catch him off guard, making him sidestep slightly. "You''re indeed faster. And you have a knack for surprises" Yuto stopped in his tracks, his blood ran cold as he felt his father''s killing intent. His father takes note of his reaction, a flicker of surprise passing over his face. "Ah, so you can sense my killing intent as well, most impressive." He took a step forward, his katana lowered but still poised to strike, "You''re more attuned to your surroundings than I thought" [ Skill: Shadow Step ] It looked as if Yuto began to merge with the shadows in an attempt to hide in the darkness. He notices Yuto''s attempt to hide in the shadows, but his keen senses and experience allow him to anticipate Yuto''s movement. "Don''t think the shadows will save you. I can still sense you" Yuto and Mizuki know that he''s telling the truth. This is a man who has seen his fair share of war, "Is that so?" He nods, his eyes scanning the surroundings for Yuto''s exact position. "Yes, I can still track your movements, even in the shadows. You''ll have to try harder if you want to evade me" Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Yuto looked up and saw his father bringing down his Katana, the ground shocked hard, causing Yuto to be forced out of the shadows. The fight between Yuto and his father unfolds in a whirlwind of clash and counter, as both their katanas whirl through the air, each blow landing with a ringing sound, filling the air with a metallic symphony. Yuto, thanks to Mizuki''s instructions, began to move with a grace and elegance unlike anything his father had ever seen, his quickstep technique adding a touch of fluidity to his otherwise brutal strikes. Every move is calculated, and each attack is aimed to bring his father down. "My dear boy, it seems as if you have been training in secret, even if I am holding back 99 percent, the fact that you can even land some hits on me is impressive on its own" His father, now starting to take this fight seriously, starts to fight with stoic determination and precision, his swordsmanship honed by years of training and experience. The clash of their swords echoes, a constant reminder of the intense dance of steel. Yuto''s attacks grow fiercer, his determination driving him to push further. His father, however, remains calm and focused, his experience enabling him to predict Yuto''s moves and counter them with ease. ~Jeez, now he feels like playing with us, I''m guessing he''ll start using just a tad bit more strength and skill ["Mizuki please guide me once more"] [ Skill and Martial Art: Shadow Step X New Moon Strike ] It was a swift and powerful strike that normal people wouldn''t be able to dodge as Yuto increased his speed as well. Despite this, Yuto is unable to land that single hit on his father. Every attack is blocked, parried, or dodged effortlessly, his father''s defense unyielding. "Haha, you let me get a few hits in?" His father responds to Yuto''s question with a small, barely perceptible smirk, his face still a mask of stoicism, "Don''t flatter yourself. Those hits were allowed to humble your overconfidence" In a quick flash, his father disappears, Yuto looks down and sees his father, his blade pressed against Yuto''s stomach gently so as not to cut him. "Try to endure this," he sent Yuto, flying to the wall. The force behind the blow is immense, sending Yuto hurtling backward against the wall with a loud thump. Pain spreads through his back as he hits the surface, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs. <- System Warning -> [ Host now has a broken arm and is bleeding ] His left arm is broken, but he bites his lip to hold in the scream. His body is starting to bleed as he gains some cuts from falling off the wall, along with some concrete falling on him. His father''s eyebrows furrow upon seeing Yuto''s injuries, concern briefly flashing across his face, but she quickly masks his emotions, staying focused on the fight. "You''re injured. Can you continue?" Yuto raises his bleeding right arm. It was shaking, but Yuto held firm, "I''m still standing" He studies Yuto''s determined expression, his gaze taking in his bloodied arm and shaking hand. "Indeed, you''re still standing. But you won''t remain that way for long. You are severely injured and in no condition to continue fighting" ~Yuto, are you sure you can continue, we can stop here. It seems even your father doesn''t want to continue. ["Mizuki, do you trust me?"] Mizuki, without hesitation, reassures him that she has his back. ["I still have one card up my sleeve he hasn''t seen, so trust me"] TITLE: ONE-SIDED SLAUGHTER VICTIM IS NOW ACTIVATED [ ALL STATS INCREASE BY 50 FOR 5 MINUTES ] Yuto sees that one of his titles is now active, "Shit, that means I''m below 50 percent of my health, I don''t have much time left, Mizuki, help me win!" Mizuki stays quiet as she feels 50 percent of the pain Yuto feels while in her sword form, she can feel Yuto''s body screaming to stop. ''As you wish, I will support you 100 percent'' Yuto''s blood stops spilling for a second as Mizuki supports him with buffs. +10 Attack +10 Speed +10 Defense Yuto smiles as he holds firmly, "COME AT ME!" His father sighed, shaking his head, his voice firm but tinged with a hint of concern. "Your determination is admirable, but you''re being foolish. You''re injured, and continuing to fight will only make matters worse. It''s time to stop" [ Skill x Martial Art: Swift Crescent Kick ] The kick catches him off guard, the power and elegance of the technique forcing him to sidestep to avoid it. "Impressive technique. But it won''t be enough to bring me down" With his non-broken right arm, he brings the blade upwards, intending to at least cut off a bit of his father''s hair. He quickly raises his sword to parry the incoming strike, the blades colliding with a resounding clash. Yuto coughs a bit of blood out as he looks down, his father''s foot connected with Yuto''s stomach, knocking the wind out of him and sending him flying back to the wall. The force of the impact shatters the wall, sending debris flying in all directions. Yuto is slammed against the broken wall, his body hitting the remnants hard. Yuto broke his right leg and his right arm, no longer being able to hold Mizuki, as she fell to the side. He stares at Yuto, his body battered and severely injured, blood covering his clothes and streaming from various wounds. "That was foolish of you. Look at the state you''re in. Your body will only break further if you continue this. You need to stop now" [ Passive: Grace Healing ] All of Yutos wounds, broken bones, and even some of the teeth that fell out are healed, his body glowing green as Yuto stands up completely healed. His father''s eyes widen in surprise as he watches Yuto heal right before him. The speed and efficiency of his recovery are unnatural, almost defying the limits of the human body. "Yuto, what is this? How did you heal so quickly?" Yuto places Mizuki back into his ring, "14 minutes have passed, it seems as if I won the bet" His father sheathes his katana and dusts off his clothes, "Hah, it seems as if you did improve. Just a few days ago, you couldn''t even stand from wounds" "Although I was holding back, the truth of the matter is that you got some hits in as well as going past the initial 10 minutes, I''m proud of you" Both Yuto and Mizuki were stunned, his father had such a warm smile, and he was genuine with what he said. "T-thank you, Father," Yuto can''t help but feel extremely happy, Mizuki notices and chimes in ''I mean he is right. We couldn''t even land a proper hit on him, so be proud, Yuto. I''d say we earned that right'' <- System -> Will the host accept now? ["Can I accept the rewards at a later time?"] <- System -> [ Of course, rewards will appear again when you are ready to accept ] "Father, I seem to be exhausted, may I be excused back to my room?" Yuto''s father had many questions: What was the healing, how could he improve so much in just a week, and who or what was the silhouette of a woman standing behind and supporting his son? "Alright, just make sure not to speak to anyone about our fight, hell if your mother knew I sent you flying to the wall, I shudder to even think how she''ll react, I''ll clean up here so goodnight" Yuto bowed and returned to the mansion. As he entered, the system appeared before him. <- System -> Will the Host Teleport Back to his Room? ["Oh you can do that?"] <- System -> [ Host Can Teleport to Small Distances he has been to ] ["Well in that case, please teleport me back into my room"] <- System -> [ As You Wish, Teleporting Host Back Into His Room ] Yuto found himself on his bed. He got up and looked around. He was impressed at the potential the system had "Wow I can get used to this, I wonder if I can learn teleportation magic soon, system please give me my rewards" <- System -> [ The Host has accepted, please check your status window ] "Hmm, Status Window", Yuto looked up to see his blue screen, Mizuki got out of the ring and went into her physical form to check on Yuto''s progress. Yuto Akimitsu Title: Youngest Demon Prince One-Sided Slaughter Victim Class: Prince of Darkness Level: 40 Stats: Strength 173 / Speed 73 / Agility 73 / Defense 123 / Health 1013 / Mana 123 / Mentality 1010 / Stamina 1010 Passive: Grace Healing - Heals twice a day when below 30 Hp Black Smith''s Blessing - Increases the attack of any weapon by 20 Skills: Dash - Sudden Movements in battle/ Click to see more Martial Art collection: Click to see more "Huh, isn''t Dash a bit like my improvised quick step? Heh, I guess the system got tired of me using a skill that wasn''t even registered haha" "Yuto it seems that you went up 5 levels up," Mizuki said in an excited tone. "Yes, at this rate, we might be able to leave a lot sooner than I originally thought," Yuto clenched his fist in excitement before Mizuki tackled him. "Mizuki?" Yuto''s face went beat red, surprised at her sudden action that caused the both of them to collapse on his bed. Mizuki let out a soft laugh, amused by his stunned and blushing reaction. As they collapse onto the bed, she rolls on top of him, pinning him down with a mischievous grin. "Hehe, what''s wrong? Can''t handle a little surprise from me?" Yuto covers his mouth with his right hand as his left covers his eyes, "I thought you promised not to tease me" She chuckles softly at his attempt to cover his face, her grin widening as she notices the effect her actions are having on him. "Hehe, I did, didn''t I? But it''s so much fun to see you like this. All flustered and embarrassed. I just can''t help myself sometimes, you know" "Mizuki?", his tone was still that of embarrassment, his eyes now looking at hers. She leans closer, her face now only inches from his, their eyes locking as she notices the hint of embarrassment still present in his tone. "Mhmm, yes? What is it, you flustered little thing?" "When are you going to get off?" She chuckled softly, his question only fueling her playful tendencies. "Hehe, and what if I don''t want to get off just yet? What''s the hurry, anyway? I''m quite comfortable like this, you know." Yuto, although embarrassed, wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. After dealing with the stress and work of today, a little reward was okay, right? "O-oh, now we''re getting daring, aren''t we? Wrapping your arms around me like that... What''s this about, hmm?" "A little reward now and then isn''t so bad right?" She raises an eyebrow at his words, a sly smile spreading across her face as she considers his suggestion. "A little reward now and then, eh? And what kind of "little reward" do you have in mind, hm? Just want me to stay like this for a while longer, holding you down on the bed? Or something more¡­" They both look at each other and share a laugh, the tension in the atmosphere giving way to a lighthearted moment as they find humor in the situation. Mizuki smiles warmly as they laugh together, the unexpected turn of events amusing them both "Hehe, who would''ve guessed we''d end up like this, huh? Maybe I should tease you more often if it leads to moments like this." "Maybe," Yuto hid his face with a pillow, embarrassed to even face her but it only seemed to lighten Mizuki''s mood. "Hehe, I''ll keep that in mind, then. Teasing you more often does sound quite enjoyable. Seeing your adorable reactions is always such a treat, after all." As they finally settle down together, their bodies exhausted from the day''s events, Mizuki shifts into a more comfortable position, nestling in the warmth of his embrace. She let out a soft sigh of contentment, feeling a sense of belonging as she rested in his arms. "Mmmm... this is nice. Just the two of us, comfortable and tired, in each other''s arms. It''s been a long day, hasn''t it?" "Yeah... too long..." Their night finally wrapped up, and Yuto smiled, patting her head as he fell asleep, after a week of traveling this was just what they needed. Volume 1 Chapter 8 Duels Part 1 -Morning- As the morning arrives, the sunlight from outside streams through the window, casting a warm and bright glow into the room Mizuki slowly begins to stir, the soft, warm light gently coaxing her awake. Upon opening her eyes, she found herself still lying next to Yuto, her body pressed against his, their limbs intertwined in a tangled embrace. She let out a soft sigh, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, as she slowly and reluctantly extracted her limbs from his, sitting up in bed and blinking the sleep from her eyes. "Zzz," Yuto was out cold, his body practically attaching himself to the warm bed sheets. She chuckles softly as she looks down at him, still fast asleep and blissfully unaware of the world. Yuto''s peaceful, sleepy expression was endearing, and she couldn''t help but find it adorable. "Aww, still asleep, huh? You are quite the heavy sleeper" She reaches out and gently ruffles his hair, trying to awaken him from his slumber, Cynthia comes in to wake him up in her usual manner of opening the door without knocking. Their Aunt Lilly had told her to get him out of bed, so she walked down to Yuto''s room to wake him up, but when she approached the room and opened the door. She saw her brother sleeping on the bed while Mizuki was messing his hair up, and her entire face went red again. "S-seriously? You have her in your room again?" Mizuki turns her head to look at the door as Cynthia suddenly enters the room, her hand still in Yuto''s hair as she pauses her action of messing up his hair. Mizuki can see the shock and embarrassment on Cynthia''s face, her face turning red as she sees the both of them on the bed together. Mizuki slowly retracts her hand from Yuto''s hair and shrugs, feigning innocence as her response. "Yep, that''s right. I''m in his room again, specifically his bed. What''s it to you?" She gave Mizuki an irritated look, her arms crossed as she shifted her focus between her brother and Mizuki. "What''s it to me? Isn''t it obvious I''d be shocked and embarrassed to walk in here again?" "And you''re in here messing with his hair while he sleeps. You''re seriously woke up this early in the morning just to mess with him?" Mizuki meets her irritated look with a smirk, finding amusement in her reaction. She shrugs nonchalantly and responds with a hint of snarkiness in her voice. "Hey, relax. It''s not like we''re doing anything inappropriate. I woke up a little early and figured I''d mess with him a bit. Can you blame me? He looks adorable when he''s sleeping" Hearing Mizuki''s response, her irritation only grew, and her cheeks reddened as she tried to come up with a response. "Hmph¡­ I guess it is a bit cute when he''s sleeping.. but don''t you think it''s creepy how you''re just in here sitting on his bed messing with his hair while he''s still sleeping, watching him sleep like a weirdo?" Mizuki rolled her eyes at Cynthia''s comment, unfazed by her accusations. Mizuki laughs softly and responds, her tone slightly mocking. "Oh, come on, it''s not weird. Can you blame me for wanting to admire his cute, sleeping face? And mess with his hair a little? I mean, he looks so peaceful and defenseless. It''s hard not to take advantage of the opportunity. After all, he is my lover" Her cheeks burned a deeper shade of red as Mizuki called Yuto her lover so casually, and she bristled at the fact that she was openly admitting it so easily. "Hmph... I guess you''re right.. you have that advantage since you''re his ''lover'' and all" She says this while rolling her eyes, clearly still not entirely happy about the whole situation. She chuckles softly as she watches Cynthia''s reaction, seeing her reddening cheeks and the slight hint of irritation in her tone. Mizuki could tell that she was getting under her skin by admitting her relationship so casually, and she took perverse satisfaction in knowing it. "Yeah, exactly. I''m his lover, which means I get special privileges. Like being able to watch him sleep, mess with his hair, and call him adorable without anyone objecting" Cynthia turned to Mizuki and gave her a stern look, her irritation still present before telling her. "Hey, you. Wake up my brother, and tell him Aunt Lily wants him out in the backyard. And tell him I''ll be out there as well" And with that, she turned and left the room, closing the door forcefully behind her and heading to the backyard. Mizuki watches in silent amusement as Cynthia gives her a stern look and demands that she wake Yuto up. A smirk forms on her face as she speaks, and she lets out a soft chuckle at her instructions. She waits for her to leave the room before turning her attention back to Yuto, still asleep and blissfully unaware of the request. She gently shook his shoulder, her voice soft and gentle as she spoke. "Hey... wake up, sleepyhead. Your sister wants you to come out to the backyard. And she''ll be there too" Yuto, in a sneaky move, pulled Mizuki in and planted a kiss on her cheek. Mizuki couldn''t help but let out a soft gasp as he suddenly pulled her in and planted a kiss on her cheek, which caught her off guard by his unexpected affection. She pauses for a moment, her face flushing slightly before a small smile forms on her, and she lets out a chuckle. "H-hey! Watch it, you! Don''t just surprise me like that out of nowhere" "Oh, and just last night, you were the one teasing me," Yuto chuckled as he saw Mizuki''s flushed face. Heat rushes to her face as he teases her back, his comment reminding her of the playful actions of the previous night. She can''t help but feel a mix of embarrassment and amusement at the situation. "Hmph, w-well, that was different," She stammered, trying to defend herself. "I was just having a little fun. Besides, you''re the one who just casually planted a kiss on my cheek, without any warning" "So, what''s up?" Yuto got up to put on the training armor his aunt left for him. It was a simple brown leather armor with iron forearm guards. Mizuki shook her head, the previous embarrassment quickly fading as she also got up to change from her pink pajamas to her beautiful white kimono with black roses for its design. "Your sister came by and said Aunt Lilly wants you out in the backyard. She''ll be out there too, apparently" "Hmm, let me guess, Cynthia barged in again and saw you on my bed," Yuto said with a chuckle as he put on the armguards. Mizuki chuckled softly, amused by his guess, "You know it. She walked in, saw me on your bed, and went ballistic as usual. She''s out in the backyard now, waiting for you" "I need to start locking that door. What if Dad or Aunt Lily barge in here one day and see you?" She let out a soft laugh at his comment, picturing the flustered expression on Cynthia''s face as she barged in on us again, and if his father or aunt saw her well she would love to see how Yuto explained the situation. "Yeah, maybe locking the door is a good idea. It might save us from your sister''s surprise visits and her endless blushing" "Hahaha, well, that''s just how she is" She nods in agreement, a smirk forming on her face, "Yeah, I know. And it''s always a sight to behold, seeing her get all embarrassed and flustered. It''s almost too easy to get a reaction out of her" They both share a laugh, Yuto finally finishes putting on the training armor and looks at Mizuki. "Well, how does it look?" Mizuki takes a moment to look him up and down, assessing his appearance with a critical eye. She can''t help but admire how the training armor compliments his physique, clinging to his form in all the right places. She let out a soft whistle, a sly smile forming on her face as she spoke. "Not bad, not bad at all. That armor looks good on you. Aunt Lilly certainly knows how to pick out a good set" "Haha," Yuto pats her head, loving her short silver hair, "Thank you, Mizuki" Mizuki feels a warmness spread through her as Yuto playfully pats her head, his hand gently tousling her silver hair. She can''t help but blush slightly at his affectionate gesture, her heart fluttering a bit at such a simple yet affectionate action. "Y-you''re welcome," She replied, her voice a bit more sheepish than usual. "It''s true, though. You do look really good in that armor" Yuto stops patting her head to pat the armor down to get a good feel on its defense, "Still I have the ring of Ernaline that already gives me a suit of armor, I wonder why she insisted on me wearing this?" Mizuki ponders his question for a moment, her curiosity piqued as Yuto mentioned the ring of Ernaline and the armor it provides "Hmmm... it''s true that you already have that form of protection with the ring. I wonder why your Aunt Lily would still want you to wear this armor. Maybe there''s a specific reason or purpose behind it that we''re not aware of" "Perhaps to see what I can normally take during a fight?" She nods in agreement at his suggestion, considering the possibility of Aunt Lily wanting to test Yuto''s physical limits and endurance in a fight. "That could be the case. Testing your physical strength and endurance could be a valid reason for her insistence on you wearing the armor" "It would give her a better understanding of your abilities and how much you can withstand in a fight" "Jeez, I just hope I don''t have to fight my dad, I didn''t even use the ring yesterday to have a so-called fair fight" Mizuki chuckled softly at Yuto''s concern, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Hah, don''t worry, I doubt Aunt Lily would make you fight your dad. Besides, I don''t think he''d go easy on you, even if you did have the ring" Mizuki paused for a moment, a sly smile forming on her face as she continued, "But then again, maybe a little father-son sparring session isn''t such a bad idea. Could be fun to watch." "When has he ever gone easy on me?" Yuto said with an amused look. Mizuki chuckles at her rhetorical question, her amusement growing as she considers his father''s strict and demanding nature. "True, your father does have a reputation for being tough and relentless when it comes to any type of training. I doubt he''d show any mercy on you, even if you''re his son. But hey, they do say that tough love is the best kind of love, right?" Yuto chuckles as he cracks his knuckles, "Well, let''s go!" he says with a big smile as he opens the door. Mizuki smiles at Yuto''s confident demeanor and enthusiastic attitude. "Alright, let''s do this. Let''s go see what your Aunt Lily has in store for us in the backyard" -Back Yard- Yuto saw his family waiting for him. His sister was sitting on the chairs with a giant table of food, and his mom crossed her arms in front of her chest as she was waiting for Yuto. Yuto ran up to his mother and aunt, "Hey, I''m here" His mother''s eyes widen slightly when Yuto runs up in the leather armor. She looked at him for a moment before she spoke in a somewhat impressed tone. "Wow... that leather armor looks good on you, sweetie" Mizuki chuckled, ~See even your mom agrees that the armor looks good on you. Yuto''s face was a nice shade of pink, ["I get it, come now, I''m curious about what my aunt will have me do"] His aunt chuckled, "Well, it seems as if he looks ready" His mother looks at Aunt Lily as she chuckles; she takes a deep breath and nods in agreement. "Yes... he does look ready" Aunt Lily nods, "Well, his first training is pretty simple" Cara raises her eyebrow in curiosity. She crosses her arms in front of her chest and speaks in a questioning tone. "Simple? What do you plan on having Yuto do for his first training?" "Well, he''s already fought his father once. He has to do it again in front of me so I can gauge his abilities" His mother was a little surprised to hear that Aunt Lily''s first training for Yuto was to have him fight against his dad again. She looked at her husband for a moment, then back at Aunt Lily, and spoke in a slightly concerned tone. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Are you sure that''s a good idea? I don''t want Yuto to get hurt" "Don''t worry honey, I''ll go easy," his father said with a confident smile. He wasn''t sure if he could hold back as last night he sent his son flying to a wall. She still felt slightly worried. She uncrossed her arms and spoke in a calmer tone. "Okay... but please don''t go too hard on him¡­" Cynthia holds Yuto by his arm, "Mom, are we sure Dad won''t put him in a two-day coma again?" Cara let out a small sigh and glanced at their father for a moment before she spoke to Cynthia. "I told him to go easy on Yuto, so I doubt that will happen" Unfortunately, he turned his head away rather quickly away from the conversation. "Darling, are you going to play nice?" "O-of course honey, I promise," everyone stares at him, knowing at this point he was just bullshitting in broad daylight She walked over to hold his hand, "You''re being genuine, right?" "Yes, I promise dear I''ll go easy on our boy" Lily looks annoyed but leads both men to the middle of the ''arena'' she had set up after Yuto and his father''s little match. She then walks back to Cara and Cynthia, ready to watch the match go down. "Okay, rules are pretty simple no special equipment use, no marital art or aura usage, and no magic, anything else like buffs is a go" "Well, maybe you can use what you need to use to win this match, good luck!" They both agree to the terms of the match, Cynthia is too busy filling her face with food to worry, his mother holds her hands close, and Lily, on the other hand, looks the most excited. Yuto gets into a combat stance, holding his katana straight and looking his father directly in the eyes. His father responds to Yuto with a nod, a serious expression on his face. Seeing how his son switches his demeanor so quickly, matching him with a disciplined and focused state brings a hint of pride to his eyes. "Yuto. Are you ready to begin training?" He eyes him up and down, noting Yuto''s serious and determined demeanor as approval, Yuto is ready, and his body and mind are in sync. His father returns his gesture, holding his katana up with practiced ease. The morning sunlight glints off the blade as his father regards him with a sharp and focused gaze. "Excellent. Let''s begin" His father takes a defensive stance, his body poised and ready to react to any sudden movement. His eyes track Yuto''s every muscle, anticipating his first move. Yut¨­ and Ry¨­ko square off, their katanas held firm in their hands, the training ground is silent, the only sound is the light rustle of the breeze through the trees. Both regarded each other with cold intensity, the air charged with the tension of the impending duel, their eyes almost seemed dead as if the fight was going to end with only one standing. Yuto''s aunt, mother, and sister were sitting behind the bleachers, all three waited in anticipation, noticing how both were not moving until Yuto took the first step. Lunging forward in a swift and deadly attack. Ry¨­ko responds by gracefully sidestepping the strike, evading his blade with ease. The dance begins, the two of them exchanging blows with lightning-fast precision. [ Skill: Dash ] Passive: Black Smiths Blessing +40 Attack ["Mizuki, buff me, the first 5 seconds of the fight, decide the winner. Let''s give him all we have!"] As asked Mizuki with a chuckle, provided Yuto the simple buffs that provided him the much-needed strength and speed to match the pace his father was setting. +10 Attack +10 Defense +10 Speed His father smiles as he notices Yuto''s boost of strength and speed, and his aunt and Cynthia stare at him more intensely. ~Well, it seems that your sister and aunt noticed the buffs I gave you. Yuto, give them all a good show! Yuto nods as he and his father begin their clash; they move in a blur of movement, each strike and counterattack executed with flawless precision. Their katanas clash in a shower of sparks, the sheer speed and power behind their movements a testament to his father''s mastery of his techniques. Sweat begins to drip from their brows as the training duel intensifies, both of them pushing themselves to their limits, his father holding back and Yuto matching such ''simple'' strength. Despite the intensity of the duel, neither of them seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Both are skilled and agile. His father''s years of training and fighting in the old war were evident in the way he evades, parries, and counterstrikes every single one of Yuto''s attacks. ~Jeez, your father is holding back a lot, last night he sent you flying to the wall, today it seems as if he managed to match your skill level Yuto couldn''t respond as the air grew hotter as the speed of their movements increased, Yuto''s lungs burning as he pushed himself to his limits. Both his sister and mother were worried, after all the first time Yuto fought his father he ended up in a beat-up state covered in his blood, his aunt on the other hand was eating her popcorn and shouting for Ry¨­ko''s victory. Finally, Ry¨­ko saw an opening in Yuto''s defense. In a blur of motion, he feints left before striking from the right, his blade finding its target with precision. ''Shit, Yuto block this attack!'' It''s too late as they both feel the force of his father''s attack on Yuto''s arms. It feels as if a giant hammer hit him. "Kgh!" Yuto''s katana flies from his grasp, knocked out of his hands by the force of his father''s strike. He stands there, panting and disarmed, as Ry¨­ko looks at him with a small, satisfied smile on his face. "Jeez Dad, it seems like you still need to learn how to hold back. It feels like my arms are going to fall off" Ry¨­ko lowered his katana, a hint of pride in his eyes, despite holding back, he didn''t expect Yuto to match his pace let alone parry his attack or evade it, it showed that Yuto improved in a single night. Such growth in a short amount of time, his son''s talent truly was monstrous, to develop such skill overnight has never been heard of let alone seen. "You fought well, Yuto. But you still have much to learn. You left your guard down just for a fraction of a second, and that was all it took for me to disarm you" Yuto''s mother rushes over to check on her son, "H-Honey... I told you to go easy on Yuto" His father drops his katana, surprised that she ran over to check on Yuto, "H-honey, but I did go easy. You see, Yuto has no broken bones, nor is he bleeding" She spoke in a slightly annoyed tone. "Yes... I can see that he doesn''t have any broken bones or is bleeding. But look at him. He is all tired and panting" Aunt Lily appears behind Cara and chuckles, "Dummy, that''s why it''s called a duel" Cara looked back at Lily, who chuckled. She clenched her fist and spoke in a slightly irritated tone. "Hush, I know what a duel is. I just don''t want Yuto to get hurt too much" Cynthia speaks up, "Mom, Yuto isn''t bleeding and doesn''t have any broken bones. Dad kept his promise" Cara let out another soft sigh, uncrossed her arms, and spoke in a little calmer tone. "Alright... alright... I get it, I won''t complain anymore" Their father looked at their mother with watery eyes, a weird thing to see as this man had just beaten his son down 1 minute ago. "Don''t look at me like that", their mother said with a huff. "Honey, don''t I get a reward, I kept my promise," he leaned in closer to her shoulder, his head rubbing up and down. "A-Are you a child? No rewards, stop asking for one," everyone let out a laugh, the conversation turning into a lighthearted one. She looked around for a moment after everyone laughed at her husband asking for a reward. She felt a bit annoyed that everyone was laughing, but managed to maintain her composure and crossed her arms in front of her chest again, as she spoke again in an irritated tone. "Can we please get on with Yuto''s training? I''m tired of this childishness" Ry¨­ko stole a quick kiss and quickly went behind Yuto for protection. Cara couldn''t help but blush slightly and stumble back a little before she gained her composure and quickly looked away in embarrassment. "H-hey! Knock that off... not in front of Yuto and the others" Aunt Lily, despite looking annoyed, speaks up, "Hmm, good good, now onto the next test" "P-please tell me it won''t involve embarrassing me like my husband just did" Aunt Lily chuckles, "This time, it''s Yuto vs. Cynthia, in a magic battle" "Lily you can''t be serious, Yuto barely knows any magic and Cynthia is a 6th-tier mage" "It''s fine Mom, I won''t get hurt, Cynthia doesn''t even like fighting, so she''ll end it in one shot" Cara sighed as she looked at Yuto, giving him a quick pat on the head, "I-I hope so sweetie... but you still should be careful, just in case" They all look over to Cynthia who is too busy stuffing her face with bags of popcorn. "Wait, me? I have to spar against him?" She looked over at Aunt Lily and then over at Yuto, a hint of hesitation in her expression. Aunt Lily pats her shoulder, "Of course, dear, I need to know your brother''s talent in magic better" She swallowed nervously as she glanced back and forth between Aunt Lily and Yuto, her hand clenching and unclenching at her side. "Oh.. um, alright. I guess that makes sense, I can do that..." They both make their way to the middle of the arena that Lily created, Yuto couldn''t help but greet his sister with a big smile. "Cynthia!" He waved his hand. As she saw his cheerful wave, a small, slightly nervous smile appeared on her lips as she waved back "Hey. I guess we''ll be sparring against each other, huh?" "Ha, well Aunt Lily agreed to let me use the ring of Ernaline this time, seeing that you are way more advanced in magic than I" Cynthia chuckles, "Need a little cheat now do we?" "Ha, even when I used the ring, you sent me flying to a tree" Cynthia couldn''t help but feel slightly amused at the memory of how easily she was able to knock him into a tree, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Yeah, I did. And I''d probably do it again if you weren''t using that ring" Yuto sighs, but soon a smirk appears over his lips, "How about a bet to make this more interesting" She raised an eyebrow at the mention of a bet, her interest piqued. A small, curious smile appeared on her face as she tilted her head slightly. "A bet? Brother, knowing you, what kind of bet are we talking about here?" Yuto in a dramatic ass pose, lifted his arms as he spoke, "If I can last 10 minutes against you, then you will have to share your monthly supply of ramen with me for a year" Her expression changed from curiosity to slight disbelief, as her eyes widened slightly. She looked at him, a mix of surprise and disbelief on her face. "You want me to share my ramen? That''s quite a bet, and my monthly supply is practically sacred to me, what happens if you lose?" "I will share my monthly supply of my favorite drink for a year" She smirked at his simple response, knowing that her brother valued his drinks equally as much as she valued her ramen. "Yeah, you bet your drink supply. If I win, I get all of your coke, and if you win, you get all of my ramen, okay I accept!" <- System -> [ The ring of Ernaline is now activated ] His black suit of armor wraps around him, and his long red scarf symbolizing his victory appears to be flowing with the wind. She watches as the ring of Ernaline surrounds him with its red glow, causing his suit of armor to appear over his body and the red scarf to form. "Alright, let''s do this!" She braces herself, preparing for his first move, but then goes on the offensive. ''Watch out Yuto, she''s hellbent on getting to your monthly supply of drinks'' <- System -> [ New Task: Survive 10 Minutes ] Volume 1 Chapter 9 Duels Part Two At the start of the duel, they both take measured steps, sizing each other up, Yuto being a 1st tier mage, and Cynthia, being a 6th-tier mage, anyone with common sense would say that the higher-tier mage would win. Normally they would be right, but there was one advantage Yuto had. Which was despite the difference in skill, he had more experience when it came to prolonged combat. He looked confident and defiant in his position, determination present in his gaze as he waited for her to make the first move. ''Jeez, just her standing there gives off such a huge amount of mana, your sister does live up to her class'' Yuto was silent as Cynthia remained just out of his range, cautious and observant as she watched his every movement, her body tense and coiled. Her eyes never leave his form, studying him intently, ready to counter any move he dared make Suddenly, she makes a swift gesture with her hand, and small, harmless firebolts launch at him from various directions, aiming towards his legs. ''Upwards Yuto, now!'' As directed, Yuto jumped up in the air, using the speed to blast himself towards [ Wind Magic: Gust Tier 1 ] Cynthia though inexperienced in fighting could adapt rather quickly to situations as she sent smaller firebolts flying towards his back, a sly smirk played on her face as she waited to see how he would react Yuto countered the best he could, but his magic was lacking compared to hers. [ Earth Magic: Mud Wall Tier 1 ] Mizuki chimes in, ''Are you casting the spells instead of using non-verbal?'' Yuto dodging every attack looks over at his aunt, ["If I do, who knows what she''ll say, a tier 1 mage using non-verbal spells is just unheard of"] Cynthia interrupts his train of thought when she casts a simple tier 2 wind spell that almost hits his leg, this only serves to embarrass him. ["She''s going easy on me on purpose!"] He felt embarrassed that the highest magic she would use was 2nd Tier magic. Once he managed to evade the first onslaught, he heard her voice call out, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. "You''re quick on your feet, I''ll give you that" More firebolts shoot out toward him, but this time they are larger and more powerful, aimed at his torso and arms, intending to force him to defend himself. ~Well, it looks like you got what you wanted Yuto, she pumped it up to 4th Tier magic The increased intensity of the firebolts surprised him, as he was forced to defend himself, he brought up your arms to protect himself. He could feel the heat from the firebolts as they struck his arms, leaving slight burn marks on his skin. Yuto bit down his lip to hold in the scream, ["This fucking hurts damn it, she better hope I don''t get close to her!"] She can''t help but smirk again as she sees his reaction, her eyes glinting with determination, "You''re blocking my attacks so far, but let''s see how long you can keep this up" Mizuki chuckles as she heals some of his pain, ~Here are some simple buffs to at least gain a bit of an advantage, technically still magic so it''s not cheating. +15 Defense +15 Speed With the extra buffs, Yuto smiled as he managed to avoid her firebolts more easily and even redirected some in her direction, which she easily dodged or blocked As the firebolts continue to relentlessly attack him, she switches tactics, her movements becoming more and more precise. She begins to summon larger and more complex spells, trying to overwhelm him with both the intensity and variation of the spells. A small but sinister smile plays on her lips as she adds more pressure, her confidence growing. "You''re holding up surprisingly well. But I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve" She continues to push him back with her increasingly complex spells, leaving him with few options and less space to move. [ Earth x Water Magic: Stone Walls Tier 5 ] [ Fire Magic: Hellfire Tier 5 ] [ Air Magic: Air Cutter Tier 4 ] The entire arena was covered in multiple lands, her magic truly was on a different level compared to the first time they fought, her expression became more intense as she sensed her advantage, channeling all her focus into unleashing one final, powerful spell. ~Careful, I can see that she''s trying to end it quickly before her time runs out, just tank the next hit and it''s your victory Yuto nodded as he began to focus on his defense stat for the rest of the battle. Finally, with a swift motion of her hand, a huge, fiery explosion erupts from her fingertips. [ Explosion Tier 6 ] Which sent him flying back into the wall with a loud thud, creating a small crater where his body hit Yuto tried getting up but slipped back down to the ground, at the last second he used all the mana he had to create a stone wall, his father on the other hand noticed a shiny red color, symbolizing the color of aura. That must have softened the blow, as he only received minor injuries instead of having his arms blown off. "Kgh!" Yuto couldn''t even lift his finger, so using all the strength he had, he turned his body around, looking at the sky and wondering. ["I won the bet, right?"] Mizuki can''t help but chuckle, ''Guess confidence was useless compared to overwhelming power right?'' Cynthia lowered her hand as she watched him slam into the wall. Her expression remains somewhat neutral, but her eyes betray a hint of satisfaction at the success of her final attack. "Looks like I won this round, huh?" ~How heartless she is, her brother was sent to the wall and all she can think of is her win? Yuto can''t help but let out a small chuckle, ["Well considering that she might have been the one lying on the floor, I don''t blame her for celebrating her win"] As Yuto was lying on the ground against the wall, slightly dazed and aching from the impact, she slowly walked over to where he is She looked down at her brother with a mix of satisfaction and curiosity in her gaze, watching to see how he would respond to her victory. Seeing him lying there motionless and unresponsive, her expression changes to one of slight concern, and she crouches down beside him, reaching out and gently shaking his shoulder. "Hey, are you alright? Brother, can you hear me?" ~Some little payback, haha she looks so cute when she''s worried about you When Yuto doesn''t respond to her words or her gentle shake of his shoulder, her concern grows and her eyes widen. She reaches out and gently places a hand on his chest, feeling for any signs of life. "Come on, say something. Don''t you dare be unconscious right now¡­" ". . ." Yes, he is an asshole pretending to be dead to get back at her for even using such a high-tier spell, is it wrong? Of course, but a ''Deadman'' tells no lies. Seeing that he is still unresponsive, her concern turns into full-blown anxiety, and her voice takes on a more urgent tone. "Come on, wake up! Say something! Anything! Damn it, move or do something!" She places both hands on his shoulders and shakes him slightly, her eyes pleading for a response. Normally his mother would be running over to check on him, but his aunt Lily made sure to put up an illusion so that Cara wouldn''t interfere in their duel. <- System -> [ Canceling the effects of The Ring of Ernaline ] [ Rewards will be given when the host requests them ] As the ring of Ernaline''s effects wears off and his armor disappears, his motionless form becomes all the more vulnerable. She takes in the sight of her brother lying there, not moving or responding, and fear begins to creep into her mind. "Come on, wake up... Please don''t be too badly injured..." She reaches out and checks for a pulse on his neck, her hand trembling slightly. "Haha, man, I can''t believe I have to share my supply of drinks with you, and for a whole year" Relief floods her expression as he suddenly speaks, her shoulders visibly relaxing and a sigh escaping her lips. She gives him a half-hearted glare, trying to hide her concern behind a small smirk. "You... You idiot. Don''t scare me like that. I thought I hurt you or something" "I mean you kinda did using a bloody explosion spell on me, had I not used all I had on defense I''m afraid my arms would have been blown up as well" She lets out a soft huff, a hint of defensiveness in her tone as she scowls slightly. "Yeah, I guess I did go a bit overboard. But hey, I was trying to win, okay? Besides, you were the one who insisted on making this a bet in the first place" "Sigh, at least you didn''t send a lightning bolt at me again", he pointed at the scarred wound on his chest, although thanks to his passive it healed most of it, leaving a weird lighting mark on it. Her expression softens slightly as her gaze follows his finger to the scar on his chest. A hint of guilt flickers across her face, "Oh... right. I''m sorry about that. I didn''t mean to leave a scar, but... I got carried away, I guess" Yuto sighed as he managed to recover some amount of mana, "It''s fine, you should feel a bit sad" Cynthia looked confused, she raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Huh, why should I feel sad?" Yuto chuckles, "Well because now you have to share your supply of ramen with me" She can''t help but let out a soft huff at his response, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips, "Yeah, you got me. I''m just devastated that I have to share my precious ramen stash with you now" Yuto got up and patted her head, "I''m joking, I know how much you love your ramen, now come on, Aunt Lily''s lunch should be ready" She rolled her eyes playfully, a small smile on her lips as he patted her head, "Yeah, yeah, I know you''re joking. I''ll let you off this time, just because it''s lunchtime" Yuto sighed as he scratched his head, "What, you''re going to eat my lunch now?" She grins mischievously, her eyes sparkling with playful banter, "Don''t tempt me. I just might have to steal your lunch if you''re not careful. You know how greedy I can be when it comes to food, especially ramen or burgers" Yuto let out a small chuckle as the illusion magic wore off, his mother saw both of them standing, Yuto only had minor injuries so her worries were lowered a bit. Cynthia chuckles along with him, her mood lifting slightly as she embraces the lighthearted banter between the two of them. His mother ran over to check on her son, "Yuto are you okay?" Yuto although not heavily injured, was still relying on whatever mana he had left to stand up, "It''s fine Mom, Cynthia just showed me a spell I can learn in the future" Cara reached out a hand to help him up as she spoke in a soft tone, "H-here, let me help you up sweetie, Cynthia, did you have to try so hard against your brother?" Cynthia is quick to respond, trying to keep her voice innocent as if she hadn''t sent her brother flying to the wall with an explosion spell. "Ah, I''m so sorry, Mom. I didn''t mean to throw him that hard. He''s okay. Just a little shaken up" Yuto chimes in trying to change the conversation, "Haha, I just nulled our bet, it''s fine Mom, it''s not like when Dad beat me in the fight, just a little scratch compared to that" Their mother looked worried for a moment but relaxed slightly when Yuto brushed off the incident as a harmless bet, she gave a small sigh and shook her head, giving Yuto a gentle but slightly reprimanding look. "You two... be more careful, okay? I don''t want anyone getting seriously hurt" They all make their way to the bleachers, where Aunt Lily has some simple burgers and drinks ready, at the sight of this both Yuto and Cynthia fight tooth and nail to get as many burgers as they can Their mother and father just sighed and Lily laughed at their gluttonous ways. Aunt Lily spoke up as they all sat down to enjoy their lunch, "So, about Yuto''s results" Aunt Lily turned to face their father and with a giant smile said, "He truly is your child Ry¨­ko, blessed in combat and magic" Both parents spoke in unison, "Y-you think so?" Aunt Lily sighed as she now looked over at Cara, "Indeed, although Ry¨­ko was holding back, Yuto managed to match his pace and even land a few blows, impressive for a newly awakened" "His battle with Cynthia was even more impressive, despite being of a lower rank, he either blocked or dodged most attacks, which is unheard of in the world of magic, be proud of him" Cara patted Yuto''s head, looking over to Mizuki who was showing her presence to her alone, "Y-yes I was impressed by their performance" Lily with a smile says, "Tomorrow, have Yuto and Cynthia meet up in my office, I''ll talk to both of them about future training" Cara crossed her arms in front of her chest with a small frown, "What will you talk about with them?" Aunt Lily looked dumbfounded even though Ry¨­ko looked confused at his wife''s sudden outburst. "Cara, you''re not a child, so stop pouting" Cara felt slightly annoyed as she spoke in a somewhat irritated tone. "I-I''m not pouting¡­" Everyone shared a laugh at how cute Cara''s pout was before finishing their lunch, Lily gave them a free day to do whatever they wanted, either rest or more training was fine. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Yuto decided to head towards his room because his passive Healing Grace only works when his health is below 30, his whole body felt like it was going to break. "So passives also have their cons, I just wished it would heal me now" Mizuki who was sitting on his shoulder in her small form smiled as she glanced over at him, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "So, a free day, huh? What do you plan to do with all that free time?" Yuto scratched his head as he opened his door, "After the spar between my Dad and Cynthia, I just want sleep or whatever my body considers rest" Mizuki chuckled softly at his response, amused by his exhaustion after a long day of intense training and sparring. "Yeah, I don''t blame you. Fighting your dad and Cynthia in one day is no joke. Taking a break and getting some rest sounds like the perfect way to spend your free day" Upon entering his room Yuto practically rips off the training armor to take a quick bath and then changes into comfortable clothing. As Yuto stepped out of the bath, Mizuki recalled a piece of information she came across from his aunt about men finding great comfort in lap pillows. She glanced back at Yuto who was about to lie down on his bed, an idea forming in her mind, "Hey, you know... I heard that men find lap pillows incredibly relaxing. Maybe I could try that on you, if you''re open to it, of course" Yuto stops in his tracks, his face immediately going beat red, "Huh?" She chuckled softly at his reaction, seeing his face turn a deep shade of red at her suggestion. She took a step closer to him, a sly smile on her face, her voice dropping down to an almost seductive tone. "Come on, it''s nothing too crazy. Just a simple lap pillow. It''s supposed to be quite soothing for men" Yuto turned his head away, "Come on, don''t t-tease me" She chuckled again, amused by his flustered response. "Aww, I''m not teasing you. I promise. I genuinely think it might help you relax after all that training" She gestured for him to come closer as she sat down on the bed, patting her lap and signaling for him to lay his head down on her lap. "Just trust me on this, okay?" Yuto, now a bit calmer, looks her dead in the eye, "You''re serious about this aren''t you?" Mizuki gave him a reassuring smile, nodding to confirm his suspicions, "Yes, I''m completely serious. Come on, lay your head down on my lap. I promise I won''t bite" Mizuki watches as he slowly approaches her, her smirk growing wider with each step small step he took Yuto''s blush is evident on his face, yet he''s still moving closer to her. She patted her lap once more, signaling that he was welcome to rest his head on it. "Come on now, don''t be shy. Make yourself comfortable" "S-shut up, I get it," Despite his body feeling like it was going to break there was no way he was going to pass this up as he laid his head down. She chuckles softly at his embarrassed retort, enjoying seeing him flustered by the situation. As he lay down, Mizuki adjusted her position just slightly to make sure that he was comfortable, "There you go. See? Not so bad, right?" "I-I guess not," his face was flushed but he didn''t turn his head to face away. She can''t help but smile at his admission, enjoying the slight hint of embarrassment in his voice, she lightly patted his head, running her fingers through his hair, gently massaging his scalp. "See? I told you it wouldn''t be so bad. Just relax and let the tension flow out of you" As Yuto rested his head on her lap, Mizuki began to gently massage his scalp, a sense of tranquility washing over him. The stress and tension start to disappear, replaced by a feeling of comfort and relaxation. The soothing motion of her fingers through his hair combined with the softness of her lap creates a deeply soothing experience, lulling him into a state of peaceful bliss. "I''m tired Mizuki," Yuto''s usual tone was replaced with a more honest and tried one. She continued to gently massage his head, her fingers soothingly combing through his hair as she spoke softly and warmly. "I can tell, you fought hard out there today. You should probably get some rest, you need it. Just close your eyes and let yourself drift off into sleep" Yuto sighed as he felt his body start to relax more, "It''s not just that, everything seems to be going too fast, as if planned by someone" Mizuki pauses for a moment, her fingers still carding through his hair, while she considers his words. There''s a hint of concern in her voice as she responds to his concerns. "You feel like things are happening too fast like it''s all been orchestrated or planned somehow? What makes you think that?" "The day we made our contract was the first day of my awakening, but in the memory you showed me, I was older, not a 17-year-old recently awakened but a man who had experienced" Mizuki nodded, understanding the point he was trying to make. She continued massaging his head, listening intently as he spoke. Her fingers work their way through his hair, trying to soothe him as best as possible. "Ah, I see what you mean. The memory I showed you did depict you older, and that awakening did indeed mark the beginning of our contract. But I can assure you, there is no grand plan or orchestration behind these events" "Still, the past week alone I had my arms broken, my chin busted, my teeth knocked out, being sent flying to a tree, and being struck with 6-tier lighting" Mizuki''s fingers momentarily pause as he lists out the various injuries he endured over the past week. Her voice is tinged with concern, "Yeah, it has been quite an eventful week for you, hasn''t it?" "But hey, you''ve come out on top each time, haven''t you? And look at you now, you still stand strong and ready to face whatever comes next" "Haha, thanks to the system and you," Yuto couldn''t help but laugh, although he still stood, part of him thought it was thanks to the System and Mizuki that things were progressing smoothly. She chuckles softly at his response, her fingers resuming their soothing rhythm in his hair. "Yeah, the system and I have been there to help you through it all. We''re a team, remember?" "But don''t sell yourself short. You''re the one out there risking your butt and fighting your heart out. You should give yourself some credit, too" Yuto lifted his fingers to play with her short silver hair, "Is that so?" She let out a soft hum of contemplation as he played with her silver hair. She felt a small flutter in her chest as his fingers tousled through the smooth strands, but she still responded with a confident smile. "Mhmm, absolutely so. Don''t underestimate yourself. You''ve shown a lot of strength and resilience. You''re more badass than you think, you know that?" "I think I''m starting to get why men love lap pillows," his tone was warm, almost dreamlike. A sly smile forms on her lips as she continues running her fingers through his hair, still keeping up the soothing motion. "Hah, is that so? Finally realizing the comfort and relaxation a lap pillow can offer, eh? I knew it wouldn''t take long for you to see why men love them so much." "Mmh, I think I''m falling asleep," Yup this bastard was falling asleep, his eyes fluttering shut, his words starting to trail off. Mizuki chuckled lightly, her fingers continuing their gentle caress of his hair, she could hear the tiredness in his voice and could tell he was starting to drift off. "That''s good. Just close your eyes and let yourself fall asleep. Just relax and let the comfort of your lap pillow lull you into a restful slumber." "Mizuki" Mizuki responds with a soft hum, signaling that she''s still listening, "Yes, what is it?" "I love you," his voice finally cut off as he slowly drifted to sleep. Hearing those words causes her heart to skip a beat, a mix of surprise and affection filling her chest, a small smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and as she is about to reply the door is sent flying. As Cynthia decided to barge into his room, "Brother good news!" Mizuki jumps slightly as Cynthia barges into the room unannounced, her fingers pausing their soothing motion in his hair, and she turns to Cynthia with a mixture of surprise and annoyance on her face. Cynthia''s eyes widen as she barges into Yuto''s room without warning once again, only to find her brother and Mizuki in a compromising position. Her face flushes bright red as she realizes what she''s stumbled upon Mizuki scowls, her irritation evident, "For the love of all that''s holy, Cynthia! Can''t you knock first before barging into people''s rooms like that?" Cynthia stands in the doorway for a moment, her gaze shifting between Yuto and Mizuki, who''s giving him a lap pillow. She can''t help but notice that he''s asleep, but Mizuki is very much awake. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she clears her throat awkwardly, "Uh, sorry for barging in again... but I did have some news to share¡­" "Please wake my brother up first before I share anything" Mizuki let out a small sigh at Cynthia''s demand, looking down at Yuto''s sleeping form, reluctantly, she gently patted his head a few times, attempting to rouse him from his slumber. "Hey, Yuto, wake up. Cynthia has something to tell you." "Hmm, Mizuki what''s up you want a kiss?" He had a stupid grin on while his eyes tried to stay open. She chuckled softly, slightly amused by his half-asleep response, "No, Yuto, I don''t want a kiss right now. Cynthia said she has news for you. Wake up and listen to her" Yuto turns his head to see Cynthia, "Gah what the fuck!" He jolts awake, his eyes snapping open as he curses loudly. Cynthia can''t help but smirk a little at his reaction, her irritation from earlier temporarily replaced by amusement. "Good morning to you too, sleepyhead. Finally decided to join the land of the living, have you?" "Why is my door broken again?" His priority was his door which looked like a bear ran through it, the handle was practically broken and it seemed to have been punched first before being sent flying with magic. ["Did she seriously use magic to bust my door open?"] Cynthia rolls her eyes, a hint of irritation seeping back into her voice, "Oh, so now you''re worried about your door?" "How about you worry about how often you''re in bed with Mizuki instead?" Yuto huffs, "Well, she and I are lovers, so that''s not a problem. What is a problem is how you keep breaking down my door" Cynthia scowls at his response, her irritation mounting once again, "Oh, so your little romantic escapades are perfectly fine, but my door-breaking is a problem, huh?" "Nice to know where your priorities lie" ... "Jeez you act like Mom sometimes" Cynthia''s irritation gives way to a brief flash of surprise at his remark. She hadn''t expected that comparison coming from him of all people. "What? I do not act like Mom. I just have standards for decency, something you seem to lack, seeing as you''re practically living in bed with Mizuki these days" "Decency is not breaking your brother''s door down like an animal" Cynthia''s expression hardens as Yuto continues to bicker with her. She crosses her arms, her jaw set defiantly. "And basic manners would say that you shouldn''t be making out with your girlfriend when I could barge in at any moment. We''ll call it even" "That makes no sense," he''s right, it truly makes no sense but you can''t reason with a wall, especially a wall that knows explosion magic. Cynthia sighs in frustration, her patience wearing thin, "Oh, come on! How does that not make sense?" "I shouldn''t be barging in, and you shouldn''t be having your little make-out sessions all the time. We''re both in the wrong here, alright?" Yuto turns to Mizuki, his expression saying "Can you believe the stupid that just came out of her mouth?" "I think my brain just died" Mizuki laughs softly at his comment, finding amusement in the ongoing banter between Yuto and Cynthia. Cynthia, on the other hand, rolls her eyes at his remark, her irritation still present, "Oh, trust me, your brain doesn''t have much room to die, considering the nonsense that comes out of your mouth most of the time." Yuto chuckles at Cynthia''s retort, finding her annoyance to be quite entertaining. He raised an eyebrow, replying with a playful tone. "Oh really now? Nonsense, you say? Last I checked, I''m not the one throwing a fit over a harmless lap pillow" Cynthia bristles at his playful tone, her irritation mounting once again, she crosses her arms and huffs in mock indignation. "Harmless, you say? You were practically lying in Mizuki''s lap, looking all cozy and content. Anyone walking in on that would think you two were making a love declaration or something" Yuto seeing how the convert was going nowhere sighed as he scratched his head in annoyance. "Okay enough, we''ll get nowhere, have a seat and tell me what was so grand you interrupted my sleep" Cynthia huffs again, but relents and takes a seat. She crosses her legs, her annoyance still visible. "Fine, I''ll sit. But no funny business from you guys while I''m talking, alright? This is important news okay brother?" Yuto, just to spite his sister, gave a quick peck to Mizuki''s cheek, much to Cynthia''s visible annoyance as she rolled her eyes but continued with her news. As the feeling of the small peck sets in, a soft smile forms on Mizuki''s lips once again as she glances at Yuto, enjoying the subtle affection. "Alright, fine, one quick kiss is allowed, I guess. Anyway, here''s the important news... It turns out we might be staying here for a month" Volume 1 Chapter 10 The Other Disciple Yuto looked dumbfounded, knowing that they might stay longer was a given. A month seemed a bit excessive, but anything to get stronger. Mizuki chimes in, "Hmm, I''m guessing your Aunt also has plans for you, correct?" Cynthia nods, casting a glance and agreeing with Mizuki. "Yeah, Aunt Lily mentioned wanting to work on my magic training. She said she had some ideas and techniques she wanted to teach me while I''m here for the extended period" "Sigh, I''m stuck with Dad, right? Yuto looked like a dead man. Although he wished to learn his father''s techniques, he sometimes wished he wouldn''t be sent flying to a wall or end up with a broken arm anymore. His body felt like it would break by a gust of wind, Cynthia nodded sympathetic to his dilemma. "Yeah, you''re stuck with Dad. Maybe you can use this time to strengthen your bond with him or something" "It''s not that I don''t mind spending time with him, It''s just that I have to tell him about Mizuki (and not be sent flying to the wall again)" Cynthia nods, understanding what he was apprehensive about, "I get it. The conversation might go poorly. Have you thought about how you will break it to him?" "Could you tell him that I made a contract with an ego sword? Do you have any way to tell him without him judging me" Cynthia furrows her brows, thinking for a moment, "Hmm, that''s a tough one. Knowing Dad, he''s bound to have some reservations about it. But honesty is the best policy here" "Maybe you could try explaining it in a way that emphasizes the benefits and why you made the decision in the first place" Yuto sighed as he went back to Mizuki''s lap pillow. He would think of what to say when the time came, "Alright, shoo, shoo, I want my sleep back" Cynthia huffs in mock indignation, but she''s just amused by Yuto''s eagerness to return to the lap pillow, "Fine, fine, I get it. You''re desperate for your sleep and your lap pillow. I''m leaving" Yuto with mumble, "Goodnight Miss door breaker" Cynthia rolls her eyes at his nonchalant response, "Night, sleeping beauty. Don''t let the bedbugs bite," She stood up and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Mizuki resumes her position, letting Yuto rest his head on her lap once more. She gently strokes his hair, "So you''re going to tell your father about me, are you?" "If I want to get stronger, I have to know more about ego swords," he leaned in more to her touch. She nods in agreement at his response, understanding the importance of gathering information about ego swords for his journey was a must. "That''s true. To truly understand and harness the power of ego swords, knowledge is essential. It''s a wise decision to speak with your father about it" "Also, it would be nice if my sister and mother wouldn''t have to worry about being discreet about you" She chuckled softly at his words, feeling touched by his consideration for his family''s concerns. "Aww, how thoughtful of you. I''m sure your sister and mother would appreciate not having to keep me a secret anymore. It''s sweet of you to want to ease their worries" "Is it okay with you?" "Of course, it''s okay with me. I fully support your decision to be open about our partnership" "It''s important for your family to know and understand the full extent of your abilities and potential. Plus, I don''t mind being known and accepted by your loved ones" Yuto chuckles as he gets up to plant a small kiss before laying back down, "Thank you Mizuki" She felt a warm, affectionate smile form on her lips, feeling grateful for his gratitude and love. "You''re welcome, Yuto. Anything for you" She watched as he fell asleep, his breathing becoming steady and peaceful, as she continued gently stroking his hair, feeling a sense of protectiveness and affection wash over her. As the night goes on, she quietly sits there, keeping watch over him while he sleeps, determined to ensure his rest is undisturbed. - Morning - As the morning arrives, the soft beams of sunlight begin to filter through the windows, signaling the beginning of a new day. Mizuki stayed in the same position, still gently caressing his hair, feeling a sense of calm and contentment wash over her as they both slept peacefully. Yuto opened his eyes slowly, getting used to waking up and seeing Mizuki''s sleeping face. He reached his hand out to gently stroke the hair away from her eyes. Mizuki couldn''t help but feel a small flutter in her chest, relishing the sensation of his touch. With a soft sigh, she leaned into his hand, enjoying the gentle contact between them. Her hand continues to gently comb through his hair, enjoying this small moment of shared intimacy. Yuto chuckled, "Good Morning" She opened her eyes, a soft smile spreading across her lips, "Good morning to you, too. Did you sleep well?" "Mmh, lap pillows sure are comfortable" She chuckles softly at his comment, "I''m glad you found the lap pillow to your liking. It''s my pleasure to provide you with comfort" Yuto got up to change his clothes, his body was covered in bandages, some scars and bruises from always blocking each hit. Mizuki''s eyes wandered over his body, taking in the sight of all the bandaged wounds, scars, and bruises, although they both knew that his training would be rough, it was still an unpleasant sight. A pang of sadness and worry welled up within her, seeing Yuto in a battered state, she bit her lip slightly, a mix of concern and protectiveness washing over her. Seeing this lip-biting, Yuto leaned down and flicked her forehead, "What''s wrong?" She blinked a few times, slightly surprised by the unexpected flick to her forehead. She raised an eyebrow, a small smile flickering on her lips despite the concern she felt, "Oh, just admiring the masterpiece of injuries you''ve collected there. You know, the usual" "Hah, the usual is me being sent flying to the same wall" She let out a soft chuckle, "Ah, so getting slammed into the same wall is a regular occurrence for you, huh? Well, at least you''re consistent" "No, no, what''s consistent is my sister barging into my room" Speaking of the devil, Cynthia barged into his room again, the poor door only being reinforced while he slept, now broken again. "Brother, I have some news!" Yuto let out a small sigh, both amused and annoyed at her timing. With a small smirk, Yuto replies in a dry tone, "Yes, Cynthia. What''s the news this time?" Cynthia''s eyes widen as she takes in the sight of Yuto''s body covered in bandages, small scars, and bruises. She stands there for a moment, her usual attitude put on hold as she processes the sight before her. After a brief pause, she finally finds her voice. "Woah, you look like you''ve been through a war or something" Yuto gave her a nonchalant shrug, trying to act nonchalant despite the battered state of his body, "Oh, you know, just some intense training. Nothing out of the ordinary" Cynthia''s eyes narrow as he explains the cause of his battered state. She crosses her arms, annoyance flickering in her gaze. "Oh, so it''s just ''intense training,'' huh? And let me guess, you just happened to get injured by your oh-so-loving sister''s explosion magic, right?" Yuto stared at her with a dumbfounded look before letting out a small laugh at Cynthia''s sarcastic remarks, knowing full well that her explosion magic indeed contributed to his battered state. He leaned back slightly, a sly grin playing on his lips, "Oh, you know me so well. Who would have guessed that getting caught in your explosions could be hazardous to one''s health? It''s a wonder I''m still standing at all, right?"If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Cynthia rolls her eyes at his sarcastic response, clearly not amused by his attempt at humor. "Oh, haha, very funny. You think you''re so witty, don''t you? But let''s not forget who''s responsible for the majority of those bruises and bandages, hm?" Yuto puts his hands up, just done with the conversation as he remembers not to argue with a wall that knows explosion magic. "So what''s up?" "Okay, moving on. Yeah, Aunt Lily told me that Dad''s disciple has arrived to help out with your training. Any idea what to expect?" Mizuki listens intently to Cynthia''s words, her interest piqued by the mention of their father''s disciple and the upcoming training sessions. Yuto looks over at Mizuki, who is listening intently to the conversation, "Hey Mizuki, what do you think?" She furrows her brows in thought, thinking about what to expect, "Hmm, based on what I know about your father and considering your previous training sessions, I''d say his disciple will likely be skilled, determined, and not one to hold back" "They''ll probably push you to your limits, both physically and mentally" Cynthia nods, agreeing with Mizuki''s assessment, "Yeah, you''re probably right. Dad''s disciple will undoubtedly be relentless and demanding" "They probably want to see how far you can push yourself and how much you can handle. It''s not going to be easy, that''s for sure. " "Just make sure you can withstand the intensity and not get your ass handed to you too often" Yuto chuckles softly at Cynthia''s words, appreciating her blend of seriousness and playful taunts, he gives a small smirk, replying in a teasing tone. "Oh, don''t worry about that. I think we all can agree that my ass is far too charming to be left-handed over and over again" "Plus, I don''t think Father would be too pleased if his disciple keeps leaving me battered and bruised daily" Cynthia snort-laughs at Yuto''s witty remark. "Haha, yeah, I''m sure your charming ass is quite captivating. And you''re right, Dad would probably not be too thrilled if his disciple turns you into a human punching bag daily" They both laugh at how, in Cynthia''s words, exciting, this will be for her at least. Yuto sighs as he grabs another shirt not covered in blood, "Okay, I''ll see you there" Cynthia gives him a quick nod, still smiling, "Yeah, see you there. Let''s hope your ass doesn''t end up too battered and bruised at the end of this training session, eh?" As she leaves, Yuto looks back at Mizuki, "We seriously need to reinforce that door" "Oh, you''re right about that. I can''t even count the number of times your sister has barged in without warning" They both share a laugh, as Yuto puts on the training armor, Mizuki stares at him, his body isn''t 100 percent, and yet Yuto does not flinch at any of his bruises. "Speaking of training, how are you feeling about the upcoming session with your father''s disciple?" "Are you ready to push yourself and take your training to the next level?" "Hah, I can''t even beat my father, I don''t even know how long she''s been his disciple" Mizuki senses a hint of uncertainty in his voice and gives him a reassuring smile, "Don''t underestimate yourself. You may not have beaten your father yet, but that doesn''t mean you can''t take on his disciple" "Don''t forget, you''ve been training hard and made great progress. " "So how long do you think she''s been your father''s disciple? Have you considered asking him?" Yuto smiles as his confidence returns, "That''s a good question to ask. Let''s go!" She nods in agreement and gets up from the bed, "Alright, let''s head to the training ground and see what your father''s disciple has in store for you" - Back Yard, Training Arena - Yuto''s Dad was in the middle talking to a young lady who seemed to be around Yuto''s age. She had black hair and ruby-colored eyes. "She''s beautiful," he tried to mumble in secret but Mizuki who was sitting on his shoulder in her small form agreed, Mizuki''s gaze landed on her, taking in her striking features and captivating presence. Yuto reminded himself to keep his focus on the training session at hand, pushing any distractions aside. "She certainly is. But let''s not get distracted, we''re here for some intense training, right?" Mizuki said in a teasing manner. "Cough, who''s distracted?" Yuto tried to hide the blush that was forming across his face. She raises an eyebrow, a hint of teasing in her voice as she replies, "Oh, I don''t know, maybe the one who just called a certain someone ''beautiful'' a moment ago?" "C-come on I have you, and is it wrong to compliment someone''s looks?" She chuckled at his response, feeling a wave of affection wash over her as she gave him a gentle nudge with her arm, a smirk playing on her lips. "Yes, you do have me. But that doesn''t mean I won''t tease you when you get distracted by a pretty face" "I''m perfectly fine with the idea of you having multiple partners. I understand that your love and affection can extend to many, and I don''t oppose it" Yuto sighs and, with little strength, flicks her forehead, "You make me sound like I want multiple partners" She let out a soft chuckle, feigning annoyance but secretly enjoying the affectionate gesture. "Well, you never know. You might get so popular one day that you''ll have a whole harem of people swooning over you" Yuto chuckles, "Sure, sure, right now, let''s just avoid getting our ass kicked," Mizuki joins in his chuckle, agreeing with his sentiment. "You''re right. For now, we should focus on the training session at hand and avoid getting our butts kicked by your father''s disciple" Mizuki stepped back into the ring, remaining focused and ready for what was to come, Yuto was heading to the arena when he saw Cynthia eating breakfast in the stands, he smiled as he ran up to her. "Cynthia!" Cynthia looked up, her attention shifting from her breakfast to Yuto, "Hey, what''s up?" "Ready to see me win?"He had a stupid grin, his eyes gleaming with positivity. Cynthia smirks as she looks over to their father''s disciple and back at a grinning Yuto. "Heh, yeah, right. I highly doubt you''ll be winning anything. You might get a few lucky blows in, but in the end, you''ll end up on your ass, as usual" Yuto flicked her head as he ran back to the arena, laughing like a moron on his way to losing, Cynthia shakes her head, her smirk growing wider as she watches him run back to the arena. She calls out after him, "Yeah, keep laughing. You''re gonna need humor to mask your pain when you''re face-down in the dirt!" Mizuki can''t help but let out a chuckle, ''It seems even she can''t picture you winning'', Yuto chuckles at how little she believes in him. ''We''ll prove her wrong, let''s just wipe the grin off her face with results'' His father noticed him running up to the arena and proceeded to walk over to him with a smile, "My boy, you are here rather early, I was going to get you after breakfast" Yuto smiled, ignoring the remark and looking over to the disciple, "So who is she?" Ry¨­ko looked back at his disciple, and the determination and skill the disciple possessed were clear. "That''s Sayuri. She''s been training to be a Knight. As per tradition, she''s here to train you today to see who has the right to learn my aura technique first" "How long has she been your disciple?" Ry¨­ko ponders for a moment, Yuto''s eyes roaming over Sayuri, whose hands were covered in bandages. She wore armor that covered her from head to toe, but not her face. "She''s been my disciple for several years now. She was quite young when I took her under my tutelage, but she''s grown into a skilled and determined Knight since then" Yuto walked up and extended his hand to greet her, "Hello, I am Yuto Akimitsu, Ry¨­ko''s only son" Sayuri bows slightly in response to his greeting, her expression serious and focused. She looks at Yuto with a hint of curiosity in her eyes, sizing him up as a potential opponent and student. She spoke in a soft, serious voice, "Greetings. I am Sayuri Astrid, a student of Ry¨­ko. Today, I will be your sparring and training partner" Yuto looked back at his father, "Is mom okay with this?" Sayuri looked over at Ry¨­ko, who nodded in response to his question. "Yes, your mother is aware and approved of this training. She trusts that Sayuri will honor the code of sparring and that you will do your best to learn and improve" Mizuki transforms as Yuto holds up the katana, "So be it" Sayuri draws her katana and nods in response to the challenge. She falls into a defensive stance, her body poised and ready, her eyes focused and determined. She speaks, her voice cool and composed, "Let the training begin" Ry¨­ko smiles as he steps back. No words need to be said, as both look ready to rip each other apart. As the duel begins, Yuto notices that Sayuri is as intense as she is graceful as she moves with precision and agility. +10 Attack +10 Defense +10 Speed [ Black Smith''s Blessing is Active ] +20 Attack With these buffs, Yuto matched her pace as both their swords clashed echoing throughout the arena. Sayuri''s attacks are swift and precise, but Yuto manages to deflect them just in time, his parries and strikes forceful and calculated. She cuts through his armor like butter. Her techniques seem to be more focused on striking weak points. Yuto, on the other hand, would strike her forearms and thighs, trying to weaken her strikes. [ Lunar Arts: Crescent Kick ] Sayuri is taken off guard for a moment as his foot connects with her side. The unexpected attack causes her to stumble for a moment, giving Yuto an opening to press his advantage, but her eyes are filled with determination as he feels pain welling up in his stomach. Sayuri managed to regain her balance and turn Yuto''s attack to her advantage. With a swift, powerful roundhouse kick, she connected with his stomach, momentarily knocking the wind out of him. "Kgh!" Yuto is slammed into the same wall as before, his back connecting with the hard surface with a thud. The force of the impact momentarily stuns him as he finds himself winded and gasping for breath, Sayuri steps back, her eyes never leaving his form, her body poised and alert, ready for his next move. ''Well now it seems as if that wall and you are the fated lovers. Hah'' ["Mizuki, can you not make jokes when I''m gasping for air?"] ''Right right, look, take a few more blows, and you should active Healing Grace'' Yuto looks up and sees Sayuri loading up her Aura, "Ah, hell no!" Sayuri can sense his realization and can feel the shift in his focus. A sly grin forms on her lips, a challenge in her eyes "Running scared now, are we?" Yuto''s eye twitched, besides Cynthia no one else dared mock him in battle even before his awakening he was still pretty strong and had never run from a fight. Sayuri, on the other hand, notices the twitch in his eye, she smirks, finding pleasure in getting under his skin. She speaks, her voice calm and taunting. "Come now, what happened to that courage and confidence from before? Losing your nerve already?" Yuto grits his teeth, feeling a surge of frustration and irritation at her words. He refused to back down, though, channeling his determination and focus. He met her gaze, with a tone laced with sarcasm. "Oh, please. I''m not backing down that easily. You might want to save your breath. You''re going to need it when I wipe that smug smile off your face" Sayuri laughs softly, an amused gleam in her eyes. She''s enjoying this, the competitive banter, and the challenge he''s presenting. She responds to his taunt, her tone cheeky and confident. "Is that so? I''d like to see you try. Don''t be too surprised when you find yourself flat on your back, wondering what just happened" ''Jeez, and here you thought she was a beautiful knight with a sense of humility'' ["I know, don''t rub it in"] Yuto hyped himself up as he smirked back at her, his determination intensifying. "Well, buckle up then, because I''m not going down that easily. You might have your tricks and skills, but I''ve got a few of my surprises prepared." [ Skill: Dash ¡Á Shadow Step ] Sayuri sees him disappear. She quickly launches her aura blade, missing him by a few feet as he quickly punches her gut. Although she was wearing armor, Yuto''s strength and speed stat was no joke, Sayuri''s eyes widened slightly, and the force of the attack was stronger than she anticipated Despite wearing armor, the impact momentarily stuns her, and she stumbles backward a few steps. However, she recovers quickly, her expression filled with a mix of surprise and grudging respect. "Not bad, not bad at all... You pack quite a punch, and that technique ... unexpected" "I''m a firm believer that everyone is equal, so clench your teeth," Mizuki looks at him stunned before letting out a giggle. ''Say that after you win, because it looks like she''s not giving up'' Sayuri glances up, her expression still slightly shocked, but with a hint of respect and competitiveness in her eyes. She gives a nod, acknowledging his words and the lesson Yuto just delivered "You''ve proven your strength, and I''ve learned not to underestimate you. But I wouldn''t count on an easy victory yet. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve" She clenches her teeth, ready for his next move, Yuto lands a hit, and Sayuri sends one back. They both laugh as they drop their katanas and blows are exchanged, Sayuri darts in first, throwing a swift jab at Yuto''s face he ducks fluidly, the wind from her punch teasing his hair. With a swift counter, he aims a kick at her side. She anticipates the move, pivoting gracefully and blocking with her arm, the impact sending a ripple through her body but not breaking her stride. The back-and-forth continues, each trading blows, dodging and weaving like two cats in a playful skirmish. Sayuri brings a low kick to Yuto''s leg, trying to unbalance him, but he leaps over it, landing with a smirk. The playful rivalry between them shines through, and you can almost see the respect in their eyes despite the spirited fight. As they exchange a flurry of strikes, it becomes less about winning and more about the thrill of the challenge. Each punch is fueled by adrenaline, and they push each other to their limits. "Huff, just . . give up!" The fight went on for longer than 30 minutes. Sayuri grins, her breathing heavy and sweat trickling down her face. She laughs between gasps. "Never! I didn''t come this far just to give up so easily!" Sayuri and Yuto continue to spar, exchanging blows and parrying each other''s attacks. It''s a fierce and intense training session, neither of them willing to let up or give the other an inch. Finally, Yuto, without realizing it, loads up a bit of Aura in his hand and strikes one final time, Sayuri stumbles backward as the final strike lands, the force of the blow sending her off balance. She staggers a few steps, the impact visibly taking its toll on her. She lets out a huff, her chest rising and falling with quick breaths, beads of sweat on her forehead. "Alright, alright... I surrender. You won this one" Yuto smiles as he extends his hand, Sayuri takes the offered hand, helping her back to her feet. She stands a few steps away from Yuto, her breathing slowly returning to normal, her muscles slightly aching from the intense sparring session. Both turn to look at Ry¨­ko, who has been watching the entire match. His eyes are filled with a mixture of pride and satisfaction, a small smile on his lips. Ry¨­ko approaches, his gaze darting between Yuto and Sayuri. His smile widens, a hint of pride in his voice as he responds. "That was one of the most intense and impressive sparring sessions I''ve witnessed. Both of you demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and resilience" "I''m quite pleased with both of your performances" Yuto and Sayuri exchange a glance, a silent understanding passing between both, despite the competitive nature of the training, there''s a newfound respect and appreciation for each other''s abilities. Even in defeat, Sayuri holds her head high, a hint of a smirk on her lips, Ry¨­ko noticed Cynthia fidgeting behind Yuto. "Yuto, your sister looks like she wants to talk to you, I''ll speak with you after you''re done, I still have some things to discuss with Sayuri" Yuto agrees and walks to Cynthia, who is waiting anxiously, concern etched on her face. "Yuto! Are you okay? That was intense!" She exclaims, her voice filled with worry. "See, I told you I would win," his stupid grin only worked to annoy her even further. Cynthia scoffs, rolling her eyes. She can''t help but feel a mixture of annoyance and relief. "Hmph, yeah, yeah. You won, congratulations. Doesn''t change the fact that you got your sorry ass pummeled pretty hard there" Yuto pats her head, "At least I''m getting stronger, aren''t I?" Cynthia tries to maintain a scowl at the patronizing head pat, but a hint of a smile appears on her face anyway. "Yeah, yeah, I guess you are. But don''t be too cocky, or you''ll only be asking for more ass beatings" Mizuki laughs as she appears before Cynthia, "He sure is asking for it these days" Cynthia nods in agreement, "Absolutely. He''s still cocky as ever, despite getting his butt kicked not too long ago. Maybe he needs a few more beatings to knock him down a peg or two" They all let out a chuckle, his father walks over and wraps his arm around Yuto''s shoulder, sharing jokes about how the wall seems to be in love with Yuto. The lighthearted atmosphere instantly changes to a somber one as their mother and aunt frantically rush over, their voices filled with urgent news and worry. At first, Yuto thought it was about him skipping meeting his aunt in private, but the clear look on their faces was that of pure terror and worry. Cara''s eyes are wide with fear, and their aunt''s face is pale and anxious. They spoke in quick, urgent tones, the news they brought, sending a cold shiver down Yuto''s spine. "Our village is under attack! The Demon King''s army is approaching! We need to act quickly!" Volume 1 Chapter 11 The Heavenly King Mizuki looked over to Yuto and saw his face darken with so many different emotions. Fear Anger Despair Yuto thought it was a dream as he pinched his left leg only to feel the pain, "N-no please" Mizuki can sense his shock and disbelief at the news they''re bringing. She can see how hard it is to process the situation. "M-mizuki this is a dream right?" Mizuki wanted to tell him, "Yes, it''s just a dream," but she knew deep down that this nightmare was the harsh reality he had dreamt of. They all quickly run back into the mansion where Aunt Lily''s teleportation spell is set in her room, and Mizuki goes back into the ring. "Come on, we need to hurry! We have to get back to the village as soon as possible!" Yuto shouted, it was the same as the dream, it always starts with the village, he can prevent his family''s death if he saves the town right? As they enter the house, Aunt Lily rushes over to her teleportation spell, her eyes focused and alert, she quickly performs the necessary incantations and preparations, creating a portal leading back to the village. Cynthia stands beside her, her heart pounding with anxiety and fear for the safety of the village. "Hurry, Aunt Lily!" Cynthia urges, her voice betraying her growing restlessness Aunt Lily finishes the preparations for the teleportation spell, and the portal shimmers to life before them, the air crackles with magical energy, and a clear path to the village is visible through the shimmering gateway. Yuto''s mother and Aunt exchange worried glances with Ryoko and Sayuri, the realization of the impending battle heavy in the air. Yuto could hear the distant sounds of chaos and destruction as the Demon King''s army closed in on the village, some demons had already made their way inside causing massive bloodshed. It was a pretty big village, and any adventure or mercenary sent where fighting to the death against the masses. Screams and fires fill the air, and a dread washes over Cara, "Oh no... no, no, no. This can''t be happening¡­" Cynthia''s eyes widen, her heart sinking further with each passing moment as she takes in the unfolding scene of terror and devastation. Aunt Lily and Sayuri are stunned, they know the destruction that the demon king''s army could do but the sight is disgusting to take in. Humans were hanging from their organs, most were beheaded and put on display, and many were trying their best not to be discovered. "D-dad we''ll be fine right?" Yuto asked, although he has never run from a fight, this scene only served as a reminder of a real battle. Ry¨­ko places a reassuring hand on his shoulder, his eyes meeting Yuto''s with a firm but gentle gaze. He spoke calmly, his voice steady and confident, despite the gravity of the situation. "We''ll be fine. We''ve faced difficult challenges before, and we''ll face this one together too, all of us will be fine, we''re a family" Cynthia looks up at her father, his reassuring presence calming her racing nerves at least a little. His words resonate in her mind, reminding her of the hours spent training and preparing for situations like this. With a determined nod, she squares her shoulders and clenches her fists, "You''re right. We''ll face this together. So let''s do this" Cara took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, and responded in a slightly shaky voice. "You''re right... We''ve gone through tough times before, and we''ll also get through this. I trust in your leadership, and I trust in all of us. We''ll fight together and protect our village" Aunt Lily and Sayuri smile, as both summon their weapons at hand, ready for any order, their confidence leaves Cara and Cynthia smiling and ready. [-System Equipment-] Ring of Ernaline in use Yuto''s armor reinforces, his black suit of armor wraps around him, and his long red scarf symbolizing victory, appears to be flowing with the wind. Mizuki smiles as Yuto''s confidence returns, she takes the form of a great sword, shocking Yuto''s father, he wants to ask but will wait until the battle is over. Yuto took a step upfront as Mizuki supplied him with stronger buffs, ready to support him in any way he needs +25 Attack +25 Speed +25 Defense +25 Stamina [-Black Smiths Blessing is now active-] +40 Attack +40 Defense <- System Rewards -> +20 Defense +20 Attack +40 Stamina +20 Mana +5 levels - Lunar Arts, 2 more techniques unlocked -New Skill: Iron Wall, Can use armor to act as a tanker for up to five minutes -New Title: First Blood, If Host lands the hit first all stats increase by 10 for 10 minutes "Status Window" Yuto Akimitsu Title: Youngest Demon Prince One-Sided Slaughter Victim First Blood Class: Prince of Darkness Level: 45 Stats: Strength 193 (1065) / Speed 73 (25) / Agility 73/ Defense 143 (1065) / Health 1013 / Mana 143 / Mentality 1010 / Stamina 1050 (25) Passive: Grace Healing - Heals twice a day when below 30 Hp Black Smith''s Blessing - Increases the attack of any weapon by 20 Skills: Dash - Sudden Movements in battle / Click to see more Martial Art collection: Click to see more Yuto was fully ready for any command his father gave him, Ryoko smiled proudly at how tall his son stood, Ry¨­ko led the charge, his blade gleaming ominously. "Yuto and Cara, both of you support the Mercininers, Cynthia, and Lily will support the Adventures, and Sayuri help protect Yuto in any way" "Everyone has their orders now!" Everyone nods and splits off to the opposite ends of the town to provide support, Cara, chanted incantations, her voice steady amid the clamor, providing a form of defense against any ghost or spirit-type demon. Yuto dashed into the fray, slashing through the hordes of goblins and ogres trying to break the tankers. Cynthia stood her ground, weaving intricate spells, her fingers moving deftly as she conjured shields of shimmering explosion magic and blasts of energy, with a flick of her wrist, she sent a surge of energy that blasted a group of demons away from Yuto''s side. "Watch yourself, Yuto!" she shouted, her voice ringing clear over the chaos. Lily ran up gathering the Adventures to join up with the Mercenaries and joined forces with Cynthia, combining their magical prowess. "Double mana burst, now!" she commanded, sending a wave of force that staggered the advancing demons. Sayuri moved like a shadow beside Yuto, she was a whirl of motion, her aura sword flashing as she took down demons with precision, "Keep moving!" she encouraged, her voice a melody amidst the battle clamor. Cara only took a moment to reset before launching ethereal chains from her hands, binding several demons in place. "Now! Attack while they''re immobilized!" Cynthia commanded, her magic swelling around them as she summoned glowing orbs of energy that rushed toward the trapped attackers. Each orb explodes upon impact, illuminating the night sky. Among the chaos, Yuto spotted a larger demon wielding a huge ass scythe, rallying the smaller ones around it. "Let''s take that one down!" He shouted to his family. Yuto and Sayuri exchanged glances, understanding what needed to be done immediately. They surged forward together, flanking the creature stealthily. Yuto delivered a precise strike, while Sayuri followed up with a rapid flurry of attacks, clearly displaying her growth from the training they had. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. "Hah it looks as if I have grown again, I might request another match after this Yuto!" Mizuki laughed as she teased Yuto, ''It looks as if another has fallen for you, I don''t blame her though'' Yuto tried his best to ignore her comment, ''Just focus on support'', but his ears gave away his embarrassment. Lily and Cynthia combined their magic again, creating a magnificent vortex that spiraled around hoards of smaller demons, entrapping it in a mesmerizing display of power. It was clear that some level of hope was returning, as the Adventures and Mercenaries cheered, Yuto felt as if things were going well but noticed that his father was missing during this pushback. "Sayuri, where is my father?" Sayuri looked surprised as she looked around, she looked at Lily who looked at Cara, he was nowhere to be seen when they heard a loud explosion where their cabin was located. - Cabin on top of the hill - Ry¨­ko, stood alone, facing off against the demon generals: Wrath, Greed, and Sloth, this wasn''t how the Demon Lord usually did things, so he went alone to find answers. They towered over him, each exuding a potent aura filled with malice and hunger for chaos, pure evil was the only way to describe them. Wrath, enveloped in black flames, took a step forward, his fists clenched and radiating fury. "You dare stand alone against us, Sword Master?" "And what exactly do I need to fear, you three?" Wrath growled, the flames flickering dangerously close, "Human, you should be begging for mercy!" Ry¨­ko gripped the hilt of his great sword, its blade shimmering with a holy light, a counterbalance to the darkness surrounding him. "Mercy is for the weak," he declared, his voice steady, resonating with unwavering resolve. "I am here to end your miserable existence and after you answer my questions!" In a fury, Wrath lunged, fire trailing behind him like a comet. The air sizzled with heat as he swung a fiery fist toward Ry¨­ko, who sidestepped the blow, his movement swift and calculated. With a swift reaction, Ry¨­ko countered with a precise strike, aiming for Wrath''s flank. The blade met flesh, scoring a deep cut. "A mere general cannot defeat me, what is the Demon Lord planning, answer me, Eldon!" "Don''t call me that!" Wrath roared, stumbling back, flames erupting around him in an uncontrolled frenzy Greed interjected, his voice a silken hiss as he swept forward, gold and jewels glittering along his armor. "Why waste your time protecting a dead dream, when you can seize power, Ryoko?" "You were once our leader, you can protect that ''son'' of yours if you join our ranks" Ryoko slashed through the illusion, "Stop wasting your breath on useless shit!" Greed smirked as his outstretched hand unleashed a torrent of golden spikes. Ry¨­ko, anticipating the move, spun low, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles. Rising quickly, he unleashed a powerful slash toward Greed, aiming for the chest, but the demon sidestepped deftly, his laughter like shards of glass. "You think you can touch me, pathetic!" Greed taunted, extending his fingers as waves of shadow and wealth swirled around him, forming a barrier Meanwhile, Sloth lingered in the background, trying to find any weak point available. Ry¨­ko turned his gaze to Sloth, then back to the active threats before him. "One must never underestimate an enemy, I thought you better than this," Ry¨­ko muttered to himself. He lunged towards Wrath, his sword igniting with pure light as he anticipated the Wrath''s retaliation. With a swift flick of his wrist, he redirected the flames back towards Wrath, causing him to screech in agony. "Energy means nothing without purpose", Greed crafted his movements with precision, stretching shadows around him like a cloak. They surged forth, aiming to entrap Ry¨­ko in a web of greed, attempting to sap his vitality. But Ry¨­ko was quick, pivoting gracefully, the essence of his sword gleaming as he cut through those shadows as if they were mere smoke. "Your tactics bear no fruit against someone who fights for something greater" Wrath, recovering from the earlier assault, burned with fury anew. "I will crush you as I should have years ago!" he bellowed, his fists engulfed in flames. He charged at Ry¨­ko, whose sword moved like a flowing river, parrying each flaming attack with grace. Each clash sent sparks flying, lighting the air with a fierce radiance. Greed readied another attack, taking advantage of the distraction. "Focus on the real issue!" He hissed, sending a wave of gold that shimmered with dark energy. The very ground seemed to groan under its weight, eager to drag Ry¨­ko down with it. Ry¨­ko focused, merging his energy with that of the sword. In a sudden decision, he unleashed a surge of light, shattering the gold aura surrounding him. The remnants of Greed''s power exploded into an array of glittering fragments. "You will not bind my spirit!" Ry¨­ko proclaimed, emboldened. With Greed momentarily distracted, Ry¨­ko turned back to Wrath, whose leg was weary from the previous effort. Seizing the moment, he charged, the light of his sword illuminating the darkening sky. "Your rage blinds you!" he shouted, thrusting forward with precision. Ryoko charged in striking Wrath in the chest. The demon let out a deafening cry as he staggered backward, flames flickering as if losing their source of power. "This cannot be!" he croaked, before collapsing to the ground. "None of you have ever heard the name of my martial art have you?" Ryoko''s entire aura changed, he stood still as golden light started to envelop his body. Sloth decided to act, finally sinuous and deliberate, as he stretched his limbs. "At this rate, we won''t reach our ultimate goal," he said lazily, yet his eyes burned with malice. He inhaled deeply, a black mist gathering around him before exploding like a wave of despair toward Ry¨­ko. But Ryoko stood resolute, when he opened his eyes, only golden light appeared, the remaining two sins that saw this scene both mumbled, "T-this energy, his true technique!" "Heavenly Martial Art: Stellar Pulse x Divine Punishment" Ryoko''s great sword grew bigger with holy energy and with one quick slash, broke through any remaining defense, thousands of cuts appeared all over their bodies, causing massive blood and limb loss to all generals. Before Sloth lost consciousness the last words he mumbled, "T-the Heavenly K-king" Ryoko stood tall, and although his body suffered massive wounds and blood loss, the outcome was clear, he had won despite his body being a bit rusty. Ryoko Akimitsu Titles: First Blood Sword Saint Heavenly Master One With Aura Soul Mate Demon Hunter Demon Executioner Demon Nightmare Cold Demon General Heavens Favorite The Golden Sword Master Class: Successor of the Heavenly Arts Sword Master Chef Level: 500 Stats: Strength 5,500 / Speed 5,500 / Agility 4,500 / Defense 500 / Health 4,500 (Currently at 10) / Mana 100 / Mentality 10,000 / Stamina 1,500 Skills: Way too Many Martial Art collection: Too many to count Ry¨­ko turned his attention back to Greed, who was the last sin still alive, who now seethed with desperation. "You cannot escape this! The Demon Lord will have your essence!" Greed howled, gathering his remaining power. But there was an unmistakable flicker of fear in his eyes... "Your greed blinds you, Vandran always has! It was your downfall," Ry¨­ko declared, lunging forward, his blade cutting through Greed''s neck seemingly ending the battle. Ry¨­ko heard Yuto trying his hardest to climb up, he smiled, some part of him knowing that everyone was successful in driving the army back, he was going to leave the field before he felt blood dripping from his chest. His chest had been pierced by Wrath, "T-this how? You were dead?" Wrath chuckles as the other sins begin to awake, their bodies fully healing, "Oh, you seem to have forgotten, Demons have 2 hearts, higher ranks have 5, and we generals have 10, you destroyed all but 1, this is the end, old friend" He falls to the ground, bleeding out, his body no longer having the strength to move even a finger. Had this been his prime, he would have killed them without even moving his hand, but age has caught up to him, along with all the wounds he''s sustained over the years. The Demon God''s curse, even to the end most of his abilities were reduced by half, "Hah, what a pain this is" Yuto, who finally reached the top, saw his father bleeding out and ran over with tears in his eyes. Ry¨­ko saw a girl with silver-colored hair beside Yuto trying to support him, Ry¨­ko chuckled. "G-guess my s-son is like me a-after all," his last breath, his last thought, was apologizing to everyone, especially his wife, the only woman he has ever loved. "I-am so-sorry Cara" His eyes lost any sign of life, and Yuto''s tears began to overflow. "D-dad, Dad please wake up, WAKE UP, MIZUKI DO SOMETHING ANYTHING!" Mizuki gently put her hand on Yuto''s shoulder, trying to offer some comfort and support, she spoke in a quiet but steady voice. "Look up, we need to deal with them first, only then can we grieve his loss" Yuto picked up his father and laid him gently down, he called Mizuki to his side as a Great Sword, she felt the weight of his sorrow, and she helped channel all the anger into a red aura blade. His tears trickle down, "None of you shall leave alive" <- System Equipment -> Ring of Ernaline in use -Error- The armor is damaged and will need time to recover, will the host still use it? "Yes!" Ring of Ernaline in use "None of them will Yuto, I''ll make sure of it," supportive words were all she could do for now, feeling the rage boiling inside. The 3 sins look at each other and back at Yuto, they all laugh but notice Mizuki, a fine spoil of war to offer the Demon Lord, Wrath steps up, "Come at us child" As the generals drew nearer, wrathful flames ignited in Wrath''s eyes, greed glimmered in Greed''s grin, and Sloth''s laziness morphed into a lethargic, numbing power. With the fire of battle igniting inside him, Yuto''s sorrow twisted into anger. "I am not afraid! I shall show you all the cost of your sin!" he shouted, the very act of defiance igniting his spirit. The words invigorated him, and Mizuki shimmered brighter, resonating with his fury. With a determined cry, he lunged forward, the echoes of his defiance ringing out into the night. <- System Quest -> Vengeance for the Fallen Hero Kill the 3 remaining demons. -Rewards- New Martial Art Collection +30 to all stats +20 Levels A new title Wrath, with his booming laughter, charged first, flames swirling around his fists in a furious inferno. Yuto ducked under the onslaught, Mizuki slashing through the air, connecting with Wrath''s fiery form. Yuto''s heart raced¡ªthis was his chance to strike while the iron was hot. "Is that all you''ve got?" Yuto taunted, Wrath roared with rage, his eyes alight with fury, and retaliated with a wall of flame "A BRAT LIKE YOU DARES MOCK ME!" Yuto barely managed to evade it, the heat singeing the edges of his armor. But before he could catch his breath, Greed lunged in with a smile that twisted his features into something grotesque. "Why fight for revenge, when you could claim power for yourself?" He jeered, extending his hand and unleashing a barrage of golden shards aimed straight at Yuto. Yuto barely had time to react, a few shards cutting into his skin, his armor had been broken, and some of his skin was open to any attack. "SHUT UP AND DIE ALREADY!" Yuto shouted defiantly, dodging as best as he could Just as he was about to strike against Greed with everything he had, Sloth decided to join the fray. "Why rush, little boy? Let the world fall around you, what does it matter?" His voice was languid, almost mocking his loss. At that moment, an overwhelming wave of lethargy washed over Yuto, and he felt his limbs grow heavier. But he fought it; he couldn''t succumb now, infused with fury, he pushed himself to lash out at Sloth. "WHY NOT LIFT YOUR ASS FOR ONCE YOU LAZY FUCK!" He yelled, spiraling toward Sloth... Mizuki shimmered in response, but Sloth merely waved a hand, and an invisible force knocked Yuto off his feet. He landed hard on the ground, pain shooting through his body. "You think your rage can defeat us? You are but a child blinded by anger, a disgrace to your father!" Sloth chuckled, his casual demeanor infuriating Yuto even further. Yuto refused to let them see him falter. Fueled by adrenaline, he charged again, fury coursing through his veins as he slashed all three at once, surprising all of them. Mizuki helped aim strikes with perfect precision. But with each attack, it felt like the demons were playing a game, easily countering his moves. Sweat dripped from his brow, his strength waning as he desperately fought against the tide of despair. "No! I can''t lose¡­" he shouted breathlessly, eyes blurring as exhaustion threatened to take over. Wrath, finally losing patience, unleashed a torrent of flame that engulfed Yuto. Yuto screamed, feeling the heat burst against him, searing through his armor and skin. The pain was blinding, and for a moment, he found himself suspended in a world gone dark. Just when his consciousness began to slip, he saw a figure breaking through the flames¡ªa man whose presence lit up the abyss, his hair as white as snow and his eyes glowing silver. His uncle had appeared as if from another realm, wielding a sword radiating with purity. With a fluid motion, he cut through Wrath''s flames as if they were mere mist, stepping into the fray with grace and power unparalleled. "Step aside, Yuto" With a wave of his hand, he launched a counter-offensive, engaging Wrath first. The demon general, taken aback, stumbled as the Sword Saint launched holy energy forward. "Time to pay for your arrogance!" He boomed, the light enveloping Wrath in blinding brilliance. As the flash subsided, Yuto blinked, realizing his vision was still blurred. He watched in awe as his uncle moved like a tempest, each swing of his sword sending shockwaves through the battlefield. Greed, undaunted, attempted to attack, brandishing his shadowy strikes, but the Sword Saint was quick and agile. "You think you can claim power by such meaningless shortcuts?" He chastised, redirecting Greed''s attack effortlessly, sending them sprawling back. Even Sloth, sluggish as he was, found it difficult to keep up. "Wait! This is not how it''s supposed to go!" he exclaimed, trying to retreat, but it was too late. The Sword Saint unleashed a barrage of strikes, each one flowing seamlessly into the next, overwhelming and finally ending them all. The last conscious moment spent was Yuto trying to reach out for his father''s body before his uncle picked him up and everything went blank, he was safe now. - The Village Chief''s House- Yuto opened his eyes and slowly sat up straight, he let out a sigh, his head still slightly throbbing from the injuries he sustained He looked around, and seeing that he was in the village Chief''s home, brought him a bit of peace, Yuto tried to recall the events that happened earlier. He hears a knock on the door and it''s his uncle, the sword saint, the strongest human in the kingdom beside his father, he hasn''t seen him in two years. Yuto slowly sat up straight in his bed, trying to act calm, ".. Uncle.." "Yuto," his uncle, came to deliver the outcome of the battle. He noticed his uncle''s expression and immediately fell silent, his heart clenching tight. He didn''t want to believe the truth.. his mind tried to convince himself that his father was alive, that he''d walk through the door and say that everything was okay. "..is he..?" Yuto croaked out quietly "I''m sorry, I came too late to help" Yuto felt a lump in his throat as his uncle confirmed it, the feeling of denial slowly leaving and reality starting to set in. Tears slowly filled up in Yuto''s eyes as his uncle''s words repeated in his head, over and over again. "No.. you''re lying.. this can''t be real.." he whispered, his voice shaking. He pulled Yuto into a tight hug, "I''m sorry" Yuto slowly started to sob, letting his tears fall from his eyes. He tightly hugged his uncle''s back, "Why.. Why did he go alone?" he said quietly, his voice cracking slightly. "Your sister is in the next room, your Aunt and Miss Sayuri decide to give her space" Yuto''s eyes slowly widened upon hearing what his uncle said. He quickly moved away from the hug, "Cynthia.. is she..? Is she alright?" He nods, "She exhausted her magic that''s all" Yuto let out a shaky sigh of relief, knowing that his little sister was safe, and lifted a huge weight from his shoulders. "Can.. can I see her?" he asked softly. He leads Yuto to a private room, Cynthia is in the middle of sleeping, with Mizuki watching over her. Yuto slowly approached the bed, looking at his sister''s passed-out form. His heart ached when he saw her in that state, and a part of him felt guilty for not being there beside her.. but he slowly pushed that thought away. He sat next to the bed, gently reaching out to hold Cynthia''s small hand. Mizuki pulls him into a hug, "I''m sorry love" Yuto let out a shaky sigh as Mizuki hugged him. He buried his face into her shoulder, his tears slowly starting to fall once again. "This can''t be real... it has to be a nightmare.." he mumbled, his voice muffled by her shoulder. All Mizuki could do was brush his hair, after a while of crying Yuto got up to get some fresh air, his uncle waiting for him to come out. "So you have an ego sword?" Yuto looked up at his uncle as he stepped out of the door, he nodded in response to his question before replying. "Yeah... her name is Mizuki" "Do you know how rare they are?" Yuto shook his head, a curious expression on his face. "No... I never really researched how rare they are" he replied, his interest in the topic slowly growing. "Finding an ego sword alone is a 1 in a million chance, and finding one so loyal is rarely seen, even the king only has 2, and that''s generations of searching, so let me ask, how did you get one?" Yuto''s eyes widened in shock as he heard his uncle''s words, he had no idea that ego swords were that rare. He thought silently to himself for a moment before replying, "Well.. it might be hard to believe, but one day.. she suddenly appeared in my room, where we made our contract " "Sounds about right" Yuto let out a soft chuckle at his uncle''s response. "Yeah.. she can be stubborn sometimes," he said with a small smile on his face. "Do you love her? From what it seems, you''ve known each other for 2 weeks?" Yuto felt his cheeks heat up as his uncle asked the question, he coughed awkwardly for a moment before replying, ".. yeah... I do" He paused for a moment before continuing, "I know we haven''t been together for too long, but I feel drawn towards her, it''s. strange" Yuto took a deep breath and composed himself before asking his first question, "Do you know anything about the Demon Lord army?.. like why they''re here" "Your father didn''t tell you, but that''s why the king called for him to return. The demon lord is active again" "The demon lord.. is active again?" He repeated, the worry and dread starting to rise in his chest. "I guess the reason 3 generals showed up to a small village was because the Demon Lord knew your father was a candidate to be the next hero" Yuto''s eyes widen in shock as the realization dawns on him. He felt a chill run down his spine as his uncle''s words sunk in "You mean.. the demon lord targeted our village because of my father?.. He''s looking for a hero?" "Precisely, a hero with the Holy Sword is the only thing that can threaten his life" "And.. when he finds this hero?" Yuto asked, his voice shaking slightly with anger "He kills them, no matter how many die or even his kin, anything that threatened his position dies, he''s after me as well" Volume 1 Chapter 12 Cold Mask Yuto''s hands clenched into fists as he heard his uncle''s words, "And.. What can we do?.. How do we stop him?" His uncle flicked his head, "Take care of your sister and trust this uncle of yours," his uncle gave him a warm smile as he walked away. Yuto rubbed his forehead, letting out a small huff of annoyance. He watched as his uncle started to walk away, feeling a pang of worry in his chest as he thought about what his uncle said. "But.. what if-" Yuto started to speak, trying to ask another question <- System Quest -> Become the sword Saint''s Disciple Yuto''s eyes widen as a notification appears in front of him. ["Become the Sword Saint''s Disciple?"] Yuto thought silently to himself, wondering if he should accept it, the memory of his father flashed, the state of his sister only reassuring his thought. Yuto clenched his hands into fists, steeling his heart as he made a decision. Before his uncle could walk out the door, Yuto quickly called out to him, his voice slightly shaking. "Wait!" His uncle turned around, "Yes?" Yuto took a deep breath, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. "I... I accept your offer to become your disciple" Yuto said firmly, looking into his uncle''s eyes with determination. Clovis looked confused. When did he offer to take Yuto as his disciple? Yuto mixed up the system with reality, he realized his mistake as Clovis looked at him with confusion. His cheeks flushed red in embarrassment as he quickly tried to correct himself. "I... I mean.." he stuttered, trying to find the right words. ["What''s wrong with me?"] "Speak Yuto, I''m not leaving so speak" Yuto quickly tried to compose himself, feeling even more embarrassed now that Clovis was looking at him with a questioning gaze. He cleared his throat before speaking up again, "I.. meant to ask you if you would take me as your disciple" He looked at his uncle, hoping that this time he wouldn''t sound so foolish. Clovis in a quick flash is in front of him. Yuto''s eyes widened in surprise as Clovis moved so quickly, suddenly appearing in front of him in a flash. He subconsciously took a step back, startled by Clovis''s sudden movement. His eyes begin to glow, the pressure feeling heavy, "Give me a reason to accept you, do you know how many nobles have asked me to take their children as my disciples?" Yuto felt the heavy pressure from Clovis''s gaze, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. If it wasn''t for his stats or the new rewards he unlocked, he was certain that he would have passed out. He took a deep breath before replying, trying to keep his voice steady. "I''m not like those nobles, I won''t disappoint you. I''m willing to do whatever it takes to become stronger, to protect my mother and sister" "Even if it means dying?" The pressure became even heavier. Yuto took a moment before responding, knowing the seriousness of the question. He stared at Clovis''s eyes, his determination burning in his chest. "Yes, even if it means dying" "You can never come back from this so are you sure?" Yuto''s heart ached as his uncle asked the question once again, but he nodded without hesitation. "I''m sure" he replied clearly, his voice firm and unwavering. "Hmph, we start next week, right now, grieve, let your tears flow, and be by your mother and sister''s side" Yuto nodded in response to Clovis''s words, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within him. He felt a sense of relief at Clovis accepting him as his disciple, glad that the heavy pressure finally disappeared. "Thank you, uncle," he murmured. As Clovis left he went back into the room where Cynthia was, Mizuki looked up at him, her expression more sincere. Yuto sat beside her, "My uncle accepted me as his disciple" Mizuki''s eyes widen slightly at his words, and she can''t help but feel a mix of surprise, pride, and curiosity. "Your uncle... he''s the sword saint, right? And he accepted you as his disciple?" "I know, right?, Even I was surprised" Mizuki gave a small nod, still taken aback by the unexpected events. She let out a soft chuckle, a hint of pride evident in her voice. "Well, that''s quite a remarkable development. The sword saint himself taking you on as his disciple is no small feat" Yuto understood how big of a feat this was but his worries bubbled up again. "How''s my mother, how did she take the news of my father''s death?" Her expression softens at his question, recalling the moment Cara was informed of her husband''s untimely demise. "She''s struggling, as you can imagine. Your mother is strong, but the news hit her hard. She''s grieving, but she''s staying strong for you and your sister" Yuto bit his lip, he felt guilty not being by his mother''s side, angry at himself for still being so weak despite having the system. "What about my Aunt and his disciple Sayuri?" "They were both shocked and devastated. Your Aunt had a look of disbelief, and Sayuri was visibly shaken, her usual composed demeanor shattered" "I don''t blame them, my father must have meant a lot to Sayuri, and for Aunt Lily I know some part of her saw him as an older brother, despite all her jokes I know it hurt her deeply" Yuto felt some tears falling, "So I couldn''t stop that part of the future from happening, I had time to train and yet I failed" Mizuki remains silent for a few moments, absorbing his words before speaking in a soft tone trying her best to comfort him. "You can''t blame yourself for what happened. You trained and prepared as best you could, but the outcome was beyond your control" "Sometimes things happen that we can''t prevent, no matter how hard we try" "I should have been there, Mizuki it is my fault, I should have noticed he had gone off alone earlier" She shook her head gently, her gaze locked on with his, her voice was firm, yet tender as she spoke. "You can''t predict everything, and you can''t be everywhere at once. Your father chose to fight alone, and there''s nothing you could have done to prevent it. Blaming yourself won''t change what happened" Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. They both remain silent momentarily, allowing time to process their emotions and feelings. Mizuki can sense Yuto''s turmoil and guilt and knows that words alone can''t take away the pain he''s experiencing. She reached out, her voice gentle yet filled with love and comfort. "Blaming yourself won''t bring your father back, but you can honor his memory by growing stronger and protecting those still here. That''s what he would want" Yuto was about to respond when he noticed that Cynthia was waking up, "Mizuki, please give me some room, I need to tell my sister the news myself" She nods in understanding, realizing that this is a moment he needs to share with his sister on his own. She steps back inside the ring, giving Yuto and Cynthia some space as he prepares to break the news to her. Cynthia slowly drifts back to consciousness, her mind foggy and disoriented. As her senses sharpen, she realizes that Yuto is holding her hand, and she also notices the sadness etched onto his face. With a soft groan, she tries to sit up, her body still feeling weary and drained from the previous events. Her voice comes out husky as she speaks. "Yuto... what happened...?" The only words that could come out of his mouth were nothing more than apologies for the dark turn of events, "I''m sorry, I''m so sorry, Cynthia, Dad... Dad died fighting" Cynthia''s heart sinks to her stomach as his words reach her ears. Fresh, agonizing tears well up in her eyes at the news of her father''s sacrifice She looks up at Yuto, her hand instinctively squeezing his as she whispers in a voice filled with pain and disbelief. "N-no... Dad... he can''t be¡­" Yuto looked down, he bit his lip till it bled as he spoke. "I''m sorry Cynthia, I''m sorry," Yuto''s tears began to flow, and the only thing he could do was pull her into a hug. Tears stream down Cynthia''s cheeks, her body trembling from the overwhelming emotions. With her head buried against his shoulder, she clutches onto his back, seeking comfort and support in his embrace. Between sobs, she managed to choke out words, her voice a mixture of grief and despair, "Why... just why did this happen...? It''s not fair¡­" Cynthia clung to him, her sobs slowly fading into a heavy silence. The weight of grief hangs heavily in the air, casting an unbearable pall over the room. She buried her face deeper into his shoulder, trembling slightly. After a few moments, she finally speaks up, her voice shaky and filled with vulnerability. "Please... c-can you just hold me? Just for a little while¡­" Time seemed to stretch on forever as he held Cynthia in his arms, offering her comfort and silent support to the best of his ability. Gradually, her sobs subside, replaced by a quieter, more steady rhythm of her breathing After nearly half an hour, her body relaxes slightly, the initial shock and intense pain giving way to a duller, more manageable ache. She doesn''t pull away from his embrace but lifts her head slightly, her eyes puffy and red from crying. "Thank you... for being here¡­" Yuto smiled as he patted her head "Uncle Clovis said the funeral will be in the kingdom, Dad was the kingdom''s Sword Master after all, so I''m sure the King will give some speech to honor Dad" Cynthia nods weakly, the mention of the approaching funeral adding another heavy weight to her already burdened heart. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts before responding, her voice soft and weary. "I see... a funeral in the kingdom... I suppose it makes sense, given his status. But I can''t help feeling... numb. It all feels so unreal¡­" "You''re not surprised that he was the kingdom''s Swordmaster?" Cynthia shakes her head, her expression still tinged with grief but a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "No, not really. Dad was strong and skilled, but I never thought he was the kingdom''s Swordmaster. But that explains a lot of things now, like his absences and the amount of time he spent training" "I need to speak to Mom now, to see how she feels about his upcoming funeral" Cynthia nods, her thoughts slowly clearing as she composes, "Yeah... that''s a good idea. It''s important to check on her and see how she''s holding up. I''ll come with you if you want" "No, Mizuki will be here to help you process the grief, so stay here" Cynthia nods again, her expression a mix of understanding and gratitude, "Okay, I get it. I''ll be alright. Mizuki will keep me company. You go talk to your mom. I''ll be here if you need me later" Cynthia watches as Yuto gets up from the chair and heads for the door. She can''t help but smile softly as he pats her head, the gesture offering a small comfort during these difficult times. Mizuki comes out of his ring and leans against the wall, she was quiet the whole time Yuto was leaving, and Cynthia called out to Yuto as he was leaving the room. "Yuto, wait" "Yes?" He stopped, holding the door, and waited for her to speak up, his eyes looked tired and guilty, but he managed to hide that from her with a small smile. Cynthia looked at him, her expression a mix of concern and tenderness. "Just... take care of yourself too, okay? Don''t try to carry everything on your own" "We''re all hurting right now, but we''ll get through this together. You need to take care of yourself and grieve too. Remember that I''m here for you" He bit his lip, "Of course" Cynthia nods, and a small but genuine smile appears on her face. "Good. Don''t hesitate to come to me if you need anything, even just to talk or sit in silence. We''ll be okay, as long as we have each other" Cynthia watches as he walks out, her smile lingering as the door closes behind him. She lets out a soft sigh, taking a moment to collect her thoughts before turning to Mizuki, who is still in the room. "Your brother is strong" Cynthia nods, her gaze drifting towards the door where he disappeared. "Yeah, he is. He''s always been strong...and stubborn. Sometimes to a fault, but it''s one of the things I admire about him" "I''m sorry for your loss" Cynthia''s eyes well up with fresh tears as the reality of the situation once again sinks in. Her voice trembles as she whispers in response. "Thanks... it''s still so surreal. I keep expecting to see Dad just walking through the door any minute. But... but he''s gone" "Your brother went into a rage when he found out, fighting 3 demon generals at once despite being weaker, had it not been for your uncle, we would have died on the same cliff" Cynthia''s eyes widened in surprise and shock at Mizuki''s revelation, "What? Y-Yuto... he fought three demon generals on his own? But... that''s insane! He could have been killed!" "That''s why I did my best to support him, I''m your brother''s partner so I have to make sure he had the best support, I made sure he avoided fatal wounds so his body is fine just small cuts and bruises" Cynthia lets out a shaky breath, the anxiety, and concern for Yuto''s safety weighing heavily on her mind. "I... I can''t believe he did something so reckless. But I''m glad you were there to support him. At least he wasn''t completely alone¡­" Mizuki blushed before looking away, "Mmh, no problem" Cynthia glances at Mizuki, a hint of gratefulness in her eyes, before returning her gaze to the door. "Thank you... for watching out for him. I know Yuto can be a handful sometimes, but he means well. He''s just... always been stubborn in his way." "Being a big brother to you must have been hard" Cynthia lets out a small, melancholy chuckle at Mizuki''s words. Her thoughts drift back, memories flooding her mind. "Yeah... it was challenging at times. But, you know, despite all the bickering and pranks, I could tell he always did it out of love. In his own, unique, annoying way" Mizuki walked over and hugged Cynthia, she patted her head in a slow but gentle manner. "Let it out. He''s not here, so you can let it all out. Don''t hold it in anymore" The offer of comfort from Mizuki is what finally breaks the dam holding back Cynthia''s emotions. With that simple word of permission, the floodgates open, and the tears come rushing forth in a torrent. Cynthia buries her face against Mizuki''s shoulder, her body shuddering with the force of her sobs as all the sadness, pain, and grief she''s been holding back comes crashing down upon her. "It''s okay, it''s okay" Cynthia clings to Mizuki, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her clothes as she lets herself be vulnerable. She tries to speak, but sobs break her words, her voice filled with raw pain. "I-I miss him... so much... It hurts... It hurts so much¡­" Cynthia continues to sob against Mizuki''s shoulder, her tears staining the fabric of her clothes. She lets out choked-out words as she tries to speak through the pain. "It''s not fair... he shouldn''t be gone... How can we go on without him? It feels like... like a piece of me is missing¡­" "Your father loved all of you, even when you had arguments, even when you had small fights, he loved you all" Cynthia nods against Mizuki''s shoulder, her tears gradually subsiding. Her voice grows quieter as she speaks, the raw pain giving way to a softer, more contemplative tone. "I know... I know he did. We fought and bickered a lot, but deep down, I always knew he loved me. He loved us all, even when it didn''t always feel like it... I just wish I could have told him that" "He knew sweetie, that''s why he went alone" Cynthia is quiet for a moment, letting Mizuki''s words sink in deeply. A small sob escapes her lips, but her voice steadies as she speaks again. "You think so? You think he knew how much we loved him... how much we appreciated him? I just... I wish I could have told him one more time... just one more time" "Of course, what kind of a father wants his little girl in danger?" A soft, shaky chuckle escapes Cynthia, a hint of bittersweet amusement in her voice as she responds. "Yeah... you''re right. I guess that''s just how dads are. They''ll do anything to keep us safe, even if it means sacrificing themselves. Even if it means leaving us behind¡­" "Now lie down, and rest your head, we can continue talking after you rest" Cynthia nods weakly, her eyelids already heavy with exhaustion and the lingering effects of grief. She slowly shifts so that her head is resting on Mizuki''s lap, her body seeking comfort. "Okay... I''ll rest for a while. But... but will you stay here with me? Just until I fall asleep?" "Of course, Yuto would be very angry if I left you alone" A weak smile spreads across Cynthia''s face at the mention of Yuto, a mixture of affection and slight annoyance at his overprotective nature. Her eyes flutter as she fights against the pull of sleep. "Yeah... he would. He''d probably storm back in here and give you an earful" Mizuki stroked the hair out of Cynthia''s eyes. The gentle touch of Mizuki''s hand, tenderly brushing the hair out of Cynthia''s face, causes a small, grateful hum to escape her lips. Her eyes flutter shut, the soothing rhythm of Mizuki''s fingers running through her hair lulling her into a state of tranquility. Gradually, her breathing evens out, and she drifts off into a much-needed sleep, her body and mind weary from the weight of grief and emotion -Down Stairs- Yuto checked the rewards he obtained from "Beating" the Demon Generals. <- Host has accepted Rewards -> New Martial Arts: 7 Sins +30 to all Stats +20 Levels New Title: Fallen Knight 7 Sins Martial Art is pretty self-explanatory, "It seems that each general represents a sin, so by killing them I obtain each of their technique, so only 3 of 7 are unlocked" If only he had these rewards a bit earlier, maybe things could have gone differently. What was the point of the system if it failed to help him when he needed it? Title: Youngest Demon Prince One-Sided Slaughter Victim First Blood Fallen Knight Class: Prince of Darkness Level: 65 Stats: Strength 223 / Speed 103 / Agility 103/ Defense 173 / Health 1043 / Mana 173 / Mentality 1040 / Stamina 1080 Passive: Grace Healing - Heals twice a day when below 30 Hp Black Smith''s Blessing - Increases the attack of any weapon by 20 Skills: Dash - Sudden Movements in battle / Click to see more Martial Art collection: Click to see more When he looked up he saw his mother lost in her thoughts, consumed by grief, until she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and saw Yuto standing there and she tried her best to keep her emotions in check. "Mom," He walked over and kneeled to hug her, "I''m so sorry" "Y-Yuto... i-it''s not fair... h-he didn''t deserve this... none of this is fair¡­" "I know Mom, I know" She buried her face into his shoulder, tears still flowing freely as she clung to him, desperately seeking comfort. "It hurts, Yuto... it hurts so much. I-i feel so alone and lost... i-i don''t know how I''m supposed to go on without him¡­" He bit his lip, guilt consuming his heart, "We have to keep going, even when things get hard Mom we have to live" She looked up, her eyes puffy and red from crying. "I-i know... I know we have to keep going... for his sake... we have to continue living and honoring his memory. But it''s so hard, Yuto... it''s so hard to find the strength to keep moving forward when everything feels like it''s falling apart" "Aunt Lily and Sayuri will stay as long as you need, Dad''s funeral will be held at the Kingdom of Reto by the King" She wiped away some tears as she managed to compose herself slightly, speaking in a soft yet weary tone. "That''s good to know... I''m grateful to Aunt Lily and Sayuri for their support, and I appreciate the King''s gesture to hold the funeral in Reto, it''ll be a fitting tribute to your father. But... I don''t know how I''m going to get through the funeral without breaking down¡­" "It''s okay, mom, it''s okay to cry. Please do not hold it in" "I-I know I shouldn''t hold it in, but it''s so hard to just let myself cry. I feel like I have to be strong for you and Cynthia like I have to keep it together so you don''t worry more" "Mom, please don''t hold it in" With those words, she broke down again, releasing the floodgates holding back her sorrow, tears flowing freely down her face. She clung to him tightly, her body racked with sobs, letting out the pain and grief she had been holding in for so long, her words came out in between labored breaths. "It hurts... i-it hurts so much... I miss him so much¡­" "Why... why does it have to be like this... why did he have to go like this... it''s not fair¡­" Exhaustion washed over Cara, and she slowly closed her eyes, succumbing to fatigue and falling asleep, her body feeling heavy and weary. Yuto carefully placed a blanket over his mother, after making sure she was comfortable, he left the house and went to the old swing his family used to hang out at. The tree holding the swing was burnt and almost broken, but still supported Yuto, his expression was tired and filled with heavy regret. Mizuki approaches him quietly, taking a seat on the bench. She keeps silent for a moment, just being there for him, offering nothing more than her presence. "I have no right to cry" Her gaze softens, and she reaches out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Her voice was gentle but firm as she spoke. "Who said that? Who said you don''t have the right to cry? You''ve been through a tremendous amount of pain and loss. It''s okay to feel and let out your tears" "No, if I cry now, then I can''t be that pillar my mom and sister need" "Being a pillar takes strength, but it doesn''t mean you have to suppress your emotions completely. Crying doesn''t make you weak. It shows that you''re human, that you care, that you''re hurting too" He stayed quiet, he went around town doing his best to support the people who had suffered loss, he tried to find his childhood friend Alice, who was reported missing, after 3 days there was no sign of her and was assumed dead. This almost broke his facade but kept his emotions suppressed. Mizuki wanted to say something, feeling his emotions swirl in agony but could not find the right words to comfort him. Aunt Lily and Sayuri did their best to support Yuto, but they also knew that he would overcome this as he directed them at his Mother and Sister, that they needed support more than him. At night Yuto was on top of the hill, the exact place his dad died, just looking over to the small village, "Training begins after Dad''s funeral, are you ready?" "I''m ready. I''ll be by your side, supporting you every step of the way" Yuto smiled, it''s a sad smile, but appearances must be kept to fool oneself. 1 week later, Ryoko''s funeral was held, it was a huge funeral after all a lot of people respected him, looked up to him, or just saw him as a family man who was foolish for his children and wife Cara, Cynthia, Sayuri, and Aunt Lily did their best not to break down, they received a lot of condolences but the pain still felt fresh. A week later, Cynthia and Cara left to learn more about Magic with Aunt Lily, Sayuri followed to keep them safe, and she promised Yuto that no matter what happens, she would put her life on the line to honor her Master''s will. As for Yuto and Mizuki, they began their training with Uncle Clovis, a gruesome and painful riddle training that would drive them to their limits. And just like that, 2 years passed and Yuto turned 19, marking the start of his real journey. -Temple Of Elise- "It is time to summon a hero", the hooded figure said while raising their hands. Everyone agreed as a glowing yellow light started to shine, the magic circle created by Lily started to work. "Now come to us, Hero!" In a flash, a young man with brown hair and what looks to be a school uniform appears. He looks around confused, his features covered up by his hair. "Welcome to the Temple of Elise, please save us!" The young man lets out a confused laugh, as he nods in agreement and excitement. This was the start of his story. Volume 1 Chapter 12.5 Meet the cast VOL 1 Yuto Akimitsu - The Protagonist Age 17 Vol 1 / 19 Vol 3 / 21 Vol 4 Height: 5''11 Race: ??? Hair color: Raven black Eye color: Crimson red Favorite food: Burgers, Ramen, or any meat Favorite drink: Coke Preferred type: He has none, but likes them goofy Dislike: Anything having to do with slime, mind control spells Birthday: December 2nd Blood type: O- Usual Attire: Wears a black trench coat and a black suit with a red tie, along with classic black dress pants and classic glossy oxford shoes He seems like a gentleman when people first meet him, but of course, that imagination is quickly ruined by his personality which isn''t bad but he does show signs of his devilish nature at times. Mizuki - Ego Sword Race: Ego Weapon Age:??? Height: 5''6 Hair color: Silver Vol 1 / White as Snow Vol 2 Eye color: Crimson Red Favorite Food: Pizza or Chicken Favorite Drink: Beer Preferred type: Yuto, she loves him for their time in the past but doesn''t remember Dislike: Demons, she has a deep-rooted hatred for them Birthday: November 13th Blood Type: O+ Usual Attire: A beautiful white kimono with white cherry blossoms for its design, and black zori sandals, she has her hair in a feather cut, and as Yuto likes it when her hair is messy she decided that this type of hairstyle was natural. Mizuki is a kind figure, she is mature and knows when the conversation needs to be serious. She often gives words of encouragement to Yuto and is often the voice of reason. Alice Elizabeth Marie - Yuto''s childhood friend Race: Human Age: 18 Vol 2 / 20 Vol 4 Height: 5''6 Hair Color: Pink Eye Color: Sea Blue Favorite Food: Meat grilled Favorite Drink: Strawberry Smoothie Preferred Type: (Yuto) Dislike: Fighting, Demons, Liars Birthday: March 1st Blood Type: AB- Usual Attire: She likes to wear a black suit, despite the protest of the countless people who support her, she wears her black suit like a champ. Alice has mixed feelings about Yuto and is unsure of how they can progress their relationship. Cynthia Akimitsu - Younger Sister Class: 6th Tier Mage Race: Human Age: 16 Vol 1 / 18 Vol 2 / 20 Vol 4 Height: 5''6 Hair Color: Brunette Eye Color: Brown Favorite Food: Ramen, when the kingdom started producing it she was the first to receive a package of it, and she has loved it since then Favorite Drink: Strawberry Lemonade Preferred Type: Strong or Goofy Dislike: Anything having to do with fighting and trying to end it with one shot. Birthday: July 5th Blood Type: A+ Usual Attire: Wool Pinafore Dress with black boots and white socks. Cynthia has been a powerful individual when she awakened at the at 14, being the youngest 6th class mage in history, thanks to her father all the annoying people at the mages tower left her alone. She''s thankful to her family for treating her as a normal person and not like a machine. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Cara Akimitsu - Mother Class: Exorcist Race: Human Age: 40 Vol 1 / 42 Vol 3 / 44 Vol 4 Height: 5''6 Hair color: Brunette Eye Color: Green Favorite Food: Fish Favorite Drink: Tea Preferred Type: Strong, Goofy, reliable, and handsome Dislike: Fighting, Her Younger Sister Birthday: July 17th Blood Type: A- Usual Attire: Long back skirt with a white blouse Cara is a private person and has only ever opened up to her husband, ever since the incident she has closed the love chapter of her life and has decided to focus on her children and her adopted grandchild. Ry¨­ko Akimitsu - Father Class: Sword Master Race: Human Age: 38 Height: 6''2 Hair Color: Red Eye Color: Sea Blue Favorite Food: Any type of meat Favorite Drink: Beer Preferred Type: His wife, that is all he will answer Dislike: You do not need to know (He hates any bug-type monster) and his fear of spiders Birthday: June 19th Blood Type: A+ Usual Attire: A white shirt stretching with his muscle, a pair of brown pants, and some flip-flops. Ryoko is a simple man. He loves his wife, his ''three'' children, his younger brother, and the people of Reto. Lily Rose - Younger Sister to Cara Class: 6th Tier Mage on the verge of breakthrough Race Human Age: 34 vol 1 / 36 vol 2 Height: 5''7 Hair Color: Black Eye Color: A soft Brown Favorite Food: A nice cooked meat Favorite Drink: Wine Preferred Type: Strong and Handsome Dislike: Her sister, bugs, demons, anything to do with slime Birthday: July 1st Blood Type: B- Usual Attire: She is seen wearing a beautiful purple dress and black heels. Lily is not as bad as she makes herself out to be. Clovis Akimitsu - Sword Saint / Younger Brother Of Ry¨­ko Class: Sword Saint Race: Human Age: 35 vol 1 / 37 vol 2 Height: 6''3 Hair Color: White Eye Color: Silver Favorite Food: Chicken Favorite Drink: Beer Preferred Type: None Dislike: Demons, monsters, injustice Birthday: May 15th Blood Type: AB+ Usual Attire: A high-quality Aikido Kendo Uniform, his muscles are usually seen ripping his clothes. Clovis is a man who now bears his title with pride, he has only ever lost to his brother who he wishes to surpass before he turns 40. Sayuri Astrid / Student of Ryoko Class: Knight Race: Human Age: 18 vol 1 / 20 vol 2 Height: 5''7 Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Red Favorite Food: Mix between Meat and Vegetables in a soup Favorite Drink: Water Preferred Type: Someone Dependable Dislike: Liars, those who harm innocents, injustice, and slime Birthday: April 18th Blood Type: AB- Usual Attire: Knight armor but doesn''t cover her face, when she''s not wearing her armor she decides to wear a training uniform instead. Volume 2 Chapter 1 IM A PRINCESS!?! Yuto woke up with a sore throat, he got up to get water, and when he grabbed the glass cup, he noticed that his hands were small, and his arms that had muscles were replaced with tender arms, he looked for the nearest mirror. He noticed a giant mirror at the corner of the room and walked towards it, as he got closer he saw the appearance of a beautiful young lady with long blonde hair and violet eyes that seemed dead, in a pink nightgown, Yuto''s eyes widened as he looked at the reflection in the mirror. He could hardly believe what he was seeing as he lifted his hands and touched his face, feeling the smooth skin and delicately pointed features where masculine lines once were "What the..." he said quietly, his voice coming out in a soft, feminine tone. "Mizuki!" Only silence greeted his call, leaving him feeling even more confused and disoriented. He looked down at his hands again, still trying to accept the reality that he had somehow turned into a girl during the night, and worse he could not feel his connection to Mizuki. Knock knock "Princess, are you okay?" A woman''s voice was heard from behind the door. Yuto was startled at the sound of the voice, his mind still trying to process the situation, he took a deep breath before speaking up, doing his best to sound calm and composed. "Y-yes, I''m fine," he replied, his voice sounding softer than the usual deep husky voice that he had just gotten used to after turning 19. It shocked him how girly his voice sounded, the maid replied, "Okay Princess, please enjoy your rest," before leaving quietly. He touched his throat, feeling the unfamiliar sensation of his vocal cords producing a different pitch than what he was used to "What in the world is happening to me?.. and where is Mizuki?" he muttered to himself. <- New Quest -> [ Find the traitor behind the death of the kingdom''s Previous Sword Master ] Yuto''s thoughts were interrupted by a notification that suddenly appeared before his eyes, he read through the details of the new quest, a sense of surprise mixed with alarm in his mind. [¡°Find the traitor?¡±] Yuto frowned as he read the words. He didn''t understand how he had woken up in a different body, and now he had to find a traitor. <- System -> [ Find a clue about your Father''s death ] Yuto blinked in surprise as the system''s voice sounded in his mind once more. The mention of his father brought a pang to his heart, but his curiosity and determination to get answers overshadowed the grief momentarily. He clenched his fists, still trying to wrap his head around his current situation. "The traitor... who is it?" he muttered to himself. But an even bigger problem crossed his mind, "Can this body even fight?" Yuto looked down at his new body once more, examining it closely, he noticed the difference in his strength and size, feeling much more petite and slender compared to his usual frame. "Can this body even fight?.. I don''t know.." he mumbled to himself, feeling a sense of doubt and uncertainty creeping up on him. Yuto remembered the system could display information about this body''s stats, class, and name, he closed his eyes for a brief moment and asked. "System, what''s the name of this body?" <- System -> [ Rosalind Akira ] "Rosalind.. Akira" he said slowly, the name still sounding foreign on his tongue. He then asked the system another question, "System, what are the stats and class of this body?" Rosalind Akira Class: No class Title: Bratty Princess Level: 1 Stats: Strength 2 / Defense 1 / Speed 2 / Mana 10 / Stamina 5 / Mentality 10,000 Yuto''s eyes widened in surprise as he looked over the stats of this body. Compared to his former self, the stats of Rosalind were feeble, especially in the strength and defense department. "Strength 2?.. Defense 1?.. How can I even fight with these stats?" he murmured, feeling a sense of helplessness welling up in his chest. "Such shitty stats, a sheltered princess indeed" He grumbled at the term "shelter princess," feeling irritated at the implication of being pampered and protected. "Is this me?.. So weak and useless" he muttered to himself, frustration and anger mixed in his voice. <- System -> [ Class Quest is now available ] The notification suddenly drew Yuto''s attention from the system. He felt a flicker of hope ignite within him, as he remembered how classes were acquired through completing a class quest. "Class quest.. what is it?" He mumbled, mentally questioning the system. <- System -> [ First Make some tea ] The simplicity of the class quest took me aback Yuto, "Tea?.. really?" he said aloud, feeling a bit perplexed by the task. He looked to the side and saw a tea kettle on the table, "Well... I guess I can do that," he said determinedly, mentally accepting the quest. Yuto walked over to the table and picked up the tea kettle, he could barely even feel the weight of it, realizing how truly feeble this body was He filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove, waiting for it to heat up. While waiting, he rummaged through the cupboards looking for tea leaves, after finding the tea leaves, Yuto carefully placed them inside the kettle. He couldn''t resist muttering aloud as he waited for the water to boil, "How humiliating. I''ve killed demons and beasts, and now I''m making tea.." he muttered under his breath. The kettle let out a piercing whistle, signaling that the water was boiled, Yuto quickly moved to take the kettle off the stove, his hands wrapping around the handle. He carefully poured the water into a cup, watching the leaves steep the water, turning it a golden <- System Reward -> [ +10 Stamina ] Yuto heard the system''s voice in his mind, announcing the reward he received for completing the quest. He felt a slight tinge of satisfaction from gaining 10 stamina, but still felt frustrated and restless from his current situation. "That''s it?.. just 10 stamina?" <- System -> [ Next, Lift the sword on the wall for 10 minutes without dropping it ] Yuto groaned a little at the system''s next command, he looked across the room and saw a sword hung up on the wall, displayed as a decoration. "10 minutes?.. seriously?" he muttered under his breath, feeling a bit annoyed at the task. Yuto walked over to the sword, his slender arms raising to reach for it, he grabbed the handle of the blade carefully, feeling the cool metal against his skin. He lifted the sword, the weight of it surprising him for a moment. "Damn.. this thing is heavier than I thought," he mumbled, already feeling his arms straining slightly. Yuto grunted in frustration as he realized he couldn''t even lift the sword off the ground, he tried harder, his arms shaking from the effort. "This.. is so pathetic!" He grumbled, feeling a mixture of anger and helplessness, the realization that he was weak in this body was a bitter pill to swallow. Yuto continued to struggle with the sword, his arms trembling and sweat forming on his forehead, he gritted his teeth, determined to lift it no matter what But after 5 minutes of trying, he was forced to admit defeat, he let out a defeated sigh, letting the sword go. "Damn it.. this is impossible" he muttered, feeling the frustration boil up inside him. Yuto clenched his fists, the sound of the girlish voice grating on his nerves, "This voice. it''s so damn irritating" he muttered under his breath. He was used to having a deep voice, and hearing this high-pitched girly tone come out of his mouth was maddening. Yuto breathed heavily, his arms trembling as he finally lifted the sword off the ground. He couldn''t believe it took him 20 minutes to lift a mere sword, something that would''ve been easy in his old body. He kept the sword raised, knowing he needed to maintain it for another 10 minutes to fulfill the system''s quest. Time seemed to slow down as he held it together and the system started to count down. 5 more seconds Yuto gritted his teeth, beads of sweat trickling down his face as he continued holding the sword up. The seconds felt like hours, and with each passing moment, his arms felt like they were about to give out. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to try and gather his strength. [¡°Come on... just 5 more seconds¡±] 3 more seconds Yuto''s arms were shaking uncontrollably now, the sword starting to feel even heavier than before, he bit his lip, his eyes narrowing in determination. [¡°Just.. 3 more seconds. I can do this¡±] 1 second Yuto could feel his strength waning, his arms threatening to give out at any moment, every muscle in his slender arms was screaming in protest, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through [¡°One more... just one more second¡±], he thought, his whole being focused on holding the sword up. Ting <- System Reward -> [ +50 attack ] [ +40 Stamina ] Yuto heard the familiar chime of the system in his mind, signaling that he had officially completed the quest. He felt a surge of relief wash over him as the weight of the sword was suddenly lifted, the system rewarding him with increased attack and stamina. Collapsing onto a chair nearby, "Finally. it''s over.." he panted out, feeling a mixture of physical exhaustion and satisfaction. The sword was now a bit easier to carry as he could lift it with one arm, the strength stat was showing seeing how such a frail arm now had a bit of muscle. Yuto observed his arm, noticing the subtle increase in muscle tone that had formed, he was surprised at how much of an effect the reward had given him. As he picked up the sword again, he noticed the difference in weight. It was still heavy, but not nearly as difficult as before "Interesting.. this body is certainly responding to the rewards.." he mused aloud, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Much faster than my old one," Yuto couldn''t help but comment on the difference in speed between his old body and his current one. He held up his arm, inspecting it once more, "Incredible.. this current body seems to have the capability to be more agile and lighter than my old one," he said, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice. "But still, it can not compare to the destruction I could cause," Yuto sighed, feeling frustrated with his current limitations. "Compared to my old body, this one can hardly compare in terms of strength, durability, and destructive power," he said, his voice becoming weary. He felt a pang of helplessness, feeling like he was starting from scratch all over again. Knock knock "Princess, it''s time for your morning bath" Yuto was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of knocking on the door, he heard a maid''s voice call out, announcing that it was time for his morning bath. He couldn''t help but grimace a little, feeling a twinge of irritation at being referred to as "princess" He replied in a reluctant voice, "Yeah, alright, I''m coming" As he opened the door the maid immediately held his hand to disinfect and heal him with simple magic. [ Healing: Tier 1 ] "Your Highness, are you okay now?" Yuto couldn''t help but feel a bit uncomfortable with the maid addressing him with such honorifics. It was a constant reminder of his current predicament, he stood there for a moment, feeling awkward before replying in an aloof tone. "Yes, I''m okay thanks for asking.. but there''s no need to refer to me as ''princess or your Highness''" "B-but how dare a lowly man refer to you as anything else" He let out a sigh, knowing that arguing with her would be useless, "Fine, fine.. lead me to the bath then" he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation. The maid nods as she leads Yuto to a separate room, as the other 2 maids open the giant door all Yuto can see is the massive bath in the middle. His eyes widened a little as he took in the sight of the massive bathtub, surrounded by lush plants and candles. "Wow.. this is a bit excessive, isn''t it?" Yuto muttered under his breath, feeling a bit intimidated by the luxurious surroundings It also hit him, he had only ever seen Mizuki naked before, being his lover and all, and the thought of being seen by someone else made him feel uncomfortable. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.[¡°This feels wrong. Like I''m cheating on her¡±], he thought silently, his gaze darting around the room nervously "But it''s a quest, and if I close my eyes it''s alright right?" Yuto tried to convince himself that it was necessary for the quest and that it didn''t count as cheating if he just closed his eyes. He slowly started to undress, his hands trembling a little out of nervousness. [¡°Just close your eyes. Don''t look. Just close your eyes¡±], he repeated mentally to himself, trying to drown out his conflicted feelings. "Your Highness, do you want me to help you?" Rose the maid asked calmly, noticing Rosalind''s embarrassed expression. Yuto froze, his hands pausing in the action of undressing, he hadn''t expected the maid to offer to help him, and the thought of it made him feel even more uneasy. He swallowed hard before replying in a calm voice, trying to hide his inner turmoil, "No, that''s alright. I can handle it on my own" Rose the maid nodded respectfully and stepped aside, giving Yuto some privacy, he felt relieved as she gave him some space, his hands resuming the action of undressing. He took a deep breath and stepped into the bathtub, the warm water enveloping his body, he closed his eyes, reminding himself that it was just a quest and that he wasn''t cheating on Mizuki. Rose knelt to help wash Yuto''s long hair, Yuto felt self-conscious as Rose knelt beside the bathtub, offering to help wash his hair. He wasn''t used to being pampered like this, and it felt a bit strange and awkward, he muttered a quiet "thank you" before leaning back and allowing the maid to wash his hair. As Rose washed his hair, Yuto closed his eyes and leaned back, trying to relax in the warm bathtub. The water soothed his "muscles" but his mind was still a mess of thoughts and emotions. He tried not to think about the strange situation he found himself in, instead focusing on the sensation of the water and Rose''s gentle touch. Yuto sat there silently, letting her finish washing his hair, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of shame and embarrassment at having someone else take care of him like this. As Rose rinsed the soap from his hair, he forced himself to maintain composure and not let his true feelings show. "Your Highness, please raise your arms a bit" Yuto tried to keep his cool as Rose announced that she would now wash his body, internally, he felt a surge of embarrassment at the thought of someone else soaping up his skin. He swallowed hard and nodded, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. "Uh, yeah.. go ahead.." he muttered, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness. Yuto felt a shiver run down his spine as Rose began to soap up his body, her hands moving across his skin. He did his best to keep his eyes closed and tried not to squirm under her touch, every second felt like an eternity, and he couldn''t wait for it to be over. [¡°Fuck fuck, system when I get my hands on you¡±] Yuto cursed inwardly as Rose continued to wash his body, his mind racing with frustration and annoyance, he couldn''t help but feel anger building up inside him, directed towards the system that caused this situation. "When I get my hands on that system, I''m going to give it a piece of my mind.." he thought to himself, his jaw clenching tightly. "Is everything okay?" Yuto snapped back to reality as Rose''s voice broke through his inner thoughts, he opened his eyes and looked at her, hoping that his frustration wasn''t too obvious on his face. "Huh? Oh, yeah.. everything''s fine. Just a bit tired, that''s all" he replied, his voice betraying only a hint of irritation. Finally, it was over, after embarrassingly passing out in the bath and being taken to his room where he laid to rest. Yuto woke up in his bed, feeling disoriented and embarrassed after passing out during the bath. He groaned inwardly, feeling humiliated at the fact that he had to be carried back to his room like luggage. "How embarrassing. I can''t even handle a simple bath without passing out," he thought to himself, feeling a mixture of shame and annoyance. <- System Quest -> [ Sew a shirt ] Yuto looked at the new system task that appeared in his mind, reading it with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "Sew a shirt? Seriously?" he thought to himself, feeling a pang of irritation at the simple and mundane task. "What the hell is the system thinking, making me do something a little kid could probably do?", he grumbled silently, already feeling the urge to protest. Yuto let out a deep sigh, knowing that he had no choice but to comply with the task. He reluctantly got out of bed and headed to the wardrobe, searching through the assortment of dresses and gowns. "Where in the world did they hide the sewing supplies?" he muttered to himself, rummaging through the clothing items. "Your Highness, is something wrong?" "You''ve been muttering words I cannot understand" Yuto completely missed Rose who was looking at him with confusion, he jumped in surprise as he heard Rose''s voice behind him. He turned around, realizing that he had been so focused on finding the sewing supplies that he hadn''t paid any attention to his surroundings. "Uh, nothing''s wrong. Just looking for something" he said, trying to sound casual as he continued searching through the wardrobe. "May I be of help?" Yuto hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Yes. I''m looking for some sewing supplies. Thread, needles, that sort of thing" he explained, feeling a bit ridiculous having to ask a maid for help with something so basic. "Um, your Highness, I mean no offense, but isn''t that a maid''s duty?" "I know that. But I''d rather do it myself" Rose bowed scared, "O-of course, I apologize, I''ll get it right away" Yuto watched Rose scurry off to get the sewing supplies, feeling a mix of annoyance and victory at her fearful response. He couldn''t help but feel a pang of satisfaction at her deference, but also a tinge of guilt for making her cower like that. He shook his head, trying to push those thoughts aside as he waited for her to return. [¡°How did the original owner of this body act?¡±] Yuto pondered that question as he waited for her to return. He had to remind himself that the body he was currently inhabiting had a history and a reputation in this world. "I can''t afford to act out too much. I have to at least maintain some semblance of the original princess''s behavior..." he thought silently. Rose came back with a shirt that had a hole in its sleeves and a box of sewing materials, Yuto decided to ask. "Hey, how did I act before?" Rose paused for a moment, taken aback by Yuto''s question, she took a few seconds to collect her thoughts before answering. "Well.. you used to be a bit of a, uh, a brat I suppose," she said hesitantly, trying to choose her words carefully. Why you, Yuto was close to yelling, "Sigh, what else?" Rose flinched a little, sensing the irritation in Yuto''s voice, her voice becoming smaller. "Well... you used to be short-tempered, demanding, and dismissive of others. Always quick to use your status as a princess to get what you wanted" [¡°Fucking hell, despite being weak she demanded things of others?¡±] "H-how did my father react to my behavior?" Rose swallowed nervously before continuing her explanation. "His Majesty was very indulgent towards you. He always pampered you and gave you what you wanted. I think he was too afraid to go against your every whim" Yuto was speechless as he listened to Rose''s explanation. He couldn''t believe that the original princess had behaved in such a spoiled and ungrateful manner, demanding things from others simply because she was of higher status. He felt a pang of disgust and frustration, knowing that he was now stuck in this body and expected to uphold that same person. [¡°My father died, serving this shit of a king and princess?"] Yuto''s thoughts echoed with anger and frustration, "How did I act towards the kingdom''s former Sword Master?" Yuto''s father, the kingdom''s Sword Master before his death 2 years ago, Rose thought for a moment before answering Yuto''s question. "You never really paid much attention to the Sword Master, to be honest. You treated him like a lower-class person, just one of many servants in the castle" The maid''s voice sounded a bit hesitant as if she was worried about upsetting Yuto with her answer. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling a surge of indignation for the original princess and her mistreatment of his father. ''She was such a brat, and he still treated her like a princess. It''s not fair. It''s not fair,'' Yuto clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. ''How could she be so cold and ungrateful towards my father? After everything he did for her, for this kingdom?'', he thought silently, his jaw clenched tightly. <- SYSTEM WARNING -> [ Quest will be canceled if not completed in the next 5 minutes ] Yuto was snapped out of his angry thoughts by the system notification that appeared in his mind, he had lost track of time, caught up in his frustration. "Damn it, I''ve got to snap out of it. I can''t let my anger get the best of me now" he thought, trying to gather his composure. "Thank you, for right now just prepare me some tea" Rose nodded respectfully, "Of course, princess. I''ll go prepare some tea right away" With that, she bowed and hurried away to fulfill Yuto''s request, leaving him alone again, Yuto was left alone once again, his mind still reeling from the information he had just learned. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down and focus on the task at hand, he glanced at the sewing supplies that the maid had brought him. "Alright. I have to complete this quest. No use getting sidetracked by my anger" he thought, steeling himself for the task ahead. Yuto tried to put all his negative thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand. He sat down at a small table, laying out the sewing supplies carefully, he had never actually sewed anything before, but he supposed it couldn''t be that hard to figure out. With determination, he picked up a needle and thread and began to attempt to follow the instructions he had seen in his mind from the system quest. ''Mizuki would be laughing at me, doing something so stupid'' Yuto couldn''t help but think of Mizuki at that thought, the image of her teasing him for attempting a task like this brought a small smile to his lips. He imagined her laughter and the way her eyes would light up with amusement yet, deep down, he wished she were here with him, even if it was just to make fun of his sewing skills. After finishing the system appeared before him again <- System Reward -> [ +5 Stamina ] "Why stamina? I''m not doing physical work or fighting anything," he felt a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "The Tea is done" Yuto looked up, snapping back to reality as the familiar voice of Rose reached his ears. "Ah, yes. Thanks" he replied, gesturing for her to set the tea down on the table beside him. As she did, he took a moment to observe the tea, its steaming scent-filled and calming aura. "Oh his Majesty requests your presence for tea and cake" Yuto tensed up a little at the mention of the king, he had been hoping to avoid interacting with the king for a while longer, but he couldn''t refuse the summons. He nodded reluctantly, trying to sound as aloof as possible, "Very well. I''ll be there shortly" he said, with a touch of nonchalance. After finishing his tea, 6 more maids came in, with dresses, makeup, and some heels. Yuto was a bit taken aback by the sudden arrival of 6 more maids, all bringing various items that he was expected to use. He eyed the dresses, makeup, and shoes skeptically, feeling a pang of distaste at the mere thought of wearing them. "Um, excuse me. What exactly is all this for?" he asked, trying to keep his annoyance out of his voice. Rose gave a giant smile, "Your early routine, you would always demand the most beautiful of dresses" Yuto grimaced inwardly as he heard this. ''Demanded the most beautiful dresses, huh? Sounds like a real spoiled brat'', he thought to himself, feeling a pang of irritation at the behavior of the original princess. He let out a deep sigh, realizing that he had no choice but to play the role of the princess. "Right. Of course. I suppose I should get ready, then," he replied, trying his best to sound aloof, this was going to be bothersome and draining. Volume 2 Chapter 2 Act Like a Princess As the maids helped Yuto get dressed and put makeup on, he was unable to ignore the undeniable truth. ["Damn... the princess is beautiful, I have to admit"] he thought silently as he watched the maids finishing up. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, seeing the princess''s image staring back at him. ["I won''t lie, she sure is a beauty but the bloody dress is too damn tight, it feels as if I''m suffocating!"] Yuto adjusted the dress, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with how tightly it fit around his body, he tried to take a deep breath, but the dress constricted his chest, making it difficult to do so ["Damn... how does she deal with this every day?"] he thought silently, feeling a tinge of irritation at the tightness of the fabric "Is something wrong, your Highness?" Yuto quickly composed himself, not wanting to show his discomfort openly, "No, everything''s fine. The dress just feels a bit... tight, that''s all" he replied, trying to sound as if it was a trivial matter. Rose smiled as Yuto followed her out of the room and to the dining hall but with every step he took, the tight dress constricted his movements, making him feel further restricted and uncomfortable. He tried to maintain his composure, but he couldn''t help feeling a pang of irritation and annoyance as he walked, ["This is such a pain in the ass"] <- System -> [ Endure the dress for the remaining time you are with the King and Queen ] Yuto bit back his irritation as the system message appeared in his mind, he knew that he had no choice but to endure the discomfort of the dress, at least for now. He took a deep breath, trying to adjust to the tight and restricting feeling of the fabric against his skin, ["Alright... I can do this"] he thought silently, preparing himself for the meal ahead As the giant doors to the dining hall opened he spotted the king at the end of the table, the king, a man who was once in love with Yuto''s'' mother but could never attain her heart, was jealous of his father who had both looks and strength, a miserable man who takes the accomplishments of others. He was smiling as he saw "Rosalind," Yuto felt a pang of disgust and dislike as he took a closer look at his "father" Yuto couldn''t help but compare him to his real father, the Sword Master, who was strong, skilled, and respected by many, a good man who died an unjust death. ["The king is just a pitiful and envious man, nothing more"] he thought silently, barely able to restrain his disgust. ["But it seems he truly loves his new wife and daughter"] Despite Yuto''s negative feelings towards the king, he couldn''t help but notice the way the king looked at the queen, his new wife, and Rosalind''s stepmother. There was a genuine affection and warmth in his eyes, a stark contrast to the jealousy he held towards Yuto''s father. Yuto felt a pang of discomfort at seeing the king''s tender gaze, knowing that it was meant for his current persona, Rosalind. ["I suppose the king does love his wife and daughter, in his way"] he thought silently, a tinge of bitterness in his mind but cleared his mind for what was needed next "Good Morning Daddy!" Yuto bit back his tongue, trying not to die out of embarrassment and regret. He cringed internally as he forced himself to speak, addressing the king with a cheerful tone that was so unlike his own "Daddy!" he chimed, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and regret as the words left his mouth, a pang of disgust at the act he was putting on, but he knew he had to maintain the facade for now. "Ho ho, Morning my sweet Rosalind, why does it seem as if that dress suits you" Yuto gritted his teeth as he heard the king''s compliment it felt so wrong to be praised for his outward appearance, something so superficial and lacking in substance. He forced a smile anyway, knowing that he had to play the role of the princess, "Oh? Thank you, Daddy" he replied, trying his best to sound grateful and charming. ["System, may I never meet you"] Yuto silently cursed the system, wishing he could somehow make it suffer for putting him in this situation. He felt trapped and helpless, forced to act out the role of the princess and endure the discomfort of a tight dress, he just wanted to punch something and scream out his frustration. The King, with a swift motion of his hands, ordered the servants to bring in breakfast. As the servants hurried to fulfill the king''s command, bringing in various dishes of food, Yuto couldn''t help but feel a pang of annoyance. He wasn''t particularly interested in the extravagant breakfast that was laid before him, but he knew that he had to act the part of the princess and at least pretend to enjoy it. He forced a smile as the food was placed in front of him, feeling increasingly cramped in the tight dress. The King looked over at ''Rosalind'', who hadn''t touched her food, he noticed that Yuto wasn''t eating and turned his gaze toward him, curiosity in his eyes. "Rosalind, is something wrong? You haven''t touched your food yet" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. Yuto felt the king''s gaze on him, waiting for a response, he knew he had to say something, but his mind was blank. ["Damn it, what should I say? What would the princess say in this situation?"] he thought silently, racking his brain for an appropriate response "Oh ho silly me Daddy, I just zoned out" The king chuckled at Yuto''s response, seeming to buy the excuse. "Ah, it''s alright, dear. Just make sure to eat something, or else you''ll be all skin and bones" he said, a hint of affectionate concern in his tone. Rosalind''s ''mother'', sitting across from her, frowned, "Rosalind did my teachings mean nothing?" she asked while sipping down some fine wine. Yuto suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at the queen''s comment, he had a feeling that Rosalind''s mother had been a strict and demanding teacher. ["Great, now I have to deal with the queen''s lectures too"] he thought silently, forcing himself to appear polite and submissive "Of course not, mother. I apologize" he replied, trying to sound as humble and obedient as he could The queen continued to give Yuto a disapproving look, seemingly unsatisfied with his response, seeing her expression, Yuto couldn''t help but feel a pang of irritation. ["Dammit, I''m already stuck in this dress and playing the role of a brat, and now I have to endure lectures from this queen too"] he thought silently, feeling a mix of annoyance and helplessness "Dear please do not be so hard on her, I heard she passed out today so she must not be in her right mind" Yuto looked over at the king with a confused and curious look, ["How does he know that?"] The queen sighed and went back to drinking her wine, Yuto silently ate the breakfast as fast as he could all while the king smiled. As soon as breakfast was over, Yuto practically fled from the room, anxious to get out of there, the interactions with the king and the queen had been nerve-wracking and uncomfortable, and he couldn''t wait to be alone in the safety of his room. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, sighing in relief as he closed it behind him practically ripping the dress off himself. He felt a rush of relief as the tight and constricting fabric was finally removed, and he took a deep breath, relishing the feeling of not being constrained anymore. <- System Reward -> [ + 20 defense ] Yuto couldn''t help but scoff as the system''s notification appeared in his mind, announcing the reward for enduring the long and uncomfortable breakfast. ["20 defense? As if that makes this whole situation any better"] he thought silently, still feeling peeved by the whole ordeal Rosalind Akira Age:19 Title: The Spoiled Bratty Princess Level: 1 Class: No class Stats: Strength 52 / Defense 21 / Speed 2 / Mana 10 / Stamina 60 / Mentality 10,000 At least it looked better compared to this morning, but he could not help but look at the mentality stat, it was the highest stat the princess had but also one that even surpassed his mentality stat. Yuto couldn''t help but feel a mix of relief and frustration, the improvement in his stats was undeniably nice, but he couldn''t deny that he wanted his original stats back.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ["52 strength and 60 stamina? Those are decent, I suppose. Still, I wish I had my 300 strength and 5000 stamina back"] "Wait, I''m the princess right now. I could get some equipment made to support what I lack. Yuto pondered this idea, seeing it as a potential way to make up for his current lack of power and stats. ["I suppose I could take advantage of my position as the princess to get some equipment made. Maybe it''ll help balance out my weaknesses"] ["But where do I start? Can I order the castle blacksmith to make some equipment for me? It''s worth a try, I guess"] Yuto took a deep breath, trying to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to do next. "Alright, I''ve decided. I''m going to find the blacksmith and ask him to craft me some equipment that can compensate for my current stats" Steeling himself for the interaction that was about to come Yuto finally steeled his resolve and left the room, determined to find the blacksmith. He walked down the long corridors of the castle, his footsteps echoing against the stone walls. As he walked, he couldn''t help but notice the stares he received from the passing castle inhabitants, their gazes filled with curiosity and respect toward "the princess" Yuto ignored their stares, focusing on finding the blacksmith''s workshop. "Rosalind!" called out a voice filled with love. It was a young man in black armor. He seemed to be around Yuto''s age and had the presence of holy magic and powerful martial arts. Yuto stopped in his tracks as he heard his current name being called, he turned around to see who was calling out to him and was surprised to see a young man with his presence radiating with holy magic. ["Who is this guy, and why is he calling out to me? He seems like a holy knight or something"] "Rosalind, is something wrong?" the young man said while affectionately holding Yutos'' hands. Yuto was taken aback by such an affectionate gesture, feeling a pang of discomfort as he held his hands. He had no idea who this guy was or why he was acting so familiar with "the princess" Trying to keep up his facade, Yuto smiled politely and replied, "Oh, no. There''s nothing wrong. Why do you ask?" "Well because you didn''t come to my room this morning?" Yuto felt a bit confused by the young man''s response ["Wait, he expected the princess to come to his room this morning? What the hell does that mean?"] He decided to play along and gently pulled his hands out of the young man''s grasp, "Ah, about that..." Yuto trailed off, trying to think of a suitable excuse. "Is something wrong honey?" Yuto felt a pang of dread as the young man called him "honey" ["Honey? What kind of relationship does he have with the princess that allows him to speak to her so casually? This is getting more confusing by the second"] Yuto did his best to maintain a calm facade. He forced a smile and replied, "No, no, nothing''s wrong. I just, uh, overslept this morning and had breakfast with his majesty, apologies for not visiting your room earlier" "Sir, hero, please don''t bother the princess," an older knight appeared, he had hair combed back, a scar on his left eye, and was taller than the young man. Yuto noticed an older knight approaching them, and a wave of relief washed over him. ["Thank god for the backup"] As the older knight addressed the weirdo in front of him, Yuto took the opportunity to discreetly step back, putting some distance between himself and the young man. "B-but we had a" The young man tried to protest, but the older knight firmly interjected, "No buts. The princess is tired and has things to take care of. You need to show more respect and wait for her to come to you if she wishes" The older knight''s tone was stern, leaving no room for argument, the young man looked visibly dejected and disappointed, but he knew better than to argue with the older knight. He cast one last longing look at Yuto before reluctantly walking back, Yuto stood there with an annoyed and tired expression. ["Phew, that was close. Thank goodness for that older knight."] Yuto thought silently, feeling relieved to have escaped the awkward situation. "But what the fuck was his relationship with the princess?" Yuto couldn''t help but wonder this question as he made his way to the blacksmith. ["That young man had some sort of intimate relationship with the princess, but what exactly was it? And why was he so familiar and affectionate with her? This whole situation is getting more and more complicated"] "Oh, and what are you up to now Rosalind?" Alyssa Akira, Rosalind''s stepmother and a woman who cares very little about the stepchild she adopted "Exploring, is that a problem?" Yuto didn''t even want to hold this conversation, just looking into Rosalind''s memory showed how little Alyssa cared about her, even downright starving her when she was younger. Alyssa looked annoyed at such a nonchalant response, as if it undermined her authority, "Watch how you speak to me young lady, I am not one of your maids I am the queen" Yuto bit his lip, ["Is this what she had to deal with every day?"] "I understand, now if that is all Mother I would like to continue my exploring" Alyssa walked past Yuto after of course making more sly remarks, "Do as you wish" Yuto rolled his eyes and continued to look for the blacksmith''s location, "She calls herself a mother?" Finally, after a while of getting lost and exploring, Yuto made his way to the blacksmith location, which was located underground, Yuto noticed that the atmosphere became noticeably different. The area was dimmer and felt less lively, creating a sense of seclusion and secrecy, he approached the blacksmith''s workshop and pushed open the heavy wooden door, stepping in quietly. The air inside the workshop was filled with the scent of molten metal and burning embers, Yuto glanced around the workshop, his surroundings shrouded in dim light. The room was cluttered with anvils and various tools, the walls lined with racks holding weapons of different sizes and shapes, he noticed a burly blacksmith hunched over the forge, his face covered by a protective mask as he worked on forging a weapon. Yuto approached the blacksmith cautiously, clearing his throat to catch his attention. "Excuse me, sir, I was wondering if it would be possible for you to craft some equipment for me?" He asked, trying to imitate the princess''s soft and refined voice as much as possible. The dwarf looked at him and chuckled, "And what''s a Lass like you need armor for?" he went back to forging the sword. Yuto felt a hint of annoyance at the dwarf''s dismissive attitude, but he knew he had to maintain his composure. He smiled politely and replied, "Well, I''ve been interested in learning to defend myself, you see. It would be a great help if you could create some armor and weapons suitable for a young woman like myself" The dwarf raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical at the idea of "the princess" wanting to learn combat skills. But he couldn''t deny that a new customer meant a potential revenue boost for him. "What type of armor?" he stopped forging and took off the protective mask, as well as his gloves Yuto thought for a moment, considering what type of armor would be most suitable for him. He wanted something that would provide both protection and allow him to move freely while still fitting the image of "the princess" If he chooses something that looks more masculine, the king will surely notice something is wrong and will probably have him detained for investigation of his mental state. "I was thinking perhaps a set of light armor, made from materials that balance protection and flexibility," he replied, hoping the dwarf would understand his request. The dwarf wrote all this down on his little pad, "Usually I would ignore such a request from a woman who has never held a sword, but if I leave you to cry, jeez I don''t even want to know" Yuto felt a mix of annoyance and relief at his response. Annoyed because the man didn''t take him seriously, but relieved that he was willing to take his request despite his skepticism ["How patronizing,"] he suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. ["But it seems as if the princess wasn''t liked at all"] Yuto couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the princess. It seemed like she wasn''t truly valued or appreciated by those around her, and he could relate to that feeling in a way. ["It must be tough to be born into royalty and still feel like an outsider"] Yuto empathized with her situation even though he was technically pretending to be her, knowing how suffocating it can be to be distant from loved ones. "Alright, lass, come back in the afternoon with the finest wine barrow you have to offer" Yuto blinked, a bit taken aback by the blacksmith''s unusual request. ["Did he just ask me to bring the *finest* wine for him as payment?"] He knew he couldn''t refuse outright, so Yuto nodded politely and replied, "Of course, sir. I will make sure to bring the most exquisite wine I can find" "Now come to the back, measure your size, give me the paper then leave" Yuto nodded and followed him to the back of the workshop, where there were various measuring tools and cloth measuring tapes. He handed him a piece of paper and tape, indicating that he should use it to take his measurements. Yuto did as instructed, jotting down his measurements for the armor size, he silently felt annoyed as he jotted down his numbers. While he appreciated the opportunity to get equipment, the whole process felt patronizing and frustrating. As he finished taking his measurements and handing the paper back to the dwarf, he mustered his best princess-like polite smile and said, "Thank you, sir. I''ll be sure to bring the finest wine this afternoon" Yuto left quickly back to ask the king for the so-called finest wine, Yuto couldn''t help but feel a bit disgruntled by the treatment he received. Being in the body of "the princess" definitely had its limitations, especially when it came to being taken seriously Nonetheless, he needed to fulfill his promise to the blacksmith and bring the finest wine so that he could get the armor he desperately needed While thinking about how to acquire the wine, he had an epiphany and realized that ''the princess'' had access to the vast collection of liquors in the royal storage room. Yuto quickly made his way to the royal storage room, which was a massive and opulent room filled with numerous barrels and crates of wine and other liquors. He knew that among them was the fabled Dragon''s Breath Wine, which was considered the finest and most prized wine in the whole kingdom. Feeling determined, he approached one of the servants nearby and asked, "Excuse me, may I inquire about the location of the Dragon''s Breath Wine?" The servant blinked at Yuto''s question and hesitated for a moment before replying, "That''s...a special wine, reserved for only the most esteemed guests and occasions. It''s kept in an off-limits storage room" ¡°And you are blocking me?¡± Yuto lifted a finger to his chest while doing his best to fake a pout. "I''m sorry Your Highness, unless his majesty gives you permission I cannot allow you access to it" Yuto frowned, not expecting the wine to be such a rarity. ["Great, of course, it''s in an off-limits storage room. That makes things more complicated"] He thought silently, pondering his next move, "Well, time to ask Daddy!" Yuto bit his lip as he said this as he realized that he didn''t have much of a choice but to approach the king and ask for access to the wine. ["Why does everything have to be so complicated?"] He mentally grumbled, feeling a mix of reluctance and nervousness at the prospect of facing the king again. He walked through the castle corridors toward the king''s chamber, steeling himself for the interaction to come. As Yuto arrived at the door of the king''s chambers, he took a deep breath before summoning his courage and entering the room. The king was seated on his lavish throne, surrounded by various attendants and advisors but what caught Yuto''s attention was that the young paladin knight from earlier was kneeling before the king, like a dog on a leash ready for any command. The king noticed Yuto''s entrance and raised an eyebrow, "Rosalind, is there something you need?" Yuto composed himself and responded carefully, "Yes, Father. I was hoping to acquire some Dragon''s Breath Wine for a special occasion. Would it be possible to get access to it?" He held his breath, hoping that the excuse would be enough to convince the king and that he wouldn''t question him further. The king looked shocked, hell everyone did, the young paladin was the most confused as he even stood up to look at Yuto. "Honey, I think it''s still too early to drink wine, and you said you would drink wine only when your marriage with the hero was to happen" the king gestured to the young paladin from earlier. Yuto''s heart sank as he heard the response. It seemed like the king was not willing to give him the wine easily, and even worse, he had inadvertently made a promise that was going to be difficult to keep. ["Great, now I have to pretend I''m getting married to some hero to justify wanting the wine"] He thought silently, feeling frustrated and a little annoyed with himself for making things more complicated. He mustered a polite smile and replied, "I assure you, Father, I have no intention of having any wine for myself¡± ¡°It''s just that an important guest has asked me for it, and I want to make sure to fulfill their request¡± The king looked at Yuto for a moment, studying his expression, Yuto did his best to give puppy eyes with a quivering lip, he sighed softly not being able to withstand the sight of his daughter on the verge of tears. "Very well, I shall permit you to access the Dragon''s Breath Wine. But be warned, its effects are quite potent and dangerous, so be careful" The king looked visibly concerned as he provided the permission. Yuto breathed a sigh of relief but couldn''t help feeling a bit guilty for lying. He nodded thankfully and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Father. I''ll be cautious and ensure the wine is used responsibly" As Yuto left the king''s chambers, he heard the whispers and murmurs from the attendants and courtiers nearby, commenting on how "the princess" seemed different. He felt a pang of discomfort and annoyance but brushed it off, reminding himself that he needed to play the part of the princess flawlessly if he wanted to get the equipment he needed and to find who was responsible for his father''s death, he was willing to bow to the bastard who might have something to do with it. "Rosalind, wait!" Yuto turned around as he heard someone calling his name. To his surprise, it was the young paladin from earlier, looking rather flustered and awkward. ["Oh no, not this guy again,"] Yuto thought silently, feeling a mixture of reluctance and annoyance at the paladin''s presence. "You seem different, did I do something wrong you won''t even call me by my name?" Yuto blinked, feeling a bit confused and guilty at the same time. He couldn''t remember the paladin''s name for the life of him, and he didn''t want to keep calling him "hero" or "sir" forever. ["I need to come up with a quick excuse"] Yuto thought silently, quickly thinking up a lie. "Oh, no, dear. I''m just feeling a little under the weather lately. Nothing you did, my love," Yuto replied with a faint smile, trying to sound as princess-like as possible. ["System quick, what''s his name?"] The system took a second <- System -> [ Wanless Mei ] ["Wanless Mei? Is it some other meaning to it?"] Yuto thought silently, trying to commit the name to memory. "Dear, as I said, I apologize if I''ve been distant lately. It''s just that I''ve been feeling a bit unwell, but it''s nothing for you to worry about" Yuto responded with a gentle smile, hoping that his fake excuse would be convincing enough. "Rose, is something wrong?" Yuto blinked, feeling a bit surprised by his persistence. "No, of course not, my love. I''ve told you already, I''m just feeling under the weather" Yuto replied, trying to sound reassuring but also distant enough to get the paladin to stop bugging him. ["Man, is this guy always this clingy?"] He thought silently, cursing his luck for having to deal with this hero-wannabe Wanless gently pulled Yuto into his embrace, "Not even a goodbye kiss?" Yuto''s anger has perhaps reached a new time high, just looking at this fool being so touchy snapped something in him. ["Should I just beat him?"] Volume 2 Chapter 3 Dungeon Exploration Yuto was taken aback by how forward the hero was, making him uneasy. ["Seriously, what is this guy''s deal? Can''t he take a hint?"] Yuto was at this point unsure of how to react to the unexpected display of affection. ["System, any suggestions?"] Yuto asked desperately, hoping for some guidance or assistance on how to handle the situation. <- System ->
  1. Beat the shit out of him to forget
  2. The lame excuse that will make you look stupid
  3. Use your status (may affect future events)
  4. Scream for help
  5. Slap him and act indifferent
Yuto mentally weighed his options, not liking any of them particularly but knowing that he had to do something about the moron in front of him. ["I can''t beat him up, I suppose. That would just make everything more complicated"] he crossed option 1 off the list. Option 2 seemed too obvious and lame, so he dismissed it as well. Option 3 caught his attention. ["Hmph, I suppose it wouldn''t hurt to use my royal status as ''the princess'' to get the hero off my back"] "Wanless, dear I have an important responsibility to attend to right now," Yuto said, his tone firm and princess-like "I understand your... affection, but I simply cannot entertain your requests at this moment" "So, please understand, dear. We will have plenty of time for you to shower me with affection after I''ve taken care of my responsibilities" Yuto added, trying to sound authoritative and sweet simultaneously. He held his breath, hoping that the hero would finally back off. Yuto''s firm and authority took Wanless off guard. He slowly released his embrace and took a step back, "Oh, I apologize, Rose. I didn''t know you had important matters to tend to. Please do not mind me. I shall take my leave," he replied, sounding a bit flustered and sheepish. Yuto breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the tension slowly dissipate, "Thank you for understanding, dear. We shall talk later" he said, giving the hero a small smile before turning away and walking off to continue his mission. Yuto was relieved that he had managed to handle the situation without causing a fuss, but he also felt uneasy about the hero''s persistent and clingy behavior. ["I''ll have to be more careful in the future. I can''t let this Wanless guy get too close"] Yuto was hoping that he would be able to keep his distance from the hero from now on. "I was this close to just punching him, so close to putting my fake ladylike manners aside and teaching him a lesson" He sighed, feeling a mix of annoyance and relief simultaneously, "Well, at least he''s finally backed off for now. Let''s hope he doesn''t get any more ''clingy'' ideas" With that thought, Yuto continued on his way, determined to move forward and continue his mission, while also keeping an eye out for any further unexpected encounters with the clingy paladin. As he walked, he reminded himself to keep a polite mask of ''the princess'' whenever he was around others. He didn''t want to arouse suspicion by acting differently from the usual ''princess''. While it felt frustrating to have to maintain a charade, he knew he needed to stay safe and avoid causing any trouble while in the princess''s body. Using his status, Yuto obtained the wine barrel and had it brought to his room after exploring the castle a bit more he decided it was better to wait in his room, he felt a mix of satisfaction and relief. Now that he had what he needed, he could finally fulfill his promise to the dwarf, and get one step closer to obtaining the armor he desperately needed However, the door to his room suddenly burst open, revealing the dwarf standing at the entrance, looking visibly impatient, "There you are, Lass. I was beginning to worry that you had forgotten about our deal" he said gruffly, raising an eyebrow at Yuto and the glass of wine he had just poured himself. Yuto quickly composed himself and put on a polite smile, despite being startled by the sudden entrance, "Ah, Mr. Blacksmith! I apologize if I kept you waiting. I was just making sure the wine was of the finest quality for you" he replied, holding up a bottle of Dragon''s Breath Wine and offering it to the dwarf. He hoped that the explanation would sufficiently quell the dwarf''s impatience, "Is that what I think it is?" Yuto nodded, still smiling politely. "Indeed it is, Mr. Blacksmith. Dragon''s Breath Wine is the finest and most prized liquor in the kingdom. I trust it will be suitable for our bargain?" "The names Firestone, Lass don''t forget, and that wine looks delicious" "I''m glad to hear that the wine meets your expectations. Shall we proceed with our bargain then?" He added, still holding the bottle out towards Firestone (In fact he was hoping with bottle would be enough so he could keep the barrel in the back of his room) Firestone nodded, a satisfied grin forming on his face. "Indeed, lass. Let''s get started on that armor then. With a bottle of Dragon''s Breath Wine as a reward, you''ll see the finest armor ever" he said, eagerly taking the bottle from Yuto''s hands. Yuto couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief and achievement, knowing that he had secured the assistance of the renowned blacksmith, ["Seems like this bargain has paid off,"] he thought silently "I''m grateful for your assistance, Firestone. I trust in your expertise and craftsmanship to create formidable armor. I look forward to seeing the finished product" Yuto said with a genuine smile, feeling more confident that he would soon get the protection he desperately needed Firestone after getting himself drunk led Yuto down to the workshop, the air was thick with the scent of iron and smoke, it was clear that Firestone kept his word and started to craft the armor as soon as Yuto left. "Right then, Lass. Let''s get started on that armor. Have a seat over there," he said, pointing towards a bench in the corner of the room. Yuto did as instructed, taking a seat on the indicated bench. He observed the chaotic yet organized state of the workshop, appreciating the craftiness of the dwarf. "Now Lass ready to feast your eyes?" Yuto was ready and nodded, his gaze fixed on Firestone, anticipation building up inside him. "Indeed, Firestone. Let''s see it" Firestone pulled out a shimmering set of armor from behind a large curtain. The armor had a sleek and sturdy appearance, with plates of metal overlapping seamlessly. The metal itself looked like it was of high quality as if it could withstand powerful impacts or sharp weapons. The armor had been crafted with great attention to detail. It was clear that Firestone had put a lot of effort into creating this piece. Yuto was taken aback by the sheer beauty and craftsmanship of the armor, and he found himself completely speechless. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful armor sets he had seen apart from his actual one that was made of magic. This one was simply an amazing work of art, "This armor is magnificent. How much do I owe you?" "Lass you already gave me this wine that is worth more than the materials I''ve used" Yuto felt a slight jolt of surprise at Firestone''s words. He had expected the armor to cost a significant amount, but the fact that the Firestone had already accepted the Dragon''s Breath Wine as payment was unexpected (and the fact he still had a whole ass barrow in his room) "Are... you sure, Firestone?" Yuto asked hesitantly Firestone nodded firmly. "I don''t accept payment for inferior products, lass. This armor is worth more than any coin you could give me¡± ¡°Consider it a token of my appreciation for the fine wine you''ve given me¡± Yuto pondered for a moment, contemplating whether to push the matter further. He eventually decided not to argue, understanding that Firestone took pride in his work and was satisfied with the Dragon''s Breath Wine as payment. "Very well, then. I accept your generosity, Firestone. Thank you for crafting such a masterpiece," Yuto said, a warm expression on his face. The princess''s beauty was indeed something else as even an old coot like Firestone blushed at how beautiful that smile was, such a radiant smile. Despite his gruff demeanor, he found himself flustered by the princess''s beauty for a fleeting moment. However, he quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat, attempting to hide his momentary embarrassment, "Erm, right then, lass. Shall we proceed to fit the armor?" Firestone said, hastily changing the subject Yuto noticed Firestone''s momentary flustered expression but decided not to comment on it. Instead, he smiled warmly and nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Firestone. Let''s proceed with the fitting of the armor" He stood up from the bench, ready to try on the meticulously crafted armor. Firestone led Yuto to a small corner of the room, which had a makeshift dressing area. There was a tall mirror, a stool, and a few clothing racks nearby, "Right then, lass. You can change here," Firestone said, gesturing to the area. Yuto slipped into the armor, feeling its weight and coolness encasing his body, he adjusted the armor, marveling at how perfectly it fit.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. He had expected some discomfort or difficulty in moving around, but the armor was surprisingly comfortable and allowed him a wide range of motion. He stood in front of the mirror, admiring the gleaming metal that now covered his upper body, after a few moments, he called out to Firestone, signaling that he was ready to help with the fitting process. Firestone walked over to Yuto, his gaze scrutinizing and precise. He inspected the armor closely, checking the fit and adjusting straps as needed. "You look like a proper warrior, lass," Firestone remarked, a hint of pride evident in his voice, "The armor seems to fit perfectly. How does it feel?" Yuto moved around a bit, testing the armor''s mobility and comfort, "It fits perfectly, Firestone," Yuto replied, a satisfied smile on his face. "I feel ready to face any challenges that come my way now. Thank you for your incredible craftsmanship" Firestone smiled, "Alright, you can leave. If you have any problems, you can come by anytime" "Thank you, I will take good care of the armor you''ve crafted so diligently" "Wait a minute Lass" Yuto stopped, turning to face Firestone with a questioning look, "Yes? What is it, Firestone?" Firestone threw a sword at Yuto, "On the house, I know your weak ass needs a light sword to swing" Yuto caught the sword with ease, surprised by its lightness. He inspected it closely, noting its sleek design and sharp edge. It was indeed a beautiful weapon, suitable for his warrior princess persona. "Thank you, Firestone," he said with genuine gratitude, "This sword is perfect for my fighting style. I''ll make good use of it, I assure you" With the new sword in hand, Yuto left Firestone''s workshop, he had acquired the armor he needed and now he wielded a suitable sword as well, the princess''s charm had served him well. ["Wait a damn minute, when did smiling come so easily?"] "I AM A MAN!" He forgot his true identity momentarily. The abrupt shock snapped him back to reality, and he found himself lying flat on the ground. "Dammit!" he muttered, still gripping the sword tightly. "I can''t let myself get carried away like that. I''m a man for crying out loud!" Yuto took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering confusion and uncertainty. <- System -> [ Hehe that''s funny ] Hearing the System''s response in his head, Yuto rolled his eyes and pushed himself back up, glaring at nothing in particular. "Not funny, System. Do you have to rub it in?" he grumbled. <- System -> [ Well it is, I never thought I would see you in such a state of panic ] Yuto scoffed, "Alright, alright. I know it''s ironic in a messed-up way," he acknowledged, dusting himself off. "But let''s keep this whole ''princess'' thing strictly in character from now on, you got it?" <- System -> [ Where did the beautiful smile you just show go? ] "You know what, System?" he retorted, attempting to regain some semblance of composure. "Shut up and focus on our mission. We have more pressing matters to attend to than my misfortune of running into a weirdo" <- System -> [ As you wish] [ New quest: Kill 5 demons in a low-level dungeon ] "Demons, huh? I guess the time for games is over," he thought, determination setting in. "System, guide me to the dungeon entrance. Time to put this new armor and sword to good use" <- System -> [ Now guiding ] Yuto followed the System''s guidance which led him to the entrance of the dungeon. As he approached, he could already sense the presence of malevolent energy radiating from the depths below, it was a gloomy atmosphere and it took him about 20 minutes of walking and running just to get there without being seen or noticed. "Time to show these demons what a true warrior princess is made of" Frustration and embarrassment welled up within Yuto as he fell once again, his slip of the tongue echoing in his mind. "I AM A MAN!" "Dammit! Why do I keep doing that?" he seethed, getting to his feet with a huff. "I am the Sword Saint''s disciple, not some delicate princess! Get a grip, Yuto" Yuto took a deep breath, composing himself. He couldn''t afford to let his identity crisis distract him when demons awaited his blade''s wrath. Straightening his stance and gripping the sword tightly, he focused his mind on the task at hand. "No more slips," he muttered grimly, he put his hair in a ponytail and set himself straight before he ventured into the entrance of the dungeon. The descent into the dungeon was eerie, but Yuto pressed forward, guided by the glow of torches and the System''s directions. He passed by stone walls adorned with grotesque carvings, the whispers of malice echoing through the cavernous halls. "Keep it together, Yuto," he murmured to himself, his grip on the sword firming. "Focus on the mission. Find the demons, and end them, this ain''t your first time, just stuck in another body" Yuto''s heart raced as he rounded a corner and spotted a group of demons lurking in the shadows. Their glowing red eyes gleamed with evil intent, baring sharp teeth in a sinister grin. "All there," Yuto thought, assessing the situation. "This shouldn''t be too much trouble" He raised his sword, assuming a defensive stance, "Come and get me, demons. I''ll send you all back to the abyss" The demons didn''t hesitate, lunging towards Yuto with their claws extended. He sidestepped one attack, blocking another with his sword. The impact sent ripples of vibration up his arm, yet he held firm, retaliating with a sharp counterattack, "I won''t go down that easily," he grunted, evading a snap from one of the demons'' massive jaws. "Keep coming!" Yuto''s instincts kicked in as he danced through the onslaught, parrying and striking with calculated grace. His swordsmanship was a blur of motion, each swing and thrust aimed at vitals and weak points. "These demons are persistent, but they lack finesse," he murmured to himself, disengaging from a particularly tenacious opponent. He spun and sliced, his blade dancing in the air, leaving a trail of carnage in his wake, "Three left," he thought, panting slightly from the exertion. The remaining demons regrouped, seemingly realizing their imminent defeat, they circled Yuto, sizing him up with hungry eyes. Yuto felt a surge of disgust as the demons leered at him with their wicked eyes. He gritted his teeth, "Ew please don''t look at me like that, it''s rude to stare at a woman without permission" "But if you want a piece of me?" he taunted, his sword raised in defiance. "Then come and get it!" One of the demons leaped forward, clawed hands reaching for Yuto with surprising speed, he nimbly dodged to the side, retaliating with a quick succession of slashes. The demon stumbled back, its wounds oozing dark ichor. Yuto outmaneuvers the remaining two demons. He weaved through their attacks, his sword dancing like a lethal whirlwind, striking at vulnerable joints and openings. "You''ll have to do better than that if you want to defeat me," he taunted. A sharp pain started to sting from his chin as Yuto''s head snapped back from the unexpected blow. Pain surged through his jaw, but anger fueled his resolve to strike back. He retaliated with a furious uppercut, sending the demon flying, "You''ll regret that," he spat, rubbing his aching jaw. He shook off the pain, focusing his attention on the last demon. It was the largest of the bunch, a hulking brute covered in scales. The remaining demon roared, its guttural sound echoing through the dungeon. It lunged at claws outstretched, seeking to end the battle with a single strike. Yuto evaded the attack, his movements fluid and calculated. He retaliated with a precise thrust, targeting a gap in the demon''s defenses. The demon recoiled, its scales sparking from the impact, "This is it," Yuto muttered, his grip on the sword tightening. "One last blow and this dungeon will be free of their presence" With a final surge of strength, Yuto raised his sword high and brought it down on the demon''s head. The blade cleaved through its thick skull with a sickening crunch, and the demon fell to the ground, lifeless. Panting heavily, covered in sweat and demon blood, Yuto surveyed the defeated demons. "Mission accomplished," he declared, sheathing his sword with a weary yet triumphant grin. <- System rewards -> +50 attack +50 Stamina +50 defense +100 Agility "Increased strength, stamina, and agility," he mused, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips "It seems as if the princess''s body does respond well to the system''s rewards better than my old one" Rosalind Akira Age: 19 Title: The Spoiled Bratty Princess The Misunderstood Level: 15 Class: New Class Stats: Strength 102 / Defense 71 / Speed 2 / Mana 10 / Stamina 110 / Agility 100 / Mentality 10,000 Yuto studied the updated information about Princess Rosalind with interest. "Strength 102, defense 71... quite impressive," he murmured aloud. "And a New Class? I wonder what that entails" [-New Class-] Magic Swordsmen +100 Mana +100 Speed +50 attack "Huh, all I did was kill a few demons, not even many, so how did I get this class?" Yuto scratched his head, pondering the unexpected acquisition of the new skillset. "System," he called out, "Why did I receive the Magic Swordsman class?" <- System -> [ The princess was originally fated to be one ] Yuto pondered the System''s revelation, trying to make sense of it. "Oh," he replied. "So, because the princess was supposed to have this class, I obtained it instead?" He raised an eyebrow skeptically <- System -> [ Did you forget you''re still in the princess''s body? ] Yuto blinked, momentarily stunned by the blunt reminder from the System. "Oh right," he murmured, a sheepish expression crossing his face. "I''m still in the princess''s body. That explains it" <- System -> [ This is her class for when you return to your body ] Yuto nodded, understanding dawning on him, "I get it now," he acknowledged. "This Magic Swordsman class is meant for the princess, and I''ve received it temporarily while inhabiting her form" Yuto sighed, feeling a mixture of fascination and frustration. "This princess thing is making things more complicated than they need to be," he muttered. "System, any insights on how much longer I''ll be stuck in this princess form? I''m eager to get back to my own body" <- System -> [ Estimated time . . . 1 week ] Yuto''s expression brightened slightly at the System''s estimate, "One week, huh? That''s not so bad," he said with a mixture of optimism. "I can manage for a week. I just have to make the most of this ''princess'' form and gather strength until I can return to my original body" "System," he called out once again, "what level do you propose I should strive to reach by the end of my week as the princess?" <- System -> [ 25 to not attract unwanted attention from the King ] Yuto considered the suggested level. "25, huh? Ambitious but achievable," he mused. "Considering the rate at which I''ve been gaining experience, I should be able to make significant progress within a week" "With a bit of dedication and strategic quest selection, I''m confident in reaching that level". Yuto limped slightly as he returned to the princess''s chamber, his body weary from the earlier battles. He closed the door behind him and mustered a warm smile for Rose. "Ah, Rose, thank you for your assistance," he greeted her gratefully. "Could you please fetch some bandages and medical supplies? I have a few wounds that need tending to" Rose nodded, her expression betraying a hint of concern but her tone remaining composed. "Of course, Your Highness. I will gather the necessary items promptly" She hurried out of the room, leaving Yuto with a moment of solitude. He eased himself onto a nearby chair, wincing as he applied pressure to his injured side. Despite the pain, he couldn''t help but chuckle wryly at the situation. "She won''t tell the king, will she?" Yuto pondered as he took off the armor to hide it Yuto continued contemplating the possibility of Rose revealing his predicament to the king. He carefully removed the armor, taking extra care to conceal its unique appearance and markings. He hid it in a nearby closet, ensuring it wouldn''t be easily discovered, "I hope I can trust her," he muttered under his breath, glancing at the closed door. "Though it''s a risk I have to take" As Rose returned with the requested items, Yuto turned his attention to her, his expression schooled into one of pleasant nonchalance. "Thank you for the prompt assistance, Rose," he said kindly. "It seems I''ve engaged in some minor mischief and suffered a few scrapes. Nothing too serious, I assure you" He chuckled softly, downplaying the severity of his injuries to avoid raising any suspicions. "How is my father? Has he inquired about me recently?" Rose helped take off Yuto''s dress and started disinfecting the wounds, cleaning them slowly so as not to sting as much. Yuto submitted to Rose''s ministrations, wincing occasionally as the disinfectant stung. He kept his tone conversational, attempting to maintain an air of normalcy. "I hope my clumsiness hasn''t caused too much trouble," he remarked with a sheepish smile. "You know how I am. I always manage to get myself into predicaments" Rose smiled, her tone reassuring. "No need to worry, Princess. These things happen. It''s nothing we can''t handle" Yuto nodded, appreciating Rose''s reassuring words and her skilled care. As she tended to his wounds, he couldn''t help but admire her steadfast dedication and unwavering loyalty. "As for his majesty" Yuto listened attentively, trying to hide his apprehension behind a facade of calmness. "Yes?" he prompted, urging Rose to continue. Rose carefully cleaned and bandaged his wounds, her hands deft and gentle. "His Majesty has been preoccupied with various matters of state," she responded. "He has inquired about your well-being, seeing as how you asked for a prized wine barrow" Yuto inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the king''s inquiries were merely a matter of protocol rather than suspicion. "Ah, I understand," he said, nodding understandingly. "I hope he doesn''t concern himself too much. My well-being is in good hands with you, Rose" Rose smiled as she applied the final bandages, "Your Highness if you don''t mind me asking, how did you obtain such injuries who would dare even do such a thing?" Yuto hesitated for a moment, deliberating on how much to reveal. He couldn''t disclose the true nature of his adventure or his true identity, so he crafted a plausible story. "I ventured into the woods," he began, adopting an air of nonchalance. "And stumbled across a few troublesome creatures. A mishap ensued, and I sustained these injuries during a brief skirmish" He chuckled softly, hoping to downplay the significance of his encounter. "Nothing too serious, just a few scrapes," he reassured Rose, hoping she wouldn''t ask about the armor. Rose''s expression softened, a hint of concern still lingering. "Still, Your Highness, you should exercise caution when venturing outside. The woods can be unpredictable" "You know, Rose, I truly appreciate your loyalty and care," he said earnestly. "It''s comforting to have someone I can turn to in times of need" Rose returned his smile, her expression softening even further. "It is my duty and privilege to serve you, Your Highness" "I am here anytime you require. You can always count on me" Yuto nodded, grateful for her unwavering commitment, "Thank you, Rose. I appreciate your help. You may leave now" As Rose exited the room, Yuto was left alone once again, a myriad of thoughts swirling through his mind. ["I guess she can be trusted for now"] "Now that I''ve dealt with the injuries," Yuto mused, pondering his next course of action. "What should I do to make the most of this princess form?" He glanced around the room, searching for any clues or items that might give him a hint about his role or the expectations placed upon him as the princess. First, Yuto slipped into the comfortable T-shirt and shorts that Rose had provided. The new attire felt refreshing against his skin, and it allowed him to move with greater ease. "This is much better," he remarked, adjusting the collar of his shirt. "No more suffocating dresses or corsets for the time being" Before he can even slip into bed he hears a knock, "Roselind, love it''s me" Yuto froze for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected interruption. It was the Wanless guy from earlier, nothing more than a nuisance. "Mother F-" Volume 2 Chapter 4 The Second Princess Gathering himself quickly, he assumed his role as the princess once again, hoping to maintain a facade of normalcy. With a composed voice, he said, "One moment, my love!" He took a deep breath, mustering a bright smile on his face as he opened the door to greet the unexpected visitor. ["Ugh, this is so humiliating!"] Yuto suppressed his annoyance and discomfort, putting on a sweet smile and a fake tone of affection. "Darling!" he exclaimed, feigning enthusiasm. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your unannounced visit?" Wanless entered the room, and wrapped his arms around Yuto, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Ah, my love," he murmured, his voice dripping with forced affection. "I couldn''t bear the thought of not being beside you. I had to see you, to hold you" Yuto fought the urge to recoil, forcing himself to reciprocate the embrace. "I''m delighted to see you too, darling," he replied, his voice strained but maintaining a semblance of warmth. ["Don''t punch him, get it together Yuto"] Wanless pulled away slightly, gazing into Yuto''s eyes with a feigned tenderness. "You look... different," he noted, his brows furrowing slightly as if trying to pinpoint the discrepancy. Yuto tensed, trying to maintain his composure. "Different? How so?" he inquired, playing coy and trying to deflect any suspicions "Rose, you have a few cuts, and you''re not wearing your usual pajamas" "Oh, these?" he said casually. "Just a little mishap while exploring the castle gardens. A few thorns, you know how it is." He chuckled softly, hoping to dismiss any concerns "And as for the pajamas," he added, ad-libbing swiftly, "I decided to try something different tonight. It''s good to switch things up now and then, don''t you think?" "Don''t I look cute?" ["How does Mizuki say all this with a straight face?"] Wanless furrowed his brow, appearing unconvinced but unwilling to press further. "Hmm...Yes, you do," he muttered, a hint of skepticism lingering in his voice. "As long as you''re safe and sound, that''s all that matters" He tightened his grip around Yuto, drawing him closer once more. "Let''s make the most of our time together, shall we?" he suggested, his tone oozing with affection. "How about a kiss Rose?" Yuto tensed up even more, a wave of discomfort washing over him. The very thought of being intimate with Wanless made his stomach churn. He tried to hide his disdain with a forced smile. "Oh, darling," he responded, his voice tinged with reluctance, "I... I''m feeling a bit unwell at the moment. Perhaps we can save that for another time?" he suggested, hoping to sidestep the situation. ["I would rather fail this quest than do that!"] "Honey, I hope you understand. Let''s focus on spending quality time together. We can do something that doesn''t require physical intimacy, like talking or playing games. What do you say?" He tried to convey sincerity and care in his words, hoping to diffuse the situation and find an alternate way to connect with Wanless. Wanless sighed, a hint of disappointment evident in his expression. "Very well, Rose," he conceded, reluctantly accepting Yuto''s refusal. "If you''re feeling unwell, we''ll save the physical affection for another time" He released Yuto from his grip and stepped back slightly. "You''re right. Spending time together is what matters most. We can talk, play games, or enjoy each other''s company" Though his voice held a tinge of sadness, Wanless seemed willing to respect Yuto''s boundaries. Yuto breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Wanless''s understanding. "Thank you for being so patient and understanding, darling," he expressed sincerely. "Let''s make the most of our time together in a way that''s comfortable for both of us" He suggested some engaging activities that could occupy their time and strengthen their bond, ensuring that physical intimacy wasn''t the focus of their interaction. The rest of their time together was spent sharing stories and playing board games without any unwanted advances or discomfort. Wanless soon left after a while leaving Yuto drained of social energy Yuto closed the door behind Wanless, finally having some moments to himself. He took a deep breath, exhaling heavily, and leaned against the wall. He glanced around the room, grateful for the solitude. In this precious moment alone, he allowed himself to shed the facade of the princess and just be himself. His shoulders relaxed, and a sigh of relief escaped him. "A whole week having to avoid a moron like that?" Yuto groaned, realizing that he would need to navigate this delicate situation for the next week. The thought of enduring Wanless''s unwanted advances and forced affection for seven full days made him cringe inwardly. Yuto''s thoughts were interrupted by the knock on the door. He swiftly composed himself once more, assuming the role of the princess, he called out sweetly, "Come in." The door opened, and it was Claudia, the younger sister of Rosalind, who poked her head through the doorway, her youthful face peering curiously into the room. Rosalind, can I come in?" she asked, her voice filled with what sounded like bitterness but tried masking it with a polite and sweet tone. Yuto''s expression softened at the sight of Claudia. Despite his current predicament, seeing her innocent smile brought a sense of comfort, it reminded him of Cynthia and how she was doing right now. "Of course, Claudia," he responded warmly, gesturing for her to enter. "Come in, dear." ["How did Rosalind treat her younger sister, nah I''ll treat her like I treat Cynthia"] Though the question of how Rosalind treated her younger sister crossed Yuto''s mind, he decided based on his own experiences he would treat Claudia with the same kindness and affection he treated Cynthia. Even if it got him some strange looks like the one Claudia was giving him now as he noticed the somewhat baffled expression on Claudia''s face. Perhaps she was taken aback by his unexpected display of affection. He chuckled softly, sensing her confusion. "Is something on your mind, dear?" he inquired gently. Yuto''s brow furrowed as he noticed Claudia''s sudden shift from surprise to horror. Concern etched across his face. "What''s wrong, Claudia?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. "You look distressed. Tell me what''s troubling you" Claudia quickly composed herself and took a seat on the couch, she noticed that Yuto was drinking a cup of green tea, "I saw Rose walking out fast. Did you do something to her?" Yuto''s heart skipped a beat as Claudia''s question hit him like a ton of bricks. He hadn''t anticipated this turn of events. He quickly gathered his composure and responded, feigning ignorance. "What do you mean, Claudia? I didn''t do anything to Rose. What makes you ask such a question?" "Right as if you haven''t before, look Rose was the only one who volunteered to be your maid so you best treat her with some respect" ["How bad was the original Rosalind to make Claudia believe something like that?"] He composed himself and spoke gently, trying to reassure Claudia. "I assure you, Claudia, I have no intention of mistreating Rose. She serves me with devotion, and I treat her with the utmost respect" "Sister, with any respect I have for you, I do not believe you" Yuto, taken aback by Claudia''s bluntness, felt a pang of disbelief. "Why would you doubt me, Claudia?" he asked, his voice tinged with hurt. "I assure you, I hold great respect for Rose. She is one of the most loyal and hardworking individuals in this castle" "And Wanless?" Claudia''s hands were gripping the end of her dress, clearly waiting for "Rosalind''s" response Yuto couldn''t help but grimace inwardly at the mention of Wanless. Though he feigned a pleasant expression, the thought of the hero made his skin crawl. "What about Wanless?" he inquired, trying to maintain a neutral tone. "Hah, what did I expect? As soon as you find and seduce the hero, you''re already done with him?" ["Well, I''m not the real Princess, so why would I care about the dude"] "And here I thought you changed, I''ve been hearing how much better you''ve been treating the maids, and yet the same old story with you" ["What did Rosalind do to be outcasted?"] "You are just the same old Rosalind, hurting whoever you please because father loves you so much!" ["Why does she hate Rosalind so much?"] "A selfish woman who only relies on our father''s-" "ENOUGH!" Yuto''s outburst surprised even himself. His voice was firm and authoritative, echoing in the room. He quickly realized that his outburst could have been dangerous given his situation as the princess. Clearing his throat, he spoke with a softer tone, "I apologize for raising my voice, Claudia," he said, trying to calm the situation. "I... I don''t like how the conversation soured. Let''s change the topic." "Like I thought you don''t change" Claudia smirked, her head shaking as she let out a chuckle in an almost mocking tone, Claudia excused herself and left the room without even taking a sip of the tea. Yuto watched Claudia leave, feeling a mixture of frustration and disappointment. His attempt to explain himself had backfired completely, and now he had unintentionally given credence to the image of the uncaring princess. He sat down heavily on the bed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation, "Great," he mumbled to himself. "Just... great." <- System -> [ How rude of her ] Yuto let out a frustrated sigh. "I know, right?" he muttered to himself. "That didn''t go as planned. She practically accused me of mistreating Rose and discarding Wanless like some used toy" <- System -> [ You talk as if you''re the princess herself ] Yuto chuckled softly at the system''s comment. "I guess I''m getting a bit too much into character, huh?" he replied with a mix of self-awareness and amusement. <- System -> [ No, it''s because the princess mentality stat is higher than yours ] Yuto raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the system''s revelation. "Wait, are you telling me that my actions and thoughts are influenced by the princess mentality stat?" <- System -> [ That is the conclusion I''ve come to, but do not worry, I will not let her influence you as much as it usually would ] Yuto nodded, absorbing the information. "So, the princess mentality stat is making me act and think more like a princess. Interesting..." He paused for a moment, a thought crossing his mind. "And what about you, system? Can you intervene if the princess mentality starts overpowering me?" <- System -> [ I will send you back to your body if need be, it''s dangerous that even with the system her willpower seems to be overpowering us ] Yuto let out a small sigh of relief. "That''s good to know," he replied, reassured that the system would have his back if necessary. He sat silently for a moment, contemplating his current situation. "The princess mentality stat is quite a powerful influence, isn''t it?" he mused. <- System -> [ Mizuki and Cynthia would enjoy seeing you act like a princess ] Yuto rolled his eyes at the system''s comment. "Yeah, yeah, I know," he muttered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "They would find amusement in my predicament. Mizuki would probably make some sarcastic remarks, and Cynthia would mock me for being a princess" <- System -> [ They would have a field day with it, Mizuki, especially with all the teasing she does to you in bed ] Yuto chuckled, "Oh, definitely, you know I miss Mizuki and her little comments" <- System -> [ New Quest - Get some rest ] Yuto acknowledged the new quest announcement from the system. "Rest, huh? Considering how draining this day has been, that might be a good idea" He lay down on the bed, letting out a sigh as his weary body sunk into the soft mattress. Exhaustion tugged at his eyelids, and he closed his eyes, ready to embrace the temporary respite that sleep offered. -Morning 7 AM- Yuto was jolted awake from his sleep, momentarily disoriented. It took a moment for him to regain his bearings and remember the current reality. He sat up on the bed, running a hand through his tousled hair. The knock on the door brought his attention to Rose, standing there, ready for Rosalind''s morning baths. Yuto swallowed and shook off any grogginess. He had to stay in character, at least in front of Rose. "Ah, good morning, Rose," he greeted her with a forced smile. ["This is getting old fast,"] Yuto rose from the bed, stretching his limbs. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a soft glow. "I trust you have everything prepared for my bath?" he asked, trying to sound as princess-like as possible. Rose nodded, her expression neutral. "Yes, milady. I''ve drawn a hot bath, and everything is prepared as you like it" The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Yuto smiled faintly, masking his exhaustion with false politeness, "Excellent," he replied. "Lead the way, Rose" -Bath- This time, Yuto was prepared and covered his eyes with a towel as he undressed, Yuto let out a slight sigh as he allowed Rose to tend to him. The sense of vulnerability was uncomfortable, but he swallowed his discomfort and endured the bathing in silence. He tried to relax as Rose gently washed his body, but the foreignness of the situation kept him on edge. He couldn''t help but feel a twinge of embarrassment as Rose attended to his every need. After what felt like an eternity, the bathing process was finally over. Yuto was once again dressed in his usual princess attire. He ran a hand through his damp hair, feeling fresh yet still a bit rattled from the experience. Yuto glanced in the mirror, fixing his hair and adjusting his appearance. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he had to keep up the princess persona, especially with Wanless being a factor. "Am I presentable, Rose?" he asked, seeking confirmation from the maid. Rose appraised Yuto''s appearance and gave a nod of approval. "You look perfectly appropriate, milady," she assured him. "Your hair is neatly arranged, and your gown is immaculate" Yuto managed a small smile, grateful for her affirmation. He took a moment to compose himself and then turned towards the door. "I suppose I should face the day, then," he said, trying to hide the fatigue in his voice. "Thank you, Rose, for your assistance" With that, Yuto exited the room, he walked down the hallway, he couldn''t shake the unease that settled in his chest. The weight of his situation and the constant need to maintain Princess Rosalind''s facade were exhausting. <- New Quest -> [ Unlock the lock of Claudia''s heart - Undo the past mistakes of Rosalind and reconnect with her younger sister ] Yuto received the new quest notification from the system. He pondered over the objective and sighed internally. Repairing strained relationships wasn''t something he had ever cared for, but he supposed it was necessary now. "Making up with Claudia, huh?" he mumbled to himself. "This is going to be fun¡­" <- System -> [ You have a little sister. Just treat her how you would treat Cynthia ] Perhaps treating Claudia as he would Cynthia might soften her animosity towards him. "Alright," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "I''ll try to approach this like I would with Cynthia. Can''t hurt to try, right?" <- System -> [ May the Goddess Elise be with you ] Yuto chuckled at the system''s comment. "Yeah, I''ll need all the divine help I can get," he muttered, half-jokingly As he made his way through the castle, Yuto replayed the system''s advice in his head. Treat Claudia the way he would treat Cynthia. It seemed simple enough, but he knew he also had to tread carefully. Claudia was already hostile towards him, thanks to the original Rosalind''s actions. Yuto chuckled darkly, silently agreeing with himself. "From battling ferocious monsters to trying to please a princess''s younger sister," he mumbled under his breath. "I never thought this day would come" He took a deep breath, gathering his composure. He couldn''t let his true identity slip out, even in private musings. But as he prepared himself to meet Claudia, doubts wormed their way into his mind. How could he possibly mend a strained relationship with a girl who loathed him for the actions of the original Rosalind? "Rosalind love!" Yuto froze mid-step, a slight shiver running down his spine as he heard Wanless''s voice calling out to him. He turned slowly, plastering a polite smile on his face. ["MOTHER F-"] "Yes, Wanless?" he responded, mentally steeling himself for the inevitable interaction. Yuto clenched his fists, his smile faltering as he fought the urge to curse aloud. Wanless''s presence and incessant affection were testing his patience. He took a deep, discreet breath, reminding himself to maintain his composure and keep up the princess facade, "Is there something you need, Wanless?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady Wanless approached him, a lovesick smile on his face. "Oh, I just wanted to spend some time with you," he professed, his voice oozing with affection. "I also learned a new technique, but I''m better than the old Sword Master right?" This was a bit of a sore spot for Yuto as his father was the old Sword Master, and to think a brat like him dared think himself better was nothing more than an insult. But he couldn''t show his annoyance in front of Wanless. He forced a neutral expression and responded. "I''m certain your technique is noteworthy, but have you seen Claudia?" "Claudia? Why do you need her?" Wanless asked, a hint of possessiveness in his voice Yuto feigned a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, I simply want to speak with her about something," he replied, trying to keep his tone light. Wanless''s eyes narrowed slightly, his suspicion evident. "Why can''t you discuss it with me?" ["I don''t need to tell you that"] Yuto maintained his composure, fighting the instinct to snap back a harsh reply. He forced a polite smile. "It''s something personal between me and Claudia," he explained evenly. "I assure you, it doesn''t concern you" <- System -> [ New Passive - Cold-Blooded - lack of emotion or sympathy, able to hide true feelings ] Yuto felt a subtle shift within him as the system announced the new passive. It was as if a veil was placed over his emotions, allowing him to hide any signs of anger or irritation towards Wanless. He felt numb, cold even, as he continued the conversation with the clingy Hero. It was a bit disconcerting, the way his emotions seemed to recede behind the veil of coldness. But it also made dealing with Wanless slightly more tolerable. He felt more detached, less prone to reacting explosively to the boy''s advances. He observed Wanless closely, noting the slight disappointment in his eyes at the lack of emotional response. It was as if Wanless expected Rosalind''s usual sweet, docile nature, and Yuto''s distant attitude caught him off guard. "She''s in the green palace. You know the place built for her specifically" ["Good to know"] Yuto gave a small nod, maintaining his cold-blooded facade. "Thank you for the information," he replied, his voice devoid of any warmth or affection. He then turned on his heel and started walking towards the green palace, silently glad to be excused from Wanless''s company. As he walked, Yuto pondered over the changes brought about by the passive "Cold Blooded". It was a strange, almost alien sensation to feel so detached from his emotions, but he was thankful for the reprieve it offered from dealing with Wanless''s constant clinginess. -10 Minutes later- After a short walk, Yuto arrived in front of the green palace. The building stood out among its surroundings, its verdant hue making it a stark contrast, but somehow fitting. Yuto pushed open the door and stepped inside, still firmly under the effects of "Cold Blooded" The interior of the palace was as lavish as expected, adorned with luxurious fabrics and elegant furniture. The color green was prominent throughout, from the emerald carpet to the verdant curtains. It was almost overwhelming but in a strangely aesthetically pleasing way. In the middle was Claudia, drinking tea with cake to the side. She was reading a newspaper and seemed to be at peace. Yuto observed Claudia from a small distance, noting her serene demeanor. She appeared relaxed, engrossed in her reading. For a moment, he considered the situation. If he wanted to fix his relationship with her, he needed to approach her the way he would Cynthia. Taking a deep breath, Yuto walked up to Claudia, his steps measured and unhurried. He stopped beside her and waited for her to notice him. Claudia lowered the newspaper, her gaze meeting Yuto''s. Her expression was initially neutral, but a flicker of annoyance crossed her face when she recognized him. "What do you want?" she asked, her tone brusque. Yuto maintained his composure, his demeanor aloof yet polite. He kept his voice steady and calm. "I''d like to talk with you if you wouldn''t mind" "Take a seat" Yuto nodded and settled into a chair beside Claudia. He folded his hands, his expression stoic. "Thank you," he said, then waited until Claudia had put down her newspaper and given him her full attention. Claudia leaned back in her chair, her eyes cool as they regarded Yuto. "Well? What is it you want to talk about?" she asked, her tone betraying no warmth or goodwill. "Claudia, what is it that makes you dislike me?" Claudia raised an eyebrow at the direct question, seemingly taken aback by Yuto''s bluntness. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "What isn''t there to dislike about you?" she replied, her voice tinged with bitterness. "You''re everything that I despise: pampered, coddled by everyone, and utterly useless" "And do you have any proof?" Yuto poured himself a cup of tea and took a piece of cake, ignoring Claudia''s annoyed look Claudia let out a scoff, her expression darkening slightly. "Proof? You want proof?" she repeated, her voice laced with derision. "You''re the princess, aren''t you? The pampered little girl who has people catering to her every whim. You have no real responsibilities, no hardships. You''ve been sheltered from the real world your entire life" "Claudia, need I remind you that you are the second princess, so how are you any different?" Claudia''s eyes narrowed, her expression turning defensive. "That''s different," she said, her voice tight. "I wasn''t raised as the heir. I wasn''t groomed for the throne. And I certainly didn''t get everything handed to me on a silver platter like you did!" Yuto remained silent, letting Claudia''s words hang in the air. He could feel the frustration and resentment emanating from her. It was clear that her anger ran deep, likely fueled by years of feeling overshadowed and overlooked as the younger sister. ["But so what? Rosalind only ever wrote that she wanted Claudia to look up to her, to be regular siblings"] Claudia continued, her voice sharpening with each word. "You''ve never had to struggle, never had to prove yourself. You were simply handed the crown. You didn''t have to fight for your place, for your position. You have no idea what it''s like to live as the second daughter, always living in the shadow of the perfect princess!" Even though it was Rosalind''s actions, not his, that had created this rift, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Claudia and for the Rosalind no one cares to see "So you hate me for something I could not control?" Claudia clenched her fists, her expression hardening. "It''s not just that," she responded, her voice low. "It''s everything. Your easy life, your constant adoration, the way everything revolves around you. It''s infuriating. You have no idea what it''s like to be the other sister, always in the shadows, always compared, and never measured up" "Even the times you act out and hurt the maids, no one bats an eye!" Despite her words, Yuto couldn''t help but find her complaints somewhat childish. After all, she was the second princess, still enjoying a life of privilege and comfort. But he knew better than to express that thought aloud, ["Is it ignorance?"] Instead, he chose to respond calmly, his voice level. "I understand your resentment, Claudia. It must be difficult to feel overshadowed. But hate me for the things I have control over, not because of my privileged upbringing. I didn''t choose to be the crown princess, nor did I ask for special treatment" Claudia''s eyes narrowed further, her jaw clenching. "Don''t act like you suddenly care about my feelings," she retorted, her voice icy. "It''s easy for you to say that when you''ve been in the spotlight your whole life. You don''t understand what it''s like to always be seen as the less important sibling" "Did I say I hate you?" Passive - Cold-Blooded is activated Claudia faltered momentarily, taken aback by Yuto''s question. Her anger momentarily gave way to confusion. "What?" she asked, her voice slightly softer. "Did I ever despise you, hurt you, even raise my voice even once?" The question seemed to catch Claudia off guard, her expression shifting from anger to confusion and then to realization. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She seemed to be searching for a valid counterargument, but couldn''t find one. "No..." she finally admitted, her voice quieter. "You haven''t done any of those things¡­" "Yet you make me an outcast, you say everyone loves me, but that is not true, there are those who think low of me and those who wish me dead" Claudia furrowed her brow, a hint of guilt in her eyes. It seemed like she was grasping the reality of Yuto''s words, but stubbornly tried to maintain her hostile facade. "That''s... that''s not the same," she protested weakly. "You still have people who worship the ground you walk on. People who would do anything to protect you" "Worship and love are different, I am not the goddess Elise, I am me, and you are you" Claudia''s gaze faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. Yuto''s words seemed to make her hesitate, causing her anger to waver just a bit. She averted her eyes, her voice becoming slightly less hostile. "You... you just don''t understand," she mumbled, her tone petulant. "Then help me understand" Claudia looked back at Yuto, her eyes reflecting a conflicted mixture of emotions¡ªresidual anger, begrudging curiosity, and a hint of vulnerability. She didn''t like how Yuto was second-guessing her hatred. "It... it''s complicated," she began, her voice tinged with a trace of doubt. "You... you wouldn''t understand even if I tried to explain" ["Cynthia, it seems I took you for granted"] Volume 2 Chapter 5 Teach me Maid-Sama Yuto sighed, took a sip of his tea, and ate a piece of cake before putting the cup down and putting his hands together. "Claudia, just let the words flow, I came here to talk and listen, let the words flow" Claudia let out a resigned sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine," she muttered, her voice tinged with resignation. "I''ll try to explain, but don''t expect me to like you suddenly" With a deep breath, Claudia began to explain. "Do you know what it''s like to be constantly overshadowed? To be the less important one, always in the shadow of the older sibling or the favored child?" "Imagine growing up knowing that no matter what you did, you''d never be the center of attention, never the one everyone praised and adored. You''d always be seen as the inferior sibling who was ''just as good as'', but never better. It''s a constant reminder that you''re secondary, that you''ll never be as important as the one in the spotlight" Her eyes reflected a strange mixture of anger and pain as she continued. "And then to see you, the perfect princess everyone dotes on, who gets everything handed to her without effort... it''s infuriating. You have no idea what it''s like to constantly compare yourself to the golden child, knowing you''ll never measure up" "Claudia, is that what you''ve been seeing?" Claudia''s expression hardened again, her resentment flaring back up. "Yes," she retorted, her voice cold. "That''s all I''ve seen. The princess who gets everything while I stand in the background, unnoticed, unappreciated" "Do you know how many attempts on my life have been taken?" Claudia''s face contorted with confusion, her anger momentarily sidelined by surprise. "What... what do you mean?" She asked, a hint of dread in her voice "You will never experience this but many have tried to get rid of me, having to live in fear that your tea and food might be poisoned" Claudia''s eyes widened in shock, a mix of disbelief and horror in her gaze. The revelation about the attempts on Yuto''s life seemed to have a profound impact on her "You... you''re joking, right?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly ["It''s true, Rosalind wrote all the attempts at her life, it was the fear that made her build up walls to protect herself"] "All because of a title I''ve never asked for but was forced on me by our father" Claudia''s face paled as Yuto''s words sank in. She sat back in her chair, her hands gripping the arms in a death grip. It was clear that the weight of her unjustified anger toward Yuto was crashing down on her "I... I had no idea," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I thought... I thought it all came easy to you¡­" Yuto looked at Claudia with a mixture of empathy and disappointment. He understood where her anger stemmed from, but it still hurt to be treated as an enemy without reason. Rosalind was hated for something she had no control over, a girl who was forced to be strong when she should have been protected. "It''s not, it never has been," he said softly, his voice laced with a touch of bitterness. "My life is not as simple and problem-free as you think. And it isn''t made better by your constant hostility" Claudia looked down, her demeanor shifting from anger to something resembling shame. For the first time, she genuinely looked at Yuto as an equal, as someone who might be suffering similar hardships. "I... I''m sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "I have been... unfair to you" Yuto got up and patted Claudia''s head, "Think it over, we have time, I''ll be gone till noon" ["Hah, I keep forgetting that she''s still a kid, I''m supposed to be an adult and here I am arguing with a kid"] Claudia froze as Yuto patted her head, a mixture of surprise and confusion crossed her face. Despite her recent softening attitude, she was still taken aback by such a gesture. "Wait, you''re leaving?" she asked, lifting her head to look at him with slight trepidation. "Just getting my duties done, that''s all, I have lots of work to get done" Claudia seemed somewhat reassured by Yuto''s explanation. The tension in her face eased slightly, and she leaned back in her chair, her gaze now reflecting a mixture of uncertainty and thoughtfulness "Oh... right," she murmured, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "I''ll... I''ll think about what you said. Promise" <- System Reward -> [ You have left a strong impression on Claudia''s heart, she is slowly opening up to forgiving her past grievances ] +50 Defense +50 Agility Yuto felt a slight boost in his stats as the system''s notification appeared. He nodded in acknowledgment, then looked back at Claudia with a faint smile. "Stay out of trouble until I''m back," he said, his tone a mix of teasing and warning. Claudia rolled her eyes, a small grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. She put on a mock-offended expression and replied with a slight scoff. "As if you need to tell me. I can take care of myself, you know" Yuto chuckled softly at Claudia''s mock-offended reaction. He knew she was trying to preserve some semblance of defiance, but he could see the shift in her demeanor "Right, of course," he said, still grinning. "Just... try not to explode anything before I return" Claudia let out an exaggerated huff, her attempts at feigning annoyance betrayed by the twinkle in her eye "I make no promises," she retorted, her voice filled with mock challenge, Yuto shook his hand goodbye as he proceeded to exit the greenhouse Claudia watched Yuto leave, a mixture of surprise and something akin to disappointment on her face. Despite her earlier hostility, she seemed to find his departure somewhat off-putting now "Be careful," she called out as he reached the door, her voice a little softer than it had been moments ago Yuto paused at the door, turning back to look at Claudia one last time. He gave her a small smile "I always am," he replied, his voice calm and reassuring. Then, with a nod, he stepped out of the green palace, closing the door behind him <- System -> Wow, you did it in one meeting, I thought it would take much longer, at least 4 days. "Yeah, I guess I did," Yuto murmured to himself. He wasn''t expecting such a quick turnaround in Claudia''s attitude, but he was glad to see even the smallest crack in her animosity. <- System -> [ Did it make you miss your sister, you haven''t seen her in two years after all ] Yuto paused momentarily, the system''s unexpected question catching him off guard. He did miss Cynthia, but he couldn''t let himself dwell on that now. "A little," he admitted softly, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "But I can''t afford to think about that right now" <- System -> [ Why? ] Yuto''s expression darkened as he continued on his way, "Because I have too much to do," he answered, his voice cold. "I can''t afford to dwell on personal feelings and relationships. I need to stay focused on my goals and the challenges ahead" <- System -> [ Don''t forget the main quest, the reason for being in the princess''s body ] Yuto''s jaw clenched as the system reminded him of his purpose. Of course, he hadn''t forgotten about the main quest¡ªhow could he? "I know why I''m here, system," he replied through his teeth. "And trust me, I''m not about to forget" ["Find a who''s responsible for the former Sword Master''s Death"] The goal, the reason, the anger that drove him to train till his bones broke and his skin to bleed, much to the protest of Mizuki He kept walking, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists, "I won''t forget. I''ll find the one responsible, and I''ll make them pay no matter what" <- New Quest -> [ Practice the Bow with your maid ] Yuto paused mid-step as the new quest suddenly appeared before him, his frown deepening. "Practice the bow? With my maid?" he repeated, his voice tinged with skepticism. <- System -> [ Rose''s class is Archer, she could be your master in the bow, it could be more useful than a sword for now ] Yuto let out a sigh as realization dawned upon him. Of course, Rose was an archer. The system was quite literal there. "Right... I guess that makes sense," he finally conceded, his voice still laced with wariness. "But why the sudden quest?" <- System -> [ Getting stronger is the key to finding the truth, finding ways to defend yourself is common knowledge ] Yuto understood the system''s point, though the cryptic way in which it spoke sometimes irritated him. Nevertheless, he nodded in agreement. "I get it. More strength means more possibilities," he said, his voice determined. "I just hope Rose won''t be too demanding¡­" With that, Yuto set off to find Rose, his mind filled with curiosity mixed with a hint of apprehension about what was to come. Little did he know that this training session would prove to be more challenging and revealing than he anticipated He found Rose in the archery range, her slender figure gracefully drawing the bowstring back with a steady hand. Despite her delicate appearance, there was no mistaking her skill and precision, "Rose," Yuto called out as he approached her, his voice breaking her concentration. <- System -> [ Master Maid or Maid de la Master ]You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. He couldn''t help but feel a pang of irony as the system''s voice echoed in his mind. It was indeed ironic for someone so seemingly fragile to possess such mastery of a weapon. "Quite interesting, isn''t it," Yuto mused, his eyes watching Rose''s every move as she released the arrow, sending it soaring toward the target with a sharp thwack. "Is something wrong, Milady?" Yuto shook his head in response, "No, nothing is wrong," he replied, watching as Rose retrieved the arrow from the target. "I just wanted to..." He wasn''t quite sure how to broach the topic without sounding too sudden. After all, asking a maid to train him wasn''t something one did regularly. "I was wondering if you could... teach me the bow," he finally said, bracing himself for her response. Rose turned to look at him, her eyes widened in surprise. "You want to learn the bow?" she asked, her voice tinged with incredulity. Yuto nodded, holding her gaze firmly. "Yes, I do. I want to become proficient in it" Rose blinked, her surprise evident in her expression. It was clear that she wasn''t expecting such a request from her young mistress. "I see," she finally said, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "May I ask why the sudden interest?" Yuto paused for a moment, debating how much he should share. He considered telling her about the main quest and all that it entailed, but he ultimately decided against it. The less people knew about his reasons, the better. "I just think it''s a useful skill to have," he said, his voice casual. "And I figured since you''re an expert archer, you''d be the best person to teach me" Rose studied him for a moment, her eyes searching his face for any signs of deception. She was no fool and could tell that there was more to this than he was letting on. Nevertheless, she chose not to press further. "Alright," she said after a moment of silence. "I can teach you. But you have to promise me one thing" Yuto''s interest piqued, his eyes narrowing slightly as he waited for her condition. "And what''s that?" he asked, wary but intrigued. "You have to take your training seriously," Rose said firmly, her voice stern. "No slacking off, no distractions. You have to devote yourself fully to learning the bow if you want to master it." "As I''ve said before, I will support you with all my strength, but please respect this, respect me," Rose looked nervous as she couldn''t predict how Yuto would react to such a request. Yuto regarded Rose quietly, sensing the seriousness in her tone. He had no intention of disrespecting her efforts or taking her training lightly. "I understand," he replied, his voice solemn. "I promise to take my training seriously. No distractions, no slacking off" Rose nodded, seeming satisfied with his answer. "Good," she said, her face relaxing into a small smile. "Then we shall begin. First, we must start with the basics. You need to learn the correct stance, how to hold the bow, and how to nock an arrow" Yuto''s master has tried to teach him the bow before, but Yuto was only ever interested in weapons like a claymore or spear. Yuto listened intently as Rose broke down the fundamental steps of handling a bow. Despite the occasional flash of memory of his master''s previous efforts, he focused on the task at hand, determined to learn. "Stance is key," Rose said, adjusting Yuto''s stance to align his body correctly. "You need to keep your feet hip-width apart, your shoulders relaxed yet grounded. Too much tension, and you''ll lose accuracy" She showed him how to hold the bow properly, explaining the importance of a firm but gentle grip. "The bow is an extension of your arm," she told him. "It should be a natural part of you. But don''t grip it too tightly, or you''ll tire yourself out quickly" Next, she demonstrated how to nock an arrow, her slender fingers moving with practiced ease. "Watch carefully," she instructed, pulling an arrow from her quiver with one hand and nocking it on the bowstring with the other. "It''s all about control and finesse" <- System -> [ Checking her out are we? ] Yuto blinked in surprise at the sudden comment from the system, his gaze shifting momentarily to look at Rose. He hadn''t been checking her out intentionally, but now that the system had pointed it out, he couldn''t help but notice the way her slender fingers moved with a kind of graceful precision. "No, I''m just... observing," he mumbled, trying to sound as carefree as possible. But his cheeks felt a bit hotter than usual, and he hoped that Rose hadn''t noticed the brief distraction. <- System -> [ It is different from her usual maid costume. I know Mizuki said you could have other partners but I didn''t think you were like that at all ] Yuto clenched his jaw, silently cursing the system for its constant cheeky remarks. He appreciated its guidance and aid most of the time, but moments like this made it more irritating than helpful. "I''m not... like that," he hissed, his voice low enough that only the system could hear. "I was just watching her technique, nothing more" <- System -> [ I am here to support you, I can be a wing-woman if you want ] Yuto let out a frustrated sigh, more than done with the system''s teasing, "No, you don''t need to be a wing woman," he grumbled, trying to keep his voice down. "I''m not interested in Rose that way. Can we please focus on my training now?" Rose, seemingly unaware of the private, slightly absurd conversation, continued demonstrating the proper technique for drawing the bowstring back and releasing the arrow. "Remember to keep your bow arm straight," she instructed, her voice calm and steady. "And your draw arm should form a right angle with your body. Let me see you try it now" Yuto pushed the system''s comments aside and focused on the task. Under Rose''s watchful eye, he carefully mimicked the steps she had just shown him, awkwardly nocking an arrow and attempting to draw the bowstring back. It was much harder than it looked. The string''s tension against his fingers was far greater than he had anticipated, and his arm trembled slightly from the effort. He managed to draw it halfway back, but it was far from perfect. "Not bad for a first try," Rose commented, studying his form with a critical eye. "But your draw is a bit shaky. You need to use your back muscles more and pull smoothly, and continuously. Here, let me help you" <- System -> [ How smooth of you to receive her help, on hand heh ] Yuto''s cheeks heated up again as Rose stepped closer to him, her slender fingers gently adjusting his form. He was acutely aware of her proximity and the subtle scent of her hair as she positioned his shoulders and hands, trying to ignore the fluttering feeling in his chest ["I''m the princess right now. Get it together, Yuto!"] Yuto mentally cursed himself, trying to push away the butterflies in his stomach. He needed to focus, goddammit. But then he felt her fingers on his wrist, her touch sending a small shiver down his spine He tried to ignore it, channeling all his attention into learning the correct archery technique Yuto gritted his teeth, trying to summon the image of Mizuki to his mind. Her warm smile, her soft laugh, her unwavering loyalty. He repeated that image in his mind over and over, using it as a mantra to keep his thoughts from wandering. ["Mizuki, only Mizuki"] Rose, blissfully unaware of the inner turmoil Yuto was going through, nodded approvingly once his form was corrected. "Much better," she said, a hint of satisfaction. "Try releasing the arrow now" Yuto took a deep breath, trying to keep his focus steady. With all his concentration, he released the arrow, watching it fly towards the target. It wasn''t a perfect shot, but it was at least close to the center of the target. Rose surveyed the arrow''s placement on the target, a hint of approval in her eyes. "Not bad," she complimented. "Your release was much smoother then, and your aim was decent. You''re catching on quickly" Yuto tried to ignore the itch of warmth he felt at her praise, instead nodding in response. "Right," he said, mentally slapping himself for reacting to a simple compliment. "I''ll keep practicing until I become proficient" As they continued the archery lesson, Yuto tried to keep his thoughts strictly on the task at hand. But every time Rose leaned in to adjust his form or brush a strand of hair out of his face, he found his heart thudding a little too hard in his chest. It was going to be a long training session that led into the night Yuto''s archery skills gradually improved. He found that focusing on Rose''s instructions and trying to ignore the way his heart raced whenever she touched him, was a great distraction from the inner turmoil Each shot he took was better than the last, and his accuracy slowly improved. But the butterflies in his stomach refused to disperse completely, a constant reminder of his inner turmoil <- System -> [ So, was I right? ] Yuto let out a huff, his frustration with the system flaring up once more. But he couldn''t deny the truth in its words anymore. "Yes, you were," he muttered between gritted teeth. "You were right. I might have... developed a small attraction to her" <- System -> [ Well, attraction and love are different. You love Mizuki and are also attracted to her. I am certain that what you feel for Rose is just attraction and not love ] Yuto let out a sigh, admitting the system''s words, "You''re right again," he said, his voice tinged with resignation. "I love Mizuki, there''s no doubt. But this... this thing I''m feeling for Rose isn''t love. It''s an attraction, a... a weird sort of interest I didn''t expect" He paused for a moment, reflecting on his feelings. "It''s strange. I never thought I''d be attracted to anyone besides Mizuki. But there''s something about Rose..." His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air [ Skill: Alert - Intense bloodlust is being directed at you ] [-???-] [ Is watching you ] [ Mental State is Higher ] [ Cold-Blooded Active - You are no longer Shaken ] Instinctively, Yuto focused his senses, trying to detect any signs of danger nearby. He was glad that the Mental status overruled the blood lust, but that didn''t make him any less uneasy about the whole situation. Who could be watching him, and what were their intentions? He glanced around, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow, trying to catch a glimpse of whoever or whatever was watching him. The silence was unnerving, the absence of visible threat only adding to his anticipation. He tensed up, his senses on high alert. "System," he whispered under his breath, "Who is watching me?" <- System -> [ Error Error Error ] [ Level is not high enough, Dodge! ] Yuto''s heart quickened as the system''s voice cut through his thoughts, the mention of dodging instantly snapping him into action. His instincts kicked in, and he swiftly sidestepped to the right. An arrow whizzed past where he had been standing just seconds earlier, embedding itself in the target with a sharp thunk. He had evaded the attack, but the realization that someone had just tried to shoot him sent a jolt of adrenaline through his veins. "What the hell?" he cursed under his breath, his gaze darting around, trying to pinpoint the location of the attacker "Rose!" Yuto shouted Rose, who had been in the middle of gathering some arrows, immediately straightened up at Yuto''s shout, "What''s going on?!" she asked urgently, quickly moving towards Yuto. "Someone''s trying to shoot me," Yuto grunted, his eyes still scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. "I barely dodged the last attack" "We need to find cover," Yuto said, his voice hard and urgent. "I can''t keep dodging forever. We''re sitting ducks out here in the open" He quickly scanned the immediate area, looking for any kind of cover that could offer them protection from incoming arrows. The tension in the air was palpable, and he was painfully aware that the next attack could come at any moment. "Over there," Rose suddenly said, pointing towards a cluster of tall bushes nearby. "We can hide behind those for now" Yuto nodded, grateful for Rose''s quick thinking. They dashed to the bushes, ducking behind them just as another arrow flew by, missing them by mere inches. Panting slightly, they crouched behind the bushes, their backs pressed against the rough bark of a tree, "Any idea who''s trying to shoot us?" he hissed, his voice low but urgent. "I''m not sure," Rose replied, her voice equally hushed. "I didn''t see anyone. But whoever it is, they''re a damn good shot" Yuto clenched his jaw, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to proceed. They were in a dangerous situation, trapped behind a few bushes, with an unknown assailant trying to take them down. <- System Quest -> [ Kill the Assassin ] Yuto glanced at Rose, seeing the mix of concern and determination on her face. She was willing to take on the danger with him, and he felt a surge of gratitude. "We have to find them," he said, his voice resolute. "We can''t just sit here and wait to be shot again" "But how?" Rose asked, her eyes darting around anxiously. "They have the advantage here, being able to watch us from a distance" "We need to draw them out," Yuto replied, his mind already working through possible strategies. "Is there a way we could make ourselves bait without being sitting ducks?" "My class is Archer, but it''s hard to pinpoint where they are" Yuto nodded, understanding the dilemma. Archer classes generally had ranged attacks, and knowing exactly where the enemy was was crucial He looked at Rose, contemplating their options. They needed a way to draw the assassin into the open, without putting themselves too much at risk. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he turned to Rose "What about a distraction?" he suggested. "If we create a noise or movement that draws their attention, maybe they''ll come out of hiding temporarily, thinking we''re vulnerable" "Milady, I can''t just leave you alone, I''m your maid!" "I know, I know," Yuto waved her concerns aside. "But we don''t have many choices here. If we want to draw the assassin out, we need to create a distraction that they can''t resist" He met Rose''s gaze, his eyes determined. "I''ll be okay. Trust me" Rose looked uncertain, clearly concerned for his safety, but she ultimately nodded, understanding the logic behind his plan "All right," she agreed, her voice firm. "But be careful. I don''t want anything happening to you" Yuto gave her a small, grateful smile. He appreciated her concern, but right now, they had a more pressing issue to deal with ["I''m thankful I asked Firestone for this!"] The suit of armor materialized around Yuto, encasing his body in a strong, protective layer, the problem was the fact that his stamina was almost at zero. Yuto gritted his teeth as he felt a wave of exhaustion crash over him. The system''s warning about his stamina being almost at zero rang in his mind like a blaring alarm. He could feel the weight of the armor on his body, draining him of what little stamina he had left. But he couldn''t afford to slow down now, not with an assassin lurking nearby. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. He could do this, "I''m going out there," he said firmly, his eyes fixed on the open field before them. "Stay here and cover me from a distance, okay?" Rose nodded, her expression determined, "I''ve got your back. Just be careful out there" Yuto gave her a nod, steeled his determination, and then, with a burst of energy, dashed out from behind the bushes, making himself a target. Volume 2 Chapter 6 A place outside of Reality Yuto gritted his teeth as he ran out into the open field, his legs protesting against his sudden burst of activity. But he pushed on, his mind focused on the task at hand. ["I hope this works..."] he thought to himself, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the assassin His heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert. He could feel the weight of the suit of armor and the tiredness in his bones, but he pushed it all aside, adrenaline fueling him forward. <- System Warning -> [ Low stamina, high chance of fainting ] ["I know damn it! Just let me stay awake for a few more seconds"] <- System Warning -> [ High Energy Burst detected ] Yuto raised his arms just as a light beam of an arrow struck him, causing him to scream in pain. He stumbled back, the pain of the arrow shot ripping through him. But he gritted his teeth, "Rose," he called out hoarsely, his voice strained. "I-I''m hit, but I saw where the shot came from. High in the trees, to the left!" ["THIS FUCKING HURTS!"] Although the armor had protected his arms from being blown up, his level, and stats were not high enough to ignore the pain simply Putting up an act of a defenseless and hurt princess only served to wound his pride even more, but was necessary to fool anyone observing him. ["Acting, I am acting, all for the mission, right?"] Rose''s eyes widened her expression with a mix of concern and determination. She quickly nocked an arrow and fired in the direction Yuto had indicated The silence that followed was tense, filled only by the sound of the arrow cutting through the air. Yuto waited, hoping that Rose''s shot had landed true After a moment, a distant cry echoed from the forest, followed by the sound of something falling from the treetops. Yuto''s heart leaped in his chest - it seemed like Rose''s shot had found its mark He let out a shaky breath, the adrenaline slowly starting to drain from his system. He could feel exhaustion creeping up on him, but he forced himself to stay focused "Is... is it over?" he croaked out, his words halting ["Huh, my head is spinning, did I overdo it?"] "Milady!" Yuto heard Rose''s concerned cry and turned his head, managing a weak smile as she rushed over to him. He leaned against a nearby tree for support, the pain in his chest making it hard to stay upright. "I''m... I''m okay," he tried to reassure her, but his voice was hoarse and lacking conviction [-System Reward-] +50 Defense +50 Stamina Yuto''s eyes widened slightly as the system''s voice echoed in his mind, listing his rewards. Despite the pain and exhaustion, a small sense of accomplishment washed over him. ["50 defense and stamina, not bad,"] he thought to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips Yuto looked up, his breathing slowly steadying. He could make out the figures of the guards running towards them, Claudia among them, "Is that Claudia?" "Yeah," he managed to say, his voice still weak. "Looks like reinforcements are here" As they drew closer, Yuto could see the concern etched on Claudia''s face. It was clear that she had heard about the attack and had come as fast as she could "Rosalind!" she called out, her voice filled with worry. "Are you alright? What happened?" Rose stepped forward, taking charge in Yuto''s weakened state. "Milady and I were ambushed," she explained, her voice tinged with a hint of anger. "Someone shot arrows at us from the trees. Milady got hit, but she pushed through and drew the assailant out" ["What are they talking about, I feel exhausted, or am I that badly injured that I cannot move my mouth?"] "MY SISTER WAS ALMOST KILLED AND YOU CALL-" Claudia was distressed as she rushed to Rosalind''s (Yuto''s) side. "I accept any punishment you desire," Rose got on the floor and bowed her head, she showed no sign of anger, just merely accepting her fate. Yuto leaned heavily on the tree, his mind a jumble of exhaustion and adrenaline. He could hear the voices of Claudia and Rose talking, but the words seemed garbled, almost like they were underwater. "ROSALIND DON''T PASS OUT, THE DOCTOR WILL BE HERE SOON" Claudia was holding Yuto close, her eyes not looking at him with the same hatred as this morning but with genuine concern over his health ["Everything feels so unreal . . ."] He felt a strange sense of detachment as if watching everything from a distance. The pain in his chest throbbed, and his legs trembled with the effort to stay upright. He tried to focus, to make sense of the conversation, but his mind refused to cooperate. ["W-what was I doing again?"] All his body wanted to do at the moment was sleep, to let himself sink into the comforting embrace of warmth. He felt a wave of warmth as he closed his eyes, it was a familiar feeling from 2 years ago when his father had knocked him out. Drifting through this sea of warmth seemed to have healed his wound as he no longer felt pain, he drifted for what felt like an eternity before feeling solid ground once again. -???- "Oh, it seems as if you finally made it here again?" "Who calls out to me?" Yuto''s eyes opened wide at the sound of his voice, "This is my voice, and these hands, I''m back in my body!" He got up quickly, checking to make sure it was real, before hearing a slight chuckle. "Here I thought that the boy I met two years ago would become a man in the way he acts, it seems I was wrong" Yuto stopped, his eyes staring at the beautiful woman who was sipping her tea and taking a bite of her cake, it was- "Ernaline. . ." Beautiful pink hair that reached her mid-back with mint-colored eyes, she wore a beautiful red dress that looked as if it was made with the finest silk. Her elf ears as well, although Yuto never met an elf in reality, he was curious to know how an elf could exist in this plane of existence for as long as she did He was back in this strange world that was supposedly unaffected by reality and dreams, a place of his creation that reflected how he was feeling in the real world. He walked up to the table and took his seat as she served him a cup of tea and a slice of cake, she smiled as he picked up his cup. "It seems that you learned some etiquette," She pointed at how he picked up the cup, along with how he ate his cake. Yuto chuckled, "My current situation is to blame for my sudden new etiquette" "Sounds like an interesting dilemma, I would love to hear more about it, sadly we know that''s not why you''re here" Yuto looked down at his cup, it''s been two years since they met, 2 long years that the questions he had only built up. In those 2 years, he had trained with his uncle, learning to preserve his aura and mana at a level that people would underestimate him. All of that seemed so pointless in front of her, as her eyes glowed ever so slightly, he knew not to waste time. "Online, you said that I would have 3 questions when we meet again, is that still valid?" She looked surprised and a bit amused, that was technically a question but because it was clear he wanted reassurance, she decided to let it slide as they hadn''t met in two years. "Correct," she took another sip, trying to cover the little smirk that had formed. "Do I just ask?" His eyes slowly lit up as he took a bite of the cake ["Wow this taste, even the royal palace top chef, cannot make something this delicious"] "Is that a question?" She put down her cup and took another slice of cake, still smirking at how dense he was being, asking pointless questions "No" She chuckled as she put down her cup, putting her hands together as she brought them up to hold her head, she looked him straight in the eyes. "So what are your three questions?" Yuto was nervous, he had been beating himself up on what to ask if felt as if she knew everything but also nothing at the same time. Confusion? Fear? Anger? He felt many emotions, but he knew what he wanted to ask, what he needed to know, and how important the information could be "The System, do you know anything about the system?" Ernaline blinked, clearly not expecting that question but it was quickly replaced with a confident smirk, "Is that your first question?" "Yes" She took another sip of her tea, "Without breaking the contract I''ve signed, the system was made for you to regain your lost abilities" Regain his lost abilities and what was this contract that she spoke of? He did hear from his future self that he would recall his lost power, and along with that would come his missing memories, Mizuki''s missing fragments also played a role in his lost memories. He took a sip of his tea, it was green tea which worked well to calm his nerves as he asked his second question. "My class, do you know why my class is the prince of darkness?" Ernaline clutched her chest, it seemed that she was in pain for trying to go against her contract, "All I can say is, you need to reclaim your birthright" As he thought, questions answered would only bring forth even more questions unanswered, it felt like an unwinnable game, each step he took only bringing him to a dead end. ["Everything is so damn confusing"] Now as for his last question, Yuto was curious about many things, who was responsible for his father''s death and why is his title the youngest demon prince. He also wanted to know, why did she call him her king?If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Why did she make such a painful expression when he was forced out of this world? But knowing Ernaline would only answer one more question, solidified this final question. "My title, why is my title the youngest demon prince, aren''t I human?" Ernaline stopped clutching her chest, it seems that the contract allowed her to answer this question. She poured herself more tea and enjoyed its sweet smell and taste. "Which question are you asking?" "Why is my title, the youngest demon prince?" She took a sip before taking a long deep sigh, "Prince of old and prince of new, the old will fall and the new will rise, a promised king would come to be, the world will once again be enveloped in the embrace of darkness and light" Yuto looked confused, not expecting such an answer, and it was in the form of a poem. "Uh, what?" "That is all I could answer for now, for that is all they allow me to answer, for I must not mess up events that have not come to pass" The world around them started to crack, the same as back then, he was being sent back to the real world, this time he stood up and walked to the same place he woke up "Already used to it, I see," Ernaline said with a soft chuckle as she too got up to see him off "It''s not our last meeting, I know we''ll meet again" She smiled as she held his hand, her thumb caressing the ring he wore, "You must have so many questions" "Of course, I knew this journey would be long and would only serve to leave me asking more" "You said the same thing before," her eyes once again looked as if she was going to cry, a warmth of nostalgia in those mint-colored eyes of hers "If you are ever to return to this small little place, I will answer 5 questions" Yuto smiled as he kissed her hand, "A promise it is" As he fell through the crack of reality, he could see her smile becoming brighter, "Till we meet again my King" He chuckled as he fell downwards, "We will meet again, I''ll make sure of it" Envelope once more by the sea of warmth before feeling soft cushy pillows and a toasted blanket -Morning- Yuto slowly stirred awake, blinking groggily against the morning light that filtered through his closed eyelids. His chest still ached, and the memories of the previous day''s attack flooded back to him. He shifted slightly, taking stock of his surroundings. The bed beneath him was comfortable, and the soft sounds of birds singing outside helped to anchor him in the present. "Ernaline, when will we meet again?" As he focused his thoughts, a nagging realization hit him - his suit of armor was nowhere to be seen. He struggled to recall what had happened after the attack, but his memory was hazy with exhaustion. "Ah, I''m just covered in bandages, it seems that the energy beam was more dangerous than I thought" Yuto carefully ran his hands over his body, feeling the rough texture of the bandages that wrapped his chest. It seemed like his injuries had been tended to while he was unconscious. "I''m back in this body, hah, I was comfortable being in my body even if it was for a few minutes," He attempted to sit up, wincing as a twinge of pain shot through his chest. "Kgh, it seems the injury is deeper than I thought" ["That''s what she said, hehe"] "Rosalind!" Claudia called out, she dropped the basket of bandages and potions, her hands covering her mouth. Yuto''s eyes flickered open, taking in Claudia''s stricken expression. He slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position, gritting his teeth against the pain in his chest. "Hey Claudia, it seems that I''m a bit hurt" Claudia''s eyes widened as she saw Yuto push himself up into a seated position, concern etched on her face. "Rosalind! You shouldn''t be moving so much, you need to rest!" "Since when did you care so much?" Although he did what the system asked for, he was surprised at how worried she became for Rosalind overnight Claudia rolled her eyes at Yuto''s comment, but her expression showed genuine concern, "You nearly got killed yesterday. Of course, I''m worried" "I don''t mean to cut you off but where is Rose?" Claudia''s expression softened at Yuto''s question. "She''s resting after tending to your wounds all night. She refused to leave your side until she was certain you were going to be okay" "Claudia, please don''t tell me you punished her, yesterday was just an unlucky night to be outside" Claudia stayed silent, it was unpleasant seeing Rosalind coughing up blood and leaning against the tree. Rose, her maid, should have done something to protect her. "Claudia?" Claudia averted her gaze, her lips pressed in a thin line. "I... I was upset," she confessed, her voice soft. "Rose was meant to keep you safe, and instead, you were the one who had to fight and get injured" "Rose shot the assassin, I did my part by drawing them out, she acted on my orders" Claudia''s frown deepened, clearly not entirely convinced by Yuto''s explanation. "She still could have prevented the situation from escalating in the first place," she pointed out. "Her job is to protect you, and she failed" "She is my maid, not a shield!" "Exactly!" Claudia retorted, her voice rising in frustration. "And as your maid, it''s her responsibility to ensure your safety and well-being. You shouldn''t have needlessly put yourself in danger like that!" "Claudia, where is Rose? Please do not tell me she was punished for following my orders" Claudia let out a weary sigh, sensing that Yuto was determined to see Rose. "She''s in the servants'' quarters resting," she finally relented. "But you shouldn''t be out of bed, especially this soon" "Thank you, and I must be honest I am surprised at your reaction to the situation" Claudia arched an eyebrow, curious about Yuto''s statement. "Surprised by what?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of suspicion. "My little sister being so worried about me, and even being angry on my behalf," he leaned in to pat her head. Claudia''s cheeks tinged with a hint of pink as Yuto patted her head, her annoyance at his actions momentarily forgotten. "Cut it out," she grumbled, swatting away his hand "Oh, and the everyday Claudia is back" Claudia rolled her eyes but couldn''t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Tch. You''re insufferable, you know that?" "I sure am" Claudia shook her head, a mixture of fondness and aggravation in her expression. "Do you have a switch that magically turns you from annoying to charming?" "I am Princess Rosalind, known to be an ice-cold beauty to many and cute and charming to others" Claudia snorted at Yuto''s statement, a hint of disbelief in her eyes. "Ice-cold beauty, huh? I can think of more accurate adjectives to describe you," she teased. He laid back down, "When Rose wakes up, please tell her to come visit me in my room" Claudia nodded, a hint of sympathy crossing her face. "Fine, I''ll tell her when she wakes up. But for now, you need to rest and recover, got it?" Claudia got up from her chair and was about to leave before pausing, her hand on the door handle, "Oh, and a very important guest is here to meet you" "What?" Yuto perked up, his curiosity piqued. "Who is it?" "Her name is Alice Elizabeth Marie, something like that, said it had something to do with your studies, Father rushed me out of the room before I could hear more" Yuto stayed quiet, Claudia nodded before leaving Yuto alone in the room, his mind racing with questions and a sense of dread. "System!" <- System -> [ Yes Master? ] "Why, just why, does that woman have the name of my friend who died two years ago?" "Answer me!" <- System -> [ What is the question? ] Yuto gritted his teeth, his patience wearing thin. "Why does this ''Alice'' person have the same name as my dead friend?" he repeated, his voice taking on an edge of irritation. <- System -> Alice Elizabeth Marie Race: Human Status: The assumed individual has already passed Childhood Friend Last seen two years ago, in the battle against the demon army in your hometown. Reported missing and was assumed dead as the body was never found "I know that already. What I want to know is why does she share her name? <- System -> [ I do not understand why you are so angry ] "Because Alice is dead!" Yuto snapped, his frustration and pain boiling to the surface. "To see someone else using her name feels wrong like they''re disrespecting her memory!" Yuto''s heart ached with the memory of his lost friend. Alice had been his closest companion, someone he had shared dreams and secrets with. To see someone else bearing her name felt like a mockery, a cruel reminder of what he had lost. <- System -> [ You seem more emotional than usual, what is causing such reactions? ] "Of course I''m emotional!" Yuto exclaimed, his voice cracking with a hint of vulnerability "Seeing someone else with her name brings back all the pain and loss I''ve been trying to keep bottled up inside. It''s like someone''s playing a sick game with my emotions" <- System -> [ Did you love her? ] Yuto paused, the question hitting him like a punch in the gut. He had never allowed himself to fully acknowledge the depth of his feelings for Alice. But love? It was a word he had always kept at a distance, avoiding the complexities it would bring. "I... I don''t know," he admitted finally, his voice soft and uncertain <- System -> [ I recall you telling Mizuki that you dodge Alice''s kiss, is that correct? ] Yuto''s cheeks flushed, the memory bringing a hint of embarrassment. "Yeah, I did," he confirmed, his voice laced with a hint of defensiveness. "But that doesn''t mean anything... right?" <- System -> [ I understand your anger, but this could also be a coincidence that there exists another that shares the same name ] Yuto slumped back against the pillows, a mixture of hope and skepticism swirling within him. "A coincidence, you say..." he mused, his voice quiet. "But the odds of that happening are ridiculously low" He couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in his gut. The name "Alice Elizabeth Marie" held too much significance for it to be a mere coincidence. Could it be possible that destiny or fate had played a cruel trick on him, presenting him with a living reminder of his lost friend? <- System -> [ Master, do you suspect that she didn''t die? ] Yuto''s eyes widened at the implication. The thought had crossed his mind, but he had dismissed it as wishful thinking. But now, with the System bringing it up, the possibility seems less far-fetched. "Is... is that even possible?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper <- System -> [ She was never confirmed dead, only missing ] Yuto''s heart skipped a beat. "You''re right," he murmured, the gears in his mind starting to turn. "There was never any definitive proof that she was killed. She was just... gone" <- System -> [ You seem down and not as energetic, as if you trying to ] "No, I''m sorry for snapping at you like that, I guess I just failed to control my emotions this time" Yuto tried to put up a fake smile, "You see, it''s fine nothing is wrong" <- System -> [ I do not mean to be rude Master, but your smile doesn''t seem to reach your ears as it usually does ] Yuto''s face seemed shocked, but he quickly regained some level of composer [ Passive: Cold Blooded is now Active ] His eyes showed no sign of any emotion but he laughed it off, "I guess I''m more tired than I originally thought, don''t worry about me" <- System -> [ Get some rest, Master, you must not overwork your mind in your current state ] Yuto nodded reluctantly, his mind swimming with questions and doubts. "Fine," he conceded, settling back into the pillows. "I''ll rest for now, but this isn''t over. I need answers" As if reality was going to be so kind, Yuto was jolted back to attention by the unexpected entrance of Firestone. He reflexively sat up, wincing as the motion pulled at his injured chest. "Firestone," he greeted his voice with a mix of surprise and irritation. "What is it now?" "Jeez what''s up with the attitude, lass, I came because they said you seemed dead" Yuto''s annoyance shifted into faint amusement at Firestone''s carefree attitude. "Well, I''m not dead," he retorted, his voice dry. "And why do you sound so disappointed about it?" "Haha, you damaged the armor I granted you of course I would be a bit annoyed, so what the hell hit you?" Yuto frowned, his mind going back to the attack. "An arrow" He remembered the searing pain of the arrow piercing his chest and the sudden drop in his health bar. It had been a direct hit, and if he hadn''t been for the armor''s defense, it would have been much worse "I doubt an arrow can do that much damage" Yuto shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flickering to the bandages wrapped around his chest. "It was an enchanted arrow. It penetrated through my armor like it was paper" Firestone rubs his chin, "Well, the bad news is that it will take at least 3 days to repair it" Yuto''s expression darkened. "Three days?" he repeated, his voice laced with frustration. "I can''t afford to wait that long" "I have things to do, places to be," Yuto continued, his mind racing with thoughts of his mission and the enemies he had to face. "Three days in bed, resting is a luxury I can''t afford" Firestone pointed, "Lass, you look as if a single feather might kill you" Yuto''s annoyance flared, but he knew deep down that Firestone was right. His body was bruised and battered, his chest bound tightly in bandages. Even the effort to sit up left him breathless. Firestone let out a chuckle as he started walking out, "Come see me when you heal" With Firestone''s departure, the room fell silent, leaving Yuto alone with his thoughts. He fidgeted restlessly, the prospect of three days of enforced rest wearing on his patience. "Rosalind, love it''s me!" ["Fuck it''s Wanless!"] Yuto let out a curse as Wanless barged into the room. He quickly sat up, his expression a mix of surprise and irritation. "Oh my dear, what happened!" Yuto''s annoyance faded slightly at Wanless'' concerned tone. He gave a dismissive wave with his hand. "Just a minor inconvenience," he muttered, downplaying the extent of his injuries Wanless rushed over, casually holding Yuto''s hand. He observed Wanless''s fretful expression with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. "Wanless, I''m fine," he assured, his voice gruff. "Just a few scrapes and bruises, nothing to worry about" Wanless''s grip on his hand tightened, his eyes roaming over Yuto''s bandaged chest. "This looks more than a few scrapes," he chided, his voice filled with worry. Yuto sighed, knowing that Wanless wouldn''t be easily pacified. "Alright, it''s a bit more than just a few scrapes, but I''ll be fine," he conceded. "It''ll just take a few days to heal, that''s all" "B-but" Yuto''s irritation flared at Wanless''s persistent worry. He gently pulled his hand free from Wanless''s grip. "But what?" he snapped, his patience wearing thin "You can stop fretting like a mother hen," he continued his tone stern. "I''ve been through worse. This is nothing" "Rosalind, what do you mean you''ve been through worse?" ["I forgot this was the princess''s body"] Yuto cursed inwardly at his slip-up. He had been so focused on dealing with Wanless that he had momentarily forgotten his disguise. He forced himself to compose himself, his expression hardening into an irritable scowl. "You don''t know half of what I''ve experienced," he mumbled, attempting to cover up his mistake. "I''ve had many injuries like this before. I''ll heal and be back on my feet in no time" It took a bit of convincing and lots of back-and-forth arguments that Wanless agreed to leave, on the condition that Rosalind would have a cup of tea with him once he recovers. As Wanless left, Yuto''s scowl softened into a weary sigh. He sank back into the pillows, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on his chest. It seemed like everyone around him was treating him like porcelain, fragile and breakable. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the ache in his chest and the nagging thoughts in his head. "Three days," he murmured to himself. "Three days in bed and everyone will lose their minds" "Sigh, I miss Mizuki and Scarlett" Volume 2 Chapter 7 Vampire Daughter "Man, I miss them, wonder how Scarlett is holding up, Mizuki is probably taking care of her" <- System -> [ Who is Scarlett? ] "Oh, I never did tell you about her, well she is my adopted daughter, so of course she wouldn''t be registered in the system" <- System -> [ What is her full name? I would like to register her in my system ] "Scarlett Bathory, a vampire, although she''s older than me, in her race, she would be considered to be a child" <- System -> [ How old is she? ] "1,000 if I recall" [-System-] That''s quite old, even for a Vampire, correct? "Yeah, that''s what makes her an Elder vampire by our standards, it''s a funny story about how I met her, my uncle once had me and Mizuki explore a dungeon" "We didn''t know it was an abandoned dungeon, so no monsters were located and because we were bored out of our minds we decided to just walk for what felt like forever before reaching the end" <- System -> [ And what did you find at the end? ] "A big ass door, honestly they exaggerated with all the diamonds attached to the door" ["Not that I was complaining, I made a killing selling them"] <- System -> [ And you just opened it? ] "Yeah, and in the middle was Scarlett, just sitting motionless, it seems that she was under a memory wipe spell as she didn''t remember how she got there or her name" <- System -> So she was essentially a blank slate then? "Essentially, I picked her up, and while walking back out she attacked us," Yuto let out a soft chuckle looking fondly at the memory. "Good times, excellent times" <- System -> [ I assume you defeated her? ] "Nah I just let her bite my arm, I had to stop Mizuki as she was about to blow up the entire dungeon" <- System -> [ And did your blood calm her down? ] "Yeah, her eyes became filled with life, and she stopped and looked around clearly confused at what she was doing, she didn''t have a name so I just gave her one" <- System -> [ Why did you choose the name Scarlett? ] "Dunno, it was just at the top of my head, she liked it so it stuck, guess it has some connection to her past" <- System -> [ I see. And this memory wipe spell, was it ever broken? So that she could recall her memories? ] "Nope, still looking into that, all she knew was the amount of time she spent down there, my uncle wasn''t too keen on me adopting her" <- System -> [ Well she is a vampire and he was probably concerned about how this would affect your training ] "He''s always been a little paranoid," Yuto sighed, rubbing his chin. "He kept going on about how she was dangerous and unpredictable" <- System -> [ What about Mizuki, what were her thoughts? ] Yuto chuckled, a fondness creeping into his voice. "Mizuki was surprisingly all for it. She saw Scarlett''s vulnerability and wanted to help her" "She had faith that we could help Scarlett find her place in the world, despite her... vampiric tendencies" <- System -> [ Still becoming a father at 19, I wonder how Cynthia would react to becoming an aunt at 18 ] Yuto snorted softly, "Yeah, not exactly your typical parent at 19, I am going to be 20 in 2 months so it''s not so bad. But I wasn''t about to abandon a kid in need, just because of my age" <- System -> [ How generous of you ] Yuto chuckled wryly. "Yeah, I like to think I have a rather benevolent heart" He then winced as a sudden sharp pain shot through his chest, reminding him of his current predicament. "Haha, she laughed if she saw all this blood, I wouldn''t hear the end of it" "She''d probably be laughing her head off at the sight of me laid up in bed" "Mizuki would probably be fussing over me, making sure I take it easy," he added, his tone softening at the thought of his partner. "She worries too much sometimes," he mused, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "I swear, she treats me like a fragile glass ornament, afraid I''ll break at any moment" "But I guess I can''t complain," he admitted. "I know it''s all out of concern and care for me. It''s just her way of showing love" He sighed, the smile fading as he reflected on his current predicament. "Still, laying in this bed, stuck in recovery for three days... it''s going to drive me insane" <- System -> [ What type of magic does your daughter use? If you feel bored we can talk about your family ] Yuto paused for a moment, contemplating the question, "Scarlett is a bit of a mystery when it comes to magic," he admitted. "She possesses the natural abilities of her race, like transformation and mind control, but she also seems to demonstrate some more unusual powers. I''ve seen her use ice magic with incredible precision, and she can even manipulate shadows to a certain extent" <- System -> [ Does she use blood magic like you? ] Yuto nodded, "Yeah, she can use blood magic like me. She''s quite proficient with it. It comes naturally to vampires, I suppose" "But she''s still young, and her control over her magic can be quite unpredictable at times," he added, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "Whenever she''s upset or angered, her powers tend to manifest without her being able to fully control them. That''s one of the reasons we''ve been working on her emotional control" <- System -> [ Young you say, right . . . ] Yuto chuckled softly, a slight hint of pride in his voice. "Well, young by vampire standards," he clarified. "She''s only a thousand years old, practically a baby compared to some of the elders" "But age doesn''t always equate to wisdom," he added wryly. "Scarlett can be impulsive and reckless, especially when her emotions get the better of her. She''s still got a lot to learn and a lot of growing up to do" <- System -> [ You talk like an old man ] Yuto chuckled at the remark, his expression turning amused, "Old man, huh?" he mused. "Sometimes I do feel like an old man, especially when I''m dealing with Scarlett and her antics. She''s constantly making me worry and gray my hair" "But I guess that comes with the territory of being a parent," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Even if she''s a thousand years old, she still needs guidance and care. It''s my job to be there for her, to help her navigate the world and make sure she stays out of trouble" "And in the meantime," he joked, "I''ll do my best to avoid going prematurely gray from all the worry she puts me through" <- System -> [ You should probably get some rest now, I can tell your eyelids are about to shut close from the amount of stress and pain you are under ] Yuto gave a weary chuckle, acknowledging the truth of that statement. "You''re probably right," he conceded. "These damn painkillers are starting to take their toll. I can feel myself getting drowsy" He shifted slightly in the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. "I just hope I can keep my sanity during these three days of bed rest," he muttered, his voice growing slurred with exhaustion. "Three days of staring at the ceiling... I might start counting the cracks in the ceiling at this rate," he joked weakly, his eyelids drooping, Yuto''s breathing slowed and deepened as he surrendered to sleep, the pain of his injuries momentarily forgotten as he slipped into unconsciousness. His rest is marked by uneasy dreams and occasional twitches of pain. The bandages wrapping his chest restricted his movement, making it uncomfortable to find a restful position, it was a very unpleasant experience, and before he knew it nighttime rolled in. -Night- Yuto''s eyes flicked open, the faint light of the moon seeping through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. He groaned softly as he shifted in the bed, the movement causing a sharp pain to shoot across his wounded chest. He glanced around the dimly lit space, his mind hazy with sleep. The room was silent, apart from the occasional soft rustle of his sheets and his strained breathing, he was about to go back to sleep when he heard a few knocks on his door. Knock knock Yuto frowned as someone knocked on the door, irritation and fatigue seeping into his voice as he answered. "Who is it?" "Milady, it''s Rose, I came at your request" Yuto''s irritation eased slightly as he recognized Rose''s voice. He grunted in acknowledgment, "Come in" The door creaked open, revealing Rose standing in the doorway, a tray of assorted drinks in her hands. She gave a polite courtesy before stepping into the room, her shoes softly thumping against the floorboards. "Pardon my late entry, her Highness Claudia told me to come when no one else was around" Yuto nodded in understanding, gesturing for Rose to approach. "No worries," he said, his voice still rough with sleep. "Just shut the door behind you" As Rose closed the door behind her, Yuto shifted slightly in the bed, attempting to sit up a bit more. The movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his chest, causing him to wince involuntarily. "Careful, Milady," Rose cautioned, moving closer to the bedside. She placed the tray of drinks on a nearby nightstand before gently helping Yuto sit up against the pillows. "Appreciate it," Yuto mumbled, wincing again as he settled into a more upright position. He eyed the tray of drinks, the various liquids reflecting the soft moonlight. "What''s all that for?" he asked, gesturing towards the drinks with a weary sigh. "A few tonics and herbal remedies," Rose explained, her voice soft and nurturing. "Her Highness Claudia instructed me to bring you some, to help with the pain and aid in recovery" "Ah," Yuto responded, his irritation ebbing as he remembered Claudia''s offer to send someone to help with his treatment. "Right, Claudia mentioned something about that" Rose from the time she came in and the time she took to put down the tray, has not once looked him in the eye, "First, I would like to apologize for not being able to do more during the assassination attempt on your life" Yuto waved off her apology with a dismissive gesture, his expression weary. "It''s not your fault," he said firmly. "No need to blame yourself for what happened. I''m alive, that''s what matters" "B-but it is, Milady it''s my duty to make sure nothing like that even comes close to happening" Yuto shook his head, his voice gentler than before. "Rose, you can''t be everywhere at once," he said, trying to reassure her. "You can''t prevent every threat from coming my way, no matter how hard you try. It''s not your fault, understand?" ["I mean she was there but it''s not like she would be able to feel bloodlust not directed at her"] He reached out to place a hand on her arm, the touch meant to be comforting. "I don''t blame you for what happened, and you shouldn''t blame yourself either. We just need to focus on moving forward" "Besides, you''re here now, helping me recover," he continued, his gaze meeting hers. "That counts for something, doesn''t it?" "M-milady," Rose covered her mouth as she silently sobbed. Yuto''s expression softened further as he witnessed Rose''s emotion. "Hey, hey," he murmured, his tone gentle. "Don''t cry, please" He reached out his other hand, gently guiding her closer to the bed. "It''s alright," he reassured her, his voice a comforting murmur. "There''s no need to be so hard on yourself" ["M-my arm is in so much pain, control expression, control them!"] He placed his hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair in a gesture meant to soothe her. "You''re doing your best, and that''s all anyone can ask. Okay?" "Take a deep breath," Yuto instructed, his hand still on her head. "Inhale... and exhale. Just focus on your breathing, it''ll help calm you down" As he spoke, his touch gradually slowed, his hand gently petting her hair in reassurance. "There you go," he murmured as her sobs began to subside. "Just breathe, nice and slow. You''re alright" "And remember," he added, his voice firmer now. "I don''t want to hear any more apologies or guilt from you, understand? You have nothing to be sorry for" His hand continued to move through her hair, offering silent comfort. "You''re not at fault here," he repeated, his tone gentle but firm. "So please, stop beating yourself up over it" Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator."Y-yes Milady" Yuto smiled faintly at her response. "Good," he said, giving her hair a final gentle pat. "Now, how about we focus on what we can do now, instead of dwelling on the past, hmm?" "R-ruby. . ." "Huh?" "Please call me by my middle name, Ruby" Yuto''s expression softened even more, taken aback by her request. "Ruby, huh?" he echoed softly. "Alright, Ruby it is, then" There was a moment of silence between them before Yuto shifted slightly, his gaze dropping to the tray of drinks. "Now, about these tonics and remedies," he began, changing the subject. "Which one should I start with?" He glanced back at Ruby, raising an eyebrow in question. "And do I even want to know what''s in them?" he joked half-heartedly, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Ruby''s smile came back, "I just bought what I thought was necessary" Yuto chuckled softly, amused by her response. "Right, the necessary remedies," he echoed, eyeing the array of drinks skeptically. "Well, I suppose we''ll see how ''necessary'' they are once I start downing these things" He carefully reached out, picking up the first cup on the tray. "Here goes nothing," he muttered before taking a small sip. The liquid tasted bitter and earthy, and he grimaced slightly as it hit his tongue. "Ugh," he grumbled, making a face at the taste. "This isn''t too bad, I suppose. But not something I''d want to drink for fun" Ruby smiled as she picked up the next cup, "Allow me" Yuto raised an eyebrow at her request but didn''t protest. "By all means," he said, gesturing for her to proceed. He watched as Ruby lifted the second cup to his lips, bringing it gently against his mouth. He parted his lips slightly, allowing her to tilt the cup, letting the liquid slide inside. The taste was even worse than the first, bitter and astringent. Yuto tried not to cringe as he swallowed, the foul taste lingering on his tongue. "Gods, this one is worse than the first," he muttered, making another face. "Are you sure these are supposed to help me heal?" "On Her Highness Claudia, she requested the best medicine that would cure you in one night" Yuto''s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and disbelief on his face. "One night?" he repeated, his tone incredulous. "That''s... incredibly fast. I can''t imagine any medicine being that effective" "You know what they say, the nasty tasting medicine often has the best effects" "Yeah, yeah," Yuto grumbled, his expression skeptical. "I''ve heard that saying before, but it doesn''t make the medicine any more pleasant to swallow" He glanced at the remaining cups on the tray, his expression resigned. "How many more of these potions do I have to endure?" "Just one more, it''s not so bad, you just have to push through it for one more potion" Yuto sighed, resigning himself to the bitter fate. "Alright, alright," he said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "One more, then. Let''s get it over with" Ruby nodded, lifting the third cup and bringing it to his lips once more. Yuto opened his mouth obediently, letting her pour the liquid inside. It tasted even worse than the last two, a sharp, metallic tang that made him want to gag. He swallowed with difficulty, grimacing at the taste. ["I''m a princess now so I can have whoever made this shit get executed right?"] "Gods, if this is supposed to heal me, it better work its magic quickly," he muttered, his voice a bit strained. "I don''t think my taste buds can handle any more of this" He leaned back against the pillows, trying to wash away the bitter taste. "So, tell me," he began, his voice a weary sigh, "what exactly is in these potions? Any magic ingredients that''ll turn me into a frog or something?" "They are supposed to help deal with the pain and any other effects from the arrow so that the royal doctor can come in and help tomorrow" Yuto chuckled weakly at her explanation. "Ah, so no frog transformation then," he joked, his tone slightly sarcastic. "I''m both relieved and disappointed, not gonna lie" He shifted slightly, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his chest. "But I suppose I should be grateful for the temporary pain relief since I''m not fond of lying here in agony" He let out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes. "I''ll give these tonics a chance to work," he murmured, his voice growing weary. "Though if they don''t work their magic by morning, I might just have to curse those ''best medicines'' to oblivion" They both looked at each other before letting out small chuckles, Ruby noticed how late it was getting and decided it was time to leave to let Yuto get some rest. Ruby helped Yuto lay more comfortably in bed, fluffing up the pillows and pulling out the softest blankets, Yuto grunted his thanks, his body slowly sinking into the plush pillows and blankets. The pain was beginning to subside a bit, the effects of the potions finally taking hold. He let out a low sigh, his muscles relaxing as the worst of the pain receded. "Goodnight, Milady" Yuto managed a small, weary smile, his eyes drifting shut. "Goodnight, Ruby," he murmured "And thank you, for everything" He sank deeper into the pillows, the fatigue of the day finally catching up to him. The pain had dulled to a tolerable ache, thanks to the tonics, and he let out a long exhale, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. As the minutes ticked by, he gradually fell into a light sleep, the potions taking full effect and allowing his body to rest and heal. The room was silent, save for the soft sounds of his shallow breathing and the occasional creak of the bed. -Morning- The morning sun streamed through a crack in the curtains, its golden rays casting a warm glow across the room. Yuto slowly awoke to the light, his eyelids fluttering open as he blinked away the remnants of sleep. <- System -> [ How do you feel Master? ] Yuto groaned softly, his voice a gravelly rasp from sleep. "Not great," he muttered, his eyes still heavy with weariness. "Everything still aches, and I feel like I was hit by a truck" <- System -> [ You seemed to have had a great night with Ruby last night ] Yuto''s eyes snapped open, his exhaustion quickly forgotten as he registered the system''s words. "What?! What are you talking about?" he demanded, his voice a mixture of confusion and bewilderment. <- System -> [ I mean the laughter, the smiles, you seemed to be in such a good mood ] Yuto blinked as he recollected the events of the night before, the memories slowly resurfacing. Indeed, he had shared a light moment with Ruby, a rare respite from the pain and the grim reality of his situation. He shook his head, a weary smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, I suppose I did have a good time," he admitted, his voice soft. "Thanks to Ruby. She knows how to make even the most dire situation a little lighter" <- System -> [ You got up rather quickly, why is your face red? ] Yuto''s face instantly flushed as the system''s question registered in his mind. He cursed silently, realizing his cheeks had grown inexplicably warm. He had been so lost in thought he hadn''t even noticed his physical reaction. <- System -> [ Well, it seems as if the potions worked, seeing as how fast you managed to get up ] Yuto cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, I suppose they did," he mumbled, his voice still tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "The pain is a lot more bearable now. And I slept pretty well, all things considered" Knock knock Yuto''s head snapped up at the sound of the knock on the door, his gaze fixed on the door. "Who is it?" he called out, his voice still groggy from sleep. "The Royal Doctor, your Highness" "Come in," Yuto responded, beckoning the doctor inside. He sat up a bit more in the bed, wincing slightly as the movement aggravated his injury. The door opened, and the royal doctor stepped inside, a leather bag clutched in one hand. He was an older man with a stern expression, his eyes immediately fixed on Yuto''s bandaged chest. "Good morning, Your Highness," the doctor greeted Yuto, his voice brisk and professional. "I trust you''ve had a good night''s rest?" "As good as I can get, considering," Yuto replied dryly, gesturing to his bandaged chest. "But the pain is a lot more tolerable now, thanks to some tonics I was given last night" The doctor grunted in acknowledgment, his expression still business-like. "Ah, I see," he said, moving closer to the bed. "May I?" he asked, gesturing towards Yuto''s chest. Yuto nodded, bracing himself for the inevitable pain as the doctor slowly began to unwrap his bandages. The doctor''s hands moved with practiced precision, each touch gentle yet firm as he revealed the injured flesh beneath. "May I ask what exactly made this wound?" Yuto winced as the doctor continued to remove the bandages, the pain of his injury fresh on his mind. "Assassin," he replied shortly, his voice a low hiss as the doctor probed his chest gently. "Ah, I see well close your eyes and turn your back to me" Yuto raised an eyebrow at the doctor''s instructions but heeded them obediently. He closed his eyes and turned his back to the doctor, curiosity mixing with apprehension in his stomach. [ Healing Magic - Tier 5 ] As the doctor laid his hands on Yuto''s back, a soft, glowing light emanated from his palms. Yuto could feel a gentle warmth spreading through his body, beginning at the point where the doctor''s hands were pressed against his skin. The warmth continued to spread, seeping deep into his muscles and bones, and Yuto could feel a tingling sensation where the magic was at work, healing the damage and knitting the torn flesh back together. The healing magic was subtle but powerful. The pain from his injury slowly faded, replaced by a sense of warmth and relief. Yuto could feel the tension in his body easing as the doctor''s magic did its work, repairing the damage in his chest and mending his wounded flesh. As the doctor continued to work, the healing magic grew stronger, its bright glow intensifying. Yuto could feel the damaged tissue in his chest repairing itself, the muscles and skin reknitting and reforming beneath the doctor''s hands. Eventually, the doctor''s hands lifted, the glowing light from his palm slowly fading. Yuto opened his eyes, turning back around to face the doctor, a look of relief on his face. He could feel his chest, the pain gone, the injury almost completely healed. "All done, your Highness, I shall take my leave now, oh and take these 2 times a day, every lunch and dinner, in case you experience any form of pain" Yuto nodded his thanks, accepting the offered pills from the doctor. "Thank you, doctor," he said, his voice a mixture of gratitude and relief. "I appreciate your help. And don''t worry, I''ll make sure to take these twice a day, like clockwork" The doctor bowed slightly, his expression still serious but with a hint of satisfaction. "It''s my pleasure, Your Highness. I advise that you rest for a few days to allow your body to fully recover. Avoid any strenuous activity or anything that could potentially damage the healing tissue" "Right, no vigorous activity for a while," Yuto agreed, suppressing a sigh of frustration. Being bed-bound and unable to train or engage in any physical exertion was not something he relished, especially considering his situation. He bowed before leaving the room, Yuto pushed himself up from the bed, a touch of determination on his face as he sought to regain some sense of normalcy. He took a moment to gather his bearings, careful not to put undue strain on the healing wound in his chest. Once he was confident he wouldn''t collapse in a heap of pain, he limped his way over to his wardrobe, opening the doors and perusing the contents. He rifled through the various shirts, tunics, and trousers, searching for something that would be comfortable and easy to put on. His eyes landed on a plain, loose-fitting shirt, well-worn yet still in good condition. He pulled it out, draping it over his arm as he made his way back to the bed. He sat down gingerly, taking a moment to catch his breath before slipping his arms into the shirt. The fabric was soft against his skin, a stark contrast to the rough bandages that had covered his chest moments earlier. Once the shirt was on, he took a deep breath, noting how it strained gently against his injured chest, but not unbearably so, after getting dressed he made his way back into the bed. Yuto carefully lowered himself back onto the bed, wincing slightly as the movement strained his injured chest. Once he had settled into a comfortable position, he reached under the bed, his fingers feeling for the hidden cavity where he kept his stash. With a touch of triumph, he found what he was looking for, a bottle of wine, its smooth surface cool to the touch. He lifted it from its hiding place, examining the label briefly. ["Finally get to enjoy this!"] Knock knock Yuto started at the sudden sound, almost dropping the bottle of wine. He glanced in the direction of the door, raising an eyebrow at the unexpected intrusion. "Who is it?" he called out, his voice a touch hoarse from sleep. He placed the bottle of wine on the bedside table, sitting up a bit straighter in bed. "Alice Elizabeth Marie, I am here to meet your ''Highness'', for our session" Volume 2 Chapter 8 An Old Friend Yuto''s eyes widened, and his breath became ragged. Sweat started to fall from his head and his heart felt as if it was about to stop at any moment. <- System Warning -> [ Heartbeat is becoming unstable ] The system''s warning blared in his ears, and Yuto could feel his heart slamming against his chest, its rhythmic beat growing erratic and frenzied. He clutched at his chest, feeling the rapid, wild pulse beneath his fingertips, "What...?" he gasped, his voice a strangled sound The room seemed to spin around him, and he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he forced himself to take deep, steadying breaths in an attempt to regulate his breathing and slow his rapidly beating heart. "Alice?" No, it couldn''t be her, but why just why? Does she sound the same, her tone or voice playing on cheerful but calm, sorrow, and happiness The world seemed to tilt and twist around him, the familiar voice piercing through the haze of shock and confusion. His heart hammered in his chest as he tried to respond, but his voice lodged in his throat, trapped by a mix of conflicting emotions. "Why?" he managed to croak out, his voice barely above a whisper [ Passive: Cold-Blooded is now active ] Yuto''s heart felt as though it would burst from his chest, the erratic beats growing more frenzied by the minute. But suddenly, a wave of cold calm washed over him. He could feel his heart rate slowly returning to normal, the wild pounding calming down to a steady rhythm. As his mind regained its focus, he realized the effects of his passive skill, "Cold-Blooded" The world around him stabilized, and the dizzy sensation faded. His sweaty palms dried, and his breaths grew deep and measured. He clutched at his chest, feeling the steady, rhythmic thump of his heart beneath his hand, now returned to a calmer pace. With his heart rate under control, he took a moment to compose himself. He knew the effect of "Cold-Blooded" allowed him to maintain a cold, logical state of mind even in the most stressful or emotional situations. Yet, even with its help, the mere mention of her name had thrown him off balance. "Come in" There was a brief silence before the door creaked open, and a figure appeared in the doorway. The silhouette was unmistakably Alice''s, her slender form framed by the light spilling in from the hallway. Yuto''s breath caught in his throat, his heart skipping at the sight of her. She was as lovely as ever, her hair cascading down her shoulders in soft waves, her eyes holding a familiar sparkle. It took a moment for him to find his voice, his mind still reeling from the shock of her unexpected presence. Without a doubt, it was Alice, his Alice, the friend who disappeared two years ago, but if she was alive why didn''t she visit him? He struggled to find the right words, his emotions a tangled mess. He wanted to jump up and embrace her, to assure himself she was truly real. Yet, a cold, logical part of his mind insisted on keeping his distance, maintaining the icy grip of his passive skill. ["I am currently Princess Rosalind, not Yuto Akimitsu, I must not let my emotions control me"] Even as his heart ached to reach out to her, he forced himself to maintain his composure. He sat up a bit straighter in bed, his expression carefully neutral. "Alice, I wasn''t expecting to see you," he said, his voice carefully controlled. "Well, I heard you suffered quite the injury, Your Highness, I can''t let my benefactor be in such pain alone" "I appreciate your concern, Alice, but I''m just fine," he replied, his tone just a hint softer than usual. "Well I brought the wine you requested, jeez if the people knew that you preferred wine instead of green tea" Yuto''s eyes couldn''t help but flick to the bottle in her hands, and for a moment, he was tempted to ask for a glass. But he quickly dismissed the thought. "Ah, right," he said, returning his gaze to her face. "Thank you, you can just put it down on the bedside table" As Alice placed the bottle on the bedside table, Yuto couldn''t help but notice the gleam of admiration in her eyes as she looked at it. A small, amused smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You seem to be taken with my taste in wine," he noted, his voice carrying a hint of playful derision. "I only like to try the very best, nothing less," Alice replied, a hint of a smile on her lips. She stepped back from the bedside table, her gaze roaming over Yuto''s form, taking in the sight of him still dressed in his open shirt, the bandage wrapped around his chest visible. "Despite being in pain you are acting different your Highness" Yuto raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Different, how so?" he asked, carefully schooling his expression "Your tone reminds me of an old friend" Yuto''s heart skipped a beat, but he did his best to maintain a cool exterior. An old friend? Could she be referring to who he thought she was? "Is that so?" he replied, his voice carefully neutral. "And who would this old friend be?" The corners of Alice''s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Oh, just someone I knew a long time ago. Your mannerisms, the way you speak, it''s all very familiar," she said, her tone nonchalant, yet there was a hint of something more behind her words. Yuto''s heart felt as if it was lodged in his throat. Her words, the familiarity she detected in him, confirmed what he had begun to suspect. But he wasn''t about to give himself away just yet. He took a deep breath, maintaining his cool demeanor. "Is that right?" he said, a touch of casual indifference in his voice. "Yes, it is," Alice confirmed, her gaze unwavering. She stepped closer to the bed, her eyes fixed on Yuto''s face. "You remind me so much of him, so much so, if I didn''t know any better, I would say¡­" Her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging in the air. Yuto''s heart pounded in his chest, a mix of excitement and fear welling inside him. He stared back at her, his gaze unwavering, waiting for her to finish her thought. Alice''s face wore a contemplative expression, her eyes studying Yuto''s features carefully. "If I didn''t know any better," she repeated, her voice growing softer, more intimate, "I would say you were him" "Distasteful, to compare me to a mere peasant," Yuto said to derail the conversation. ["Even if I have to come off as cold, I can not even for a second let her suspect my identity"] Yuto''s voice was colder than usual, and his expression was carefully schooled into a disapproving frown. "How could one even compare a royal princess to a lowly peasant?" Alice flinched slightly at Yuto''s cold tone, her expression faltering for a brief moment. It was clear his harsh words had stung, but she quickly rallied, her composure regaining. "Right, of course," she replied, a hint of disappointment coloring her voice. "My apologies, Your Highness, I never meant to undermine your status in any way" Yuto felt a pang of guilt at the hurt in her eyes, but he couldn''t let his feelings waver. He had to keep up the facade and maintain his royal image. "See that it doesn''t happen again," he said sternly, his voice brooking no argument. Alice nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor as she seemed to shrink back a little. The joyful spark in her eyes had been dampened, replaced by a slight hint of hurt and vulnerability. An unpleasant knot formed in Yuto''s stomach at the sight, but he forced himself to continue the charade. "Your Highness, no is around, correct?" Yuto glanced around the room, confirming that they were indeed alone. He could hear no other voices or sounds coming from the hall outside his door. "Yes, we''re alone," he confirmed, turning his gaze back to Alice, his expression still cold and aloof. "Well then, for our plan to work, do you have the 4th Tier mages ready?" Yuto blinked, momentarily taken aback. This topic shift was unexpected, yet intriguing. ["Wait what, what is she talking about, what were she and Rosalind talking about?"] "Miss Marie, please remind me of this little plan of ours?" ["Please tell me, I have no idea what you''re talking about"] Alice gave him a sideways look, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Don''t tell me you''ve forgotten," she said, her voice laced with a hint of irritation Yuto swallowed, his heart quickening its pace. He searched his mind, trying to recall any mention of a plan involving mages. Yet, his memory came up blank ["That was the original Rosalind, not me. How the hell will I know?"] "Do not raise your voice at me!" Alice flinched at his sharp tone, her eyes widening in surprise. She hadn''t expected such a harsh response. "I...My apologies, Your Highness, I didn''t mean to raise my voice," she said hastily, her voice soft and submissive. Yuto silently cursed himself internally. He hadn''t meant to speak so harshly, but his frustration was getting the better of him. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. ["Come on, Yuto, control yourself! She thinks you are Rosalind, don''t make her suspicious"] "No, no, it''s alright," he said, his voice a touch softer than before. "Just...refresh my memory, what was the plan again?" Alice looked at him in uncertainty for a moment, her eyes still a little wide from the previous outburst. However, seeing his softer tone, she seemed to relax a little "The plan, Your Highness," she said, her voice steadier this time, "involves deploying our 4th Tier mages in the upcoming offensive against the Demon King''s army" Yuto almost spit out the wine he was drinking, his eyes practically bulging out of his eyes. ["What? Why would Alice involve herself in something so dangerous, wait a minute . . ."] "Does this have something to do with your hometown?" Alice flinched again at his words, her eyes widening in surprise. It was as if she hadn''t expected Yuto to make that connection. "Yes, Your Highness," she admitted, her voice quiet, "it does" ["Alice . . ."] "Is it about the boy you were talking about earlier?" Alice''s eyes flicked to the side, her expression becoming guarded. She was trying to hide her true feelings, but Yuto could see the hint of a reaction there.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. "Yes, it is," she said quietly, her voice holding a hint of pain Yuto''s heart ached at the sight of her expression. He could only guess at the pain she was feeling just from talking about it, but he couldn''t exactly comfort her as himself ["Dammit! I want to comfort her so badly, but I can''t!"] He wanted desperately to ask more, to demand she tell him the whole story, but he knew that doing so would rouse suspicion. Instead, he steeled himself, forcing his voice to remain detached "I see," he said, his tone casual. "And what exactly is your connection to this boy?" Alice looked at him for a moment, her eyes a little wary. She seemed to be struggling with something, debating whether to speak or not. Then, she took a deep breath. "He...he was someone special to me," she said quietly, her voice wavering slightly. "Someone I cared about...very deeply" Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotion. Yuto could feel the weight of her pain, even through the barrier of his cold facade. His heart ached with the need to comfort her, to tell her that everything would be okay. But he forced himself to remain silent, his expression carefully neutral. ["Wow, she talks as if I died or something"] "So what happened?" Alice let out a shaky breath, her eyes glazing over slightly as she recalled the memory. "There was a demonic raid on our village," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I managed to escape, but I never saw him, I knew he was busy, but his family''s cabin was destroyed" ["I wasn''t there, well I did forget to tell her I was leaving but I wasn''t dead"] "What did you do afterward?" "I...I left the village," she said, her voice growing a bit firmer as she tried to fight back the wave of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. "I couldn''t bear to stay there anymore, not without him. So I left, to find something...anything that might make me feel useful, worthy" ["Alice, I . . ."] "I spent years wandering, training, trying to become stronger," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I wanted to be able to protect those who couldn''t protect themselves, to make sure no one else had to experience the same pain I did" "Did you ever check back on your village? As far as I know, that village was saved" A flicker of surprise crossed Alice''s face, her eyes widening slightly, "You...you know about that?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe. ["Do I tell her? Will she even believe something so outrageous?"] Yuto was at a crossroads. He could feel the truth bubbling up in his throat, but he knew he couldn''t risk revealing himself, not yet. He struggled to keep his expression cool, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts "Yes," he found himself saying, "I''m aware of it." His mind raced, trying to figure out how much to reveal, how much he could get away with without blowing his cover Alice''s eyes widened further, a mix of disbelief and wonder in her gaze. "You...you know what happened after I left?" she asked, her voice a mix of hope and desperation "His name, what was his name?" "His...his name..." Alice''s voice trailed off, a wave of memories flowing into her mind, her face turning even more vulnerable as those memories played out in her mind. After a few moments, she managed to compose herself enough to speak again. "His name..." Her voice was quieter now, more intimate, "His name was Yuto. Yuto Akimitsu" ["I feel shitty doing this"] "He''s alive, Miss Marie. I do background checks on those close to me. Of course, I know about the boy you care about" For a moment, confusion and disbelief washed over Alice''s face. Then, her eyes widened as the words sank in. "Y...he''s alive?" she breathed, her voice barely audible. "You''re sure?" Yuto saw the hope and relief shining in her eyes, and it tugged at his heart. He longed to tell her everything, to assure her that he was fine, that he was sorry for not telling her he was leaving. But he forced himself to remain in character, his voice steady, his expression controlled. "Yes," he confirmed, his voice maintaining its chill, "I have solid intelligence that he is alive and well. And he hasn''t forgotten about you either" The words were out before he could stop himself. It was a risky move, a hint that he knew more than Rosalind ever could, but he couldn''t help it. The truth was burning inside him. "And, he regrets his past action of not telling you this" For a second, Alice saw Yuto overlapping Rosalind''s image, "That he loves you as well" Alice''s mind was working overtime, struggling to process this sudden revelation. Her breathing hitched, her eyes darted from Yuto''s eyes to his face, searching "He...he loves me," she repeated, the words slipping out in a breathless whisper, "H-how do you know that?" ["Well fuck I thought it was going to be one of those I won''t ask but I accept kind of situation"] "Anyone could tell from the way you describe him" Alice was floored, her emotions at war with one another. She desperately wanted it to be true, yet her mind was still grappling with disbelief, with the possibility that it could all be a cruel joke. Yet, even as the thoughts spun in her head, her heart was already beginning to hope, to yearn for those words to be true. "I...I can hardly believe it," she croaked, her voice thick with emotion Yuto struggled to maintain his composure. It was killing him to see her like this, to know the truth but not be able to act on it. He wanted to take her in his arms and assure her that it was all true, that he loved her with all his heart. But he held himself back, his expression still cold, his voice controlled ["Man, I should buy Mizuki a gift when I see her again"] Yuto swallowed back the urge to laugh bitterly at his situation. He could imagine how baffled Mizuki would be when he finally told her everything. But that was a worry for another day. For now, he had to focus on the situation at hand. On Alice She was still standing there, her face a mixture of shock, hope, and uncertainty. Her eyes were searching his face, looking for any sign of deception, any hint of falsehood. After what seemed like an eternity, she spoke, her voice tremulous "If...if he is alive," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "If he still cares about me...then why didn''t he come back? Why has he never tried to find me?" [". . ., because I thought you died because I needed to be strong for my mother and sister, to fill the void my father left"] But he knew deep down, he was just making excuses Why didn''t he try harder? Why did he give up after only three days? "Maybe because he thought you left him, that you passed away" Alice was silent for a moment, her eyes still searching Yuto''s face, as if she was trying to discern the truth from his expression. Then, she looked down, her eyes fixed on the floor "But...even then," she said quietly, "wouldn''t he have tried to find me? To confirm whether I was alive or not?" ["I know, I know I should have tried harder"] Yuto''s heart clenched painfully. He knew now, just how badly he had failed her. He had given up. He had assumed the worst and not bothered to check He had left her alone, believing she was dead, when she was still alive and waiting for him. He was the reason she had suffered all these years. As the realization sunk in, Yuto felt a deep, aching sense of guilt. He had been so focused on his own pain, on his own loss, that he had failed to consider how his disappearance might have affected her. He wanted nothing more than to apologize, to tell her how sorry he was for putting her through all this. But he couldn''t, not without revealing his true identity. He watched silently as Alice continued to stare at the ground, her expression a mixture of pain, disappointment, and...longing. It was hard to tell exactly with the way she was looking down. But Yuto could feel the unspoken emotions in the air, could sense the depth of her yearning, her loneliness. "Alice, it''s. . ." ["Do I even have any right to confess? Mizuki accepted me, and she supported me. Am I being selfish?"] As the words hung in the air, Yuto found himself grappling with his thoughts. In truth, he was being selfish, incredibly so. He had no right to confess to Alice when he already had Mizuki waiting for him. And yet, the depth of his feelings for Alice, the pain and guilt he felt for abandoning her, made it impossible for him to stay silent. "It''s..." he started, his voice faltering. ["I know Mizuki said it was okay for me to have more partners, but it feels wrong"] "Is something wrong, your Highness?" "Alice, it''s me" Alice''s head snapped up at his words, eyes that had seemed dull and resigned mere moments ago now wide and filled with shock, and . . hope? "Excuse me, your Highness?" "I... You..." Alice''s voice trailed off, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief. She took a step closer to Yuto, her eyes roving over his face as if looking for a sign, any hint that he was messing with her. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but I am possessing the princess body to learn about the truth behind my father''s death" Alice stared at him for a few more moments, an array of emotions flickering across her face as she processed his words. It was clear she was struggling to come to terms with the idea, her eyes still searching his face for any hint of deception. "You...you expect me to believe that?" she said, her voice wavering slightly. Yuto let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. He knew it was a difficult pill to swallow, even for her. "I know it''s a lot to ask, but please believe me," he said, his voice earnest. "I swear I''m telling the truth" Alice''s face flickered with indecision, her eyes still wide and filled with doubt. She was silent for a few moments, her mind grappling with the revelation. Then, she spoke again, her voice hesitant. "P-please do not lie to me, do not make a mockery of my past" "Remember when we went swimming, and a cat-based monster appeared" Alice''s eyes widened momentarily as the memory flashed through her mind, the memory playing out slowly. After a moment of surprise, her expression turned contemplative, as if she was trying to connect the dots "You screamed for help, and I picked up a stick to protect you, we were both afraid, but I held my ground as you hid behind me, lucky enough, my father came to save us in time" Alice''s face softened as Yuto continued speaking, the memory playing out vividly in both their minds "You told me afterward how I looked cool and stupid at the same time, a foolish action but brave as well" A small smile tugged at the corners of Alice''s mouth. Even now, she could recall that moment with surprising clarity "You said, Yuto, you are stupid and reckless, but thank you" She remembered those words, the mixture of annoyance and gratitude plain even then. His foolishness hadn''t been the issue, but rather the risk he had taken, putting himself in danger for her sake. It had been both endearing and irritating Alice looked up, her eyes locking with Yuto''s. The memories hung in the air, a tangible presence between them. She was silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of the past, the truth of what he had said. After a few heartbeats, she spoke again, her voice a little shaky "I..." Her voice cracked, emotions choking her. "Is it really you?" "There could only be one of me" Her breath hitched, her eyes shimmering. She was caught in a whirlwind of emotion, hope warring with disbelief, relief battling fear. The idea that her long-lost love had suddenly returned, in such an unlikely fashion, was almost too much to bear "But...how? How is this possible?" she managed to croak out, her hands clenching at her sides. "I can explain when I get back to my original body," They had both forgotten that Yuto possessed the Princess''s body, and an awkward silence filled the air. Alice was still trying to wrap her head around the situation. The idea that Yuto was right there, in the Princess'' body...It was bizarre, impossible to accept easily. However, the memories he had just shared...They were too specific, too visceral, for this to be some elaborate lie. "I''m sorry, these past two years must have been lonely" Alice''s eyes widened a little, and she winced as if a particularly painful memory had resurfaced. The raw honesty of his words struck a nerve and she was quiet for a moment. Then, with a deep sigh, she spoke "Yes. It has been lonely." She looked down, the truth of the statement weighing on her. "I have had a lot of time to...think" Yuto could hear the undertone of sadness in her voice, the hint of isolation and longing that hung between the words. He knew he was partly responsible, his disappearance leaving a gap that couldn''t easily be filled. The guilt gnawed at him mercilessly "Can I ask you something?" Alice asked suddenly, her voice soft, hesitant "Of course" "Did you...ever think about me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. It was a crucial question, one that gnawed at her, leaving her vulnerable. She didn''t want to know the answer, but she needed to Yuto looked shocked before putting down his head, "My father died battling the demon generals, afterwards my mother and sister were dealing with grief, they needed a pillar of support, someone they could rely on" As Yuto explained, Alice''s eyes widened in understanding. The weight of his words, the sheer magnitude of the loss he had suffered, and the burden he had taken on, filled the air between them. Her heart ached for him, for his mother and sister, for the life he had been forced to lead. "I... I didn''t know," she murmured, her voice soft and laced with empathetic pain. "I thought, I thought that they killed you as I searched for three days, but no traces of you were found" Alice''s heart clenched at his words. They confirmed her fears, her belief that he hadn''t tried hard enough to find her. It hurt, but she understood, to some extent, the circumstances that had pushed him away. "My father''s funeral, as you know, was held by the king as my father was the kingdom''s Swordmaster. After that, my mother and sister left with my aunt and dad''s disciple to learn advanced magic" "I and my ego sword became the disciples of my uncle, the Sword Saint, for the past two years, only focused on getting stronger, I know now that it''s just me making excuses and I''m sorry, Alice, I should have tried harder, I should have looked for any signs that you were still alive, I''m sorry" Alice''s heart wrenched as she heard the sincerity in Yuto''s voice. His words, full of remorse and regret, confirmed what she had always believed, that he hadn''t tried hard enough to find her. But there was also a part of her that realized that he had been dealing with his turmoil and had been struggling to cope with the loss of his father. "I...I understand," Her heart was a maelstrom of emotions. Anger and hurt, understanding and sympathy. Part of her wanted to lash out, to make him feel the pain she had gone through. But another part, the part that still loved him, that still cared for him, understood his predicament. She took a deep breath, her eyes searching his face, "I don''t know if I can forgive you just yet," she said quietly, her voice choked. Yuto was at a loss for words, his heart clenching at her response. He had expected her to lash out, to yell and scream and accuse him of abandonment. But her response, filled with a strange mixture of pain and acceptance, had thrown him off-balance He wanted her forgiveness, needed her forgiveness. He wanted her to tell him that everything was okay, that she didn''t blame him. But he also understood her need for time to process everything, her feelings, and his actions. He waited, the silence hanging between them like a heavy curtain, waiting for her next words. Alice was caught in a tumult of emotions. The weight of Yuto''s words, the pain in his eyes, it all swirled within her, a maelstrom of mixed feelings. She wanted to forgive him, to simply push aside the pain and anger she had held so tightly. But she couldn''t, not just yet. "I...I need a little time," she managed, her voice quiet. "To process all of this" Volume 2 Chapter 9 The King Yuto nodded, understanding her need for time. He couldn''t rush her, couldn''t expect her to forgive him just like that. He had hurt her, had abandoned her, and that wasn''t something that could be easily forgotten. "I understand," he said, his voice soft, filled with both respect and longing. "Take all the time you need" There was a pause, a moment of shared silence as the reality of their situation sunk in. Then, Alice spoke, her voice quiet, but strong, "And...can I make a request?" "Anything" "Take care of yourself," she said, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice. "Physically and mentally. I don''t..." She paused, her eyes looking into his. "don''t want you to be hurt in any way, please" It was a plea, an expression of her worry and concern for him. No matter how hurt she felt, no matter how angry she was, her love for him hadn''t lessened. Yuto''s heart, which had been clenching at her earlier distance, softened at her words. Her concern was a balm to his hurting conscience, a reminder that, despite everything, she still cared. "I will," he promised, "I will" She gave a small forced smile before leaving him alone once more in his room. "And you can forget our plan, for now, I''ll find a different method, goodbye" As the door closed behind her, Yuto was left alone, his thoughts and emotions swirling within him. Guilt, regret, hope, and a multitude of other feelings, warred within him, leaving him in a state of intense turmoil. He lay down on his bed, his body feeling heavy and his mind refusing to rest. The day''s events had been overwhelming, but the hardest part now was the waiting. <- System -> [ Master Yuto ] As the System''s voice echoed in his head, Yuto perked up, his thoughts distracted momentarily from the weight of his emotions, "Yes?" he asked, his voice a little hoarse from all the tension. <- System -> [ It wasn''t your fault ] Yuto paused at the unexpected words of the System. They caught him off guard. He was deep in his guilt and remorse, blaming himself for everything that had happened. But the System''s words echoed in his mind, a strange comfort. "It... wasn''t my fault?" He repeated, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief "How can it not be my fault!" Yuto''s frustration spilled out in a burst of anger. The weight of his guilt was too much to bear, and the System''s words, as comforting as they were, seemed almost like an illusion. He clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the wall. "I abandoned her," he mumbled, his voice low. "I left her, alone and scared. How can it not be my fault?" <- System -> [ Master, it wasn''t your fault ] Yuto''s shoulders slumped, the anger draining out of him as the System''s words echoed again. He closed his eyes, his mind wrestling with the truth of the words. "Then...then who''s fault is it?" he asked, his voice quiet, filled with a mixture of confusion and hope. <- System -> [ Do not blame yourself for something you had no control over. It was an unfortunate event that you couldn''t prevent because you were a child ] Yuto''s heart clenches at the System''s words. It was true, he had been just a child, faced with a situation far beyond his control. But the guilt, the anguish of leaving Alice, was too ingrained, too deep within him to be easily dismissed. "But...I should have done more," he murmured, his voice filled with self-recrimination and regret. <- System -> [ Master, please do not blame yourself ] Yuto''s shoulders slumped even further, the weight of his remorse and guilt pressing down on him like a physical force. Despite the System''s words, he still felt responsible and still believed he should have done more. "But...but if I had...if I hadn''t left..." he trailed off, his voice choked with emotion. <- System -> You aren''t listening, Master, your hometown and the people''s deaths aren''t your fault, your father''s death wasn''t your fault, and Miss Alice being presumed dead, wasn''t your fault. Yuto flinched at the barrage of statements. Each word was like a blow, hitting him hard with the cold truth. He wanted to argue, to fight back, but the System''s words were irrefutable. His father''s death, the destruction, Alice''s presumed death... He had no control over them. He was powerless against the cruelty of fate. But admitting that, accepting that, was a bitter pill to swallow <- System -> [ You can cry, no one can judge you, no one should blame you, a child who closed himself off for the benefit and safety of others, you can let the tears flow, as they should have 2 years ago ] Yuto''s eyes stung at the System''s words, unexpected tears welling in his eyes. He had always tried to be strong, to hold it all in. But the System''s permission, oddly comforting, gave him a moment of weakness. It was like a dam breaking, a floodgate of emotions releasing. His shoulders shook as he began to cry, quiet sobs escaping him. The tears fell, hot and silent, as he gave into his emotions. The guilt, regret, and anger he had held within him for so long, all came pouring out. His chest felt tight, his breath ragged as he cried silently, the weight of his feelings crashing down on him. He was tired, tired of holding it all in, of being strong. For this moment, just this moment, he allowed himself to be weak, to let everything out. For 2 years, he cursed himself for feeling weak, for even feeling bad about himself, but why did it feel relieving to cry? As the tears continued to fall, a strange realization dawned on Yuto. He had despised himself for feeling weak, for even daring to feel bad about his circumstances. But now, as he finally allowed himself to break down, it felt¡­ relaxing. The weight on his heart lessened as if each tear was washing away some of the guilt and self-hatred. For the first time in a long while, he felt lighter, freer. Despite the tears, despite the pain, he felt a sense of peace, a small moment of respite. The act of letting his emotions out, of crying and feeling weak, was liberating. It didn''t erase his guilt or his grief, but it was a step toward acceptance and healing. His sobs quieted, the waves of emotions slowly subsiding. He took a deep, shaky breath, wiping away the tears with the back of his hand, "Haha, it''s times like these, where I''m thankful for being in the princess''s body" <- System -> [ Are you feeling better? ] Yuto sniffed, the last of his tears drying on his face. The release of his emotions had indeed made him feel better, less weighed down. He chuckled lightly, his voice still a little hoarse. "Yeah, I guess I am," he admitted. "It feels...good, to let it out" He looked up at the ceiling, his eyes no longer filled with pain and despair. There was a new light in them, a hint of determination. The System''s words, the crying...it had given him a moment of clarity, a moment to reassess "System," he said, his voice more steady now, "Thank you" <- System -> [ There''s no need to thank me, I am your support ] Yuto smiled a little at the System''s response. The words were simple, but they meant a lot to him. The System had been an unexpected source of support, of comfort, especially when he had been at his lowest "I know," he acknowledged, "but I still want to thank you. Your words, your presence... it''s been invaluable to me" He leaned back against the headboard, his body weary but his mind a little clearer. The guilt and self-blame still lingered, but he felt like he could handle them better now. The conversation with the System, the catharsis of his tears, had been a much-needed break from the chaos inside his head. "System," he said, his voice a little hesitant, "Can I ask you something?" <- System -> [ Of course, Master, I am always here to listen. What is your question? ] Yuto took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the wall as he gathered his thoughts. The question he was about to ask was one he had been contemplating since the System''s confession. After a few moments, he spoke, his voice betraying his hesitance. "System...what are you? I mean, you''ve helped me so much, and guided me, but I have no idea what, or who you are. Can you...tell me?" <- System -> [ Error Error Error... The level is not high enough... Request denied ] Yuto''s curiosity increased at the System''s response. The error message, and the denial of the request due to his low level, all made him more determined to find out. "Hah," he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. "My level isn''t high enough for you to answer my question?" "Damn that Ernaline, it seems as if I need to level up, system forget my request" <- System -> [ Understood, Master, is there anything else I can assist you with? ] Yuto shook his head, his mind already occupied with thoughts of gaining levels. The System''s mysterious nature and its refusal to answer his question about itself had only served to stoke the fire of his curiosity. "No, System," he replied, his voice a little distracted. "Just...how much longer do I have in this body?" <- System -> [ 3 days ] Yuto let out a soft curse under his breath. Three days. Only three days left in the princess''s body. It was not a lot of time, but he knew he had to use it wisely. "Damn," he muttered, his mind already mapping out a training plan. "That''s not a lot of time at all," He had wasted too much time already, wallowing in guilt and self-pity. Now, he had to make every second count. "System," he began, his voice filled with purpose, "What was my main goal again?" <- System Quest -> [ Find who was responsible for your father''s death ] The remainder of his quest, of his ultimate goal, sent a fresh surge of determination through Yuto''s body. He sat up a little straighter, his eyes fixed on the far wall, "Right," he said, his voice a little hoarse, "Find who was responsible for Father''s death" It still felt like an insurmountable task, but with the System''s guidance and his new plan, he felt a little more hopeful. "Wait, you can answer this system, who was responsible for my father''s death?" <- System -> [ The one responsible for the death of your father is currently unknown ] [ I can only provide information as the quest progresses ] Yuto clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface. The unknown, the mystery surrounding his father''s death, annoyed and angered him. The System''s response only confirmed what he already knew, but that didn''t make it any less infuriating. "Damn, so the answer''s not yet in sight," he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation. "I hate waiting, but what choice do I have?" "At least guide me to the right direction of where I can find my answer" <- System -> [ You need to increase your level to receive information related to the quest ] Yuto chuckled and for the next two days without anyone noticing killed small demons and goblins. Having tea with Claudia, practicing archery with Ruby, avoiding Wanless, trying to reconnect with Alice, every single second was spent building up trust and raising his level On his third day, the king requested to have lunch with him. As Yuto walked towards the dining hall, his heart pounded in his chest. The unexpected invitation from the king to dine together had caught him off guard. Was it a test? Was it a way to assess him? He didn''t know, but he couldn''t afford to mess this up. He took a deep breath as he entered the room, his eyes immediately falling on the king sitting at the head of the table. He offered a slight bow before taking his seat. ["That''s odd, there are no guards present within 15 ft, I thought for sure at least 5 would be upfront"] The king''s steely gaze met his own, his expression unreadable. The silence between them was deafening, only interrupted by the clinking of cutlery and the sound of servants bustling around. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Finally, the king spoke, his voice low and gravelly. "I''ve noticed you''ve been out hunting recently" ["What? HOW DOES HE KNOW, I made sure that it was super secretive where I went"] "Father, did you have people following me?" The king chuckled at Yuto''s question, his eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement. "Of course, I have ears and eyes everywhere," he replied, taking a sip of his drink. "You think I wouldn''t notice when the princess suddenly decides to play hunter and killer?" ["Shit, shit shit shit shit shit, does he suspect I''m not his real daughter?"] Yuto''s heart raced in his chest as the king''s words sank in. Has he been found out? Was his cover blown? He gripped his cutlery tightly, his palms starting to sweat. He forced a calm expression, hoping the king couldn''t read the panic in his eyes. "I merely wanted to see what it''s like outside the palace," he lied, his voice a little higher than usual. "Is that so?" the king responded, his tone almost mocking. He leaned forward, his steely gaze fixed on Yuto. "And what exactly did you learn from your little trip to the wilderness?" <- System Warning -> [ SUBTLE BLOODLUST DETECTED ] [ MENTALITY IS HIGHER ] [ THOU HAS RESISTED THE FEAR FACTOR ] Yuto was taken aback by the sudden alarm from the System, but he quickly hid his surprise. He had sensed the king''s bloodlust, the subtle malice behind his gaze. He sat a little straighter, his mind on high alert but outwardly he remained calm, his expression a mask of indifference. The king arched an eyebrow, a sly smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You''re a strange one," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Most would be shaking in fear by now" He leaned back, his eyes taking over Yuto with a predatory gaze. "You, on the other hand, are oddly calm. Interesting...very interesting" "Now let me ask, who are you?" Yuto froze, his blood running cold at the king''s question. Was he about to be unmasked? Has the king finally seen through his facade? He feigned ignorance, his heart hammering in his chest. "Pardon?" he asked, forcing a tone of confusion into his voice. The king leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. "Don''t play coy with me," he practically growled. "I''ve suspected there was something off about you for a while now. Your behavior change, your sudden interest in hunting...it''s all too different from the princess I remember. So I''ll ask you again, who are you?" Yuto swallowed hard, his heart racing. He was cornered, the king''s suspicions too close to the truth for comfort. But he couldn''t crumble now. He had come too far, gone through too much to get caught now. "I...I don''t know what you''re talking about," he protested weakly. "I''m your daughter, Rosalind Akira. What reason would I have to hide my identity?" The king threw a sword at Yuto''s head, and he reacted before the sword came flying toward him. He lunged to the side, the blade narrowly missing him. His heart was in his throat, adrenaline coursing through his veins. ["Fast, I thought he was weak but that inhumane speed was like my uncle''s, this man''s class what is it?"] He landed roughly, a hiss of pain escaping him as he looked up at the king, who was now standing, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You''re far from being the princess I remember," the king hissed, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "That princess was timid, shy, and easily scared. You...you''re different. You''re fearless, strong, and can handle yourself. And I want to know why" ["I see, the problem was that I overacted, confident in my abilities without actually trying, but I will try harder if I make it out that is"] <- System Reward -> [ New Passive: Acting Genius is now active ] Yuto stood up, brushing off the dirt and ignoring the pain from his fall. He could feel the System''s warning, the new passive coming into effect. He had to stay calm and level-headed. He had to act convincingly. "Father, I..." he began, his voice shaking a little, "I assure you, I''m still your daughter. I''ve just...grown up a little, that''s all" The king scoffed, his face twisted in anger and disbelief. "Grown up? In a week, you''ve become a different person entirely. You expect me to believe that?" He stepped closer, closing the distance between them, his sword still drawn. "I''m tired of these games. Confess your true identity, now" Yuto''s mind raced. The king was growing angrier, more suspicious with each passing second. He had to tread carefully and find a way to convince him without revealing the truth. He took a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady his voice. "Father, I am your daughter," he repeated, adding a touch of desperation to his tone. "Please, believe me," Yuto began to cry, trying to wipe the tears. The king''s expression softened slightly as Yuto''s tears began to fall. He hadn''t expected the princess to start crying, but the sight of tears seemed to affect him. He lowered his sword a fraction, his voice losing some of its edge. "Stop that," he muttered, almost gently. "You know I can''t stand it when you cry" "Father, my father tried to kill me, throwing a sword at me, threatening me. How could you!" ["Remember, folks bull shitting is 90 percent truth and 10 percent lies. You just have to believe in your life"] The king flinched at Yuto''s words, a flicker of guilt and regret crossing his face. Yuto felt a pang of conscience at manipulating the king, using his guilt to his advantage, but he had to keep up the act. "I...I didn''t mean to scare you," the king said, his voice losing some of its edge. "But I had to be sure" ["Oh, it seems that the king has returned to his usual appearance, sly bastard this form is just a way to deceive his enemies, how terrifying"] Yuto continued to cry, allowing his tears to flow freely. The king''s guilt was showing, his anger fading. He was falling for Yuto''s performance. Yuto looked up at the king, his eyes wet and pleading. "I''m still your daughter, Father," he repeated, his voice cracking. "Please...please believe me" The king watched as Yuto cried, his heart seemingly softening further. He took a few steps closer, his eyes filled with remorse. "I...I''m sorry, Rosey, my sweet little Rosey," he murmured, his voice filled with regret. "I shouldn''t have doubted you. I just...I had to be sure" Yuto held back a smirk. The king had bought his act, hook, line, and sinker. With a few tears and a few words, he had managed to turn the king''s anger into guilt. ["Pathetic"] The king stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Yuto''s shoulders, and pulling him into a hug. "I''m sorry, sweetheart," he muttered again, his voice low and remorseful. "I shouldn''t have doubted you. I should''ve trusted my little princess" Yuto let out a shaky breath, letting himself lean into the king''s embrace. He acted as if he was a terrified little princess, all trembling and tears, while inwardly he felt a sense of victory. He had fooled the king, turning his suspicion into guilt with ease. ["Too easy"] The king held Yuto close, his hands running through her hair, trying to soothe her. "Don''t cry, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice tender. "I''m sorry. I just had to be sure you were my Rosey." Yuto continued to sniffle, burrowing deeper into the king''s arms. He took a deep, shaky breath, letting out a soft sob. "It...it hurt, Father," he said, his voice small and scared. "Your sword...it almost hit me. It scared me" The king tensed, his guilt heightened at Yuto''s words. He tightened his grip on her, pulling her closer to him, his chin resting on the top of her head. "I''m sorry, my sweet Rosey," he repeated, his voice filled with remorse. "I shouldn''t have thrown the sword. I was just...I was just frightened, that''s all" Yuto continued to cry, his act convincing enough to fool the king. "You frightened me, Father," he said, his voice shaky, trying to convey a sense of hurt. "I...I feel tired, may I go back to my room?" The king nodded, gently stroking Yuto''s hair. "Of course, sweetheart," he said, his voice filled with tenderness. "You go rest, I''ll come to check on you later. I promise I won''t let anything hurt you, my precious Rosey" Yuto pulled away from the king''s embrace, his face still wet from tears. He offered a shaky smile, trying to act like a fragile princess. "Thank you, Father," he said, his voice still a little shaky. "I''ll go rest now" The king watched as Yuto left the room, a guilty expression on his face. The princess''s tears had managed to turn his anger into concern, and he couldn''t help but feel bad for casting her doubt on her. He let out a sigh, his hand running through his hair. "Damn, I should''ve trusted her more," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "She''s still my daughter...my precious Rosey" A shadow-like figure dropped to the ground, kneeling before the king, "My king should I follow her some more?" "Nay, Casey, I just scared my little girl, there is no need to follow her since she proved to be my daughter, I guess she is growing up" "Just make sure she doesn''t get too hurt, have someone clean up this mess before Alyssa comes back" "As you wish," and as fast as he appeared he also disappeared. The king sighed as he took a seat, looking at an old family photo, "She is like you, Whitney, I guess I should prepare her gift soon" Meanwhile, in Rosalind''s Room Yuto closed the door behind him, the act dropping the moment he was alone. He let out a deep sigh, wiping away the remaining tears. He had managed to fool the king, turning his doubt into guilt and remorse. It had been easy, almost too easy. The king''s love for his daughter had made him gullible, easy to manipulate "But fuck that was insane, had it not been for the new passive I doubt I will be able to breath let alone move" With another sigh, he slumped onto the bed, his head spinning. Acting like a scared princess, crying on command, it had been exhausting. But it worked. The king no longer suspected him of anything. He allowed himself a small sense of victory, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. For now, at least, he was safe till the door creaked open and Yuto tensed, his heart skipping a beat. He sat up on the bed, ready to put on his act again, but to his relief, it wasn''t the king. It was Claudia, she entered the room, a frown on her face. She closed the door behind her, her eyes quickly taking in Yuto''s tear-streaked face. She walked over to the edge of the bed, her expression concerned. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle. Yuto took a deep breath, forcing a shaky smile onto his face. He tried to act as if he was still emotional from the encounter with the king, but he was struggling to keep up the act with Claudia. "I''m...I''m fine," he managed to say, his voice a little hoarse. "Just...just a little shaken" She reached out and took his hand, her grip firm but gentle. "You don''t have to put on a brave front, you know," she said, her voice soft. "Not with me, at least" Yuto''s heart ached, the genuine concern in Claudia''s voice nearly breaking his composure. He clung to her hand, finding comfort in the simplicity of her touch. His act slowly dropped, his shoulders slumping. He allowed himself to look at her, his expression tired and weary. After a while of small talk and making sure Yuto was okay, Claudia left. Once Claudia left, Yuto was left alone with his thoughts. He fell onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. The adrenaline from the confrontation with the king had faded, but the exhaustion remained. Acting like a princess, deceiving everyone around him, it was taking a toll on him. He let out a weary sigh, his eyes closing. He needed sleep, rest, and a break from the constant hiding and pretending. "Hah, alone again, exhausting this day has been" <- System Hidden Quest -> [ You have reached a certain level of trust with those around you ] [ You have unlocked the hidden condition, and you may peek at certain individuals'' memories ] Yuto''s eyes widened at the sudden notification, curiosity, and intrigue stirred within him. Is a hidden condition unlocked? "I can peek at someone''s memories?" <- System -> [ Will you accept going into Rosalind Akira''s memories? ] Volume 2 Chapter 10 Scars and Memories Yuto bit his lip, considering the question. ["Going into someone''s memories?"] He was curious, but he also felt a bit of trepidation. He had never done anything like this before After a slight pause, he nodded. "I accept" A wave of dizziness overcame him as the world around him shifted and blurred. He felt as if he was falling until everything went black. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a world of misty gray, memories swirling around him like wisps of smoke. It took a while for his eyes to get used to the fog, and he noticed a little girl with blonde hair, sitting on a chair, staring out to the abyss, her pale hair flowing down her back. She looked small and vulnerable, her gaze lost in the swirling mists around them. He approached her slowly, the mist parting around him as he moved. As he drew closer, he could pick up whispers, and snippets of her thoughts, he stopped a few feet away, watching her as her thoughts flickered through his mind. Fear Loneliness Curiosity Determination¡­ He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should disturb her. But his curiosity was too strong, and he took a step closer. As he drew nearer, the little girl seemed to sense his presence. She turned her head slowly, her violet eyes meeting his. They were surprisingly clear and sharp for someone so young. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice soft yet firm. "You''re not part of my memories" Yuto blinked, a little taken aback by the girl''s astute observation. He had been expecting her to ignore him, but she seemed very aware of his presence. He took another step forward, careful not to startle her. "I...I''m not a memory," he admitted, his voice a little hoarse. "I''m Yuto. Who are you?" "What''s a Yuto?" Yuto blinked again, a little surprised at the girl''s question. "I''m...a person," he said, trying to keep his explanation simple. "Like you, but different" "Different how?" Yuto paused, trying to come up with a way to explain himself. How could he put into words the fact that he wasn''t part of her memories, that he was real and she was...something else? "I''m outside your memories," he finally said, gesturing to the foggy surroundings. "This place, it''s...it''s a record of your memories" "You''re seeing your past, your memories," he continued, trying again to explain. "But I''m not a part of that. I''m...I''m real. I''m standing here, talking to you" The little girl tilted her head, her eyes scanning Yuto carefully. She seemed to understand his explanation, at least partially. Her mind was so sharp, it was surprising for someone her age. "If you''re outside my memories, why are you here?" she asked, her voice still soft but with a touch of curiosity. Yuto considered her question. ["Why am I here?"] He wasn''t sure himself. The System had given him access to her memories, but why? What was the purpose? He shrugged, trying to hide his confusion. "I''m just...looking around," he said, trying to sound casual. "Your memories...they''re interesting" The little girl watched him for a moment, her gaze unwavering. There was a depth to her eyes, an intelligence that seemed almost out of place for a child. "You''re not being honest," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "You didn''t come here just to look around" "You''re right, I have many questions, and I was hoping you could show me" The little girl tilted her head again, a sly smile playing on her lips. She seemed to be enjoying this, this little game of words. "What do you want to know?" she asked, her tone slightly mocking "Jeez, maybe Claudia was right about you," he covered his mouth, shocked that his thoughts came out, it seemed that lying was impossible. The little girl''s smile widened at that, the mention of Claudia sparking something in her mind. "Oh, you know Claudia?" she asked, her tone a little too innocent. "Yes, she''s your little sister, correct?" The little girl nodded her head, her gaze turning almost impish. "Oh, yes," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "My little sister, the perfect princess. Everyone adores her" ["What? Is this how she feels about Claudia? I can sense sarcasm as if she''s denying any love"] "Do you like your little sister?" The little girl let out a scoff, her eyes rolling. "Like her? Hardly," she said, her tone full of disdain. "She''s too perfect, too sweet. It''s almost sickening" "Rosalind, stop lying to yourself" The little girl''s expression faltered for a moment at Yuto''s words, her mask slipping, "I...I''m not lying," she protested, but her voice lacked the usual conviction. "I have a little sister too, and I adore her" The girl''s eyes widened at Yuto''s words, a flicker of something passing through her gaze. It looked a little like envy, but...not quite. "Oh, you adore her," she repeated, her tone teasing. "How sweet. Tell me, does she adore you back?" "She does. Even when she sent me through a tree during training, she cares about me as much as I care about her" Rosalind''s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Send you through a tree, hmm?" she repeated, sounding half-amused, half-irritated. "I bet you deserved it. And of course, she cares about you. You''re siblings. She has to" "Just as you care about Claudia, I know you love your little sister" Rosalind''s expression hardened at Yuto''s words, the mask of indifference slipping again. "I...I don''t love her," she protested, but her voice trembled slightly, betraying her. "She''s...she''s just a spoiled brat. That''s all" "Then, why are you crying?" Rosalind''s head snapped up, her eyes widening as she realized tears were running down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, her face becoming stoic again. "I''m...I''m not crying," she said, her voice wavering. "I...I just...it''s just...dust or something. In my eyes" "It hurts lying to yourself, I know" Rosalind''s expression darkened, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She glared at Yuto, her hands clenched into fists. "I''m not lying..." she whispered, her voice a choked whisper, "I don''t...I don''t care about Claudia. I...I don''t" Yuto walks over and pulls Rosalind into a hug, "A child is still a child, you remind me of my daughter" Rosalind stiffened at Yuto''s embrace, clearly unused to such a display of affection. But after a moment, she slowly relaxed, her body slumping against his Tears began to fall again, silently slipping down her cheeks. She didn''t make a sound, but her body trembled slightly. "Alyssa, your stepmother doesn''t treat you right, correct?" Rosalind let out a small sniffle, her fingers gripping tightly onto Yuto''s shirt. "No...no, she doesn''t..." she admitted, her voice hoarse. "She...she''s always so mean. She hates me. She hates that I exist" Yuto''s heart ached at the sadness in Rosalind''s voice. He could only imagine how hard it had been for her, growing up in such an unloving environment. He hugged her tighter, wishing he could shield her from all the pain and hurt. "I''m sorry," he whispered, his voice gentle. "You don''t deserve that. You deserve to be loved and cared for" ["That might explain her 10,000 mentality stat, as a child born into royalty, having to deal with her stepmother, not feeling any love, maybe she closed herself off"] "And your dad?" Rosalind''s body tensed slightly at the mention of her father. "My dad...he''s..." she trailed off, biting down on her lower lip. "He...he doesn''t care about me. He''s always too busy with his duties, with the kingdom. He''s always putting Claudia first, pampering her like a little princess" "I spoke to your father and you know what he said" Rosalind looked up at Yuto, her eyes wide. "You...you spoke to my father?" she whispered, her voice full of surprise and disbelief.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. She pulled back a little, looking at him in confusion. "What...what did he say?" "I''m sorry, my Rosey" Rosalind''s breath hitched at Yuto''s words, her eyes widening even more. Her fingers clutched at his shirt again, her body trembling. "He...he said that?" she whispered, her voice raw and choked with emotion. "He...he said he''s sorry?" "And your sister Claudia, she was worried about you, she came rushing in when she heard you were hurt" Rosalind''s expression changed again, her eyes widening in surprise. "Claudia...she was worried about me?" she repeated, her voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and hope. She looked up at Yuto, her eyes searching his face as if looking for any hint of a lie. "She said she was sorry for not trying to understand you" Rosalind''s lip trembled, her eyes filling with tears again. She sniffled, her voice a little shaky. "She...she said she was sorry?" she repeated as if the words couldn''t quite sink in. "But...but she''s never been sorry before. She''s always called me names and treated me like a brat" Yuto could see the confusion and pain etched on Rosalind''s face. She was struggling to reconcile her perception of her sister and the words Yuto was telling her. He gently pulled her closer, offering her comfort. "People can change," he whispered. "Maybe Claudia had a change of heart. Maybe she finally realized how you''ve been feeling" Rosalind was quiet for a while, her mind working through what Yuto was saying. Her fingers played with a loose thread on his shirt, a small sign of her unease. She spoke, her voice soft and a little hesitant. "And¡­and Claudia was worried about me?" she asked, looking up at him again. Yuto gave a big smile, "Yes, to the point she told off your stepmother for the bad treatment she gave you" ["I did hear from Ruby that Claudia went off on her mother for the treatment she gave Rosalind, still it is hard to believe"] Rosalind''s eyes widened even more, her mouth forming a small ''o''. She stared at Yuto for a moment before looking away, her fingers still fiddling with the loose thread. "S-she really did that...?" she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of shock and awe. Yuto couldn''t help but smile warmly. It seemed that Claudia''s actions had resonated deeply with Rosalind, causing her to view her sister in a completely new light. He placed a hand on top of her head, patting her hair gently. "Looks like your sister does care about you after all," he said, his voice soft. "Now, will you guide me through your memories, I need an excellent guide" Rosalind looked up at Yuto, her eyes finally dry of tears. She seemed different now, less wary and more open. "I...I can show you my memories," she said, nodding slowly. "I can guide you through them...if you want" Yuto smiled warmly at her, glad that she was opening up to him. "Thank you," he said, reaching out and taking her small hand in his. "Lead the way" Rosalind seemed shy and hesitant as she led Yuto through the vast, gray landscape of her memories. They walked in silence for a while, the mist swirling around them. Finally, they came to a stop in front of a door that seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was a normal-looking door, nothing out of the ordinary, but Rosalind regarded it with a mixture of longing and sadness. "Something wrong?" Rosalind pulled her hand away from Yuto''s and wrapped her arms around herself. "This...this is a memory I don''t want to revisit," she whispered, her voice shaky. She gestured at the door in front of them. "This is the day...the day my mother died¡­" "Whitney, the first queen, correct?" Rosalind nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "My mother...she was a wonderful person. Kind and loving. She...she didn''t deserve to die" ["Didn''t deserve to die? Was she assassinated?"] "What happened if you wish to view it or talk about it" Rosalind took a deep, shaky breath, seeming to steel herself. "It was a hunting accident," she whispered, her voice quivering. "My mother and father... They thought a hunting picnic would be nice. They were ambushed by a demon...a very powerful one. My mother...she was killed trying to protect my father¡­" The memory played out in front of them like a movie, each scene more vivid than the last. Yuto saw the happy family on their hunting trip, seemingly enjoying themselves and without a care in the world. He saw the chaos that erupted when they were ambushed by the demon, the fear and desperation on Rosalind''s parents'' faces as they tried to defend themselves. And then he saw the moment when Rosalind''s mother was struck down, shielding her husband with her own body. Rosalind watched the memory in silence, her body trembling slightly. There were no tears this time, but her face was pale and her eyes dull. She watched the aftermath of the attack, where her father held her mother''s lifeless body, his anguished sobs echoing through the forest. ["Shit, how do I comfort a child?"] "You know, I lost my father to demons as well" Rosalind slowly looked up at Yuto, her expression a mixture of surprise and sympathy. "You...you did?" she whispered, her voice soft. "Strongest, man in the kingdom died fighting against them, it''s hard, right? Losing a loved one to such a foul beast" Rosalind''s lips trembled as she nodded her head. "It''s...it''s unbelievably hard," she whispered, her voice quivering. "The pain, the emptiness...it feels like nothing will ever be right again¡­" "We can keep moving, this must be hard for you to see" Rosalind let out a shaky breath and nodded again, her eyes still dull. "Yes...let''s keep going," she murmured, her voice hollow. She led him away from the memory of her mother''s death, moving deeper into the swirling gray mist. They walked in silence for a while, Rosalind leading the way with a resigned stride. The memories around them seemed to blur together, each more bleak than the last. Finally, Rosalind stopped in front of another door, this one looking a bit older and more worn than the last. "What''s this door?" Rosalind''s expression darkened a little as she looked at the door. "This...this is a memory of my fourth birthday party," she said, her voice toneless. "Rosalind, what happened?" Rosalind took a shuddering breath, her hands curling into fists at her side. "It''s...it''s not a happy memory," she whispered, her voice strained. "It''s...it''s a memory of the worst day of my life¡­" Yuto patted her head, "We can skip this memory, it''s fine" Rosalind looked up at him, her eyes wide and surprised. She seemed to be taken aback by his kindness as if she wasn''t used to someone being so empathetic. "You...you would skip it?" she asked, her voice soft. "You wouldn''t make me show you?" "My daughter has a lot of things she wants to say but keeps a secret, I would never force her to tell me, and I won''t force you to show me something you want to keep private" Rosalind''s eyes widened further as if she couldn''t believe what Yuto was saying. Her body seemed to relax slightly, the tension in her shoulders loosening. "You...you''re different from everyone else, Yuto," she whispered, a hint of awe in her voice. "Most people would just force me to show them, to relieve my pain over and over again...but you won''t do that" Yuto smiled at her gently, his hand still on her head. "I believe in understanding and consent, Rosalind," he said quietly. "Forcing you to show me memories you don''t want to see would be wrong. I want to understand you, not control you" Rosalind looked up at him, her wide eyes brimming with gratitude. A small, tentative smile tugged at her lips, the edges of it wobbly but genuine. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice cracking a little with emotion. "I...I don''t know what to say...nobody''s ever cared about what I want before¡­" "You don''t need to say anything," he assured her, his voice kind. "So moving on, yes?" Rosalind nodded, a little more of the tension from earlier bleeding out of her, "Yes," she said, her voice still a bit shaky. "Let''s...let''s move on¡­" ["Something is unnerving about the door, I''m curious but I won''t pry further"] Yuto''s eyes lingered on the old, worn door, wondering what could be behind it. He was tempted to ask Rosalind about it, to satisfy his curiosity. But at the same time, he knew he had promised not to force her to show him memories she wasn''t comfortable with Reluctantly, he turned away from the door, focusing on following Rosalind through the sea of swirling memories. They walked on for a while, the gray mist shifting and swirling around them. Rosalind kept a relatively steady pace, her eyes on the ground as she led him through the ever-changing landscape. Rosalind stopped in front of another door. This one was larger than the last, looking a bit more foreboding, the expression on Rosalind''s face was grim as she stared at the door, her shoulders tense. She seemed almost reluctant to approach it as if it held painful memories within "This..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is the day I..." She trailed off, her gaze fixed on the door, her body going rigid Yuto looked at her, his heart clenching in his chest. He could tell she was struggling in front of that door. He could sense the fear and pain rolling off of her in waves. "I''ll open it, stay back" Rosalind gave a shaky nod, taking a step back. She hugged her arms around herself, her eyes still fixed on the looming door. Yuto approached the door, feeling the weight of its age and ominous presence. Without another thought, he pushed the door open, bracing himself for what he might see inside. As soon as Yuto opened the door, a wave of intense pain and sorrow washed over him. It was as if all the negative emotions that filled this memory were pouring into him, threatening to choke him. He felt breathless as if he was drowning in a sea of despair, ["It''s suffocating, I feel as if I''m dying"] The memory unfolding before him was filled with pain and anguish. There were screams, tears, and a sense of overwhelming loss. It seemed to be a memory of Rosalind''s most painful experience, the one that had left her with such deep scars. "Rosalind stay back" Rosalind, who was standing a few steps away, flinched at Yuto''s outcry. She knew exactly what he was feeling inside the memory, and it seemed to pain her deeply. Yuto didn''t even notice her reaction, his focus entirely on the memory. The pain and anguish he felt were so intense that he felt nauseous. He stumbled back a few steps, clutching at his chest as if the memory itself was stabbing him in the heart. "Argh fuck this hurts" Rosalind watched in horror as Yuto stumbled back, his face twisted in pain. She took a half step forward, as if wanting to reach out to him, but stopped herself, unsure if she should intervene or not. Yuto gasped, struggling to draw breath. The pain and despair in the memory were like physical weights, pressing down on him, threatening to crush him. He looked up, meeting Rosalind''s eyes, his own filled with a mixture of pain and pleading. "This memory," was the memory that haunted her, the one that had left her so broken and lonely "What is it, I can feel the emotions, but it''s not clear," he tried his best to stand, to leave this memory of pure agony. Rosalind hesitated for a moment, her hands fidgeting nervously. She took a deep, shaky breath, steeling herself. "That¡­that''s the memory of the day¡­the day¡­" She couldn''t seem to force the words out, her voice catching in her throat. Yuto could see the fear and pain etched on her face, the memory still so raw and traumatic for her. He took a step towards her, his eyes soft and full of understanding. He could see how difficult it was for her to talk about this memory, how much it still haunted her. He took a step towards her, his eyes soft and full of understanding. He could see how difficult it was for her to talk about this memory, how much it still haunted her. "Rosalind, you don''t have to say it," he said quietly, his voice gentle. "I can see how much it hurts you...you don''t have to relive it again" "B-but-" Yuto shook his head gently, cutting her off. "No buts," he said firmly but kindly. "You''ve been through enough. You don''t need to force yourself to show me something that hurts you this much" "We can close the door again" Rosalind looked at him, her eyes wide and filled with gratitude. A small sense of relief washed over her face as she nodded her head. "Yes...please," she whispered, her voice pleading. "Let''s...let''s close the door and move on" Yuto nodded, his heart aching for Rosalind''s pain. He backed away from the door, pulling it shut and effectively closing off the memory and the negative emotions that came with it. Yuto swayed a little as the overwhelming pain and despair from the memory faded away. As he regained his composure, he noticed the scars and bruises that had appeared on his body. It was as if the memory itself had inflicted these wounds upon him, the intensity of the pain leaving physical marks on his body. Rosalind looked at him in shock, her hands covering her mouth as she took in the sight of his injured body. "Y-Yuto..." she whispered, her voice shaking with worry. "What happened? Are you...are you okay? Those marks...they came from memory, didn''t they?" Yuto chuckled as he patted her head, "Child, it''s fine do not worry" Rosalind looked up at him, her eyes filled with concern and disbelief. Yuto''s voice was casual, almost nonchalant as if the scars and bruises on his body were nothing to worry about. The contrast between his carefree attitude and the seriousness of his injuries was jarring. "Y-you''re hurt," she protested, her voice still shaking. "You can''t just say ''don''t worry.'' Those scars...they look awful¡­" Yuto gave a soft laugh, wincing a little as the motion aggravated his wounds. "Don''t worry about me, Rosalind," he assured her, his voice still light. "These are just superficial wounds. They''ll heal soon enough" ["I hope, these scars are no joke they bloody hurt"] "So what''s the next memory?" Rosalind still looked apprehensive, her eyes lingering on the scrapes and cuts on Yuto''s skin. However, she knew arguing with him was futile. "Um, the next memory..." she said, still sounding uncertain. She looked around, scanning the gray landscape for the next door. "It''s..." She paused, her eyes widening slightly as she spotted a door in the distance. "It''s over there," she pointed, her voice shaky. Yuto followed her gaze and spotted the door she was pointing at. Even from where they were standing, he could feel a sense of foreboding emanate from it. The memory held within didn''t seem like a pleasant one. "Let''s get this over with," Yuto said, his tone more serious now. He winced slightly as he began walking towards the door. The wounds on his body ached and stung with each step, but he tried to hide his discomfort, not wanting to worry Rosalind further. Rosalind trailed after him, her steps slow and reluctant. It was clear she knew what kind of memory lay beyond that door, and she dreaded having to confront it again. As they approached the door, it loomed over them, its age and ominous presence making each step feel like a leaden weight. Yuto stopped in front of the door, reaching out to turn the handle. He paused for a moment, glancing at Rosalind, who stood a few steps back, her eyes fixed on the door. "Are you sure you want me to see this?" he asked quietly, his voice gentle but firm. "It seems like this memory is...not as friendly as the others" Rosalind hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering from the door to Yuto. Her face was pale, her hands clenching and unclenching nervously at her side. She took a deep breath, her body tensing as if preparing for the worst. "I...I''m sure," she whispered, her voice quivering. "I...I need you to see what happened" Yuto could feel the pain in her voice, the fear, and the resignation. She had decided to open up this memory to him, no matter how painful it was for her. With a nod, he turned the handle and pushed the door open, revealing the memory waiting within. As soon as Yuto opened the door, he was immediately transported to a memory. It was a room, plain and unadorned, with gray stone walls and a cold, hard floor. The only furniture was a small bed pushed up against the far wall. A young Rosalind, around nine years old, knelt on the floor before an older woman. From the resemblance, Yuto could immediately tell this was Rosalind''s stepmother, Alyssa. Alyssa towered over Rosalind, a menacing figure whose face was twisted in a sneer. Her eyes, hard and cold, were fixed on Rosalind, filled with malice and disdain. Rosalind knelt in front of her, her head bowed low, her body trembling. The fear was visible in her body language, the way she kept her head down and her shoulders hunched, as if trying to make herself as small as possible. Alyssa loomed over her, the air thrumming with tension. She reached out and grabbed Rosalind''s chin, forcing her to look up, her fingers digging painfully into her flesh. Rosalind flinched, a small whimper escaping her lips as she was forced to look up. Her eyes met Alyssa''s hard gaze, and Yuto could see the terror and helplessness in their depths. [¡°So this is why she has a 10,000 mentality stat"] Volume 2 Chapter 11 You Are Stronger -WARNING, A Heavy Topic Such As Abuse Is Mentioned- "Look at me," Alyssa said, her voice cold and harsh. "You''re a worthless child, you know that? Nothing but a burden to me and your father" Rosalind''s body trembled more, her eyes filling with tears. She didn''t dare look away from Alyssa, her chin still clutched in the older woman''s painful grip. But even so, she didn''t speak. She just knelt there, silently taking the abuse. Alyssa scowled, her grip tightening on Rosalind''s chin. "You''re such a weakling," she spat. "You never fight back, you never say anything. You just crawl around like a pathetic little mouse, waiting to be stomped on" The pain in Rosalind''s eyes was heartbreaking. She winced as Alyssa''s grip tightened, her body instinctively trying to pull back, but she held her firmly in place. Tears escaped her eyes, rolling down her cheeks silently. "Pathetic," Alyssa sneered, releasing Rosalind''s chin and instead grabbing a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back. "Why do you have to be so weak? Why can''t you be more like me? Strong and ambitious" Rosalind let out a cry of pain as her hair was pulled, her neck bending at an awkward angle. Her fear was palpable, so overwhelming that Yuto could almost feel it radiating off of her in waves. Alyssa leaned closer, her face inches from Rosalind''s, her grip on the girl''s hair still firm, holding her in place. "You''ll always be a failure," Alyssa hissed, her voice low and venomous. "A burden. An embarrassment. I wish you had died with your mother" The pain in Rosalind''s eyes seemed to deepen further, her body trembling even more violently now. She looked on the verge of breaking, but whether it was from the pain or the crushing weight of Alyssa''s words, Yuto couldn''t tell. "You''re weak," Alyssa spat again, releasing Rosalind''s hair and pushing her away. Rosalind fell back, landing hard on her backside, her lip quivering from the pain and humiliation. Alyssa''s lips curled into a cruel smile, watching Rosalind on the floor, her chest heaving and her face pale. "That''s where you belong, child," she said, her voice cold and cruel. "On the floor, beneath my feet" ["I can do anything, I hate this, I do not want to see this"] As soon as Alyssa was about to bring down her foot, Yuto felt the words he had been holding back, come out in full force. "GET AWAY FROM HER YOU FUCKING MONSTER!" Yuto''s voice echoed through the memory, the pain and anger in his voice obvious. Rosalind, still on the floor, flinched at the sudden outburst, her eyes going wide. Alyssa, for her part, spun around, her face filled with surprise and annoyance. "Who said that?" she demanded, her voice harsh and cold. ["I may be a passing thought, a spectator viewing this memory but I won''t stand and do nothing"] Yuto stood in the memory, his eyes fixed on Alyssa, the anger and protectiveness radiating off him. Despite being an onlooker in this memory, his voice had drawn Alyssa''s attention, and now she was staring at him, her eyes narrowed in confusion and disbelief. Alyssa''s eyes darted back and forth between Yuto and Rosalind, her expression shifting from surprise to annoyance. "Who are you?" she demanded again, her voice harsh. "How dare a mere commoner command me to stop?" Yuto didn''t back down, his gaze fixed on Alyssa. "I don''t care who you are or what you think you are," he said, his voice cold and firm. "I won''t stand here and watch as you abuse a defenseless child" Alyssa''s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing further. "Defenseless?" she sneered, her voice dripping with scorn. "This child is weak. Pathetic. She deserves to be put in her place. To be taught a lesson" Yuto clenched his fists, his body tensing. "Teaching a lesson is one thing," he said, his voice hardening. "But what you''re doing is abuse. You''re treating her like trash like she''s not even human. It''s disgusting" Alyssa''s expression hardened further, her eyes filled with malice. She took a step closer, her body language aggressive and hostile. "Who do you think you are, to judge me and my methods? I am Rosalind''s stepmother. I have the authority and right to discipline her as I see fit" "No, you are just a sick freak that thinks it''s okay to abuse a child, you fucking monster" Alyssa let out a chuckle, she looked at Rosalind and back at Yuto, and her chuckle became a burst of laughter, as her body shook violently. ["I-is it just me or is she getting bigger?"] Alyssa''s voice became more distorted, her body morphing into something unholy. "Bloody hell, you are a monster" Yuto''s eyes widened as Alyssa suddenly began to change, her form distorting and twisting into something not human. Her body grew larger, her limbs elongating and distorting, her fingers transforming into wicked claws. Her face contorted, her eyes glowing with an unholy light, and her mouth twisted into a monstrous grin, revealing razor-sharp fangs. The once-human woman was now transformed into a terrifying beast, standing tall above Yuto. Yuto took a step back, his heart thumping in his chest, his mind filled with the horror of what he was witnessing. Rosalind, still on the floor, let out a small squeak of fear, her eyes going wide. "Shit, ROSALIND GET OUT OF HERE!" Yuto grabbed the sword off the wall as a giant hand slammed him to the floor Rosalind, shaking with fear, stumbled to her feet, her eyes darting between Yuto and the monstrous beast that once was Alyssa. Yuto grunted as he hit the ground, the wind knocked out of him. He struggled to his feet, gripping the sword tightly in his hand. The sword glowed softly, its magic responding to his desperation. "Don''t touch her you fucking monster!" The beast let out a guttural roar, its voice deep and demonic. It seemed to be enraged further by Yuto''s words, its eyes narrowing with malice. It raised a ginormous hand, intending to strike Yuto again. But Yuto was faster. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the incoming blow. He swung the sword in a wide arc, the magic contained within the blade surging forth, and cutting a deep gash into the creature''s side. The beast roared in pain, its body shuddering. It turned on Yuto, its gaze filled with hatred. Its other hand came swinging down, attempting to smash Yuto into the floor. ["This is how she sees Alyssa. It''s terrifying!"] Yuto dodged the blow again, rolling to the side. He was quick on his feet, using the speed and agility provided to him by the system. He quickly retaliated with another slash at the beast''s side, the sword cutting another deep gash into its flesh. Yuto darted around the room, trying to find anything he could use to end the fight but then he saw that Rosalind was not moving, shaking in fear. Her legs had given out due to her fear of going against Alyssa. Yuto''s mind was torn, his concern for Rosalind clear. But he couldn''t afford to waste focus. The beast was closing in again, its rage growing with each cut inflicted He took a glance at Rosalind, his heart clenching at the sight of her fear. But he had no time to help her now. He had to keep the beast preoccupied, stall till he found a way to beat it. Yuto''s heart skipped a beat as the beast lunged forward, its massive hand descending towards Rosalind. "N-no get AWAY FROM HER!" He dropped his guard for a split second, lunging towards Rosalind, his mind screaming at him to get her out of there. His fingers just managed to grab a hold of her thin arm, yanking her away just as the beast''s hand crashed down where she had been mere moments before Yuto stumbled back, holding onto Rosalind. She was shaking like a leaf, her eyes wide with terror. It roared again, clearly frustrated at having missed its target. The whole room shook with the beast''s rage. "Rose, are you scared of that thing?" The fear in Rosalind''s eyes answered Yuto''s question more than words ever could. Her body trembled against his, her breaths coming out in short, panicked gasps. But there was a hint of determination in her face, a flicker that told him she was trying to be brave. "I used to be scared of those monsters too you know" Rosalind''s eyes flicked up to meet Yuto''s, surprise and disbelief etched on her face. The fear seemed to lessen a little, replaced by a hint of curiosity. He carefully placed her down as he pointed his sword at the beast, "You know Rosalind, I think you''re stronger than that thing" Rosalind''s eyes widened again, this time filled with confusion. She looked between Yuto and the monstrous beast, her young mind struggling to process Yuto''s words. "Stronger... than that?" she whispered, her voice quivering slightly. Yuto nodded, his eyes still fixed on the creature. "Stronger," he confirmed. "You''re strong, Rosalind. Deep down inside, you''re much stronger than you realize" Rosalind''s lips trembled, her eyes filling with unshed tears. The fear was still there, but it was mixed with a glimmer of hope now, a hint that perhaps what Yuto said was true. "And I''ll show you that the thing in front of us is nothing more than a pathetic excuse of a human, who has no control over who you are!" Yuto''s voice was firm, his determination clear. He raised the sword again, the blade held tight in his grip. The beast roared once more, sensing Yuto''s confidence and preparing to attack Rosalind watched, her eyes wide, her body tensing in anticipation. She was still scared, that was obvious, but Yuto''s words had lit a spark within her. A spark of courage, of defiance against the terror that had been inflicted upon her Yuto leaped forward, charging toward the beast. He ducked and dodged as it swatted at him, its monstrous form lumbering and slow. He slashed at its legs, the magic in the blade cutting through its flesh as if it were butter. The beast roared again, pain and frustration mingling in the sound. It tried to grab Yuto, but he was too quick, too agile. He moved with precision and finesse, his mind focused solely on evading its flailing limbs and delivering painful blows. "You see, she has no right to say you are weak. She has no right to deny your existence. You are stronger!" Rosalind was watching, her small form shaking as she witnessed Yuto''s onslaught. His words, echoing in her ears, spoke to something deep within her. She had always thought of herself as weak, helpless, a burden. But someone was telling her, showing her, that she was strong. Capable. The beast was faltering, its movements growing slower and less coordinated. But it wasn''t giving up. It let out a bellow, the sound echoing off the room''s walls. It lunged once more at Yuto, its arms outstretched, its intent to crush him clear. "And I promise you that it only takes one step, one step of courage to fight back" Yuto spoke as he dodged again, his voice strong and sure. Rosalind was listening, her eyes focused on Yuto, his words sinking in. Her mind was conflicted, her fear warring with the courage his words were trying to instill in her. Yuto continued to evade the beast, his movements smooth and fluid. He had the creature on the back foot now, its strength and size no longer enough to overcome his speed and skill. "Say it with me, Rosalind, I am strong!" Rosalind''s lips moved silently, repeating the words in a whisper. "I-I am strong..." Her voice was small and hesitant, but there was a hint of conviction there, a flicker of belief. "I exist!" "I... exist..." Rosalind repeated, her voice a little louder this time. The words felt foreign, strange in her mouth. But there was a part of her that was starting to believe them. "I am a person, I have feelings!" "I am... a person..." Rosalind''s voice was growing stronger now, her words coming out more firmly. "I... have feelings..." She was starting to believe. Starting to understand what he was trying to do, if one cannot take that step alone, then one needs someone to help push them onto the right path. "Now who are you?" Rosalind''s eyes widened as Yuto asked his question. A moment of confusion and uncertainty Who was she? A child, a burden, a weakness? That''s what she had always thought. That''s what had been drilled into her by Alyssa. But Yuto''s words and actions tell her something very different. They told her that she was so much more than that. "I''m... I''m Rosalind Akira," she said, her voice growing more confident and determined. "I''m strong... I exist... I am a person... with feelings" The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Yuto smiled, his heart swelling with pride. His words were sinking in, Rosalind was starting to believe in herself. "That''s right," he encouraged, keeping his attention on the beast. "You''re Rosalind. And you''re strong. Stronger than anything in this room" The beast lunged again, its movements becoming more frantic, more desperate. It was wounded, both physically and mentally. Yuto dodged again, his eyes staying fixed on Rosalind. "Now tell me," he called, jumping out of the way of a flailing claw. "What is the most important thing in the world?" Rosalind''s mind was working swiftly now. "The most important..." she repeated, the words clicking together. "Family? Friends? Love?" "Yes," Yuto said, a smirk on his lip as he evaded another blow from the beast. "Love is powerful. It''s what makes us human. What gives us our strength" "Love yourself, care for yourself, because you are important Rosalind" Rosalind''s eyes welled up with tears, the words hitting her like a truck. Love herself? Care for herself? The idea was so foreign, but with every word Yuto spoke, it was beginning to make sense, to sink in. Yuto jumped back to where Rosalind was, patting her head with a bright smile, "You can do it" Rosalind looked up at Yuto, her eyes still filled with tears. She was scared, still scared for Yuto, for herself. But there was something there, a flicker of determination. "I... can do it...?" she repeated, her voice a whisper. She was beginning to believe. To believe in herself, in her strength "Grab the sword with me, because we are taking down that thing together" Rosalind felt her pulse quicken as Yuto held out the sword, inviting her to take it. Fear and doubt were still there, still trying to hold her back. But the courage, the newfound belief in herself that Yuto had inspired, was stronger. She reached out, her small hand wrapping around the sword''s hilt, her fingers intertwining with Yuto''s Together, they lifted the sword, the magic within the blade surging to life, the light surrounding them growing brighter. The beast, sensing the shift in the air, roared in anger, its eyes narrowing as it focused on Rosalind and Yuto. But Yuto wasn''t backing down, and neither was Rosalind. They stood together, their eyes fixed on the monster, "Now say it with me, goodnight you fucking monster!" ["Not a good idea to swear in front of a kid, but I''m mad as hell"] Rosalind''s eyes widened at Yuto''s swearing, a hint of shock on her face. But then, a small giggle escaped her, and she repeated the words, her voice gaining strength. "Good...night you... monster!" Yuto let out a chuckle, surprised but elated at Rosalind''s reaction. Her courage was growing, her spirit coming to life. The beast roared again, its form shaking as it prepared to charge. Yuto readied himself, gripping the sword tight, the magic within the blade growing hot. Rosalind stood beside him, her small hand still on the sword''s hilt, her eyes unwavering. Yuto tensed up, his body shifting into a fighting stance. "Heavenly Martial Art First Form: Judgment!" The giant sword enveloped by light, struck the beast through the chest as it howled in pain, its body shuddering as Yuto''s blade burrowed deep into its flesh. It stumbled, flailing wildly, but Yuto was already moving, stepping back out of reach. Rosalind watched in amazement, her eyes wide. For the first time in her life, she saw that a monster like that could be defeated. That she could stand against something so fearsome "You see, it''s nothing more than a pathetic human. You are strong Rosalind" Rosalind''s heart soared, the words echoing in her mind. She was strong. She was no longer a defenseless, weak child. She was capable of so much more. A small smile crept onto her lips. She was beginning to believe. To believe in herself Yuto smiled, pride and admiration filling his chest. Rosalind was overcoming her fear, her courage growing by the second. But the fight wasn''t over yet. The beast was still standing, furious and hurt. "Rosalind, can you turn around and close your eyes and ears for me" Rosalind blinked in surprise but did as she was told. She turned away from the beast, closing her eyes tight and covering her ears. [ Seven Sins Art, First Form: Wrath ] Yuto struck the beast through the head and soon it was engulfed in flames, the black fire consuming it with an eerie light. It let out a final, pained howl, a cry of defeat and horror. The heat grew intense, the air filling with the stench of burnt flesh. Rosalind felt the heat on her back, her eyes still tightly shut, her ears still covered. She knew what had happened, even without seeing it. "Rosalind, it''s over" Rosalind lowered her hands, her eyes slowly opening. The room was silent now, the beast nothing but a pile of smoldering ash. She turned to Yuto, her heart full. "It... it''s over?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly Yuto nodded a small smile on his face. "It''s over," he confirmed. "You did it. You were brave, stronger than you ever thought possible" Rosalind''s eyes welled up with tears, the reality of it all hitting her. But these were not tears of fear or sadness. They were tears of relief, of happiness, of triumph. She had done it. She had stood up to her worst fears, and she had won. She ran forward, her small frame wrapping around Yuto, her arms around his waist in a tight hug. "Thank you..." she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest. Yuto was surprised for a moment, but he quickly returned the hug, resting his hand on Rosalind''s head. "You have nothing to thank me for," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth. "You did it all by yourself, Rosalind" Rosalind pulled back slightly, looking up at Yuto with tear-filled eyes. "I... I did," she said, her voice filled with a sense of wonder. For the first time, she truly believed it, deep in her heart. "I am strong" Yuto felt the light enveloping him, a subtle pull, a sense of being tugged back. He looked down at Rosalind, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he had to leave. "Rosalind..." he began, his voice steady but filled with sadness. "I... I have to go now... But I want you to remember something, okay?" Rosalind looked up at him, her eyes wide and questioning. "What...?" Yuto knelt so he was eye-to-eye with her. "Remember that you are strong," he said, his voice firm but soft. "Don''t let anyone tell you otherwise. Stay strong, Rosalind" "I...I will..." Rosalind''s voice was small, but it was filled with a firmness now, a resolve that was new to her The light was growing stronger, pulling at Yuto, trying to drag him back to the present. "Good..." Yuto said, his voice fading slightly as he was pulled further and further away. He managed a final smile, his thoughts filled with hope for Rosalind''s future. "Promise me you''ll keep believing in yourself, Rosalind. Promise me you won''t let anyone make you think that you are less" "I... I promise..." Rosalind''s voice was barely a whisper now, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and acceptance. Yuto''s form began to fade, the light taking him back to the present. And in that final moment, as he vanished from Rosalind''s sight, Yuto knew that he had done more than just save her from a monster. He had given her something she had never had before - the courage to stand up for herself, to believe in her strength. -Rosalind''s Room- "Ah, I''m back" Yuto groaned as he materialized back in Rosalind''s small room, the familiar surroundings of the present world jolting him back to reality. He took a deep breath, the scenes from Rosalind''s memory still vivid in his mind. "She''ll be all right," Yuto muttered to himself, his voice soft but firm. He knew it deep in his heart, Rosalind''s spirit had changed. She was no longer the timid, fragile child she had been before "System, how long do I have before I''m sent back to my body?" <- System -> [ 15 Minutes ] Yuto nodded at the reply. "15 minutes, huh..." "Before I''m sent back, I''m going to give the queen a piece of my mind" He got up quickly put on a dress and ran out of the room to where Alyssa was located, "The family must be having lunch about now" Yuto kept running, the halls of the castle almost empty as he moved through them. He knew he didn''t have a lot of time, each second ticking away as he approached the dining room. He halted in front of the closed door, taking a deep breath. He could hear voices from within, the sound of silverware clinking against expensive plates. Pushing open the door, he stepped into the room, his jaw set, his eyes hard. Alyssa''s startled face looked up, her eyes growing wide as she saw who had interrupted their lunch. "Claudia, Father, I have an announcement to make" The dining room fell silent, all eyes turning towards Yuto. Claudia''s face was a mix of surprise and curiosity, her father''s expression more stern. "What is it, Rosalind?" Claudia asked, her voice tinged with a hint of concern "What announcement?" Yuto took a deep breath. "I have a secret that I''ve been holding in," he began, his voice steady and firm. The room was still, the only sound was the soft breathing of the people present. Claudia and their father stared at Yuto expectantly, their eyes showing a mix of curiosity and unease. "My stepmother, Alyssa, must know what I''m talking about" Alyssa''s face paled as Yuto spoke, her eyes widening slightly. She seemed to shrink in her chair, her hand clutching at the tablecloth. "You know what I''m talking about, don''t you?" Yuto''s voice was cold, his gaze fixed on Alyssa The others in the room exchanged confused glances, their attention now fully on the exchange between Yuto and Alyssa "You fucking monster" The room fell silent again at Yuto''s words, the harshness of his tone sending a chill through the air. The king seemed taken aback, shock clear on his face. Alyssa was frozen in her seat, her hand trembling against the tablecloth. She looked like a cornered animal, her usual haughty demeanor crumbled. "You and I both know the truth," Yuto continued, his eyes boring into Alyssa''s. "You''ve been terrorizing me since day one, treating me like a worthless servant, a scapegoat for your frustrations" "Father, I have never felt safe in my own home, because she made it her mission to make me miserable" The king frowned, his features darkening as Yuto''s words sank in. He shot a sideways glance at Alyssa, disbelief and anger in his eyes. Alyssa sat in her seat, her pale face stark against the bright white of the tablecloth. For the first time, she looked truly vulnerable, her usual sharpness and arrogance stripped away. "Did you think I''d just take it forever?" Yuto pressed on, stepping closer to Alyssa. "That I''d remain silent while you continuously treat me like garbage? No. I''ve had enough" <- System -> [ 2 minutes ] Yuto''s heart skipped a beat at the System''s warning. He had so much more to say, so many more grievances to air. But time was running short. He turned to Claudia and the king, his expression softening slightly. "Please," he said, his voice low. "Please understand, this is not a lie. Alyssa has been cruel, malicious, since the very beginning" The king''s face was a storm of emotions - disbelief, anger, confusion. He looked at Alyssa, then back at Yuto, trying to process what he was hearing. "Is this... true, Alyssa?" he asked, his voice heavy with disappointment, a hint of threat underlying his words Alyssa remained silent, her head lowered, her fingers gripping the tablecloth like it was her lifeline. Her silence was all the confirmation the room needed. "You have nothing to say for yourself?" Yuto said, his voice quieter now, laced with bitterness "After everything you''ve done, you have no explanation? No excuse?" Alyssa''s silence hung heavily in the air. The atmosphere in the room was charged with anger, disappointment, and disbelief. Only the soft clinking of silverware against plates broke the heavy silence. <- System -> [ Now sending back to the original body ] Yuto''s heart clenched as the System''s message echoed in his mind. Time was up "Wait-" Yuto felt a sudden shift as if the world was being torn away from him. The last thing he saw was the shocked faces of the people in the dining room before everything went dark. "Rosalind!" The king and Claudia shouted trying to catch him, ["Hah, see Rosalind, you have people that care about you"] -Night- As Rosalind regained consciousness, she found herself back in her room, her body slumped against a wall. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog of the transition. "What... happened?" she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. Volume 2 Chapter 12 Back Home "Rosalind!" [Knock, Knock] A voice on the other side of the door jerked Rosalind out of her stupor. It was Claudia, her voice filled with worry. "C-coming..." Rosalind called back, her voice still shaky. She forced herself to stand, stumbling towards the door and opening it. Claudia stood in the hallway, her face a mix of concern and worry. She rushed into the room when the door opened, immediately checking Rosalind for injuries. "Are you okay? How are you feeling right now?" Rosalind nodded, trying to put on a brave face. "I''m fine... just tired, I think" But as the memory of Yuto''s last moments flooded back into her mind, she found herself fighting back tears. Claudia must have noticed the change in Rosalind''s expression because her worried look deepened. "Hey, what''s wrong?" she asked, her voice soft. "What happened? You can tell me" Rosalind tried to hold back the tears, but they spilled over, rolling down her cheeks. "It... it''s Yuto..." she managed to say, her voice trembling "Um, Rosalind, I don''t mean to be rude, but who?" Rosalind blinked, remembering that Claudia wouldn''t know who Yuto was. "He''s... a commoner who helped me. .." she tried to explain, her voice shaking. Claudia looked confused for a moment, then her expression changed to one of understanding mixed with sympathy. "I see. Did something happen to him? Is that why you''re upset?" "Yes..." Rosalind''s voice cracked as she spoke, the memories of Yuto''s struggles, his suffering, came rushing back. "He..., he stood up to someone bad. And... And I think he''s in trouble now" Claudia''s hand hovered over Rosalind''s shoulder, unsure of how to comfort her. "Hey, it''s okay..." she began, her tone gentle. "I''m sure he''ll be fine. He sounds like a brave person, and how you acted towards Mother was badass, you have to tell me what you were thinking!" Rosalind nodded, trying to take comfort in Claudia''s words. But deep down, she felt a gnawing worry in her gut. She couldn''t shake the image of Yuto, his determination, his fear, his fight, will they ever meet again? "I... I just hope he''s safe..." she whispered, her voice small and hopeful. -???- <- System -> [ Welcome back Master ] Yuto''s eyes fluttered open, his consciousness slowly returning to his body. He was lying in a dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of antiseptic and sweat. Yuto groaned, the throbbing in his head intensifying as the system''s voice echoed in his ears. He forced his eyes open, "What... what happened?" he asked, his voice hoarse and disoriented. Yuto''s realization dawned on him, a mixture of relief and disbelief washing over him. He was back in his own body, in his uncle''s house. Yuto took in the familiar surroundings - the plain walls, the worn furniture, the faint smell of his uncle''s shit cooking still lingering in the air. Mizuki was there, her breathing soft and steady as she slept next to him. This was his reality, his world. And yet... it all felt a bit surreal. <- System -> [ It seems that when you passed out, the Princess''s ego came back, as planned ] "The Princess ego..." he repeated aloud, a hint of confusion in his tone. "So, it wasn''t it me who confronted the queen? <- System -> [ Correct, your existence was being overwritten by her will ] Yuto''s brow furrowed, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the system''s explanation. "Overwritten... so I was turning into Rosalind? Losing myself?" The thought was both chilling and confusing, and he couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease. "So, what now? Am I back for good? Or is there a risk that I''ll switch personas again?" <- System -> [ You are back for good, there is no need to worry about being overwritten, so Congratulations, you have now received these awards ] Yuto raised an eyebrow as the system''s voice chimed in again, listing off rewards. "Awards? For what exactly?" he queried, curiosity piqued despite his initial annoyance. <- System -> [ Do you not want them? ] Yuto quickly shook his head, his curiosity now fully ignited, "No, no. I want them, tell me what I''ve got" <- System Reward -> [ The clue behind your Father''s death is in the form of a short poem I wrote ] [ An old lover of sorts Working with an old friend Struck him down, out of a jealous fit ] Yuto listened intently as the system''s voice enumerated his rewards. The mention of a clue about his father''s death immediately caught his attention and his heart was racing. "My father''s death..." he repeated aloud, his mind racing with the implications. The mention of an old lover and a friend further piqued his interest. "Jealous fit," he said aloud, his mind working to dissect the potential meaning behind the cryptic words. "Alright, so I''ve got a clue about my father''s death, and there''s some sort of connection to an old lover and a friend" Yuto mused aloud, his mind working overtime to piece together the information. He took a deep breath, realizing the fatigue still weighing him down. The ordeal of returning to his own body and the new information had taken a toll on him. "I''m exhausted," he admitted with a weary nod. "Maybe I should rest, and try to make sense of all this in the morning," he sat down on the edge of his bed which woke Mizuki. "What''s wrong, Yuto?" Yuto glanced over at Mizuki, surprise etched on his face, "Didn''t mean to wake you," he said, his voice soft. "Just... just thinking about some stuff, that''s all" "Oh, wanting more?" A small smile tugged at the corners of Yuto''s mouth at Mizuki''s teasing, "More about what?" he asked, feigning ignorance. "Acting koi are we?" Yuto chuckled, unable to keep up the charade of ignorance any longer, "Alright, you caught me. Yeah, I was thinking about... you know... more" Mizuki rolled her eyes, a knowing smile on her face, "Always thinking about that, aren''t you?" She teased, her voice tinged with affectionate annoyance. Yuto shrugged, his face unabashed, "What can I say, I''m a man of simple desires," he replied with a smirk. Mizuki shook her head, pretending to be exasperated, "Simple, but insatiable," she shot back, a hint of amusement in her voice. Yuto held up his hands in mock surrender. "Guilty as charged," he admitted, his smile widening. "But you know you love it," Mizuki rolled her eyes again, but there was a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "Don''t get too cocky, tiger," she warned, trying to maintain her facade of cool indifference. "The night is still young" Yuto''s smile grew into a cheeky grin at the implication. He leaned closer to Mizuki, "It certainly is," he agreed, his tone low and suggestive. "And we''ve got the whole night to ourselves¡­" Mizuki''s cheeks flushed a bit more at Yuto''s words. Though she tried to keep up her aloof facade, the flicker of desire in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. "You don''t ever stop, do you?" she asked, her voice a touch breathless. Yuto chuckled, the sound laced with a hint of arrogance. He closed the distance between them, his body now just a few breaths away "Why would I, when I know what it does to you?" he murmured, his voice a low, husky whisper in her ear. Mizuki shivered slightly under his gaze and his proximity, her composure faltering. She tried to maintain her cool demeanor, but the effect he had on her was undeniable. "You''re insufferable, you know that?" she retorted, her voice shaky despite her best efforts. "You''ve gotten too bold since a year ago," She flicked his nose. Yuto let out a soft oof of surprise as Mizuki flicked his nose, "Hey, I''ve always been bold," he protested. "And if I remember correctly, you were the one who started this," Mizuki feigned annoyance, her expression a mix of scolding and amusement. "Don''t blame it all on me," she scolded, though her tone lacked real irritation. "You''re the one who''s always coming on to me" He leaned in, "Mmh," Yuto moved closer, his breath warm against her skin. "You''re not exactly putting up much resistance," he pointed out, a hint of triumph in his voice. "I think you like it a bit" Mizuki''s heart skipped a beat as Yuto neared, her breath catching in her throat. She knew she should pull back, and maintain her distance, but the heat between them was too strong to ignore "S-shut up," she muttered, her voice a shaky whisper. "You think you know everything, don''t you?" Yuto chuckled, the sound deep and seductive. He reached out, his fingers gently tracing the line of her jaw. "Oh, I know you better than you think, sweetheart," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers. "And that''s exactly why I know you want this just as much as I do" They looked at each other and chuckled, Yuto smirked as he lifted her chin, "The night is young after all" Mizuki felt a flutter in her chest as Yuto lifted her chin, her pulse quickening under his touch. The heat between them was almost palpable, and she found herself drawn to his gaze like a moth to a flame. She tried to maintain her cool facade, but the shiver that ran down her spine betrayed her true feelings. "You''re funny, you know that?" she managed to say, her voice betraying her desire, they laugh as they enjoy the pleasures of being close once again. Yuto''s heart was pounding as he pulled Mizuki close, feeling her body press against his. The sensation was electric, a familiar and thrilling rush of desire coursing through his veins. But there was something different about this embrace. He felt an ache in his chest that he couldn''t quite explain. His hands trembled slightly as they held her, not from excitement, but from a deep sense of loss. "Mizuki," he whispered, his voice hoarse with a mixture of longing and something else he couldn''t quite place, "I have something-" [Knock Knock] "Father, are you awake?" Yuto and Mizuki broke apart at the sound of the voice outside the door, both silently cursing under their breath. He straightened up, trying to regain his composure. "Y-yeah," he called out, his voice cracking slightly, "Just.. just give me a minute" Mizuki chuckled as Yuto rushed to put on a shirt, he finished dressing and opened the door wide, Scarlett was crouching down. "What''s up, Scarlett?" "Father, I''m bored," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance. "I need something to do" Yuto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Scarlet, it''s late," he began his tone, a tired mix of weariness and resignation. "You really should be asleep right now" Scarlet pouted, "I don''t want to sleep," she whined, crossing her arms over her chest. "I''m not tired. I want to do something fun" "Well, um, how about we go midnight hunting, does that sound good?" Scarlet''s eyes lit up at the idea, her sulk instantly forgotten. "Midnight hunting? Really?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement. "Are you serious?" Yuto chuckled, feeling his daughter''s excitement. "Yeah, I''m serious" he confirmed, his tone lighter now. "It''s been a while since we''ve had a good midnight hunt" "What about you Mizuki, you want to come with us?" Mizuki, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of fondness and resignation, looked at them with a dubious expression. "Midnight hunting?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow. "At this hour? Don''t you think it''s a little bit reckless?" "Come on, Ma!" Scarlett said with excitement Mizuki sighed, unable to resist Scarlett''s enthusiasm. She knew that look, the sparkle in Scarlett''s eyes that meant she wasn''t going to budge "Alright, fine," she relented, a hint of resignation in her voice. "I''ll come along. But just this once" "Yes!" Scarlett cheered, jumping up and down with glee, and ran downstairs to get ready Yuto walked back into the room, and sat on the edge of the bed, "Mizuki I have something I need to say" Mizuki, who was picking out a suitable outfit, turned to Yuto, curiosity piqued by the seriousness in his tone. "Oh?" she said, her brows furrowing slightly. "What is it?" "You know my childhood friend, the one I told you about 2 years ago when we first kissed?" Mizuki, her curiosity now fully captured, sat down next to Yuto, her eyes locked on him. "Yes, I remember," she said, a hint of wariness in her voice. "What about her?" "..." ¡°Yuto?¡± "She''s alive¡­" Mizuki''s eyes widened at Yuto''s revelation, her expression a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Wait, what?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "What do you mean she''s alive?" "When we thought that she passed away against the invasion of my village, it turns out she escaped as it started and has made her way into the kingdom of Reto" Mizuki sat stunned for a moment, her mind trying to process Yuto''s words. After a few moments, she found her voice again. "So all this time, she''s been alive?" she asked, her voice softer, more contemplative now. "And you''re just telling me now?" "Because I just found out" "How did you find out?" "Well, that''s the funny story, I lived a week in the princess body, well possession is the correct word for it" Mizuki''s expression switched from surprise to confusion. "Wait, what? You... lived a week in the princess'' body?" she repeated, trying to make sense of Yuto''s words. "What are you talking about?" "The system, for some odd reason, the system thought it was best to put me in her body to find clues to my father''s death" Mizuki chuckled, planted a kiss, and began putting on her stockings, "So then you found out Alice was alive, correct?" "Yes" "And how are you feeling about that?" Mizuki asked, her voice now softer, more understanding. She finished with her stockings and moved on to pulling on her dress. "Shit, I felt like absolute shit. My friend was alive, alone, and I didn''t even know" Mizuki listened intently, her expression empathetic. "It must have been a shock," she said, her voice a soothing balm against Yuto''s distress. "But you know it''s not your fault, right? You couldn''t have known" "Ha, that''s what she said as well, not blaming me but she felt hurt and I don''t blame her" Mizuki smiled faintly at that, "Of course, she didn''t," she said, a touch of knowing in her voice. "I assume she thought you died, why would she blame a friend who was equally a victim of that horrible day?" Yuto was silent for a moment before speaking again. "I...I just wish I''d known sooner," he said, his voice holding a mixture of guilt and regret. "All this time, I''ve been carrying this burden, this belief that I''d failed her... and she was out there, hiding, surviving alone. It feels like I failed her twice" Mizuki moved closer to Yuto, wrapping an arm around him. "Hey," she said, her voice soft and comforting. "You can''t blame yourself for things you didn''t know. You''re human, Yuto. You thought she was gone, and you''ve been living with that belief. You couldn''t have known any differently" "Am I human?" Mizuki looked at him, startled by the question. "Of course you are," she replied, her tone filled with a mix of surprise and concern. "Why would you even ask that?" Yuto chuckled dryly, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Sometimes it doesn''t feel like it," he admitted, his gaze distant. "With everything that''s happened, with all the battles I''ve fought and the powers I''ve gained, sometimes I wonder if I''m losing myself in the process" ["My class and title, a demon or human, what am I?"] Mizuki''s expression softened as she heard his words. She took his face in her hands, making him look at her. "Yuto," she said firmly, "You are still human" "You might be strong, you might have abilities that others don''t, but you''re still you. You''re still the man I fell in love with. Don''t ever doubt that" "Mizuki" Mizuki smiled softly, her hands still on Yuto''s cheeks. "You''ve been through a lot," she said, her voice a soothing whisper. "But you''re not a monster, and you''re not losing yourself" They leaned in, their mouths yearning for each other, almost reaching their destination before hearing a loud booming voice. "Father, Ma hurry up!" Yuto chuckled at his daughter''s impatient voice. "We''re coming, Scarlett," he called out in reply, his tone a mix of affection and resignation. He pulled away from Mizuki, rising from the bed. "Looks like our little night hunter is getting impatient," Mizuki said, smiling fondly. "We better not keep her waiting too long" "Yeah," Yuto agreed. "Or she might start hunting us instead" He offered a hand out to Mizuki, a small smile on his lips. Mizuki took his hand and stood, fixing her dress slightly. "Let''s get going," she said, a hint of eagerness in her voice. "It''s been a while since I''ve had a good midnight hunt" "You''re enjoying this more than you''re letting on, aren''t you?" Yuto teased as they headed towards the door Mizuki smirked, the excitement of the upcoming hunt was now fully apparent on her face. "Maybe a little," she admitted, her voice filled with a touch of recklessness. "It is exciting, you have to admit" They made their way downstairs, Scarlett in her usual attire, a white button-up shirt with a red bow, and a long black ''skirt'' Scarlett''s eyes lit up as she saw her parents descending the stairs. "Finally!" she exclaimed, her impatience evident in her voice. "I thought you''d never be ready!" "We were just talking," Yuto explained with a chuckle, ruffling Scarlett''s hair affectionately. "Were you that bored?" "Yes!" Scarlet complained though she didn''t move away from Yuto''s hand in her hair. "I was ready half an hour ago!" Mizuki laughed, "Patience, little one," she said, a light-hearted tone in her voice. "Good things come to those who wait" Scarlett huffed as she transformed into a bat, Mizuki transformed back into an ego sword, and Yuto used the ring of Ernaline to make a black trench coat. With Scarlett perched on his shoulder and Mizuki in his hand, they walked out into the cool night air, a long night of hunting and shredding monsters apart, a fun family night that lasted till two. -Morning- Yuto woke up with a headache as he was lying on the ground, Mizuki and Scarlett had pushed him off the bed. "What the," he muttered, rubbing his head as he sat up. He looked around and spotted Mizuki and Scarlett, who were currently sitting on the edge of the bed, laughing at him. "Rise and shine, sleepyhead," Mizuki teased, her voice a mixture of amusement and mockery. Yuto glared at her, feigning irritation, "You think it''s funny, don''t you?" he retorted, his voice laced with playful sarcasm. "Oh, very much so," Mizuki replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying this moment. Scarlett was giggling uncontrollably, her entire body shaking with laughter. Yuto rose to his feet, trying to maintain a solemn expression, though the corners of his lips were betraying a smile. "I suppose I am glad my pain can entertain you," he said, his voice a mix of pretended annoyance and amusement. "Oh, we are eternally grateful," Mizuki chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Your suffering is a source of endless hilarity for us" Scarlett, unable to contain herself any longer, burst into another fit of giggles, "Hah, Father I''ve decided that I''m gonna make you two breakfast," she ran downstairs before Yuto could speak. Yuto shook his head, mock-irritated but secretly amused by their banter. He turned back to Mizuki. "You enjoying this a bit too much, aren''t you?" he asked, crossing his arms in a display of feigned disapproval. "Maybe a little," Mizuki admitted, her smirk growing wider. "But can you blame me?" "Watching you sprawl on the floor was priceless" They smiled and spent the whole day together, no fighting, no worries, just a day for Yuto to be himself with his family. The day passed in a series of lighthearted moments. Yuto and Mizuki engaged in playful banter, their conversations filled with affection and laughter Scarlett, always the center of entertainment, provided her brand of amusement, childlike innocence, and boundless energy adding to the family''s joy. As night approached, they shared a simple yet delicious dinner, stories, and laughter echoing through their home. -Yuto and Mizuki''s room- Yuto was in his room, looking outside the window, his body covered in bandages and scars, he was well-built, the skinny kid who relied on the system grew into a fine young man who relied on his body and will (and of course Mizuki) He looked over to Mizuki, he smiled as he closed his book, spinning his tea and taking a sip "Mmh, tea is the only thing he can make," he stole a few peeks while sipping his tea. Mizuki noticed his gaze, she raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Enjoying the view?" "Of course," he said with a chuckle, his eyes scanning her up and down. Mizuki''s short silver hair grew out till it reached her mid-back, it truly did suit her kimono, but a soft chuckle escaped as she shifted on the bed, leaning back on her elbows, her form exposed. She smirks slightly, "You can''t take your eyes off me, can you?" "It''s the only thing I look forward to after getting my ass handed to me by my uncle," he tried to keep his composure but it was clear he was embarrassed. Although they spent two years together, even sharing their first night on his 19th birthday, he would still get embarrassed from time to time. She moves to sit up on the bed, the sheets falling delicately around her, revealing more of her bare body. "Well, I''m happy to provide some relief for you then," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Still one more week, and he agreed to let us go on our journey to find the fragments," he put down his cup and looked back into the night sky. "Only one more week, huh? Time seems to crawl when you''re eager to get started" "Of course, it''s been two years since he accepted us as his disciple and a year since we adopted Scarlett, a lot of things have happened, . . ." She shifts closer, her gaze filled with curiosity, "What is it? You seem a bit thoughtful suddenly" He chuckles as he lays down on the bed, "Don''t worry, I''m just thinking if I can finally eat something besides a piece of bread and some shit soup" "Ah, the joy of monotonous and insufficient meals. You''d think your uncle would at least provide a decent meal after working you to the bone" "Mom wasn''t kidding when she said he can''t cook" "Seems like the only thing he excels at is training people, not kitchen skills", she said with a chuckle while patting his head. Yuto wrapped his arms around her, "It''s only at night that I get some rest, well if you ignore Scarlett''s midnight hunger" She let her head rest on his chest, feeling the warmth of his body against her. The blankets envelop them both, creating a cozy cocoon of warmth and security. "Scarlett was the one who suggested we have time to ourselves, to let go of the stresses and pressures of training" "Well then, don''t mind if I do," Yuto let his body go limp, his body letting go of the built-up stress. It''s moments like this, intimate moments, that make the strenuous training worth it. It''s just the two of them, intertwined in each other''s embrace, they made a few more jokes before passing out. -Morning- The sun peeks through the window, casting a soft glow across the room, Mizuki gradually opened her eyes, finding herself still wrapped in Yuto''s arms. She let out a soft yawn, stretching lazily against him, enjoying the warmth and comfort. "Enjoying the view?", Yuto said with a smug look. "I am," a simple reply, yet her tone was sultry and teasing. "Like what you see, do you?" He looked away embarrassed, "G-get dressed already," he got up to take a shower. Mizuki laughs softly, as she stretches one more time before sitting up on the bed, the blankets pooling around her hips, barely covering any of her bare skin. "Oh, shy now, are we? Don''t worry, I won''t bite... unless you want me to," She teased playfully as she reached for her clothes. "Don''t poke the bear too much, now hurry up", he shouted from the bathtub, his voice playing with a hint of embarrassment. "And here I thought you enjoyed the view," She taunted, a sly grin on her face as she slipped on her zori''s "Can''t eat it all, now can I?", he came out drying his hair with a towel, before reaching towards the closet (Yuto takes quick and effective short showers) She feigns a pout, exaggerating her disappointment but finishes getting dressed, the last bits of bare skin now hidden by fabric, "Oh come on, surely I''m a sight worth savoring at least" Yuto looked down at the desk and saw a small note, he quickly read through the context and smiled. "It seems that my uncle changed our departure to today, we can leave if I land a hit on him" Yuto read the note twice, his heart racing with a mixture of excitement and determination. "Looks like we''re heading out sooner than expected," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "All I have to do is land a hit on my uncle, huh?" Mizuki raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued by the unexpected change in plans. "Well, that''s a pretty straightforward condition. But can you do it?" "Well, we have to talk to Scarlett first. I can''t have her attacking my uncle during our fight now, can we?" "Of course not," Mizuki agreed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "We don''t need her turning your uncle into a chew toy" Yuto chuckled at the thought, imagining the scene of Scarlett jumping at his uncle like an overzealous puppy. "Yeah, that''d be quite the spectacle. Let''s go find her and make sure she understands" Volume 3 Chapter 1 The Sword Saint They left their room and headed towards the dining room, where they found Scarlett eating breakfast, oblivious to the sudden change in plans. Yuto couldn''t help but smile at the sight of Scarlett enjoying her meal (although it was a blood pack), blissfully unaware of the upcoming challenge that awaited him. He approached her and ruffled her hair as he spoke. "Hey, Scarlett. Got something to tell you" Scarlett looked up at her father, her curious eyes peeking from beneath her messy locks, her mouth still full of... blood. "Hmm?" she managed to say, her voice somewhat muffled by the red liquid clinging to her lips. Yuto chuckled at her messy appearance, "Swallow first, little one. Can''t understand you when you''re talking with your mouth full of blood" Scarlett obliges, gulping down the blood and giving Yuto a grin. "Okay, I''m listening now," she said, tilting her head curiously. Yuto sat beside her and spoke gently, "So, there''s been a slight change in plans. We''re heading out today" Scarlett''s eyes widened in surprise. "So soon? But, I thought we had more time," she protested, her excitement mixed with a hint of disappointment. She had grown accustomed to staying at his uncle''s mansion, of course, who would blame her when her room was the size of his family cabin? Yuto nodded. "I know, I know. But my uncle changed things up a bit. If I want to leave, I have to land a hit on him. Can you understand that?" Scarlett''s expression turned serious, considering the new challenge. "Of course, I understand," she replied, her voice steady. "You need to land a hit on your uncle to leave. I won''t interfere in your fight, I promise" Yuto smiled, relieved that Scarlett was taking it well. "Good girl," he said, ruffling her hair once more. "This is just part of my training, nothing to worry about" Scarlett nodded, then a mischievous twinkle appeared in her eyes. "Does that mean you''ll fight him right now? I wanna see you kick his butt!" ["Me kick his ass? Not in a million years will I reach his level"] Yuto chuckled at her eagerness, clearly enjoying the support. "That''s the plan, little one. We''ll head to the training ground and settle this right now" "Yeah! Go get him, Father!" Scarlett said, her voice filled with excitement and encouragement "I''ll be watching from here!" Yuto let out a chuckle and so did Mizuki, with such a supportive onlooker, they could not afford to lose and proceed to the training grounds. "She has a lot of hope in us," Mizuki chuckled. "Well, we will do our best to live up to such expectations" -Training Grounds- The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the training grounds as Clovis stood poised, muscles taut and ready, instead of the usual small sword he used to train against Yuto, he decided to use his greatsword specifically crafted for him to wield A beauty like no other, its size was comparable to Clovis''s height, a monster of a blade that has followed him through the hell that was war, along with his aura, reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship. [ DRAGONBORN SWORD X WHITE AURA ] A complete powerhouse of a man who had held the Demon King''s army by the throat for decades, a respectable figure who was the only swordsman who could challenge Ryoko in his prime On the other side, Yuto braced himself, gripping his sword tightly. His heart raced, pounding like crazy. Clovis was not just his uncle; he was a legend. The tales of his unmatched skill reverberated through the entire kingdom. Sweat beaded on Yuto''s brow as he prepared to engage in what felt like an impossible challenge. "Are you ready, Yuto?" Clovis asked, his voice steady yet gentle, masking the flames of intensity that lay behind it. He stepped forward, embodying both patience and anticipation. "This is not a game. Each movement counts, and each decision can lead to victory or defeat" "Or will you let the past repeat?" Yuto bit his lip and nodded, a mix of determination and fear flooding him. He had trained hard for moments like these, he promised Clovis that no matter the challenge he would never give up. "I have also decided to let you use whatever trick you might have, rely on your skill and partner to win this fight" "Mizuki!" he shouted as he opened his hand for Mizuki to turn into her sword form. "I''m here Yuto¡± Using the ring of Ernaline he created his dark suit of armor that wrapped around him, his long red scarf showed his determination as it glowed bright. Yuto looked back at his Uncle, who was unfazed by his transformation and only released even more of his aura, showing the clear difference in power. ¡°Status Window¡± Yuto Akimitsu Title: Youngest Demon Prince One-Sided Slaughter Victim First Blood Fallen Knight Disciple of the Sword Saint Class: Prince of Darkness Level: 75 Stats: Strength 300 (1000) / Speed 155 / Agility 155 / Defense 200 (1000) / Health 1500 / Mana 250 (1000) / Mentality 1500 / Stamina 5000 Passive: Grace Healing Blacksmiths Blessing Cold-Hearted Acting Genius Warriors Pride Skills: Shield Bash / Click to see more Martial Art Collection: Click to see more Even with all the power he accumulated over the past two years, it was nothing compared to the man known as the Sword Saint, "Shit, just his aura alone makes my knees go weak from fear" "Just stay calm. His aura is intimidating, but you''ve trained for this. You''re stronger than you think. You can do this" ["Not sure about that but I''ll see this through to the end"] [ Skill: Dash ] With a swift motion, Yuto lunged forward, sword raised. But Clovis''s reaction was instantaneous, he sidestepped gracefully, effortlessly avoiding the strike, before countering with a powerful blow of his own The clash sent shockwaves through Yuto, the impact rattling his bones. Yuto staggered but quickly regained his footing. He tried to remember his training; he had watched his uncle countless times, studying his techniques, and his movements. In his mind, Yuto searched for the right strategy, a way to outmaneuver a master whose prowess was almost otherworldly. Another attack surged from Yuto, this time faking to the left before swinging to the right. Clovis anticipated it easily, parrying the blow and countering with a series of rapid strikes that Yuto struggled to keep up with Yuto found himself on the defensive, a whirlwind of blows crashing against his guard. He maneuvered his blade frantically, but each attempt was met with a resounding clang as Clovis pushed him further back, forcing him into a corner with relentless aggression and precision. "Focus, Yuto!" Clovis called out, his tone shifting to a deeper command "It''s not just about speed; it''s about control. Harness your emotions!" The words reverberated in Yuto''s mind, a call to regain composure amidst the onslaught "Trust in your partner, ask her for help!" Blood pounded in Yuto''s ears, and he could feel the fatigue beginning to creep into his limbs. Clovis''s attacks were brutal, each swing carrying just a bit of his white aura, had Clovis not held back, Yuto''s arms would have been gone, heck just the ground they were standing on would have been gone. Yuto struggled to find an opening, but Clovis was an impenetrable wall, a master of defense showcasing his supremacy at every turn. "Mizuki, please buff me!" Without a second thought, she provided him with buffs needed to regain his stamina and strength. +50 Attack +50 Defense +50 Speed +50 Agility Yuto took a sullen breath to steady himself, but it was as if the ground beneath him had turned to quicksand. What started as excitement transformed into a mix of anger and despair. There was grit in his spirit, but the embodiment of raw talent stood before him, rendering his efforts futile. Clovis capitalized on Yuto''s hesitation, striking hard again, this time scoring a glancing blow to Yuto''s side. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. A sharp gasp escaped Yuto as he stumbled, the pain mingling with the fervor to continue. He would not yield; he steeled himself, refusing to let this be the end of his attempt at proving himself. The sun had begun to dip beneath the horizon, shadows elongating as if mirroring the struggle within Yuto. He found a spark of defiance kindling in his heart, an ember that ignited a newfound determination. "I-I swore to protect them when they return, I need to be a pillar for my mother and sister, so don''t look down on me!" He gritted his teeth and raised his sword once more, ready to charge despite the growing sense of dread. With renewed vigor, he launched another assault, swinging fiercely. Clovis, however, watched with a calculating gaze, redirecting Yuto''s momentum effortlessly. The combination of experience and skill created a disparity that felt overwhelming, each blow Yuto threw met with practiced ease. "A child can be fired up with anger as well, don''t make me laugh, Yuto!" Mizuki, who had been guiding Yuto''s movements to some extent, could not keep quiet anymore. ¡®Stay calm, don''t let him get to you¡¯ ¡®Your emotions are valuable tools, but if used recklessly, they can be your downfall¡¯ "It''s fine, Mizuki. Please guide me again," Yuto''s smile widened, Mizuki would always have his back, the lesson he learned from the beginning. Mizuki smiles as she appears in her spiritual form. ¡®I''m here. Focus on the subtle openings. He''s strong, but even he must have some blind spots. Use his overconfidence to your advantage, though I''m sure you might end up with a broken arm'' Although he began to see a pattern, it was clear that Clovis was holding back tremendously as he danced around Yuto like a leaf caught in the wind, dodging, parrying, and retaliating in a brutal display of pure muscle. Each contact was a reminder of his uncle''s relentless superiority, even dodging unexpected swings of the fist. [ Fireball: Tier 4 ] A giant fireball shot out of Yuto''s hand, it was bigger than the small one he made two years ago, but Clovis did not care about the heat and merely deflected it with his fist. He then rushed Yuto, punching him in the gut causing Yuto to stumble back under the weight of a powerful strike. The pain coursed through him, but he drew from that pain, transforming it into adrenaline. Breathing heavily, he felt the burning embers of spirit remind him of why he fought¡ªto learn, to grow, and to honor the bond they shared Yuto cleared his mind, and with the help of Mizuki saw an opportunity. He feigned a low strike to draw Clovis into an expected counter before pivoting swiftly to deliver a sudden uppercut. Time seemed to slow, the world narrowing to that singular moment as he swung his sword with everything he had The blade connected¡ªagainst Clovis''s forearm¡ªgrazing through the armor of mastery he wore An echoing clink reverberated through the clearing, and Clovis truly sensed the burgeoning potential within his nephew for the first time in the duel. A hint of surprise flickered across his face. "That''s it!" Clovis exclaimed, admiration drifting into his tone. "You''ve learned!" A glimmer of respect flickered in his eyes. It was a subtle acknowledgment, yet monumental in the grand scheme of their battle. But as quickly as it came, Clovis returned to his stance, the cascading waves of experience surrounding him once more. "Now, let''s see if you can sustain that intensity!" he shouted, rallying himself for another onslaught. Yuto breathed heavily, feeling the rush of exhilaration coursing through him: not just from landing a strike, but from the sheer thrill of fighting. The adrenaline coursed, fueling him to continue. Clovis, observing his nephew''s growth, felt pride swell within him. The duel was serving its purpose; he was molding Yuto into the man his Father wanted him to be Exhaustion began to set in, but the joy of guiding Yuto through this brutal fight outweighed everything else. The beautiful chaos of sweat, blood, and laughter merged into one. ''Ryoko, your son is just like you, maybe he can do what we couldn''t, I could only teach him so much'' Clovis''s concentration wavered just for a moment, and Yuto charged, swinging his sword with all the fury of the passions untamed within him. His blade finally made contact, grazing Clovis''s forearm. Clovis looked at the small mark left by Yuto''s blow, both surprised and impressed. "Good, Yuto," he exclaimed, a rare grin forming on his lips. Yuto''s eyes widened as a wave of shock washed over him. He had done it. He had landed a hit on his Uncle! The realization sent an exhilarating rush through his veins, filling him with a renewed sense of determination. "You have passed, I am, proud of you" Yuto''s surprise turned into a mix of relief and pride. He could hardly believe he had earned his uncle''s approval. It felt like a monumental achievement, something he had worked for, and trained for, and now, he had accomplished it. "Thank you," he managed to say, his voice a bit shaky from the adrenaline still coursing through his body. <- System -> [ Cancel the Rings Effects? ] [ Yes or No ] [ The host has clicked Yes ] The armor disappeared and Yuto still had a stupid smile on his face, "And you lass," he pointed at Mizuki as she returned to her physical form, "Please do your best to support my nephew" Mizuki smiled as she materialized in front of Yuto, her spirit as radiant as ever. "Of course, Sir Clovis," she replied with a nod. She looked up at Yuto, her gaze filled with unwavering determination. "Don''t you worry, I''ll always be there to support him" Passive: Grace Healing All of Yuto''s wounds healed, and Clovis wasn''t even faced as back in the early days of Yuto''s training Yuto would be full of wounds and bruises. They could feel angry eyes looking at them. It was Scarlett, she was squeezing a blood pack while looking very angry at Clovis. Yuto chuckled faintly as he noticed the intense look in Scarlett''s eyes. He could see her frustration. She was upset, but he couldn''t help but find her endearing. He walked over to her, a smile playing on his lips. "You didn''t like what you saw, huh?" he teased gently. Scarlett pouted and crossed her arms, her gaze still fixed on Clovis. "Of course, I didn''t like it! He was being too rough with you," she huffed. "It looked painful" "Well, he wasn''t going to go easy on me, he had to know I was strong enough to protect what''s dear to me" Scarlett''s pout deepened. "I know, but still... You got hurt," she mumbled, clearly not liking the idea of him getting hurt. Yuto placed a comforting hand on her head, ruffling her hair lightly. "I''m fine, really," he reassured her, his voice soft. "It''s all part of the training. I need to get stronger, and this was how it had to be" "And guess what, we can finally explore the world now" Scarlett''s attention instantly shifted from her anger towards Clovis to Yuto''s words. Her eyes widened in excitement, and her pout vanished as a smile spread across her face. "Really?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with anticipation. "We''re finally leaving?" Yuto nodded, unable to suppress his excitement. "Yes, we are. It''s time to venture out and see the world beyond this forest," he said, a hint of adventure lacing his voice. Scarlett''s grin grew wider, her eyes sparkling with uncontainable anticipation. She jumped up and down, her earlier frustration completely forgotten. "This is amazing! I can''t wait to explore and see new places!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure childish glee. Yuto chuckled at her excitement, her infectious enthusiasm mirroring his eagerness to embark on this journey. "I know, right? There''s so much to see and discover out there," he affirmed, his smile growing in response to her infectious energy. "But we need to be careful, too," he added, his tone becoming slightly more serious. "The world out there can be dangerous, and we need to be prepared" Scarlett nodded, her excitement now tinged with a touch of caution. "I know," she replied, her voice slightly quieter but still filled with anticipation. "But we''ll be together, right? We''ll look out for each other" Yuto smiled as he ruffled her hair, "Now please go pack our things, I have many things I need to speak about with my uncle" Scarlett nodded eagerly. "Alright, I''ll go pack our stuff!" she replied, her previous frustration with Clovis seemingly forgotten in her excitement for the upcoming adventure. She quickly scampered off toward her room to start packing. As Scarlett left Yuto turned his attention back to Clovis, a more serious expression on his face now that Scarlett was gone. "There''s something I need to ask you," Yuto said, his tone serious. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Clovis turned his gaze towards Yuto, a look of curiosity in his eyes. "What is it?" he inquired, his voice steady and attentive. "It''s about my father," Yuto started, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and a hint of sadness. "I was wondering if you could tell me more about him. His dreams, his ambitions, and the things that were important to him" Clovis''s expression softened as Yuto asked about his father. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and respect. "Your father," he began, "was a remarkable person. He had a vision, a dream for the future of this kingdom. He was ambitious, strong-willed, and fiercely determined to protect what he held dear" Clovis paused for a moment, memories of his brother flooding his mind. "He was a dedicated swordsman, always seeking to improve and become stronger. But above all, he was devoted to his family, to" "To us," Yuto finished quietly, his eyes reflecting the weight of those words. He could sense the profound love and respect that his uncle had for his father, making his absence even more palpable. "But, if you want to know more, you have to ask your mother, I think she said she was visiting your guy''s family cabin. It is almost time for your father''s birthday" Yuto''s eyes widened at the mention of his mother. "My mother... is visiting the family cabin?" he repeated, a mixture of surprise and longing in his voice. Memories of the cabin and his family flooded his mind. "I want to see her," Yuto said, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. The thought of being able to visit his mother and the cabin, a place that held so many memories, was both comforting and bittersweet. "When can we leave?" "Well, right now, I guess, that speed of your daughter''s packing is terrifying. She already packed everything" Yuto blinked, a surprised expression on his face. "Seriously?" he asked, somewhat incredulously. "She packed everything already?" Clovis nodded a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yes, she did. That girl can move faster than a speeding train when she''s excited" Yuto chuckled, a mix of admiration and disbelief coloring his voice. "That''s insane," he remarked. "She really can be quite efficient when she wants to be" Mizuki smiled as she pushed Yuto forward, Yuto stumbled forward, caught off guard by Mizuki''s sudden push. He regained his balance and shot her a playful glare. "Hey, what was that for?" he teased, a smile dancing on his lips. Mizuki chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just helping you get moving, that''s all," she replied innocently. Clovis snickered, clearly amused by their banter. "You two are something," he commented, shaking his head slightly. Yuto rolled his eyes, feigning irritation, but he couldn''t help the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, yeah, alright," he said, waving a dismissive hand. "Let''s just get going, before Scarlett packs up the entire kingdom alongside our things" They made their way to the stables, where their horses were saddled and ready to go. Scarlett was already waiting there, eagerly bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I''m ready! Let''s go, let''s go!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. Yuto chuckled at her enthusiasm, patting her head gently. "Slow down, Scarlett. We''re going, we''re going," he said amusedly. Scarlett pouted slightly at his words, clearly impatient to be on their way. "But I''ve been waiting so long. Can''t we hurry up?" she asked, looking up at Yuto with pleading eyes. Yuto chuckled again, still amused by her eagerness. "We''ll go as fast as we can, but it''s a bit of a journey to the cabin, so you''ll have to be patient," he replied, mounting his horse. Scarlett crossed her arms, still pouty but resigned that they would have to take their time. "Fine," she huffed, "I''ll try to be patient, but no promises" Mizuki chuckled at Scarlett''s protest, finding her impatience endearing. "Don''t worry, little one," she said, her voice filled with playful reassurance. "We''ll get there before you know it" Scarlett huffed again, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You better," she replied stubbornly, hopping onto her horse. Yuto laughed, shaking his head at Scarlett''s stubbornness. "Don''t worry, we''re not going to leave you behind," he reassured her, patting her horse gently. Clovis chuckled, a small smile appeared, "So this is it, after two years you''re finally leaving" Yuto turned his attention back to Clovis, a bit of solemnity returning to his expression. "Yeah," he said, his voice carrying a hint of bittersweetness. "It''s been a long time coming, and it feels a bit surreal to finally be on our way" Clovis nodded, his expression softening as he looked at Yuto. "Just know this, my boy," he said, his voice firm yet affectionate. "I may not be your father, but you have become like a son to me. I have always been proud of you, and I always will be" Yuto''s eyes widened slightly at his uncle''s words, a mixture of surprise and gratitude filling him. He wasn''t expecting such an emotional confession from his uncle. A lump formed in his throat, and he had to swallow before he could speak "Thank you, Uncle Clovis," he managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. "That means more to me than you know" "You''re welcome," Clovis replied, his expression warm. "Now go on, before Scarlett explodes with impatience" Yuto laughed, the moment of emotion passing and the lightheartedness returning. "Right, we better get going before she turns into a whirlwind," he said, glancing at Scarlett, who was indeed getting restless and impatient. "Finally," Scarlett exclaimed, her impatience reaching its limit. "Let''s go, let''s go!" Mizuki chuckled at Scarlette''s eagerness, shaking her head slightly. "Alright, alright, we''re going," she said, reining her horse forward. Yuto laughed again, amused by Scarlette''s restlessness. "Just relax, Scarlette. We''re on our way now" He guided his horse forward, and the group began their journey towards the family cabin. They rode for hours, stopping only briefly to rest and eat. Scarlette, despite her earlier impatience, eventually wore herself out and fell asleep in her saddle. Mizuki chuckled at the sight of Scarlette snoozing peacefully, "Looks like someone finally tuckered herself out" Yuto, with tired eyes, couldn''t agree more, "How much energy does she have?" Mizuki chuckled again, a mix of admiration and weariness in her voice. "I don''t know, but it''s endless" Yuto chuckled weakly, shifting in his saddle. "Tell me about it. I''ve never seen someone so energetic." He glanced at Scarlett, who was snoozing peacefully, her small form moving gently with the rhythm of the horse. A small pang of fondness tugged at his heart. "She''s a handful, that''s for sure," Mizuki said, her voice softening as she looked at Scarlette too. "But she''s also a bundle of energy, excitement, and innocence. It''s endearing, in a way" Yuto nodded, a small smile forming on his tired face. "Yeah, it is. She''s like a ray of sunshine, always bright and infectious." He looked at Scarlette for a moment, remembering how excited she had been to leave. "But I have to admit, it''s going to be a challenge keeping up with her energy on this journey" "Oh and how long until we reach the cabin?" Mizuki asked Yuto glanced at the sky, trying to gauge the time. "It should be a few more hours, at least," he replied, stretching a bit in the saddle. "I guess we''ll reach the cabin by nightfall if we keep a steady pace" Mizuki nodded, a sigh escaping her as she also began to feel the soreness in her body. "Good, I could use a comfortable bed right now," she remarked, rubbing her neck. "My body is starting to protest this constant riding" Yuto chuckled wearily, his body echoing her words. "You and I both. My backside is already beginning to protest too," he said, shifting in the saddle again to try and find a more comfortable position. The group continued their journey, the hours stretching and the sun slowly beginning to dip below the horizon. Scarlett eventually woke up from her nap, rubbing her eyes and looking around clearly. "Are we there yet?" she asked groggily, her voice still laced with sleep. Yuto chuckled at her sleepy question, a hint of sympathy in his tone. "Not yet, little one. We still have a few more hours to go." He glanced at the sky, the light from the setting sun casting a warm glow on the surroundings. Scarlette pouted a bit, her sleepy eyes still slightly dazed. "But I''m tired and hungry," she protested, a hint of a whine in her voice. Yuto chuckled again, shaking his head gently. "I know, but we need to keep going. We''ll rest and eat once we reach the cabin, I promise" After a few more hours -Yuto''s family Cabin- As they finally reached the family cabin, the sky was now a canvas of deep blues and purples. The cabin, a small wooden structure, sat nestled amongst tall trees and a field of wildflowers. There was a sense of comfort and familiarity that emanated from the place. Scarlette perked up as soon as the cabin came into view. "We''re here!" she exclaimed eagerly, bouncing in her saddle. Yuto smiled tiredly, the sight of the cabin bringing a mix of nostalgia and exhaustion. "Yep, we''re here," he confirmed, his voice tinged with tiredness. He dismounted his horse, wincing as his legs protested after the long ride. Yuto saw Cynthia, and his smile widened, "Mizuki, can you take Scarlett elsewhere for a bit?" Mizuki nodded, sensing Yuto''s intention. "Of course," she replied, gently guiding Scarlett down from her horse. "Come on, little one. Let''s give Yuto some space for a moment" Volume 3 Chapter 2 An Elf? Cynthia stood at the door of the cabin, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Yuto standing there. After two long years apart, the distance and separation had made her almost forget how he looked. The familiar yet slightly older face, the stance, it all came rushing back to her, filling her chest with a mix of emotions. "Y-yuto...?" she called out, her voice soft and hesitant. "Hey Cynthia, it''s been a while" "Yuto," she breathed, a smile spreading across her face. "You... you look older... and taller" "Dummy, it''s been two years. Of course, I would be" Cynthia let out a small huff of mock irritation at his teasing comment, her heart growing warm at the familiar banter between siblings. "I know that idiot," she retorted, rolling her eyes playfully. "I''m just stating the obvious" "Yet you seem to have stayed the same, personally wise" "Hey, it''s not like you''ve changed that much either," she shot back, her voice defensive. "You''re still the same overconfident, annoying big brother" "Heh, so uh, how''s mom doing?" Cynthia''s expression turned solemn at the mention of their mother, "She''s... she''s doing okay," she replied, her voice soft and laced with a hint of worry. "It''s been tough for her without dad, but she''s managing. She talks about you... a lot" "Says that you are being praised quite a lot by Uncle Clovis and how she missed seeing you" "I see, how are you holding up?" Cynthia looked down, avoiding his gaze for a moment, before finally responding. "Me..." she began, her voice quieter than usual. "I''ve... I''ve been okay, I guess. The training has been intense, and I miss home... but I''ve been learning so much. I think... I think Dad would''ve been proud" Yuto walked over to pat her head, seeing how she looked like she was on the verge of crying. "I''m sure he would have been proud, how are Aunt Lily and his disciple doing?" Cynthia chuckled as she wiped a tear, "Aunt Lily is... she''s tough," Cynthia said, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "She pushes me hard, but I see how much she cares under that stern exterior. She''s teaching me a lot" She paused, her expression growing slightly somber. "Sayuri is... different. More reserved. She observes and trains, but she doesn''t talk much. Like a machine" ". . ." Cynthia watched, noticing the brief pause in the conversation. She knew that look in Yuto''s eyes - it meant he was contemplating something. "What is it?" she asked, curiosity etched in her tone. "You have that thinking face on" "What face?" Cynthia snorted a laugh, rolling her eyes at his innocent question. "You know the face," she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "That thinking, contemplative face you make when you''re pondering something deeply" "How would you like to join my party?" Cynthia''s eyebrows shot up in surprise, a mix of curiosity and excitement flooding her mind at the invitation. "Join... join your party?" she repeated, her voice filled with disbelief. "Are you serious?" "I plan on exploring this world, of course getting stronger and getting paid is also a part of my plan" Cynthia shook her head, "I''m sorry, I would love to join, but mom needs me here maybe in a year or so I can join" "I see, that''s too bad, but I do have someone I want you and Mom to meet" "Someone you want us to meet?" she echoed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Who is it? An ally? A friend?" Yuto looked nervous, as nervous as when he first punched a man, "It''s um, my uh" "Who, don''t keep me in suspense, who is it?" "My daughter . . ." Cynthia''s eyes widened in shock, her heart skipping a beat as his words sank in ¡®Daughter? You had a daughter?¡¯ Cynthia''s mind was a whirlwind of questions and disbelief. "Da-daughter?" she stumbled over the word, her voice laced with surprise. "You... you have a daughter?" "How old is she?" Cynthia managed to ask, her mind still reeling from the unexpected revelation "Wait wait, I know you must have a lot to say," Yuto raised his hands in defense. "First, she''s my adopted child, and second she is of vampire nobility" "Your adopted daughter... and she''s a vampire?" she repeated, her tone filled with confusion and awe. "How... How did that happen?" "Well, Uncle Clovis had me and Mizuki do a dungeon exploration where we found Scarlett at the bottom, sitting there in a dark cold room" "So like a dumbass with no plan you just decided to adopt her?" "Yes" ". . ." "What?" "Nothing, so where is this daughter of yours?" "I''m guessing she and Mizuki visited the village, I advise you to be careful she does have a lot of energy" Mizuki smiled as she started to fly down to the village, "Well Mom''s inside the cabin, she should be in their old room, don''t say anything stupid" "Of course, I won''t, I''ll see you in an hour" They both nodded as Cynthia flew down and Yuto made his way inside, it had been two years since he stepped foot in here. Although Alice saw this place get ''destroyed'' it was just illusion magic Cynthia had set up to trick any monster from destroying their home. As he walked further and up the stairs he heard his mother talking to herself, he thought it rude to interrupt so he waited by the stairs. -10 minutes later- He heard her finish talking and walked up to the door and knocked gently, "Mom" Cara felt some of the tension leave her body as she heard Yuto''s voice and a small smile formed. Yuto opened the door with a smile, "It''s been a while" She looked at Yuto, taking in the sight of her grown-up son after not seeing him for two years. "Yuto... is that you?" "Have I changed that much?" Cara took a moment to process the fact that Yuto had grown even taller and stronger compared to the last time she saw him, but all she felt was happiness and joy at seeing him again. "Oh, Yuto... you''ve grown so much! You''re bigger, and your voice is deeper. It''s been two years, and I''ve missed you so much¡­" "I''ve missed you too" "Come here, come give your old mom a hug" She opened her arms, inviting him in for a tight embrace, feeling a wave of emotions wash over her as she held him close. "So Mom, have you been?" "I''ve been... doing my best. These past two years have been a mix of training, learning magic, grief... It hasn''t been easy, but I''m managing. How about you, dear? How have you been?" "Uh, well I adopted a child" "You adopted a child? Really? Oh, that''s... unexpected, but also wonderful. Tell me about them, please" "We can talk about it during supper, I have a favor I want to ask you later, right now I want to catch up" "Oh, a favor? Sure, of course. You know I''ll always be here to help you, honey. Just let me know what you need, and I''ll do my best" "That can wait till after supper, Mom, how are you feeling?" She paused for a moment, considering the question, her expression becoming slightly thoughtful. "I''m feeling... a mix of emotions, honestly. I still mourn the loss of your father, the grief is ever-present, but I''m coping, I suppose. And I''m also just... tired. These two years of magical training have been quite rigorous"You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "Aunt Lily and Sayuri have been great teachers, and I''ve learned a lot, but it''s been a challenge. Both physically and emotionally. But I wouldn''t trade it for anything, I know it''ll be worth it in the long run" "Haha, well that''s good to know and you were right about Uncle Clovis not being able to cook, I honestly miss your cooking" A small chuckle escaped her lips, reminiscing, and she looked at Yuto with a hint of fondness in her eyes. "Oh? Uncle Clovis still can''t cook even a simple meal, huh? That man... I guess some things never change" "And you miss my cooking, you say? Well, I''ll make sure to treat you to a proper meal, dear" "Honestly speaking, I''ve missed cooking for you. The past two years have been... rather monotonous. Training, training, training, and more training¡± ¡°It''s been a bit of a grind. But cooking... cooking is therapeutic for me. It''s a way to relax and express myself. And I''m looking forward to preparing a meal for you again" "That means a lot and today''s dad''s birthday right?" She nodded slowly, her expression becoming somewhat somber, a sense of melancholy washing over her. "Yes... today is his birthday. I came back to leave some flowers on his grave, a small tribute" She lowered her gaze, a mix of sadness and bittersweet memories flooding her mind, and she continued speaking in a soft and weary tone. "It''s been two years since he''s gone, but I still miss him, you know? Now and then, I find myself wondering how he''d react to certain things, or what advice he''d give... but at the same time, I want to honor his memory and keep going strong, for him and you and Cynthia" "Thank you, Mom, I know that can''t be easy" Cara gently placed her hand on his shoulder, "Oh, you don''t have to thank me, honey. I''m just doing what any mother would do. I want to be here for you, to support you through anything life throws at us. And your father... he would have wanted that too" She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, her voice filled with love and determination. "He would be proud of the man you''ve become, Yuto. And so am I. You''ve grown into a strong, kind-hearted person, and that''s all I could have hoped for" "Is that so?" She smiled warmly, her eyes full of affection as she spoke in a sincere tone. "Of course, dear. I mean it. You''ve been through so much, and you''ve handled it all with such resilience and maturity. Every day, I see more and more how much like your father you are" Yuto felt a tear escape, "So should we get started with supper?" "Oh, Yuto... it''s alright, sweetheart. But yes, let''s get started with supper. I''ll see what ingredients we have here and start cooking. Why don''t you go wash up while I prepare everything?" Cara gave Yuto''s shoulder another gentle squeeze before walking to the kitchen, looking through the cabinets and pantry to see what ingredients were available. As she gathered the necessary items, she sighed slightly, her mind swirling with thoughts. She can''t help but feel a pang of sadness at the absence of her husband but she pushes those emotions aside, knowing that she needs to focus on preparing a meal for her family and honoring his memory in her way. She starts preparing the ingredients, chopping vegetables, and measuring spices, a sense of nostalgia washing over her as she goes through the familiar process. It''s almost therapeutic, the simple act of cooking bringing her a sense of comfort and relaxation. As she chopped the vegetables, she found herself lost in her thoughts, her mind wandering back to happier times, memories of her husband and the family they once had filling her head. She knows the love of a good meal can still bring people together, and that''s what she hopes to do for her family tonight. Yuto after taking a nice warm shower came down. He had changed his clothes to casual clothing, he had also cut his long hair to a more moderate look. "Something smells nice" "Ah, you''re just in time, Yuto. The food is almost ready. And yes, there''s a nice aroma indeed" She turns her attention back to the stove, stirring the contents of the pan to ensure they cook evenly. "Mom, before Cynthia and the rest come about that favor I want to ask" Cara looked at Yuto, curiosity piqued by his words, and she nodded slowly, letting him know that she was listening. "Sure, honey, what is it? What''s this favor you want to ask?" "Can you take care of my daughter for me?" "Take care.. of your daughter? You want me to take care of your little girl?" "Well funny story she''s a vampire of over 1,000 years, so I wouldn''t call her a little girl" Her jaw drops in surprise at the revelation, and she takes a moment to process what he just said. "A... vampire? Your daughter is a vampire?" "Hah, Cynthia had the same reaction" Cara can''t help but let out a small, involuntary laugh at his comment, imagining Cynthia''s reaction to that news. "Well, I can certainly understand why. It''s quite a surprising piece of information. A vampire, huh? And here I thought I had seen everything in my life" "Forgive me. I said it wrong, and I was wondering if you and Cynthia could help her control her magic" "Ah, I see. So you want us to help your daughter control her magic? I suppose given her being a vampire, it makes sense that she might need some guidance in that area. I''ll gladly help in any way I can" "Mom" "Yes, sweetie? What is it?" "Two years ago, I told you I couldn''t tell you what I was hiding as I wasn''t ready, remember that day?" "Is there something you want to share now?" "I plan to explore this world to find answers" "Explore the world... you mean, you''re going to go on a journey, searching for something? What kind of answers are you looking for, sweetheart?" "Mom, how much do you hate demons?" The question catches her off guard, and she pauses for a moment before responding, her expression becoming more serious. "Demons... I certainly don''t bear any goodwill, they''re malevolent, destructive creatures that often bring harm to the innocent. Why do you ask, Yuto?" "Would you hate me if I were one?" Yuto was looking down as if getting ready for her response, was it okay to tell her his title? Was it selfish to explain what truly happened two years ago? The question makes her freeze, her expression becoming one of utter shock and disbelief, her mind struggling to process the implications of what her son just said. "Y... You... a... a demon? That''s not... that can''t be... you''re..." Cara stumbles over her words, unable to form a coherent sentence, her mind racing with panicked disbelief. "What... What do you mean? Are you... are you saying you''re a demon, Yuto?" Yuto bit his lip, it looked as if wanted to say something, anything, but no words came out, he only gripped his hand tighter. ["I can''t tell you, I don''t think I can ever tell you"] "No Mom, I was just asking, I''m sorry that I made you uncomfortable" Cara took a moment to study his expression and body language, the way Yuto bit his lip, the hesitation in his voice, and the quick denial that followed. Cara looked at Yuto with a mixture of relief and worry. On one hand, Yuto denied being a demon, but something about his demeanor still concerns her, like there''s more to the story than he was letting on. "I see... you were just asking... but where did that question come from?" "Nothing I''m sorry for asking, I''ll leave Scarlett in your care" "Alright, Yuto. We''ll have supper, and I''ll take care of Scarlett for you. Is that all? Or is there more you want to discuss?" "Nothing more, thank you, Mom" They heard a knock on the door, Cara turned her attention to the sound of the knock on the door, a small hint of anticipation in her voice. "Ah, it seems like Cynthia and the others are back. They always know when it''s time to eat, don''t they?" With a smile, she walked toward the door, preparing to open it and greet them, the scent of the food she had prepared wafting through the air. Cynthia and the others waiting outside, their faces lighting up as they smelled the aroma of the food inside, Cara smiled warmly, gesturing for them to come inside. "Ah, there you are. Come in, come in. You all look hungry. I''ve got a nice meal prepared for us" She closed the door behind them, a sense of warmth and contentment filling her as she saw her family gather for the first time in 2 years. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. The food''s ready, so let''s all sit down and enjoy it together" As supper continues, conversation and laughter fill the air, the atmosphere light and comfortable. Cara watched as Yuto and Cynthia exchanged stories, sharing memories and jokes like old times, her eyes flickered over to Yuto''s daughter, Scarlett, who was currently engaged in looking through some of the old family photos she had laid out. As the evening comes to a close, she finds herself explaining to Scarlett that she''ll be staying with them for a while "Yuto has asked me to take care of you, sweetheart. So tonight, you''ll be living here, in our home" "You''ll be in Yuto''s old room, and we''ll make sure you have everything you need. Is that alright with you, dear?" "We also plan on going on our small trip, so you''ll never be bored. How does that sound?" Scarlett walked over to Yuto and spoke for about an hour before walking back to Cara with a big smile, "I look forward to it Grandma!" Contract Established! -Morning- Yuto and Mizuki bid farewell to his mother, sister, and Scarlett and continued their journey, the morning sun just starting to rise as they left the familiar cabin behind. "So, what''s the plan? Where do we head next?" "Mizuki" "Yes?" "I couldn''t tell my mother about my class and title" "You couldn''t tell her? Why not?" I ask gently. "Her reaction when I asked about the possibility of me being a demon, do you know how she reacted?" "I can guess, but I''m curious to hear your take" "She shook her head as if trying to deny the possibility" "I see... so you chose not to tell her then" "It would break her" "I understand. You want to protect her from the harsh realities of your world. From the truth of what you''ve become" "Of what I am, so many questions, why this class, my title, the system, but alas the truth will only come once we find your missing fragments" "Yes, the answers we seek lie in finding my missing fragments. Once we do... perhaps the mysteries surrounding us will finally be unraveled" A moment of silence passes between them, both deep in their thoughts before a question comes to mind. "Can I ask you something?" "What is it?" Mizuki hesitates briefly, contemplating whether her question is too personal or misplaced, but then decides to proceed anyway. Her voice was soft and gentle as she spoke. "Before we continue our journey... There''s something I''d like to know about you. If you''re comfortable sharing, that is" "What worries you most about the journey we''re embarking on? About finding my fragments and uncovering the mysteries surrounding us?" Yuto was shocked, never really taking into account what they might experience, "I guess, the reason behind my title" "Ah, your title. It''s true, we''ve been so singularly focused on gathering my fragments that the significance of your title has been somewhat pushed to the sidelines" "Youngest Demon Prince" "Yes... being the Youngest Demon Prince... I wonder what it means. What does it entail for you?" "The dreams never went that far, only visions of my family''s death and so on" "The dreams were limited... but they showed you visions of the deaths of your family. Nothing else?" "No, and honestly speaking, I do not want to know what else could have happened in the dreams" Before Mizuki can respond a scream can be heard from the forest, "A lady?" "A lady... in distress it seems" "What do you want to do Mizuki?" "We should investigate. We can''t just ignore someone in trouble, especially if a woman''s in danger" [ Skill: Dash ] They run deeper into the forest, "I hear multiple voices, men I think" Yuto jumped to higher ground, jumping on top of tree branches. They finally made it to the source of the screams. A hooded figure was in the middle inside a barrier, while a group of men surrounded them. The hooded figure in the center, trapped within a barrier, is distressed, while the group of men surround them. "What should we do? We can''t just let them attack that person, but we don''t know what''s going on here. Do you want to intervene directly or observe for now?" "Wait, we need to see where this goes" They watch silently from the shadows, their keen senses on high alert as the situation continues to unfold before them. The men surrounding the barrier are clearly hostile, their intention to harm apparent, but the identity of the person within the barrier remains a mystery. "Just come on out already, we''ve been following you for days now, surely you must be tired right?" The man with an eye patch said, mocking, but the hooded figure shook her head, "Leave, none of you are welcome!" The men, growing impatient and increasingly frustrated, begin to attack the barrier with fervor, they unleash a barrage of ranged attacks, attempting to break the barrier through sheer force. Bolts of energy and sharp projectiles fly toward the barrier, but the barrier remains unwavering and unshaken, holding strong against the onslaught. Watching quietly, they notice the barrier''s resilience, its strength defying the fierce attacks aimed at it. It becomes clear that the barrier is more than a mere barrier, possibly an innate ability or technique that the person inside possesses. "Yuto, I don''t think she''ll need our help" "No, she''s running out of mana" "If she''s running out of mana, her defenses will weaken" "Which means she''ll be defenseless in no time" "Indeed. She''ll be vulnerable and defenseless without her mana. We may have to intervene sooner than we thought" "Now!" Without a second thought, they jump down, all their attention is now focused on them as intended "I''m going to give one warning, leave now, and no one dies" "Ha, and what are you going to do, pretty boy, cry to Mama?" The shortest man said, pushing his finger to Yuto''s shoulder, the group of men laughed, as to be expected Yuto as strong as he is, isn''t intimidating in the slightest (Unless he''s mad) Yuto''s fists clench at his side, his eyes narrowing in irritation. "And what''s wrong with that? Maybe you should try it sometime, it might do you some good, you overgrown worm" "You fucking brat! You''re going to pay for that!" [ Seven Sins First Form: Wrath ] With a quick slash, the man is enveloped in hellfire, his demeanor changes from one of anger and mockery to one of fear and pleading. He began to scream and cry out for mercy, begging for the torment to end. "Help me!" "Stop it now!" The man with the eye patch demanded as they all rushed in to attack Yuto, swords and bows were drawn but did not phase him [ Blood Arts Third Form: Ocean of Blood ] A simple quick slash. Immediately, the men before them explode, their bodies unable to withstand the power of Yuto''s technique "Should I call it raindrops instead?" "I did warn them right?'' "Yes, you did. They chose not to listen, and they paid the price" Mizuki chuckles as she transforms into the ring on Yuto''s finger, Yuto approaches the hooded figure as the barrier comes crashing down by the depletion of her mana, and looks up at Yuto with a mix of exhaustion and trepidation. She took off her hoodie, revealing her purple hair and elf ears. ["An Elf?"] "Hi, mind telling us why you''re here?" "I have come to meet the hero, who carries the holy sword" Yuto scratched his head, "Well, first off, my name is Yuto, and here," He reached out his hand and helped her up. She took his hand and got up, "Yuto, huh? Nice name" "Mind telling me what you''re doing all the way here, don''t worry about the men that were here, I already took care of it" "I was... searching for you, I guess" "My people said that a person bearing the holy sword is our only hope. The monsters have started to take over my land" "Why do you assume that I''m the one you''re looking for?" "Because you just saved me from being kidnapped. You must be the hero that we have been looking for" Yuto slapped his forehead, ["You can''t be this naive, and besides I''m pretty sure that Wanless dude is the hero she''s talking about"] "What? Is there something wrong? Don''t tell me that you''re not the hero?" "Well for starters this is my ego sword, Mizuki" "Ego sword? So, you''re not the hero? Are you sure?" "I could be but I''m not trying to be one" "What do you mean? Why aren''t you trying?" Yuto took a step back as she had come in too close, "I guess because I already have a lot on my plate" She pouted and came closer, "Such as?" He was up against the tree, "P-personal stuff" She wasn''t backing down and Yuto leaned down and whispered, "Careful now, if you don''t take a step back, I might devour you" She leaned in even closer, her nose grazing his neck, "I''d like to see you try" Yuto chuckled and leaned back, "Hahaha I haven''t seen anyone as bold as you in a while" She pressed into him fully, her body practically pinning him up against the tree, "Is that so surprising?" "Guess I''m a hero now" That got her to pull back, standing in front of him with a smirk on her face. "Oh, so you''ll do it if I just get a little too close? You''re a pushover, aren''t you?" Yuto flicked her forehead, "Don''t get ahead of yourself. If you come to meet the hero, then you must carry a fragment of the sword, correct?" She pouted and rubbed her forehead as he flicked it, "You mean this?" Yuto instantly snatched it, she let out an offended gasp as he snatched it from her hand. "Hey! At least ask before you just take it!" "Take a step back now" Yuto absorbs the fragment as it goes back to Mizuki, a memory plays, and all she sees is a red light shootout. She watched with fascination as the fragment was absorbed into his sword, "What was that?" "Become my companion, and I will explain things with time" "Your companion, huh? Does that come with any special benefits?" Yuto flicked her forehead and once again she pouted and rubbed her forehead, "You like flicking my forehead, don''t you?" He chuckled, "First off tell me your name" "Oh, right. I never formally introduced myself, did I? "I''m Freya. Freya Sylverbane, the youngest princess of the elves" "Yuto Akimitsu, I''m just an ordinary mercenary and adventure" "Nice to meet you, Yuto. An ordinary mercenary and adventurer, huh?" "I sense a lie," Freya said with a small chuckle. Volume 3 Chapter 3 Do you wish to be a companion or lover? "I''m not so sure if I believe that" Yuto patted her head, "You said monsters are invading your homeland?" "Yes. The monsters have come so close to the capital that we can no longer travel safely outside its walls" "How long do you think this journey will take?" "A month at most if we start moving now, I may slow you down a bit because of my lack of mana" "It''s fine just lead the way then" She nodded and started leading him deeper into the forest as she started talking again, "And just how are you planning to help exactly?" "You''ll see when we get there" "You are a mysterious guy, huh?" Yuto gave a small smirk and continued walking, he sighed, looking at her stats, especially her class. New Hero, he shook his head and continued following, ["That could be a bit troubling if she turns against me"] "Why''d you sigh?" He flicked her forehead, "Keep walking" "I''m starting to think you enjoy doing that" "I do, never met an elf, a princess at that" She rolled her eyes playfully before responding, "And here I thought humans would have a sense of proper respect for royalty" "Nah, I just don''t respect it" She gasped and turned around to face him, hands on her hips and a look of mock offense on her face. "Oh really? You''re just going to show no respect to royalty, just like that?" "Who''s gonna make me bow" She took a few steps closer, a smirk spreading across her face as she took his chin between her fingers and lifted his head toward her. "I might have to force you to, you know" Yuto pinned her against the tree, "Oh really" She let out a small gasp as he pinned her against the tree, looking up at him with a shocked expression, "Y-you wouldn''t dare¡­" He let go and continued walking, "Come now, we have to at least make it to a safe location" Her cheeks a tinge of red from him pinning her against the tree like that, she quickly snapped out of her daze and caught up to him, sticking close beside him as they walked. "So miss snobby princess who thinks royalty is all that, tell me more about this elf kingdom" She pouted at his comment, crossing her arms, "I wasn''t trying to act snobby, first of all. And second, there''s not much to the elven kingdom, honestly. It''s built deep in the forest and is surrounded by nature. Why do you ask?" "I''m a fool for asking" She raised an eyebrow, a smirk slowly growing on her face, "And why is that? Feeling silly now for asking?" "Yeah because I asked a moron" She gasped, faking shock and offense, "I''m a moron?! How dare you!" Before she could say more Yuto caught the arrow that almost hit her eye, "Goblins, hmm seems about 30 of them, you asked what I can do, right?" She nodded, staring up at him with an expression of curiosity and eagerness. "Yeah, I did. So, tell me, what exactly is your plan? Are you going to fight them all on your own?" "That''s the plan now take a look at the hero you brought" [ Sin Art first form: Wrath ] Yuto releases a giant slash of fire that cleaves the forest, killing all the goblins in one hit. Freya watched in shock at the giant slash, her eyes widening as she saw the goblins disappear in an instant. "What the...! Are you serious? Did you just... take them all out in one hit?!" "Come along now miss moron" "Hey! Don''t call me that!" Despite her words, she obeyed and continue to walk beside him, she tripped and he caught her, he leaned to whisper, "Careful now miss moron" She pouted and crossed her arms, "Stop calling me that!" He flicked her forehead, "Come now, I made us a path that should save us a week" She let out a soft gasp again as he flicked her forehead, rubbing it with a pout on her face. "Does flicking my forehead give you some sort of strange pleasure or something...?" "Just what is it with you and flicking my forehead anyway...?" "Just because, now hurry I want to walk further before it gets dark" As the day bleeds into the night and they set up camp for the night, Freya lets out a sigh and leans back against a tree, glancing over at Yuto. "So, what now? We just sit here for the night?" Yuto moved the wood around the fire, "That''s the plan" Freya nodded her head and rested her head against the tree, staring up at the sky, "You got anything to talk about? Sitting here in silence is going to get boring real quick" "Heh, you got any questions?" She pondered his question for a moment before a smirk appeared on her face. "I do have a question. One you might struggle with" "Go for it" A mischievous glint appears in her eyes, "Alright then. Tell me... why do you like flicking my forehead so much?" "Because you''re a moron" "You''re so mean, you know that? You always call me a moron, and you flick my forehead all the time. Is it really that entertaining to you?" "It is" She huffed and crossed her arms, scooting closer to him, "Well, I don''t think it''s entertaining at all. It''s annoying if anything" Despite her words, she secretly found it a little endearing how he seemed to enjoy flicking her forehead so much. "Any other questions?" "This one is another tough one. Are you ready?" "Go for it" "Alright then..." She took a deep breath before asking her question, her smirk growing wider, "So, do you have a girlfriend?" Mizuki comes out and wraps her arms around Yuto, "Of course he does" Freya blinked in surprise when Mizuki appeared, wrapping her arms around him. A small pang of jealousy fills her, but she quickly pushes it away. "I... see. So you do have a girlfriend," she let out a sigh before continuing. "How long have you been together?" Mizuki smirks and lifts Freya''s chin, "Quiet the beauty aren''t you" "W-what? I, uh... um..." "You can be his 2nd wife, you know," Mizuki laughs as she transforms back into a ring on Yuto''s finger. "H-his... 2nd wife?!" "H-how long have you two been together?" "I say around 2 years now" "Two years? And... she''s your one and only partner, correct?" "Why?" He smirked sitting closer to her "Do you want to be my partner too?" Her face turned red at his comment, and she quickly looked away, "W-what?! Of course not!" Yuto patted her head, "Get some sleep, we still have another week of traveling" She pouted as he patted her head, but she couldn''t help leaning into his touch a little, "Alright, fine. I''ll go to sleep" She found a comfortable spot to lay down and get ready to sleep, though she found herself stealing glances at Yuto from time to time. As she slept Yuto took guard. One of his skills allows him to fall asleep, sitting down, time passes, and the sun begins to rise, signaling the start of a new day. -Early Morning- Yuto flicked her forehead, "It''s morning" Freya was in the middle of a particularly peaceful dream when she felt a flick on her forehead, jolting her awake.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. "Wha...? Oh, it''s morning already..." She rubbed her forehead with a pout on her face before sitting up, her hair sticking out in odd directions. Yuto put some things away in his storage ring before offering her help to get up, she accepted stretching and groaning tiredly. "Ugh, I didn''t sleep that well..." She patted down her hair, trying to tidy it up a bit but failing miserably, choosing to use simple magic to fluff it up and straighten it down. "Come now sleepy toes we have to keep moving" "Ugh, why do we have to walk so much? Can''t we take a break for a little while? I''m so tired¡­" "Wow a princess abandoning her duties" "I''m not abandoning my duties. I''m just tired and don''t feel like walking so much in my tired state" Yuto sighed, taking a knee on the ground, "Get on my back" She blinked in surprise at the unexpected offer, her eyes widening a bit, "R-really? You''ll give me a piggyback ride?" "It''s tiresome if I have to drag your body, so get on my back" Freya couldn''t help but let out a small sigh as he spoke, finding his attitude somewhat annoying, but she obliged, "Fine, I''ll get on your back..." She carefully got onto his back, clinging onto him and wrapping her arms around his neck carefully. "Bold aren''t you," Mizuki said with a chuckle. Freya let out a small squeak of surprise as she heard Mizuki speaking, turning her head to look at her, who was floating right next to them as Yuto kept running. "S-shut up! I''m just tired, that''s all..." She buried her face into his shoulder, hiding her reddened cheeks, embarrassed by Mizuki''s comment. Mizuki taps her nose with a small chuckle, "Yet so adorable" Freya let out another squeak as Mizuki tapped her nose, "A-adorable? Stop it, I''m not adorable..." She buried her face deeper into Yuto''s shoulder, trying to hide her now heavily blushing face. "Freya you good?" She nodded her head against his shoulder, her words slightly muffled as she spoke, "Y-yeah, I''m fine... just a bit embarrassed, that''s all¡­" "How long till we make it?" She lifted her head off of his shoulder, her face still red, "Well, if we keep walking at this pace, I''d say another week or so. The capital is still quite far away" "How far is your homeland?" "Hmm... Well, the capital is a bit deep into the territory, but if I had to guess I''d say it''s a few day''s travel on foot. A carriage would get us there sooner, but walking is faster than getting a carriage" "A carriage in the forest?" She paused for a moment, realizing that he had a point, "Huh, I guess you''re right. The forest is pretty dense, a carriage would have a hard time getting through here... Guess we''re just gonna have to continue on foot then¡­" Mizuki chuckled, "Cute little thing aren''t you" "S-stop calling me cute! I''m not some cute little thing, I''m royalty, okay?" "Ah, the snobby princess is back," Yuto commented as he dodged a tree branch falling. "I''m not being snobby, I''m just reminding you of my position. You should respect royalty, you know!" "Guess I''m royalty as well if it means having an attitude like that" Freya raised an eyebrow, looking at Yuto in surprise, "Huh? You''re royalty too?" "Nah, I''m just messing with you" She groaned and pouted again, smacking his shoulder lightly, "You keep messing with me, you know that? You''re so annoying, calling me snobby and a moron all the time" "Well I''m passing the time" "You could pass the time less annoyingly, you know? Like talking normally instead of calling me names and flicking my forehead all the time" "Well, do you have any other suggestions?" "Hmm... how about you start asking me questions instead? It would be better than you constantly calling me names and flicking me, that''s for sure" "Okay, how many sisters do you have?" "I have six older sisters, including my twin. I''m the youngest of all of us" "They single?" She sighed at his question, a small feeling of irritation bubbling up in her chest, "No, they''re not. They''re all happily married, unlike someone I know" "Man, that''s just so sad!" "Why do you care anyway? It''s not like you want to date any of my sisters, do you?" "I''m saying it''s sad that you''re still single" "W-what?! I''m not sad about being single, thank you very much. I don''t need a lover, I''m perfectly fine being alone" "Man, that''s even more depressing" "Excuse me? How is that depressing? I don''t need a lover, I don''t need someone to hold my hand and take care of me. I''m independent and perfectly fine being alone!" "So then why did you smile when I offered the piggyback ride?" "I-I... That''s different! I was just tired and wanted a break from walking, that''s all¡­" "Cute" Freya huffed and swatted his head, her face as red as a tomato, "Stop calling me cute! And stop saying that everything I do is cute! I''m not some cute little princess, okay?!" "So any questions you have for me?" "Well... I guess I do have a question for you¡­How did you and Mizuki... end up together?" "Hah, I thought no one would ask, well you know how humans usually awaken at 14 to 15 correct?" "Yes, humans usually awaken around that age. Why do you ask?" "I awakened at 17" "Wait, you awakened at 17 years old? That''s way older than usual, how is that possible?" "Beats me, but anyways when I awaken Mizuki appeared in my room" "Mizuki just... appeared in your room when you awoke? Just like that?" "Yup, we made a contract, and that was that. She''s been by my side for 2 years now, you jelly?" Freya blinked in surprise at his question, her face once again heating up as she tried to deny his words, "W-what?! Me? Jelly? Pfft, of course not! Why would I be jealous?" "You are gripping my shoulder a bit too tight" She looked down to see that he was right, her hands gripping his shoulder quite tightly, embarrassment flooded through her as she quickly loosened her grip on his shoulder, though her face remained flushed. "... shut up¡­" "I mean, I don''t mind having you as a lover" Freya was caught off guard by Yuto''s sudden statement, her face turning even redder as she tried to process his words. "W-what?! Y-you can''t just say something like that so casually!" Mizuki chuckles, "That makes you blush?" "S-shut up..." She buried her face into his shoulder again, trying to hide her now furiously blushing face. She could hardly believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. Her heart started racing, and she couldn''t help but feel both nervous and excited. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down before finally speaking. "W-wait... Are you serious? You want me as your lover?" "I don''t mind and neither does Mizuki" Freya turned her head to look at Mizuki, surprised by his response, "Y-you don''t mind either? But I thought you two were, you know... together¡­" Mizuki chuckles, "You''ll understand with time" Mizuki ruffled her hair, "I promise you will not be disappointed if you become his" Freya shivered as Mizuki ruffled her hair, a strange mix of embarrassment and excitement flowing through her as she tried to comprehend the situation. She hesitates for a moment before finally responding. "You... you promise I won''t be disappointed? And you''re both really okay with me joining in your relationship?" Her heart was racing with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation as their words sank in She couldn''t believe that she was about to agree to this, but something inside her was screaming at her to take this chance. "O-okay then... I''ll do it. I''ll become your lover" Yuto stopped running, helped her down, and kneeled to kiss her hand, "I Yuto Akimitsu, promise to keep you happy and safe, till our end" Freya blushed furiously as he took her hand and kneeled before her, her heart skipping a beat as his lips brushed against her skin, as he spoke his promise, a mixture of surprise and joy flooded through her. She could feel her knees growing weak from such a promise. "I... I..." She was speechless for a moment, unable to find the right words to express what she was feeling. Finally, she managed to respond in a shaky voice, "I... accept" Yuto smiled as he stood up, cupping her cheek, the touch sending a shiver down her spine. She looked into his eyes, feeling a strange sense of intimacy. A small smile appeared on her face as she looked back at him, her cheeks already starting to turn rosy from his touch. She reached up and placed her hand over his, her fingers intertwined as she leaned into his touch. "Yuto¡­" "What, you want a kiss?" A small gasp escaped her lips as his question registered in her mind, Freya''s heart racing even faster at the implications of the request. Freya paused for a moment, a mix of anticipation and nervousness swirling in her gut. But ultimately, her desire to be closer to him wins out, and she nods her head slightly. "Y-yeah... kiss¡­" She leaned in closer, their faces just inches apart. Her heart was pounding so hard she was almost sure Yuto could hear it. Softly, tentatively, she closed the small gap between them and gently pressed her lips against his As their lips touched, a rush of emotions washed over her. Her stomach flips, her heart feels like it might burst out of her chest, and for a moment she forgets how to breathe. But all of those feelings are overshadowed by a strange sense of comfort and happiness, knowing that she was finally doing what she had been secretly wanting to do since she first met him. Freya placed her hands on his shoulders as she deepened the kiss, her body pressing against his as she gave in to her impulses. All of her inhibitions, her worries, and her fears seem to melt away in this moment, leaving only the intoxicating feeling of being close to Yuto "Wow, kissing an elf is different," Yuto mumbled with a small chuckle. She pulled back slightly, their lips breaking apart as she tried to catch her breath, "D-different how?" She asked, her voice a little breathless as she looked into his eyes, still feeling the remnants of the kiss tingling on her lips. He chuckled as he ruffled her hair, "It means, it felt good, dummy" Her face flushes at his words, a small pout forming on her lips, "Hey, don''t call me a dummy. I was just asking..." She tried to sound indignant, but she couldn''t quite suppress the smile that was starting to form on her face. "Come now, get on my back" Freya nodded as she climbed onto his back, her arms wrapping around his neck and her legs firmly grasping his hips, "Okay, now what?" [ Skill: Safe Dash ] Freya clung tighter to Yuto''s back as he activated his skill. Almost instantly, the surroundings around them began to blur as he moved at an incredible speed. The wind whipped around them, and she instinctively buried her face into his shoulder to avoid the onslaught of air. "H-how are you moving so fast?!" "Huh, they didn''t teach you this?" "They never taught me how to move this fast. It''s... quite unnerving" "That''s surprising, so how did it feel?" "It... it was exhilarating... but also a little scary. I''ve never moved so fast before, it was like the world was just a blur around me" "The kiss dummy," Mizuki said with a chuckle. Freya became flushed again, "O-oh... t-that... um¡­ It felt... amazing" "I''m glad, I was worried" "W-why were you worried?" "Well I never kissed an elf, a princess at that, naturally I would be worried" A small chuckle escaped her lips, "Is that what you were worried about? That you''ve never kissed an elf before?" "Is that so wrong?" "No, I suppose not. I just hadn''t expected that to be the reason you were worried. I guess most humans haven''t kissed elves before, have they?" "Doubt they even see one in their lifetime" "That''s true... Humans rarely ever encounter elves, and when they do, they usually don''t have the most... positive reactions" "Hey Freya" "Hm? What is it?" "Why were those groups of men following you?" "Ah, those men... They''re part of a group that operates in the area. They''ve been causing trouble for the villages nearby, stealing their resources and causing chaos. I was leaving the capital to find the hero, but they saw me and decided to follow me" "Slave trading" She nodded, her face darkening as she confirmed his suspicion, "Yes, they deal in slave trading. That''s why they tried to capture me. They probably wanted to sell me off to the highest bidder" "Well they''re dead now, so sucks to be them, haha" Freya let out a soft chuckle, "Yeah, serve them right for trying to mess with me. They won''t be bothering anyone anymore, that''s for sure" "Were you scared, you know when I killed them?" The question was out, open, it took a while but she responded, a mixture of fear and awe coursing through her as she recalled the events earlier. "Honestly? I was terrified. I''ve never seen anyone be so ruthless before... I wasn''t sure what you were going to do. But..." "But then I saw the look in your eyes... the way you were protecting me, making sure I was safe... and I was more amazed than scared" She clung a little tighter to his back as she continued speaking, "It''s like... you became a completely different person. You were so strong, so powerful... I knew then that you would do anything to keep me safe" Yuto felt his face go red, "Cough, that right?" Freya nodded, a small smile forming on her lips as she saw the color in his cheeks, "Yes, it''s true. You were like a completely different person when you were fighting them. And it was so... attractive" Yuto stopped, seeing how late it was getting, "Um so uh let''s prepare for the night," Freya looked around, noticing the darkening sky as the sun began to dip below the horizon. "Yeah, you''re right. We should probably find a place to set up camp for the night" She climbed down from his back, adjusting her skirt and looking around for a suitable spot to rest. The forest around them was quiet, with only the sounds of nocturnal creatures rustling nearby. "Over there," She pointed to a small clearing nestled among the trees. "Looks like a good spot. Flat, with no overhanging branches that might fall during the night. And it''s relatively sheltered from the wind" She started making her way toward the clearing, being careful to watch her footing in the dimming light. [ Basic Magic: Light ] Freya watches in awe as a soft, radiant glow appears before Yuto, illuminating the area around them in a warm, pleasant light. The clearing becomes bathed in a gentle glow, casting away the shadows of the encroaching night. [ Basic Magic: Tinder ] A small fire leaves Yuto''s finger as it starts up the campfire. Freya watched as the fire ignited, a small gasp of amazement escaping her lips. "So you gonna sleep beside me?" Yuto asked in a joking manner as he took out a sleeping bag Freya froze, suddenly feeling a little nervous at his question. She glanced at the small fire, then at the clearing, and finally back at him. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her suddenly-racing heart, "Um... w-well... I suppose I can sleep beside you, yeah" "Oh shit, I was joking" A small pout settles on her face as she berates herself for being so easily flustered. "H-hey! You can''t just tease me like that! You know I take things seriously!" "I don''t mind, if you want" "Stop messing with me! I''m serious, you can''t just throw out comments like that so casually! I thought you were serious!" "I am" Her eyes widen in surprise as he casually confirms that he isn''t teasing anymore. She could feel her heart starting to race again, the implications of his words settling in. "H-huh? Y-you''re serious now?" He nodded, "If you want" Freya''s heart was beating like a drum in her chest as she looked at him, trying to gauge his expression in the flickering light of the fire. "Um... you want me to sleep next to you?" "Mizuki gets the right side though" Freya glanced towards Mizuki, who was lounging nearby and smiled faintly. She could see the hint of a smirk on her face as she watched their exchange. "Right... Mizuki gets the right side, huh?" Freya looked back at Yuto, studying his expression for a moment, there was a hint of mischief in his eyes, and a small part of her wondered if he was teasing her again. "Are you... are you sure you''re not messing with me? I don''t want to wake up and find out it was all a joke" "You became my lover, no?" She blushed, the remainder of their earlier conversation sending a rush of warmth through her. She could feel her heart fluttering in her chest as she nodded slowly. "Y-yeah, I... I suppose I did become your lover" "Great, now let''s get some sleep" She could still feel the hint of a blush on her cheeks as she followed him over to where he was lying down. Freya settled herself down on the ground next to him, feeling the cool grass beneath her as she tried to get comfortable. "Okay¡­ so we''re really doing this...?" She was acutely aware of his presence beside her, his body heat just inches away from hers as she lay down. It feels strangely intimate to be so close to him, and her heart is still beating just a little too fast for comfort. She took a shaky breath, trying to calm herself down as she scooted a little closer. The air between them feels charged, almost electric as they lay shoulder-to-shoulder in the dim light of the dying fire. "Bold aren''t you" "H-hey, I''m allowed to get close to you, right? We''re lovers now, after all" He blushed, "Y-yeah" She smiled a little, feeling a sense of triumph as she could see the color in his cheeks. Freya decided to scoot a little closer again, their bodies now almost touching. "See? You''re blushing too" "You''re getting closer?" She smirked a little as she shifted even closer to him, their bodies almost flushed against each other now. Freya could feel the heat radiating from his body, and it was doing dangerous things to her heart rate. "Careful, I might devour you if you get too close" Freya felt a shiver at his words, her mind instantly conjuring up images of Yuto biting and ravishing her. Her breath hitches in her throat, and she has to take a moment to calm herself down before she can reply "Is that a threat or a promise?" Volume 3 Chapter 4 Shared Night 18+ "Well, do you think it''s a threat or a promise, how do you take it?" Freya bit her lower lip, feeling a rush of heat pool in her belly as she considered his question. Something is thrilling about the idea, the knowledge that he could completely dominate her if he wanted to "I... I don''t know, "she admits, her voice a little breathless. "You... you saying that just made me feel things" Yuto reached his hand down to feel her stomach, Freya involuntarily sucked in a breath as his hand touched her stomach, her muscles tensing beneath his touch. Yuto''s fingers feel like fire against her skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. Freya was acutely aware of his fingers tracing small circles against her stomach, the sensation both exhilarating and nerve-wracking at the same time Her breathing became heavier, her heart beating furiously in her chest as she tried to control herself. "M-more..." She murmurs, the word slipping between her lips before she can stop it. The arousal between them both grows with each passing second as Yuto leans in to nibble her ear softly and gently. She can''t help but gasp as she feels his teeth on her ear, her entire body shuddering in response. A low moan escaped her lips, the combination of the nibbling and his hands on her stomach was almost too much to handle Her eyes fluttered shut as her body was starting to feel hot and heavy. His touch was setting her on fire, and she could feel herself beginning to lose control. She pressed herself closer to him, trying to get even closer to the source of the pleasure. "Mmh, delicious, such sweet-tasting ears" Yuto''s touch was lighting her up like a live wire, sparks of pleasure coursing through her veins as he continued to nibble on her ear. She could feel her body arching against his, desperate for more contact, more sensation. "Please..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please, I need more. Don''t stop touching me" Something snapped in Yuto as he got up to take off his clothes, Freya felt her breath catching in her throat as she took in the sight of Yuto''s bare skin. She reached out a trembling hand, the need to feel him against her was almost overwhelming. Mizuki noticed the scene that was about to play out, and with a chuckle, she got up and moved to the other side of the camp, but put up a sound barrier to keep their noise down. Freya on the other hand was so focused on Yuto, and the heat building up in her body along with the feeling of his hands on her skin, that she barely registered Mizuki moving to the other side. Yuto leaned down to kiss her neck, as he helped undress her, taking off her skirt and helping to unbutton her shirt. Freya let out a soft gasp of surprise as Yuto began to unbutton her shirt, the feeling of his lips on her neck sending shivers down her spine. She arches her body against his, desperate for more contact as he slowly unveils her bare skin. "Freya, we can stop now, you don''t have to force yourself to continue" She shook her head, her body feeling like it was on fire. She couldn''t catch her breath, her eyes meeting his as she spoke gently, "No, please continue. I... I want this. I want you" Her hands grip his shoulders, pulling him closer as she presses her body against his. The sensation of his skin against hers was overwhelming, and she could feel herself becoming more and more lost in the pleasure. "Please..." I murmur again, my voice little more than a breath as I bury my face in your neck, inhaling your scent. "Please don''t stop. I need you. I need you so badly" Yuto decided not to ask again, merely doing his best to make her feel comfortable, "It''s in" Freya clung to him tightly, her nails digging into his skin as she braced herself for what was to come. Yuto started with a small thrust, Freya gasped sharply as he began to move, the sensation like nothing she''d ever felt before. Her body automatically clenched around him, feeling almost more pleasure than pain. "I can stop if you find it too painful?" He asked while wiping her tear She shook her head, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she clung to him. "No... don''t stop. It... it feels so good" Yuto gulped as he leaned in to nibble her ear again, causing her to arch her body against him as the sensation of his mouth on her ear was driving her wild. She gripped him tightly, her nails leaving marks on his skin as she clung desperately as he picked up the pace. "Please...don''t stop. I...oh goddess..." She could barely speak coherent words now, her mind completely lost in the pleasure he was giving her. Every nerve ends alive and tingling with pleasure. She could feel herself getting closer and closer to the edge, her body starting to tense in anticipation. "Freya . . ." She whimpers at the sound of her name, the simple act of saying it sending a rush of heat through her body. She was right on the edge now, teetering on the precipice of release, unable to put words to the intense pleasure coursing through her. With a final thrust, it was finished but not before she dug her nails into his back, her body shaking before going limp. "Yuto!" -An Hour Later- "So, that was breathtaking" She nodded slowly, her body feeling boneless and weak. She lay in his arms, trying to catch her breath as she came down from the high. "So, how was it?" She took a shuddering breath, her brain still not working properly, and she tried to find the words to describe how she was feeling. "Incredible. Amazing. Overwhelming. You''ve ruined me" Yuto chuckled as he planted a kiss on her cheek, "Guess I have to take responsibility for that" She managed a weak chuckle, still trying to understand what just hit her, she buried her face in his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Are you okay, Freya?" She nodded, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her, she was completely spent after their fun activity. "I''m fine. It''s just I''m a bit tired, after all, it was...Intense" "Haha, guess so" She let out a small sigh as she snuggled closer, the rise and fall of his breathing and the steady beat of his heart were almost soothing, and she could feel herself starting to get tired. "Yuto, may I ask you something?" She murmured, her voice muffled against his chest "Sure, what is it?" She paused, a bit hesitant, this was a question she had for a while but had been too afraid to ask. But she now felt vulnerable and open in the aftermath of their intimacy and finally found the courage to ask. "Is this... is this just a physical thing for you?" "Or do you actually have feelings for me?" "Are you afraid of the answer?" She bit her lower lip, her heart feeling as if it was stuck in her throat, "A little. Yeah. I... I care about you, you know?" A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "Same here, we spent two weeks bounding, I saw your cute little reactions, how caring your nature was, anyone would fall for you" A smile tugs at the corner of her lips, her chest warming at his words. She knew he liked her, but hearing him confirm it made her heart feel as if it was about to burst with happiness. "So... this isn''t just because you find me attractive?" He gently pinched her cheek, "Cute" She huffed in protest, trying to glare but looked more flustered than anything, "Hey! I''m trying to have a serious conversation here!" "Did you fall for my looks?" Freya couldn''t help but roll her eyes as a reluctant smile tugged at her lips, "Maybe... a little. But not just for that. You''re smart, strong, and kind. I like how protective you are, and how you always make me feel safe. And... you''re also very handsome" "See, we''re on the same boat" She let out a sigh of relief, feeling a wave of tension leave her body as she snuggled closer. "I guess we''re just two idiots falling for each other" Mizuki chuckles, "3 idiots" Freya looked up in surprise, having momentarily forgotten her, she couldn''t help but roll her eyes at Mizuki''s comment, "Shut up, you" "You want me to join?" She asked in a teasing manner, which caused Freya to blush but she quickly shook her head "W-what? N-no, of course not!" "Ah shucks next time," she said with a grin. Yuto chuckled as he leaned in and planted a kiss on Freya''s cheek, "For tonight, I am all yours" Freya melted against him, feeling her body relax as he held her tighter. She let out a content sigh, enjoying the warmth of his body. "And you''re mine. Don''t forget it" Freya could feel herself drifting off to sleep, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling her into a drowsy state, her eyes fluttered closed and she murmured against his chest. "Good night, Yuto" "Night, Fae" She smiled sleepily, burrowing herself deeper into his embrace. "Mmm... love it when you call me that" -Morning- Freya stirred awake, slowly opening her eyes to the sunlight streaming into the campsite. She let out a yawn and began to stretch, feeling her muscles protest from last night''s¡­ activities. She looked over to Yuto, hoping he was still asleep so that she could watch him undisturbed. She took a moment to enjoy the sight of him sleeping, the relaxed expression on his face. She resisted the urge to reach out and run her fingers through his hair, not wanting to wake him up. "He''s cute when he''s asleep, right?" Freya looked over at Mizuki, who was awake and watching her with amusement, she blushed a little realizing that she must''ve been awake for a while "Yeah, he is..." She murmurs, unable to tear her eyes away from Yuto''s sleeping figure Freya stood up slowly, stretching her arms above her head, "Mizuki how long have you been awake?" Mizuki chuckled as she was gathering their belongings, "I tend to wake up very early, now since it''s just us girls, do you have any questions you want to ask me?" Freya couldn''t help but blink at the unexpected question, a million thoughts running through her head. She did have some questions she wanted to ask her, she nibbled on her lower lip, before finally speaking. "Actually... yeah. There is one thing I''ve been wondering about" Mizuki raises an eyebrow at Freya''s hesitant tone, but she just shrugs with a grin, "Sure, go ahead. What''s on your mind?" "I... I hope you don''t mind me asking, but..." she paused, trying to find the right words. "How exactly do you feel about Yuto?" Mizuki''s eyes widened before letting out a laugh, she flew over to Freya, pinching her cheek gently, "Cute little thing aren''t you" "Who wouldn''t love him, he''s a man who would give up his power if it meant saving a loved one, you saw it too didn''t you, how angry he can get on your behalf" Freya''s face was flushed, "I... uh... yes" She stumbles over her words, feeling a little flustered. Yuto let out a chuckle, unable to hold in his laughter any longer, "Mizuki, you shouldn''t tease Freya too much" Mizuki just grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, but it''s so fun seeing her stumble over her words like this. Reminds me of a timid little kitten, can''t you see how flushed she is, I mean it is cute" Freya glared at the both of them feeling mortified, as they were both enjoying her embarrassment. "You''re both assholes, you know that, right?" Yuto pulled her into a kiss, "Yeah, but you fell for that part of me, didn''t you?" Freya instantly forgot her irritation, her knees going weak as he pressed his lips against hers, she couldn''t help but melt into him, her mouth moving against his with such eagerness. "Mmm... maybe a little..." she murmurs, when they finally break apart, her breath coming in ragged gulps. Yuto got up, putting on his clothes, "Come now, we''re almost at your homeland" Freya blinked, needing a moment to gather her thoughts, her mind was still reeling from the kiss, but seeing Yuto putting on his trench coat brought her back to reality. "Ah yes," She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the dizziness. "You''re right. We should keep moving" Freya glanced over at Mizuki, who was watching them with a smirk, Freya blushed but helped pack away their things. She couldn''t help but feel a bit of anticipation, knowing that they were about to enter her homeland. Once everything was packed and ready, they started moving again. The walk is mostly silent, the only sounds are the crunching of leaves and the occasional rustle of an animal in the underbrush. After walking for a while, they come across a stream, the water sparkling in the sunlight. Freya stopped for a moment, feeling a sudden sense of nostalgia wash over her. She dipped her hands into the cool stream of water, reminiscing silently, "This is where my friends and I used to play as kids. We''d spend hours chasing each other around the forest, completely carefree¡­" "Is that so?" She nodded, a fond smile playing at the corner of her lips, "Yeah. We used to pretend we were brave warriors, fighting dragons and evil monsters. We were little brats back then" "I remember one time we had a rock-throwing competition. We were aiming at a tree trunk, trying to see who could hit the closest to the center. My friend Tania won" "She threw so hard, the rock embedded itself into the wood" Freya let out a soft laugh, the memory still fresh in her mind, "We were so in awe of her that we decided she was our official warrior princess from then on, even if it was a bit childish" "Those were some of the best days of my life, full of adventure and imagination. And now... it all feels like a distant dream..." Her smile faded, now replaced by a sad expression as reality set back in, "Coming back here... it''s bittersweet" "Freya, I''ll put an end to the monsters invading, I promise" She looked at Yuto, a flicker of hope igniting her heart, she wanted to believe him she truly did, but the beast invading her homeland was different from mere goblins. "Do you think so?" Yuto chuckled, "Of course, you saw how strong I am, a mere beast cannot stop me" Freya smiled and couldn''t help but snort at that, "You have a point there," she took a deep breath, trying to push away the doubts in her mind. ["I have to believe in you, Yuto please don''t let me down, I beg of you"] She took his hand in hers, "Now come on, we''re almost there" As they walk, the forest begins to feel more and more familiar, Freya notices things that have been burned into her childhood memories, a small clearing that they used to play in The fallen log that they used as a bridge, "We''re getting close now," She mentioned quietly, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension building within her Finally, after what seems like miles of walking, they reach the edge of the forest, and the sight that greets them takes her breath away. Freya''s homeland, which used to be so vibrant and lively, now lay in ruin. Homes that were once full of life, are now burnt husk, the earth was scorched and blackened. She felt a rush of emotions washing over her, as she stared at the devastation in front of them. Disbelief, shock, anger, despair... it all crashes down on her at once "No..." She whispers, her voice barely audible "This... this can''t be real¡­" "It''s not over," Yuto said with anger. Freya looked over at Yuto, his words stinging as they brought her back to reality, reminding her of the mission, "You''re right," she said, her voice shaky but firm. "It''s not over yet" They saw the hoards still invading, a massive army mixed up of creatures, from goblins to mid-ranking demons, Freya''s heart sunk at the sight below them. "They must have multiplied since I left¡­" The once-vast fields of flowers were overrun by monsters, and the ground was filled with blood and some bodies of fallen soldiers "There''s so many of them..." her stomach twisting into knots. Yuto stepped up to the edge with a smirk as Mizuki transformed into a sword, "Freya, if I can wipe them out in a single hit, what''s my reward?" Freya blinked, a little taken aback by the suddenness of his question, despite the dire situation, his casual tone made her huff in irritation. "Seriously? Do you want to bargain now? In the middle of all this?" "Come now, it''s fun to bet at times like this" Freya rolled her eyes, a small smile forming on her lips, Yuto had shown her to be impossible, even in dire situations like this. "Ok, fine, I concede, if you manage to wipe them all out in a single blow... I''ll let you do whatever you want to me, no questions asked. Happy now?" [ SIN MARTIAL ART FIRST FORM: WRATH X EXPLOSION MAGIC TIER 5 ] Freya watched in awe at the unleashing of power, a burst of pure power and raw energy that made the ground tremble beneath their feet. All the monsters that were invading stood no chance, they were all blown or cut up. In the end, not even a single blood drop of theirs remained, the power displayed was both terrifying and awe-inspiring at the same time. The field was clear, it left Freya breathless, speechless. At the sheer level of destruction he had just created from the swing of his sword, Yuto smirked as Mizuki transformed back into a ring. "Okay, into the bushes we go" "Wait what, what for?" "My reward" Her eyes widened in understanding, and a flush of heat spread across her face, she hadn''t thought he''d remember their agreement, but here he was asking for a reward. "Right... your reward," she managed to say, her voice a little more breathless than intended. She felt her face growing red, knowing the implications of what he meant, but before she even moved she felt a flick on her forehead. "I''ll save it for later, let''s check out the place for any survivors" She blinked, a little stunned, but quickly remembered her surroundings, the chaos, and war still far from over, "Right... survivors" "I... I hope we find someone. Someone alive" They made their way to the devastated remains of the city, searching for any sign of life, they checked the houses, barns, the trees, anywhere her people might''ve taken refuge. But as they walked down the ruined streets, despair started to fill Freya''s heart, it was a ghost town, with not a single soul to be seen. Not a sound or sign of life "Freya," Yuto reached for her shoulder. She looked at Yuto, her eyes clouded with sorrow, "There''s no one¡­" She said quietly as she started to the empty remains of a once busy city "I''m sorry, we came too late" Freya let out a weary sigh, feeling a heavy weight settle in her heart, "Don''t blame yourself, we tried to get here in time, that''s all that matters" As Freya turned to leave she heard a whisper, she froze, her senses on alert. ¡®Did I hear that correctly?¡¯ "Yuto, you heard that, right?" She asked, looking up at him hopefully. "Well it''s not an enemy, that''s for sure" She nodded in agreement, the voice was too soft and gentle to be a monster, "Maybe¡­ it was a survivor, someone who managed to hide!" They looked around trying to pinpoint the location of the whisper, they checked all the ruined buildings, and yet no clues. "Hello?" Freya called out, "Is anyone there?" They waited in silence, they cautiously approached a barn, and every step they took filled with tension, it was the last place to check As they reached the entrance, they paused, listening for any movement, but there was only silence, ominous and heavy. Freya nodded, signaling to be on guard, before slowly pushing open the barn door, the sight inside made her heart feel hopeful, there in the middle of the barn, huddled a soldier. "S-survivors? What are you doing, hurry up inside before any of the demons see you!" His voice was weak, his words barely audible, a hint of urgency in his tone is what made them hurry over to him. As they approached him, they saw the injury on his shoulder, his clothes were torn and bloody. He looked at them with sunken eyes, and his face was pale and drawn with exhaustion. Yuto kneeled to give him a grade 3 potion, he was thankful but soon got a bit agitated, "Did you too sneak out?" He hit the floor 4 times in an odd pattern when a hidden path revealed itself, a hidden tunnel leading underground. It was dark and cramped but it seemed to be their best option. "Who are you?" Freya asked, her curiosity piqued, "And how long have you been hiding here?" With the help of Yuto, he got up and led them down this dark tunnel, with only a torch as its source of light. "Well, my name is Code, a regular guard, I don''t know how long I''ve been here, but I wasn''t expecting to see anyone out here" Code, a regular guard, who didn''t look fearsome, was wounded and worn out, but seemed to be resourceful, as he managed to hide and survive this long. "How many more of you are down here?" Freya asked "Forgive me for asking, but you''re an elf right?" Freya nodded, a bit puzzled, "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?" Code looked over to Yuto, "And the gentlemen next to you?" She glanced over at Yuto, wondering where this line of questioning was going, "He''s... umm... human," she answered, not sure if that was the answer Code wanted to hear. Code stopped momentarily, "Why did you bring a human?" Freya felt a pang of defensiveness at his question, was it really that strange for her to bring a human here, it was the request of her father, so who was he to question her? "What do you mean?" She demanded, narrowing her eyes, "What''s wrong with him being a human?" Yuto poked her back, "Freya" She turned her head, wondering what Yuto had to say as he interrupted Code from speaking, "Yes?" "Why don''t you tell him your status?" "My status?" She repeated, confused as she looked back at Code, her mind racing with any rational explanation before it hit her "You mean about me being a princess?" "P-princess?" Code almost choked on his spit. She could see the shock on Code''s face at the revelation, it was obvious he wasn''t expecting someone from the royal family to be out there. "Yes, princess," She confirmed. "Is that a problem?" "Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness" Freya waved her hand, stopping her apologies, "There is no need to apologize, right now, there is no need for formalities" "I wouldn''t dare, and about your previous question, his majesty thought it would be best to escape, only a few were unlucky, and many if not all of us escaped" Freya felt a mixture of relief and sadness wash over her, relief at those who escaped, but sadness at the loss of the soldiers who fought for their homeland "My father, is he...?" She questions, the worry evident in her voice "His majesty is alive, only a few cuts but he is alive" A wave of relief washed over her, ¡®Father is okay¡¯ "Where is he now?" "With the rest of the people, if we keep following this path, you shall see what I''m talking about" She nodded, feeling a hopeful light ignite within, "Did you hear that Yuto!" Yuto couldn''t help but smile as he ruffed up her hair, "You seem happy" "Of course I''m happy, my father and my people are alive, it''s at least a step in reclaiming my homeland back" Yuto planted a small kiss as the light at the end of the tunnel appeared brighter, "Let''s go!" Code steps aside as they both hurried down the tunnel, her heart pounding with anticipation, she was close to seeing her people again. Volume 3 Chapter 5 Fear the Hero Yuto noticed how nervous she was and decided to pat her head in reassurance, "It''s okay" Freya found such a simple gesture comfortable, as her breathing became steadier, "Thanks¡­" "I just hope they''re doing okay¡­my people, I mean" "I''m sure they are, I mean this is one long tunnel" Freya let out a chuckle, letting Yuto''s words soothe her worries, as they continued down the tunnel in silence, the only sound being heard was their breathing and footsteps that echoed in the narrow passageway. The tension seemed to mount with every step they took, and after 3 hours of running, the tunnel began to widen, as the sound of voices and movement reached their ears. Freya''s heart leaped at the sound, ¡®We''re close, so very close!¡¯ Freya rushed forward, as she saw the light grow brighter and brighter. ¡®Wow she''s fast¡¯ ["You tell me, must be a skill if I have to put some effort to catch up"] Freya soon arrived at the end of the tunnel and stepped out into a massive underground cavern, it was filled with torches and light magic that cast a warm glow. And her people¡­hundreds if not thousands of her people were all gathered, safe and alive, she could hardly believe such a sight. As Yuto caught up to her, his eyes widened at the sight of such a ''camp'', "Woah, it''s beautiful" ¡®This is unheard of, to evacuate so many people, and to be able to have a safehold no less¡¯ ["I gotta admit, I give props to the king, this is pretty impressive"] Freya let out a soft sigh, a feeling of awe and joy washed over her. It was beautiful, when she left on her father''s orders they were preparing for war, and when she came back and saw her homeland destroyed, she felt like giving up. But to see so many of her people together, safe and sound, telling jokes and enjoying the time they had, was more than she could hope for. "I didn''t think... I didn''t think so many would''ve escaped¡­" I murmur, my voice thick with emotion. As Freya thought to herself, Yuto noticed a bigger problem at hand. ["Mizuki"] ¡®Yes, Yuto?¡¯ ["Although Freya accepted me, I''m not too sure about her people, let alone her father"] ¡®In what sense?¡¯ ["In the sense of I''m a human, and that might cause a bit of a problem"] ¡®Just behave as you usually do, everything should work out¡¯ ["Ha, well thanks for the reassurances, but it''s not that simple"] ¡®Oh? Why not?¡¯ ["I don''t respect royalty"] ¡®Yuto¡­¡¯ ["Yeah?"] ¡®Please don''t do anything stupid that might have us executed, you have grown, but I don''t want us to be wanted by every country'' ["... What exactly do you see me as?"] ¡®A dummy who I know is going to cause some sort of problem, so be on your best behavior¡¯ ["Fine, fine, Oh it looks like Freya is done scanning the area"] "Code, where is my father? Why is he not among the others?" "Your Highness, he should be here with the elders, waiting for your return" "Father wants to speak with me?" "Why is something wrong?" "I sadly do not know, all we were told was to hold the line till you returned, but he was waiting for you" A mix of worries washed over Freya, if the king knew she would return, then he would expect to see the ''hero'' she brought with her, she was anxious about what to say when she saw him again. "Alright," as they stepped down and began navigating their way around the people, she tried to steady her breathing. After walking for what felt like an eternity, Yuto pointed at a tall figure, with blonde hair, and green eyes, "Is that your father upfront?" Freya looked up, and sure enough, it was her father, standing among the elders, talking in hushed whispers. ¡®He seems rather busy¡¯ ["Worried more like it"] "Yes, that''s him," she confirmed, her heart clenching in anticipation. They made their way into the middle, Freya''s eyes fixated on her father as it seemed that he had just finished up his conversation with the elders he noticed Freya approaching. Their eyes met, and even from afar, she could see the stern look on his face, she knew that expression, it was one she had seen throughout her childhood, it was when he was serious. She took a deep breath, gathering all her courage, as she walked up to the king, the people around them noticed her, their eyes on her making the walk feel ten times longer. She felt her heart beat faster with every step she took, ¡®I''m scared, what if I mess up?¡¯ ¡®Is father going to be disappointed in me?¡¯ A gentle squeeze on her hand brought her back, Yuto''s presence helped calm her nerves, "T-thank you" "No problem, by the way, your dad sure is tall" Freya let out a chuckle, King Senki was an intimidating figure, especially when he was in a serious mood, "Yes he is" ¡®Is this king strong?¡¯ ["I read in a book that he was once a war hero for his people, that''s how he became king"] ¡®Well, he does have a bit of a presence, but I doubt he''s stronger than you¡¯ ["Well there''s only one way to find out"] ¡®Just don''t do anything stupid¡¯ ["Can''t promise anything"] Everyone around them fell silent as they finally came face to face with the king, he stood tall, towering over her as usual. His gaze was stern, and for a moment, he said nothing, just studying Freya''s expression silently. It was Yuto who broke the silence by taking a knee, "Greetings King Senki, I am Yuto Akimitsu, the hero you''re daughter brought to help in this trying time" Her father turned his eyes to Yuto, studying him with a critical gaze, his expression showing no sign of softening. "I see, so you are the human she brought to our side" He spoke in a formal and cold tone, his words carrying a bit of salt to them, "Well then, arrest him" Whispers broke out, and Freya was clearly in shock and disbelief, she couldn''t believe the situation. ¡®Wow, that was quick, I think you have a new record of 2 seconds of getting a record on you¡¯ ["To be clear, was it the way I greeted myself?"] ¡®Don''t know but I can feel a hint of anger, what did you do?¡¯ ["Hah, I have no clue"] "Father, he hasn''t done anything wrong, instead he has been helping me!" "Freya this young man has committed a crime, and frankly it should have him hanging from his privates" ¡®I think I get the picture¡¯ ["I think I get it too, but it should be impossible for him to know"] ¡®That you slept with the princess?¡¯ ["Again, I have no idea if that is it, but if it is I want to know how he knows"] Freya looked confused, "What crime?" "His crime, is daring to touch a royal princess, a mere commoner, nay a mere human" ["Majestic my ass, he''s salty"] ¡®Can''t blame the guy, I mean she is his daughter¡¯ ["Point taken"] Freya snapped her head back, clearly mortified, "That.. that''s ridiculous!" Her voice was loud, almost bordering on a shout. Her hands balled into a fist, and her anger was starting to boil up. "Yeah I mean what''s wrong with me holding her hand, planting small kisses (And deep ones), that''s a private matter" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Freya could hear the hint of humor in his tone and had to resist the urge to slap him. The king on the other hand was not amused, as his face darkened and a storm seemed to be brewing behind his eyes. Yuto was essentially digging his hole with every word, Mizuki might have found it funny, and Freya was embarrassed, the people around them letting out a few chuckles, hell even some of the guards had to pinch themselves from laughing. "SILENCE!" He shouted, his voice booming through the cavern. The elders and people all stood silently, watching the unfolding scene with wide eyes, Freya could feel the tension in the air. ¡®Yuto, what you do next can have a major consequence, so don''t do anything stupid¡¯ ["Got it"] "Freya" Freya turned her attention back to Yuto, "Y-yes?" "Do you love your old man?" "Of course, I do he''s my father" ¡®There you have it, don''t do anything you might regret¡¯ ["I won''t"] Yuto got back up, throwing the two guards that were holding him down, everyone around them looked with astonishment. The king''s irritation grew, "What do you think you''re doing?" "With all due respect, what I and the princess do is our matter, I came at her request so I expected at least a bit of hostility" "I am aware you came at her request, but that doesn''t mean you can do as you please, let alone hold her hand" "Cough, I mean I did more than that" ¡®Well it was nice knowing you Yuto¡¯ ["It was nice knowing you as well Mizuki"] Freya''s face was heating up, resisting the urge to scream, ¡®How can he say something so casual?¡¯ The lady elves looked a bit flushed, the men were nodding in approval, and the guards looked impressed at the level of bravery a mere human was showing. "Excuse me?" His voice was low, laced with barely controlled anger. "You ''did'' more with my daughter?" "No comment" "Guards drag this man to our prison!" ¡®Yuto, no more playing around, stop this at once¡¯ ["Understood"] Before the guards could grab him Yuto slapped his hands together, "Enough!" Everyone fell silent, even the King was caught off-guard but it looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel. "Dude, this is hardly the time to be angry about who you''re daughter sleeps with" "You dare to yell at me?!" He took a step towards Yuto, clearly intending to slash Yuto''s tongue out as a bit of wind magic started to envelop his hand. [ Killing Intent ] "I suggest you stop at once, I do not wish to make Freya upset" The killing intent made everyone around them shake in fear, Freya''s eyes widened slightly, a look of surprise spreading across her face. No one had ever dared to speak to her father like that, but at least to his credit, he did stop. "Now, King Senki, I like to take this moment to speak as adults, I came at your daughter''s request" Her father''s gaze shifted back to Freya, "Did you pick this man as the hero?" "Y-yes, Father" He rubbed a hand over his face in frustration, "I can''t believe it¡­that you would bring a human like this to our kingdom" "F-father, we needed someone to help us, we are in no place to be picky about who helps us" "I am also very strong Your Highness," Yuto replied while flexing his arm. "I can see that," her father replied dryly, still displeased about the previous conversation. He looked back at the elders and began discussing what to do about this sassy child, clearly having their own opinions on the matter. "Excuse me, your majesty" Senki snapped back at Yuto, "What is it?" "Forgive my rudeness, but I am here for Freya, so tell me what you need me to do, and I''ll get it done" Freya looked down, not embarrassed but her face was as flushed as a tomato, King Senki on the other hand was less touched and more annoyed. "What to do?" he repeated with sarcasm. "How about you keep your filthy hands off of my daughter?" "I politely decline" Freya facepalmed and the king''s eye began to twitch, "And why the hell not?" he asked through a clenched jaw. "Well because I do not wish to" "You damn human-" [ Skill: Alert ] [ Intense Bloodlust is headed in your direction ] ¡®Yuto, something is coming, something strong¡¯ ["I know, I felt it too"] ¡®How much power are you going to use?¡¯ ["However much I need to use"] [ Flight Magic ] Yuto began levitating off the ground, "King Senki, I do not mean to worry you but something is coming, tell your people to head somewhere safe" "What the¡­!" Everyone around them looked in disbelief, although flight magic wasn''t uncommon, only the most skilled of mages could obtain such a skill after hours of effort. "This is just plain ridiculous," an elder muttered. "Hurry, there is not enough time!" "Enough with your lies, this place is located so deep underground, that nothing can sense us" [ Skill: Alert ] [ The host has been sensed, I suggest escaping ] ¡®Yuto, I can sense we are running out of time¡¯ ["I know, damn it, I know"] "Freya, something is coming, something strong" Alas, it was too late as a giant loud crash could be heard at the entrance of the tunnel. Confusion Terror With so many emotions running through the elves, the guards started to rush the people to the back and shared looks among the elders. "What was that?" Senki demanded, moving to the sword on his hip. "Stay on alert, guards get the women and children to the back, anyone who can use any type of defensive and offensive magic is with me!" Louds echoed through the cavern, followed by a low yet haunting growl, sending a shiver down Senki''s spine. ¡®What do you plan on doing, Yuto?¡¯ ["Whatever I need to do, for right now, let us watch"] BOOM! A roar echoed through the cavern, a sound of rage and hunger. A massive figure of a monster, with dark scales, eyes looking bloodshot, hands bigger than its back, and a tail wrapped in spikes, it was something out of one''s nightmares. "W-what is that thing?" Code asked, voice trembling as he tried to hold his bow. Freya looked at it with terror, her mind a mix of fear and confusion. King Senki stepped forward, trying to hide his fear with a mask of anger and determination. "S-stay back you foul creature!" his voice was firm but tinged with a hint of fear. Elves were a race that would never see such a creature like this in their lifetime, it wasn''t like the war 3,000 years ago, where such beasts were common. The beast took a step forward, its claws scraping against the stone floor, seeming to sniff the air for something. "What am I, chop liver?" Everyone including the beast, heads snapped towards Yuto, clearly no one was expecting someone to have the audacity to speak in such a situation. King Senki''s eyes widened as he cast a glance at Yuto with eyes that practically said ''What are you planning?'' "Mizuki a few buffs please" +100 Attack +100 Speed ¡®You''re going to let loose now?¡¯ ["Can''t disappoint my uncle now can I?"] [ Skill: Dash x Accelerate ] [ Sword Saint''s First Technique: 100,000 Slashes x HellFire Tier 5 ] In a sudden blur of light, a barrage of slashes could be heard coming down on the beast, each clearly having an effect as it wailed in agony. Everyone stopped moving, watching in awe at the display of power, even Senki could not hide his surprise at the amount of power Yuto was hiding. <- System Warning -> [ The host''s heartbeat is beating at an unusual rate ] ''Yuto, I can feel the aftereffects on your body, how are you holding up?'' ["Honestly, I feel like shit, it seems like I can only mimic his techniques, I still need some practice"] Yuto chuckled, but the beast was far from down, as the slashes stopped, it roared in pain, its eyes locking onto Yuto, it took a sluggish swing but missed. "Mizuki, I''m going to try one more technique" ¡®Not like I have a choice, one more time¡¯ [ Seven Sins Art First Form: Wrath ] A huge slash was released, mixed with black hell fire, the air practically crackling with intensity, as the attack connected, its scales were torn apart like paper. The cavern fell silent, only the sound of heavy breathing from those watching in shock and awe, it was like a scene out of a fairytale, a hero who would not yield to the malice of evil. "Dying while standing up, quiet the sturdy one aren''t you?" No one dared to say a word, and after the feeling of eternity passed, Senki spoke up, "I''ve never seen someone deal with a beast like that¡­not one that seemed to be from the old war" Freya had a confident smile as Yuto began to float back down, the beast that shook fear in their hearts was brought down in two techniques. The people who were running away came back with gasps and whispers, it was Senki who stepped up, his expression one of respect, "I had underestimated you, mortal" "Well, Freya didn''t" ¡®Yuto¡¯ ["Yes?"] ¡®Give me one good reason not to smack you¡¯ Freya''s face heated up at his words, she looked at Yuto who had a stupid smirk, Senki noticed and was not amused by Yuto''s casual attitude. "Yes, perhaps not," there was a bit of respect in his eyes, it was clear that Yuto had proven his abilities, and wouldn''t dismiss him as before for being human. ["A reason, well the king didn''t seem to mind"] All the elves cheered in union, the rise of a new here, a pillar of support for the youngest princess, the elders who had opposed his arrival, looked at him with grudging respect. "Excuse me Father in law" Freya looked at Yuto, her heart jumping into her throat at how he addressed her father, King Senki''s irritation spiked. "Excuse me?" "Do you know any earth magic, I read in a book that elves use spirit magic" "Of course, I can use earth magic, why do you ask human?" Yuto pointed to the giant hole the monster created, "How long until that hole in the wall gets fixed?" "Why do you ask?" "Just answer" Senki huffed, clearly not appreciating the way Yuto was speaking to him, "With my magic, perhaps a day or so, what''s it to you?" Yuto lifted his hand, [ Earth Magic: Mud Wall ] A giant makeshift wall of mud covered the entrance, and everyone''s eyes widened, Senki was impressed at the display of power but quickly covered his surprised look. "And for final measure" [ Magic Barrier: Tier 5 ] "There, now nothing should be able to get in" "That¡­that''s quite impressive" "That''s what she said" Freya covered her mouth to hide her laugh, Senki however looked like he was about to break Yuto''s spine. "Must you say something stupid every single time?" "What, I can''t make jokes with my father-in-law?" Senki looked like he was seconds away from an aneurysm, his entire face red with rage, his hands clenching to his side. "You¡­!" "Me? Oh, the hero who stopped that beast right?" "You have no respect for" "Enough your majesty, that''s enough" The oldest of the elders stepped up, "He has proven himself to be a powerful and reliable ally, it is clear that he bears no ill will against us" Senki shot the elder a glare, clearly not happy at being interrupted but he knew best not to argue in front of his people. Freya was trying her best not to laugh, it was the first time watching her father not being able to command or control someone. ¡®Is this what Yuto meant by not bowing to anyone?¡¯ "Look, King Senki, you have a lot to say, so let us move to a more private setting," Yuto''s voice was serious, his usual demeanor replaced by a confident tone. Senki''s face softened slightly as he heard Yuto''s change in tone, he gave a stiff nod, understanding that they needed to have a serious conversation. "Yes, you are correct," he gave a gesture for Freya and Yuto to follow him. "Come now" Freya let out a sigh of relief, glad that the shouting match between the two had come to an end, as they were walking Yuto grabbed Freya''s hand and kissed it. Freya''s heart skipped a beat, as she blushed deeply, her eyes widening in surprise. Her father noticed and shot a disapproving glance over his shoulder but didn''t say anything, as he led them both of them toward a smaller, more secluded room. The room was modestly furnished, with just a few chairs and a table in the center. He shut the door behind them, as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, his eyes fixated on Yuto. The silence filled the room, the tension between Yuto and Senki felt almost suffocating, Freya stood awkwardly to the side, watching them stare each other down. Yuto was the first to speak, "So, what''s up" Senki cut him off before Yuto could finish his sentence, his impatience finally getting the better of him, "Enough of this useless banter, I have questions and I expect honest answers!" Freya could practically see the smug look on Yuto''s face, "By all means, ask away," he said with a casual tone but with an edge of mockery. "You¡­fine let us start with this!" "Why are you going so far to help my daughter? What are your intentions?" "Your majesty, do you love your wife?" This question threw Senki off guard, a puzzled look on his face, "Of course, I love my wife, but what does that have to do with anything?" Yuto held up his finger as if to tell him he wasn''t done, "And you would do anything for her, correct?" Senki nodded his head, he would do anything for his wife even if it meant giving up his own life, "Yes¡­ I would do anything for her without question" "Well that''s not any different from what I''m doing, I love your daughter" Freya''s face flushed at such a casual declaration of love, happiness filling her heart. Her father on the other hand looked like he was just struck by lightning. "You¡­love my daughter?" "So I ask you, is it wrong for a man to want to protect his lover, and the people she cares for?" Senki was at a loss for words, clearly not expecting such a declaration of love, he rubbed his forehead, his expression one of bewilderment mixed with anger. "Human, it''s not that simple, there is much you don''t understand" "Then help me understand" "I can explain but let me say this again, it is not as simple as you think" Yuto chuckled, "You saw my strength and if you don''t trust me know this, I am the nephew of the Sword Saint" ¡®Yuto¡¯ ["Yeah?"] ¡®I know your uncle said he would support whatever you decide to do but I''m sure he doesn''t like anyone using his name¡¯ ["Well I mean no one''s going to tell so"] ¡®Hah, guess again look at both of their reactions¡¯ Senki and Freya''s eyes widened, the Sword Saint was known to be a legendary hero in the human world, but known across the land for his unmatched skill of the blade second only to the kingdom''s sword master who perished two years ago. "You¡­you are related to the Sword Saint?" Senki asked with disbelief coloring his face The room was silent as Senki tried to process this information, "Is this true? Are you the nephew of the Sword Saint?" "Yes, so do not doubt my abilities for it is the same as putting dirt on his name" "I see, but regardless let me say this, my daughter is not a prize to be won" "What?" ¡®Yuto don''t let his comment anger you¡¯ "Human, you come in here, fight a beast, declare your love for my daughter, and flaunt your connection to the Sword Saint¡­it''s a lot to take in" "All I am saying is that my daughter is not a prize to be won or to be conquered" ¡®... Never mind, remind this bastard, who you are¡¯ "Oi" A hint of anger was in Yuto''s voice, but Senki''s eyes never left his "I mean no offense but my daughter''s hand in marriage is not something to be treated lightly" ["Yet you send her out to do something so dangerous?!"] "It is a decision that carries with it many implications and responsibilities" [ Skill: Killing Intent Maximum ] ¡®Jeez you can sometimes forget the people around you¡¯ Mizuki floated in her spirit form and cast a protection spell over Freya, to protect her from the gripping feeling of death. Senki, despite having fought back in his day, faltered a bit at the sudden shift of the atmosphere, he involuntarily took a step back, and fear flashed before his eyes as he came to realize just how powerful Yuto was. "YOU DARE!" Senki, a hero amongst the elves, was paralyzed in fear, his breath caught in his throat, his face pale, sweat forming on his forehead. "I...I didn''t mean.." he stammered, unable to fully form a sentence, it was still impressive that he could even speak. ["As expected of a level 350, he''s strong"] "I came here at the request of Freya who came asking for help by your order, you threw her into a world she didn''t even know anything about!" Senki nodded, his hand subtly reaching for the hidden knife strapped to his side. "Put that hand down old man, before you lose it" His hand froze, his fingers hovering mere inches above the blade, he withdrew his hand, letting it rest on his side. His gaze met Yuto''s, his eyes widened with fear and respect. With each second that passed, it felt as if his breath became ragged, "I...I apologize, I spoke out of turn and-" "YUTO" Yuto jolted up, his killing intent disappearing, "Freya?" "You..you took it too far," her voice was quivering, although not affected by the killing intent directly, it was terrifying to see her father afraid. She took a step forward, positing herself between her father and him, she looked at her father with a mix of relief and shame. "Father, I understand your concerns, but he is not trying to win me (Although he already has my heart) he came at my request to help us" Yuto kneeled to her feet and kissed her hand, "I''m sorry, I must have scared you" Volume 3 Chapter 6 Honor the Deal Freya''s eyes soften at such a gesture, the tension she was holding slowly leaving her body. "It''s fine, I know you didn''t mean to hurt me, my father is just¡­well stubborn" "I know you were just being protective, thank you Yuto" "Of course Fae" ¡®I''m not going to lie, for a moment, I thought that you were going to kill him¡¯ ["I was trying to scare him, if he took it like that well he only has himself to blame"] Senki let out a soft huff, still shaken from the amount of fear that he took, but was not as hostile as before. "Protective is an understatement," he muttered, wiping away the sweat from his forehead. Freya shot her father a glare, silently telling him to cut it out, she turned her attention back to Yuto. "Yuto, you shouldn''t have gone that far, scaring father like that was not necessary" ¡®Yeah Yuto, it was too much¡¯ ["Well you said to let lose so you''re kinda to blame"] ¡®Ha well she doesn''t know that, so own up to it and apologize, I''ll make it up to you later¡¯ Yuto slowly nodded, "I''m sorry Freya, I''m sorry" Freya gently cupped his face, and her soft hand was oddly comforting. "I know you are. Just¡­be careful next time, okay?" Yuto smiled as he stood up, he pulled her into a hug, gently caressing his hand on her back, "And I''m sorry in advance" "Huh sorry for what?" Yuto leaned in and kissed her neck, which sent shivers down her spine, her body responded to such an intimate touch. She felt her cheeks heating up, a mix of desire and embarrassment building up. "Not in front of my father," she whispered, her voice becoming breathless. Senki was still in the background, obviously not pleased at Yuto''s public display of affection, "Can you too¡­not do this in front of me?" Freya shot her father a glare, not happy at his interruption, "Father, it''s not like we''re doing anything wrong" Senki rolled his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh, "I don''t need to see that, at least respect your old man''s wish, okay?" While Freya and Senki argued about the morality of Yuto''s constant display of affection. He scanned the room, sensing only the three of them in this small room. ["Mizuki, there''s something I''m curious about"] ¡®What is it?¡¯ ["The queen, Freya hasn''t spoken about her, and Senki obviously won''t tell an outsider anything"] ¡®What are you getting at Yuto?¡¯ ["I think¡­ I think that the queen is either dead or ill, which means I can gain some favor for us if I take care of the problem for them"] Yuto cleared his throat, "I''ve been meaning to ask, but where is the queen?" Senki stopped arguing with Freya, his face slowly darkening, it was a touchy subject for him. "My queen¡­she is¡­ill" "She''s been bedridden for a month now, ever since this stupid invasion of the Demon King''s army, we hadn''t had time to do anything for her" "Father," Freya looked down, a few tears escaping. Yuto walked up, wiped Freya''s tears away, and looked at Senki with a smirk, "I''m not a doctor, but I can help her, so I request you let me see her" Senki''s eyes widened in surprise. He was visibly uncomfortable, clearly not happy with the idea. "You¡­you want to see the queen?" He glanced at his daughter expecting her to interfere but Freya was just as surprised as her father at Yuto''s sudden request. Freya stayed quiet and Senki looked back at Yuto, "Young man, this is serious, please don''t make such jokes" "Must I prove my abilities time and time again!" Senki was going to argue, but he took a moment, Yuto''s tone, the determination in his eyes, gave him pause, and he let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, but hear this, if anything happens to my wife, I will hold you responsible, follow me" Before Senki can open the door leading to a secret room Yuto stops him, "What is it now?" "If I can save your queen, I want a reward" Senki raised an eyebrow, intrigued at Yuto''s proposal, "A reward you say," he mused, his voice skeptical but somewhat intrigued. "And what kind of reward are you talking about" ¡®What are you going to request, Yuto?¡¯ ["Well, something that will have both you and Freya surprised"] "Well human, what is it?" "I want you to hold a wedding" For a second, Yuto thought that he saw Senki''s eyes explode, but that was just the anger he had been holding in, ["A wedding?"] He looked at Freya and then back at Yuto, honestly, it killed him to say the next part as Freya was the last of her sisters to get married, all of them had left the Elven kingdom to be with their husbands. "If¡­if only if you can save my wife, I will consider your request human" "Mizuki" Senki looked confused, "What the hell is a Mizuki?" Freya wasn''t surprised when Mizuki appeared in her physical form, a beauty in a black kimono, with long white hair and a nice pair of crimson eyes. Senki was bewildered at such a magical appearance, "Who on earth is that?" "King Senki, my name is Mizuki, I am Yuto''s ego sword, in other words, his partner" "An ego sword?" "Even with my long life of living, I haven''t seen one, I thought they were a myth, but to have one as a companion" "Anyways, the point is the wedding is for me, Freya, and Mizuki" Freya''s eyes widened, her heart beating, "You want to marry me?" She glanced at her father who had an expression of disbelief and outrage. "Fae, remember our discussion about the wife''s situation?" Freya slowly nodded, "Yes, Mizuki joked about me becoming the second wife" Yuto chuckled, "Well Fae, do you?" Freya felt her heart pounding, it wasn''t something she expected, "Are¡­are you asking me to marry you?" "Yes" Mizuki amused by the situation, decided it was best to turn back into a ring, as Freya''s eyes welled up with tears, disbelief, and happiness at how blunt Yuto was. "Yes, yes I want to marry you!" Yuto smiled as he turned back to Senki, "Well you heard her, she agreed" "Human, you can''t be serious?!" "You''re asking for my daughter''s hand¡­and you''re sword companion as well?" "Look, old man, do you want your wife saved?" Senki was in disbelief, struggling to wrap his head around this entire situation, he was torn, knowing that his wife''s life was at stake. He hesitated, his gaze flitting between them, "¡­can you save my wife?" "Yes, because that is a promise" It took a while, but with a deep sigh, Senki walked up to Yuto, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Fine, if you can save my wife, I''ll allow your marriage between my daughter and you''re sword companion" "Deal" Senki looked like he was sick, clearly not happy with this turn of events, but with how serious Yuto looked, and how easily he agreed, he knew he had backed himself into a corner. "Yes, we have a deal" Yuto moved Senki''s hand off his shoulder, dusting himself off, "Now we must hurry, I''m sure the more time we waste, the more your wife will be in pain" Senki nodded, forcing any doubt he had down, "Yes, follow me, the queen is in her private chambers" With that Senki led them through the underground, the air became thick with tension and uncertainty as they walked, no one spoke a word as they walked for 30 minutes. Finally, they had reached the queen''s room, her father hesitated outside the door, his hand hovering over the handle. He glanced at his daughter and then over at Yuto as if silently asking them if they were ready. Freya could feel her heart pounding, not entirely sure what to expect, the last time she saw her mother. She was helping heal the wounded soldiers, to think that she was basically on her deathbed, was more than she could handle. Senki sighed as he opened the door, it was dimly lit, and a giant bed was in the middle. It was cold, extremely cold, and somewhat suffocating. Despite the curtains, they could see a figure lying, looking small and fragile. As Senki opened the curtain, they all saw how her body looked to be consumed by some kind of illness, as she looked lifeless, alive but lifeless. Freya could see the sweat bending on her forehead, and the strained, rough sound of her breathing. "M-mother?" Senki''s voice choked with emotion as he softly kneeled on the bed, he picked up the queen''s limp hand on his own, a tear running down his face as he gently caressed her skin. Yuto walked up to Senki, grabbed his shoulder, and gently pushed him aside. "Move" Senki looked up, his eyes widening at Yuto''s brusque tone, but quickly moved aside, allowing Yuto to approach the bed. Yuto reached forward, grabbed the queen''s hand, and released a bit of his energy to inspect her body. The room was eerily silent, nothing happened, the queen continued to lay there, unconscious, her breathing still strained.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "Everyone get out, I can save her but I won''t do it in front of any of you" There was a moment of hesitation, Senki was reluctant to leave, he was going to argue, but he saw the seriousness in Yuto''s expression, and slowly rose to his feet, gesturing silently for Freya and himself to leave. They left the room, Freya closing the door behind them as they decided to wait in the dimly lit tunnel. The only sound they could hear was the muffled hum of hushed voices from inside the room. ''Can you save her Yuto?'' "Honestly I don''t know, I have a few tricks up my sleeve but that is it" ''Still, I was surprised that you offered a wedding, we have known each other for two years about to be three, but you''ve only known Freya for about a month'' "Mizuki, do you know when you know something feels right, and you just have to go for it" ¡®Let''s say I do, what about it?¡¯ "I wasn''t lying when I said I love both of you, so do not doubt me, have some faith" Mizuki blinked in surprise, letting out a soft chuckle, "As you wish" Yuto smiled as he walked back to the bed, he tilted his head, as if he saw something interesting. "Hello Miss Queen, I know you can speak, I did pour some of my eternal energy into you" The room was silent, the only sound was the low rasping breath of the queen. For a moment, it seemed that Senki wasn''t mistaken, and maybe she was too far gone to respond to anything. Then, her eyes began to slowly open, her gaze focusing weakly on Yuto, "Who¡­who''s there?" Her voice was weak and strained, barely above a whisper. Yuto let out a small oddly weird chuckle, "It doesn''t matter who I am but what I can do, tell me, do you wish to live?" The queen let out a small gasp, her eyes widening slightly, she attempted to push herself up into a sitting position, but her limbs were so weak and uncoordinated, that she found herself sinking back down onto the bed. "Easy there, I can''t have you hurting yourself, take it easy, yes or no?" A few tears escaped her, angry at how weak she''d become, "Y-yes," she managed to whisper. "And what would you give me in return?" Her expression was strained, her body was racked with pure agony, and it took her a moment to catch her breath, "Anything," she whispered, her voice trembling with desperation. "I would¡­give you anything¡­to live" Yuto''s grin grew wider, "Know this, I shall ask for two things, is that acceptable to you?" The queen took a moment, before reluctantly nodding yes. "Well then my queen, remember that promise, for I shall hold you to it" ¡®You know, it is times like these when I think, that your title kinda suits you¡¯ ["Hush now Mizuki, I need to concentrate, I''m not 100 percent sure this will work"] [ Blood Sacrifice x Grace of Healing ] Yuto stabbed his leg, letting his blood leak, the queen was shocked at such a sight, clearly shaken by his sudden act. But despite her obvious discomfort, a small glimmer of hope lighted her eyes as his blood started to replace her poisoned one, it soon became her blood as it removed all the impurities of the poisoned blood. Slowly, the color began to return to her cheeks, and her breathing became less horsed and more steady. She let out a soft sigh, her body relaxing into the bedding, her eyes fluttered closed, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. She blinked, her gaze now focusing on Yuto, although she was still a bit weak, there was a hint of warmth in her expression. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice still weak, but much stronger than before. "Not do not thank me just yet, mother-in-law, what you see next, do not tell anyone" [ Healing Magic: Tier 6 ] The queen was puzzled but nodded wordlessly, the room went silent as Yuto began to heal any wounds she had left. Slowly, the queen''s skin began to glow faintly, a soft, golden light spreading from Yuto''s hands and into her body, her color fully returning to normal, and the tension in her face now easing. After 5 minutes, the glow faded, and the queen let out a soft sigh, she was now fully healed. "I can''t believe it¡­I feel so much better" [ Passive: Grace Healing ] Yuto''s wounds and missing blood were replaced as his passive-activated. ["I used a lot more blood than I expected to use but as long as the queen is alive, that is all that matters"] The queen positioned herself up, surprised at the sudden burst of strength and energy she was feeling, this was nothing short of a miracle. "Your husband and youngest daughter, are currently outside, waiting for you" The queen''s eyes widen, a look of surprise and joy crossing her face. "They¡­they''re here?" She asked, her voice eager and hopeful. She looked towards the door, her expression filled with anticipation as if already imagining all the things she wanted to tell her family. Seeing how the room was silent, Senki decided it best to re-enter, clearly eager to see his wife, as he walked in he caught sight of her sitting up on her bed, her eyes bright and alert, and he let out a choked gasp. "Julieta," he breathes, rushing to her bedside. Julieta''s face lit up at the sight of Senki, her eyes watering with tears of joy, she reached out a hand towards him, taking his hand in hers, and gripping it tightly. For a moment, it was just the two of them, sitting in silence, simply relishing in each other''s presence, it was a beautiful, tender moment between a husband and wife who have been apart for too long. Eventually, the queen''s gaze shifted to Freya, it was a soft and loving gaze, a mother taking in the sight of how her youngest daughter gained confidence. Freya stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest, it had been too long since she had last seen her mother, the last time they spoke, the queen told her to be safe as she went to search for a hero. Freya kneeled beside her bed, her hand grasping her mother''s, feeling how healthy she was. "Oh my little girl, it feels just like yesterday, that you used to hide behind me, look at how much you have grown," her voice was filled with warmth and affection. She lifted a hand to brush a strand of hair away from Freya''s face, her touch was so gentle and warm. Freya''s tears started to flow, it had felt like an eternity since she had felt her mother''s touch, her love. She leaned into her touch, her head resting against her shoulder as she basked in her presence. "I''m so sorry I wasn''t there for you, ¡­ I should have been there for you when you went to find the hero, I''m sure you must have been scared, I am proud to see you become a brave young lady" Freya shook her head, unable to speak through the lump in her throat, she knew her mother couldn''t help the situation, she knew her mother wasn''t to blame for being on her deathbed. "My dear little Freya, I promise I will never leave you again," Julieta hugged Freya tightly, and Freya clung to her, desperately holding on to this moment. Their embrace lasted a long time, even Senki who had a sour face, had a look of relief and happiness, it was a moment filled with love and tenderness, a core memory for Freya. Eventually, Julieta released her daughter and looked at Senki, who was quietly watching their reunion, "I''m sorry for putting you through such worry, my love" Senki shook her head, a small wry smile on his lips, "You have nothing to apologize for," he said with a voice choking on emotion. "I''m just glad to have you back, healthy and eyes full of life again" Julieta leaned her head against Senki''s shoulder, a small sigh escaping her lips. It was a sight that filled Freya with warmth to see her parent''s reunion. "Cough cough" The sound breaks the moment, interrupting the tender scene. They all look at Yuto, and it''s clear that they''ve forgotten that he is still in the room. "Am I someone to ignore, your majesty?" Julieta was a bit startled, as she had indeed forgotten about Yuto, "No, of course not, please come closer" She gave a gesture for Yuto to come closer as he stepped back to give them a little time to enjoy their reunion. As he approached the queen, Senki was eyeing Yuto suspiciously, clearly still wary of him, although Yuto had just healed his wife. Seeing the wary expression on Senki''s face, the queen let out a small laugh, patting his arm soothingly, "Don''t worry my love, he''s not going to hurt us" Senki let out a scowl, still eyeing Yuto warily but he decided not to protest further, simply watching him with a suspicious gaze as Yuto moved forward. Yuto though, was starting to get irritated, his belief was repaying good with good and evil with evil, what had he done to make the elven king stare at him with such distaste? "Old man, if you keep looking at me like that" Senki huffed at Yuto''s words, his expression softening a bit to not upset his wife, "I''m just being cautious, you can hardly blame me for being so wary after what you did" "After what I did? You only have yourself to blame for that!" Senki was offended but before he could speak, Julieta cut him off, putting a restraining hand on his arm, "Now my love, this is no place to be fighting" She turned her attention to Yuto, her expression was stern and unyielding, "And you, please be respectful, we owe you a great debt for your assistance in healing me, but that does not give you the right to insult my husband" ''I see, it seems as if your uncle was right about elves being prideful'' ["This isn''t pride, its stupidity, and I''m getting tired of being treated as a criminal"] Yuto turned his head to Freya, who was watching the argument go down, "Freya" "Yes?" "I told you how I felt about royalty, can you repeat it?" Freya hesitated, her mind fuzzy from the whirlwind of emotions, it took a moment for her to remember but she stepped up to repeat his words, "You mean how you won''t bow to arrogant assholes?" Yuto nodded before looking back at Julieta, "Your ''highness'' it is your husband who should show me some respect and get off my back" "What do you mean?" She asked with a puzzled look. "I saved your people, I killed the demonic beast that broke in, made a barrier to keep everyone safe, and let us not forget the fact that I saved your life, and yet, even with all that, your husband keeps giving me attitude and disrespect" Julieta looked at Senki, her eyes narrowing slightly at his expression, "My love, he has done us a great service" Senki swallowed down his protest, grudgingly acknowledging his wife''s words, "Yes, he has" Julieta smiled, pleased at his agreement, "Then let us acknowledge his assistance" "Sir Yuto, what is it that you want in return for your help?" Yuto chuckled, "King Senki already knows the details for my first request" Senki''s expression darkens, it is clear that he knows what Yuto is talking about, and is not pleased with the demand. Julieta looked back and forth between Yuto and her husband, clearly sensing the tension in the room, "What is that you speak of?" Both Yuto and Senki remain silent, the room is so thick with tension that it feels like a blade could cut it. It was Senki who broke the silence, his jaw clenching so tightly that the veins on his neck were visible. "He¡­he wants something that I have no intention of giving him" Julieta''s expression was puzzled, her eyes wide as she looked between the both of them, "Well? What is it that he wants?" "He wants a wedding for himself, our daughter, and his ego sword named Mizuki" "A wedding?" "Between him and our daughter?" Senki nodded, a look of discomfort spreading across his face, "And his ego sword" "That''s¡­unprecedented," Julieta managed to say, her voice filled with surprise and confusion. "A marriage between royalty and a commoner, and with a living weapon no less¡­" Senki let out a frustrated huff, his expression still dark, "It''s an absurd request, one that I have no intention of fulfilling!" ["Mizuki"] ''Yeah?'' ["Are we sure I can''t kill this man, I mean he is going back on our deal"] ''Sadly we might taint your uncle''s reputation, so please bear with his attitude, I''ll reward you later'' Yuto chuckled as he turned his head back to the queen, "Your Highness Julieta, you said you would fulfill two requests of mine if I saved your life, this is one of those requests" "I, yes, I did say that¡­" "But¡­but a wedding? A marriage with a princess, a commoner, and a magical weapon, it''s unheard of, it''s¡­" "Queen Julieta, do not go back on your word, for you would not like it if I go back on mine" Julieta was caught between the promise of Yuto and her desire to appease her husband. Finally, after a long moment of internal struggle, she let out a soft sigh, her shoulders slumping in resignation, "Fine, I will honor my promise, how soon do you want this wedding to be" Senki let out a strangled sound of protest, his expression filled with disbelief, "Julieta you can''t be serious?" "This is absolute madness, you can''t seriously consider this¡­" Julieta looked over to Senki, her expression firm and reluctant, "I swore that I would honor this young man''s request, and I will" "Believe me when I say, it was not a decision that I made lightly, my love, but I cannot go back on my word" "So child of man, when do you wish for this wedding?" "I wish for the wedding, for after I fulfill the king''s first request, to deal with the looming danger over the elven kingdom" Julieta nodded, "Very well, we shall prepare for the preparations after the request is fulfilled, now go" Yuto nodded and looked back at Senki, "Please guide me to the problem" Senki looked frustrated and unhappy about the entire situation, but there was no choice but to comply, "Very well, follow me" Volume 3 Chapter 7 The Demolisher Senki led them deeper down the caver, to a long hallway with only a few torches lighting it up. Their footsteps were heavy as they picked up pace. As they followed him, Freya glanced over at Yuto, her heart beating fast, knowing a wedding her wedding, might be held after this. It was causing her heart to beat rapidly just by picturing it. Yuto smiled as he blew her a kiss, despite everything that was happening, she found herself reassured by Yuto''s presence, comforted by his attempts to lighten the mood. Yuto noticing how worried she was, walked closer, and intertwined his hand with hers, it brought a small smile as she tightened her grip. Senki noticed their little interactions and was about to say something but remembered the fear he felt from when Yuto released his blood lust and decided against pissing him off. Eventually, they reached a large, heavy oak door at the end of the tunnel, it was bigger than the trees that reigned high outside. The air surrounding such a huge door felt suffocating, the feeling of death looming over them. Senki stopped, and turned to face both of them, "This danger is what I spoke of, is behind this door so be prepared as I will now open the door" "Wait" Senki looked at Yuto with a puzzled look, "What is it?" ["Jeez, would it kill him to speak in a kinder tone"] "What exactly is behind that door?" He sighed, clearly he wasn''t expecting such a question, "A mighty demon, one that has terrorized our kingdom for centuries" "It was confined behind this door by my ancestors, but with each day it grows more and more restless, and powerful" "Is that what''s drawing the attention of the Demon King''s army?" "Yes¡­we believe that its power was attracting other demons like a magnet" "I''m also guessing that the reason why the last invasion was worse than the rest" "They grew tired of waiting," Freya mumbled. "I see¡­I need you to evacuate your people, including Freya" Senki''s eyes widened, stumbling over his words, "Evacuate the entire kingdom?!" "That''s hundreds of thousands of people, it would take weeks to evacuate them all" "Especially when the Demon King''s army is still outside!" ["Oh, that''s what he''s worried about"] "King Senki, before entering with Freya, I killed all the demons outside, so it should be safe to evacuate, I would never lead your people to their deaths" His eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback that Yuto could wipe such a large force of demons, "You¡­you did?" ["Of course I did and I kinda want a mystical beast these elves breed, I should ask that for my second request, nah he already hates me enough"] Senki looked back at Freya who nodded, "A single person wiped them out?" "It''s true Father, he wiped them all out in a single blow," she looked away blushing. Yuto smiled and turned his attention back to Senki, "So, please take everyone out to a safer location, for as soon as I undo this seal, all hell will break loose" "Y-you can undo the seal, impossible only those with royal blood can do it!" "Yeah let me ask this, was I normal to begin with?" Yuto asked with a smug look Senki sighed as he shook his head, "No, of course not, human no Yuto, can you defeat such a monster?" Yuto nodded, which soothed Senki''s worries, "Very well, we shall begin evacuation immediately" Before Senki could take another step, Yuto stopped him, "What is it?" "Take this," Yuto threw a small orb as he planted another in the ground. "What is this?" Senki asked examining the object with a puzzled expression "Infuse it with your mana when everyone is at a safe distance, it will let me know when to undo the seal" Senki nodded, "I will make sure it''s taken care of properly" He pocketed the orb carefully, "Yuto, I will make sure my people are at a safe location, so that you may go all out" Yuto nodded, turning his head to Freya, he pulled her into a kiss before pulling back, "Follow your father, I do not want you to be hurt" Freya smiled weakly, feeling a pang of fear, "Both of you be safe" "You too," He said with a confident grin as he turned his back to the giant oak door. She nodded silently, before she left the room, she took one last look at him, before turning back and running back upstairs. As she followed her father, she could hear the chaos and confusion beginning to erupt, as the evacuation proceedings began. "Father?" "Yes, sweetie?" "How do they know about the evacuation so quickly?" "Oh, well I can communicate with our elders via thought, so they must have gotten the news out already" Freya heard the people running and shouting to get to the teleporters, guards trying to maintain order, and the air of panic and fear. Despite the chaos, she couldn''t shake off the image of Yuto fighting such a monster, and the thought of something unbearable happening to him, felt like a knife in her heart. Senki on the other hand was worried about how to deal with the situation at hand, he could bark orders at the guards and elders, his voice firm and authoritative. Unlike his usual gruff and grumpy demeanor, he seemed almost frantic with worry as he ensured that the evacuation ran smoothly. But despite the controlled chaos, both could feel the tension in the air, the fear of uncertainty that hung over everyone like a heavy cloud. It was a grim reminder of the situation they''d gotten themselves into by rejecting every offer of help, but now they were relying on a single human to save them, the problem was almost laughable. Senki understood this and he blamed himself, had he put down his pride and accepted the other kingdom''s help, his people wouldn''t have had to leave their homes, afraid of dying in the mess he created He turned to Freya, his expression grave, "You must go with the rest of our people, I cannot have you here, in danger" "F-father, I can''t leave you here, what about Mother?" "I already had the royal guards help her leave, but you must go, please, for my sake you need to be safe" "But¡­but what about you?" Her voice was trembling "I will be fine, a king must protect his kingdom, and I have to do everything I can to ensure that duty is fulfilled" As he turned around leaving Freya on the teleporter alone, with a fury in her eyes she pulled him in, "Yuto said to infuse your mana, he never said you had to stay behind!" -Location, Safe House- As they teleported, surrounded by the rest of their people, Senki''s eyes widened in shock as he quickly stood up, with an expression mixed with surprise and frustration. "What did you do? I cannot leave the kingdom, I have to protect it!" Freya in all her life has never raised a hand against anyone, not her older sister who stole her fianc¨¦, her uncle who mocked her, and the servants who acted on behalf of her sisters. She had always remained calm, never letting her anger get the best of her, perhaps it was the influence of Yuto, but this was the first time she raised her hand, and of all people, it was her father, the king of the elves. With his final words leaving his mouth, she raised her hand and smacked him, "Your duty is to the people, I know that is hard to comprehend with the situation going on, but some mere wood and rocks are not more important than the thousands of lives on the line and that is more important than this stupid pride of yours!" Senki''s expression darkened, his eyes showing a hint of irritation, "My pride? You think I value my pride over the lives of my people?" Freya shouted back, "Yes I do! That is exactly what I know you are doing! You are too stubborn to see it but it''s true, that''s what Yuto has been trying to show you!" Senki''s jaw clenched, his expression darkening further, but he couldn''t deny that there was truth in Freya''s words before he could speak the orb started to glow, showing that everyone had been evacuated. Senki pulled out the orb, a confused look crossing his face, "What does this mean?" Freya sighed as she shook her head, "Infuse some of your mana into it" Senki closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing his mana and he began infusing it into the orb, as it grew brighter the air around them seemed to vibrate with energy. "So now what, I did as Yuto asked" Freya shook her head, unsure of what would happen next, they waited for three minutes before hearing a giant eruption. Everyone looked for the source of the noise before someone pointed out the place they were before A giant hole was made, from the deepest part of the cavern, Freya kept starting, hoping that it was already over, before seeing Yuto in dark armor being launched into the air by the giant demon.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Her eyes widened in horror, the demon was far larger than anyone had expected, it felt that it was towering over them like a mountain, such a monster was sealed for a reason. Senki''s expression was grim, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of such an enormous demon, "That demon, is far larger than anything I have ever seen in my lifetime" It stood at the center of their courtyard, its mass was so ridiculous that its shadow covered them, it let out a giant roar that felt like it was about to burst their ears. The ground trembled beneath their feet as it seeming took a step on Yuto, Freya could not believe such a sight. "Yuto!" Senki''s voice was surprisingly filled with concern and worry, "Is he.. Is he going to be okay?" Freya spotted Yuto''s body just a few feet away from the demon''s foot, he seemed limp and unresponsive, fear started to grip her heart as she could only watch and do nothing. She tried to run back to the teleporter before Senki grabbed her arm, "Freya, where do you think you''re going!?" "Father, I have to help him!" "No, you must stay here, do you see that thing? Do you understand how dangerous that thing is? It sent Yuto flying!" "I wouldn''t dare look your mother in the eye if something happened to you!" His voice was filled with fear and worry "Father, I can''t leave him to die, I would never forgive myself" It took a moment to let her words settle in, "... Fine but you must be careful, you hear me!?" "The instant something goes wrong I want you to come back here immediately!" Freya nodded, "I will be careful," she promised him, her voice was steady despite the fear creeping up her spine as she heard the sound of fighting. She ran to the teleporter and was gone in an instant. Senki looked at the ongoing fight, and hit himself, "Oh Goddess Fern, please protect my little girl" Now, what exactly happened before Freya and Senki''s argument? And what led up to the fight between Yuto and the Demon? - Twenty Minutes Before - "Ring of Ernaline," Yuto''s dark armor enveloped him, his red scarf shiny brightly, symbolizing the victory he imagined Mizuki appeared in her physical form, looking at the giant oak door, "Yuto, are you sure you can stop this demon, I know we grew stronger but still it''s a pretty big risk" Yuto stood for a second, with his helmet on it was somewhat hard to tell how he was feeling but because Mizuki was connected to him, she could feel two current emotions. Fear and Excitement Just because he had the system and two years of training under the Sword Saint, didn''t automatically make him the strongest, he still had so much to learn, so much to master, but so many lives were now resting on him, and it felt- Lonely Pressuring ["Is this how my father felt?"] "I don''t know, but it doesn''t matter, I do what I must because it is right, and because I want to see the two of you in a wedding dress" Mizuki blinked, before looking down and laughing, "That is so you but know this, I am always going to fight alongside you" "I know, and I''m thankful for that, honestly I am a bit scared, despite getting stronger, all I can do is put up a brave front" "Status window" Yuto Akimitsu Title: Youngest Demon Prince One-Sided Slaughter Victim First Blood Fallen Knight Disciple of the Sword Saint Class: Prince of Darkness Level: 155 Stats: Strength 350 (1050) / Speed 160 / Agility 160 / Defense 250 (1000) / Health 1555 / Mana 780 (1000) / Mentality 1500 / Stamina 5000 Passive: Grace Healing Blacksmiths Blessing Cold-Hearted Acting Genius Warriors Pride Skills: One with Blade / Click to see more Martial Art Collection: Click to see more "Oh, did you level up?" "It seems killing the demons outside did have its merits, but Mizuki" "What''s wrong?" "About the first fragment we absorbed, the memory that played, can you explain the details again?" "There was a battle¡­Elf Warriors fighting against hordes of demons, they were outnumbered, but they fought with everything till a hero appeared" "The battle was in an elf village, so why is it now an elf kingdom?" "Hmm¡­you''re right, the memory was located in an elf village but now it''s a kingdom. Time must have passed between the memory and the present" "But Mizuki, we couldn''t have been at the elf village because it has been a kingdom for centuries, and we didn''t make our contract till two years ago" Mizuki stayed silent, the timelines weren''t adding up, and a sense of unease settled in her gut. "Why¡­why do the timelines not match up?" Yuto let out a chuckle, "More bloody questions than answers" "Well I did tell you that we would need all the fragments to understand the full picture" "Yeah, yeah you did" Mizuki let out a light chuckle, a small smile tugging at her lips, "It seems we just keep stumbling from one question to another, huh?" "But hey, at least we''re making progress with these fragments, we did find one after all" Before Yuto could respond, the mana ball that he placed on the floor started to glow, it seemed that Senki and the others were at a safe distance and wouldn''t be caught up in the fight. Yuto chuckled as he broke the oak door and looked at the sealed monster. He stood at the heart of this chaos with a cocky grin, "Ready to do this!" Mizuki smiled as she returned to her sword form, ["Always ready!"] As Yuto released more of his mana into the seal, he started to feel the ground shake, a deep reverberation filled the air, a low growl that shook the very stones around him. The First Seal was undone. Shadows flickered ominously across the jagged walls as Yuto gritted his teeth, it was taking more mana than he expected The Second Seal was undone. Mizuki provided him with all the buffs he needed, and even Yuto began to feel the strain of not having royal elf blood. The Third Seal was undone The Fourth Seal was undone The Fifth and Final Seal has been Undone Yuto didn''t have time to recover because as soon as the final seal was undone, he was not face to face with the immense demon towering before him. Its form was grotesque, an amalgamation of everything dark and chaotic, with crimson skin stretched taut over rippling muscles and piercing, glowing eyes that seemed to devour the very light around it. With a guttural roar, the demon swung its massive fist, aiming to finish the fight in a single hit. Yuto instinctively ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow while feeling the air shift with its sheer force. As the cavern trembled under the impact, Yuto retaliated, lunging forward with a swift strike. The metal connected against the demon''s hardened skin, but it merely left a shallow mark, a provocative reminder of the foe he faced ["Yuto, it feels like I just hit your uncle''s arm, it feels like a wall"] "I know, but we mustn''t give it a single chance to fight back!" [ Seven Sins Art: Greed x Sloth ] By combining both forms, Yuto got a speed boost and began to think more rationally, as he began to study this demon. ["Demolisher is what we''ll call him, did you see the hole he created with his fist!?"] "Haha, I kinda like that, Demolisher it is!" Demolisher snarled in frustration and whipped its sharp tail like a whip, catching Yuto off guard. He tried to dodge, but the tail struck hard, sending him sprawling across the rough stone floor. Pain radiated through him as he struggled to regain his footing, refusing to allow despair to take root. This creature was a force of nature, a born destructor, and Yuto knew he had to summon every ounce of strength he possessed to prevail. ["Ugh, I feel like shit, how are you holding up?"] "I think it broke a few ribs, Mizuki, focus on support from now on, I''ll deal with the rest" Mizuki agreed as she could hear Yuto''s gasp, he was trying to hide the pain that a single strike brought him. [ Skill: Dash x Accelerate ] Yuto closed the distance once more, channeling his magic into his sword. The blade glowed with a blue aura. He brought the sword down in a mighty arc, the energy surging forth like a bolt of lightning that sparked as it collided with Demolisher. It staggered, its expression warped into one of rage and disbelief but the battle raged on; Yuto dodged and weaved. Utilizing every skill in his arsenal, but the Demolisher''s magic pooled around it, forming dark orbs that crackled ominously in its grasp. With a flick of its wrist, the demon unleashed a torrent of shadowy energy that threatened Yuto''s life, had Mizuki not guided him, he would have died. Yuto leaped, spinning in mid-air to evade the blast, but the force of magic still grazed his side, slicing through his armor with an agonizing burn. Blood spilled as he hit the ground hard, a reminder of the Demolisher''s relentless power. As Yuto struggled to regain his balance, the Demolisher''s rage intensified. It charged forward with blinding speed, its tail swinging like a battering ram. The impact struck Yuto squarely, lifting him from the ground and sending him crashing through layers of rock piled high within the cavern. He felt the world spinning as he soared upward, the air rushing against him, only to hit the ground with a brutal thud, the pain was immense, radiating across his body like wildfire, but Yuto forced himself to focus. Every breath was a struggle as he pushed against the overwhelming despair threatening to consume him. "Come on Yuto, get it together, this isn''t any different from the dreams" Looking up from the ground, he saw Demolisher poised at the edge of the cavern, its fury now drawn to the surface world, unhindered and relentless. Yuto locked eyes with the monstrous creature once more, a burning fire igniting in the pit of his stomach. Regaining his footing, he charged ahead, sword held high, determination coursing through his veins. Adrenaline raced through him as he met the beast head-on, striking with all the strength he could rally. The cavern shook with the force of their battle, echoes of metal clashing against flesh resounding across the dark expanse. Yuto slashed again and again; each strike earned him a response from the Demolisher¡ªa retaliatory punch, a lash of its tail. Pain became a constant companion, but he refused to yield to it. "Never again, I will never repeat the past!" With each blow exchanged, Yuto felt his stamina waning, blood soaking into his armor. He had suffered bruises and lacerations, wounds that bore testimony to the brutal clash, even his red scar was ripped and torn. But the raw energy within him surged, a reminder of the purpose that propelled him forward. He had made a promise, and a hero never goes back on a promise. Demolisher, sensing its advantage, unleashed another blast of dark magic, spiraling forward like an errant tempest. Yuto had to act quickly, his instincts kicking in as he spread his arms wide, summoning a defensive barrier of flickering light. The magic erupted upon impact, the collision ringing through the cavern as the light briefly illuminated the darkness. In the aftermath of the explosion, Yuto staggered, nearly losing his footing as the power of his magic threatened to overwhelm him. Yet, against the haze of pain, he pressed on¡ªdaring to meet the Demolisher''s gaze with fierce defiance. It had sustained injuries too, a realization that kindled hope within him. ["Yuto"] "Yes Mizuki, I can see, it''s also hurt" ["If it can bleed it can be killed"] "The first lesson from my uncle" ["So we mustn''t lose hope, my love, for I am with you"] "Thank you" Yuto transitioned into a tactical rhythm, redirecting his energy and circling it around Demolisher. The air crackled with tension, and he lunged again, feigning left before striking right. His blade met sinew and bone, blood spilling and splattering across the cold stone, igniting an all-consuming fury within Yuto. The Demolisher roared an ear-splitting sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the cavern. It turned its rage onto Yuto, swinging its massive limbs with reckless abandon. Yuto felt the wind from a fist as it flew past, narrowly missing him and crashing into the ground, leaving a crater beneath. With every slash, he felt more alive, empowered by the knowledge that he could turn the tide of battle. Momentum built as Yuto pressed forward, taking a chance to dart between its strikes He thrust upward again, aiming for the demon''s exposed throat. The blade connected, and crimson sprayed forth in a furious arc, bright against the darkness. The Demolisher''s expression morphed from rage to shock, but Yuto couldn''t pause. The beast was too resilient¡ªa force of nature that would only grow more dangerous if left unchecked. "Should I ask for a bunny suit for you, Mizuki?" ["Only if you wear one as well"] "... I politely refuse" As the Demolisher staggered backward, Yuto seized the moment, channeling his magic into one decisive attack. He raised his sword high, an ethereal blue light radiating from its edge. ["Gonna use the attack Cynthia used on you?"] "It left me a scar, remember?" ["How could I forget you were sent flying to a tree"] The energy surged through him, he mixed the magic with his aura as he thrust forward with a primal cry, unleashing a devastating beam of energy. [ 5th-Tier Magic: Divine Lighting x Blue Aura ] It sliced through the cavern with unrelenting force, striking the Demolisher squarely in its chest. The screech that ensued was deafening, a sound that echoed through the very recesses of the earth, reverberating against the walls in defiance. The collision sent shockwaves through the cavern, rocks crumbling and dust swirling in the air. Yuto''s heart raced as he felt the energy course through him, a tangible force propelling him forward. He had struck where it hurt, but in that moment, he also felt the exhausting drain of energy. Both were now battered, torn, and bloodied¡ªa testament to their ferocity. As the dust settled and their surroundings dimmed, Yuto could see the Demolisher recovering, growing angrier. What Yuto perceived as a sign of weakness ignited an insatiable fury within the creature As its crimson eyes locked onto him, Yuto felt it channeling an overwhelming amount of dark magic, swirling ominously around it like an impending storm. He had no choice but to summon every ounce of willpower, pushing through the fatigue that gripped his limbs. Yuto narrowed his gaze, the world around him fading as focus narrowed to the Demolisher before him. At that moment, he could feel the ground beneath his feet shaking as it prepared to unleash its attack, threatening to obliterate everything within reach. His heart thundered as he charged forward, sword raised high, each step a declaration of defiance. But the Demolisher had other plans; a powerful sweep of its tail lashed out, forcing Yuto to roll to the side to avoid an imminent hit. "A-a feint attack!" The ground quaked beneath him as he regained his footing, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "Once more, you crazy fuck!" [ Skill: Dash x Accelerate ] Now, exchanging blows in rapid succession, they moved like shadows, dancing across the cavern floor¡ªYuto''s blade meeting its fists with sparks flying, merging strength against pure force. Each clash resonated like thunder, carving the air between them, a battle of stamina and mana. Staggering from a blow that landed, Yuto felt the warmth of blood trickling from a gash on his forehead. Gripping his sword, he rose to face the Demolisher. The Demolisher, now a twisted shadow of its former self, was driven not by pain but by unrelenting rage, a fire that fueled its every move. In the throes of battle, they exchanged blows at a speed that blurred the line between man and beast. Their world had become a whirlwind of blood and fury¡ªYuto''s magic igniting like sparks of fire in this dark canvas of despair. The Demolisher lunged forward, its fist cocked back like a deadly weapon aimed at Yuto''s heart. Yuto sidestepped, narrowly escaping what would have been a fatal blow. He swung his sword earnestly, channeling every last bit of energy into his strikes. Each hit was a cry against the cruelty of fate that had brought them to this moment. Then, as if sensing the shift in the battle, it unleashed dark tendrils of energy from within, wrapping wildly around Yuto''s limbs. They pulled him down forcibly, and he felt himself losing control. The darkness threatened to claim him, engulfing him as he fought against its stranglehold. ["YUTO!"] <- System -> Your mentality is high, the host has resisted possession "Fuck off!" he snarled, flaring with the power of his magic, retaliating against the chains that sought to bind him. Energy flared from his hands, cutting through the shadows, and he broke free just in time to block another swipe of its razor-sharp claws. Stumbling backward, the ground beneath him gave way, chipping off as he sought to maintain his balance. Sweat trickled down his forehead, mingling with the blood as he refocused his energy, igniting a fierce fire within the depths of his being. "Mizuki" ["Yes Yuto?"] "How low is my health?" ["About to reach its limit, are you waiting for the passive healing grace?"] "Haha, I can''t use my mana to heal, I''m relying on my passive because that bastard won''t let me catch my breath" With a guttural growl, the Demolisher launched into the air, preparing to rain down destruction with another powerful blast of dark energy. Yuto raised his sword high, channeling a final wave of pure magic, a fervent plea for protection and hope. ["We honestly might not make it"] "It was nice knowing you Mizuki" ["Dummy, don''t act like we might die"] "Still, it was nice knowing you, my love" ["Acting cool even in a moment like this, dummy"] Their energies collided with an explosive force, illuminating the cavern in a blinding light that illuminated the darkness. Time seemed to slow as both struggled against the torrent of magic that engulfed them. The ground trembled and cracked, and Yuto felt himself soaring into the air amidst the chaos. But as quickly as it had begun, the light began to wane, the power dissipating into the ether as both Yuto fell into the ground, hitting the stone floor violently; a harsh reality settled in as the bright glow of battle faded. Now, as he lay amidst the rubble and dust, coated in wounds, and breathing heavily, Yuto recognized the resilience in the Demolisher''s eyes, its body battered but still fierce. At that moment, a deadly silence enveloped them, filled only with their ragged breaths¡ªYuto''s gaze locked with the Demolisher''s as it tried to stomp him. He managed to dodge in time and got up weakly but lifted his blade once more. "It''s not over till one of us is dead, so let''s end it you damn monster!" Volume 3 Chapter 8 Newly Awakened -Current time, after Freya teleported to Yuto''s location- As Freya arrived with a thud, the impact sent a jolt of pain surge through her body. She pushed those thoughts away as she focused on finding Yuto. She scanned the area, trying to locate him. The courtyard was a mess of rubble and debris, making it hard to see, the sound of a sword clashing and massive roars pointed her in the right direction. As she ran closer to the fight, the magnitude of the demon''s size became clearer. It was as tall as a mountain, which left Freya feeling insignificant in comparison. She stood in awe and terror, till she took a deep breath and pushed forward, weaving through the rubble and debris that littered the courtyard. She searched desperately for any sign of Yuto, calling his name repeatedly, her voice cracking with panic and worry. It took her longer than she liked to admit, but she finally found him. He was standing in the middle of the crater, staring down the Demolisher. Both were covered in injuries and scars. Yuto''s armored frame still shimmered with the light of determination, while the Demolisher''s ferocity was reflected in its snarling visage, both awaiting the moment to strike again. Yuto steadied his breath, locking eyes with the Demolisher, his heart pounding against his broken ribs like a war drum. Pain radiated through his body, but he found solace in focusing inward. "I can win this" With each passing second, adrenaline-fueled his resolve, a steady thrum urging him forward, prepared to continue their deadly dance. He needed an opening¡ªan opportunity to reclaim the upper hand. ["Yuto be careful, with each step, you are taking more blood will leak faster"] "Is that why I feel a bit dizzy?" ["Get it together, it seems the Demolisher is sensing something as well"] Sensing the stalemate, the Demolisher bared its jagged teeth and let out an earth-shattering roar. It thrummed with dark magic, its body emanating waves of uneasiness. While Yuto gritted his teeth, preparing for yet another assault, a flicker of anxiety crept into his mind. The ruins of where they stood felt as alive with power as it was treacherous, and he needed to rally his trapped thoughts to combat the looming threat. [ Passive: Cold Blooded is now active ] Just as the Demolisher swung its massive fist toward him, Yuto launched into action, leaping to the side and rolling to regain his footing. The air shimmered with energy, the remnants of their previous assaults dancing around him. He swung his sword, aiming for its taloned feet, trying to ground it and dismantle its towering form. Steel met flesh, and as Yuto''s blade bit deep, it howled in rage, its foot crashing down violently. He barely dodged the blow, the ground rattling beneath him as he skidded backward. The ruins of a once-living city now bore witness to their struggle, the echoes of their combat resonating through stone walls that seemed to weep beneath their violence. With a growl of defiance, the Demolisher retaliated¡ªdark energy spiraled from its gaping maw, forming tendrils of destructive power aimed directly at Yuto. Time felt as if it had slowed down as Yuto felt the weight of the shadows closing in. He ducked and rolled to the side just in time, the blast missing him but shooting out a plume of debris that obscured his vision momentarily. Yuto regained his footing, heart pounding furiously in his chest. But even as he gathered his thoughts, he could feel the energy shifting and intensifying around him. Demolisher was now being driven by pain, prepared to unleash its full wrath, a sinister glee dancing in its glowing eyes. With a primal roar that shook the chamber, the demon unleashed a torrent of shadowy magic, colliding with Yuto with blinding speed. The force hit him like a freight train, launching him high into the air, and spinning uncontrollably through the destroyed trees. He felt weightless for a moment, caught in the storm of the battle, until gravity reclaimed him, and he plummeted toward the cold stone floor. ["Are you okay, Yuto?!"] Yuto despite his broken bones and using whatever mana was available to hold them, pushed himself up. "S-status window?" Stats: Strength 350 (1050) / Speed 160 / Agility 160 / Mentality 1500 / Stamina 5000 "Defense, Mana, and Health, what are they currently on?" <- System -> Defense 250 (1000) is now 250 (100) Mana is sitting at 10 Heath 1555 is now 418 Grace Healing activates when HP is lower than 150 Yuto chuckled, and a bit of panic surged through him: the battle was slipping away. He was tired, hurt, and afraid. "Never thought I would see my armor''s defense going down, is this demon stronger than my uncle?" ["Yuto how are you feeling?"] "Honestly, I feel like shit, if I relax for even a moment I think I might faint" ["Do you think you can keep going?"] "I don''t have much of a choice, I have to stop that thing, now or never," he raised his sword, his blood leaking into his gloves and through his armor, but he stood his ground. ["Yuto, you might have Grace healing, but that''s a gamble, and what if the next attack kills you!"] "Well that''s why I called it a gamble, don''t worry I got this!" As Yuto was loading up his aura, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a flicker of light¡ªa spark of hope amidst the chaos. Freya had been watching from a distance, her periwinkle eyes wide with alarm as she witnessed his plight. Yuto''s heart sank, his mind swirling with desperation. Freya should have evacuated with the rest, why was she here? "Damn that Senki, couldn''t even do this one thing!" BOOM! Yuto was hit by the Demolisher''s tail and was sent flying, he could see Freya running towards him, her fingers trembling with magic as she readied herself. ["Yuto, I can feel immense magical energy from her"] "Haha, I''m guessing her class is finally awakening, it took a while" In that moment, Freya reached deep within herself, a reservoir of strength long buried beneath layers of doubt. A new power awakened, her magic rising to the surface, calling upon her bloodline of an elf hero. With a sudden burst of energy, she focused her will, wrapped in a cocoon of glowing light that cascaded around her. "Yuto!" she cried, voice piercing through the din of battle like a clarion call¡ªhope igniting within him even as he neared the ground. "Freya!" Yuto shouted back He felt a surge of energy within him as he understood she was awakening her class, a transformation that could tip the scales of their battle against the demon. "I, no we can win this!" With a graceful leap and a flourish of her arms, Freya unleashed a torrent of sparkling magic, illuminating the ruins with a radiant brilliance. The Demolisher paused, its eyes narrowing as it recognized the new threat emerging. ["It seems that the Demolisher is also noticing her power, is that okay?"] "Not like we have a choice, I''m running out of mana and aura, we need to recover as much energy as possible" ["Dodge as much as possible"] "We do have another problem" ["What?"] "I''m still falling"The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ["Oh, well make sure to absorb the impact"] "Will do!" The air crackled with magic as Freya tapped into her abilities, channeling raw energy from the very fabric of the ruins, perhaps being in a location rich in mana was overcharging her abilities more than they should. Freya conjured shimmering arrows of light that pierced the air like shooting stars, each bolt striking the darkness that surrounded the Demolisher and it only seemed to intensify its fury as Freya''s magic took hold. Yuto, now bolstered by Freya''s presence, steadied himself. He landed with a heavy thud, rolling to absorb the impact. "That hurt less than I expected" Rising to his feet, he noticed the Demolisher''s anger flared as it lashed out at Freya, its massive tail sweeping across the ruins. But she danced gracefully aside, her movements fluid and precise. [ Simple Arrows x Holy Magic ] She fired her arrows, with each glowing projectile hitting its mark, striking its hide, and forcing it back. "Yuto! Now!" Freya shouted, the light surrounding her summoning an ethereal glow that cast away shadows. At her cry, Yuto surged forward, racing to close the distance between them. The demon, caught between two formidable opponents, found itself trapped in a torrent of magical chaos. ["She learned light magic?"] "Holy Magic to be exact, as expected of a hero, just like Wanless, like Father" As Yuto reached his target they both combined their might. Yuto charged with fury, his sword gleaming in the holy light, while Freya wove layers of shimmering spells around him, creating a protective aura that shielded him from the Demolisher''s counterattacks. ["Jeez, I know it''s her class but don''t you think she''s learning a bit too quickly?"] "I agree that she''s learning too quickly but we can ask later," As Yuto approached the demon, he focused his energy on a single, fervent strike, momentum carrying him forward. With a fierce yell, he brought his sword crashing down, channeled with the magic woven by Freya¡ªa combined onslaught that sliced through the magical essence surrounding the Demolisher. The impact resonated throughout the ruins, a collision of light and darkness. It roared in shock as Yuto''s blade found its skin, cutting through its defenses. Blood sprayed from its wounds, streams of darkness mingling with the cavern''s desolate stone as it staggered under the force of their combination. With the moment gained, Freya unleashed a volley of ethereal blades, their luminescence brightening the shadows that had cloaked their surroundings for so long. Each blade struck true, piercing its skin like arrows dipped in sunlight. Its fury turned to anguish as it thrashed wildly, desperately trying to break free from the onslaught. ["It''s trying to escape, try to block any exits, if this thing escapes-"] "Don''t worry, we got this!" The ruins trembled, dust swirling as the two continued their relentless assault against the Demolisher¡ªa magnificent blend of light and shadow. Yuto felt renewed energy coursing through his veins as he moved in perfect harmony with Freya, their magic intertwining like a vibrant tapestry of fate. ["Yuto, I can feel your mana and aura filling up again, you''re still hurt but I can sense your power coming back"] "Hah, we have to thank her after this, I''m still low on stamina but thanks to her power, I feel energized" ["Careful, it''s coming back and I can sense something different"] The Demolisher stood from that ashes, with a speed that matched a Yuto, it engaged them in a new phase of their battle, every move was calculated, a dance choreographed by desperation. With each strike of Yuto''s sword, Freya''s spells ignited in bursts of brilliant light, Demolisher was further weakened with each blow. They could sense victory growing closer but knew not to feel relaxed, as the tides of battle can always be changed. Even as they pressed forward, the Demolisher unleashed a desperate counterattack. It unleashed a pulse of dark energy that rippled through the ruins, sending waves of force cascading toward them. Yuto braced himself, instinctively reaching for Freya, as they prepared to withstand the incoming onslaught. Together, they formed a protective barrier, their magic merging to create a shield that shimmered against its overwhelming power. The force struck with an earth-shattering impact, shaking the very foundations of the ruins they stood on. Dust and debris enveloped them. "Freya, are you okay?" "I should be asking you that, do you know how worried I was!" "Seeing you being sent flying through the air and falling on debris, and having to see your motionless body!" ["Wow, she''s real pissed, I can''t exactly blame her"] Yuto whispered, "What did I do?" ["Yuto, you just became her lover, how do you think she feels watching you being hurt, even I, who has been by your side for two years still views the sight of you hurt as unpleasant"] "I see, Freya¡­ Hold fast!" Yuto shouted, his voice panicking as the chaos surrounded them again. Freya nodded, their conversation could wait till everything was settled. They unleashed their combined force¡ªtheir magic exploding outward in a radiant wave that repelled the Demolisher''s attack. It howled as their assault collided with its chaos, radiating light and energy that flooded the ruins, tearing through the opposition. At that moment, they felt the tides shifting, the weight of victory pressing against the heavy air. The Demolisher, shaking off the remnants of energy, turned its wrath upon them. Its eyes blazed with fury as it prepared to strike back, but Yuto saw a flicker of uncertainty in its expression. Breathing heavily, he seized the moment¡ªa singular thought igniting in his mind: They could finish this once and for all. "Freya and Mizuki" ["Yes, I can sense it"] "Is it afraid of us?" "We can win this!" Freya raised her arms, channeling the pure essence of their combined mana. The air shimmers around her as she conjures a grand spell, an invocation of elven power, a spell of light brighter than the dawn. It swirled into the air, forming a radiant circle above them, and gathering energy from the surrounding ruin. Yuto felt the warmth embrace him as Freya''s magic intensified. Their connection pulsed like a living heartbeat, emboldening him, and fortifying his spirit as the Demolisher prepared for a final strike. ["This mana is so pure and warm"] "Yes, I can feel such warmth coming from here, how beautiful," He could feel the darkness creeping into the corner, yet he stood resolute. As the magic reached its peak, Freya let out a fierce cry, her voice resonating with the fury of the earth, "Now, Yuto!" With her call, a blinding beam of light burst forth from the spell, illuminating the chamber as it streaked toward the demon, the surge of raw power coalescing into a singular bolt of magic that would bring them the victory they sought. The ruins shook as the beam struck, colliding with the Demolisher in a cataclysmic clash of power. It howled, its form engulfed in the blinding explosion of light. Yuto watched in awe as the magic enveloped it, spiraling like a constellation of stars igniting in the night sky. As the power exploded outward, the remaining houses collapsed, the darkness receding as the Demolisher struggled against the torrent of energy that sought to engulf it. Yuto felt a great hope swell in his chest, the tide of battle turning inexorably in their favor. Yet just as victory seemed within grasp, the Demolisher, driven by primal instinct, unleashed one final furious roar. Dark tendrils lashed out, attempting to ensnare Yuto and Freya within its chaotic mass. They gritted their teeth, bracing against the chaos as the forces collided, a violent maelstrom of magic, and for a moment, it felt as if the world itself had stopped. Yuto''s heart raced as he prepared to deflect the Demolisher''s final onslaught, but a crack resounded through the ruins, shaking the very earth beneath them. With terrifying force, it propelled itself upward, tearing through the air¡ªits massive fists smashing against the walls, sending boulders tumbling, chaos reigning anew. "Yuto! Look out!" Freya shouted, her voice cutting through the turmoil. Yuto turned just in time to see one of the rocks hurtling toward him, his instincts firing as he rolled sideways to avoid the brutal crash. Now burdened by the carnage of battle, Yuto''s breath hitched in his throat¡ªpain surged through him, but he kept moving. ["Yuto, you are reaching your limit"] "I can still move!" ["But for how long?"] "Just enough to get the job done, because Freya healed me a bit, Grace Healing won''t activate" ["I understand, I''ll make sure to redirect some of your mana into your legs, just don''t do anything stupid"] Yuto let out a chuckle, he could see Freya, dancing amidst the chaos, summoning all her magic, her power shining brighter than ever. The beam of light continued to pour forth from Freya''s spell, illuminating the Demolisher''s form, unyielding as it pressed further into its final stand. It moved in desperate jerks, absorbing the magic around it but fighting against its fading strength. Yuto surged toward the flailing creature, adrenaline flooding his veins. He felt the sword heavy in his grip but knew this was their chance¡ªa chance to end the tumult once and for all. With every ounce of power within him, he charged forward, determined to pierce through the darkness, seeking an opening to strike. The ruins rumbled as the Demolisher unleashed a final wave of dark energy that crashed against Yuto and Freya, trying to force them back. But Yuto wouldn''t be moved. He promised his uncle he would become a guardian against the malice, standing firm in the face of such madness. Freya mirrored his resolve, their energies resonating as they plunged forward¡ªtheir magic entwining in a brilliant display. "Together!" she cried, and in that moment of unity, they moved as one. Just like his battle against the three generals, he felt a new connection, with a step forward, sword and hand extending. Yuto thrust toward the heart of the Demolisher, empowered by the radiant magic swirling around him, the light pulsating with life and vigor. As he delivered the strike, the blade plunged deep into the Demolisher''s chest, cutting through the chaos. Darkness erupted outward as a catastrophic explosion lit the sky, engendering a brilliant radiance that washed away all shadows. Yuto felt the shock of the impact resonate through his limbs, and as the ruins echoed with the Demolisher''s anguished cries, he withdrew his sword, bracing himself against any last trick it had. But nothing happened, the Demolisher was dead, its body covered in blood and wounds, and the dark magic that fueled it was now leaving its body. "Yuto!" Freya called out, extending her hands as the brilliance swirled around them, enveloping them in warmth. "We did it!" But as the dust settled, amidst the wreckage of the ruins, a heavy stillness descended upon the air. Yuto and Freya stood, both breathless and battered, yet victorious. <- System -> [ Cancel Rings effects? ] [ Yes or No ] [ The host has clicked Yes ] Yuto''s dark armor dissolved, and what was left was his bloody form, Mizuki took on her physical form to hold him up. "We did it, Yuto," she said with a grin. Yuto chuckled as he looked at the Demolisher''s body, "Haha, we got some help though" He looked at Freya who had tears in her eyes, "Freya" She didn''t let him speak another word as she ran to hug him, she clung to him tightly, her hands wrapping around his body as if afraid he would disappear. She buried her face against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heartbeat. Yuto looked over at Mizuki as if to ask for advice. ["Don''t look at me, comfort her, I''ll be looking at the Demolisher''s corpse"] Mizuki with a chuckle walked away as Freya''s eyes met Yuto''s bloody left eye. "Don''t ever scare me like that!" "I can''t lose you, you hear me?" she said in a low voice that was barely more than a whisper. Yuto noticing her shaking held her tighter, "I''m sorry, Mizuki explained mid-battle that I must have scared you a bit" She let out a small huff, a mix of relief and irritation bubbling up inside her, "A bit? You call that scaring me a bit? Yuto, I was terrified" She pulled back, her eyes scanning his battered and beaten body, "You''re covered in blood and look as if you lost a fight against a mountain" "Well, the Demolisher was the size of a mountain," he said with a chuckle. Freya rolled her eyes at his joke, feeling both frustrated and relieved. "This isn''t a joke Yuto" Her voice was stern but soft, "I was worried sick, you can''t go scaring me like that" "Freya, I had to. You know that had I not killed it, your people would be in a worse situation" He was right, she knew he was right, what he did was to protect her people, the first request she ever gave him. But despite that, she can''t help but feel a nagging sense of helplessness and worry. "I know," her voice was quiet and resigned. "But that doesn''t mean I don''t worry about you, from the first time we met it has always been like this, you running into danger, sword in hand ready to fight. You''re not invincible, Yuto¡± Yuto felt a lump in his throat, she was right, he wasn''t invincible, even with the System, Mizuki, and his uncle''s training, he almost died. "I know" She could see the look in his eyes, she knew that her words were sinking in. Yuto was strong, stronger than anyone she''s ever met, but even he had limits. She reached up and placed a gentle hand on his cheek, her gaze fixed on his face. "I just¡­I can''t stand the thought of losing you," her voice was soft and vulnerable. "You mean so much to me" "Am I?" He said with a smug look. She rolled her eyes, a mix of irritation and affection bubbling up. Yuto''s usual smugness was reassuring, reminding her that he was the same person even after the battle. "Yes," she said firmly. "You do. Idiot¡± "Well, you know in these types of situations¡­" She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "In these types of situations¡­?" She asked, her voice filled with skepticism. "You know, a hero gets a kiss from a princess" She could feel a blush creeping up on her cheeks, her heart skipping a beat. But decided to feign indifference, tilting her head to the side to give a coy look. "Is that so?" She said with a smirk. "Then I guess you''re expecting a kiss from me, huh?" "I mean, we did more than a kiss," Yuto couldn''t help but grin, Mizuki who was listening from the back tried not to laugh. Freya could feel her cheeks burning at his words, memories of their intimate night flooded her mind. She tried to keep her composure, but she could feel her heart pounding hard. "That was different," she said a little breathless. "We weren''t in the middle of a battlefield, surrounded by rubble and blood¡± "Hahaha" Freya could feel a pout as she heard Yuto laughing, his carefree attitude drove her crazy. "You''re insufferable, you know that?" She muttered, there was no hint of malice in her voice, only fondness and annoyance. Yuto pulled her closer, his right hand caressing her back, "Is a kiss too much right now?" She let out a surprised gasp, her body molding close against his. She felt the heat radiating off of him, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "You have no shame, in treating royalty like this," her voice was a mix of amusement and frustration. Despite her words, she couldn''t deny that she wanted nothing more than to kiss him right now. Yuto with his left hand cupped her cheek, she felt the warmth of his touch, his rough, calloused bloody fingers against her soft skin. "You''re hopeless, you know that?" She murmurs, her voice a mix of teasing and desire. "Just kiss me, you fool" With a small pout, she finally gave in, "Fine," he voices low and sultry. "But only because you asked so nicely" With that, she leaned closer, her eyes locking with his as their lips met in a deep passionate kiss. Yuto''s lips were firm against hers, his arms wrapping around her and drawing her closer. She felt the heat of his skin, the strength of his muscles, and she let out a soft gasp, the kiss was becoming more instance. She wrapped her arms around Yuto''s neck, pulling him closer, wanting to feel every inch of him. She wanted more, and as she felt a fire ignite in her she heard a familiar voice call out. It was her father, who came with the royal guards to check up on them, "It''s my Father!" "Guessing he came to check on you?" "It looks like it," She sighed, reluctantly pulling away from Yuto even though she wanted to cling to him some more. "Hey, Freya?" "Yes?" she turned around with curiosity. <-System-> [ Host will now fall into a slumber to recover mana, aura, stamina, and blood ] "My eyes feel a bit heavy" "Huh?" "Yuto, are you okay? Do you need to sit down?" Yuto couldn''t keep his eyes open as the system forcibly shut down his body, and he began to collapse. The last thing he saw was Freya and Mizuki trying to grab him as he reached the ground. <- System Rewards -> [ Will the host accept them? ] Volume 3 Chapter 9 Aftermath -???- "Argh, my head hurts," Yuto opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by fog. He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, causing him to wince in pain. He reached up and touched his head, feeling a throbbing headache that made it hard to think straight. "Where am I?" he muttered to himself, wincing at the volume of his voice. The fog around him seemed to distort and shift, making it difficult to discern anything, "F-Freya, M-Mizuki, anyone there?" He called out, his voice echoing faintly, disappearing into the depths of the fog. There was no response, and there was no sign of anyone nearby. The loneliness of the place began to settle in, and Yuto hated it, "Where am I?" He carefully got to his feet, but his legs felt weak and unsteady. He took a few steps, trying to find a way out of the suffocating fog. But no matter how far he walked, the fog remained thick and disorienting, and he felt like he was walking in circles. "Oh wait, System!" No response, even after waiting for 5 minutes Yuto frowned, feeling a mix of unease and frustration. The lack of response from the system added to his isolation. "Damn it, so the system''s also not here with me" He tried to focus and call upon it again, but only silence greeted him. "Well, what the hell do I do now?" Yuto muttered to himself, the hopelessness of the situation began weighing on him. He had never felt so alone, was he used to having someone around? When did being alone feel so lonely? He slapped his face, "Focus, there has to be a way out, I can''t stay here!" He stumbled forward, his eyes straining to pierce the fog, he thought he saw a hint of something in the distance, but as he approached, it dissolved into mist. Frustration welled up inside and he clenched his fists, his mind racing, "This is starting to get old fast!" He turned to another direction, resuming his aimless walking, "Fog, fog, fog, is this all I''m going to see?" 10 minutes of walking "HELLO!!!" "I have no idea why I''m here, please answer!" ¡­ "Just keep walking Yuto, all I have to do is keep walking" 30 minutes of walking "If someone is here, please answer me!" ¡­ "Kinda don''t like to be left in the dark" 1 Hour of Walking "I can backflip if that helps. Nothing?" "... Just keep walking Yuto, keep walking" And finally after 3 hours of walking "This is pointless¡­I should lay down; my legs hurt," he said as he prepared to sit down when a voice called out to him. "Is someone there?" Yuto froze at the sound of another voice, he turned towards the direction it came from and ran, "Who''s there?" The voice chuckled, "No no no, I asked first, which means you have to answer first" Yuto felt slightly annoyed at the reply but pushed such pointless thoughts aside. After all, he was in an odd situation, where he needed answers. "My name is Yuto Akimitsu, who are you?" The voice stayed silent before it spoke with a hint of shock, "I''m sorry but what was your name again?" Yuto''s frown deepened as, "Yuto Akimitsu, is my name odd?" He took a step forward, trying to better understand where the voice was coming from. "Mind showing yourself, it feels rude leaving me in the dark" The voice agreed and walked closer, adjusting themselves to Yuto''s vision. As he got closer, he could feel his blood go cold. It was his future self, whom he had seen two years ago. "H-how are you?" His future self also looked confused, "What are you doing here?" Yuto swallowed the lump in his throat, his heart beating like a drum. This odd situation left him disoriented and uncomfortable. "I-I don''t know," his voice stammered. "I just woke up here, wandering this seemingly endless fog for hours" His future self was shaking his head, "Do you even know what this place is?" Yuto shook his head, his eyes still fixed on how amazing he became, "No, I have no idea. This place, the fog, and now seeing you¡­It''s all so strange and confusing" "Hmm, if I had to describe it, this place is somewhere outside of reality, influenced by my will, I''m trying to figure out how you made it here" Yuto nodded, somewhat surprised at what he was hearing, "I-I see, I''ve been wandering this place for a long time, I have no idea how to get out of here" His future self smiled, "It''s weird seeing me, correct?" Yuto let out a bitter laugh, his exhaustion and frustration seeping through. "That''s an understatement. Meeting your future self doesn''t happen every day, you know?" "Hmm, well you can call me Saika for now so as not to confuse us" Yuto nodded, the name seemed suitable for some odd reason. "Alright, Saika¡­can you tell me how to get out of here?" "Well before I answer that, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" Yuto shrugged, feeling uncertain but willing to answer anything to get out. "Sure, go ahead" "How are you doing, you know being alone?" He paused for a moment, taken aback by the question. He had expected some kind of riddle or puzzle, not a personal question. "What do you mean by me being alone?" "Well you know, since our family''s death, it must be so lonely" ["What?"] Yuto was confused and scared. What the hell was he going on about? "Hey, Saika, only Dad died" "What!" Yuto was thrown off guard by Saika''s reaction. "What? You didn''t know?" "What about Mom, Cynthia, and Aunt Lily?" Yuto''s eyes widened as he tried to process the emotions rushing through him. "They''re okay, nothing has happened to them," he said firmly but the concern on Saika''s face told him he didn''t know. "This¡­how is that possible?" Yuto shook his head, the situation getting more confusing, "I don''t understand. Why do you think they''re not okay?" Saika looked up, "Yuto, have you met Mizuki yet?" ["Yeah you gave her to me, did you forget?"] "Of course I have, 2 years ago we formed our contract, why do you ask?" "How old are you, Yuto?" "I just turned nineteen a few months ago, why do you need to know?" "Fragments, how many fragments have you collected then?" "One for now and this we''ve just started our journey" "This is¡­impossible" "What? What is it?" He asked, growing more perplexed by Saika''s fractions. "I''m afraid I cannot answer any of your questions at least not until you find more fragments, else I will be breaking the rules even further" Yuto let out a frustrated huff, his confusion turning into annoyance. "How much more?" "That will be answered in due time" Yuto gritted his teeth, his patience wearing thin. "This is ridiculous, why can''t you just tell me what I need to know?!" "... Don''t be greedy Yuto"Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Yuto clenched his fist, his irritation flaring up, "Greedy?" "I''m trying to understand what you all want me to do, being so needlessly vague. How on earth is that greedy?" "The system won''t tell me more than what it can provide, if you can''t answer me then keep your damn mouths shut!" Saika looked apologetic, "I''m sorry, I truly am but until you collect more fragments, I cannot answer you" Yuto took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew there was no use arguing with his future self. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "I''ll find more fragments but you better keep your word and answer my questions!" Saika chuckled as he walked closer, placing a hand on Yuto''s shoulder, "Of course" Yuto exhaled, the thought of having to collect more fragments, was just feeling like a burden. "Alright, is there anything else you want to tell me before I go?" Saika chuckled, "Well who else besides Mizuki is your companion?" "Well, it''s Mizuki and an elf girl named Freya" "Freya?" Yuto nodded, "Yeah, we met her like a month ago, do you know her?" Saika began letting out small laughs, "Let me guess, she became another lover of yours?" Yuto nodded shyly, "Uh, yeah, she did," he replied with a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "Why does it matter?" "Nothing, just wait until you meet the rest, especially Kana" Yuto raised an eyebrow, "Kana? Never met someone with that name, who is that?" "You''ll have to see for yourself," Saika said with a chuckle as he pushed Yuto through a hole in the ground. Yuto stumbled backward, completely taken off guard, before he could mutter a word he found himself falling through the hole, the fog swirling around him as he dropped into the unknown. "Wait at least tell me how we can meet again!?" "Oh, don''t worry about that when the time comes, we will meet again" Yuto felt the sensation of falling deeper, making his stomach lurch. ¡­ Saika looked at the small portal on the ground and sighed before he heard a familiar voice from the back. "Was that an okay thing to do, Yuto?" Saika turned around to see a hooded figure. She was wearing a red dress, her black heels making it obvious who it was. An elf beauty like no other, and was deemed a hero in her time, "Do you need to hide your face, Ernaline?" She chuckled as she removed her hoodie, "Well a bit of mystery is fun, you of all people should know!" "Why are you here?" His tone was soft and had a hint of warmth. She smiled as she walked behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "I just wanted to see you," Saika no Yuto sighed, he turned around to face her, taking her hand and kissing it. "After 1,000 years you came to see me?" "It took a while to track you" He chuckled, "I can''t leave this place, you know that, so I doubt it would take so long to find me" "So please be honest, why did it take so long to see me?" She hesitated before answering, "I guess I was a bit scared to see you after so long" "Why?" He asked with a shaky voice. "Because you are no longer the man I knew" He lifted her off her feet and into his arms, "I still am that man, I''m just¡­different" She laughed as she kissed his forehead, "So how long until you think he will find all the fragments?" He stayed silent, his eyes looked dead before answering, "Five to Six years, making it faster than my record" "Do you think he will reach the end?" Yuto looked at the hole before them, "We can only hope because this is our last time" -Meanwhile- Yuto who was still falling braced himself for a rough landing but just as he was about to hit the ground he felt a gentle cushioning, as if a soft blanket had cushioned his fall. Knocking him out as his body finally relaxed. -???- Yuto opened his eyes slowly, looking at an unfamiliar ceiling, "Where am I now?" He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, causing him to slump back down onto the bed. He rubbed his temple, trying to clear the buzzing feeling. Then the door to the room opened, and Freya poked her head in, a relieved smile on her face, "You''re awake!" She walked into the room and took a seat beside him. "Freya-" "Shhh," she scolded him gently, placing a finger over his lips. "Don''t try to talk as much. You''ve been unconscious for two weeks. You need to rest and recover" Yuto laid back down with a chuckle, "So what happened when I was unconscious?" Freya let out a small sigh, her expression becoming serious, "You don''t remember anything?" "Nothing" She shifted to a surprised tone, a slight pang of worry in her eyes. "Do you not remember the fight with the Demolisher?" "No I know we won, I want to know what happened after I passed out" Freya nodded and proceeded to tell him what happened. - 2 Weeks Before - "Yuto!" Freya shouted, her voice filled with panic and fear as she saw Yuto collapsing. She lunged forward to try and catch him, the weight of his body pulling her down as she struggled to keep him from hitting the ground. "What''s happening Mizuki? Is he going to be alright?" Mizuki kneeled to check his pulse, Freya''s heart was racing and her mind was picturing the worst possible outcomes. After what seemed like an eternity, Mizuki looked up, her expression was calm, "He''s asleep" "He''s asleep!" Freya repeated, the relief in her voice was undeniable. She looked down at Yuto''s unconscious body, his chest slowly rising and falling steadily. "Is that why he passed out, how badly hurt is he?" "Do you not see the amount of blood he lost? I''m guessing his passive didn''t activate because you healed him, don''t worry he just needs to rest for a bit, he''s going to be fine" Freya nodded, "So he''s just asleep then?" She wiped the strands of hair covering his eyes. Her father and the guards finally came into view as Senki ran forward, "Freya!" Freya turned around, and Senki''s usual stoic expression was replaced with worry. "Father!" They both ran to hug each other, both relieved that none of them were hurt. "Freya, what happened?" Senki asked, his eyes scanning Yuto''s unconscious body, ["This freak of nature was hurt?"] "Yuto''s just asleep," her voice was low, trying to be steady. "But he lost a lot of blood, so he needs somewhere to rest and recover" "Is that so? I guess I owe him an apology?" "An apology, why?" Freya raised her eyebrow, puzzled by her father''s statement. "Why do you want to apologize to him?" "Freya, look around us, the level of destruction from this battle. It would have taken the lives of all our people to stop the demon" "Yet, he did it, he killed it and awakened the power dormant in you, he kept his promise" Freya realized, that not a single elf died, he had not only saved her but her people as well, "Yes, you''re right but in the process, he almost lost his life" Senki kneeled and placed his fingers on Yuto''s forehead, "I acknowledge this young man" "I''m glad," Freya said with a small smile tugging at her lips. "You should tell him that when he wakes up Your Majesty," Mizuki chimed in, she said this in a respectful tone which caught both Senki and Freya off guard. "Perhaps I should, for now though, we need to begin rebuilding our kingdom," he stood back up and looked at the ruins. "Yes," Freya said, her voice firm but weary. "We will rebuild and make it better than before!" - Present time - "So then where are we right now?" Freya shifted on the bed, making herself more comfortable, "Well, we move at a rather fast pace and because you killed so many demons, they backed off and let us rebuild" "So then Freya, where are we?" Freya with an oddly big smile, clapped her hands, "You''re in my room, my father thought it best for you to recover in a comfortable place" - Royal Palace, Princess Freya''s Chamber- Yuto looked surprised, "I''m in your room? There is no way the old man let me stay in your room!" Freya let out a small chuckle, shaking her head indulgently, "Yes, shockingly enough, he did," she said with amusement. "Don''t worry, he trusts you" "Hah, so saving the lives of his people was the way to open his heart?" Freya gave a small nod, "It seems so, you''ve earned his respect and now sees you as someone worthy of trust" She reached out to take Yuto''s hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. It was reassuring to feel his hand, his pulse strong and steady. "How are you feeling, by the way? I can only imagine how sore you must be after everything" ["That''s what she said"] "Cough, I feel a bit better, it seems most if not all my wounds healed" Freya let out a sigh of relief, "That''s good to hear," a small smile creeping onto her lips. "Your healing must be quite strong if you''re already feeling better after two weeks" "But don''t push yourself too hard. You need to take it easy and give your body time to recover" Yuto nodded as he adjusted himself back down, "Yeah, yeah, I get it, I''ll take it easy for now" Freya stood up, giving Yuto a small peck, "Good, I''ll be back, I need to speak to my father to tell him you''re awake" She ran to the door, stopping at the entrance, "Oh, and Mizuki should be coming to see you soon" "Is that so?" Freya nodded, giving a small laugh, "Yes, she was pacing the halls like a puppy, she''s been worried sick about you" Yuto let out a chuckle, "Well okay, I''ll see you later then" "Yeah, I''ll be back soon, I promise!" She gave one last smile before walking out of the room and shutting the door behind her. Yuto sighed as he stared at the ceiling, "Now what?" Knock Knock "C-come in" Mizuki entered the room, a smile on her face as she saw Yuto awake, "Hey, how are you feeling?" "Better, I guess I must have scared you as well, Freya told me the gist of it" Mizuki chuckled as she took a seat on his bed, "Scared is an understatement, you were out for two weeks" "Hah, did you miss me that much?" He asked with a smug look. She rolled her eyes playfully, unable to hide the fondness in her expression. She punches his arm lightly. "Oh, shut up" Yuto grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, "I''m serious, did you miss me?" Mizuki found herself closer to him, their faces just inches apart. Her heart quickened, and she could feel a warmth spreading through her. "Oh?... " She gave a small pout, feigning annoyance at his comment. "Don''t get too full of yourself. You were unconscious for two weeks. Of course, I missed you" "Ha, I thought you would be all over me, Freya did say you were worried sick" "A bit of affection would have been nice" Mizuki let out a small huff as she gently punched his shoulder. "Oh, shut it. You were the one unconscious for two weeks. How was I supposed to show affection when you were out cold?" "Well, can you show me some affection now?" A blush formed on her cheeks, but she tried to maintain her composure. She leaned closer, their faces now millimeters apart. "Oh? And what exactly do you want me to do now?" "Hmm, well Freya was satisfied with a kiss ¡­" She raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on her face. She moved even closer, their noses almost touching. "Is that so? And you think a simple kiss will suffice for you too?" "I think not" Mizuki reaches out and gently brushes strands of hair from his face, her voice taking on a playful tone. "Oh, you''re feeling cheeky, huh? Just a ''simple kiss''? Is that all you desire from me?" Yuto looked her up and down, a small smirk building up as he looked her in the eyes. "Still in the kimono, I see?" Her smirk widened as she playfully adjusted the fabric, letting it fall off her shoulder, revealing a sliver of skin. "Hm? And what about it? You don''t like my kimono?" "I find it beautiful on you," he said bluntly. She leaned in closer, their faces now so close she could feel his breath on her skin. "You have a way with words. But I know you want more than just my kimono" He let out a soft chuckle, wiping the tear from his eye, "You know me too well" She trailed her fingers lightly down his chest, feeling his warmth and longing for more. "Yes, I know you all too well, and I know exactly what you''re thinking right now" "Well don''t keep me in suspense" Mizuki bit her lip, mischief building in her eyes as she leaned in, her lips hovering over his ears, her words coming out in whispers. "You want me, don''t you? It''s been a while since you''ve seen what''s underneath this kimono, right?" Yuto stayed quiet as he reached for her back, "..." Mizuki shivered as she reached behind, undoing the tie of her kimono, letting it fall open, revealing more glimpses of her skin. "You''re the one who''s been so impatient" She pressed her body against his, her heart racing at the feel of his skin. She ran her hands down his chest, feeling the wounds and bandages. "... You want me, so show me how much you want this!" Yuto was a patient man, managing to learn his father''s technique that would make his emotions null, but for a man who has fought constantly and has been put in a 2-week coma, he could no longer hold back his thoughts. "Month¡­" "Huh?" "It''s been over a month, of course, I want more than just teasing!" ¡­ "A month, huh? You must have been pent up then" "Guess you''ve been craving my touch, aching to be connected again?" "Enough teasing, focus on me!" ¡­ "As you wish" She trailed kisses down his neck, her hands and lips exploring all the open skin he was showing him, her eyes filling with desire. "Is this what you want, love? Me, all to yourself?" "Yes," he was breathless as his face was going red. She pressed her body even closer, practically molding herself against him, she kissed his collarbone, her fingers teasing below, "Yes, only yours" "So, for right now, focus on me, Yuto" Yuto nodded as she caressed his stomach before planting kisses on it, she looked up to see his reaction, and she moved even lower, pressing kisses along his hips. Then tracing the lines of his lower abdomen, she glanced up, her breath against his skin, "Teasing is so much fun, just touching and tasting, isn''t it?" "Well, I''m still a bit bruised and covered in bandages, so this does help" A soft smile appeared on her lips, as she gently brushed a hand over the bandages covering his chest, "I guess I''ll have to be a bit more gentle with you" ¡­ "No, I like it when you''re rough" A smirk formed on Mizuki''s lips, she leaned in close to his ear, "You do don''t you?" She pressed more kisses as her mouth moved lower, closer to the edge of his pants, she bit gently at his hips, her fingers toying with the edge of his waistband. "But are you sure you can handle it, considering you''re still recovering? I could get a bit wild" ¡­ "Please don''t tempt me" She chuckled as her fingers continued to roam his body, her touches growing more possessive and needy. "Oh, but I like tempting you. I like seeing you this way, wanting and needing me so desperately" Snap 1 hour later "What happened to your cocky attitude?" Mizuki''s breath came out in a quick gasp as he lay there. She buried her head in the crook of his neck, she chuckled lightly, her voice slightly shaky. "You¡­you''re the sly one, you know that? I think you broke me" "Well you did start it by teasing me" She looked up, her eyes still hazy from their heated exchange. Her neck and chest had a few love bites, and her hair was disheveled, a result of Yuto''s possessive nature. She let out a lighthearted laugh, "And you certainly finished it. You were relentless¡­" ¡­ "Mizuki" "Yeah?" "Are you okay with this?" "Huh, okay with what?" "Well me having a second lover" ¡­ "Well I did say you could have more lovers" "Yes you did say that but that was two years ago" "And I stand by my word" She adjusted herself, getting comfortable as she leaned back, a soft smile tugged at her lips, "I can''t be the only one fulfilling your¡­needs, now can I?" "Mizuki" "Yes, my love?" He held her hand and kissed it, "Thank you, I am lucky to have the both of you" A smile formed as she let out a laugh, her thumb caressing his hand in return. "Still a charmer I see. Still, I''m sure the two of us aren''t the end of it" "Huh, what do you mean?" She chuckled, a sly sparkle in her eyes, "Oh, you know what I mean, I have a feeling that we''re not the only two lovers you''ll have" "Always with the teasing" Mizuki leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a slightly seductive tone, her lips against his ear. "You know you love it when I tease you" She bit lightly at his ear, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw, her touch light and teasing. "Admit it, you love it when I get you all flustered and worked up" ¡­ "Yeah, I do" A satisfied smile curved her lips, she slid her body against his, and her touches and kisses slowly became more intimate, almost possessive. "Good, because til the end of time, I''ll continue teasing you" "I like that" They were becoming lost in the moment before the sound of footsteps approaching snapped them back to reality. The door opened, revealing Freya and her father, they looked at Yuto as he slid out of the bed and used the blanket to cover Mizuki. "Heh, reminds me of when Cynthia broke our door, what can I do for you?" Volume 3 Chapter 10 My Second Request 18+ Freya''s eyes widened in surprise as she saw Yuto sitting up on the bed. A playful smile tugged at her lips, but it turned into a full-on grin when she noticed Mizuki lying beside him. "Well¡­ I can''t say I expected that," she let out a chuckle as she raised an eyebrow at the sight. She turned to her equally surprised father, "It looks like he''s feeling better," she gestured towards the both of them with a smirk. Senki sighed as he rubbed his forehead, "I can see that, young man, can you at least cover up now?" Freya covered her mouth trying to suppress her laughter, Senki''s stern tone combined with Yuto''s carefree grin was a funny contrast. "As you wish, Father-in-law," he said, feigning innocence as he put on a pair of shorts. "Blah, brat, who''s your father-in-law?" "Father, don''t be too hard on him, he''s just trying to lighten the mood" "Yeah, old man, lighten up, won''t you?" Yuto chimed in with a stupid grin. Freya gave her father a gentle squeeze, silently asking him to go easy on Yuto, "Alright, alright" "I''ll go easy on you, kid. But don''t overstep your boundaries too much" ¡­ "Wow" Freya let out a chuckle. She could understand why Yuto was confused, seeing as her father showed no sign of hostility. "Don''t get used to it, he''s still a king after all" ¡­ "I''m a bit surprised, at your reaction King Senki" He grunts, crossing his arms over his chest. "Don''t get the wrong idea, kid," he says, his tone still gruff. "I may tolerate your presence, but that doesn''t mean I''ve completely softened towards you" "A moment if you will," Yuto quickly dressed himself and Mizuki. Freya raises an eyebrow at his quickness, impressed by his ability to dress himself and Mizuki so swiftly. "Not even a week out of bed, and you''re already moving around like you''re fully healed," she teases, shaking her head in mock disapproval. "Can''t be naked before his majesty, now can I?" Freya snorted in amusement, covering her mouth to stifle the laugh. Yuto''s playful comment only seems to irritate Senki as his frown deepens. "So, what brings you here?" Senki clears his throat, his stern expression returning. "I wanted to talk to you" "About what?" Yuto asks, a hint of suspicion in his voice. Senki glances at Freya, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them. She nods subtly, giving him the go-ahead to continue. He takes a step closer to the bed, his gaze fixed on Yuto. "I wanted to ask you something," he says, his tone serious. Yuto raises an eyebrow, sensing the weight behind his words. This wasn''t the time to joke around, "Go on," he prompts, his expression becoming serious as well. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "I want to know your intentions towards my daughter," he says bluntly, his gaze never leaving Yuto''s face. "Before I answer, may I say something?" Senki nodded, gesturing for Yuto to continue. Yuto got up and bowed his head, "I''m sorry" ¡­ "Sorry?" He repeats, confusion crossing his face. "What do you have to apologize for?" "For threatening you the first time we met, for treating you with disrespect when we spoke, you are a king, and the father of a loved one" "I acted out of emotion and for that, I am deeply sorry" ¡­ There is a moment of silence as Senki processes Yuto''s words, his stoic expression betraying nothing of his thoughts. Finally, he lets out a deep sigh, a hint of resignation in his voice. "I accept your apology," he says gruffly. "You''ve proven yourself more than I would have expected," he continues, his tone softening slightly. "But I still need to know your intentions towards my daughter" ¡­ "You want the truth of my intentions?" "As a father, I have the right to know" "You saw my partner just now right?" "Mizuki right? Yes, I see her, what about her?" "I love her and I also love Freya" "¡­" Senki remained silent. He wanted to say more but decided not to speak as Yuto continued. "To prove this love, I fought the demon that was attracting the demon king''s army for you" "Yes, my request for the hero to help us, you did complete that task" "Continue," he prompts, his tone gruff. "King Senki, I care for your daughter, very deeply" He studied Yuto for a moment, his eyes narrowing. There is a moment of tension as he silently considers Yuto''s words. "And what does that mean exactly? Do you plan on courting her?" "Making her your wife?" "Well, she agreed to be my second wife back when we were running to your kingdom" Senki''s eyes widened in surprise at this revelation, his shocked gaze shifting to Freya. "Is this true?" He asks, his voice stern. She met his gaze, nodding slowly. "Yes, it''s true" "I see," he says, his tone cold. "And why didn''t you tell me about this before?" She bit her lip, feeling a pang of guilt, "I didn''t want to worry you" "I knew you would worry about me, and I didn''t want to add to your concerns" "¡­" "I know, I should have told you sooner, I''m sorry" Senki''s expression softens further at her apology. "I understand why you felt hesitant," he says, his gruff voice holding a hint of understanding. "But I wish you had trusted me enough to confide in me" "I trust you, Father" "I just didn''t want to worry you unnecessarily" "You''re my child, Freya," he says, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "You don''t have to shield me from your problems. I''m here to support you, no matter what" "Father, I appreciate your support more than words can express" Senki smiled before turning his attention back to Yuto, "And you" "What about me?" Yuto asks, meeting Senki''s gaze. "You said you love both my daughter and your partner, correct?" "Yes" "And you plan on marrying them both?" he asks, his tone neutral. "When my journey is completed" "And what does your partner think of this plan of yours?" Mizuki laughs as she floats and pats Senki''s head, "I support whatever Yuto wants, and I''m not against it" "But what if my daughter wishes to marry before your journey ends?" he asks, his tone blunt. "Ask her for yourself, let''s hear her thoughts on the matter" Senki turns his gaze to her. "Well, Freya?" he asks, his voice gruff. "What are your thoughts on this?" "I..." I say, pausing as she tries to find the right words. "I respect Yuto''s decision to complete his journey before considering marriage" "I would want him to take all the time he needs, without feeling pressured" Yuto smiled as he got up and pulled her into a hug, "Well said my love" "¡­" "Thank you," she mumbled against his shirt. "Freya, are you willing to wait till the end of the journey?" She nods, pulling back from the hug, "Yes," she said with a firm voice.Stolen story; please report. "I am willing to wait for Yuto to finish his journey. I love him, and I want to be with him, no matter how long it takes" "¡­" "Very well, I shall respect my end of the deal" Freya ran to hug her father, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Senki chuckled as he looked at Yuto, "Keep my daughter happy young man" Yuto chuckled as he raised his hands in defense, "I plan to" "Very well," he grunts, his expression softening slightly. "You have my permission to marry my daughter...but not until your journey is done, understood?" "Of course, ah, and while we''re talking, may I see Her Highness Julieta?" "¡­" "You wish to see my wife?" "She owes me my last request since I saved her life after all" "She did mention that you two had a contract of sorts, may I ask what it is you want?" "My apologies, but it was between me and her" "... fine I''ll see if I can send her to this room, come along now Freya" Freya nodded, giving Yuto a quick goodbye kiss before heading out the door with her father. As they walk down the hallway, the door closing behind them, Senki is the first to speak. "You and that young man... you care for him a lot, don''t you?" he asks, his voice gruff. ¡­ "Yes, I do care for him a lot," her voice was unwavering. "He''s... he''s important to me" "Heh, I can see why. Not only is he strong, but he''s also very brave and reliable" She nods, unable to hide the small smile that forms on her lips, "Yes, he is all those things" "But it''s more than just that. He''s been through a lot, and he''s still able to keep going, no matter what life throws at him" "Yes, I see that too, he''s a fighter like you" "You see it too father?" "Both of you are like your mother, when we were younger she was always the one protecting the rest" "It''s another reason I love her so much" She smiled, her heart swelling with pride at the comparison to her mother. "I''m honored that you think so" "But I think Yuto is stronger than both of us" "That freak of nature is stronger than our kingdom" Senki couldn''t help but let out a series of laughter, Freya on the other hand wasn''t amused. "Yuto is not a freak!" "He''s a good person, and he cares about doing what''s right. You should give him more credit than just calling him a ''freak of nature!" ¡­ "It seems the day my daughter chooses her boyfriend over me has come" "I''m sorry Father, it''s just ¡­ Yuto means a lot to me, so I don''t-" Senki chuckled as he patted her head, "I''m joking, look we''re here" She let out a small pout, "You have an odd sense of humor Father" Freya looked up to see a set of ornate double doors, Senki gently pushed them open revealing a grand room filled with plush furnishings and tapestries. Julieta was sitting in the middle, sipping down some green tea while reading a book. She looked up as they entered and welcomed them with a warm smile. "Hello, dear," she set down her tea and rose to her feet. "Is something wrong?" Senki shook his head, "No, nothing wrong, we just need to talk about something" She raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension in his voice, "What is it?" "Well by we, I mean the human boy wishes to speak to you" "You mean Yuto?" Senki looked away, "Could never remember his name" Julieta rolled her eyes at his comment, "You''re getting old, dear" "Hah, don''t remind me" "So, what does Yuto want to speak to me about?" He hesitated for a moment, "It''s a private matter, he wanted to speak to you alone" ¡­ "I see, well I suppose I should see him, where is he now?" Freya blushed brightly and mumbled, "M-my room" Julieta felt a grin growing as she let out a chuckle, "Is he now? And how exactly did he end up in your room?" "Mother! It''s not what you think, he was just¡­resting" "Resting after what?" She said in a teasing manner. "Mother!" Freya was as red as a tomato as she shot her father''s glare when she heard a chuckle coming from his direction, he was enjoying the argument these two were having. "I''m just pulling your leg sweetie, I know Yuto is a good guy so there''s no need to get so flustered" She got up and patted Freya''s head, "Now let''s go!" They exited the room and walked down the long halls, their footsteps echoing off the walls. Julieta pushed the door open as they reached Freya''s room, revealing that Yuto was still chatting with Mizuki. He looked up as they entered, his eyes locking with Freya''s before shifting to her mother''s, he stood up and bowed politely. "Your Highness, Julieta" "Greetings Yuto, I heard you wish to speak with me?" "Yes, only the two of us" Julieta nodded, "Of course, Freya, Dear, could you both wait outside for a moment?" Senki didn''t argue, it seemed his trust for Yuto had grown as he stepped outside, Freya nodded as she walked out with her father, closing the door behind her. Julieta took a seat, "So what did you wish to speak about?" Yuto got up to sit across from her, Mizuki not wanting to interrupt their conversation, turned back into a ring on his finger. "Ease up a bit Your Highness, you seem a bit tense" ¡­ "Observant as always," she said in a dry tone. "But can you blame me? You''re the one who asked to speak to me alone, after all" "Hah, look at me. I''m covered in bandages from saving your kingdom, don''t I deserve a bit of friendliness?" Her expression softened, and she let out a weary sigh, "You''re right, I am being a bit¡­frosty" "I apologize, I''ve been under a lot of stress, finding ways to recover from the attack, and your presence here added to it" "... How so?" Julieta leaned back in her chair, "Let me reword it, the attack on our kingdom, the loss of lives, the threats that still lurk¡­ it''s all weighing heavily on my mind" ¡­ "Let me ask you something" She tilted her head, her eyes locking on his face, "What is it?" "Do you view me as a threat, be very careful about how you answer" Julieta was taken aback by the question, his tone, and his eyes, there was something about his eyes that just solidified her answer. "No," she said firmly, "I don''t view you as a threat, you saved us from certain doom and have proven to be helpful and trustworthy" ¡­ "Not the answer I was expecting" Julieta chuckled as she raised an eyebrow, "What were you expecting, hm?" she asked in a slightly teasing manner. "Don''t know, maybe at least some kind of accusation of me secretly being an enemy spy?" "Are you?" "No" "So why would you say that?" "Probably something your husband would do" "Haha, yes he would but I wouldn''t dare treat my kingdom''s savior like that, it would be disrespectful" "You truly are different from your husband, you seem to rely on logic more than emotion" She smiled wryly, "Yes, I''ve always been more logical than my husband" "He tends to let his emotions rule him a little too much at times, please do not blame him" "And for that, I think you are smart, you know how your husband was with me when we first met, I''m sure he told you the gist of the situation" "Yes, he did mention that he almost had you arrested, he can be a bit¡­protective, shall we say" "Hah, a bit is an understatement" Julieta let out a chuckle, "I suppose that''s true, he can be a bit extreme at times" "He means well, he just has trouble trusting outsiders" "Well he should learn some manners, it''s not smart to threaten an individual with power" She let out a tired sigh, "Oh, believe me, I''ve tried to rein his temper, but he''s as stubborn as a mule. It''s like talking to a wall sometimes" "Haha, well said!" Julieta shook her head, her expression fond, "He''s a good man, deep down" ¡­ "Well, we didn''t come here to talk about your husband, you came because I asked for your presence" She nodded, "Yes, I am curious as to why you wanted to speak with me in private" "My second request, I want to cash it in" "... Well what is it that you want?" "I heard from my uncle that elves raise spirit beasts, is this true?" She nodded, her expression guarded, "Yes, it is true. We elves have a long history of bonding with spiritual creatures" "Why do you ask?" Her tone was cautious but not rude. "I wish to have one, in its egg form, for me to raise and bound with" Julieta''s eyes widened in surprise, clearly shocked, "You wish for a spirit beast egg?" "Are you aware of how rare and valuable these creatures are? And how much training and skill does it require to raise and bond with them?" "..." She tried to study his face, trying to gauge his seriousness, "Why do you want a spirit beast egg?" "You have no idea how difficult it is to raise them, are you prepared for that kind of responsibility?" "That is for me to know, and for you to fulfill" Her expression tightened, her mouth set firm, "You''re being secretive about your movies," her voice was stern. "It''s not wise to keep such important information to oneself, especially when making a request this serious" "Queen Julieta, please do not make me go back on my word" She shuddered as she read his eyes, it was clear what he was saying, ''Don''t cross the line,'' she nodded slowly, accepting his request. "V-very well, I will comply with your wish to find you a spirit beast egg" "I must warn you that raring and bounding with them will take a lot of focus and dedication, are you ready for that?" "Well you saw how strong I am, don''t worry" She sighed, tilting her head, "Strength is not enough to deal with them, they are powerful creatures" "With a mind of their own, it will take a lot more than brute force to keep them loyal" "Have I been a normal person to receive this warning?" "No¡­you possess extraordinary power and abilities, and have shown remarkable strength and skill" "But that doesn''t guarantee your success in taming them" "Regardless, just fulfill my request, no more arguing" "Very well, but do not say I didn''t warn you, this will be a difficult challenge for you" "Yeah yeah, I get it" Julieta rolled her eyes, "You''re as stubborn and pigheaded as my husband," she muttered under her breath. "I hope you know what you''re getting yourself into" "The difference is I have the strength to back up my statements" "Don''t get too cocky boy" "The spirit beast will put you in your place real fast if you get ahead of yourself" "¡­" "Thank you, I know I am being a bit unreasonable with this request" She sighed, her expression soft, "Just don''t say I didn''t warn you" "Thank you, please invite Freya back in. You should also take this moment to enjoy the day with your husband" "Very well," she stood up from her chair, opened the door, and gestured for Freya to come inside. "Everything alright," Freya asked her mother. Julieta smirked, and patted her daughter''s head, "You sure know how to pick them" Freya scrunched her nose, blushing slightly, "W-what''s that supposed to mean?" She only chuckled as she walked out, her laughter tailing behind her as Senki followed right behind her. Freya turned back to Yuto, "What was that all about?" Yuto, who had sat back on the bed, patted the space next to him. A small smile tugged at her lips, she walked over and sat next to him, her eyes fixated on his face. "So, what did you and my mother talk about?" "Oh how I wanted a spirit beast for my second request" Freya blinked in surprise, "A spirit beast?" "Why do you want one?" "I need a stronger party for my journey, having a fluffy companion will help in the long run" "Yuto" "Yeah?" "A spirit beast is not just a weapon, they have feelings and emotions, they''re living creatures" "They''re not something you can use and discard, have you considered what it would take to raise one?" "Yes, I have, don''t worry about it too much" Freya couldn''t help but feel worried at his casual statement, "Have you thought about it, though?" "It''s not just about having strength and power, it takes time and huge commitment" Yuto sighed as he leaned in and flicked her forehead, she let out a small noise in protest, rubbing her forehead. "What was that for?" "Phew, haven''t done that in a month, it feels nice" "And you couldn''t resist doing it now?" She replied in a teasing manner, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "Freya" "What?" "I love you, dummy" Freya''s face started to heat up, her heart skipping a beat, "I-I love you too, idiot" Mizuki came out of the ring, "And me?" Yuto chuckled as he ruffled her hair, "I love you too" Freya rolled her eyes, her expression amused, "You two are ridiculous" Mizuki who had fun went back inside the ring, Freya leaned closer to Yuto, resting her head on his shoulder. "You''re such a sap," her tone was soft. "Yeah?" "Yeah," she said in a teasing manner. "You''re all tough and strong on the outside, but deep down you''re just a big softie" "Do you not like it?" She let out a soft laugh, tilting her head to look at him, "I never said I didn''t like it," her tone was full of affection. "I love that about you" "Freya¡­" She looked at him, her eyes soft and warm, "Yes?" He leaned in and kissed her neck, Freya let out a small gasp, her heart quickening. "Y-Yuto¡­" "It''s been a while since we last did it" She nodded, her body pressing closer to his, "Y-yesh too long," she murmured, her voice slightly breathless. She tilted her head back, exposing more of her neck to his mouth, "I missed this," she whispered, her hands gripping his shoulders. Yuto kept exploring her neck, sending shivers down her spine, "I missed you!" "I worried you a lot, didn''t I?" She let out a small noise of protest, her hands moving up to tangle his hair, "Of course, I was worried about you dummy" Her voice sounded so vulnerable, Yuto helped unbutton her shirt, helping it slide off of her, "I''m sorry about that" She shivered as his hands slid her shirt off, baring her skin to his touch, "Don''t apologize, just don''t ever do it again" He removed his shirt and shorts with her help, "I''ll be careful next time" She ran her hands down his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin under her fingertips, "You better be," her tone was half-teasing, half-serious. Her fingers dance across his body, tracing the outline of his abs, "I didn''t notice before but you''re very well-defined" "Mmh, is that so?" She smiled at his reactions, "Sensitive?" She teased, her eyes glimmering with mischief. "Just a bit¡­" "You''re shivering" "You do the same when I nibble on your ears" Freya''s face grew red, "That''s different" He chuckled as he leaned down and began nibbling her ears, causing her to gasp, her body instantly reacting to it. "Y-Yuto¡­not fair" He stopped and helped remove any remaining clothing they had, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she felt the last of her clothes being removed. "You''re such a tease," she whispered, her hands grabbing his shoulders. She pulled him closer, arching her body against his, "Stop messing around," she leaned in and said in a whisper. "Just touch me already" "Impatient aren''t you?" He brushed his lips along her collarbone. She let out a soft moan, her body arching again, "It''s not my fault you make me so impatient," her fingers digging into his back. "You drive me crazy!" His hands started to move down her hips, "I find that a good thing, it''s nice seeing you so worked up" She let out another soft moan, "Y-Yuto¡­don''t make me beg" He nodded and slowly began to insert it, her body responded as a wave of pleasure came crashing down. "Oh yes!" Her fingers dug into his shoulder, "Y-Yuto¡­" She was completely lost in the moment, her mind and body being consumed by the pleasure. "Ouch, I think you might have left new marks on my back" Freya couldn''t help but laugh, her voice tinged with pleasure, "You like it," she trailed her fingers along his back. "Because you love it when I mark you" Yuto''s body became tense in anticipation, his breathing becoming ragged, "I sure do," he said with a smirk as he began to pick up the pace. A gasp escaped her lips as he picked up the pace, "Y-Yuto¡­don''t you dare stop now," she gasped, her voice becoming a plea. "P-please, I need you to do more!" Her mind was becoming a hazy blur of pleasure as Yuto sucked on her neck, his hands gripping her hips to add more force, "M-more" Her voice was breathless and needy, "Please, I need more¡­ mess me up some more!" He groped her breast pulling them close, and sucking on them, he used his tongue to trail along her nipple. Freya threw her head back, a sharp gasp escaping, "Yes! Just like that," he hands clutching at his hair. Her body felt like it was on fire, "Don''t stop, oh please don''t stop!" He picked up more speed, which built up the pleasure they were both feeling, her body trembling with each movement he made. "Y-Yuto," she gasped, her hands holding his shoulder tightly. "I-im so close!" "Y-yeah?" She nodded, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps, "So close," she arched her body closer. "Please¡­I need to¡­I need¡­" With a final thrust, he finished, causing her body a wave of pleasure, her body arched as she cried out his name. "Y-Yuto¡­oh, Yuto¡­" She gasped as the waves of pleasure rippled through her. "Y-yesh!!" They lay down exhausted, Freya''s breathing was ragged and uneven, "That was¡­" Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words, "Incredible" "Incredible?" "Yes, you always managed to blow my mind" "That''s not the only thing I blow," Yuto said with a dumbfounded grin. She groaned as she rolled her eyes, smacking his chest lightly, "You''re ridiculous," she said, trying to hide her grin. "Yeah, but you love me for it," he pulled her closer to him. "Unfortunately, I do," the smile on her face betrayed her words. "Despite your lewd jokes, I love you" He smiled as he kissed his forehead, "Get some rest, Freya, you''ve earned it" She nodded, snuggling closer to him, her body was still buzzing from the aftermath of pleasure, "Night, dumb dumb," she murmured, her eyes already feeling heavy with exhaustion. She found herself relaxed, letting Yuto''s heartbeat lull her to sleep. Despite the worries and troubles that will come with reconstruction she felt safe and loved in his arms. "Freya? Are you still awake?" "Zzz" "Well that was fast, system" <- System -> [ I am here, what do you need? ] "I want my rewards from two weeks ago" <- System Rewards -> [ As you wish, the host is now obtaining rewards from the previous request ] Volume 3 Chapter 11 Charisma 18+ <- System Rewards -> [ +20 Levels ] [ New Title: Iron Wall ] [ +15 to every stat ] [ New Stat: Charisma ] "Well that''s surprisingly low, I kinda expected more rewards" <- System -> [ The major reward was Freya''s awakening, she has proven to be an ally and will continue to support you ] "And this charisma stat?" <- System -> [ That will boost your chances of being liked by others, increasing your odds of being accepted as an ally rather than a threat ] "... Does this have something to do with how I speak to others?" <- System -> [ I would rather not answer that question ] "I see¡­ well nothing I can do about that harsh reality, thank you system, you may go back" <- System -> [ As you wish ] Yuto carefully slipped from the bed, ensuring Freya was comfortable as he took a bathrobe, went inside the bathroom, and prepared his bath. He let the hot water pour as he undid the bandages on his body, he felt the marks left by Freya and Mizuki and chuckled. "What am I going to do with the both of you?" Mizuki appeared in her physical form, and began to undress to join him in the bath, "You know what you''ve signed up for" "Yeah, I do," he said with a chuckle as he positioned himself on the bathtub, letting the warm water soothe his wounds. Mizuki slid into the bath, she moved closer, pressing against him, her hands tracing over the marks and bites that Freya and her had left on his skin. "No asking, just simply sliding into the bath with me?" A sly smirk curved on her lips, she moved closer to him, she slid her hands over his chest, tracing the lines of his muscles. "That''s right. No asking, just joining you in this lovely, warm bath" "Both you and Freya sure love to take my energy" Mizuki let out a lighthearted laugh, her hands wandering over his body. She leaned in, her breath hot against his skin as she murmured. "That''s what you get for being our lover. We''re not going to let you off so easy" "¡­" "I understand you being wilder in bed but Freya has a personality shift when we do it" "I agree, she''s not being all cute and sweet like she usually is, she gets fiery and aggressive. But you did sign up for this" ¡­ "Mizuki" "Yeah?" "Are you peeping on us through the ring?" She chuckled, the sound low and sultry, "Not peeping if I''m in the ring, I can see and hear everything through it, whenever I want" "..." "Don''t be too shy Yuto, I know some part of you likes it" "Not shy, just wondering why you never asked to join us" She smirked as she pressed her body against his, "You want me to join, too? You think you can handle it?" "We should probably ask Freya how she feels about it" "That''s a good idea, I''m sure she''d enjoy the company, and she is rather fun to mess with" "Either way, I am exhausted" Mizuki let out a small laugh, nuzzling his neck with her head, "You do sound exhausted, guessing the fun with me and Freya tried you out?" "Not just that, this whole month has been nothing but running around, killing monsters and demons" "And having to kill the Demolisher which put me in a 2-week coma, my body although healed still feels like crap" Mizuki wrapped her arms around him in a loose embrace, her touch was oddly affectionate and comforting. "I know, it''s been a long and hard month on you, and yet you always manage to come out on top, but remember what I said 2 years ago" "Take a break when you need to, sleep on a soft bed, not the floor, and watch your health" ¡­ "After this bath" She smiled as she pressed a tender kiss against his neck, "Yes, you can relax after this bath" Yuto placed his hands on her hips and turned her around, having her back against his chest, she chuckled as she leaned back against him. A small moan of surprise escaped her lips at their newfound position. "You know, it''s been a while since we last shared a bath" Mizuki chuckled as she closed her eyes, a small, content smile spread across her lips, "It has. We should share a bath more often, Yuto" "Mizuki" "Yeah?" "What do you think of my request to the queen?" She turned her head slightly to look at him, "A spirit beast egg, huh?" "That''s a pretty heavy request, but I''m sure that she''ll give you one as you did save her life" "Hah, I''m sure Senki is trying to talk her out of it right now" Mizuki crossed her arms, although in the beginning, she did hold some respect for him, seeing as how he treated Yuto, only served to piss her off. "He better keep his mouth shut" "I hope he does, I still can''t believe that a guy like that is related to Freya" "Well, Yuto, we have to be on our best behavior around him" "Yeah I know, don''t worry" She flashed him a smile, she let out a sigh as she relaxed her body against his, the warm water just serving to soothe their worries. "That''s good to know, wouldn''t want to get on Freya''s bad side, now would you?" "Nope" Mizuki chuckled as her hands moved to his legs, tracing slow circles on the sensitive skin of his inner thigh. "Good, you don''t want to see what happens when you piss her off" "Mmh!" Mizuki noticed his reaction, a small smirk forming on her lips, she leaned back against him. Resting her head on his shoulder, her fingers tracing up his leg. "M-Mizuki, are you doing that on purpose?" A sultry chuckle escaped as she spoke up, her fingers continuing their slow, tantalizing movements, each touch sending a spark of pleasure through him. "Doing what? Touching you?" "You seriously want more?" She let out a small hum as she pressed herself closer, her touches becoming bolder, more direct, her voice was low, with a seductive tone. "Maybe I do want more" Yuto raised his hands and slowly began groping her chest, using his fingers to circle her nipples in a slow-moving manner.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Mizuki let out a low moan in response, her body arching into his hands. She bit her lip, struggling to hold back another moan as his fingers continued to circle her nipples, sending jolts of pleasure through her. She leaned back against him, her breath was becoming hot and heavy as he continued to tease her. It caused her another moan, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to control her breathing, "Hah¡­that feels¡­good" Yuto lifted her up and slowly inserted it. He moved at a slow pace, "Mmh the water makes it feel¡­ different" "Hah¡­ yes, it does¡­ but I like it¡­ ah!" Another moan escaped, the sensation heightened by the warm water. "Y-Yuto, don''t tease me!" "So it''s fine if you tease me but I can''t do the same?" She gave a weak glare, and a breathless shaky laugh escaped her lips as she tried to regain control of her voice, "I-i''ll get you back for this, but yes, it is fine when I tease you¡­" Mizuki felt another shaky moan as he continued to move, the water was making the motion feel more intense, her body trembling from pleasure with every thrust. "Haah¡­ y-you''re being an asshole" Yuto pulled her hips down harder, as he began to pick up some pace, "How so?" "Hah! B-because you''re¡­ ah! T-teasing me on purpose!" she struggled to speak as it felt as if she was losing her mind. "Hmm, because what? Sorry, I guess I missed that part" Mizuki let out a small whine, her body trembling, struggling to form words, "B-because you''re making me feel so good but n-not letting me have m-more" Yuto leaned in to kiss her neck, leaving small little love bites, "How''s this then?" She arched her neck to give him better access, her head falling back onto his shoulder as his lips trailed all over her neck. "Hah¡­ aahh, more, Y-Yuto" He began massaging her chest, his mouth still focused on her neck, causing more moans and whimpers to escape from her lips. She leaned back, "Y-you, haah¡­ you''re driving me crazy¡­" "Hmm, wonder where that cocky attitude of yours disappeared to?" A shaky laugh escaped her, she tried to respond but her words only came out as moans, "I-i¡­ haa¡­ can''t even think straight when you do this¡­" Yuto stops all of his actions, he looks up to meet Mizuki''s eyes, "Hmm, should I continue?" A small whine escaped in protest as he simply stopped without warning. She turned her head to look at him, her eyes slightly pleading, "Don''t stop¡­ please¡­" "Oh, and why should I continue?" A small huff escaped and she tried to glare at him but it came out half-hearted at best. She pressed herself closer, her voice was still low and sultry as she spoke. "Because you want to give me pleasure. You want to hear me moan for you, don''t you?" ¡­ "Well shit, can''t argue with that logic," he grabbed her hips and slammed harder as the speed he was picking up was almost inhumane. "Hah!" A gasp escaped her, as she leaned in and bit his shoulder to repress her moans. "Mmh, what''s up with you and Freya leaving marks on my shoulder and back?" Mizuki let out a shaky sigh as he kept moving, her body trembling with each stroke, "We just¡­ like marking you as ours" "Is that so?" She nodded, her face still buried against his shoulder as she spoke, "Mmhm¡­ we want everyone to know that you''re ours!" She bit her lip to hold back a loud moan, her hands clutching at his shoulders as she was getting closer. "Ah¡­ hnnng¡­ yes, just like that¡­ don''t stop!" Mizuki''s breath was coming in rugged gasps, she clung tighter, her nails digging into his skin as if trying to hold on for dear life. "Unnngh¡­ so good¡­ you''re making me feel so good!" Mizuki wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek and forehead, "Haa¡­ ah¡­ m-more!" "More? Your whole body looks like it''s becoming jelly" Her face flushed with embarrassment, she let out a shaky huff, attempting to regain at least a bit of composure. She tried to glare at him, but it quickly dissolved as she bit his shoulder to suppress the moans. "J-just s-shut up and give me w-what I want¡­" A shaky moan escaped as Yuto lifted her and slammed harder, her voice was cut off by her own gasp. "Hah¡­ y-you''re doing this on p-purpose¡­ a-ah¡­ to get a r-rise out of me, aren''t you?" She felt herself finishing at the same time he did and felt any energy she had, left immediately. "Huff, Mizuki, please tell me that we''re done now, right?" She nodded against his shoulder, her body still trembling slightly, "Y-yeah¡­ we''re done¡­ for now, at least¡­" "Haha" Mizuki let out a huff, her breathing slowly returning to normal, "You''re enjoying yourself too much, y-you know that?" "I beg to differ, I think you enjoy this much more than I" She gave a playful glare, "N-no you''re wrong. I would never enjoy this so much that I''d be so¡­ speechless¡­" "Right" Mizuki let out another huff, her arms crossing over her chest, "I''m being completely honest, I would never give in so easily that I''d be reduced to this state-" She cut herself off with a whine, her body trembling as she accidentally pushed herself closer. "Hnnng¡­ this isn''t f-fair, you know that, right?" "It is fair when I catch you lying to me" Mizuki bit her lip, her eyes glancing up, her expression was a mix of frustration and need, "Hnnh¡­ you''re a jerk, you know that, right¡­?" Yuto chuckled as he got out of the bath, "Yeah, but the both of you fell for that part of me" "Yeah¡­ that doesn''t make you less of a jerk¡­" Yuto leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, "Mmh, yeah sure" Mizuki let out a small grumble, but her expression softened up, "You are insufferable, Yuto" "Am I?" She swatted his cheek weakly, "Yes, you are. Very much so." "You know exactly what buttons to push to make me¡­ react in a way that is¡­ less than dignified" "But I love you anyway¡­ jerkface" "Haha, and just two years ago I had to deal with your constant teasing!" Mizuki let out a small laugh, "Well you could handle it¡­ and you grew to love it, didn''t you?" ¡­ "Yes I did, now we should probably get ready" "Yeah¡­ maybe we''ve been in here too long" Yuto helped her out as her legs were slightly shaking, and she grabbed a towel, wrapping it around herself before taking a seat on the chair to dry her hair. As she was drying her hair, her eyes wandered around the room before locking on Yuto, "You know¡­ it''s not fair how attractive you are" ["Is it this new stat, I think it''s now in effect"] "Hah, even with all these scars on my back?" "I think so, it shows the battles you fought and survived" "That''s one way to look at it," he used the ring of Ernaline to create simple comfortable clothes. "Yuto, do you know what I find most attractive about you?" "What?" Mizuki got up from her chair, walked over, and wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice was low and sultry. "Your strength. Physically and mentally" "You''ve overcome so much, I know there were times when everything felt so hopeless, and yet you always came out on top" "..." She smiled at his silence, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear, "What, no snarky comeback?" "That''s my line, now g-get dressed" Mizuki chuckled as she let go of his neck, she created a baggy shirt and loose pants, it was different from her usual attire but she too needed to take a break. "Better? Or did some part of you wish I stayed in the towel?" "..." "Too flustered to speak, huh?" Yuto felt a small sigh escape, "Let''s just hope that Freya didn''t hear anything" Mizuki chuckled as she turned back into a ring on his finger, ["That''s for you to deal with"] "So, you''re leaving me to deal with the mess you made?" ["Exactly!"] Yuto chuckled as entered the room again, where he saw Freya awake, she held herself up to look at him with a weird grin. "Out of the bath already?" ¡­ "I presume you must have heard everything?" Freya''s cheeks began heating up, she bit her lip as she nodded slowly, "Y-yeah" She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the last bits of sleep, "It¡­it''s fine" "I mean, it''s not like I haven''t heard you two before¡­" "..." Freya looked at Yuto, "It''s not a big deal, we did agree to this so it doesn''t bother me" Yuto smiled, he let out a chuckle as he walked to her, kneeled, and pressed a kiss to her neck. Freya let out a small gasp, "That''s not fair," she tried to protest. "You know I''m still sensitive from earlier" Yuto chuckled as he ruffled her hair, "Oh, and I''m not tired? Having to please the both of you?" Freya rolled her eyes, she gave a small smile, "Oh, please don''t act like you don''t enjoy it" "Haha, can''t lie, I bloody love it!" Freya let out a laugh, "You''re impossible" "But I wouldn''t have you any other way?" "Is that so?" He asked as he rolled himself onto the bed beside her. She let out a small chuckle, "Yeah," she wrapped her arms around him. "I love you, no matter how ridiculous you are" "Even the times I make my lewd jokes?" "Yes, even then," she rolled her eyes. She pulled Yuto closer, snuggling against his chest, "But seriously, don''t change. I love every part of you, even the parts that make me want to smack you" ¡­ "Yeah, I promise I won''t change" "Good," she said, nuzzling her head into the crook of Yuto''s neck. "Because I''d never forgive you if you tried to be someone you''re not" They decide to cuddle on the bed, Yuto notices that the bed has some new sheets, and it seems that Freya decided to clean a bit even in her sleepy state. Freya pulled her head back, "You know, you''re a lot cuddlier than you let on" "Hmm?" "You act all tough and macho in front of everyone else," she traced her fingers across his chest. "But when it''s just the two of us, you turn into such a softie" "Mizuki said the same thing" "And what did you tell her?" "I told her to get dressed" Freya laughed at how blunt he was, "Wow, you''re a real charmer, Yuto," she shook her head in amusement. "But I''ll admit, I do like having this side of you all to myself," her voice becoming softer. "I did promise to give you both equal attention" "You''re keeping that promise, and we thank you for it" "I love the both of you" Freya smiled as she felt her chest heat up, "We know," she snuggled closer to him. "And I trust you completely, dumb dumb" Yuto leaned and kissed her forehead, "Goodnight Fae" "Goodnight dumb dumb," she relaxed as the warm comfort quickly knocked her out. ¡­ As Freya passed out, Yuto decided it best to enter his mind realm to say goodnight to Mizuki, as he entered he noticed her taking a sip of some tea. She looked up from her cup and smiled, "Ah, didn''t expect to see you here" "You must have heard our conversation, do you agree with Freya''s thoughts?" She put her cup down and crossed her arms, "Yes, I can see where she''s coming from, you shouldn''t change who you are because of the expectations of others" "Have I ever done that?" "No, not really. You''ve always been true to yourself, never really caring for the thoughts of others" "So then why do the both of you repeat the same thing?" "Because we worry about you, I''m worried about you" "..." "Yuto, you may not see it but you do change after every battle, yes you do learn from your mistakes but you also overdo it" "I get it, I need to tone it down a bit" Mizuki noticing his change in demeanor, stood up to hug him, "It''s fine, I understand, just remember that you have people who worry about you" "Yes, well, goodnight then" Mizuki let out a small huff of annoyance, reluctantly letting go, "Yes, you do need some rest, have sweet dreams Yuto" He smiled as he gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, "Night Mizuki," and slowly disappeared from his mindscape. - Freya''s room - Yuto opened his eyes and noticed that Freya was clinging to his arm. He chuckled and quickly put her in a comfortable position in his embrace. "Yes, I have people I need to worry about, I''m not alone," he wiped the strands of hair from Freya''s eyes. He chuckled as she let out a groan and stretched her body almost hitting him in the eye, but after a while he passed out, letting himself enjoy a deserving rest. - Morning - There was a knock on the door, and Yuto''s eyes slowly opened, he noticed that Freya was still asleep and decided not to bother her. He got up and decided to answer the door but was surprised to see, "Queen Julieta?" "I''m surprised to see you so early in the morning" She gave a polite smile, "Good morning Sir Yuto, would you mind if I came in?" Yuto stepped back guiding her inside with his hand, "It''s fine, please, come in" Julieta entered the room, closing the door behind her. Her eyes immediately landed on Freya, and a soft smile appeared. "She looks so peaceful when she sleeps," she couldn''t help but comment as Yuto let her outside to the balcony. "You could say that," Yuto said with a chuckle as he poured her some green tea. Once they settled, Julieta''s gaze focused on Yuto, "I have some concerns that I wish to discuss with you" "Is it about my request?" "Somewhat," she took a sip of her tea. "It seems that finding a spirit beast egg will take longer than expected" "Is that so?" "The task has proven to be more difficult than anticipated," her expression was that of disappointment. Yuto tapped his cup, a small smile forming, "Did the war with the demons cause your connection to be cut off?" Julieta nodded, "The war with them made us suffer heavy losses, this is just another hindrance to our abilities and work" Yuto''s grin grew wider, causing Julieta to shiver as she''d only seen that grin once. When he offered to save her life, as long as she fulfilled two of his requests. "I have a deal for you and your kingdom" She raised an eyebrow, "A deal?" "What kind of deal are you suggesting?" Yuto tapped his fingers together, "I''ll stay here for the amount of time you need to recover, I know that rebuilding is difficult especially when your army is in shambles" Julieta nodded, "You are correct, we have suffered some heavy losses, and because we are taking the time to rebuild, it has become a slow process" "I can be your army" Julieta''s eyes widened, "You are willing to provide us with military support?" "Yes, till my second request is fulfilled" "A very generous offer but I know that is not all, so what is that you want in return?" ¡­ ["Oh? She''s starting to understand my personality better"] "Freya needs training, I was planning on staying till she learned about her class from her father" ¡­ "Sir Yuto, may I ask, why are you so willing to stay and help us, even at the risk of your own safety?" Yuto blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a question, "I don''t know" Julieta raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her gaze, "You don''t know?" she repeated, her voice tingled with disbelief. "I guess I do what I do because it is the right thing to do, Your Highness" For a second, it felt as if she was seeing her husband when they were younger, she couldn''t help but let out a small chuckle. "I see that you''re a man with integrity, it seems I was wrong" ["Huh? Wrong about what?"] She took a sip of her tea, her mind weighing the pros and cons, "Very well, I accept your offer of military support" "But I have some conditions that you must agree to" "Oh?" "Firstly, I want to make it clear that you will serve under my command while you are in our kingdom" "You will follow my orders and the rules of this kingdom without question. Understood?" ["She''s bold, I''ll give her that"] "What else?" ¡­ "Secondly, I expect you to behave respectfully and treat the people and culture with respect" "And finally, you will honor and protect this kingdom to your utmost ability. Do you agree with these conditions?" Yuto chuckled, "Oh ho, it seems that you do have a backbone" Julieta felt a smirk tug at her lips, "I may be the queen, but I am also a warrior" "I have earned my position through strength and determination. I do not take kindly to those who underestimate me" Yuto smiled as he stood up from his chair and kneeled before her. Taking her hand in his and kissing it. "This oath, till both sides fulfill each other''s contract, I promise to uphold the conditions that you have made" Julieta was taken aback by his sudden gesture, she had somewhat expected him to accept the conditions but she didn''t expect a show of respect. "I accept the oath" "I Queen Julieta Sylverbane, hereby acknowledge your loyalty to this kingdom and its people" With both mutually agreeing to the terms of the contract, a glowing green light flashed them, when it was over Yuto saw a green bow mark on his left wrist, "What''s this?" "That is the mark of your oath, kind of like a magical contract that binds you to your promise" "So is that it? I haven''t eaten breakfast so I am a bit hungry" "Almost, there is one more thing I''d like to discuss with you" ["Please, I haven''t eaten anything in like forever!"] "Yes?" "The safety of my daughter, while you and my husband help master her class, please prioritize her safety above all else" "Even if you need to risk your life again, please, keep her safe" Yuto stood up to sit back on his chair, taking a sip of his cold tea, "Of course, even if you hadn''t requested it, regardless I will always put my life on the line to protect what is mine" "Good," Julieta said with a satisfied smile. "She may be the youngest princess but she is also my daughter, and I will not tolerate her being put in danger. Understood?" "Haha, I''m the one in danger as soon as the sun goes down" Julieta''s face flushed pink, her ears shaking adorably, "Y-young man" "Please don''t mention such things in front of me," she stuttered, the embarrassment was clear on her face. "I''d prefer not to hear about that part of my daughter''s life" ¡­ "You appear rather adorable right now, Your Highness" Julieta''s face turned even redder, a slight pout forming on her lips, "H-hush you," she was trying to sound firm but failed to his her flustered expression. "It''s not every day that I see a queen blushing," Yuto teased, a smirk on his face. ["Wow, this is kinda fun, although I''m sure if Senki saw this, my head would be on a stand"] "Sir Yuto is becoming a real pain in the ass," she muttered, though there was no real annoyance in her voice. "Now, if you excuse me, I would like to leave before my daughter wakes up" Yuto chuckled at her response, enjoying the opportunity to tease her, "I''ll let you go for now" She shot him a glare but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes, "You''re going to be a real headache, aren''t you?" She said as she stood up from her chair. "Well it''s like what I told Freya, the adorable reactions you both make, keep it going" Julieta rolled her eyes, but she couldn''t entirely hide a small smile, "You''re incorrigible," she said while shaking her head. "And I hope you know what I will not be so easily swayed never time," her tone was lightly threatening but there was a twinkle of playfulness in her eyes. Yuto nodded, "Of course, see you later, Your Highness" "Until next time," her smile softened, she gave him a small nod before turning and leaving him alone. "Flirty with the queen are we?" Mizuki said with a chuckle as she appeared across from him, serving herself some tea that she heated with fire magic. ¡­ "Seeing as how you are awake, let us discuss the plan for the next year" Volume 3 Chapter 12 Our Plan 18+ Mizuki took on her physical form to pour herself a cup of tea, her voice was teasing and playful as she spoke. "Well before that how about discussing how you made the queen blush, oh la la" "How daring of you Yuto and to think you were getting all flustered in the bath last night" "¡­" Yuto sighed as he took a sip of his tea, "I don''t plan on doing anything, I can''t even imagine what Freya would do to me" Mizuki chuckled at his comment, amused by what Freya would do to him if she found out that he technically flirted with her mother. "Hmm, she would probably try to strangle you within seconds" Yuto laughed as he took another sip, "Imagine Senki''s reaction if the queen decides to tell him" "Oh that would be even funnier" Yuto looked puzzled, "How so?" "He would probably go on a rampage and try and I must clarify try to beat you senseless" He put down his cup and put his hands together, "Wouldn''t you and Freya do the same thing if someone tried to steal me away?" Mizuki scoffed at his question, the grip on the teacup was tightening slightly, "Of course we would, after all, you belong with us, and we would do anything to keep you with us" Yuto chuckled, "Anyways getting off track, the reason why the queen was acting different was because of my new stat" "Oh? And what new stat is that, Yuto?" "¡­ -arisma" "What?" "It''s a charisma stat" Mizuki took another sip, her tone a bit teasing as she spoke, "So you''re telling me that you''ve become more charming and persuasive, have you?" "That''s very interesting hu hu" "Hah?!" "More like a pain I don''t even know how it works, look before we lose track again, do you think I did the right thing?" "Becoming the queen''s military support for the amount of time it takes to train Freya" Mizuki traced a finger along her teacup, her eyes never leaving his, "I believe you did" "Protecting this kingdom and its people is a noble cause, and will allow us to have a safe place to rest and reorganize our thoughts before continuing our journey" "Plus, it never hurts to have connections in high places" ¡­ "I guess so and when I get my spirit egg it''s gonna be an even bigger win" Freya chuckled, she leaned back in her chair, "Still focus on the egg? You really can''t wait to see what creature you''ll end up with, huh?" "Well it is something I request because it will benefit me in the future" Mizuki laughed as she poured herself some more tea, taking a sip before answering, her tone was slightly serious. "I suppose it''s only natural to want to benefit from your reward" "Let''s just hope that it turns out to be some special if we have to wait this long" "I hope so, I would be seriously angry if it turned out to be something useless" Yuto and Mizuki shared a laugh as they continued their conversation, it lasted for at least ten minutes before they heard Freya start to wake up. Mizuki transformed into a ring on his finger, "Looks like she''s up now, I wonder how she''ll deal with your little deal with the queen" "Hah, I''ll deal with that later, right now you should also get some rest" "Oh, worried about me are we? How sweet but you need not worry, I''ll take a rest as soon as I get to see Freya''s reaction" "Haha, so you want to see me get hurt?" "Of course not, all I can do is wish you luck" ¡­ "True, come now, let''s get going," Yuto left the balcony and entered the room again where he saw Freya stirring awake. She sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes blearily, "Good morning" "Hey Fae, how are you feeling?'' Freya stretched her arms out above her head, a small yawn escaping, "I''m feeling alright, just a bit¡­ tired. What time is it Yuto?" Yuto blushed and looked away, it seemed that Freya was still just wearing her panties and his white shirt. A double hit on his heart, "Well it''s still early morning so that means the day is ready to start" "Mh, too early," she complained, snuggling deeper into the blankets. "Can''t we just go back to sleep?" ["I guess I can rest just for a bit longer right? Hah, no Yuto get it together"] "It''s fine if you need a bit more sleep, I did plan on visiting your father and the elders" Freya pouted a bit at his words, "Oh," her voice was a bit sulky. "Do you have to go right away? Can''t you stay a little longer?" <- System Warning -> [ The host is experiencing cuteness beyond his understanding ] ["Well I should get a bit of sleep"] ''Wow, falling for a cute little act that even I can do?'' ["It''s not like that, I mean do I have to meet up with the king?"] ''Yes, because you need to speak to him if he can train Freya'' ["... Fine"] <- System -> [ The host mentality is higher, the host has managed to resist temptation ] "Sorry Fae, but hey I won''t leave you alone" "What do you mean?" She looked confused as she wrapped the blanket around herself. "Mizuki" Mizuki took her physical form and sat beside Freya, "You called?'' "Can you please keep Freya some company?" "She''s staying here with me?" Mizuki chuckled as she ruffed Freya''s hair up, "It''s no problem right?" Freya let out a small sigh, "It''s fine with me, Yuto you can go meet up with my father now" Yuto smiled as he walked over to ruffle their hair up, "No fighting, okay?" Mizuki chuckled as she playfully swatted his hand away, "We won''t fight, love" ["You promise not to cause problems, Mizuki?"] ''Trust me, now shoo shoo, I have something to discuss with her'' "You worry a bit too much," Freya added, sticking out her tongue playfully. "Okay fine," he put his hands up. He chuckled as he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Once he left the room Freya turned her attention back to Mizuki. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. "So what do you want to do now?" Mizuki took the opportunity to lay down on the bed, pushing Freya lightly for more room, "You wanna just talk about things?" Freya chuckled at her response, she took the time to scoot over and make some more room on the bed for herself. "I don''t mind talking, but is there anything you want to talk about in particular?" Mizuki with a naughty smirk turned to face Freya, "I wanna know how you feel about Yuto?" Freya was taken aback by the question but tried to play it cool, "Yuto is an interesting person. He''s strong and skilled" "What else?" "To be honest, he confused me a bit" Mizuki was surprised to hear this, so she decided to sit up against the wall, "How so?" "One minute, he''s sarcastic and cocky in battle, and then the next, he''s being serious and protective. I can never quite figure him out" Mizuki chimes in, "But either way, you can''t help but love him" Freya slowly nodded as she too sat against the wall, "I''m thankful for everything he''s done for me, and I would like to repay that kindness" Mizuki chuckled, a weird grin growing, "I have a way for the both of us to reward him, of course, that is only if you agree" Freya looked at Mizuki curiously, "What do you have in mind?" - Meanwhile - Yuto stood before the king and the elders, his expression serious and determined. "So, I can see there is something we need to discuss, what is it?" Senki and the elders nodded, their faces stern as they regarded him, "Yuto, apparently the human kingdom has summoned a hero and has been training him for two years" ["Is he referring to Wanless? Haven''t seen him since I left Rosalind''s body"] "So what does that have to do with me?" Senki and the elders shared a look before looking back at Yuto, "Do you think they could be a threat to our lives?" ["As if Wanless can be a threat to me..."] "Are you afraid of the hero?" The elders visibly bristled at Yuto''s casual tone, but Senki simply crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, "We are not afraid, we are merely being cautious" "The human king has been known to be rather cunning and strategic. It''s unwise to underestimate him or his chosen hero" ["Well can''t deny that, hell even I still remember the power he displayed that day"] "So what''s the problem?" "The problem is," one of the elders chimed in, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Is that we do not know the capabilities of this hero? If they prove to be a powerful foe, we must prepare for the worst" ["Look at this fucker, trying to size me up are we?"] "Excuse me, sir, what''s your name?" The elder looked at the others for support, but they quickly looked away, "C-cad" "Well Cad, please be quiet, okay?" Yuto released a bit of blood lust which quickly shut Cad up. He turned his attention back to Senki who tried hiding his chuckle, "Don''t worry, Senki, speak with your queen, and she will tell you why you shouldn''t fear the hero" The elders and Senki exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions quizzical. Senki looked at Yuto with a raised eyebrow. "And why is that?" he asked, his tone curious yet skeptical. ["... yeah, it''s better if I explain"] Yuto shows his left wrist, a glowing green bow on it, "I promised the queen that all of you are under my protection" The elders and Senki all looked at Yuto''s marked wrist in surprise, their eyes widening in disbelief. "You... promised the queen?" Senki repeated, his voice filled with astonishment. "And she agreed to this?" one of the elders added, their expression a mixture of shock and skepticism. "This is proof of my oath to the queen, you all see it, correct?" The elders and Senki all studied Yuto''s marked wrist, their expressions transforming from skepticism to begrudging respect. "We do," Senki said, his voice low. "We see your oath, Yuto" Yuto gave Senki a genuine smile, "So do not worry your Majesty, for I am here" The elders and Senki nodded, their expressions gradually becoming less tense. "We... appreciate your assurance," Senki replied, his voice a bit more composed now. "We will rely on your protection then" Yuto smiled but then his expression became serious, "Senki, I need to speak to you alone" Senki looked at Yuto with a curious expression, sensing the seriousness in his tone. "Very well," he said, turning to the elders. "Gentlemen, you are dismissed" The elders exchanged glances, their expressions slightly puzzled, but they nodded and began making their way out of the room. Once the elders had left, Senki turned back to Yuto, a serious look on his face. "What do you need to speak to me about?" he asked, his voice low but firm. Yuto created a chair and sat down, he showed the green bow on his wrist again. "This oath I made to your wife, I cannot harm you or any of your people" Senki''s eyes widened in surprise, his expression becoming more guarded. "You... cannot harm us?" he repeated, his voice a bit wary. "So let me ask again, do you still fear me?" Senki was silent for a moment, contemplating Yuto''s words. Then, he let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Fear may not be the right word," he admitted, his voice tired. "It''s more like... cautiousness. You''re a powerful being, Yuto. It would be foolish not to be at least a little wary of you" "I''m still human, your Majesty, and because I love your daughter, I don''t even dream of hurting you ever again" Senki''s expression softened at Yuto''s words, a hint of relief crossing his face, "I''m sorry" Yuto''s face flashed with surprise, "H-huh?" "I''m sorry," Senki repeated, his voice more firm this time. "I''m sorry for all the hardship you''ve faced because of me" "You killed the demons outside our borders, used your magic to create walls to protect my people, and saved my daughter from human slave traders" "I was blinded by fear and anger for so long, I lost sight of what mattered" "..." Yuto was rendered speechless by Senki''s unexpected apology. He hadn''t expected the king to express remorse for his actions, but the sincerity in Senki''s voice was undeniable. "I''m grateful for your protection, Yuto," Senki continued, his expression softening. "And I trust you will continue to keep my people safe" "Just... know that you have my respect now" <- System -> [ King Senki Sylverbane''s respect for you is at its maximum, you have earned a new passive ] - Earth Blessing ["What does this passive do?"] <- System -> [ Earth''s Blessing will allow you to recover your mana if it depletes to zero ] ["That''s pretty cool"] Yuto chuckled, his expression becoming sincere, "I will do everything in my power to keep them safe," he vowed. "And thank you, your majesty. I appreciate your understanding and respect" Senki smiled faintly, a hint of relief in his eyes, "And... Yuto?" Yuto looked up at Senki, curious, "Yes?" "Take good care of my daughter," Senki said, his tone gentle yet firm. "She''s gone through a lot, and she needs someone who truly cares for her" "Well your majesty, that''s what I wanted to speak to you about" "Oh?" Senki''s expression turned curious, wondering what Yuto was referring to. "What is it?" "Your class is Elven Hero, correct?" Senki seemed surprised that Yuto knew about his class, but he nodded, "Yes, that''s correct," he confirmed, his voice guarded. "How do you know that?" "No need to sweat the small details, what I need is for you to train Freya as she awakened to the same class" Senki''s eyebrows shot up in surprise at Yuto''s words, "Freya... also awakened to the Elven Hero class?" he asked his tone a mix of surprise and disbelief. "Are you certain about this?" Yuto nodded firmly, his gaze steady. "I believe she has the potential to excel, and I cannot think of a better mentor than you, Your Majesty" ¡­ "Very well," he eventually said, his voice resolute. "I will train her. But you must understand, Yuto, this training will force her to go beyond her limits" "If she wants to continue following me on my journey, she needs to be stronger" Senki nodded in understanding, his expression solemn. "You are right," he said, his voice firm. "Freya will need to become stronger to stand beside you. And I''ll make sure that she does" Yuto got up from his chair and held his hand out, "Well, Senki, let''s start anew" Senki regarded Yuto''s outstretched hand for a moment, unsure. But then, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he reached out to clasp Yuto''s hand firmly. "Let us start anew then, Yuto," he said, his voice warm. The two of them stood there, their hands firmly clasped, the air between them no longer heavy with tension but filled with a newfound respect and camaraderie. ["You see system, there is no need to give me a charisma stat, I''m already charming"] <- System-> [ Let''s go with that, you know what? Take this as a small gift ] <- System Rewards -> [ +100 Charisma ] ["Y-you bastard!"] <- System -> [ Hehehe good luck! ] ¡­ "S-see you later Senki," Yuto broke the handshake off and walked his fastest to the door. Senki nodded, his smile still lingering on his face, "See you later, Yuto," he replied, his voice lighter than before. As Yuto left the room he noticed that all the maids started to look at him weirdly, ["Why are they looking at me like that?"] ["It''s not disgust, wait, my charisma stat did go up"] He looked at one maid and she quickly turned her head, she was tumbling her fingers and rubbing her legs together. ["F-fuck, let''s just make our way to Freya''s room"] Yuto quickly made his way to Freya''s room, trying his best to avoid drawing too much attention to himself as he passed by the curious maids. Once he reached her room, he quietly slipped inside, shutting the door behind him and letting out a sigh of relief. "Welcome Home Master~" Yuto flinched, he turned around slowly as he saw both girls sitting at the edge of the bed, twin grins on their faces. ["Ah, so this is my reward for being a good person, heh"] Yuto gave a small smirk, enjoying the sight before him, "Looks like I''ve returned to quite the welcoming committee," he teased, walking over to them. "We were getting worried you were gonna take hours," Mizuki said, her tone playful. "Is that so?" He started to unbutton his shirt. Freya and Mizuki''s eyes followed Yuto''s movements as he started removing his shirt, their curious gazes tracking every shift. "Ah..." Freya let out a soft murmur, her cheeks coloring slightly at the sight of Yuto''s bare chest. Mizuki chuckled as they all knew where this was going, Yuto caught onto Mizuki''s chuckle, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Looks like you knew this would happen," he teased, his shirt completely off. "I had a feeling," Mizuki replied with a smirk, her eyes roaming over Yuto''s bare chest and the numerous scars that marred his skin. "I''m still trying to wrap my head around how you convinced Freya," he took off his pants. Both girls watched as Yuto''s pants hit the floor, the sight of him standing in only his underwear causing their cheeks to color further. Freya looked a mix of nervousness and excitement. Yuto crawled onto the bed, he cupped both girls'' cheeks, "I guess we have the whole day to ourselves?" Both girls leaned into Yuto''s touch, a mixture of anticipation and excitement written across their faces. Freya nodded, her eyes locked on Yuto''s. "All day," she confirmed, her voice a breathless whisper. "And we can do whatever we want," Mizuki added, her tone dripping with sultry implication. Yuto leaned in, trailing his tongue along both their necks, causing both of them to let out soft gasps. Freya tilted her head back, exposing more of her neck to Yuto''s tongue. Mizuki mirrored Freya, a soft moan escaping her lips as Yuto''s tongue glided across her skin. Yuto continued his trail, his mouth lavishing attention on both their necks, enjoying the sounds and sensations he was drawing from them. "Mmh, delicious" Both girls let out soft moans at Yuto''s words, their bodies arching into him, craving more of his touch. Freya''s hand found its way to his chest, her fingers tracing the ridges of his muscles, with a chuckle she pushed him down, her eyes glowing with love and lust. Yuto let out a soft chuckle, "Oh? Freya is taking charge?" Freya straddled Yuto''s hips, her eyes locked onto his, "I''m just doing what I want to do," she replied, her voice hoarse with desire. Mizuki began kissing his neck, trailing her tongue to his ear. "Oh fuck!" Yuto let out a soft sound of pleasure as Mizuki''s lips and tongue traced the sensitive skin of his neck. His hands automatically came up to grip Freya''s hips, his fingers digging lightly into her flesh. Freya moaned as she began to move at a nice pace causing Yuto''s expression to go wild, she moved with a steady rhythm. Her body rocked against Yuto''s, eliciting soft curses and gasps from him. Mizuki continued to lavish attention on Yuto''s neck, her lips and tongue leaving a trail of heat in their wake. With each movement, Yuto''s grip on Freya''s hips tightened, his body responding to the pleasure both girls were providing. "God, you two..." he groaned, his voice a ragged whisper, and he began grouping both of their chests. Freya and Mizuki gasped at the feeling of Yuto''s hands on their chests, their bodies arching into his touch. Mizuki leaned down, her lips finding his ear as she whispered, "Like what you feel, Master?" Yuto blushed as he looked away, his thing growing harder in Freya, "... You''re doing that on purpose" Both girls giggled at Yuto''s response, knowing that they were indeed doing this on purpose. "Perhaps," Freya replied coyly, her movements never faltering. "And it seems we''re getting the desired effect..." Yuto slapped Freya''s ass, "Don''t get too cocky," he pulled her breast and began to play with her nipple, as he focused on his tongue kiss with Mizuki. He began to please Mizuki with his fingers, not wanting to leave her out of it, she moaned loudly, her eyes never leaving his. Freya yelped as she moved at a faster pace, "Y-you too are doing it on purpose!" "Yup, so just, ah-" Both girls became more eager, their bodies moving faster and more urgently. Yuto''s hands and tongue worked in tandem, pushing them closer and closer to the edge. "Yuto," Freya gasped, her voice ragged. "I''m... I''m close.." "M-me too!" Mizuki broke off the kiss with Yuto, her breaths coming in short gasps. "Me too," she echoed, her body trembling with anticipation. Yuto''s grip on both girls tightened, his breath coming in ragged gasps, "Together..." he managed to gasp out. "Yes.. together," Freya panted, her movements picking up speed. "Mmh... I''m-" Mizuki''s voice broke off, her words lost in a gasp of pleasure. "I''m... I''m-" Freya echoed, her body spasming against Yuto''s. Mizuki followed suit, her body limp and trembling as she sank against Yuto''s side. The room was filled with the sound of heavy breathing as all three of them lay there, seated and exhausted. Yuto wrapped his arms around both of them, holding them close, "Love you both" "Love you," Freya murmured, her voice tired but full of affection. Mizuki nuzzled against Yuto''s chest, a soft smile on her face. "Love you too," she echoed, her eyes closing in contentment. "Still, Freya, how did Mizuki convince you to wear a sexy maid costume?" Freya blushed at the mention of the costume, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of pink. "Well, Mizuki can be very persuasive," she admitted, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "And she made some very... compelling points" "Such as?" Freya bit her lip, a coy look in her eyes. "She said it would make me look... more attractive," she replied, her voice taking on a teasing tone. "And, well, it worked, didn''t it?" He shot Mizuki a quick glare, "Oh, Fae, I already think you''re beautiful" "I know," Freya replied, her voice softening. "But sometimes, it''s nice to know that I can be even more beautiful to you" Mizuki just stuck her tongue out at Yuto, a mischievous grin on her face, Yuto leaned in to suck on her tongue, she moaned and tried to pull him closer but Yuto quickly pulled back. A wet trail of saliva left both their mouths, "Fae, you don''t need to change yourself for me" "I know," Freya repeated, her eyes meeting Yuto''s with a sincere gaze. "But it''s not just for you. It''s for me. I enjoy trying new things... even if it means wearing a maid costume once in a while" She gave Yuto a small, sheepish smile. "Besides, I have to admit, I kind of liked it" "And the look on your face when we came in was priceless," Mizuki chimed in, her tone lighthearted and amused. "You were a fan of the costumes" "I am a man Mizuki, any logical person would be excited to see you both in maid costumes" "See? Even he agrees," Mizuki teased, her smile widening. Freya giggled at Mizuki''s comment as she snuggled closer to Yuto, her body warm and comfortable against his. "But seriously," Freya said, her tone becoming more serious. "I''m okay with doing these things because I trust you, Yuto" "I know you don''t care if I''m wearing a maid costume or anything else. You love me for who I am. And that means more to me than anything else" Yuto kissed her forehead, before pulling back with a smile, "Thank you" "Of course," Freya murmured, her expression soft and full of warmth. Mizuki simply nodded in agreement, a small smile on her face. Yuto leaned the other way and pressed a kiss on Mizuki''s forehead, "I love you too" "Love you too," Mizuki echoed, her voice soft and affectionate. They all lay there in comfortable silence, enjoying the aftermath of such passionate love. - Meanwhile, in the Forbidden Forest - Wanless just killed a level 90 Low Ranking Demon by himself, his sword was glowing blue as he wiped the blood from his sword. A figure in dark armor approached him, "Lord Wanless, we should continue moving forward, it''s not safe here" Wanless sheathed his sword, his eyes looking dead, he gave a small nod as he continued walking, "Why am I still your guy''s hero?" "Because Sir Wanless, we could always summon another, and the king did promise you a spectacular reward" He chuckled as he looked at the path before them, it was covered with mutilated demon bodies and so much blood that it created a river. "Then let''s keep going" ¡­ "As you wish, Sir Wanless" ''Just you wait Rosalind, I shall get you back for dumping me so one-sidedly'' He continued walking towards the darkness of the Forbidden Forest, leaving only a trail of victims that would get in his way. For the next two years, Yuto and the rest spent every minute training, helping the people with daily runs, and learning to understand their abilities better. And just like that, it was time to leave for the Kingdom of Drakona. Volume 4 Chapter 1 A Dragon? As the trio made their way to the castle gates, they were met by Senki, Julieta, and numerous other citizens. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and sadness, the people wishing them well on their journey. Senki approached Yuto, his expression serious but his eyes reflecting a hint of fondness. "You have done much for our kingdom," he said, his voice firm yet warm. "We will not forget your contributions here, I am prideful to have met you Yuto" Yuto chuckled, "Same here, you are much better at hunting than I am" Senki smiled, his eyes bearing no hate but respect, "If you ever return, I am always willing to teach you more" "I would like that very much" The queen stepped forward with a spirit beast egg in her arms. It was something wonderful, and the scales on the egg shone very brightly. The different colors showed the rarity of the beast. It was worth the wait, Yuto thought. "Haha, after two years you finally found a spirit beast egg?" Julieta chuckled softly at Yuto''s comment, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yes, finally," she replied, her tone tinged with relief. "It took a lot of time and effort, but it was worth it, after all, I do owe you a lot" She handed the spirit beast egg to Yuto, who used the system to put it away in storage. "I know it was an unreasonable request, but thank you" "It was indeed quite an extraordinary request," Senki responded. "But you have done much for our people and our land. So every bit of sweat to find it, was worth it" Yuto nodded, "Well, we best be on our way now, we can''t afford to waste any more time" Senki and Julieta nodded in understanding, their expressions solemn but accepting, "Safe travels," Senki said. "May the gods watch over you," Julieta added, her voice tinged with sadness. ["Gods? Haven''t seen any of them during our journey"] ''Don''t say anything Yuto, or so help me'' Yuto looked over at Mizuki, whose expression was clear that he should keep his mouth shut. ["I have forgotten that you and I are connected and that we can talk via thought"] ''And don''t you ever forget it'' Yuto sighed as they began walking towards the gates again, the rest of the citizens bid their farewells, their voices a chorus of hopes and wishes for a safe journey. Just as they were about to leave, Freya ran to hug Senki and Julieta, this was it, she was going. Mizuki stopped Yuto who had his head in the clouds, ''Freya is saying her goodbyes'' ["Let us wait then"] ¡­ "We''ll miss you," Senki murmured, hugging her tightly. Julieta''s eyes were shining with unshed tears as she embraced her as well. "Promise you''ll come back and visit, okay?" she whispered. Freya nodded, her own eyes prickling with tears. "I promise," she managed to choke out, her voice thick with emotion. They held each other for a few more moments, the weight of their farewell hanging heavily in the air. Then, Freya pulled back, her gaze meeting Yuto''s as she wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. He walked back and held out his hand, "You ready Fae?" Freya nodded a mixture of determination and melancholy in her eyes. "Yes," she replied, her voice soft yet resolute. "I''m ready" Freya placed her hand in his, her slender fingers interlacing with his. Yuto ran with her to the gate, Mizuki chuckled as she took on her ring form. Yuto and Mizuki ran through the forest, as they exited through the gates, the elven kingdom slowly vanished from view, disappearing into the thick foliage of the forest. Freya glanced behind her briefly, her heart heavy with a mixture of sadness and anticipation. Yuto who had already let go of her hand and was running through the trees stopped, "You can still go back if it''s too much, I know it''s not easy leaving family" Freya stopped running, her eyes widening at Yuto''s offer. For a moment, she was torn, her heart aching to stay. But then she shook her head vigorously. "No," she said firmly, her voice betraying no doubt. "I chose to leave. I chose you. I''m not going back" Mizuki came out again in her physical form as Yuto looked away blushing, Freya chuckled, a hint of a smile playing on her lips at Yuto''s blushing face. "Feeling shy, are we?" She teased, her voice filled with a lightness that wasn''t there moments ago. Mizuki also joined in on the teasing, "He''s too easy to embarrass, right, Freya?" "Oh, absolutely," Freya agreed, her smirk widening as she and Mizuki shared an amused look. "One mention of anything ''scandalous'' and he turns as red as a cherry" "Is he now?" "Oh, definitely," Freya confirmed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You can try it sometime. Just watch him turn into a stuttering, blushing mess" Yuto looked over at both of them, he pointed at Freya, "Who squeals when I begin to suck on their ears?" Freya''s cheeks instantly turned rosy as Yuto called her out, "I-I do not squeal," she protested, her voice cracking slightly in embarrassment. "I... I just... make a sound of surprise!" He then turned to Mizuki, "Who likes it when I massage their stomach?" Mizuki stifled a giggle at Yuto''s remark, her cheeks flushing with a slight pink tinge, "Well, that... that might be me," she admitted, her voice a playful murmur. She quickly went back into the ring, leaving Freya to fend for herself, Freya shot a glare at the ring as Yuto''s attention turned back to her. "Traitor," she muttered under her breath, her face still flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. Yuto had a stupid grin on his face as he jumped over to the tree branch she was on, Freya squeaked as Yuto unexpectedly jumped over. She pressed herself against the bark, her eyes widening in surprise. "Who''s the embarrassed one now?" Freya huffed, her eyes narrowing as she realized she had walked right into this trap. "Not fair," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably because of the blush on her cheeks. He flicked her forehead before he kept on moving, "Come now, we have to keep moving" "Ow!" Freya protested, rubbing the spot on her forehead where Yuto had flicked her. "That hurt, you know" She pouted for a moment longer before quickly falling in step beside Yuto. "Fine, fine. Let''s go"If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. They continued through the trees, the forest stretching endlessly before them. The only sound was the rustle of leaves under their feet and the occasional calls of birds perched high above. ¡­ As night fell, they set up a small camp at the edge of the clearing. Yuto gathered firewood and built a small fire while Freya and Mizuki set up the tents. Soon enough, the campsite was set up and they gathered around the fire, its warm glow warding off the chill of the night. The flickering flames danced and cast shadows on their faces as they sat in comfortable silence. "Freya, you should probably go to sleep, I know you must be tired," Yuto commented as he made himself a s''more. She nodded, her eyelids feeling heavy, "You''re right," her voice a murmur. "It has been a long day" She stood up slowly, stretching her arms above her head with a soft sigh. "I''ll see you guys in the morning," she said, her eyes flickering between Yuto and Mizuki. She then headed back to her tent, disappearing inside as she pulled the flaps shut behind her. Inside the tent, Freya settled into her sleeping bag, the soft rustling of the fabric the only sound in the small space. She closed her eyes, her exhaustion quickly catching up to her. Within moments, the steady rhythm of her breathing indicated that she had fallen into a deep sleep. ¡­ Meanwhile, Yuto and Freya sat around the fire, the flames casting a warm and flickering light over them. The forest around them was quiet, the only sound being the soft crackling of the fire and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Mizuki turned to look at him, her voice soft, "So, how does it feel to leave the elven kingdom after all this time?" "I feel fine, it''s Freya who I''m worried about" Mizuki nodded, she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Don''t worry. I''m sure Freya will be alright" "She''s stronger than she looks, and she''s got us to look out for her. She''ll be fine" She paused for a moment, before speaking again, changing the subject slightly, "So, what do you plan on doing with that spirit beast egg?" "It''s in the system''s storage. The queen told me that I have to pour in some of my mana during lunchtime" Mizuki leaned in a bit, her curiosity piqued, as she spoke in a teasing manner, "Huh, you have to pour in your mana?" "Sounds like a unique process to hatch a spirit beast egg. I wonder what kind of creature will come out of it" "Hopefully something cool, if not I''m going back to complain" She chuckled at his response, she leaned back a bit, her arms crossed casually, "Oh, I have no doubt it will be something very cool. After all, anything less wouldn''t be worthy of being your spirit beast" "Haha true, ... so what do you think?" "Of where we''re currently going?" She asked with a curious expression. "The kingdom of Drakona, finding it is going to be a pain," he said as he ate his s''more. "Didn''t the elven kingdom give you something to find it?" "Yeah, it''s currently guiding me, it''s like a green line that I must follow," he sighed as he looked at the green line, its path leading further into the forest. "Well, that''s helpful. I suppose finding it shouldn''t be too difficult then" "Guess not, it''s getting in that''s the problem" "We can think about it in the morning, we should get some sleep," she lay down on the soft grass, looking up at the star-covered sky. The soft sound of the leaves blowing helped create a peaceful atmosphere. She patted the ground next to her, gesturing for him to join, "Come on. Lie down and get some sleep" Yuto chuckled as he picked her up in a princess carry, "We have a tent" She rolled her eyes playfully, swatting at his lightly in annoyance, "Oh, very funny, and here I thought you''d enjoy sleeping under the stars" "Not tonight, I want to sleep in a tent" She let out a small huff, pretending to be offended, "Hmph, fine. If you insist on being practical and sleeping in a tent, then I suppose I have no choice but to join you" She settled comfortably in his arms as he carried her toward the tent, her head resting against his chest, as they entered the tent Yuto found two bedrolls already laid out. He laid her down on the comfortable bedroll, the air was warm and still, she turned to him, her voice slightly teasing. "Well, this is quite the luxury. A tent all to ourselves, how romantic" Yuto lay down beside her, wiping the strands of hair covering her eyes, "It should take us about a month to get to the kingdom of Drakona" She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of his hand, she hummed softly, and her voice came out soft and dreamy. "A month''s journey, huh? Well, at least we''ll have plenty of time to enjoy each other''s company along the way" ¡­ "I''m glad you get along with Freya" Mizuki let out a soft chuckle, a small smile spreading, "Of course, I get along with Freya" "After all, who else can tease you like I do" Yuto let out a chuckle as he fixed his pillow, Mizuki grinned at his response, she reached out her hand and lightly flicked his forehead. "Hey, that was a perfectly reasonable statement" "I''m humoring you Mizuki, because I tease the both of you equally" Mizuki chuckled as she wiped the strands of hair from his eyes, "Yes, and we love it because we can feel your emotions clearly" "¡­" "Goodnight Mizuki" She smiled at his words, and she snuggled closer to him, her voice soft and gentle as he took her in his arms, "Goodnight Yuto, sleep well" They lay together in the quiet, cozy tent. Mizuki rested her head on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing, it was the warm embrace of his arms around her that knocked her into a peaceful sleep. - Morning - The first light of dawn began to peek through the small opening in the tent, gently stirring Freya awake. Freya groaned softly, her eyes slowly fluttering open as she felt the first inklings of consciousness. She sat up slowly in her sleeping bag, her muscles sore and stiff from the night''s sleep. Freya reached up to rub her eyes, taking a moment to gather her bearings before pushing aside the tent flap and stepping outside. The fresh morning air filled her lungs as she stepped out onto the campsite. The sun was just beginning to rise, its first rays of sunlight casting a soft, golden glow over the landscape. Yuto and Mizuki were already up and about, attending to early morning tasks. He looked at the sleepy Freya and chuckled, "Morning sleepy head" "Morning," Freya mumbled, her voice still groggy with sleep. She stifled a yawn behind her hand as she approached Yuto, her eyes still a little hazy from grogginess. "You look half-asleep still," Yuto commented with a smirk. "Are you sure you''re awake yet?" "I''m awake," Freya protested, her pout making an appearance as she tried to suppress another yawn. "Just... just a little slow starting, that''s all" "Sure you are," Yuto teased, poking her cheek as she swatted his hand away. Mizuki chimed in from the other side of the campsite, "Seems like someone needs some coffee" "I can function without coffee, you know," Freya grumbled, though there was no real heat behind her words. She glanced at Mizuki, her eyes still a bit bleary. "But... I wouldn''t say no to a cup..." Mizuki chuckled as she began preparing drinks for the three of them. Soon, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mixing with the scent of the crackling fire and the crisp morning breeze. As the aroma grew stronger, Freya could almost feel herself becoming more awake. The scent of the coffee tugged at her senses, promising the sweet, caffeine-induced energy boost she needed to fully wake up. "I guess coffee was the answer," Mizuki chuckled as she passed Yuto a cup to hand to Freya. "It almost always is," Yuto agreed, his voice laced with amusement. He handed a mug of steaming coffee to Freya, who accepted it gratefully. She took a careful sip, enjoying the taste of coffee. "Ah... that''s much better," she sighed, her eyes closing in satisfaction as she took another sip. The caffeine was already beginning to work its magic. As they all sat down with their coffee and bread Yuto spoke up, "So, I''m going to say the next part of our journey, so listen up" Both Mizuki and Freya looked at Yuto curiously as he spoke, their attention fully on him. "Alright," Freya said, her voice steady. "What''s the plan?" "The kingdom of Drakona is very far, it should take us a month to get there, but if we run without breaks we can get there in a week" Freya''s eyebrows shot up in surprise at Yuto''s words. "A week? That''s... a lot of running" "Thankfully we trained, right?" Yuto was smiling but his eyes were clear that he wasn''t joking, they had spent two years in the elven kingdom, and he was going to put that to use. Freya chuckled as she took another sip, "Yes, my father did say I should expect to run a lot when I''m with you" "I have no problems with it, I''m in for running for a week straight" She glanced over at Mizuki, who seemed equally resolute and nodded their agreement. "Alright then," Yuto said, his tone more serious now. "Then our plan is set. We''ll run without stopping for an entire week" He looked at both Freya and Mizuki, his eyes unwavering. "Are you both with me?" "I''m in," Freya confirmed. Mizuki chimed in, sounding equally resolute, "Well you''re going to do most of the running so let''s hurry up" Yuto''s serious expression relaxed into a grin, "That''s the spirit. Let''s pack up camp and get moving. We''ve got a kingdom to reach" They quickly began packing up their camp, efficiently dismantling the tents and gathering their belongings. Yuto put everything in his storage ring, and they were ready to set off. Yuto led the trio out of the campsite, their eyes set on the long journey ahead, Mizuki went back inside the ring, and Yuto and Freya stretched a bit. She rolled her shoulders, rotated her wrists, and did a few quick jumps on the spot to get her blood pumping. "Okay," she said, her voice steady though slightly breathless from her movements. "I think I''m ready" She looked over at Yuto, his own body stretched and prepared for the journey. He nodded at her, a silent affirmation that they were both ready to begin. [ Skill: Accelerate x Dash x Speed Boost ] Yuto and Freya both activated their respective skills, they shared one last look before Yuto broke into a fast run, his muscles moving with a burst of speed. Freya was right behind him, her legs pumping as she dashed alongside him. They ran to the mountains as that''s where the green line guided them. - 1 Week Later - After days of running without rest, the trio finally reached the massive cave entrance. They stopped for a moment to catch their breaths, panting heavily from the prolonged exertion. The cave looked ominous, its gaping maw swallowing up the light and disappearing into the darkness within. Just as they were about to enter, they heard a roar coming from the mountaintops. It was a beast that was trembling with power, it had black scales, piercing red eyes, and 2 blue horns. It was a dragon. "HUMAN, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW!" Its voice was powerful as they were sitting on top of a mountain cliff. Its eyes gazed upon Yuto and his companions, trying to figure out if they were a threat or not, she transformed mid-flight as she appeared in front of him and grabbed him by his collar. "G-greetings, My name is Yuto Akimitsu" "I don''t care what your name is, I asked you where you think you are!" She said with a harsh tone as she brought him closer to her face, her eyes were glaring at him as her long sharp nails dug into his coat. ''Yuto, what do we do?'' ["Don''t do anything, I''ll handle it, make sure Freya steps back"] Mizuki nodded as she pulled Freya back, she wanted to protest but the level of power the dragon girl was emanating, felt suffocating. The black dragon they had seen, transformed into a beauty in a red leather jacket, black pants, and a golden belt. "I-interesting fashion choice" "Are you trying to mock me, human?" She said, tightening her grip on his coat. She was starting to get angrier and the ground under her feet started to split and crack. "Of course not, look at me, I''m wearing a suit and a trench coat, aren''t I the weird one?" "You''re weird and annoying," she said bluntly. She released her grip on his coat and put it back down as she dusted off her jacket, her eyes still glaring at him as her wings were flared. "So why are you here human? Answer me that" Yuto, being the dumbass that he is, stepped up, fixing his coat, "First, miss dragon, if you don''t mind me asking, what is your name?" "I am Kana Seraphina, Daughter of the dragon king," she paused before asking in a demanding tone. "And who do you think you are for speaking to me in such a casual way, human?" Freya hid behind Mizuki as Kana released more of her power, Mizuki had to create a barrier just to breathe, and Yuto stood tall, his stupid grin never leaving. "What''s with the cocky grin, human? You think you can be all casual with me?" She crossed her arms as he still stood tall with his stupid grin, Kana''s eyes scanned him up and down as her tail flicked in irritation and curiosity. "Of course not, only a foolish person would have the balls to do that, I am here to visit the Kingdom of Drakona, with my companions" "Hmph, and how do I know you''re not lying," she put her arms on her hips and her eyes never left him; they were still studying him up and down as if he were an oddity. "I''m right at the entrance, aren''t I?" "That doesn''t tell me if you''re lying or not," she said with an annoyed expression on her face. She crossed her arms again as her tail swished back and forth furiously, it was clear that she was starting to get more and more irritated. ''Stop fucking around Yuto, look at poor Freya, she''s scared shitless!'' ["... Yeah, you''re right, I''m sorry"] "Kana was it?" "Yes, that''s my name, human. What of it?" She was starting to get more and more impatient as this conversation went on, her tail swishing faster, and she started to tap her foot against the ground. "Please do not be so angry at me" <- System -> [ Charisma Stat is in effect ] Kana''s expression softened as she slowly relaxed, but she still didn''t fully trust him, "And why should I not be so irritated, human?" Her voice was a bit softer now, but there was still an edge to it. ["Got her"] <- System -> [ Got her indeed ] Kana''s body fully relaxed as she no longer felt the anger she felt before, and her face softened even more. She took a step closer to him and said, "I suppose I can...calm down a bit" (She has a bit of a soft spot for charming people, and Yuto''s charisma is pretty high) "I came to meet the Dragon King because I need his assistance" "You need the help of my father?" Kana''s expression changed to a more curious one as she tilted her head to the side, "What sort of help do you need from him, human?" She had stopped releasing her power, allowing Mizuki and Freya to be able to breathe probably as Yuto took a step forward. "I think the Elven King told him the details, I just need to meet your father" Kana despite not being angry was still a bit on the edge, "And how can I trust your word?" "Miss Dragon" "C-call me Kana" "Huh?" "You don''t have to be so formal, just call me Kana," she crossed her arms and said sheepishly as her cheeks reddened ever-so-slightly. Mizuki and Freya glared at Yuto as he had a dumbfounded expression, "Is that okay?" "Y-yeah it''s fine.." Kana said with a slightly embarrassed expression, her tail swished back and forth as she tried to hide her reddening cheeks. <- System -> [ Another one bites the dust ] ["Can it system!"] Yuto let out a small cough as he continued, "Well Kana, if I am lying, it''s not like I''m going to leave alive" Kana''s expression became more serious as she looked at him skeptically, "You''re not wrong, I could easily kill you right now if I wanted to" She released a bit of killing, this time it was Yuto shielding the two girls with his own power, Kana paused for a moment, as she shut off her killing intent before continuing. "But the fact that you''re willing to put your life in danger just to meet my father... makes me want to believe you a little more" "Kana, you just have to trust me, I have no intention of harming anyone" "Trust you, human? You ask for a lot," Kana had a bit of a teasing tone to her voice, but there was also a hint of caution and wariness as well. Yuto gave his best smile, and her eyes widened as she saw his smile, and her guard dropped completely. The blush on her cheeks became more noticeable as she tried, and failed, to compose herself. "Wh-what are you doing, human.." Kana had a slight stammer in her voice as she tried to recover from the effects of his smile. Yuto''s smile turned into a smirk, "So, we can come inside, right?" "Y-yeah... you can come in" The blush on her cheeks was still visible as she spoke, and she was trying to keep her composure, but her voice was still a bit shaky. Everyone just started at the two of them, Freya''s expression was just that of dumbfoundedness, the system, and Mizuki were left speechless as his stupid smile managed to win over a dragon. "Just... follow me," She started walking towards the gate of the kingdom, occasionally throwing glances over her shoulder to look at Yuto. Mizuki turned back into a ring and Freya followed close behind Yuto as they followed Kana. As they walked, Kana kept on stealing glances at Yuto and tried to hide the obvious blush on her face. She had never been this flustered before by a human, and it was confusing and somewhat irritating to her. "Something wrong Kana?" Yuto asked out of genuine concern. She quickly averted her gaze and tried to compose herself before responding, "N-no, nothing''s wrong, human" She was trying to play it cool, but the blush on her cheeks was betraying her true feelings. They finally reached the entrance of the kingdom, and Kana stopped walking. "We''re here" They came across a very huge golden gate door, that was at least 40 ft tall. Volume 4 Chapter 2 A Misunderstanding Kana let out a small sigh before turning to Yuto and said, "I''ll go inform my father that you''re here. Wait here until I come back" Yuto and Freya nodded, "Okay, we''ll wait here" Kana nodded in response before walking through the doors, leaving Yuto and Freya alone at the front of the gate. Yuto sighed as he let out a small chuckle, "So that was-" "What were you thinking!" Mizuki came out yelling, which caught Yuto off guard as he had a baffled expression. Freya jumped into the conversation, "Yuto, it was reckless to anger a dragon like that" Yuto rubbed the back of his neck, "I know, but it all worked out in the end, didn''t it?" "Barely!" Freya exclaimed. "You could have gotten us killed, you dummy!" Yuto chuckled nervously, scratching the side of his head, "Yeah, I know, I know. But hey, I got us through, didn''t I? That''s gotta count for something?" "I suppose you have a point," Freya admitted, her tone a bit calmer but still annoyed. "But don''t do anything like that again, alright? I''d rather not get roasted by a dragon any time soon" Yuto looked over at Mizuki who didn''t want to meet his eyes, "Mizuki?" "Yes?" Mizuki replied, their arms crossed, clearly still upset. Yuto walked over and pulled her into a hug, Mizuki''s expression softened slightly as Yuto wrapped his arms around her. Her irritation faded slightly at the contact. Yuto''s embrace was warm and comforting, and she found herself relaxing in his arms. "I''ll be more careful next time" Mizuki let out a deep sigh, her annoyance slowly giving way to resignation. She nodded against Yuto''s chest, her voice more forgiving now. "Alright. Just... just don''t do anything so stupid again, okay?" Yuto opened his arms wider, "Fae, you gonna join this hug?" Freya couldn''t help but roll her eyes at Yuto''s question, but there was no heat to it. She stepped closer and joined the group hug, wrapping her arms around both Yuto and Mizuki. Freya rested her head against Yuto''s shoulder, the warmth of his body a reassuring presence. Mizuki was silent but her muscles relaxed, her anger from earlier now forgotten. "Ah, my girls, what would I do without you?" Freya and Mizuki both chuckled at Yuto''s comment. Freya spoke up first, a smile in her voice, "Probably get yourself into a lot more trouble" Mizuki chimed in, a light tone in their voice, "And get yourself killed, more likely" "Hey now, that''s not fair," Yuto protested with a laugh, a hint of mock offense in his tone. "I can handle myself just fine, you know" "Sure, you can," Freya replied dryly, her voice full of sarcasm. "If by handling yourself just fine, are you getting into trouble every five minutes, I worry for our future" "Exactly," Mizuki agreed, a smirk on their face. "You''re a regular trouble magnet, Yuto" ¡­ "Hah, I can''t argue with that logic" "So you admit it," Freya said, her tone light but triumphant. She poked Yuto''s side gently. "You do get into trouble a lot, more than any of us, anyway" "Oh? And just two years ago, I remembered saving an elf girl who got herself into danger the first time we met" Freya''s cheeks turned pink in embarrassment, "Hey, that was different!" she protested weakly. "I was young and foolish back then, and... and I didn''t know what I was walking into!" "Yeah, sure," Yuto teased, a playful smirk on his face. "But you still needed rescuing. And I was perfectly willing to do so if I recall correctly" Freya huffed, her cheeks still slightly rosy, "That''s beside the point," she muttered in feigned annoyance. "We were talking about how you seem to attract trouble like a magnet, not about my one mistake" Mizuki and Yuto shared a laugh as Freya dug herself a hole, they spoke for what felt like hours before hearing the giant door open, Mizuki went back inside the ring, and Freya stood behind Yuto. - Kana''s POV - As she walked through the hallway of the palace, she took a deep breath to calm herself down. Her mind was still racing from the encounter with Yuto, and she couldn''t shake off the fluttering feeling in her chest. ''What a strange human, most would be running away from me in fear, and yet¡­" She shook her head as she continued walking until she reached the throne room, where her father was sitting, looking as regal as ever. She approached him and bowed her head respectfully, "Father, there is a human that wishes to speak with you" He raised his eyebrow in surprise and asked, "A human, you say? What business could a human possibly have with me?" "The human said he needs your help," She responded, still keeping her head bowed. His expression hardened as he sat up straight on his throne, "Help, you say? What kind of help does this human need?" "He didn''t give me any specifics," Kana replied before lifting her head to look at her father''s face. His eyes narrowed as he considered the very odd situation, "Very well. Send the human in, I will hear what he has to say" "Yes, Father," Kana said with a nod before turning to walk back to the front doors, where Yuto and Freya were waiting. When she reached the doors, she found Yuto standing with his arms crossed, while Freya was standing behind him, looking a little nervous. ''That elf girl and I think I saw the other girl turn into a ring, what''s their relationship with him?'' She pushed those thoughts aside and said with a serious tone, "The king is ready to see you now, human" - Normal POV - Yuto nodded in understanding and he began walking towards the entrance, with Freya following closely behind him. Kana led the way into the throne room, silently walking in front of Yuto and Freya. She could feel her heart beating faster as they neared the throne, and the fluttering feeling in her chest returned. They finally arrived outside of the throne room, Yuto walked forward, and Mizuki manifested her physical form and stood beside Freya. "Alright, you two stay behind, Kana, will you guide me inside?" "Y-yeah, I''ll guide you," Kana''s voice was soft, and her cheeks were still slightly red from earlier. She led Yuto forward into the throne room, stopping just at the foot of the king''s throne. The dragon king''s presence was both awe-inspiring and intimidating, and he looked down at Yuto with a scrutinizing gaze. "So, you''re the human, who requested to be in my presence, you sure are bold" "I am the Dragon King, Kaz Le Seraphina, what is your name human?" "Yuto Akimitsu, Your Majesty" Kaz nodded his head in acknowledgment and said, "Very well, Yuto Akimitsu, what is it that you seek my assistance for?" "I heard from the Elven King that you have two fragments of a sword that you have no idea what they do, correct?" Kaz''s brows furrowed slightly as he looked at Yuto with a mix of curiosity and caution. "That is correct, I do have two fragments of a sword, but how do you know about them, and how do you know that I have no idea what they do?" "I do, that is my reason for coming to your kingdom" Kaz leaned forward slightly on his throne, clearly interested, "And what do you intend to do with these sword fragments, Yuto?" ["Can''t tell him about the system or the dreams, I don''t even want to think how he''ll react"] "Reclaim, I wish to reclaim something of mine that is loss, that is all I can say" Kaz set up a 13-tier barrier before releasing a lot of killing intent, "Here''s the thing, how do you know about the sword of Elise when you look to be around 20, the great war was 3,000 years ago!" "And how did you know the location of the two sword fragments?" His tone was stern as he spoke, but his eyes held a hint of suspicion. Yuto had to tread carefully now. One wrong move and he would be reduced to a crisp if the Dragon King deems him a threat, all of his loved ones could be in danger as well. "May you ask your daughter to step out?" Kaz''s eyebrow raised in surprise but did what Yuto asked, "Kana, please leave" Kana hesitated for a moment before nodding obediently, "Yes, Father" She gave Yuto a small glance before turning and leaving the throne room, leaving just Yuto and the Dragon King. Once the doors closed behind her, Kaz spoke once again, "Now that she''s gone, you may speak freely" "Kaz Le Seraphina" Kaz was caught by surprise when Yuto addressed him by his full name, but he remained composed and waited for Yuto to continue. "Before I continue may I ask, what is the sword of Elise?" Kaz leaned back on his throne, his expression growing a bit more relaxed. "The sword of Elise was a legendary item forged during the great war, over 3,000 years ago. The Goddess Elise that you humans worship, crafted the sword herself" "I fought alongside her during that war, that sword was an ego sword, which is a sword with a soul of its own, I doubt you humans even know about it since most have long passed" Kaz continued, his voice filled with nostalgia. "That sword was a powerful weapon, able to cut through almost anything, and the two fragments in my possession are part of that sword" "My memory fails me but I remember that her lover and she decides to break that sword into 15 Fragments" "Her lover?" Kaz nodded his head in confirmation. "Yes, the lover of the goddess Elise. A human, just like you" "A hero from another world, he died in that war, heartbroken she left the human world after the war ended" "And the rest of the Fragments?" Kaz let out a sigh, the memory of the war still weighed heavily on him. "The rest of the fragments went missing after the war ended. No one knows what happened to the majority of them, they simply disappeared into thin air" He paused for a moment before he continued, a hint of sadness in his voice. "I tried searching for them over the years, but I found nothing. The two that I have now are the only ones I could find" "And they have been gathering dust in my collection, without any purpose" Kaz''s eyes then looked at Yuto intently, "So my question to you is, how do you know about these fragments, and what do you intend to do with them?" ["System is what he said true?"] <- System -> [ ¡­ ] ["Answer me damn it!"] <- System -> [ I cannot confirm or verify until you obtain more fragments, only then shall I explain the truth to you ] Yuto, despite feeling rage, calmed himself down, he looked back at Kaz who had a serious expression. "Your Majesty, what I say next, can you swear not to harm me or my people?" Kaz raised an eyebrow in surprise, he could sense the serious tone in Yuto''s voice, and it raised some suspicion in him. "I swear that I will not harm you, or your people," Kaz said after a pause, his voice firm. "If I told you that I know where the sword of Elise is, would you believe me?" Kaz''s expression changed to one of surprise and disbelief. "You know where the sword is?" He leaned forward on his throne, his eyes fixed on Yuto, trying to discern any hint of deception. "I do because she is my partner, my ego sword," Yuto stood up to look the Dragon King in the eyes. Kaz''s eyes widened in surprise as he heard Yuto''s words. The idea of a human being partnered with the sword of Elise was unheard of and almost unbelievable. "Your... partner?" He grits his teeth as he lets out a roar, "DON''T BULLSHIT ME HUMAN!" His voice echoed through the throne room, and his killing intent flared, filling the room with a sense of danger. "You''re telling me that YOU, a human, are the partner of the ego sword, the sword of Elise herself!?" He lunged forward, his right arm slamming Yuto to the wall with such force that had it not been for the barrier, the whole castle would have been destroyed. Yuto used the ring of Ernaline to create his suit of armor, this only served to anger Kaz even more. "The Ring of Ernaline, how does a human like you have it!" In a flash, he kicked Yuto''s stomach with such force that the air around them shaped. <- System warning -> [ Health is below 40 percent, host has broken ribs and is bleeding out ] ["Don''t do anything, I-I will take care of it!"] Despite his injuries, Yuto didn''t give in, he still managed to stand up and glare at Kaz, a look of determination in his eyes. "Don''t underestimate me, you bastard" He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, his body in a very bad condition, but still filled with fighting spirit. A slap, Kaz slapped Yuto so hard that his helmet broke, "Know your place, Human" Yuto could taste blood in his mouth as his helmet shattered, and his cheek was left red and swollen from the force of Kaz''s slap. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Despite the pain, he stood his ground and looked up at the dragon king with a defiant expression. <- System -> [ The host''s health is below 20 percent, Grace Healing is now active ] All of Yuto''s wounds, broken ribs, and missing blood, healed, he stood tall, and glared at Kaz, his helmet reforming again. "You broke your promise, losing yourself in your anger, pathetic" Kaz was taken aback by Yuto''s sudden recovery, and his expression darkened even further. "You... You heal too quickly," he said in a low voice, "And how dare you call me pathetic, you insolent human!" He clenched his fist, and his eyes flared with anger. "I may have broken my promise, but you are still just a weak human at the end of the day, you dare to stand before me and make such accusations!" He punched Yuto in the stomach, sending him flying to the top of the barrier but before he hit it, Kaz appeared above and slammed him down to the ground. Kaz''s anger was growing more and more intense, his eyes glowing red with rage. "You think you can come here, make these outrageous claims, and then just leave unscathed?! You humans are so damn arrogant!" He continued to punch and kick Yuto, each blow hitting him with incredible force. The throne room was filled with the sound of flesh hitting flesh and the occasional grunt of pain or rage. As Yuto lay on the ground, battered and bloody, Kaz loomed over him. "You should know your place, human. You are nothing compared to dragons. We had the honor to fight alongside the Goddess, and you are just a pathetic mortal. You have no right to face me like this!" He walked from Yuto''s battered body, ready to end Freya''s life. <- System -> [ The host''s health is below 2 percent, Grace Healing is now active ] Yuto''s wounds, broken ribs, and missing blood healed, and he stood tall once more. Skill: Accelerate x Dash x Speed Boost Passive: One-Sided Slaughter Victim [ All stats increase by 100 ] "Hey" Kaz turned back around and looked at Yuto in surprise. "You''re still alive? Impossible-" He couldn''t finish his sentence as in a blink Yuto punched him so hard that he sent him flying upwards, breaking every bone in Yuto''s arm. As he flew through the air, the barrier shattered, and the throne room shook violently. Kaz managed to stop himself before he hit the wall, gritting his teeth in pain and anger. "You... How are you becoming stronger? How are you healing so quickly?" He landed on the ground with a thud, his body shaking from the blow he had received. Kaz looked at Yuto, the shock and confusion evident in his eyes. "You are a human, how is it possible that you can overpower me?" He looked at Yuto''s limp and bloody arm, the armor surrounding his arm desperately trying to fix itself. "No, you risked your life to stop me" Kaz''s mind started to race as he looked at Yuto with a mix of anger, confusion, and now a hint of respect. "Just who are you, human?" "..." Yuto already passed out, this was perhaps the worst beating he ever received, the most one-sided fight. Kaz walked over to Yuto, his steps slow and deliberate. He knelt next to the unconscious Yuto, studying his face closely. "You fought me with everything, even though you knew, you could not win," he said to himself, his voice laced with a hint of respect. He looked over Yuto''s body, taking in the damage he had inflicted on him. He couldn''t deny it, Yuto''s determination and willpower had impressed him, and it made him question many things. "Just how strong are you, human?" He looked at Yuto''s face again, a slight frown forming on his own. Kana, Mizuki, and Freya broke in, as the barrier was now broken, they heard everything, and they stopped in their tracks when they saw Yuto''s unconscious body, standing lifeless. Freya teared up and Kana looked in disbelief at what her father did, the throne room was a mess of blood and broken walls, and Mizuki stepped forward shaking her head slowly. Kaz''s eyes hinted nostalgia as he saw Mizuki, "It''s you" Kana''s heart was racing, and her eyes were wide with shock at the state of the room and Yuto''s unconscious body. She felt a mix of anger and disbelief at what her father had done. "Father, what have you done?" she said, her voice trembling. Meanwhile, Freya was on the verge of tears, looking at Yuto with a heartbroken expression. Kaz looked at Mizuki, his expression a mix of surprise and recognition, "Mizuki," he said, his voice soft. He tried to reach forward but Mizuki slapped him so hard his face turned red, she was angry, very much angry. "What the fuck, where you thinking?" Kaz stumbled back a few steps, taken aback by Mizuki''s outburst. "I-" Before he could say anything, she interrupted him, her voice firm and filled with anger. "You nearly killed him! You lost control in your anger, you could have seriously hurt him!" "Mizuki, I haven''t seen you since the great war-" Mizuki''s eyes glowed with anger as she looked at Kaz, her clenched fists shaking. "And it seems like you haven''t changed! You''re still a hothead who lets his anger consume him!" "That''s not-" Kaz tried to speak, but again he was cut off as Mizuki slammed her fist against his chest. "SHUT UP" Her voice echoed through the room, and even Kana and Freya flinched at her anger. "You should be ashamed of yourself! Losing control and taking your anger out on a human, it''s disgusting!" "MY HUMAN OF ALL THINGS!" Kaz was taken aback by her words. "Your human?" Kaz looked at Yuto and realized that he was telling the truth, the Sword of Elise was right in front of him, an old friend, who now looked at him with disdain. Mizuki stepped over to Yuto, checking his vitals to make sure he was alive. "Yes, MY human," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "And look at what you''ve done to him. You hurt him, almost killed him!" Kaz''s expression darkened as he looked at Yuto. "I...I didn''t intend for it to be this severe. I lost control of my anger" Mizuki clenched her fists, her anger still present. "That''s not an excuse, you''re a dragon king, you''re supposed to have better control over your emotions!" "And look at Yuto, he''s covered in blood, his body broken and bruised..." "What would Kaelyn say if she saw this!" Kaz flinched at the mention of his dead wife''s name, his eyes glowed red. "Don''t bring her into this, she-" Mizuki cut him off again, her voice firm and resolute. "No, you don''t get to shut me up. You need to take responsibility for what you''ve done!" Kaz''s jaw tightened as he struggled to control his emotions. "And what do you expect me to do!" he snapped back. "The damage is already done, the boy is in this condition because of me!" Mizuki sent him flying to his throne with a punch, "Heal him" Kaz looked at her with a mix of anger and disbelief. "You truly think I can fix him? His body is broken, his bones shattered, not to mention the blood loss-" Mizuki cut him off, her voice firm and resolute. "If he dies, so help me. Heal him, NOW" Kaz grumbled, but he knew that he couldn''t refuse Mizuki''s command. He focused his powers and approached Yuto, his hands glowing with a soft, green light. Slowly but surely, the deep cuts and lacerations on Yuto''s body began to heal, the broken bones mending back together, and the blood slowly stopping. After a few minutes, Yuto''s body was fully healed, the damage completely erased. Mizuki checked Yuto''s vitals once again, and after a moment she let out a sigh of relief. "He''s stable, but he''ll need some time to recover, he''s just asleep" "Um excuse me?" Freya stepped forward, "Mizuki, what does this all mean?" Mizuki looked up at Freya, her expression softening. "In time I shall explain, I''m sorry" "Huh, sorry for-" Mizuki raised her hand and wiped Freya''s memories of this incident, she caught her before she fell and laid her down gently. "I shall explain in due time" Kana had been watching the scene in silence, her heart filled with a mix of emotions. She was relieved that her father had healed Yuto and that he would survive, but she was also deeply disturbed by what had happened. This was the first time she had seen him lose control, his anger nearly killing Yuto, and she didn''t know how to feel about it. "Father... how could you do this?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. Kaz turned to face Kana, his expression now softening. "Kana, I..." He struggled to find the right words. "I lost control. I was blinded by my anger and my pride... I never meant for Yuto to be hurt" Kana stared at her father, "But you did hurt him," she said, her voice quieter than usual. "He nearly died because of you..." Kaz sighed, his expression filled with remorse. "I know, and I''m sorry," he said, his voice soft. "I never wanted it to come to this. I let my anger consume me, and I acted impulsively. I have made a mistake, a grave one" "Shut up Kaz" Kaz''s eyes widened in surprise at Mizuki''s stern voice. "I don''t want to hear your apologies, not after what you''ve done," Mizuki continued, her eyes fixed on Kaz. "You nearly killed my human because of your selfishness, and you think a simple apology will fix that?!" She gripped his neck, "Give me one good reason, I shouldn''t rip your head off" Kaz struggled to speak, his eyes wide with fear. "M-Mizuki, please-" She tightened her grip, her eyes narrowing. "I said a GOOD reason, now give me one!" Kaz''s face began to turn red as Mizuki''s grip made it harder for him to breathe. He desperately tried to find the right words. "I...I can''t-" He struggled to form a coherent sentence, his life literally in Mizuki''s hands. "Miss Mizuki wait!" Mizuki loosened her grip slightly but kept her hand around Kaz''s neck. "What?" Kana stepped forward, her voice shaking slightly. "Please, don''t do it," she said, her eyes meeting Mizuki''s. "He may have done something terrible and nearly killed Yuto, but he''s still my father. I don''t want to see him dead" ¡­ Mizuki sighed and let go of his neck, "We came here in good faith because the Elven King said you changed, so what led up to this, Kaz?" Kaz coughed and gasped for air as Mizuki let go of him. "I..." He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. "I lost control. Yuto''s words angered me, and I lost my temper" "What did Yuto say?" Kaz grumbled, his expression souring. "He...he said that he knew you, I thought it to be impossible because I haven''t seen you for the past 3,000 years" Mizuki crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "And you took that as a reason to nearly kill him?" Kaz looked down, his expression filled with shame. "I...I didn''t mean for it to go that far. But when he mentioned your name, something inside me snapped" ... "Here''s what you''re going to do" "When Yuto wakes up, you will treat him with respect, you will give him the two fragments" Kaz looked up at Mizuki with a mix of anger and disbelief. "You can''t be serious, give him the fragments? Those are-" Mizuki cut him off, her voice firm. "I said what I said, you will give Yuto the two fragments when he wakes up" Kaz grumbled but knew he had no choice but to comply. "Fine" Mizuki then turned to Kana, "And you" Kana took a deep breath, "Yes?" "Not a word to anyone, not even a peep" "I will keep my silence, I promise," Kana said with an obedient nod. "I will not speak of what has happened here" "Kaz, we shall speak after Yuto is put on a bed and is tended to" Kaz nodded, his expression sullen. "Very well, I shall have my servants attend to him" He called a few servants, and they picked up Yuto''s unconscious body and carried him away. They also carried Freya so that she may wake up in Yuto''s arms. Once Yuto and Freya were out of sight, Mizuki turned to Kaz with a stern expression. "You and I need to talk" Kaz braced himself for the conversation that was about to come. "Very well, we shall talk," he said, his voice laced with resignation. - Meanwhile - Yuto''s mind was blissfully at ease as he floated in a warm, comforting ocean. He relished in the sensation, feeling fully relaxed for the first time in a long time. As he floated, a familiar voice suddenly broke through the peaceful silence. Volume 4 Chapter 3 Another one falls "Yuto?" It was a familiar voice he had heard before. He opened his eyes slowly, adjusting them to the light, and saw a familiar figure sitting down, drinking tea. It was Ernaline, the one who always allowed him to ask questions every time they met. Yuto stood up and walked towards her, taking his seat as she poured him a cup of tea. "Ernaline" Ernaline smiled warmly at Yuto, her eyes filled with kindness, "Hello, Yuto. It''s good to see you again" She handed him a cup, the beverage''s aroma filling the air, and he accepted it. The tea she served was always on a different level of deliciousness. "It''s been another two years since I''ve been in this realm" Ernaline nodded, her smile soft. "Yes, time has passed quickly, hasn''t it? It feels like only yesterday we were last talking" ¡­ "I''m guessing why I''m here has something to do with the dragon king?" Ernaline took another sip, "That''s right, Yuto. Your encounter with the dragon king has prompted this visit" "Beating my ass till I''m covered in blood, prompts a visit?" Ernaline chuckled lightly, amused by Yuto''s bluntness, "Yes, in a way" "Your interaction with the dragon king has brought to light certain things that must be addressed" "Hah, are you going to answer me or are you going to leave me, in the dark like the others?" Ernaline''s expression softened, and she looked at Yuto with a mix of sympathy and regret. "I understand your frustration, Yuto. I know you''ve been seeking answers, and I promise you, I will answer as much as I can" "It''s not that we don''t want to tell you, it''s more... more complicated than that" "¡­" "Right, the bullshit rules of me having to find the fragments, I at least know that there are 15 fragments, that makes this a lot easier" Ernaline nodded, her expression still serious. "Yes, that''s correct. There are indeed 15 Fragments, and it is your destiny to find them and rebuild the Sword of Elise." "But before I reveal more, I have a question for you, Yuto" "Wait my destiny?" Ernaline chuckled softly at Yuto''s reaction. "Yes, your destiny" "You were chosen to find the fragments, it is a path that has been laid out for you from the very beginning" "..." Ernaline watched Yuto, taking note of his reaction. "I know this information comes as a surprise, but you must understand the significance of your quest" "Let me explain one thing to you" "What is it?" Yuto took a sip of his tea. Ernaline leaned in, her gaze fixed on Yuto, "I do not do this because I want to torture you, but to protect you" "..." "What was your question?" Ernaline smiled, glad that Yuto was being patient. "Ah yes," she said, "My question for you is this: do you trust me?" ¡­ "I do, as you are the only one who is willing to answer some of my questions" Ernaline nodded, her expression softening, "I''m glad to hear that, Yuto. It is important to trust the ones who are trying to help you" "The reason I ask is because there are things I cannot tell you just yet" "Certain truths must remain hidden until you are ready to hear them" Yuto frowned at Ernaline''s words, but he knew deep down that she was being honest with him. "So, what can you tell me now?" he asked, his voice slightly impatient. "You said that when we meet again, I can ask you five questions" Ernaline smiled, pleased that Yuto had remembered, "That''s correct, you have five questions you can ask me during this visit" Yuto put his cup down, his hands clasping, "Is it true that Mizuki was the Goddess Elise''s ego sword?" Ernaline smiled, impressed that Yuto had connected the dots, "Yes, it is true. Mizuki was indeed the Goddess Elise''s ego sword, or as it''s formally known, the Sword of Elise" "Kaz said that Elise had a lover who was from another world. Is that true?" Ernaline nodded, "Yes, that''s correct. The Goddess Elise did indeed have a lover who was from another world" "His name was ****, dear me it looks like I can''t recall" Yuto''s eyes widened upon hearing the censored portion of the statement, "You can''t remember his name? Why?" Ernaline grinned, "Is that a question?" Yuto realized his mistake and laughed sheepishly, "Right, sorry" "I''ve used up one of my questions, and I didn''t even realize it" "No, as you didn''t mean it, I shall let it pass" Yuto sighed in relief, grateful that Ernaline was willing to bend the rules, "I appreciate your leniency" "What is your third question?" Yuto took a moment to think, considering his options, "Kaz said that Elise and her lover broke Mizuki into fragments. Why?" "Ah, that''s a complex question, Yuto. The reason why Elise and her lover shattered Mizuki into fragments is closely tied to your quest to rebuild the Sword of Elise" Ernaline took a deep breath before continuing, "Mizuki, being the ego sword of Elise, holds a great amount of power. She was a Goddess weapon after all" "This power, when in the wrong hands, could cause great destruction" "By shattering Mizuki into fragments and hiding them across the realms, Elise and her lover sought to protect the world and prevent the power from being abused" ["So it didn''t matter if Mizuki opposed, these assholes just shattered her!"] Yuto grits his teeth as he continues, "Fourth question, does Mizuki know of any of this?" Ernaline nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, Mizuki is aware of some of her past and her role as the ego sword of Elise" "However, there are still many things that she does not remember, and many truths that she has yet to discover" ¡­ "Final question: Are the fragments my past or future?" Ernaline looked at Yuto intently, her gaze intense, "I''m sorry, I cannot answer that" "Why not?" Ernaline took a deep breath and looked away, her expression in pain, "It is not that I don''t want to answer, Yuto" "But I am bound by certain rules and laws that prevent me from revealing certain truths or future events" "..." Ernaline looked back at Yuto, her expression sincere. "I understand that you are frustrated, Yuto" "But you must-" "Obtain more fragments, I get it, I''m sick of hearing that" Ernaline chuckled softly at Yuto''s frustration, "I know it must get tiresome" "But remember, each fragment you obtain brings you closer to the truth" "Okay, if you can''t answer that, then answer this," he slammed his hands on the table. "Why? Why do you keep calling me your majesty every time I have to leave?" "I don''t want some bullshit lie, I want the truth!" ¡­ "I''m sorry but I cannot answer that" "Hah," he slumped back into his chair. Ernaline smiled sympathetically at Yuto''s reaction, "I understand your frustration, Yuto" "But please trust that I am doing everything I can to help you on your quest" Yuto huffed and crossed his arms, not quite convinced, "Fine, it''s fine, I won''t ask that again" Ernaline smiled warmly at Yuto, "Thank you for understanding, Yuto" "I know it''s frustrating, but I promise you, all will be revealed in time" The cracks in this world started to form again, "I guess it''s time for me to leave" Ernaline nodded, "Yes, it seems your time in this realm is coming to an end. Until next time, Yuto" As he fell through the crack beneath him, he could see Ernaline smile, "When we meet again, I shall answer six questions, till the next time" "Your Majesty" He was absorbed into the ocean of warmth once more. His mind began to settle and become more comfortable with the sensation. He closed his eyes, letting the soothing energy of this realm wash over him. - ??? - He woke up, opening his eyes slowly, he felt a warm and comforting presence next to him. He realized that an arm was wrapped around his waist in a gentle embrace. As Yuto looked over, he saw Freya asleep next to him, her arm gently wrapped around his waist. Her face was peaceful and relaxed, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Yuto couldn''t help but feel a sense of comfort and warmth seeing her like this. He carefully reached out and tenderly brushed a strand of hair away from her face, taking a moment to appreciate the peacefulness of the moment. "It seems you''re awake Yuto" Mizuki was sitting down with a smug look, "I tell you not to do anything stupid only for me to run in and save you" Yuto looked surprised to see her, he wanted to say something, but all he could let out was a small huff, she chuckled softly, amused by his reaction. "I warned you not to do anything reckless" "What happened?" Mizuki let out a sigh, "You got yourself knocked out. I suppose your reckless nature still hasn''t settled, huh?" "Are any of you hurt?" Mizuki shook her head, "No, we''re all fine. You''re the only one who came out of that fight knocked out cold" "You''re angry" Mizuki crossed her arms, her expression stern, "Yes, I am. You were reckless and nearly got yourself killed, Yuto. I warned you not to do anything stupid!" ¡­ "No, stop lying, you''re angry but not at me" Mizuki''s expression softened slightly, though she still looked frustrated, "Fine, you''re partially right. I''m not just angry at you, I''m angry at Kaz too" "Why are your hands bruised?" Mizuki followed Yuto''s gaze to her hands, which bore a few light bruises. She shrugged, trying to play it off. "It''s just from the fight. Don''t worry about it" "What fight? Mizuki, during that beat down, I didn''t call for your help, so how do you have bruises on your hands" Mizuki''s expression darkened, and she clenched her fists, "No, you didn''t. But I wasn''t about to sit back and watch you get yourself killed, Yuto" "So what happened after I was knocked out?" Mizuki took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, "Some things are better left untold" "Mizuki" "Yuto" Mizuki''s stern expression softened slightly upon hearing Yuto use her name in that familiar tone. It was clear that this conversation if continued, was going to end in pointless shouting and arguments. Yuto lifted his hands in defeat, "Fine, I get it, I''m sorry, I won''t press any further" Mizuki''s expression softened, "It''s not your fault, it''s just-" "It''s fine, I understand that you are trying to keep me safe, I was being rude, I''m sorry" Mizuki sighed, "You should know by now that I care about you. I don''t want to see you get hurt, Yuto" "I know" "Then try to be more careful next time, will you? I can''t guarantee that I''ll always be there to save your sorry butt" Despite the sternness in her tone, Mizuki''s eyes betrayed a hint of concern and affection. "I promise, still I''m not in as much pain as I expected, I did use Grace Healing twice, so who healed me-" Yuto was cut off as Kaz and Kana entered the room, Yuto was about to jump up when Mizuki stopped him. They were not here as threats, as they came to a mutual agreement. - 1 Hour Ago - As Yuto and Freya were carried off, Mizuki turned her head back to Kaz, her stern expression never wavered as she approached him. "Not a word of this gets to Yuto" Kaz nodded, "This won''t reach anyone. You have my word" Mizuki''s eyes narrowed, her suspicion still lingering, "I''m holding you to that," she said firmly. Kana remained silent, watching the exchange between her father and Mizuki intently. Kaz let out a heavy sigh, his weariness showing, "So, what is it that you want from me, Mizuki?" "Nothing, we already agreed that you would give Yuto both of the fragments you have" Kaz grunted, his irritation visible, "Yes, I remember. But I know you didn''t come all the way here just for that" "No, that is what we came here for, to see if you had any fragments, Yuto was going to speak about it in a manner that would not anger you" "But you decided to be a violent fuck and attack him" Kaz clenched his jaw, he wanted to argue, but he knew deep down that she was right, "It was a mistake, I didn''t intend to go that far" ¡­ "And what if I inflict the same amount of pain onto your daughter?" Kaz''s eyes widened, his eyes glowing red, "You wouldn''t dare-" Mizuki cut him off, her tone annoyed, "How you are feeling, is how I felt seeing Yuto half-dead" Kaz''s expression softened, a hint of remorse in his eyes, "I...I understand," he said, his voice quieter than before. He was silent, processing Mizuki''s words. He knew she was right, and he couldn''t deny the truth in her statement. "I...I understand," he said, his voice softer. "I should have been able to control my anger" "Stop using that as an excuse, you''re just going to piss me off even more!" "You say you understand, but do you truly understand the depth of what you''ve done?" His eyes dropped to the ground, his shoulders slumping in defeat, "I do¡­ I do not" Had this been anyone else talking to the Dragon King like this, their entire bloodline would have been annihilated from existence. The only reason Mizuki was able to beat Kaz was because of two reasons, she was an old friend he had not seen in 3,000 years and he was in his human form. Mizuki sighed as she shook her head, "Let''s just forget this ever happened, okay?" You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Kaz looked up, surprise evident on his face, "Forget this ever happened? After what I''ve done, you just want to forget it?" "Do you want me to beat you?" Kaz raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, "No, no, I don''t want that," he said quickly. "But how can you just want to forget it? I nearly killed Yuto" "..." The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Kaz''s actions hanging heavily in the air. Finally, Mizuki spoke up, her voice softer but still firm. "I can''t forget what happened, but I can move forward. I''m not going to hold a grudge, as that will only serve to hurt Yuto more" Kaz nodded, understanding the implications of Mizuki''s words, "It''s for Yuto''s sake that you won''t hold a grudge" Kana smacked her father in the stomach to tell him to shut up. Kaz clutched his stomach in pain, "OW!" Mizuki couldn''t help but snicker at the scene. Kana''s eyes were narrowed as she chided her father, "Father, shut your mouth for once!" Kaz grumbled, rubbing his stomach where he was hit, "Fine, fine, I''ll be quiet, still, Mizuki, it''s been so long, I thought you had passed" Mizuki''s expression softened, but a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes, "There are some things that even time cannot erase, Kaz," she replied quietly. "I''m happy when I''m with Yuto, that''s all that matters" Kaz''s eyes widened in surprise, "You''re...happy?" He couldn''t believe what he was hearing. He had never seen Mizuki show any signs of happiness since the war. He remembered that Elise and her would often fight for the affection of the hero, but he chose Elise, leaving Mizuki to close herself off from any sort of emotion. Mizuki nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips, "Yuto brings out a happier side in me, one that I thought I had lost a long time ago," she said, her voice soft. Their conversation lasted for an hour, Mizuki summarizing Yuto''s journey so far, bringing Kana and even Kaz to tears. After their conversation ended, Mizuki made her way to the room Yuto and Freya were sleeping in, she sat down on the comfy chair and waited for him to wake up. - Present time - Yuto couldn''t understand why Mizuki had stopped him, although his injuries were healed, it didn''t change the fact that he got beaten so one-sidedly. "Hey," Kaz said, his voice was a bit too quiet, different from the loud booming voice Yuto heard earlier. "..." Kaz stood awkwardly to the side, avoiding Yuto''s gaze. He was uncomfortable and unsure how to approach the situation. What do you tell a man you just brutally almost beat to death, that you are sorry? Kana, on the other hand, looked at Yuto with a mixture of worry and guilt, Yuto noticed her fidgeting her fingers and decided to be the first to speak. "Hey Kana" Kana jumped a little at being addressed, her heart skipping a beat. "Y-yes?" she stuttered, her voice shaky. Now the thing about Kana was that she liked strong men, specifically men stronger than her father, which was an impossible feat. Who could realistically overpower the Dragon King, when not even gods could do that, so she came up with a plan, any man who wants her hand in marriage, should at least beat her in battle. She had many suitors in the past but she easily beat them, proving too weak for her taste, but here was a human who managed to land a single hit on her father. Although it was brief and almost caused his death, Yuto overpowered the Dragon King. Yuto noticed that she was fidgeting, "Are you okay?" She smiled faintly, "I''m okay, I''m just...I''m sorry about what happened. I shouldn''t have let things go that far" ["Not like she could stop her old man"] "It''s fine, and Dragon King Sir" Kaz looked at Yuto, surprised that he was being addressed. He swallowed hard, his expression still wary, "Yes?" "You have something you want to say?" Kaz''s eyes darted to Mizuki for a moment, as if silently seeking guidance, of course, she gave him the silent treatment, leaving it for him to figure out. "I..." He took a deep breath, trying to find the right words, "I... apologize" Kana''s eyes widened in surprise at her father''s apology. She had never expected him to admit his fault and apologize so willingly. Sadly for Yuto''s case, her affection for him only grew bigger as her tail began wagging slowly. Mizuki''s expression remained guarded, arms crossed but not hostile. Kaz continued, his voice steadier now. "I lost control in the face of your words. I should have never let my anger consume me like that" "... You know what they say when a dragon breaks their promise" Kaz stiffened at Yuto''s words, his eyes going wide with dread, "W-what?" Mizuki''s expression remained stoic, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her gaze. "What''s the matter, Kaz?" she asked, her voice measured. "Concerned about the consequences of your actions?" Kaz''s expression tightened slightly, a hint of defiance in his eyes. "I am well aware of the consequences," he said, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. Yuto chuckled as he pointed at himself, "You have to fulfill one wish of mine" Kaz''s jaw clenched, but he knew he had no choice but to agree, "Very well," he said finally, his voice resigned. "I will grant one wish of yours, so tell me human, what is it that you want?" Kana and Mizuki both looked at Yuto as he had a stupid grin on his face, the tension was thick with anticipation. "Money, I want money!" Kaz couldn''t help but let out a scoff, "Money? That''s your wish? How mundane" "Bitch please, we are currently on a journey, don''t you think we need funds, of course, I want money!" Kaz couldn''t argue with that logic, but he still grumbled. "Fine, I will provide you with the necessary funds," he said, his expression not pleased. "Ah ah ah, when I say I want money, I mean a lot of it" ¡­ "How much money do you want? I''m not a human bank" "You are a dragon who''s lived for 3,000 years. If you don''t have money, what the hell did you spend those years doing?" Kaz bristled at the accusation, "I have money, of course I do. But how much do you expect me to give you?" "Oh dear, my chest seems to hurt from being punched repeatedly" Kaz rolled his eyes, his irritation only growing, "Enough with the sarcasm. Just tell me how much you want" "5 million" Kaz''s jaw dropped at the amount, "5 million? Are you insane? That''s a small fortune!" "Ah, my head from when you kicked it is acting up!" Kaz grumbled, his irritation growing, "Alright, alright, I''ll give you 5 million. Happy now?" "Oh, what''s this? I''m suddenly feeling a lot better" Kaz rolled his eyes again, clearly exasperated, "You are nothing but a headache," he muttered under his breath. Yuto heard his comment and smirked, "Vise versa" Kaz snorted, not even bothering to deny it, "Whatever," he said, waving a dismissive hand. "You''ll have your money by tomorrow. I''ll make sure of it" Kana watched the exchange between Yuto and her father with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "I can''t believe he just got 5 million from my father," she whispered to herself, shaking her head in amazement. Mizuki chuckled softly, clearly entertained by the interaction, "Yuto has a way of extracting favors, doesn''t he?" Kana nodded in agreement, "It''s like he has some sort of charm or persuasion ability" "I wish I could do that" Yuto looked away, sweating bullets, Kana couldn''t possibly know about his charisma stat. Kana noticed Yuto''s nervous demeanor and couldn''t help but smirk. "You look like you''re hiding something," she teased, her voice light and playful. <- System -> [ Charisma is in effect ] Yuto gave his sexist smile, "Am I now?" Kana blushed slightly at Yuto''s charming smile, her heart skipping a beat, "Y-yes, you are," she stuttered, her voice slightly shaky. Yuto lifted himself off the bed, walking towards Kana as he gently cupped her cheek. "Beautiful as a rose, you are" Kana''s breath hitched as Yuto''s hand touched her cheek, a blush spreading across her face. She felt butterflies in her stomach, her heart racing in her chest. She managed to stammer out a response, "Y-you have a way with words, don''t you?" Mizuki and Kaz quietly observed the interaction between Yuto and Kana, their expressions ranging from surprise to amusement. Mizuki chuckled softly, a hint of teasing in her voice, "Looks like Yuto is charming yet another," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Kaz looked annoyed, "I''ll give an extra million if you stop" Yuto smirked, his hand still resting on Kana''s cheek. "Why, old man? Can''t your daughter find love?" "Young man, you already have two lovers" Yuto shrugged, his smirk widening, "And? Do you have a problem with that?" Kaz grumbled, his irritation evident, "Yes, I do have a problem with that. My daughter deserves a partner who will be devoted solely to her" Kana was hugging Yuto when she heard this, she tightened her grip on Yuto in response to her father''s words, feeling a mix of surprise and defensiveness. "Father!" she protested. "You can''t just dictate who I spend my time with" "B-but K-kana!" Kana looked at her father with a resolute expression, standing her ground. "Father, I am an adult. I can make my own decisions about who I have relationships with" <- System -> [ And another one bites the dust ] Yuto gave a slight grin as he lifted her face, "Oh? Are you saying you''re becoming mine?" Kana''s heart skipped a beat as Yuto lifted her face, his words sending a shiver down her spine. She felt a mixture of surprise and excitement, her cheeks heating up. Trying to maintain her composure, she swallowed hard and replied, "Well...y-yes, I suppose I am" Mizuki and Kaz were watching, their mouths agape in shock. Mizuki couldn''t help but snicker, clearly enjoying the situation. Mizuki whispered to Kaz, "Looks like Yuto strikes again" Kaz grumbled in response, his irritation growing, "Why him?" "Because he''s Yuto," Mizuki replied, her voice amused. "He has a way with women that''s hard to resist" ¡­ Kana''s lips were so close to Yuto''s as he kept pulling her closer, he was taunting Kaz by slowly grinding against Kana. "You are very beautiful, Kana" Kana''s cheeks flushed at Yuto''s compliment, her heart fluttering in her chest, "Y-you think I''m beautiful?" "Am I lying?" "No..." she whispered, her voice breathless. "You''re not" She found herself leaning in even closer to Yuto, her eyes locked with his. Their faces were so close that their noses were almost touching. Poor Kaz, he looked like he was about to throw up at any moment. Mizuki chuckled at Kaz''s reaction, amused by his discomfort, "Looks like someone can''t handle a little romance," she teased. Kaz grumbled, his frustration mounting, "This isn''t just a little romance,''" he protested. "I mean, the door is right there old man" Kaz scowled, "You... you insolent young man!" He clenched his fists as if struggling to control his temper, "I''ll give you another 3 million if you stop right now" Yuto chuckled, still holding Kana close, "Now, now, old man. Are you trying to bribe me into not courting your daughter?" Kaz huffed in frustration, his face turning red, "Yes, I am! And don''t act all innocent, you damn charmer!" "You''re practically stealing a piece of me!" Yuto smirked, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "Stealing? No, no, I''m wooing. There''s a difference" Kana couldn''t help but giggle at Yuto''s response. "And can you even pay me 9 million?" Kaz grumbled, "Yes, I can pay you 9 million. But you better stop trying to charm my daughter!" "Ask your daughter how she feels" Kaz turned his gaze to Kana, his eyes pleading. "Kana, you...you wouldn''t consider being with this charmer, would you?" Kana couldn''t help but blush under her father''s intense gaze. She was still wrapped up in Yuto''s embrace, his presence warm and comforting. She took a deep breath, then spoke, "Father...I...I like Yuto. He makes me happy" "You met him for like an hour?" "Yes, but... but sometimes you just know," Kana said, her eyes sparkling. "Yuto makes me feel special, and he makes me laugh. I can''t help how I feel" "I can find someone else who can do the same. What about Jackson" "Jackson?" she repeated, her voice filled with contempt. "No, I want Yuto" "Trevor?" "No, Father, I don''t want Trevor either," Kana replied firmly. "I don''t want any of the suitors you''ve chosen for me. They''re all so... bland" Mizuki chuckled, clearly entertained by the conversation, "Looks like your daughter has made up her mind, Kaz," she said with a smirk. "Don''t worry, Yuto shares his love equally, you know~" Kaz''s eyes widened in disbelief and horror at the implication. "No, no, no!" he protested, his voice growing louder. "I won''t allow my daughter to be one of your multiple lovers!" Yuto chuckled, holding onto Kana, "Don''t worry, old man. I take care of my partners equally" "They''re all loved, pampered, and satisfied" Kaz ran out the door covering his face, "I''ll bring the damn money, you monster!" Volume 4 Chapter 4 Dragons are wild 18+ As Yuto watched Kaz run out the door, he couldn''t help but chuckle, "Is that seriously the man who beat me like an hour ago?" Mizuki chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief, "Yes, that''s the one" Kana let out a soft sigh, "I think you broke my father, Yuto. " Her voice was laced with a hint of amusement. Yuto kissed her neck slowly, "Is that so?" Kana''s breath hitched as Yuto''s lips grazed her neck, sending shivers down her spine. "Y-yeah," she whispered, her voice slightly shaky. "You...you have a way of making my father lose his composure" He trailed a few more down to her collarbone, "Is that bad?" Kana''s voice trembled as Yuto''s lips traveled to her collarbone, her body responding to his touch with a mix of excitement and pleasure. "N-no," she managed to say. "It''s not bad, just... just unexpected" Mizuki picked Freya up from the bed and headed towards the door, "We''ll be in the other room" She opened the door and closed it behind her with a chuckle, "Have fun~" Kana blushed as Mizuki and Freya left the room. She was suddenly acutely aware that she was alone with Yuto, their bodies pressed close together. "Looks like we have the room all to ourselves," Yuto whispered, his voice low and seductive. His lips continued to trail down her collarbone, leaving a trail of gentle kisses. Kana leaned her head back, offering him better access to her neck, "Y-yuto," she whispered her voice a mixture of both pleasure and nervousness. "I-I have something I want to say!" Yuto paused his actions as he looked her in the eyes, "Yes?" he continued pressing light kisses to tease her. Kana swallowed hard, trying to gather her thoughts, she found it hard to form coherent sentences when he was so close, his touch driving her crazy. "It''s my first" she managed to say, her voice shaking slightly. "And you''re being so...so intense" Yuto pulled away for a moment, looking into her eyes with a mixture of lust and surprise. "Your first?" he repeated, his voice a bit hoarse. "You mean... you''ve never done anything like this before?" "N-no," Kana admitted, her cheeks reddening further. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her pulse racing as Yuto continued to hold her close. "You''re my first" <- System Warning -> [ Master, you might want to be careful ] ["What do you mean?"] <- System -> [ Dragon girls can be very possessive when it comes to their partners, are you sure you want to continue? ] Yuto looked at Kana who had a worried expression. It must have taken a lot of courage to take the first step. ["Yeah, I''m sure"] He lifted her chin gently, making her look at him, "Kana," he said softly. "I told Freya that we can stop before we go any further, I understand that this is a big choice" Kana''s heart skipped a beat as Yuto held her chin in place, his gaze holding hers intently. She appreciated his consideration and concern, but she found herself wanting more. "No," she whispered, her voice resolute. "I don''t want you to stop. I trust you," she pushed him onto the bed, surprising Yuto at her level of strength. Kana walked over and straddled him. He hadn''t expected her to take the lead like this, and his heart rate quickened with anticipation. He looked up at her with a mixture of surprise and desire, his hands instinctively resting on her thighs. ["Thick thighs save lives"] "It''s not too late-" Kana cut him off with a firm kiss, "No," she said, her voice filled with determination. "I want this. I want you!" She leaned down towards him, her hands resting on his chest for support. Yuto wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her body closer to him. He could feel the heat radiating from her, the tension between them growing with each passing moment. They kissed passionately, their bodies pressed against each other. Kana''s hands roamed over Yuto''s chest, feeling the heat of his skin through the fabric of his shirt. Yuto''s hands gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh as the kiss deepened. He helped remove her leather jacket as she helped him unbuckle his pants. The sounds of their breathing, the rustling of fabric, and the soft thump of their discarded clothes being set aside filled the room. Kana''s hands trembled slightly as she fumbled with the buckle of Yuto''s pants. Yuto''s hands guided hers, steadying her trembling fingers, he watched her as she undid the buckle and pulled down his pants, exposing his boxers. Kana''s breath hitched as she caught a glimpse of his boxers, her eyes widening slightly at the sight. She moved her hands to the waistband of his boxers, her fingers tracing the elastic. "Ah" Yuto''s breath hitched as he felt her fingers tease along the waistband of his boxers. The sensation sent a jolt of pleasure through him, making his body tense with anticipation. He watched her closely, his gaze fixed on her face, taking in every slight movement and expression. He pushed her down and unzipped her pants with his teeth, Kana''s body responding quickly as she felt the cool air on her exposed skin. He hovered over her, ready but still holding off, "One last time, are you sure?" Kana looked up at Yuto, her breath coming in quick, ragged gasps. She could see the restraint etched in his features, the desire held back by his worry for her. She felt a mix of gratitude and irritation at his question. She didn''t want him to stop, she wanted him more than anything. "Yes," she whispered, her voice hoarse with need. "I''m sure. I want this, I want you!" "... As you wish" Yuto slowly began penetrating her, Kana moaned loudly as she fell her walls stretching around his thick length. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as he filled her, "Don''t stop," she begged him wantonly, her hips tilting upward to meet his slow thrusts. ["Fuck, her nails, she has a stronger grip, than the other two!"] She was already coming undone, falling apart at the seams from the overwhelming pleasure. Kana''s back arched off the bed as Yuto''s cock plunged deeper, each powerful stroke sending electric shocks of ecstasy through her quivering form. She could feel the heat building between her thighs, a simmering inferno ready to consume her entire being. "M-more, Yuto!" she cried out, her voice ragged and desperate. "Harder, faster! I need all of you!" Her hands roamed over his chest, nails scraping and digging. A guttural groan ripped from Yuto''s throat as he sensed Kana''s walls clenching around him, a rhythmic squeezing that would make any man lose his mind. His hips hammered into her with brutal force, the bed creaked ominously beneath their heavy lovemaking. Kana''s cries of pleasure mingled with his grunts, a cacophony that only fueled their insatiable hunger for each other. And she was hungry! Very few people know about dragons, and even seeing one is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Kana rejected every suitor who came her way, and seeing a man her ideal type almost slip away from her fingers was too much. She was frustrated and wanted to be satisfied! She wrapped her legs around his waist, locking him in place, her entire existence reduced to the singular pursuit of pleasure and completion. ["Ugh, she''s way too strong!"] Yuto, in a desperate need to regain control, grabbed her horns and slowly started rubbing them, up and down. The sudden shift in sensation, from the brutal pace of their lovemaking to the gentle, deliberate stroking of her horns, sent a jolt of pure bliss coursing through Kana''s veins. She let out a low, keening moan, her body trembling under Yuto''s touch. "Mmmmh~" Yuto carefully ran his fingers along the curved lengths of her horns making her feel more aroused. As he continued to stroke her horns, Kana''s hips began to buck instinctively, seeking more of the incredible pleasure he was awakening within her. Her inner walls fluttered and clenched around his still-throbbing cock, a desperate attempt to draw out the ecstasy. Kana found herself teetering on the brink of a shattering release, "Yuto...please," she whimpered, her voice strained with need. "Don''t stop...I need more..." Her nails dug into his shoulders as she arched into his touch, her horns pressing against his palms. ["..."] Without a thought, he slowly lowered his left hand, stroking her tail head at a nice pace. Kana gasped and shivered as Yuto''s fingers first touched her tail head, no one with a sane mind would touch a dragon''s tail, let alone their tail head. His left hand was gentle and exploratory, mapping the curves and contours of her anatomy with a curious wonder that only heightened her arousal. Her back arched, pressing her supple flesh into his touch as she sought more of the electric tingles his fingers ignited. ''Oh¡­ fuckkkkk¡­'' "Y-yes," she hissed, her hips rocking instinctively into his stroking hand. "There...just there...oh, Yuto!" The pleasure was building, winding tightly in her belly, and she knew it wouldn''t be long before she tumbled over the edge into blissful oblivion. Yuto smirked at her reaction, here was a dragon, a powerful existence that even the gods could not push over, moaning at his teasing. "Oh, is your tail the most sensitive part of you?" "Y-yes," Kana managed to gasp out, her voice thready and strained from the intense pleasure Yuto was evoking. "M-my tail head, it''s...it''s super sensitive, d-don''t stop, please" His fingers were a marvel, gliding along her most intimate curves with a skill that belied their size. Kana felt herself teetering on the brink of a shattering release. Her inner walls fluttered and clenched around Yuto''s still-throbbing cock, desperate for more friction, more stimulation, more of anything he could give her. ["F-fuck!"] The room was a sensual fog, the only sound was the creaking of the bed and their heavy panting breaths. Kana''s horns were pressed against Yuto''s palms, a silent plea for more even as her body prepared to erupt. Yuto chuckled as he began to focus on her chest, he leaned down and licked them both, a gasp escaped Kana''s lips as Yuto''s tongue flicked over her nipples. The slick muscle sent a jolt of electricity straight to her core. "Ohhhh¡­. Yessss!" Kana couldn''t suppress a moan as he lavished attention on her sensitive flesh. His chuckle was a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated against her skin, making her shudder with delight. Her hips bucked, seeking friction, as she arched her back to press more of herself against his lips. "Yes, just like that," she whimpered, her hands tangling in his hair to urge him on. The world narrowed to the point of Yuto''s tongue, the heat of his breath, and the sensation of his skin against hers. It was all becoming too much, too intense, and yet Kana couldn''t find it in herself to care. All that mattered was the pleasure, the release, and the man who was bringing her to the brink of ecstasy. ''Hahh, I knew it¡­ he''s my soulmate¡­'' He sucked, pulled, teased, and even played with her breast, loving every single one of her reactions. Kana''s back arched off the bed as Yuto''s mouth latched onto her nipple, his lips sucking strongly enough to draw a gasp from her lungs. His teeth scraped teasingly over her sensitized flesh, making her quiver with anticipation. A keening cry escaped her throat as he played with her, twisting and tugging at her breast until she was a writhing, moaning mess beneath him. "F-fuck!" The dual stimulation of his mouth on her nipples and his fingers on her skin was almost too much to bear. Kana felt herself hurtling towards the edge on a wave of pure sensation. "Don''t stop, Yuto! More!" Her claws dug into his shoulders, the marks on his skin. Kana was lost, drowning in a sea of ecstasy, and she knew it would be a long time before she resurfaced. Yuto started to thrust harder, his hands firm on her waist. Kana''s world narrowed to the sensation of his cock plunging in and out of her, stroking her deepest, most hidden places. His hands on her waist were a firm anchor, steadying her as he pounded into her with increasing urgency. ["Mmh, dragons sure are more wild in bed!"] Kana''s horns bumped against Yuto''s chest with each brutal stroke, the metallic sound blending with their ragged breaths and guttural grunts. "Harder!" Kana demanded, her voice a raw, desperate cry. "Fuck me harder, Yuto! Make me yours!" Her nails dug deep into his shoulders as she arched to meet his every thrust. At that moment, Yuto forgot completely what he was doing, it was just pure lust and newfound love, claiming a dragon girl for his own. - 4 intense hours later - The room was filled with the soft sound of steady breathing, the only light coming from the moonlight streaming through the window. Kana lay on the bed, her body still tangled up in the sheets. She was exhausted but completely satisfied. Her hair was mussed, and there were visible love marks on her neck and collarbone. Yuto lay beside her, his arm draped over her waist. He looked just as tired, his chest steadily rising and falling with each breath. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. He had a satisfied smile on his face, clearly pleased with how the night had gone. Kana turned her head to look at Yuto, taking in his disheveled appearance and the satisfied smile on his face. She snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his chest. "Oh?" Yuto let out a small sound of surprise as Kana snuggled closer to him, her head resting against his chest. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him, "Comfy?" he asked, his voice still rough with exhaustion. "Mmmhmm," she murmured, her voice still hoarse. "Very comfy" She nuzzled her head against his chest, inhaling his scent. It was a mix of sweat and something uniquely him, a combination that she found comforting and arousing all at once. ¡­ "Sorry, I tend to overdue" Kana chuckled softly, her voice still a bit breathless, "It''s alright," she assured him. "I didn''t mind, not at all" She traced a finger along his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her touch. Yuto chuckled, "Hard to believe you''re the same person, you''re very different from when we did it" "Do¡­ Do you not like it?" "No, no, I do," he assured her, his hand gently stroking her hair. "It''s just unexpected, that''s all. You were... quite loud" Her face turned bright red with embarrassment as he mentioned her earlier volume. She had lost herself in the moment, her body responding to his touch with unabashed enthusiasm. "Oh my god, I''m so sorry," she said, burying her face in his chest. "I didn''t even realize I was being that loud..." "No worries, very different from when I do it with Freya, she''s more... vanilla" Kana lifted her head, her embarrassment momentarily forgotten as her curiosity piqued. "Vanilla?" she repeated, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "It means not as wild" She couldn''t help but smirk playfully, "So you''re saying I was wild?" "You were just screaming for me to pump you full-" Her face flushed even redder as he bluntly stated what she had been doing. She playfully hit his chest with her fist. "Don''t say it like that!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with embarrassment but also amusement. Yuto sat up against the wall, "Well, I''m going to ask you something I asked the other two" Kana sat up alongside him, "What is it?" "Are you truly okay with being my third lover?" Kana chuckled as she leaned against him, "I know what I signed up for, just make sure to spoil me, okay?" Yuto grinned at the response, pulling her close and wrapping his arm around her, "Of course, I''ll spoil you," he assured her. "I take care of all of my partners equally" She let out a small sigh of pleasure as he pulled her closer, nestling her head against his chest. "Good," she said, her voice soft. "Just make sure you give me enough attention" Yuto chuckled, kissing the top of her head, "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure you get plenty of attention" "But you''re going to have to share me with the others, too" "I know, I know," Kana replied with a playful pout. "Just make sure you give me a little bit more attention than you do everyone else, okay?" She looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Or else, I might get jealous and have to fight for your attention" Yuto chuckled as he laid back down pulling her with him, "Don''t worry, remember, I share my love equally" As Yuto pulled her down alongside him, Kana let out a small giggle. His arms felt warm and inviting, and she couldn''t help but melt into his embrace. "Sharing your love equally sounds nice," she said, her voice slightly teasing. "But I wouldn''t mind a bit of extra affection now and then" "... I''ll do that, anyways when the morning comes up, please take care that your father doesn''t beat me" She smiled softly, appreciating the reminder, "I''ll do my best" "My father can be a bit overprotective, but I''ll try to convince him to take it easy on you" She paused for a moment, then gave him a playful grin, "But if he does give you a hard time, just know that I''ll be there to defend you" She ran a hand through his hair, leaning in closer. Yuto chuckled at her playful demeanor, "I''m glad I have a brave protector like you in my corner," he said, his tone light and teasing. He pulled her even closer to him, his hands gently stroking her back. She giggled, snuggling into his embrace. "Of course," she said, her voice soft and content. "I can''t let anyone mess with my man, now can I?" She leaned her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "Night Yuto" ... "Night Kana" Soon Kana fell asleep in his arms, leaving Yuto to stare at the wall. He stayed awake for a bit longer, his mind filled with thoughts and emotions. He had never expected to find himself in a situation like this - with multiple partners, some who seemed so different from each other. But as he looked down at Kana, fast asleep in his arms, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of contentment. "What the fuck have I been doing?" His voice wasn''t that of annoyance but of amusement. Yuto couldn''t help but chuckle to himself as he whispered those words. It was a crazy situation, there was no denying that. "Hah, system, I know I had some rewards from my last interaction with Kaz, I would like them now" <- System Rewards -> [ + 100 Attack + 100 Defense ] [ New Title: Dragon Fucker ] "Huh?" Yuto scrolled through the rewards, his eyebrows shooting up as he read the new title at the end. "Dragon...fucker?" he muttered to himself, a mixture of disbelief and amusement on his face. "Is this really happening?" He couldn''t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, "What the hell kind of a joke is this, system?" he said, shaking his head. <- System -> [ Is something wrong with your new title? ] Yuto rubbed his temples as he replied to the system. "No, no, it''s just a bit unexpected," he said with a chuckle. "But I can''t say it''s not fitting, given the events of tonight" <- System -> [ Trying to brag, are we? ] Yuto couldn''t help but smile as he responded to the system''s snarky comment. "Nah, just stating the facts," he replied playfully. "No need to brag when the title speaks for itself, right?" He chuckled to himself, feeling a bit mischievous. He had to admit, the title did sound pretty damn impressive. "But there is something else that is bothering me" <- System -> [ And that is? ] "If Elise was Mizuki''s creator and the first user, then who the fuck was the first master that left her alone in the mountains?" <- System -> [ I''m sorry, but I cannot answer that until you obtain more fragments ] Yuto sighed as he shook his head, "Should have known that''s how you''ll respond" He leaned against the wall, his mind racing with hundreds of thoughts, all pointless as he grew tired. "I don''t want to question Mizuki, but the timelines aren''t matching up" He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, feeling exhausted both physically and mentally. He knew the answer was in the fragments, but it was frustrating to have to wait until he collected enough to piece everything together. No one answered his questions, leaving him in the dark to figure out¡­ annoying. For now, he needed rest, and maybe in the morning, things would start to make more sense. With that thought in mind, Yuto finally let himself succumb to sleep, his arms wrapped around Kana as he drifted off, hoping that the morning would bring some clarity to the situation. - Morning - Yuto slowly opened his eyes as the first rays of sunlight filtered in through the window. He blinked a few times, trying to shake off the grogginess of sleep. He looked down at Kana, still nestled against his chest, and couldn''t help but smile. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. "Huh, she looks so cute when she''s sleeping" Yuto quietly got out of bed, not wanting to disturb Kana''s peaceful slumber. He grabbed a piece of paper and quickly left a note for her, saying he was going to check on Freya and that he''d be back soon. With one last glance at Kana, he left the room, making his way to Freya''s room. - The Next Room - Freya woke up, the last thing she remembered was hearing a loud boom from the throne room, and now here she was waking up on a soft bed. "W-where?" "Hey Fae" Freya shot up as she heard Yuto''s voice, relief washing over her. "Yuto!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with worry. "What happened? W-where''s Mizuki?" Yuto chuckled as he placed his hands on her shoulders, lightly rubbing them, "Easy there, nothing is wrong" Freya took a shaky breath, trying to steady her nerves, "Y-you''re sure?" she asked, her voice still tinged with lingering fear. "Where''s Mizuki?" "Is she safe as well?" "Don''t worry, remember she''s my ego sword, I can feel that she is fine" Freya''s worry began to ease somewhat as she heard Yuto''s reassurance, "Okay... okay, I trust you" She looked around the room, her curiosity piqued, "So, what''s going on? Where are we, exactly?" Freya nodded slowly, understanding the situation a bit better now, "So we''re... not in any immediate danger, right?" she asked, her tone hopeful. "No it''s fine, Mizuki took care of it, anyways you okay? Mizuki said you suddenly passed out?" Freya let out a small sigh, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I''m fine now," She began, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. "I guess... the stress and excitement from everything just overwhelmed me for a bit" Yuto leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead, "It''s fine, don''t worry about it now" Freya blushed at Yuto''s affectionate gesture, her heart fluttering a little. "Thank you, Yuto," her voice was soft and filled with gratitude. She shifted a bit closer to him on the bed, seeking the comfort of his presence. "You know," she said after a moment of silence, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You''ve gotten quite good at those little gestures, haven''t you? Kisses on the forehead, comforting hugs..." "Have I now?" Freya nodded a soft, almost shy smile on her face, "Yeah," she admitted, her voice hushed. "You... you always seem to know just the right thing to say or do to make me feel better. It''s... sweet" Yuto crawled onto the bed, laying beside her, "That''s good to hear, anyways I have something wild to tell you" Freya''s eyes widened slightly in curiosity, "What is it?" she asked, turning to face Yuto. "Don''t leave me in suspense" "You know the dragon girl who led us to the throne room" Freya thought for a moment, before nodding, "Yeah, Kana, right? What about her?" She inquired, her curiosity growing. "Hah, she became another lover of mine" Freya''s eyes widened in surprise., "Wait, what?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and disbelief. "You mean... you and Kana...?" "Yeah, last night, I still have the marks on my neck" Freya''s eyes drifted to Yuto''s neck, and sure enough, there were light marks on his skin. She blushed slightly as she realized the implications of his words, "Well, uh... congratulations, I guess?" she said awkwardly, unsure of how to react. Yuto chuckled as he pulled her into his arms, planting small kisses all over her head. Freya felt her cheeks warm up even more as Yuto showered her with kisses. She giggled, a mixture of embarrassment and happiness bubbling inside her, "Yuto, I''m not used to this much affection," she admitted, her voice playful. "Keep this up, and you might end up spoiling me" "Is it wrong to spoil one of my loves?" "It... it''s not like I mind, of course," she stuttered, her voice still tinged with shyness. Yuto smiled as he ruffled her hair, "I''m sorry, I should have asked you if you felt comfortable with me having another lover" "No, no, it''s fine!" she assured him quickly. "I mean, I was a bit surprised, sure, but... well, I guess that''s just the way things are now, right?" Freya leaned into Yuto''s touch, her voice growing more relaxed, "I know what I''ve signed up for, we love you Yuto" She continued, her words coming out more confident now, "I''m not expecting you to be only mine, and... I''m okay with sharing you, as long as I know that you''ll always care for me too" Yuto planted a soft kiss as he got off the bed, "Of course" Freya looked up at Yuto as he sat up, a soft smile playing on her lips. "So...where is Kana?" she asked curiously. "I''d like to get to know her" "She''s in the next room sleeping" Freya nodded, "Is that so?" She thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you... think she''d mind if I went to talk to her now? I mean, it''s morning already, and I''m wide awake" "She wouldn''t mind, anyways I''m off to meet the dragon king again so see you later" "Okay, be careful" "I''ll see you later, alright?" Yuto nodded as he closed the door behind him, walking towards the throne room with a bit more confidence. "Kaz won''t beat me again, right?" Volume 4 Chapter 5 I am Superior to You Yuto took a deep breath and straightened his suit as he approached the throne room. ["He won''t kill me for sleeping with Kana, right?"] Yuto pushed open the door, stepping into the throne room to meet with the Dragon King. "Yo, what up Kaz!" Kaz looked up from the papers he was signing and sighed, "Fuck not this human again" Yuto couldn''t help but chuckle at Kaz''s reaction, "Yeah, it''s me again. Just can''t get rid of me, can you?" "Are you here about the 9 million I promised?" Yuto nodded. "Yep, I''m here about that, but I also wanted to talk to you about something else" "... The fragments I have..." Kaz''s sighed as he rubbed his forehead, "I did promise Mizuki to give them to you" "Yup, not going back on your word again, are we?" Kaz glared at Yuto, clearly annoyed by his teasing tone, "Watch your mouth, human. I''m being generous here" Yuto''s smirk only grew as he clapped his hands together, "Same here, guessing Mizuki gave you an earful, seeing as how you''re not automatically jumping me" Kaz crossed his arms, his expression turning serious, "She did, and I''m doing this for her, not for you, understand?" Yuto chuckled as he raised his hands, "And not the fact that the great Dragon King broke his promise and beat up a defenseless human?" Kaz gritted his teeth, clearly displeased with Yuto''s comment. "That''s beside the point. I''m only doing this because Mizuki asked me to. Don''t push your luck" "It seems like you can''t control your emotions much" Kaz''s expression darkened, "I have my limits, human. You''d do well to remember that" "... I remember clearly, old man" Kaz slammed his fist on the table, his voice echoing through the room. "You''re testing my patience, human. If you don''t watch your mouth, I might just change my mind about those fragments" Yuto was about to respond when he felt Mizuki''s presence, "Looks like Mizuki''s here too," he quipped, looking around the room. "Come on out, Mizuki. We know you''re there" Kaz shot Yuto a warning look, clearly not pleased with his antics, "Behave yourself, human," he warned. "Mizuki is here to keep an eye on things, not to deal with your nonsense" Mizuki let out a chuckle as she appeared right beside Yuto, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Get this straight Kaz, I''m here to protect my human from you losing control again" Kaz grumbled under his breath, clearly annoyed by Mizuki''s presence. "I have control, Mizuki. I''m not going to let myself be provoked in the same way twice" "Need I remind you of the warning I gave yesterday, old friend?" Kaz''s expression softened slightly as he looked at Mizuki. "I remember, still did it have to be this human?" "Yes" Kaz sighed as he rubbed his temple, "No use arguing, I won''t do anything stupid" Mizuki nodded, accepting Kaz''s promise, "Good, I''m glad to hear that, Kaz. Just remember, Yuto is under my protection now, and I won''t hesitate to step in if I need to" Kaz nodded grudgingly, "I understand, I won''t test your patience, Mizuki" Yuto chuckled, patting Mizuki''s arm, "Thanks for the backup, Mizuki. Always nice to know I have someone looking out for me" She chuckled as she planted a kiss, "Yuto I did tell you not to annoy him" Yuto laughed, wrapping his arm around Mizuki''s waist, "I know, I know. But I can''t help but push his buttons now and then. It''s just too easy" Kaz rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed by their playful banter, "Can we focus on the fragments now? I''d rather not spend the entire day listening to your flirting" Yuto chuckled, releasing Mizuki from his embrace, "Alright, alright. Let''s get to the fragments" Mizuki shook her head, smiling at Yuto''s antics, she transformed back into a ring on his finger as Kaz stood up and led Yuto out the door. ¡­ Kaz led Yuto through the winding corridors of the castle, grumbling to himself, "You''re lucky Mizuki asked me not to kick you out..." ''Yuto, don''t do anything stupid'' ["I won''t, don''t worry"] Kaz shook his head in disbelief, "Out of everyone, she chose you?" [...] "I guess because of how stupid you can be, she felt the need to protect you" [...] "Another problem she has to take care of" [... Fuck it] Yuto let out a soft chuckle, "Oh yeah, well guess what?" Kaz raised an eyebrow at Yuto''s tone, "What now?" Yuto leaned in and carefully whispered, "I fucked your daughter, old man" Kaz''s face turned red with anger, his hands clenched into fists, "You did what?!" Yuto smirked, enjoying Kaz''s reaction, "You heard me. And let''s just say, she was a wild one" Potentially losing my 9 million just to piss Kaz off, wasn''t the smartest idea. But it felt just right seeing him start to lose his shit, Yuto thought. Kaz growled, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Yuto, "Y-you bastard!" Kaz started to grow in size as Yuto smirked, shrugging nonchalantly, "What can I say? I couldn''t say no" Yuto grinned as he watched Kaz grow larger and larger. He knew he was probably worsening the situation, but he couldn''t help himself. "Don''t worry, I took good care of her," he said casually. "You should be proud to have me as a son in law" Kaz roared in anger, his massive dragon tail whipping around wildly, "You dare make such a joke at a time like this?" Yuto chuckled as he dodged the tail, still not taking the situation seriously. "Oh come on, it''s just a little joke. Lighten up a bit, old man" Kaz''s anger grew as he grew in size, his wings unfurling as he bellowed. "You think this is a laughing matter, human?!" Yuto dodged another swipe from Kaz''s tail, still maintaining his cocky demeanor. "Not gonna lie, this whole ''big and angry dragon'' thing looks good on you" Kaz let out a deafening roar as he lunged at Yuto, his jaws snapping shut as he tried to catch him in his grasp. Yuto managed to evade Kaz''s attack once again, his expression never wavering. "Whoa there, big guy. You gotta work on your aim" Kaz''s anger was reaching its peak, his claws tearing into the stone floor as he bellowed. "You think this is a game?!" Yuto chuckled, still dodging Kaz''s attacks with ease. "You''re right, it''s not a game. But it''s certainly entertaining" Kaz''s claws and tail missed Yuto by millimeters, his dragon breath scorching the ground as he lunged at him again. Yuto continued to dodge Kaz''s attacks with impressive agility, showing no signs of fear or concern. "You know, this is the most workout I''ve had in a while" As Yuto kept dodging every attack he heard Mizuki''s voice again. ''Yuto what do you plan on doing, I can''t side with you on this'' ["Training a dragon, of course, he needs to learn how to control that temper of his"] ''Don''t get yourself killed'' ["Of course"] Yuto continued to dodge Kaz''s attacks, his smirk growing wider as he taunted Kaz. "Come on, old man. You can do better than that! Show me what you''ve got!" Kaz bellowed in anger, his body trembling with rage as he continued to lunge at Yuto, unleashing a barrage of fire and claws as he tried to catch him. But no matter how hard he tried, Yuto always dodged him easily, infuriating Kaz even further. Yuto chuckled, still dodging Kaz''s attacks with grace and finesse. "You know, I have to give it to you. You''re quite the persistent one. Most people would have given up by now" Kaz''s frustration was reaching its peak as he lunged at Yuto once more, his claws and teeth bared. "Insolent human! I will not be mocked!" Yuto chuckled, still maintaining his composure as he evaded yet another attack. "Calm down, old man. You''re just making this more fun for me" "YOU LITTLE RAT!" Yuto chuckled, his grin growing wider as he taunted Kaz. "Is that the best you can do? Come on, I know you can do better than that" Kaz let out another roar of anger, his body shaking with rage. Yuto continued to dodge Kaz''s attacks with ease, his movements fluid and controlled. "Wow, you need to keep your anger under control" "SHUT UP!" Yuto chuckled as he casually evaded another attack, enjoying the thrill of the chase. "Oh come on, Kaz. You''re making this too easy. At least make it a challenge for-" Kaz''s frustration boiled over as he unleashed a massive blast of fire at Yuto, his body trembling with anger. "I''ve had enough of your insolence!" Yuto quickly dodged the blast, his expression still calm and unbothered. "Alright, that''s more like it. Getting a little serious now, aren''t you?" "Mizuki" Mizuki sighed as she took on her claymore form. ''Don''t do anything too stupid'' ["Don''t worry, I have everything under control"] <- System Equipment -> [ Ring of Ernaline ] Yuto''s dark suit of armor surrounded his body, his red scarf blazing, symbolizing his upcoming victory. "Okay, you fucker, time for the true round two" Kaz let out another roar, his body trembling with anger, as he swung his claws around, slamming to the ground and then the wall. "What would Kana say if she saw this?" Kaz took a moment to hesitate, not expecting the mention of his daughter. For a brief moment, he paused, feeling a pang of guilt. Before the fire in his eyes charged up again, "She will understand in time" "Huh?" With a swing of his tail, he sent Yuto flying through the castle''s walls, and to the private flowerbeds for Kana. Yuto groaned as he stood up, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Okay, I take that back, that hurt" ''You think?'' ["Come on Mizuki don''t be like that"] ''The fact that you''re being a dumbass?'' ["Exactly"] <- System -> [ Health below 30 percent, activating Grace Healing ] Yuto grinned as any wound he had healed, his expression unchanged, "I''m just testing the limits of this old man, that''s all" BOOM! Yuto heard a loud growl as he saw Kaz break some of the castle walls and fly up into the sky. 13 Tier Magic: Dragon x Explosion Breath "Oh, fuck" Yuto braced himself as the explosion engulfed the area, feeling the intense heat and force of the blast as rocks and debris flew everywhere. Once the explosion subsided, Yuto looked around, surveying the damage. He coughed, feeling the smoke in his lungs. "Man, I didn''t expect that to be so powerful" Kaz landed in front of Yuto, his eyes glowing with rage, "We end this now!" Yuto smirked, his resolve unwavering, "Bring it on, Kaz. I''m not backing down" Kaz stumbled back from the blow, surprised by Yuto''s quick reflexes. He growled, "As expected of Mizuki, being able to cut through my scales" Kaz tore the ground up and swung it at Yuto who easily parried every single bolder. Yuto dodged and weaved through the flying debris, his agility and reflexes on full display. "Is that all you got, Kaz? I''m impressed, but not defeated yet" Right when Yuto jumped, Kaz grabbed him and began beating him down, his heavy hands breaking Yuto''s armor. Yuto gritted his teeth as he was pummeled by Kaz''s blows, his armor starting to crack and crumble. However, he refused to give up, still trying to find an opening to counterattack. <- System -> [ Title: Dragon Fucker is now active Any Dragon who is hostile towards you, their attack will decrease to around 1 hour ] Kaz''s attacks suddenly grew weaker as he stumbled, "What is this? Why do my attacks feel weaker?" Yuto grunted as he struggled to stand up, his armor badly damaged and broken. He panted heavily, looking at Kaz with a small grin. "Looks like the effects of my title are starting to kick in" "You think I only rely on strength?" Kaz unleashed a wave of fire, engulfing Yuto in a sea of flames. ["Argh!"] ''Yuto, your armor is taking most of the damage the problem is¡­'' ["It''s searing onto my flesh!"] Although Yuto''s armor was one of the strongest in the world and protected him from the worst of the heat, the searing flames still seared his flesh. Yuto emerged from the flames, his armor scorched and his body bearing the marks of the Dragon King''s fury. But his spirit remained unbroken. He wiped the blood from his lips, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. He would not yield. "You fucker!" Kaz chuckled at Yuto''s resilience, clearly impressed by his spirit. "You''re tough, I''ll give you that. But don''t think you can win this fight with just determination alone" Their fight continued a desperate struggle for survival. Yuto, battered and bruised, fought with the desperation of a cornered animal. He dodged, weaved, and parried, his movements a blur of motion, it was clear that Kaz wasn''t taking him seriously, why would he? This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. The Dragon King, a respected individual to every other race that could live longer than a thousand, a being of so much power that not even the Demon Lord would mock him. And yet, Yuto fought with the ferocity of a man facing his end, his every move fueled by adrenaline and a burning desire to survive. Kaz however, was relentless, his attacks growing more ferocious with each passing moment. His claws tore through Yuto''s armor, leaving deep, bleeding wounds. His fiery breath scorched the flowerbeds, leaving trails of destruction in its wake. The whole castle itself seemed to tremble under the weight of their conflict. Yuto fought back with everything he had, his sword a blur of motion, his every strike aimed at Kaz''s vulnerable points. He sought openings, exploiting Kaz''s momentary lapses in concentration, delivering blows that drew blood and forced him into reacting. But even that was a struggle, it all seemed so pointless as Kaz''s power was simply overwhelming. Kaz''s frustration grew as Yuto continued to dodge and weave, his attacks barely landing a hit. "Damn it, human. You don''t know when to quit, do you?" "Ugh, s-shut up" Kaz chuckled, landing another blow that sent Yuto flying back. "You''re good, I''ll admit that. But you''re still just a mortal. You can''t hope to match the power of a dragon that fought in the old war" Yuto struggled to stand up, panting heavily as he spat blood, he used Grace Healing when he landed in the flowerbed, he only had one use left. ''...'' "I''ve faced worse foes than you, Kaz. I won''t give up that easily" "... Human¡­ even with Mizuki, you cannot beat me" Yuto smirked, despite his injuries. "Don''t underestimate my strength. I may not have the raw power of a dragon, but I have something you don''t" "And that is?" Yuto chuckled, wiping the blood from his chin. "Perseverance, Kaz. You may have the power, but I have the will to keep fighting, no matter the odds" A memory flashed through Kaz''s mind, the memory of when he fought on the first hero''s side. Kaz shook his head, trying to push away the memory, "Stop, don''t remind me of that-" Yuto raised an eyebrow, sensing Kaz''s hesitation. "What''s wrong, Old man? Afraid of stirring up old memories?" Kaz gritted his teeth, as he swung his giant tail, sending Yuto flying through the rubble. Yuto crashed to the ground, grunting in pain as he struggled to get up. He spat out blood, glaring at Kaz. "Guess I struck a nerve" Kaz''s tail came swinging down, repeatedly bashing Yuto down. Mizuki wanted to help, she really did, but there are rules that she must abide by, even though she bit her lip till it bled. Yuto struggled to evade and block the relentless attacks, his armor taking the brunt of the damage. "Gah, Kaz! You''re not holding back, are you?" Kaz growled, his eyes blazing with anger, "You think I''ll show mercy to you?" "Come on, what did I do that was so bad?" Kaz snarled, and his claws continued to claw, bash, and pierce Yuto. "You dare ask what you did?" "You''ve been nothing but a nuisance from the moment you arrived. I should have never let you into my castle!" Yuto groaned in pain as Kaz continued his relentless assault. "I get that I can be annoying, but this is a bit much, don''t you think?" Kaz''s anger grew with each word, and he swung his tail again. "You''re not just annoying. You''re a threat to everything I care about. You''re a danger to my daughter, to my people, to my kingdom" "You humans always bring trouble wherever you go" "Look man, don''t blame humanity just because I slept with your daughter" Kaz roared in anger, his eyes blazing with killing intent. "You insolent brat! My daughter is a treasure, not some conquest for you to brag about" "Oi, I never meant it like that" Kaz swung his tail again, slamming Yuto into the ground. "You don''t understand the significance of what you''ve done!" "Ugh" Yuto coughed up more blood, his vision blurring from the pain. He struggled to stand up, his body heavy with injuries. "Look, I''ve said I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to cause any trouble. Can''t we just talk this out like civilized beings?" Kaz began to create a giant fireball, "The time for talk, is over" Yuto''s eyes widened as he saw the massive fireball Kaz was creating. "Crap, that''s gonna hurt" Kaz roared and unleashed the fireball. It tore through the landscape, destroying everything in its path. Yuto narrowly dodged the fireball, feeling the intense heat brush past his face, "Holy crap, that was close" Kaz grinned, his eyes glowing with sadistic pleasure. "You can''t keep dodging forever, human. You''ll tire out eventually, and when that happens, I''ll end you" Yuto huffed as his body felt like it was collapsing, his vision was getting blurry, his bones were broken, and his arms had been burned earlier. Kaz chuckled as he saw Yuto''s weakened state. "Look at you, human. Already defeated and weakened, yet you still refuse to give up. It''s almost admirable, if not foolish" Yuto raised his claymore, "Let''s keep this up till I fall then" Kaz smirked and readied his claws, "Fine by me, human. Let''s see how much more you can take before you collapse" - 10 minutes Later - Yuto, exhausted and bleeding, launched a final, desperate attack, his sword aimed at Kaz''s heart. But at the last moment, he caught Yuto''s blade with a single claw, the steel groaning under the immense pressure. His other hand descended, crushing Yuto''s defenses, his body crumpling under the weight of the Kaz''s might. Yuto''s armor finally cracked and splintered, unable to withstand the sheer force of the blow. His breath hitched, his body screaming in protest. Kaz''s hand rested heavily on Yuto''s chest, a symbol of his absolute dominance. This was it, his struggle was over. Everything felt silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of Kaz and the faint, ragged gasps of Yuto. The air hung heavy with the scent of blood and burnt earth. Yuto was defeated. Kaz looked down at Yuto with a mixture of exhaustion and disappointment. "You fought well, human. But in the end, you''re still just a mortal. A strong fighter, but that''s it" "..." Yuto''s breathing was ragged and shallow, his body battered and broken. He couldn''t muster a response, his eyes staring blankly at the sky. Kaz let out a sigh, his expression softening. "You''re a stubborn one, I''ll give you that. But you can''t keep fighting like this. Your body is worn out" "Hah¡­" Kaz transformed back into his human form, he crouched down next to Yuto, his eyes filled with a mix of pity and curiosity. "Why do you fight so hard? Is it for glory? Wealth? Power? What drives you to push yourself to the brink of death?" Yuto let out a low ruff chuckle, "A-asking me that n-now?" Kaz nodded, "Yes, now. You''re on the verge of collapsing, yet you continue to fight, even though it''s clear you have nothing left to give" "L-like you, f-for my l-loved ones" Kaz''s expression softened a hint of understanding in his eyes. "Ah, so it''s love that drives you. A noble cause, human. But is it worth it, at the cost of your own life?" Yuto grits his teeth in anger, "Wouldn''t you do the same?" Kaz''s expression turned sad, his voice filled with regret. "I did do the same, once. But it cost me dearly. I lost everything that mattered to me because of my own stubbornness. I don''t want you to make the same mistake" "Y-your w-wife, r-right?" Kaz sighed, the pain still fresh in his memory. "Yes, my wife. She was everything to me, and I lost her because I chose to fight a pointless battle. A battle that I could have avoided if I had been more rational" Yuto chuckled despite his weakened state, "Looks like we''re both stubborn in our own ways. But at least we have something in common" Kaz blinked, slightly taken aback by Yuto''s words. "I suppose we do. We both fight for those we love, even if it means risking everything" Yuto managed a weak smile, "Guess we''re not so different after all, huh?" "A-and look, you finally calmed down" Kaz huffed, looking away, "Don''t make it sound like I was throwing a tantrum earlier" Yuto''s eyes were slowly losing color, "W-weren''t you?" Kaz grumbled, his expression softening a bit. "I was... frustrated, that''s all. But I shouldn''t have let my emotions get the best of me. I''m sorry" Mizuki transformed back into her physical form as she helped Yuto out of the crater and gave him a lap pillow. Yuto let out a small groan as Mizuki helped him up, but he couldn''t deny the comfort of her lap pillow. "Thanks, Mizuki. You always know how to make everything better" Mizuki smiled as she brushed the hair out of his eyes, "Never thought I would hear a genuine apology out of you Kaz" Kaz huffed, crossing his arms, "Don''t get used to it. It''s not like I make a habit of apologizing" Mizuki chuckled, "Well, it''s a nice change of pace. Maybe you should try it more often" Kaz rolled his eyes, "I''m not some kind of emotional sap, you know. I have a reputation to maintain" "Whatever, do you mind healing my partner now?" Kaz sighed, "Right, right. I suppose it''s the least I can do after nearly killing your companion" Kaz raised his hand and a soft, warm light emanated from his palm. It surrounded Yuto, bathing him in a healing glow that seemed to soothe his injuries. "There, that should take care of the worst of it" "Yuto?" Mizuki shook him lightly. "You okay now?" "..." Mizuki''s eyes filled with worry, "Yuto? Can you hear me?" She gently continued to shake him, hoping for a response. "..." "Kaz, something''s wrong" Kaz leaned in closer, his expression turning serious, "What do you mean? He''s still breathing, isn''t he?" Mizuki nodded, her eyes fixated on Yuto''s face, "Yes, but he''s not responding. I think the exhaustion from the fight might have taken a bigger toll on him than we thought" "What Tier Magic did you use?" "... 13th" Mizuki''s eyes widened in disbelief. "13... That''s the highest tier of magic. No wonder he''s in such a state" Kaz shook his head, "I didn''t think it would have had such a severe effect on him" "Humans truly are fragile creatures" Mizuki wanted to punch him but stopped herself, "You know the healing spell wish, right?" "Yes, it requires you to lose a limb" "Then do it!" "For a human?" "Yes!" Kaz sighed as he ripped off his right arm and placed it on top of Yuto, another limb grew but he still couldn''t believe how far he was going for a human. Mizuki watched in disbelief as Kaz removed his arm, her frustration turning to shock. "You... you''re actually doing it?" "He matters to Kana¡­" Mizuki''s voice softened a bit, "He does..." She gently rested her hand on Kaz''s shoulder, "Thank you, Kaz" Kaz grumbled, "Don''t get used to it. This is a one-time thing" He looked down at Yuto, concern etched on his face despite his grumpy demeanor. "Will he be alright?" Mizuki looked confused, "What do you mean?" Kaz gestured towards Yuto, "I''m sacrificing my own limb, a dragon limb" Mizuki nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude, "Yes, and it means a lot. I know it''s not easy for you..." Kaz huffed, "It''s Fine, here goes nothing" As Kaz began reciting the spell, a warm glow enveloped Yuto. The magic worked its way through his veins, healing the deepest wounds, and rejuvenating his body. Slowly but surely, he started to regain consciousness. "Ehhhhh" Mizuki breathed a sigh of relief as Yuto regained consciousness, "Thank goodness you''re awake! You had us worried sick" Yuto groaned, sitting up slowly, "Ugh... What happened? The last thing I remember is Kaz tossing me around like a ragdoll" Mizuki chuckled, patting his head, "Yeah, you could say that. But you held your own surprisingly well against him" Yuto rubbed his head, wincing slightly at the lingering pain. "I guess I did, but I wouldn''t want to repeat that experience any time soon" Kaz chuckled, "Now do you see our difference in power?" Yuto nodded a hint of respect in his eyes, "Yeah, I do. You definitely showed me my place, that''s for sure" "Good that you know" Mizuki interjected, "Alright, boys, let''s not make it a competition. The important thing is that we''re all okay" Yuto nodded in agreement, "Yeah, let''s not push our luck any further" He then turned to Kaz, "And uh, thanks. I guess. For, you know, not killing me and all" Kaz rolled his eyes, "Don''t think too much of it. I didn''t do it for you" Yuto was about to respond when they both heard an angry voice from behind. "What the hell did you two do?" All three of them turned to see Kana approaching, a furious expression on her face. Freya followed behind with a worried expression. Kana gestured at the damage around them, "Look at the mess you''ve made!" Volume 4 Chapter 6 Old Memories Kana looked at the three of them and waited for an answer. Mizuki, seeing how tense the situation was, went back inside the ring leaving Yuto and Kaz to fend for themselves. ["Traitor"] ''Deal with the situation sweetie, I''ll reward you later'' [... As you wish ] Yuto and Kaz exchanged nervous glances, unsure of who should speak first. Kaz decided to break the silence. "Look, it''s not as bad as it looks. We were just... having a friendly spar" Another part of the castle crumbled. Kaz closed his eyes, knowing no one would believe such a lie. Kana crossed her arms, her glare intensifying. "A friendly spar? Really? That doesn''t explain all this destruction" Kaz scratched the back of his head, "Uhh, things might have gotten a bit out of hand" "But nobody got seriously hurt, so no harm done, right?" She was about to continue her rant when Yuto stepped up and wrapped his arms around Kana. "Are you mad?" Kana''s irritated expression softened slightly as Yuto embraced her. She let out a sigh, struggling to stay angry. "I''m not mad, just... frustrated. I wish you guys wouldn''t fight so recklessly" <-System-> [ Charisma stat is active ] "Sorry dear, your old man and I were just having a discussion, that''s all" Kana''s expression softened further, her frustration replaced with a hint of amusement. "A ''discussion'', huh? It seems like you two have a... unique way of communicating" He cupped her cheek, lifting her face slowly, "Is that so?" Kana blushed slightly, her annoyance fading into a faint smile. "You know damn well what I mean. But fine, I''m not mad anymore" Yuto grinned, pressing his forehead to hers, "Great, because you''re too cute when you''re mad" Kana playfully pushed him away, "Don''t get too cocky, buster" "Keep teasing me like that and you might find yourself sleeping on the couch tonight" ["..."] "Oh? And here I thought you enjoyed my presence" Kana''s eyes narrowed, "Oh, I do. But everyone has their limits, even me" She poked him in the chest, "Don''t push your luck" Yuto chuckled, "Alright, alright, I''ll behave. No more teasing, at least for now" "Good. Because I might just have to put up a sign that says ''Yuto-proof'' if you keep testing my patience" Yuto raised an eyebrow, "A ''Yuto-proof'' sign? Sounds like a challenge" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a playful whisper, "You know you love it when I test your patience" "COUGH COUGH!" Their banter was interrupted by Kaz''s exasperated cough, reminding them of his presence. "Kana, I hate to cut your meeting short but Yuto has important business with me" Kana looked at Kaz, then at Yuto, "Oh? Is that so? Well, I suppose I''ll let you boys get to your important business then" She quickly kissed Yuto on the cheek, "Be careful out there, alright?" Yuto nodded, smiling, "I will. And don''t worry, I''ll be back before you know it" He gave Kana a playful wink before turning to Freya who was looking at the massive crater on the ground. "Hey Fae" She sighed, "You two made a mess of things, didn''t you?" Yuto scratched his head, "Yeah, sorry about that. We got a bit carried away during our ''discussion'' there" Freya''s eyes twinkled with amusement, "I can tell. But it seems like you''ve both worked things out, at least for the time being" Yuto nodded, "Yeah, for now. Who knows what will happen next time Kaz and I get into it?" He chuckled, "We''re like a ticking time bomb sometimes" She laughed, "That''s one way to put it. Just try not to level the entire area next time you have a ''discussion'', alright?" She tried to walk before Yuto pulled her in, "No kiss?" Freya blushed slightly, her face flustered, "W-what? Is now really the time for that?" Yuto grinned playfully, "Why not? Come on, just a little peck on the cheek won''t hurt" Freya sighed, then leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Alright, there. Happy now?" Yuto chuckled, "Absolutely. Now, I better get going before Kaz starts throwing rocks at me again" He waved goodbye to Kana and Freya, heading off with Kaz. Kana and Freya watched them go, both shaking their heads in amusement. "Those two, I swear" Kana chuckled, "They do have some interesting ways of ''communicating''" Freya nodded in agreement, "That''s one way to put it. But at least they seem to be getting along better, even if it is rather... intense" "Yeah, I guess that''s true. As long as they don''t accidentally flatten the whole district next time they have a ''discussion,'' I''ll consider it a win" Freya laughed, "Let''s hope for the sake of everyone''s property values that they keep their powers under control" As Kana and Freya returned to Kana''s room, Kaz led Yuto to a backroom that led them to a hidden location inside the castle. "What are we doing here?" Yuto asked, raising an eyebrow as he followed Kaz into the dimly lit room. "You wanted the fragments right?" "I kept them in a safe room" "So you kept them in a creepy ass room?" Kaz huffed, "It''s not creepy, it''s practical. This room is hidden and heavily secured to prevent anyone from stumbling upon them accidentally" "You opened one door, that led us here" Kaz glared at him, "Trust me, the outer door is just for show. The real security is beyond this room" He gestured towards the far wall, where a small panel was embedded in the stone. "Now, come here and place your hand on that panel" Yuto did as he was told and placed his hand on the panel. A soft blue light emanated from the panel, scanning his hand. "Why does it need my scan, I haven''t even met you till yesterday?" Kaz rolled his eyes, "It''s not for identification purposes, you fool. It''s to verify your magical signature" "Only those with authorized access can enter this area" "It''s scanning for the one that wields Mizuki..." "Exactly" After a moment, the panel beeped, and the far wall slid open, revealing a narrow hallway. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "Come on, the fragments are just up ahead" Yuto followed Kaz down the hallway, the walls lined with torches that cast flickering light along the passage. Eventually, they came to yet another door. "And... welcome to the vault" Kaz opened the door to reveal a massive chamber filled with artifacts, money, and paintings. ["S-so much gold¡­"] ''Pay attention dear'' Yuto shook his head as he walked in. The gold was enough to provide him for hundreds of lifetimes, but it wasn''t important, at least not right now. In the center of the room stood several glass cases filled with bright gems. "Where are the fragments?" Kaz pointed to the far back, "Right behind that painting of my father" Yuto approached the painting and gently pushed it aside, revealing a safe built into the wall. He turned to Kaz with a questioning look, "And the code is...?" Kaz crossed his arms, "I''ll give you three tries, but if you fail... well, let''s just say that I won''t be happy" Yuto raised an eyebrow, "Only three tries? This better not be some kind of trick" He stepped up to the safe and began his first guess: "1234" Nothing happened. Yuto tried again: "0000" Again, the safe remained locked. "Mother- just tell me the damn code!" Kaz sighed in frustration, "Alright, alright. It''s... 6070. There, happy?" Yuto entered the code, and the safe clicked open. Inside, he found the fragments he had been looking for. "Old man" Kaz groaned. "I know, I know. I should have just told you the code, to begin with" "Can you blame me for being slightly paranoid, though?" "Please step outside..." Kaz''s eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Why? What''s wrong?" Mizuki appeared in her physical form, "Kaz, we will explain once it is over" Kaz hesitated for a moment before finally nodding in agreement, "Fine. Just... make sure you know what you''re doing" He left the room, closing the door behind him. "Mizuki put up a sound barrier" Mizuki nodded and channeled her magic, a soft glow enveloping the room as a barrier formed. "Done" Yuto turned to Mizuki, he showed the 2 fragments, "Before you absorb them, I have questions I want to ask you" Mizuki tilted her head, curious, "What is it?" "Mizuki, we''ve been partners for four years now, correct?" Mizuki nodded, "Yes, that''s right" "And in those four years, we''ve been through a lot together. Trust and communication have always been key between us, or so I thought" Mizuki raised an eyebrow, "What does that mean?" "The sword of Elise? You couldn''t even tell me what you were in the past?" Mizuki looked away, guilt etched on her face, "Yuto, it''s not that simple..." "I know! I have to find the damn fragments but-" "I get it, okay!?" Mizuki snapped. "I thought... I was doing what was best for both of us. I didn''t want to burden you with my past, with the weight of what I am" "But that''s exactly the problem, Mizuki" "You decided by yourself, without even considering my feelings. This whole time, I thought we were partners, equals" Mizuki sighed, "I know, and I''m sorry. I should have trusted you enough to tell you everything from the beginning" "But I was afraid... I was afraid you wouldn''t see me the same way anymore" "... Why?" Mizuki lowered her head, her voice tinged with pain, "Because of what I am. My past, my true nature" "..." "It''s not something easy to accept or understand" "And I was terrified that if you knew the truth, you''d push me away, just like everyone else did" Yuto sighed as he shook his head, "I''m not the goddess or the first hero, Mizuki, I''m your partner" Mizuki walked forward, resting her head on his chest, "Finding the fragments will answer your questions because that is how it has to be" Yuto wrapped his arms around her, "I''m sorry" Mizuki shook her head, her voice muffled against his chest. "No, don''t be. I should have been honest with you from the start. I''m the one who should apologize" Yuto shook his head as he lifted her face, "Mizuki" She looked at him, her eyes watery, "Yes?" He wiped the tears, "You know, I never thought I would see you cry, where did your cocky attitude go" Mizuki sniffled, trying to regain her composure, "Oh, shut up. I can be vulnerable sometimes, you know" Yuto chuckled as he planted a few kisses on her neck, "I know you did it for me because a lot was going on back then" Mizuki smiled, "Yeah, I wanted to protect you. But I see now that my decision hurt you more than it helped" "It''s fine, but hey wanna know something?" Mizuki tilted her head, "What is it?" "I found out how many fragments we need to find" Mizuki''s eyes widened with interest, "Really? How many?" "Fifteen" Mizuki chuckled, "Well I did tell you that there could be a lot" Yuto smiled as he pointed at the two fragments behind him, "This makes three so far" Mizuki nodded, "Three down, twelve to go. We''re making progress, but it''s still going to be a long journey" Yuto chuckled, "A long journey indeed" Mizuki turned back into a ring, ''Ready to absorb them?'' Yuto grabbed the right fragment first, "Ready" Yuto clenched the fragment tightly, absorbing its power as they braced themselves for what was coming. He collapsed to the floor as his and Mizuki''s consciousness was drowned in a sea of warmth. Warm energy was seeping into every fiber of their being, slowly but surely, Mizuki felt the power of the fragment becoming more integrated with her essence. It''s a strange but also exhilarating sensation. Absorbing the first fragment wasn''t as peaceful as it was now. As they both opened their eyes slowly, they found themselves floating mid-air. Nothing that they weren''t used to, they took a moment to check out their surroundings. Nothing but trees and worn-down buildings. - ??? - Yuto sighed as he scratched his head, "Another memory is going to play, right?" Mizuki nodded, her voice calm but slightly puzzled, "Yes, these memories are triggered by the fragments, so it would be logical that one will play" Yuto let out a small chuckle, "This will happen every time?" "Of course, we''re going to have a whole collection of these memories to put the pieces together-" Yuto put a finger to his mouth, "Shh, I can see someone running" Mizuki followed his gaze, focusing on the figure running in the distance. "Looks like someone is in a hurry" The hooded figure runs at full speed toward a ruined temple, Yuto floats down to get a better look. "Let''s follow" Mizuki nodded as they floated down from the sky to trail after the hooded figure. "Might as well see why he''s in such a rush" They trail behind the young man as he full-on sprints towards the ruined temple. The temple was weathered and worn, with cracked stone walls and a collapsed roof held up by the wood that fell first. The air was thick with the scent of dust and mold, and the distant sound of wildlife echoed through the ruins. They followed the young man as he entered the temple, who started to tear the place apart, clearly looking for something. Yuto and Mizuki exchanged a glance, sharing the same thought. "Looks like he''s found something interesting inside," Mizuki floated above the hooded figure. "... Bandages" Mizuki followed his gaze and noticed a box that had a collection of bandages, they looked old and worn, with frayed edges and faded fabric. An odd thing to find in an abandoned temple, but the hooded figure did not complain, they simply took the boxes and walked to an old bench. "Curious... What on earth would someone need all these bandages for?" Yuto looked puzzled, disgusting would be the right word for the bandages. The hooded figure sat down, and took off his hood, revealing¡­ "Me?" Mizuki''s eyes widen in surprise, she tilts her head to study his features very carefully, "That is you¡­ but how?" She was confused, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. Before she spoke again, confused but also fascinated. "Another...another memory of your past" Yuto sighed as he scratched his head, "This is confusing" Mizuki nodded, sharing his confusion, "So how is it?" Yuto looked at her confused, "What?" "How does it feel watching a glimpse into your past, but that doesn''t quite add up?" Yuto sighed shaking his head, "Forget that, something else bothers me" Mizuki raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What''s bothering you now?" Yuto pointed at him sitting down, "Where are you?" "Huh? What do you mean?" Yuto points to himself on the bench, "He looks to be around 18, Mizuki, I met you when I was 17" Mizuki turned her attention to the younger Yuto, she nodded slowly, understanding his point. "Ah, I see what you mean. You''re right, that is a bit strange. You met me when you were 17. So if that''s you at 18 here..." She trailed off, deep in her thoughts¡­ "Also you were at your uncle''s place for two years, so what are you doing here at an abandoned temple?" Yuto sighed as he shook his head, "So what are we seeing?" Mizuki frowned, her mind trying to piece everything together. She looked back and forth between Yuto and his younger self, she was filled with confusion and frustration. "I''m not sure But something must have happened between the time we met and now that we don''t know about" Yuto shook his head, "No, this is clearly my memory but also not" "Right, this is your memory, but it''s not adding up with what we know. It''s like a... a mix of past events, but not quite the way they happened" The past Yuto, after bandaging himself up, runs out of the temple, and the world around them starts to crack once more. "Time''s up for this memory, it seems we''ve seen all that was to be seen" Mizuki nodded, she turned to Yuto, "Looks like that''s the end of this one. Any guesses as to what it meant?" Yuto sighed, "We still have the other fragment to absorb, let''s wait till we return" She nodded, "Right, let''s wait until we''ve absorbed the other fragment. Whatever answers we''re looking for might be contained within it" They go through the sea of warmth again before waking up in a vault, Yuto helps Mizuki up as he picks up the second fragment. "Here we go again, ready Mizuki?" Mizuki nodded, "Yes" Yuto clenched the second fragment which sent them back into the sea of warmth, it took a few minutes before they felt solid ground again. Mizuki opened her eyes slowly, "Where are we?" "..." "Yuto?" Mizuki turned to face Yuto who had a confused and sad expression, she couldn''t help but understand when she realized where they were. "The Chief''s Home" The place where Yuto was told the news of his father''s death, is a memory that he had been trying to repress as it brings him nothing but pain. They stayed quiet when they saw younger Yuto wake up to the door opening. His uncle had a look of despair, hollow eyes that felt like looking into the abyss. He looked at him with such grief, such agony as he explained that Yuto''s entire family died saving the village from the Demon Lord''s army. Both his uncle and father agreed that Yuto''s life needed to be saved, and Cynthia gave him the right to her equipment and magical tools. Yuto denied this as it felt wrong, he was told that his mother died saving him from a fatal attack, and when help finally came, it was too late, only his uncle survived because of his brother''s sacrifice. "They died¡­ saving a piece of shit like me, why?" His uncle bit his lip, "Your mother had one last wish for you, and that is to find your happiness one day" "Your father just wanted you to get stronger and your sister wanted you to keep being yourself" Tears formed around Yuto''s eyes, ["Why did they always think about me? For once, why couldn''t they be selfish and live instead of me?"] "Yuto¡­" "Uncle Clovis¡­ can you please leave me be¡­ I need some time alone" "I''ll call you back¡­ I just¡­ need some time alone" Clovis nodded, which was all he could do, he couldn''t look Yuto in the eyes, some part of him felt guilty. "Get some rest, when you feel better, come to my home" He stood up from his chair, he opened the door before looking back at Yuto, "I''m sorry for your loss and the fact that I couldn''t save them" Then he closed the door behind him, leaving Yuto to cry, "Why couldn''t I have saved you?" "Again and again, you all die!" "Why, just why is it so hard? I awakened earlier and I trained myself to the bone to the point where I bled!" "I''m level 68 and I still couldn''t save you" Younger Yuto buried his face into his pillow, crying and slowly losing himself in his agony. Mizuki turned to Yuto, who had a confused and sorrowful look. She knows how much this must hurt to see, she can feel it. She knows that reliving this memory is so painful, so gut-wrenching. "Love¡­" Her voice was quiet and gentle, trying so desperately to break through the haze of sorrow surrounding Yuto''s heart. "Yes, Mizuki?" She took a step closer, taking his hand in hers, "It''s not your fault, you know that. You were young, and you did everything you could to protect them. It just...it wasn''t enough" Yuto gave her a small chuckle, "You told me the same thing back then" Mizuki gave a soft smile, "I suppose I have. But I''ll keep saying it as many times as you need to hear it" "You must understand that you''re not to blame for what happened. You were just a kid trying to protect the people you cared about" "Mizuki" "Yes?" "Something is off" She tilted her head, puzzled by his words, "What do you mean? What feels off to you?" The world around them began to crack, this memory was over and they were being sent back to the real world. "I''ll tell you when we get back" "Alright, I''m all ears when we return" They go through the sea of warmth before they wake up again, lying on the ground. - Kaz''s Vault - Mizuki slowly opened her eyes, the feeling of the hard ground beneath them brought them back to reality. She sat up, glancing around them, waiting for Yuto to speak first. "Mizuki" She turned her head to face him, "Yes, Yuto?" "My mother, sister, aunt, and dad''s disciple are still alive, only dad died, so what was that memory?" "Ah yes, and there is also the question of what your younger self meant, what did he mean again and again?" Yuto shook his head, "These fragments and memories, these new timelines are confusing" "Confusing is an understatement. These fragments and memories we''ve been seeing are making me wonder what is real anymore" "...reg..." Mizuki raised an eyebrow, "What was that? I didn''t quite catch that" "Mizuki, I can only come up with one solution that makes sense" "I''m listening, go on. What''s this solution you have in mind?" "Regression" "Huh?" "Think about it, all these memories that don''t add up with what we know, it''s the only logical solution" "You mean...all these fragments and memories are like... alternate timeliness?" "Yes, it''s something that''s been nagging me since I was 17, because how is it that an older me met you when I was like 30, but here I met you when I was 17?" "Yes... that didn''t make sense to me either, and from the memories we''ve seen, now it''s just raising more questions..." "So if it is regression, what now?" "First can you remove the sound barrier" Mizuki sighed as she snapped her fingers, releasing them from the barrier, "Now what?" Kaz knocked on the door, calling out from the other side, "Hey, you guys finished in there yet?" Yuto smiled, "Good timing, please come in" Kaz opened the door and stepped inside, "What''s up? Are you guys done with the fragments already?" Yuto kindly asked Mizuki to leave, she agreed and walked past Kaz, leaving the both of them to stare at each other. Kaz crossed his arms, "So... Is there something else you wanted to talk about?" "Jeez, and here I thought our relationship was at least on friendly terms" Kaz huffed, "And whose fault is that? You''re the one who keeps antagonizing me every chance you get" "Kaz, what do you think about regression?" Kaz raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting such a question, "Regression? Like, going back in time? What are you getting at?" "What do you know about it?" Kaz crossed his arms, "I know that no species can do it" "And if I could achieve it?" Kaz chuckled, "Yeah, right. You expect me to believe that?" "I can hardly believe it myself, but don''t you think it''s weird that Mizuki is my partner?" "..." "Kaz?" "..." Yuto sighed, "You know something, don''t you?" Kaz looked away, "It''s... complicated" "Is it some God-level secret?" Kaz tensed, "You don''t know when to quit, do you?" "Does it have something to do with the goddess Elise?" Kaz''s jaw tightened, "And if it did?" "Calm down, I''m not an enemy," Yuto raised his arms, stepping back slowly. Kaz huffed, "You have a funny way of showing it. But fine, I''ll humor you. Yes, it has something to do with Elise. Happy now?" "So you admit, that I am somewhat of a regressor" Kaz rolled his eyes, "You know, I have to give you props for figuring it out so quickly. Most people would have been stumped for decades" "¡­" "Look, I don''t know if this will work, but I might, might be able to send you to the goddess, only for a few minutes" Yuto''s eyes looked like they were going to pop out of their sockets, "Huh?" "Don''t get your hopes up. I can''t guarantee that it''ll work, and even if it does, the price for information might be too high" Kaz clapped his hands and a giant golden circle spread, Yuto looked surprised to see the circle start to form, "What is this?" "This is a spell that will connect the past and present. If it works, you should be able to communicate with the goddess" "Don''t I get a say in this?" Kaz shrugged, "Technically you do. You can walk away anytime. But if you want the answers, this is your best shot" "..." Kaz continued, "I''m not gonna lie to you. This spell costs a lot, and the price is... well, you do know how magic is, don''t you? You gotta pay for the power some way or another" "I''ll deal with it when the time comes, please hurry up" "Alright, suit yourself. Just remember, no complaining once it''s done" Kaz began to pour a huge amount of magical power into the spell, the golden circle growing bigger and more intense by the second. "Brace yourself, this is going to hurt" "Wait what?" "Oops, too late" As the last of the magic was channeled, the golden circle burst outwards in a blinding flash of light. Yuto screamed in pain, "KAZ YOU BASTARD!" Kaz watched with a mixture of satisfaction and guilt, "Yeah, yeah, I warned you..." - ??? - Yuto opened his eyes slowly, the air felt so fresh, so clean it felt¡­ "Good" He sat up trying to wrap his mind around where he currently was, "Ugh, when I get back, I''m going to cook that lizard" "My, still as violent as ever aren''t you?" Yuto froze, this voice, felt so familiar, so¡­ painful. He turned around to see a beauty like no other, enveloped in golden light. "It''s been a while, hasn''t it" "Yuto" Volume 4 Chapter 7 The Goddess Elise 18+ - Warning, this is a bit more lewd than usual - "It''s been a while Yuto" Elise shrank down to look Yuto in the eyes, which was a far cry from the 50-foot height she had been at earlier. A Goddess in an elegant black dress and a black veil that covered her mouth. Her black hair reached her mid-back, and her red eyes drew him in. Yuto was speechless, this was the goddess he had heard about from many people, and she was¡­ "Beautiful" Yes, Yuto was surrounded by many beautiful women that he loved, but it just boggled his mind that someone this beautiful existed. Elise noticing his odd reaction couldn''t help but chuckle, "What? Cat got your tongue?" She poked Yuto''s nose with her slender finger. "U-um" "You seem a little flustered," Elise continued to tease Yuto by poking his nose repeatedly. "I-I''m sorry" "Sorry for what?" She tilted her head slightly with a raised eyebrow, and a smirk, wondering what Yuto was apologizing for. "Well it''s my first time in front of a goddess" "Oh that" She chuckled again and stopped poking his nose, resting her hand on her hip now. "You have no reason to be sorry, it''s a perfectly normal reaction, and quite cute too..." ["Jeez she reminds me of Mizuki"] "Quite frankly you''re cuter than I imagined" She tilted her head in the opposite direction, looking him up and down. "I-is that so?" "Mhm. You fit the description of my type perfectly" She smirked and took a few steps closer until she was almost pressed up against him. ''He''s so nervous it''s adorable'' She used one hand to caress his cheek while the other wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer. "Ah" "You know" Elise leaned in and whispered into his ear, "Being too nervous can be dangerous" Elise nipped and licked the tip of his ear just to tease him. "Is this... really... what a goddess... does?" "Oh? You want to know what else a goddess does?" Elise asked teasingly as her arms wrapped firmly around his waist, pulling him against her and leaving no room between their bodies. "I mean it''s the first time we met" While their bodies were still pressed together, Elise gently moved her hand from his waist up behind his neck and tugged him down so her lips were next to his ear once again. "And I''m sure I''m making a ''very'' good impression on you, right?" She blew gently on his ear, her warm breath tickling him. "But it''s not the first time we met" "What?" Yuto was confused, this was the first time they met, right? "Have you forgotten about the past?" She pulled back and looked him in the eye, her face suddenly quite serious. "Um, Goddess, what are you talking about?" "Oh yes, I forgot. You lost your memories" She smiled a little sadly and gently placed her hand against his chest. "In your previous life, you and I fought together in the old war. We were very... close" Yuto''s face darkened, "Wait..." "Is this starting to come back to you?" Elise took one of his hands and placed it on her cheek with a smile. "You remember me, don''t you?" "S-stop talking" "What?" Elise''s smile faded and she looked at him, surprised by his response. "Why? Is something wrong?" Yuto raised his hand, "Don''t I need to collect the fragments to learn the truth?" Elise''s expression changed to a more serious one, and she sighed. "So, you have no memory of anything from your past life, do you?" He shook his head slowly, she sighed as she grasped both of his wrists and pulled his hands down to his sides. "Yes, you need to collect the fragments to understand the truth, but you''re not going to be happy about what you discover..." She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist again and held him close. "It''s a lot to take in, I know..." Elise rested her head against his chest and inhaled the scent of him. "Seeing you like this... I can''t help but feel sorry for you" "Um, Goddess" "Hmmm?" Elise pulled back just enough to tilt her head up to look at him. "It''s Elise for you" "Goddess?" "No more "goddess" business" She put a finger to his lips to shush him, "Just call me by my name from now on, okay?" "O-okay, Elise, what did you mean when you said we were close?" "Mmm..." Elise hummed thoughtfully for a moment, not sure if he was ready to know the answer to that question yet¡­ But then again, he would have to know eventually. "I meant that you and I... We were lovers" Yuto stepped back, "W-what about Mizuki?" Elise chuckled, "Is that concern I hear in your voice? Worried about her, I see?" She took a step closer to him, her expression still a bit serious. "You and I were in a relationship long before you met her" "B-but she was your ego sword, and is currently my partner" Elise took another step closer and placed a hand on his cheek. "Your memories are all mixed up. But don''t worry, it''ll all make sense soon, and besides I know you have more lovers back home" Yuto looked shaken, "H-how do you know?" "I''m a goddess, don''t you forget that" She traced her fingertips along his jawline, and her eyes flicked down to his lips. "I have my ways of knowing things" Yuto sighed, shaking his head, "This is doing nothing but hurting my head" A small chuckle escaped her lips, "Trust me, it''s not going to get any easier" She sighed and leaned in closer, her lips hovering just above his own. "You don''t even remember how we ended, do you?"This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. "I don''t even remember you at all" Elise let out a sound that was somewhere between a scoff and a chuckle, her breath ghosted over his face. It was clear that Yuto''s one sentence hurt her deeply. "You really have forgotten everything, haven''t you?" She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him backward until his back hit the wall, and she pressed against him. "Of course, we both knew it was going to be like this but it still hurts to see and hear" "Huh?" "You should see the look on your face right now" Elise smirked and leaned forward, her face just inches from his. "If you had your memories, there''s no way you could resist me looking so helpless and attractive like this" Yuto looked away blushing, "I''m still confused" "Mmm... I can see that" She chuckled a little and grabbed his chin, forcing his face back so he was looking at her once more. "You''re so cute when you''re confused like this" Yuto gently grabbed her hand, "W-what can you tell me about the past" She went quiet for a moment, her smirk fading as she looked into his eyes, and studied his face for a moment as if deciding how to answer. "It''s not going to be easy to hear, you know" Yuto sighed, shaking his head, "I know, I''ll collect the rest of the fragments, please, just... what can you tell me?" Elise sighed and nodded in resignation, her expression becoming somber. "Very well, I will tell you as much as I can, but you must promise me something, Yuto" "What is it?" "Promise me that you won''t blame yourself for what happened in the past" "The things you will learn could make you feel guilty, and I don''t want you hurting yourself any more than you already are" Yuto chuckled, "You really are a goddess, I''m guessing you''ve seen my times of weakness, huh?" "I''ve always seen everything" Elise''s face became more sorrowful, her voice a whisper. "I''ve seen your pain, your loneliness, your grief, all the times you blame yourself and thought about giving up... " "But Mizuki was always by my side, you probably wanted to do the same, right Elise?" "You have no idea how badly I wanted to be by your side, instead of watching from afar" Elise moved her hands to his chest and clutched his shirt, her voice strained. "I wanted nothing more than to be the one you confided in, the one you turned to for comfort and reassurance... " "..." "Every time I saw you in pain, or at a loss for what to do, I wanted to just... grab you and hold you and never let you go... but I couldn''t" Her grip on his suit tightened, her knuckles white from how hard she was clenching her fists. "I was forced to watch, helpless, as you suffered without me by your side..." "..." "Now I''m even more curious about what we were in the past" "You say that now, but when you know... you might wish you didn''t" Elise''s voice dropped to a whisper, the sorrow in her tone was palpable. "But there''s no going back now, you''ve already had a taste, and you won''t be able to let it go until you know the entire truth" "... Okay, I promise I won''t blame myself" "Good" Elise let out a shaky breath and released her grip on his shirt, her hands falling to her sides. "Just... promise me one more thing" "Yes?" "Promise me that you won''t shut me out, okay?" "Once you hear the truth, you''re going to have questions, so many questions and nobody else will be able to give you the answers you seek" Elise reached out and took his hand in both of hers, her voice becoming slightly desperate. "Please... at least promise me that much..." Yuto bit his lip, seeing a goddess have such an expression¡­ scared him a bit. "I promise" "Good" Elise squeezed his hand, holding it tightly, "Now, are you ready to know the truth about your past?" Yuto nodded his head. "Very well then..." She gently pulled him to the side, off the wall, and led him to a large couch, where she tugged him down until he was sitting beside her. "You should probably get comfortable, this will take a while..." "Before I start, I need to ask you something, do you know anything about the war from 3,000 years ago, any of the details?" Elise wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer to her, making him lean against her. Yuto blushed as he tried sitting up, "Only that many fought by your side against the Demon Lord" "Mmm..." She nodded, pulled him back down forcibly, making him lean against her side, and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Yes, the humans, elves, dwarves, and many other tribes fought by my side against the Demon Lord" "He threatened to wipe out the entire world... and you were among those who fought" Yuto was shocked to hear this, "How is that possible, I wasn''t even alive back then?" "Perhaps not physically" She tightened her arms around his waist and looked at him solemnly, "But your soul has been around for far longer than you could imagine" Yuto was surprised, confused, and excited? "Wh-what do you mean?" "The soul is not bound to one single lifetime," she explained, her tone surprisingly calm and quiet. "Each life a soul lives leads to yet another, and so on and so on, eventually the soul will find a new life..." Elise pulled him even closer, hugging him tightly to her chest, "Until that life ends, and the cycle repeats, but you are different" "Normally, the soul can forget the life it lived, to make a clean slate for its next lifetime, blissfully ignorant of the past" She reached up with one hand and ran her fingers through his hair gently, and her next words were as quiet as a whisper. "But your soul has not been allowed to forget" Yuto wasn''t even paying attention as all he could focus on was her lips, she had removed her veil and all he could do was stare at such perfect lips. "Yeah?" She chuckled, loving his dazed response, noticing how he was staring at her lips. "You''re even more hopelessly in love with me than you were back then" Elise raised a hand and cupped his chin gently, tilting his head up so their eyes met. "Some part of me wants to remember" "Is that so?" She tilted her head a little to the side as she studied his face, her lips curved into a slight smirk. "Or are you just enjoying the attention of a beautiful woman too much?" "Well, you''re also a goddess," Yuto said with a chuckle, she was so close to him, and all he could feel was her sweet breath on his neck. "A very sexy one, too" Elise purred, her smirk widening as she wrapped her legs over his lap and straddled him, effectively pinning him against the couch. Yuto''s face was red, "Can''t disagree with that" "What''s wrong? You''ve been with other women so why are you not taking action like you did with the rest?" "W-well as I''ve said, you are a goddess" "That shouldn''t stop you though" Elise leaned in close and whispered into his ear, her warm breath tickled him, and her lips grazed against his skin. "Don''t you want to touch me like you used to? Caress my body with your hands? Claim me as your own again?" "..." Yuto turned his head to the side, clearly embarrassed, "I-i do¡­ I really do" "Then why are you holding back so much?" She pulled back slightly and looked down at him, her eyes narrowed knowingly. "You may not remember it, but your body remembers me, doesn''t it? Just the proximity of my body is exciting you already, isn''t it?" She chuckled as she felt him squirm a bit under her, "You''re so easy to rile up, just as I remember you¡­" She leaned down and placed her hands against his chest, looking down at him with a smirk. "So, why resist what you subconsciously want so badly?" "B-because I came here to learn the truth and not to indulge in my lust" "Mmm... Very noble of you, but let me ask you this, why not do both?" Elise moved to his ear, pressed a kiss to the tip, and licked it gently. "You''re already in such a compromising position, at my mercy, all to learn the truth, so why not let your body enjoy it as well?" It was useless fighting back, he reached for her hips and slowly pulled her down, "I want some truth after this" Elise chuckled lowly as she could see him giving in, "Of course, I''ll tell you whatever you want" She ground herself down to meet his own hips'' movements, and she leaned forward to whisper in his ear again. "But I get to make the first move, understand?" Elise wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into the crook of his shoulder, and her next words came out a low, sultry whisper. "I know your body better than yourself, I would be able to bring you such incredible pleasure, just like I did before..." "So relax, and let me take control... " Elise''s mouth left a trail of kisses over his neck and along his jawline, all the while her hands came up to unbutton his shirt. A soft moan escaped his lips as her lips trailed down his neck, sending shivers coursing through his veins. His hands instinctively reached for her, craving more, this was somehow different, almost bordering on addiction. "Ah, wow" he whispered, his voice husky. Elise''s fingers danced across his chest and with a gentle tug, she guided her mouth back to his, capturing his lips in a heated kiss. Their tongues entwined, and he smelled such a sweet aroma coming from her, which left him breathless and wanting more. ["... Focus Yuto¡­ don''t ¡­ forget¡­"] His hands roamed her curves, memorizing every inch of her goddess-like body. ["It''s hard to resist"] Breaking the kiss, Elise gazed up at him with smoldering red eyes, a sultry smile playing on her full, rosy lips. She leaned in close, her warm breath caressing his ear as she whispered, "I''m going to make you scream my name until it''s etched into your very soul so that you will never forget it again" With that promise, her fingers made quick work of his remaining attire, ripping off any remaining clothes he had left. "Um¡­" "When we finish, I''ll make your clothes again, okay?" Yuto nodded slowly as her hands traced the contours of his chest, she nipped playfully at his lower lip, her teeth grazing the sensitive skin before soothing the sting with her tongue. The dual sensations sent a jolt of electricity straight to his loins, and he could feel his member twitch in response. ["Note to self, I shouldn''t tease Freya and Kana as much from now on"] With a wicked glint in her eye, she slid down his body, pressing against his now-exposed thighs. "Glad this part of you still remembers me," she purred, her voice dripping with lust. "Now, let me taste the rest of you¡­" With a fluid motion, she wrapped her hand around the rigid length of his erection, giving it a firm squeeze. "Uugh" Elise stroked him slowly, teasingly, coaxing pre-cum to seep from the tip. Her lips finally made contact with his throbbing member. Her tongue darted out, lapping at the salty drop, then delved deeper, swirling around the sensitive head. Yuto''s hips jerked involuntarily, seeking more of her mouth''s warm embrace. ["HOLY SH-"] Elise liked how he reacted and took him deeper, her lips gliding along his shaft as she sucked, her cheeks hollowing with each enthusiastic pull. Her free hand massaged his balls, rolling them in her palm as she brought him closer to the edge. Every stroke, every lick, every suck seemed designed to push him over that precipice into mind-numbing ecstasy. Yuto''s eyes rolled back, a string of incoherent moans tumbling from his lips as Elise worked her magic, her devotion to his pleasure palpable in every move. She could sense the moment of his climax, her arousal spiking in response, eager to experience the rush of shared release together. As Yuto''s tension reached a fever pitch, Elise doubled her efforts, her mouth a blur of motion as she bobbed up and down his length. Her fingers dug into his thighs, urging him to thrust, to lose himself in the slick heat of her mouth. She could feel the pulsing of his veins, the very essence of his being focused solely on the pleasure she provided. With a final, deep suck, she pushed him over the edge, milking his climax as he spurted hot, thick ropes of cum down her throat. She swallowed everything, her own orgasm overlapping with his. As the final tremors subsided, Elise released him with a soft pop, her lips glistening with their combined juices. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with satisfaction, "This takes me back to when we first met" she chuckled, nuzzling his still-throbbing member affectionately. Her lips trailed up his body, leaving a trail of tender kisses and soft bites in their wake. She paused to lavish attention on his nipples, swirling her tongue around the sensitive buds before grazing them with her teeth. Yuto on the other hand couldn''t even react as he lay on the couch, breathless and confused, it was far from his first time and yet he couldn''t even react. It felt as if a carriage had hit him at full speed, leaving him to wonder if there was more to life than just fighting. Elise though wasn''t giving him any time to react as with a subtle shift in position, she settled between his thighs, her hips pressed snugly against his. She rocked gently, stoking the embers of his desire once more. Yuto now out of his shock looked up, "E-elise, you can''t possibly want more?" Elise gave him a smug grin, "Not fair if you get all the pleasure, it''s time for the main event" With a seductive sway of her hips, she grinded against Yuto''s length. Her breath quickened, her gaze locked onto Yuto''s as she slowly, deliberately, descended upon him, her pussy mere inches from his straining erection. "Are you ready, my love?" she purred, her voice a sultry mess, different from when he first met her. Yuto slowly nodded, giving her the go, and with that, she engulfed his member in a warm embrace. "Mmm¡­ yes¡­ I''ve wanted this for so long, and you''re finally mine again" Elise''s words were barely above a whisper, her tone slightly desperate. She held onto his shoulders tightly as she began to move, her body rocking against his, the friction eliciting a low moan from her. Yuto couldn''t say much, his hands found their way to her hips, pulling her down harder against him. Her breath hitched as they rocked together, the heat between them building to an almost unbearable level. "You feel so good¡­ so right¡­" She pressed her chest against his, wanting every inch of her skin to be in contact with him, her heart racing in her chest. Elise planted kisses along his jaw, her words coming out between breaths as she spoke. "I''ve missed this so much¡­ missed you¡­" "..." Yuto wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her closer as his hands roamed her curves, his touches a mix of gentleness and urgent need. He leaned up, capturing her lips in a kiss before breaking it briefly to whisper between gasps. "No talking, at least not now" Elise chuckled breathlessly at his demand, the sound a sultry purr, "You always did¡­ like me speechless, huh?" She shook her hips at an even faster pace, leaving them both speechless as they continued having sex for an hour. After they finished, Elise replaced his clothes as promised, they sat on the couch and got dressed quickly. "So¡­ did you enjoy yourself?" Elise asked, a soft smile on her lips as she leaned against his side, resting her head on his shoulder. "Is that a fair thing to ask?" Yuto replied with a cocky grin. "What? Can''t a goddess ask a simple question?" She raised an eyebrow at his cocky grin, feigning annoyance, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. Yuto chuckled and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. "Fine, if you must know, yes I did enjoy myself, and a certain goddess was the main reason for that" "I''ll take that as a compliment," she snuggled closer to his side, her arm wrapping around his torso. "Though I wouldn''t mind some more praise, I''m a very selfish goddess, after all" Yuto looked at the strange box before him, "Now that we got this settled, please keep your promise, show me who I was in the past" Elise''s playful demeanor melted away at the topic shift, and she sat up to face him directly, her red eyes meeting his gaze. "I did promise, didn''t I?" She took a deep breath and with a snap of her fingers, the TV turned on, "Okay, you sure you want this?" Yuto nodded his head, this was the closest he had gotten to understanding the reason behind his class and title. Elise sighed as a wave of her hand started to play an old film. It showed a battle from 3,000 years ago, warriors were fighting against giant titans, and the battlefield was littered with the dead. The film would then cut to a warrior standing over the corpses of the Titans. Their armor was black and tattered, and they had a sword in their right hand and a shield in their left. As they removed their helmet to finally breathe, Yuto noticed they had silver hair and red horns. "What''s up with the horns?" Elise''s gaze didn''t waver from the television as she responded, her voice tinged with sadness. "He was a cambion, a hybrid demon, and human, an anomaly in the eyes of the gods¡­" "His existence was like a curse" Yuto let out a low sigh, "How so?" "His mother, who gave him life, was the demon queen¡­ his father, was a regular farmer" She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, judging his reaction. "Despite being mixed blood, he was one of the most exceptional warriors humanity had ever known" "He was also my lover" Yuto''s head turned quickly, "Wait... the first hero... this cambion... are the same right?" "Elise... was this..." "Yes..." Elise was silent for a moment, her eyes on the screen, a mixture of memories and emotions swirling within her. "That was you... in your ''first'' life" Yuto was shocked and confused, he began questioning his existence, regardless Elise continued talking. "You were once known as the Hero of Humanity or the Hero of Light" She reached up and touched his face gently, her fingers tracing along his jawline. "You stood on the frontlines alone, fighting against the Titans and preventing the world from being overrun¡­" Yuto looked at his status window, "M-my title, y-youngest demon prince" Her eyes flickered to his status menu, and she chuckled softly. "Yes, you had many titles, but ''Youngest Demon Prince'' was the one you preferred over Hero of Humanity or Hero of Light... mainly because it annoyed me to no end" "My C-class is the prince of darkness, what does that mean?" She looked at the class for a moment, remembering the past. "Your class is based on your demonic lineage, your mother''s side to be exact... ''Prince of Darkness'' is a class only a Cambion can obtain" Yuto turned back to the screen and noticed that it ended with him looking at the past Elise, he noticed that she was holding a very familiar sword. "Is that¡­ Mizuki?" Elise turned back to the screen, "Mhmm..." A sad smile spread across her face, and she nodded her head, her eyes fixed on the image of her past self. "That sword was a gift from me, a parting gift... I gave it to you because I wanted to keep a part of myself with you... as insurance that you would come back to me" "Then why did we shatter her into 15 pieces?" Her expression darkened, and her eyes took on a pained look, "For a very good reason... and a shitty one at that... " She leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling as she took a deep breath, "This is where things get a little complicated and extremely messed up¡­" "Sadly, until you find more fragments, I can''t tell you more, that''s the rules even I have to follow" "Elise!" "You''ll find out more later, you have to trust me" Elise said quickly, she could see that Yuto was on the verge of getting impatient and angry, but she couldn''t blame him in a way, the past her was also the same. "I know you want answers, but you''ll find them, I promise" She reached out and placed her hand on top of his, gently squeezing his hand. "For now, just be patient¡­ please, I''ll tell you everything you want to know when I can, and not a moment sooner¡­" She knew he wouldn''t like this, and his emotions would likely make him say some things he''d regret, but she had to be firm on this decision. The golden light that brought Yuto to her domain was starting to activate. "I''ll see you next time, Yuto" Her grip on his hand tightened a fraction, a part of her reluctant for him to leave so soon, but the other part of her knowing it was for the best, for now. "W-wait no¡­ Elise!" "Till we meet again... My Demon Prince" The golden light surrounded him, and before Yuto could respond, he was teleported back to his home. Elise was left standing alone in her domain, a mix of complicated emotions stirring within her. After a moment to recollect herself, she sighed and ran a hand through her hair, looking out across her domain of stars. "He''s going to be a headache, just like the first time" "The same anger, the same impatience, and the same love¡­" She smiled softly at her own words, the sight of Yuto sparking a sense of nostalgia deep within her. "And yet¡­ so different¡­" Volume 4 Chapter 8 Losing what it means to be human Yuto appeared again in front of Kaz who was having beer and lamb. Kaz raised an eyebrow as Yuto stumbled out of the circle, looking disheveled and weary. "So, did you meet your precious goddess?" Yuto couldn¡¯t speak, couldn¡¯t move, he learned more than he normally would have with the fragments, but it was a hard pill to swallow. Kaz sighed, "Looks like the whole ordeal did a number on you. You''d better sit down before you fall over" ¡°...¡± "Kaz... did you know who I was in the past?" Kaz leaned back in his chair, swirling the beer in his mug. "Yeah... I knew. Do you really want to talk about it now? You look like a stiff breeze could push you over" Yuto bit his lip till it bled, ¡°So you knew I was a demon prince in my first life?¡± Kaz nodded, "Yep, I knew about your past life, your demon heritage, the whole package" Yuto got up and slammed Kaz to the wall, ¡°YOU FUCKING HYPOCRITE¡± The table and chair were flipped over, dropping the food and beer, Kaz''s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. ¡°Okay, that''s fair. I admit, I didn''t tell you everything¡± ¡°But in my defense, how was I supposed to break the news to you?¡± ¡°Hey Yuto, glad you''re here. By the way, I know about your past life, and oh yeah, you were a demon prince?¡± ¡°You bloody fucking beat me when I mentioned Mizuki and Elise, so tell me what the fuck was all that for?¡± Kaz gritted his teeth, ¡°Look, I didn''t beat you up just for the hell of it¡± ¡°I did it because you were getting too close to the truth, and I needed to make sure you didn''t find out about your past life too soon" "STOP FUCKING LYING!" ¡°Enough, you¡¯re acting like a fucking brat now¡± Kaz pushed Yuto back, glaring at him, "Fine, you want the truth? You want to know why I didn''t tell you everything?" ¡°Elise knew you wouldn''t be able to handle it" Yuto froze, all the anger and frustration draining from his face, ¡°What... what do you mean?" Kaz took a deep breath, "Look at you now, holding on by a string, and you only know some truth, you''re weak right now" "Imagine if you knew everything. Imagine the shock, the pain, the struggle to come to terms¡± ¡°Knowing wouldn¡¯t have changed anything, it would just make the current situation worse" ¡°Shut up¡± Kaz scowled, "You asked for the truth, now you can''t handle it? How typical" He took a step forward, towering over Yuto. "You''re weak, Yuto. You don''t really think you could have handled all that information from the beginning, do you?¡± ¡°You''re barely holding on right now, and you only scratched the surface¡± Yuto, whose anger finally reached its limit, launched a fist towards Kaz¡¯s chin, ¡°I said shut up!¡± Kaz stumbled back, before looking back at Yuto, anger pouring from his eyes, "So that''s how you want it, round three you fucking brat" He leaped forward, tackling Yuto to the ground and pinning him down, ¡°Maybe I should just beat it into your damn head¡± Yuto struggled against Kaz''s grasp, his anger bubbling furiously, "Get the hell off me!" Kaz snarled, "And why should I? You''re acting like a damn child" He tightened his grip on Yuto''s wrists, applying more pressure to pin him down. Yuto responded with a heavy head butt, "As if you have any room to talk!" Kaz cursed loudly, gripping his forehead where Yuto had hit him. "You damn brat!" He pressed his knee into Yuto''s stomach, applying pressure, "You never learn, do you!" Yuto¡¯s eyes began to glow red, and horns began to sprout from the side of his head. <- System Warning -> [ Body is transforming] ¡°I said¡± <-System-> [ Transformation at 50% ] ¡°Get the fuck¡± <-System-> [Transformation 90% ] ¡°OFF OF ME!¡± A sudden red burst of energy was released from Yuto, breaking through the vault and sending Kaz flying into the air. Kaz crashed into a nearby wall. He slowly got to his feet, his eyes widening as he saw Yuto''s body jerk violently. He jumped down as he noticed the level of destruction Yuto made simply by transforming. "Damn... you went back to your demonic form..." Mizuki who was waiting outside ran up to Kaz, ¡°What happened? Where¡¯s Yuto?¡± Kaz stood up, brushing himself off. "He''s inside. But...he''s transformed into his demonic form" Mizuki immediately knew what Kaz was referring to and slapped him, ¡°What did you do?¡± Kaz huffed as he rubbed his cheek, "What did I do? It''s not my fault this time!" "I only told him the truth, and then he went berserk in his little demonic tantrum. He''s completely lost control" Mizuki clenched her fist, "You fool! Do you not know what could happen when a demonic transformation reaches its peak!?" It was too late as an even louder explosion blew up the entire building. All the other dragons that heard the commotion were about to join in when Kaz raised his hand, stopping them. Kana and Freya teleported to their location but Mizuki grabbed their hands pulling them away to safety. ¡°Don¡¯t kill him Kaz, or I¡¯ll kill you¡± Kaz grumbled, "Don''t worry, I''m not that heartless" As the girls left, the other dragons created an arena for the two of them. Kaz transformed into his Dragon form, he noticed a figure coming out of the rubble. As Yuto slowly emerged from the wreckage, his demonic form now fully unleashed, he narrowed his eyes. His eyes burned with intense rage, his horns fully extended and his wings spread out. He looked powerful... and completely out of control. ¡°Fuck¡­ you look the same as you did 3,000 years ago, so Yuto, stop now or-" Yuto lunged forward, his wings beating fiercely. He had lost all semblance of reason, his only thought was to destroy, regardless of the lives that could be possibly taken. As Yuto lunged forward, so did Kaz, his wings flapping as he met Yuto''s attack head-on, claws meeting claws in a loud clash. "Damn it, Yuto, control yourself!" Yuto didn''t respond, his mind completely consumed by the instincts of his demonic nature. He unleashed a barrage of attacks, each fist carrying black hell fire. Kaz struggled to keep up, his scales being scorched by the flames. ¡°You idiot, you''re not thinking straight! You''re going to get yourself killed!" He swung his tail down, attempting to stop Yuto, but then he felt immense pain. Yuto gripped Kaz''s tail and began ripping it off his body. Kaz let out an anguished roar, his eyes practically screaming that he was in pain. "Damn it, stop... STOP!" He twisted furiously, attempting to break free from Yuto''s grip, but to no avail. Yuto didn''t let up, his grip tightening as he continued to tear at Kaz''s tail, drawing more blood and causing more pain. Kaz could feel his body weakening, his wounds becoming more severe. He tried to speak, but the pain was too much, yes he was the dragon king, but his opponent was the man who once held the other races by the throat, the goddess hero, his friend, the first hero. Yuto The other dragons were about to join in when Kaz slammed Yuto repeatedly to the ground. So what if Yuto was the hero? So what if he regained some of his original power? He was the bloody dragon king, and he''ll show it! Kaz continued slamming Yuto into the ground, attempting to weaken him and regain control of the situation. "Snap out of it, you idiot. You''re not yourself... you''re blinded by your anger" Yuto struggled, his body battered and bruised from the repeated impacts, but his demonic form was keeping him going. He kept spitting back up, charging at Kaz again and again, his attacks becoming even more frenzied and wild. Kaz roared in frustration as he blocked Yuto''s attacks.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "You stubborn fool! You''re not listening! You''re going to get us both killed at this rate!" He attempted to restrain Yuto with binding magic but he broke through it easily, he launched a giant fireball that Yuto canceled quickly. Yuto who now finally matched Kaz''s dragon form in height, grabbed Kaz by the throat and slammed him down on the rubble. Kaz let out a choked gasp, struggling against Yuto''s grip, "Damn it... just like old times..." "You fucking brat..." Yuto didn''t respond, his eyes narrowed in cold anger as he tightened his grip, digging his claws further into Kaz''s scales. Kaz coughed, blood dripping from his mouth, "You... you can''t... kill... me... that easily..." Was it pointless? He was the dragon king, but he was also old and had not fought in centuries. This was the first time in a long time that he was pushing himself. But just as Yuto was about to swing again, Mizuki jumped onto Kaz''s stomach. ¡°KAZ AGREE TO MY TERMS QUICKLY!¡± Kaz glanced at Mizuki, his eyes narrowing, "What terms? We''re in the middle of a damn life and death-battle, woman!" "JUST SAY YES!" Kaz gritted his teeth, "Fine, I''ll agree to your damn terms, now what?" A golden light beamed off of Mizuki, striking Yuto straight in the stomach, and getting him off Kaz. As the dust settled, Kaz stepped forward, his broken and bloody body covered in golden armor. He felt a surge of power coursing through his veins as the golden armor soothed most of his wounds. "Mizuki... what... what did you do?" ¡®This is temporary okay? I became your armor for now, hah, you have gotten older¡¯ Kaz gritted his teeth, "Hah, as if I wouldn''t have won on my own. Don''t flatter yourself" ''Who was screaming because Yuto was ripping off their tail?'' Kaz scowled, "I was caught off guard, that''s all! I would have handled it eventually" ''Shut up, he''s coming at you again'' Kaz braced himself as Yuto charged at him once more, "Damn it... this brat doesn''t give up, does he?" Kaz and Yuto clashed once again, each trying to gain the upper hand. The arena trembled as their colossal forms collided, causing the ground to crack and buckle beneath their feet. Yuto reached Kaz''s horns and brought his head down, connecting it with his knee, causing Kaz''s head to fly back. ¡°Kgh!¡± Yuto wasn''t finished as he repeatedly grabbed Kaz''s head and slammed it to the ground. Kaz responded by elbowing Yuto in the stomach and unleashing a barrage of magic-empowered punches. His glowing fists slammed into Yuto with immense force. "You never learn, do you? Always headfirst..." Yuto simply brushed off the hits and retaliated with his devastating strikes, unleashing torrents of black energy that scorched the ground beneath them. The impact of their blows sent waves rippling through the ground, creating a makeshift arena for their intense duel. The other dragons couldn¡¯t believe this sight, a being that could overpower and almost kill the dragon king, this was simply unheard of. The ground shook as neither side gave an inch as the two titans clashed. Kaz used his experience and skill to dodge and weave, countering with well-timed strikes and using Mizuki¡¯s abilities to the max. ¡°I can see why Yuto never uses any other weapon¡± Mizuki couldn¡¯t respond as Yuto swung his fists and claws with wild abandon, smashing through Kaz''s defenses. His hands and arms that broke trying to break Kaz¡¯s defenses, started to rebuild themselves, reinforcing and clearly becoming stronger. ''Careful, Yuto''s planning to end it¡¯ Kaz gritted his teeth, pushing himself to the limit, ¡°You bastard... too blinded to see that you¡¯re hurting some dear to you¡± He surged forward, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks, aiming for Yuto''s weak points. Yuto stumbled back, it was clear that although his body was trying to remake itself, it could not deal with the strain of its magic. Kaz, who could sense this weakness, unleashed a final, powerful attack, knocking Yuto off his feet and sending him crashing to the ground. Exhausted, Kaz stood over Yuto, panting heavily as he looked down. "You stubborn bastard... you never know when to quit, do you?" He channeled Mizuki''s abilities once more, casting a powerful sleeping spell over Yuto, putting him into a deep slumber that would give his body time to recover. ¡°Rest now, Yuto... you''ve had enough excitement for one day¡± Yuto¡¯s transformation was becoming undone and all that remained in the crater was a human who was just beaten by the Dragon King. Now that the deal was done, Mizuki transformed back into her regular form, she noticed that Kaz did the same and undid his dragon transformation. ¡°You okay Kaz?¡± Kaz groaned, clutching his side, ¡°I''m fine... just a bit battered and bruised¡± He glanced at Mizuki, his expression softening slightly, "Thanks for the help. I would have been in really bad shape without you" Mizuki chuckled as she walked towards Yuto, the other dragons sensing that Kaz now had full control of the situation flew back to their reserved spots. ¡°Softening up a bit?¡± Kaz shot Mizuki a glare, "Don''t get any ideas. You know how I am. I don''t do emotions and all that crap" He looked back at Yuto, who was still unconscious, "He''s going to be in for a surprise when he wakes up" ¡°What? That he almost killed you?¡± Kaz grumbled, "You don''t need to rub it in, Mizuki,¡± he flexed his arms, feeling a slight ache. "But... damn it, he got me good. He''s gotten stronger" Mizuki removed the strands of hair covering Yuto¡¯s eyes, ¡°... The Demon Prince walks again¡± Kaz sighed, shaking his head, "I suppose that''s one way to put it" He looked at Yuto again, a mix of frustration and concern evident on his face. "He needs to learn to control that power. Otherwise, he''ll be a danger to himself and everyone around him" Mizuki nodded as she picked Yuto up, "Now that he''s back in his human form, I''ll wait for him to wake up" Kaz nodded, ¡°I''ll leave him to you, then. I need some rest and to tend to my wounds" He turned to leave, but paused, glancing back, "Keep an eye on him. And... make sure he doesn''t do something stupid¡± "Vise versa" He snorted, "I can handle myself" He waved dismissively and walked away, leaving Mizuki with the slumbering Yuto. -Yuto''s private room - ¡°Ugh, my head¡­¡± Yuto blinked a few times, he attempted to get up when he felt a sharp pain coming from his chest. ¡°Bandages?¡± ¡°Why are you surprised?¡± Yuto turned his head and saw Mizuki sitting on a soft chair, she put down her cup and closed her book. ¡°Mizuki?¡± She gave him a soft chuckle, ¡°What''s up dummy?¡± Yuto chuckled as he scratched his head, ¡°Why am I covered in bandages?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Yuto tilted his head, ¡°What do you mean huh?¡± ¡°I''m asking why I''m covered in bandages?¡± Mizuki let out a soft sigh as she stood up and sat beside him. ¡°Well it''s better to see it than to hear it from me¡± She pulled out a small blue orb that began playing the earlier fight that Yuto had with Kaz. ¡°What the?¡± Yuto saw the demonic transformation that he took, the level of destruction he caused just from powering up. He saw how brutal he fought compared to when he fought with Mizuki. ¡°I almost ripped off his tail?¡± ¡°Yup, although I''m sure Kaz won''t admit it, he almost lost¡± Yuto watched in awe as he saw the techniques he used, they were all new to him. He also saw Kaz go all out to beat him. And yet, it still wasn''t enough, he saw how much he had driven Kaz into a corner, and the level of fear in his eyes was new. ¡°You formed a contract with him?¡± ¡°No, it was an alliance, had I not joined him, you would have killed him and other innocents¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Speechless, huh?¡± Yuto nodded, ¡°It''s terrifying, I lost control of myself for a short moment and these were the results¡± ¡°What led up to this, Yuto?¡± He sighed before scratching the back of his head, ¡°Mizuki, before I answer, I want to ask you one thing¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°As you know, as I grew stronger, so did you, because you are my ego sword, correct?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°And you promised not to lie and will answer my question if I asked, right?¡± Mizuki nodded her head slowly, ¡°Yuto, what''s this about?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I-I met the goddess Elise¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Mizuki?¡± ¡°Yuto¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Don''t lie about something like that, I beg you¡± ¡°I''m not lying¡± ¡°So you''re saying you just happened to meet the goddess?¡± ¡°With Kaz''s help¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°But you already know I met her, don''t you¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Answer me Mizuki,¡± his tone wasn''t harsh, nor was it accusatory, he simply wanted to know the truth. ¡°I wasn''t sure, I felt your presence disappear for 5 minutes before returning¡± ¡°Next thing I knew, you sent Kaz crashing to a wall because of your transformation¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Mizuki chuckled as she brushed the strands of hair from his eyes, ¡°Yes¡± ¡°So tell me, what happened?¡± Yuto sighed as he laid back, ¡°The Goddess showed me who I was in the past¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Mizuki, did you know that I was the Demon Prince in my first life?¡± ¡°To some degree, I suspect that you were the first hero¡± ¡°And you never told me?¡± ¡°I couldn''t, Yuto it may seem easy but until you at least have more than half the fragments, I cannot say more¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I''m sorry¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Yuto?¡± ¡°Hah, it''s fine, I understand, which this pains me to say but¡± ¡°But?¡± ¡°Mizuki, I''m going on a solo journey for a year¡± ¡°What?!?¡± ¡°Why would you want to do that?¡± Mizuki leaped off the bed, she was angry, she had every right to be, it felt as if he was doing this out of spite. ¡°Mizu-¡± ¡°Why!¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Yuto, tell me why?¡± ¡°I rely on you too much, I also feel as if I made Freya rely on me too much¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I also have many questions I want to find the answer to but I''m too weak, I need to find my own path to becoming stronger¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Yeah, I know it seems stupid but¡­ once again I had to rely on you to stop me from doing something stupid¡± ¡°... you''re serious aren''t you¡± Yuto simply nodded his head. ¡°I need to do some serious soul-searching¡± ¡°... You won''t regret this?¡± ¡°I''m sorry¡± Mizuki sighed as she scratched her head, ¡°Fine, let me explain the situation to the others, Kaz said he was going to speak to you soon¡± She walked over to Yuto''s side and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. ¡°I know something else happened, I''ll wait for you to return so that we may speak more honesty¡± Yuto simply nodded as she walked out of the room, closing the door behind her with a sigh. ¡°System¡± <-System-> [ Yes, Master? ] ¡°What were the consequences of that demonic transformation?¡± <-System-> [ Humanity: 100 ] Error <-System-> [ Humanity: 95 ] "What happens if it drops lower?" <-System-> [ I''m afraid you will start to lose what it means to be human ] "Is this because it was too soon of a transformation?¡± <-System-> [ Yes ] "What exactly is it going to affect, my personality?¡± <-System-> [ As well as how you fight, you already saw how brutal you were being with the Dragon King ] ¡°Shit, so this why all of you wanted me to collect the fragments first¡± ¡°It wasn''t because you guys were being assholes, but because it would keep my humanity, right?¡± <-System-> [ ¡­ ] ¡°I''ll take that silence as a yes, well I have no one to blame but myself¡± ¡°Is there at least a way to stop it from going lower?¡± <-System-> [ I suggest you visit the city of Driffield, the biggest temple of Elise should be located there] ¡°System, is it really the right thing for me to do?¡± ¡°Leaving for a year?¡± <-System-> [ Honest opinion, you have to find a way to keep your humanity, less you want to hurt loved ones ] ¡°... That''s that, I''ll prepare to leave in a week for my aunt''s city¡± KNOCK KNOCK ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Kaz¡± ¡°Come in¡± Kaz entered the room, he had some bandages on his arms and chest and yet he looked unbothered by it. ¡°Yuto¡± ¡°Kaz¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Aren''t you going to take a seat?¡± ¡°Right¡± Kaz walked over to the chair and sat down, he sighed before looking over to Yuto. ¡°You look like shit¡± ¡°Haha, you as well¡± ¡°At least I can walk right now¡± ¡°I heard I almost ripped off your tail¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Did Mizuki-¡± ¡°Yeah Mizuki told me¡± They both shared a chuckle as Kaz pulled out a wine bottle from his robe. ¡°You drink?¡± ¡°Just a bit¡± ¡°Good enough for me¡± He pulled out two cups from his pocket space and handed Yuto his cup as he poured him some wine. ¡°I''m sorry¡± Yuto was surprised by the sudden apology as he took a sip. ¡°For?¡± ¡°You were right, I was a piece of shit for beating you during our first meeting¡± ¡°Truth be told, I was angry, angry that you got a new start at life while the ones who fought by your side have to carry the memories of the past¡± Yuto let out a small chuckle as he asked for more wine, ¡°So it was anger?¡± Kaz remained silent as he poured Yuto another glass. ¡°My life isn''t all rainbows and butterflies, I suffered a lot in this life too¡± Kaz continued to remain silent as he listened to Yuto. ¡°My father was killed by three demon generals, my village was raided many people died including those I considered family¡± ¡°My childhood friend who I thought died was forced to be alone for 2 years¡± ¡°I have to deal with the memories that come from the fragments which as you said brings me to the brink of breaking¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°What, cat caught your tongue?¡± ¡°Kaz, I constantly put my life on the line so that those who follow me, those who love me, and those who wish to learn from me, never experience what I have to¡± ¡°I know it doesn''t compare to the past but don''t ever say I don''t know what suffering is when I''m constantly dealing with shit like you¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I-I didn''t know¡± ¡°Hah, you''re still the same old friend¡± ¡°Y-yuto?¡± Yuto''s eyes shone golden light as his tone of speech became more familiar. ¡°Still the same old anger issues I see, glad that this version of me can take those hits¡± ¡°H-how is this possible¡± ¡°Consider this thanks from Elise, it''s been a long time since she''s seen me¡± ¡°I missed you two old friends, things haven''t been the same since the war¡± ¡°Kaz, I''m sorry I couldn''t protect Kaelyn¡± Kaz shook his head, ¡°She was your closest friend, I know her death impacted you as well¡± ¡°Regardless, I apologize, it must have been hard on you and the rest of our people¡± ¡°Hah, I''m strong enough to handle things¡± Yuto gave him a soft chuckle, ¡°I know and I''m thankful, old friend¡± ¡°... It really hurt us when you left without a word¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°We trusted you, we fought alongside you, and how did you repay us?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Leaving, you just left us Yuto¡± ¡°In due time, when this version of me finds all the fragments, everything will be explained¡± Yuto''s eyes started to lose their golden color, ¡°It seems this is it for now, it was nice seeing you again Kaz¡± ¡°Wait!¡± It was too late as Yuto slumped back onto the bed, he slowly got up with a massive headache. ¡°Fuck, did you hit me again?¡± Kaz was silent, he felt a tear escape as he tried to play it off. ¡°Cough, I didn''t do anything, you just fell back, I think it was the wine¡± ¡°Ugh, probably, so anything else you want to say?¡± Kaz stood from the chair and kneeled before Yuto, putting his head on the ground. ¡°Besides the money I owe you, you can make another request and I shall do my best to fulfill it¡± ¡°Oh? Very dangerous to say I can ask for anything¡± ¡°...¡± Yuto noticed how Kaz was being serious and sighed before he got up to sit at the edge of the bed. ¡°Rise you fool, if Kana saw this she would probably give me grief about it¡± Kaz nodded and sat back on the chair, ¡°So what is it that you want?¡± ¡°I want you to train my group¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You heard me¡± ¡°Yuto I don''t mean to disrespect your intelligence but that elf companion of yours is an elven hero¡± ¡°Mizuki will continue to grow with you, and my daughter is a dragon princess¡± ¡°Kaz, you of all people must know that power isn''t everything, with the right techniques you can beat the strong¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I want you to train them with your martial arts¡± ¡°Can''t you do it Yuto?¡± ¡°I can''t¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Hah, I am going on a solo journey for a year¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°So I''m asking you to train them while I''m gone¡± ¡°... Fine¡± Yuto let out a soft chuckle as he held out his hand, ¡°Thank you¡± Kaz sighed as he shook his hand, ¡°Don''t mention it¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°So did I almost beat you?¡± Kaz sighed as he rubbed his forehead, ¡°Mizuki just had to tell you¡± ¡°No, I know that you were holding back or at least not able to fight properly¡± ¡°What makes you think that?¡± ¡°You sent me to Elise, so it must have taken a lot of magical energy¡± Kaz nodded, leaning back on the chair, ¡°Yeah, but you did almost kill me¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah¡± They both looked at each other and laughed before hearing a knock on the door and it was clear who it was. Kaz stood up and before he opened it he turned back to Yuto. ¡°When do you plan to leave?¡± ¡°Next week¡± ¡°Enjoying the last days with them?¡± ¡°Yeah¡± ¡°Enjoy it while you can, things will change once you leave¡± He opened the door and there stood Freya, Kana, and Mizuki. Volume 4 Chapter 9 Truth be told I am a- As Kaz opened the door, he found it met with three very different expressions. Kana stood there with an air of regal seriousness, her eyes narrowed and focused. Mizuki looked drained of energy, her arms crossed to hold herself up. And Freya... well, she looked rather panicked, her fingers clenching and unclenching nervously. "Well, it seems you''ve brought quite the gathering here," Kaz said, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. "What can I help you with, ladies?" "Quiet Father! We want to talk to Yuto," Kana stated while crossing her arms. Kaz raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "And what exactly do you need to talk to Yuto about?" He asked, his tone laced with a touch of amusement. Freya stepped forward, her voice firm and steady, "We need to speak with Yuto before he leaves on his solo journey." Kana nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on Kaz, "It''s important, Father. We want a few moments of his time¡± Kaz''s playful demeanor faded slightly as he saw the determination in their eyes. He knew better than to underestimate the resolve of these three. ¡®Mizuki is one thing, but I don¡¯t want to get on my daughter or the elven hero¡¯s bad side¡¯ ¡°Very well. But keep it brief. He needs to prepare for his journey¡± Kaz let the three girls in as he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. As they entered, Yuto, sitting on the edge of his bed, looked up expectantly. "You wanted to see me?" He asked, his eyes shifting from one girl to another. Kana was the first to speak up, her voice serious. "Yes, we did¡± Freya fidgeted nervously, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. Mizuki sat down on the chair, already knowing the situation, and was letting the other two girls have their moment with Yuto. "We wanted to talk to you about your upcoming journey," Kana continued. "We are... concerned¡± ¡°How so?¡± Yuto tilted his head. "We worry for your safety," Freya admitted. "Going on a solo journey... It''s dangerous. You''ll be all alone out there¡± Kana and Mizuki exchanged glances, then nodded in unison. "We''re all worried, Yuto," Kana said, her voice expressing genuine concern. ¡°...¡± Mizuki stepped forward, her hands clasped together. "Yuto, tell them the reason why you''re going, the true reason" "Mizuki, you know that this isn''t pleasant to discuss" Mizuki''s voice was firm, "They deserve to know, Yuto. If you''re going on this journey, they deserve to know why¡± "... Kana, Freya, do you want to know the truth, the real reason as to why me and Mizuki have been on this long journey?" "Yes," Kana and Freya said in unison, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. ¡°...¡± ¡°Fine, get comfortable, this is a long story¡± The girls sat down on the chairs nearby, their eyes fixed intently on Yuto, waiting for him to begin. ¡°No interruptions unless it''s a question, okay?¡± The girls nodded intently, promising silence. ¡°When I was about 14, I began to have dreams about my family dying in the most painful ways¡± Freya''s eyes widened in shock, her grip on the armrests of the chair tightening. Even Kana seemed taken aback, her usually stoic expression faltering. Mizuki stayed silent, knowing how hard this story was for Yuto to retell. ¡°The dreams would continue for three years, they would get worse with each night, eventually it also led to me being ripped apart¡± ¡°Eaten, Stabbed, Mutilated, anything you can imagine is how I would die¡± Freya covered her mouth, her face turning pale as Yuto described the horrific dreams. Kana, though visibly shaken by the tale, tried to keep her composure, ¡°How did you cope with something like that?" Yuto gave Kana a soft smile, ¡°I broke down constantly, eventually leading to me finally just walking through the dreamland and killing said creatures¡± "So the dreams eventually... stopped?" Freya asked, her voice trembling slightly. Yuto shook his head, ¡°No, even now I still have them¡± Mizuki clenched her fists, her worry and sympathy for Yuto evident. "That sounds... unbearable," Freya murmured. Yuto continued, ¡°Eventually at 17 I had my awakening, remember Freya what I said? Humans tend to awaken at 14 but I was a late bloomer¡± "Yes, you mentioned that before," she confirmed, her expression still one of empathy. ¡°Do you know why?¡± Freya shook her head. "No," she responded, her voice soft. "Why did you awaken so late?" Yuto turned to Kana and Mizuki, ¡°You girls saw my recent fight with Kaz right?¡± Both girls nodded, their eyes fixed on Yuto, quietly listening. He turned his attention back to Freya, ¡°I awakened so late because I¡­ am not what most would consider a human¡± Kana and Freya''s expression turned dark, Mizuki stayed quiet as she knew it was time to tell them the truth. "Yuto," Kana said, her voice unusually shaky. "What are you trying to say?" Yuto closed his eyes, a red glow began to shine from them. <- System -> [ Transformation at 15% ] His horns grew from his head, red marks like blood, and dark colors that looked like the abyss. His hair was of silver color and his eyes were as dark as the night sky. ¡°I am¡­ The first hero, the demon prince who participated in the old war, a soul from 3,000 years ago¡± Freya gasped, her eyes widened in surprise at the sudden transformation. Kana''s mouth hung agape, stunned by the revelation. "Wait," Kana managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. "You''re... you''re the first hero?¡± ¡°The demon prince from the ancient war? But that''s... that''s impossible, that would make you¡ª" "A Demon..." Mizuki finished. The room was engulfed in silence, as the reality of Yuto''s words sunk in. "A... a demon," Freya repeated, her voice filled with fear and disbelief. The same type that attacked Freya¡¯s people, the Demolisher was a high-ranking demon so what would that make Yuto? A man who was holding his own against such a beast. A demon? A monster? Each girl was lost in thought, grappling with the implications of Yuto''s revelation. Kana''s usually strong exterior crumbled for a brief moment, replaced by a mix of shock and confusion. "But... how can you be...?" Kana trailed off, her brain struggling to process the information. Freya''s voice quivered as she spoke up. "Does that mean... you''re evil?" Mizuki got up from her chair to slap Freya when Yuto stopped her. ¡°No, Mizuki, Don¡¯t hit her¡± ¡°But Yuto!¡± Mizuki protested, her voice filled with protectiveness. Kana held up a hand to stop her, silently signaling that she understood the situation. Freya, noticing Mizuki''s protective behavior, looked visibly remorseful. "I...I''m sorry," she murmured, clearly realizing her mistake. Yuto shook his head as he let go of Mizuki¡¯s hand and kneeled before Freya, kissing her hand, ¡°Freya, my lovely Freya, do I seem evil?¡± Freya looked down at Yuto, her fear slowly giving way to uncertainty. "No, you''ve never been evil to me, not for a moment," she admitted, her voice soft and sincere. ¡°Are you¡­ afraid of me?¡± Freya hesitated for a moment, her gaze wavering, but then she shook her head, "No," she replied quietly, her voice gaining in strength.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. "I''m not afraid of you, Yuto. I trust you¡± Yuto gave her a soft smile before standing up and walking towards Kana. He took her hands in his and looked her in the eyes, ¡°Kana¡± ¡°I know that although you are a dragon, high demons have been known for killing dragons, correct?¡± Kana nodded, her expression turning serious. "Yes, high-ranking demons have often targeted dragons. It has been a historical rivalry between our species¡± ¡°And¡­ you saw how I almost killed your father in my demonic transformation, right?¡± Kana let out a shaky exhale, the memory still fresh in her mind, ¡°Yes, I saw your fight. You almost killed him¡± Mizuki and Freya were silent, watching the exchange between Yuto and Kana with bated breath. ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡± There was a long pause, and for a moment, it felt like time had frozen. Kana looked into Yuto''s eyes, seemingly wrestling with her emotions. But then, she spoke, her voice firm and steady. "No," she said. "I''m not afraid of you, Yuto¡± Mizuki and Freya let out a collective sigh of relief, their tension visibly easing. Yuto smiled as he gave her a soft peck on the cheek, undoing his transformation as he sat down on the bed. Kana''s face flushed at the unexpected gesture, and she brought a hand up to touch the place where Yuto had kissed her. The atmosphere in the room became noticeably lighter, the initial shock and confusion giving way to a sense of understanding and acceptance. "Yuto," Freya broke the silence, her voice steadier now. "You... you haven''t changed at all, have you? I mean... you''re still the same person we''ve come to know and care for, right?" ¡°...¡± There was a short pause in the conversation as Yuto considered his answer. His expression softened, and he nodded gently. "Yes, I''m still me, the same guy who fought, slept, eaten, argued, and laughed with¡± Relief was palpable, their worries somewhat eased by Yuto''s assurance. Kana spoke up next, her voice calm and composed. "Yuto," she began. "I have a question for you¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Kana leaned forward, her tone serious, "Why are you going on this solo journey? What''s the real reason behind it?" ¡°...¡± The room fell silent again as Yuto closed his eyes, visibly struggling with his words. The air was heavy with tension, as everyone waited for his response. ¡°To stop the consequences of the demonic transformation¡± The girls exchanged glances, not quite understanding the meaning behind Yuto''s words. "Consequences?" Freya asked, confusion evident in her voice. The statement was like a cold shock to Kana, Freya, and Mizuki. Kana, her voice barely above a whisper, voiced what was on everyone''s mind. "What...what do you mean, disappearing?" ¡°What you heard, which goes to the next topic I wanted to discuss, Mizuki, let''s tell them about the Fragments¡± Mizuki''s expression turned serious as she nodded, clearly understanding where the conversation was headed. "Yes," she said, her voice solemn. ¡°We''d better discuss the Fragments¡± The other two girls looked puzzled, but they paid close attention, recognizing the serious tone. "Fragments?" they echoed. Mizuki nodded as she lay down on the bed, ¡°15 pieces of me have been spread across the world, those 15 pieces hold some of my power along with memories of the past which is how Yuto found out he was the demon prince¡± ¡°We currently only found 3 so far and it''s been about 4 years since we started looking for them,¡± Yuto said as he took a seat on the chair. The revelation sunk in, and silence filled the room once more. The thought of Mizuki''s essence being scattered across the world was daunting, and it was clear that the journey to find these Fragments was serious business. Kana was equally stunned, echoing Freya''s surprise. "And you remember the past through these fragments? Is that how Yuto remembered his past life?" Mizuki let out a soft chuckle, ¡°Yeah Yuto, how did you find out?¡± Yuto chuckled as he answered, ¡°Well thanks to your dad Kana, I met the Goddess Elise¡± Kana''s eyes widened in surprise, "The... the Goddess Elise?" Freya and Mizuki seemed intrigued, having not heard this part of the story before. ¡°The one and only¡± The thought of Yuto having met the Goddess sent chills down Kana''s spine. "What did she say?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. ¡°Well hehe,¡± He had his signature stupid grin as his eyes sparkled, all three girls had the same thought. ¡®This mother fucker did something with her¡¯ Kana was the one to voice it first, "You... you did something with her, didn''t you Yuto?" ¡°W-what makes you say that love?¡± "You have a stupid grin on your face, idiot," Mizuki chided him, a smirk playing on her lips. Freya, catching on, teased, "And your eyes are sparkling like a kid in a candy shop. Spill it, Yuto, it''s obvious something happened between you two¡± Yuto was pressed against the wall, ¡°I¡¯m being framed!¡± They encircled him, their eyes filled with both annoyance and curiosity. "Just tell us, Yuto," Kana demanded, crossing her arms. "What happened with the goddess?" Freya, unable to hide her smirk, added, "Yeah, don''t keep us in suspense. Spill the beans¡± Mizuki chuckled, joining in on the fun. "Come on, did you flirt with her or something? You can tell us¡± ¡°I won¡¯t die, right?¡± "Not if you tell us the truth," replied Mizuki, her tone half-joking and half-serious. Yuto gave a soft cough, ¡°W-what I do with every single one of you¡­ every night¡± All three girls blushed furiously. "Y-you... you didn¡¯t," Kana stammered, her face turning bright red. Freya and Mizuki were equally shocked, their teasing grins instantly replaced by a mix of surprise and disbelief. "W-wait," Freya blurted out. "Are you saying you did¡­ ahem... with the goddess?" "Y-you''re not trying to say that you-" Kana began, her voice trembling. Mizuki interrupted, "That you had-" but stopped herself, her face now as red as a tomato. The air in the room was thick with tension as they waited for Yuto''s response. ¡°Yup, I fucked a Goddess¡± The room fell silent for a split second, then erupted in a chorus of shocked gasps. "W-what?" Was all that Kana managed to stammer out, her face burning bright red. Freya looked dumbfounded, her mouth hanging open. Mizuki was the only one who recovered quickly enough to speak. "You WHAT!?" ¡°Ehehe¡± The girls were at a loss for words, their minds struggling to process Yuto''s bold declaration. "How¡­ is that even¡­ possible?" Freya repeated, her voice trembling. Kana, still blushing furiously, managed to find her voice again, ¡°Why... why would you... y-you-" Mizuki was the one to pose the daring question they were all thinking. "How was it?" Both girls shot a glance at Mizuki, having the same thought. ''Girl what?'' Yuto chuckled, trying to keep his composure despite the girls'' reactions. "It was... an experience," he said, his voice dripping with longing. Freya''s face was still a picture of disbelief, "But... but she''s a goddess!" Mizuki was the only one still looking interested, a small smile on her face, "So... was she as goddess-like as they say?" Once again the girls looked at Mizuki with disbelief. "Mizuki!" Gasped Kana and Freya simultaneously. Mizuki chuckled, her smirk growing wider, ¡°What? I''m curious!" Kana''s face was still hot, unable to believe that Yuto had such an intimate encounter with a celestial being. Yuto chuckled as he raised his hands, ¡°Why so embarrassed the things we do in bed are far more-¡± The girls quickly shushed him, their faces now beet red. "S-shut up!" Kana exclaimed, her voice slightly shaky. Freya was covering her face with her hands, trying to hide her blush. Mizuki was trying her hardest not to burst out laughing. The room was filled with stifled giggles and embarrassed silence. Kana was the first to speak once again, ¡°Can we... Can we talk about something else, please?" Freya nodded in agreement, still trying to compose herself. "You''re so embarrassing, Yuto," she muttered. Yuto chuckled at their reactions, enjoying their embarrassed faces. "Fine, fine," he said, trying to look innocent. "We can talk about something else. What do you want to talk about now?" Kana, still blushing, took a deep breath to calm herself down. "What... What was the reason you met the goddess?" She asked, steering the conversation back to the main topic. Yuto still kept his smile as he began to speak again, ¡°To know the truth of my existence, more accurately to say, who am I?¡± ¡°I have been confused as to why the fragments were necessary and I found the answer, to keep my humanity from my demonic transformation¡± ¡°As well as mine and Mizuki¡¯s past, our relationship, our past¡± The girls listened intently, hanging onto every word. Kana''s blush was slowly fading away as curiosity took over. Freya, intrigued, spoke up next, "So, the fragments are a way to keep your humanity intact? Do they... have the missing pieces of your memory?" Yuto snapped his fingers, ¡°Correct¡± Kana was the next one to ask a question, not even bothering to hide her interest. "And what was the truth, Yuto? Who are you truly?" Mizuki and Freya turned to Yuto, waiting for his answer, their eyes filled with anticipation. ¡°I am¡­ Yuto Akimitsu, the son of Cara and Ryoko, the older brother to Cynthia, the lover of you three¡± There was a pause as the girls absorbed the information. Then, slowly, smiles appeared on their faces, their expressions softer and warmer. Freya, her voice filled with affection, spoke first. "Yuto," she murmured. ¡°You''re... you''re our Yuto¡± Mizuki''s face broke into a wide grin, ¡°And we love you, Yuto¡± Kana''s blush had faded completely, replaced by a tender smile, "Yes," she agreed quietly. "You''re our Yuto. Nothing''s going to change that¡± She walked over and pressed a kiss that Yuto happily reciprocated, it was supposed to be a small kiss till Kana stuck her tongue in his mouth. The kiss deepened, and Yuto''s hands found their way into Kana''s silky black hair, pulling her closer. Mizuki and Freya looked in shook as they gently pushed Kana, "Make some room" Kana, still locked in the kiss, allowed herself to be pushed back slightly, making room for them. Freya immediately took the opportunity to join in, capturing Yuto''s lips in a passionate kiss of her own. Mizuki, not one to be left out, moved around to Yuto''s other side, placing a row of kisses down his neck. The trio surrounded Yuto, their kisses and touches a mix of love, passion, and possessiveness. They continued their affectionate barrage, their touches becoming bolder as they explored Yuto''s body. Yuto crawled back onto the bed, he gave them a soft chuckle, ¡°One round for the night?¡± The girls exchanged smiles, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Why just one?" Mizuki asked, her voice laced with suggestion. Freya added, "We''re not done with you yet, Yuto¡± Kana, the most assertive, gave Yuto a sly grin. "You''re not getting out of this that easily," she murmured, her hand tracing the contour of his chest. - 1 Hour Later - Exhausted and satisfied, the four of them lay on the bed, with entangled limbs and ragged breaths. Kana was snuggled closely against Yuto''s chest, her head resting on his shoulder. Freya was curled up on his other side, her arm draped over his stomach. Mizuki was on her stomach, her cheek pressed against his thigh. Yuto slid from the bed and put on a robe as he walked out to the balcony, he made himself some green tea as he looked at the beautiful kingdom of Drakona. Mizuki, wrapped in a silken robe, stepped out onto the balcony to find Yuto standing near the edge, sipping on a cup of tea. She walked over without a word, leaning on the balcony railing beside him. The night sky was a canvas of stars, their brightness reflected on the tranquil waters below. A gentle breeze carried the scent of the sea, its cool touch brushing against the two. Yuto didn''t speak, sipping his tea quietly, but the moment was comfortable between them. Mizuki broke the silence, her voice soft and contemplative. "Can''t sleep again?" she inquired, her gaze still on the star-filled sky. Yuto chuckled as he put his cup down, ¡°I¡¯m scared Mizuki¡± Mizuki, surprised by his honest confession, turned to look at him. "Scared?" she repeated, her gaze searching his face. He nodded, ¡°I haven''t been alone for these past four years because you''ve been by my side¡± Mizuki felt her chest tighten as Yuto''s words sank in. She''d known he was struggling with something else, but hearing him admit his fear out loud was like a dagger to her heart. "Yuto..." she whispered, her voice cracking slightly. He gave her a soft chuckle, kissing her before letting go, ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, Mizuki when I return, we can continue our journey¡± As Yuto moved to walk back inside, Mizuki''s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. "Don''t," she said, her voice tinged with desperation. "Don''t just dismiss it as if it''s nothing, Yuto¡± Yuto looked back, his eyes meeting hers. She could see the turmoil behind that soft smile he put on. "It is fine though," he insisted, though his words sounded more like he was trying to convince himself rather than her. "No, it''s not." Mizuki''s voice was firm. She pulled on his wrist, making him turn back to face her. "Yuto, you can''t keep bottling up your feelings like this. It''s not healthy, and it''s definitely not fine" "Mizuki, when I finish this, I promise to be more honest" She stared at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face. His answer wasn''t enough, but she also knew better than to push him when he was like this. "Promise?" she asked quietly. He held her hand and kissed its back, "I swear it" She closed her eyes, feeling the softness of his lips against her skin. When she opened them again, there was a steely resolve in her gaze. "I''m holding you to that. You better come back, Yuto," her voice firm yet tinged with worry. He turned back to the kingdom, "We have a week together before I leave" A week. Seven days. That''s all they had before the journey that would separate them once more. The thought was enough to make Mizuki''s heartache. "A week," she repeated softly, her eyes following his gaze out towards the kingdom. ¡°Kaz¡¯s agreed to train the three of you while I¡¯m gone, do your best¡± Mizuki took a deep breath, "We will," she said, her voice steady with determination. "We''ll train hard, get stronger, so when you come back..." She swallowed, unable to say the words, though she knew he understood. They stood there in silence for a few moments more, each lost in their thoughts. Then, Yuto spoke again, his voice softer than before. "Thank you," he murmured, his eyes never leaving the breathtaking view before them. Mizuki looked at him, seeing the weight he was carrying on his shoulders. She reached out, gently placing her hand on his back. "You''re welcome, Yuto," she replied, her voice just as soft as his. "Just... come back to us, okay?" He gave her his signature stupid grin, "Of course!" Mizuki rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth despite herself. "You''re an idiot," she said affectionately. They went back to the room and had a good sleep with the rest of their group. - Throughout the Week - The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity. Yuto made sure to show the girls every possible corner of Drakona, from the ancient libraries to the vibrant markets, the exotic beast stables to the breathtaking cliffs. They had picnics on the beach, competed in games that only the citizens of Drakona knew, and laughed till they were breathless. Every night, they''d make their way back to the palace, their limbs aching from the day''s activities but their hearts full of joy. And each night, they''d retire to Yuto''s room, entangled in each other''s embrace, desperately trying to make the most of the time they had left. Mizuki, Kana, and Freya knew they had to make the most of the one week they still had with Yuto. So, every day was a new adventure ¨C a hike through the mountains to reach the top, a tour of the city''s most interesting sights, and a day spent at the beach building sandcastles. Every moment was filled with laughter, love, and the knowledge that this week, like all things, was fleeting. And finally, the day of Yuto¡¯s departure. They stood at the entrance as Yuto had his bag ready, Mizuki, Kana, Freya, and Kaz all looked at him. "You''re sure you have everything you need?" Freya said, her voice betraying her worry. Yuto grinned, trying to put on a brave front. "Of course. I''m all set¡± "Be careful, okay?" Mizuki chimed in, her eyes pleading. "Don''t do anything stupid¡± "And don''t forget about us, damn it," Kana added, her tone gruff but her eyes showing the same concern. Yuto chuckled, his hand patting Kana''s shoulder, "Never¡± Kaz stepped forward, his arms crossed over his chest. "You better stay alive," he said gruffly. "I haven''t finished training the three of them yet¡± Yuto nodded, "I''ll be back before you know it, Kaz. I promise¡± Yuto gave each girl a quick kiss before turning around. Skill: Dash x Accelerate In an instant, Yuto vanished into a blur of speed, leaving the group stunned in his wake. "Show-off..." Kaz grumbled under his breath, shaking his head slightly. The girls stood there, watching the spot where Yuto had been just moments before. Silence hung heavily in the air, the absence of Yuto''s presence leaving a void that seemed to echo the emptiness in their hearts. "Come now, I have to keep the promise I made him" The three girls looked at Kaz, their eyes still a bit misty, but they nodded in understanding. They followed Kaz back inside and closed the gates. It would be a year before they saw Yuto again but they were willing to wait for him. - 10 Hours Later - Yuto had been running for hours when he heard a woman''s scream. Instinctively, he veered towards the source of the sound, following it into the cover of trees. As he approached, he saw a young blonde woman cornered by a group of bandits. A man, sporting a gruff beard and clad in armor, stood protectively in front of her. Yuto quickly jumped down and beheaded the three of them, it was like a river of blood mid-air. Not much blood was sippled as his slash was clean and on point, Yuto looked at the girl and asked, "Are you okay?" The girl''s eyes were wide as she looked at Yuto, shock and awe mixing on her face. "I-I think so..." she stuttered. The man, meanwhile, was watching Yuto with a critical eye, "Who are you?" he asked, his voice guarded. ¡°Me?¡± Yuto gave him a grin, ¡°Yuto Akimitsu, at your service¡± Volume 4 Chapter 10 A Priestess cant be this lewd! The man studied Yuto for a moment, sizing him up. His eyes wandered over the blade in Yuto''s hand, the ease with which he''d dispatched the bandits, and the calm demeanor. ¡®This young man is dangerous, I mustn¡¯t make him an enemy¡¯ After a moment, he extended his hand out to Yuto. "Finn," he introduced himself. Still quivering slightly, the girl moved a bit closer to Finn, who placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "This is my little sister, Catherine," he said, gesturing towards the blonde. "She''s a priestess" [¡°Why the fuck would you tell a stranger that?¡±] Yuto nodded in understanding. A priestess being targeted by bandits was a fairly common occurrence, unfortunately. [¡°System, give me the status boards for these two¡±] <- System -> [ Of course ] [- Finn Whitlock -] Age 30 Height 5''9 Title: Defense Master Class: Knight Level: 150 Stats: Strength 250 / Speed 150 / Agility 60 / Defense 1,000 / Health 1,000 / Mana 100 Skills: Click to see more [¡°And the girl?¡±] ¡­ [- Catherine Whitlock -] Age 19 Height 5''5 Title: Humanities Hope Class: Priestess Level: 250 Stats: Strength 95 / Speed 100 / Agility 120 / Defense 210 / Health 1,550 / Divine Power 30,000 Skills: Click to see more ¡°¡­¡± [¡°Holy shit, that level of divine power is high!¡±] [¡°System, how high is my divine power?¡±] <- System -> [ 15,000 ] [¡°Why is it so high?¡±] <- System -> [ Are you really gonna ask that? ] [¡°...¡±] ¡°Cough¡± "Are you headed back to the church?" Yuto asked, sheathing his blade as a sign of peace. Catherine and Finn let their guard down a little, Finn was the one who stepped forward. ¡°I do not mean to offend our savior but may I ask what it means to you?¡± Yuto looked at the three bodies on the ground and his bloody clothes. [¡°Oh shit, I look like a serial killer¡±] ¡°... Be at ease Sir Finn, for I also follow the Goddess Elise¡± Catherine upon hearing this stepped forward, ¡°C-can you prove it?¡± Yuto smiled gently at her, sensing her skepticism. "Of course," he said, "but I must first ask a question of my own, Catherine¡± ¡°How does one prove their faith to the Goddess?¡± Catherine seemed taken aback by this question. "W-well... devotion, prayer, acts of kindness¡ª" But Yuto interrupted her, his tone firm but not unkind. ¡°No, not just that. How does one prove they truly follow the Goddess? What is the ultimate act of devotion?¡± Catherine fell silent, her expression becoming troubled. Meanwhile, Finn looked at Yuto with a mixture of confusion and interest. "What exactly do you have in mind?" Finn asked, stepping forward. Yuto smiled as he stretched out his hand and began to heal all of Finn''s injuries with holy magic. Finn stiffened slightly, looking down at his wounds as the cuts and bruises began to close and fade. Catherine gasped in surprise, her eyes wide. In mere moments, Finn''s injuries healed, leaving no trace of the earlier fight. Finn looked down at his now-smooth skin, speechless. "How did you-?" Finn looked from his healed body to Yuto, disbelief in his eyes. Even Catherine seemed stunned, her hands clasped in front of her mouth. "Holy magic," Yuto said simply, "the ultimate act of devotion to the Goddess¡± [¡°I''m talking out of my ass but there''s no reason to tell the truth¡±] ¡°Is that enough for you two?¡± Finn was still reeling from the sight of his once-injured body now completely healed. It took him a moment to find his words, but they were laced with awe when he did. "Y-Yes..." Catherine was equally stunned, but there was something else in her expression too ¨C hope. She looked at Yuto with a newfound respect. "A Holy Priest..." she whispered. Yuto did a double-take, his smile faltering a bit. "Wait, ''holy priest''?" he repeated, looking at Catherine, who was now looking at him with a mixture of wonder and expectation. [¡°I''m more of a Demon Prince than a holy Priest¡±] Finn spoke up then, looking at Yuto with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "You can heal people with holy magic... and you didn''t expect to be called a Holy Priest?¡± "Of course not, I''m just a believer who''s on a journey¡± Finn and Catherine exchanged glances, clearly still trying to assimilate the fact that the man who had saved them was also a powerful user of holy magic. "Just a believer...?" Finn echoed, eyebrows raised in confusion. "Well... I recently opened up my fate so¡­¡± "Opened up your fate...?" Finn repeated, confusion deepening. Catherine, meanwhile, was looking at Yuto with a newfound curiosity, her head tilted slightly to the side. "So... Catherine... Did I prove myself?" <- System -> [ Charisma is in effect ] Something was different about Yuto. His smile seemed so bright, so pure. Catherine nodded her head slowly, "Mmh¡± Finn, however, was still suspicious. "You may have proven you''re a holy priest, but how do we know you''re not just pretending to earn our trust?¡± "Finn!" Catherine scolded, her voice sharp. "He saved us!" Slap Finn rubbed his head, looking sheepish, "I know, I know, but we can''t be too careful-¡± "Go back home and take care of our siblings!¡± Finn opened his mouth to object but quickly closed it. After a moment, he nodded, ¡°Okay." He gave Yuto a look that clearly said they''d talk later, before turning to Catherine. ¡°Stay safe, okay?" he said, ruffling her hair affectionately. Catherine rolled her eyes, swatting his hand away. "I''ll be fine, Finn," she reassured, though her voice was soft. Finn gave Yuto one last skeptical glance before he turned away and sprinted back the way they''d come, soon disappearing into the trees. Silence fell between Yuto and Catherine. The sounds of the forest seemed to grow louder in the absence of Finn''s presence. Finally, Yuto spoke, breaking the quiet. "Your brother worries about you," he commented, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. Catherine let out a soft huff of laughter, more amused than annoyed. "Finn always does," she admitted. "It''s just his way of expressing how much he cares, I guess¡± She looked up at Yuto, her eyes filled with curiosity. "You don''t have siblings, do you?¡± Yuto gave a soft chuckle, ¡°A little sister, she''s taking care of my mother¡± A small smile formed on Catherine''s lips, and she tilted her head, her long hair falling over a shoulder. "So you understand how protective siblings can be," she mused. Yuto chuckled, ¡°Haha yeah¡± ¡°So why are you here alone?¡± "... To find myself I guess¡± Catherine seemed to ponder Yuto''s words for a while, looking down at the grass. There was a certain innocence in her gaze that seemed to speak of her inexperience with the world.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "Find yourself...?" she echoed, her voice thoughtful. "Is that why you''re traveling alone?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡­ ¡°Um, Catherine¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± "Not to scare you, but do you think it was wise to send your brother away for all you know I could be a stone-cold killer" For a moment, Catherine''s expression faltered, a hint of fear and doubt creeping into her eyes. "Y-you could have hurt us a while ago, but you didn''t," she pointed out, her voice steady despite her earlier flash of fear. ¡°...¡± Catherine seemed surprised at Yuto''s silence. She studied his face for a moment, trying to read his expression. "You... you wouldn''t harm a defenseless girl would you?" ["Defenseless? Your strength stat is higher than most adults!"] "Of course not" ¡°G-good¡± Catherine''s expression immediately softened as Yuto reassured her. There was an awkward silence, neither knowing what to say. Catherine spoke up again, trying to remove the awkward silence, "So... you said you''re heading back to the church?" Yuto started walking, "Yup" Catherine nodded, following along, her footsteps light and soft against the grass. She continued to glance at Yuto, her eyes flickering from his face to his hands. After a few moments, she spoke up again, breaking the silence. "Aren''t Holy Priests... a rare thing these days?" she asked, her voice curious. Yuto let out a soft chuckle, "I¡¯m not a holy priest¡­ just a lost soul" ¡°A lost soul?¡± ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re not part of the holy order? But you can still use holy magic?¡± ¡°Yes¡± "But how is that possible?" Catherine persisted, her puzzlement only growing. "Only priests and ordained men and women of the Goddess can use holy magic..." ¡°So how is that even possible?¡± [¡°Because I fucked your Goddess, but I¡¯m not gonna say that¡­¡±] ¡°Dunno¡± Catherine gave him a skeptical look, ¡°You sure are mysterious aren''t you?¡± ¡°I get that a lot¡± She chuckled softly, "Bet you do¡± There was a moment of comfortable silence as they walked, the sound of their footsteps and the rustling of leaves in the breeze filling the air around them. Catherine looked up at Yuto, her eyes studying his face. ¡®He wouldn''t harm me, would he?¡¯ Yuto noticed her peaking and chuckled, ¡°What? Am I that handsome?¡± Catherine''s cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and she quickly looked away, embarrassed. "What- I¡ª No, I-I¡ª" she stuttered out, her attempt at a denial falling flat. ¡°Haha¡± ¡°I-I didn¡¯t mean-¡± she stumbled over her words. ¡°Sure sure¡± ¡°Ugh, you-¡± Before she could finish her sentence, a rustle in the bushes alongside the path caught her attention. Catherine tensed, her hand hovering over the small dagger at her hip. ¡°Move¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Seven Sins Art: Wrath The sudden flare of black fire immediately consumed the bushes, the dry leaves, and twigs quickly turning into ash. Catherine took a step back, her eyes wide with shock and awe. Screams could be heard as the bandits rushed out before collapsing in front of them, being consumed by the black fire. Catherine seemed torn between horror and awe. The bandits continued to scream in agony before finally succumbing to the flames. Yuto glanced over to Catherine, noticing her stunned expression, ¡°You okay?¡± She slowly tore her gaze away from the dead bandits, looking up at Yuto. Her eyes were wide, a mix of fear, astonishment, and... something else. It took her a few moments before she found her voice. "I-I''m fine..." she said, the words coming out more as a shaky exhale than anything else. Yuto knelt and offered his back, ¡°Get on¡± ¡°Why?¡± She asked, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Ughhh¡± Catherine couldn''t help but notice Yuto''s impatience. She hesitated for another moment, her eyes flickering from Yuto''s face to her surroundings. Finally, she relented, moving closer to him. "Okay," she said softly, climbing onto his back, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. Skill: Safe Dash The world around them became a blur of greens and browns as Yuto darted through the forest at an inhuman speed, his mana holding Catherine firmly in place. The wind rushed past them, howling in their ears as they raced through the trees. ¡°So¡­ anything you want to ask me?¡± ¡°You want me to ask questions?¡± ¡°Yeah¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty¡± ¡°Go for it¡± ¡°How¡­¡± ¡°How did you burn those bandits like they were nothing?¡± Yuto stopped, he knelt for Catherine to get off. She got off quickly as Yuto cut two trees and sat on one¡¯s trunk. He pointed at the other for her to sit on. She complied, settling down on the trunk, she folded her hands in her lap and looked at Yuto, waiting for an explanation. ¡°You asked why I could kill them so easily?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°Well because they were bandits¡± Catherine''s eyebrows rose in mild annoyance at Yuto''s short response. "I know they were bandits," she said, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. "That doesn''t explain how you burnt them to a crisp so quickly and so easily¡± "Well, I used a high-ranking martial art to kill them, duh" Catherine crossed her arms, her expression a mixture of disbelief and interest. "What I want to know is why did you kill them?" ¡°Why wouldn''t I kill them?¡± "They might have been bandits..." Catherine protested, "But they were still living beings¡± The image of those men burning flashed across her mind, bringing a shudder to her spine. ¡°What''s your point?¡± Catherine''s jaw tightened, frustration beginning to replace her earlier wonderment. "My point is," she said, her voice sharp, "you don''t just burn people alive because they''re bandits! It''s not right!" [¡°Wow, she¡¯s not gonna let this go¡±] ¡°Mmh, enlighten me miss Priestess, why would I spare fuckers like that. Bandits who could have done unspeakable acts to you?¡± "You... you could have just restrained them!" Catherine protested. "You could have knocked them out, tied them up..." She was trying to keep her voice steady, but there was a noticeable shakiness to it. ¡°Why would I do that?¡± "It could save their lives!" Catherine exclaimed, her voice rising. "Sure, they''re bandits, but they don''t deserve to die¡± She was looking at Yuto with intense conviction, her eyes pleading. ¡°... How old are you?¡± The sudden question caught Catherine off guard, and she blinked several times. "Nineteen..." she responded, her voice a bit puzzled. "Why does it matter?" "Not a child, hate to burst your view of the world or whatever temple raised you, but the world isn''t how you think it is" "What does my age have to do with anything?" Catherine shot back, her eyes narrowing. "And it''s not about my view of the world, it''s about doing what''s right! You can''t just burn people alive because they steal! It''s inhumane!" "Inhumane is what they do, and clearly you don''t know what these people are capable of" "Bandits will rob, kill, sell, and do far worse to innocent people Catherine''s expression hardened, "I may not understand everything about the world," she said, her voice firm. "But I know killing is wrong. You can''t just judge people and then end their lives. It''s... it''s..." She was struggling to find the right words, her beliefs clashing with the reality Yuto had presented. ¡°...¡± The silence between them was heavy, charged with the tension of their differing views. Catherine looked down at her hands, her fingers twisted in the fabric of her dress. The internal conflict she was feeling was painted clearly across her face, her idealistic beliefs clashing with the cold reality Yuto had presented. Eventually, she looked up, her eyes meeting Yuto''s gaze. "You... you really believe that killing them was the only option?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with a desperate plea for understanding. "..." Yuto got up and knelt before Catherine, taking her hand and kissing it. "If you truly believe that killing is wrong then I''ll stop" Catherine''s eyes widened in surprise at Yuto''s sudden gesture, her breath catching in her throat. The feel of his lips on her skin sent a shiver down her spine, and for a moment, words failed her. When she spoke, it was in a barely audible whisper. "Y-you... you''d stop?" ¡°Yes¡± ¡°Just like¡­ just like that?¡± [¡°You¡¯re going to cry if I continue¡±] ¡°If you wish¡± Catherine''s lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. The weight of Yuto''s words and the intensity of his gaze made her heart flutter in her chest. She looked down at their hands, her fingers trembling slightly as she considered his offer. After a moment of internal struggle, she looked back up at Yuto, meeting his gaze. "I-" she began, her voice quiet. "... I do¡± ¡°Okay¡± The simplicity of Yuto''s agreement caught Catherine off guard again. She''d expected more pushback, more argument, but there was a sense of sincerity in his tone that left her feeling both relieved and somewhat off-balance. She took a deep breath, her fingers slowly closing around his hand. "Thank you..." she whispered, her voice soft and sincere. "For understanding¡± Yuto turned around and pointed at his back, "Come on" Catherine stared at Yuto''s back for a moment, a thousand different thoughts swirling in her mind. She swallowed her hesitations and slowly clambered onto his back again. Her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders, her breathing suddenly becoming more rapid as she pressed against him. The feeling of Yuto''s muscular back against her front sent a wave of heat through Catherine, and she took a deep breath to calm her suddenly fluttering heart. She was acutely aware of his every movement, the feeling of his muscles moving under her touch, the faint scent of his skin so close to her face. As he began to run, the wind rushing past them, she closed her eyes, feeling both exhilarated and strangely secure. ¡°Do you have any other questions you like to ask?¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­ I have questions¡± "Who... what are you, exactly?" she finally managed to ask, her voice still a bit shaky from their previous conversation and the speed. "You''re not a normal human, that''s for sure¡± ¡°Just a lost sheep¡± ¡°A lost sheep?¡± ¡°Yeah¡± ¡°Okay¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Well, what¡¯s your story then?¡± "Me?" Catherine wasn''t expecting the sudden shift in the conversation, and she hadn''t anticipated being questioned in return. "Um..." she began, her mind scrambling for an answer. "Well, I''m... I''m a daughter of a poor merchant who was blessed with some level of divine magic" "My magic caught the eye of the local temple''s head priest, and I''ve been training there ever since. My job is to..." Her voice trailed off, a look of realization and perhaps a touch of discomfort crossing her face. "... to heal the townsfolk, mostly¡± ¡°I see¡± "It''s not a glamorous life..." Catherine continued, a note of defensiveness creeping into her tone. "But it''s what I''ve always known. Helping people, and healing those who are suffering ¨C that''s my purpose, my reason for being¡± ¡°...¡± Catherine looked at Yuto, his lack of response making her feel strangely vulnerable. She felt the need to continue, to defend her path and her purpose in life. After all, it was all she knew how to do. "I... I know it''s not as exciting as fighting or... causing destruction," she finally said. "But it''s what I''m good at, what I was destined to do¡± ¡°Oh, I apologize if I made you seem pathetic, I just think it''s a sweet thing that you heal people and don¡¯t expect anything¡± "Sweet?" The word took Catherine by surprise. She wasn''t sure what she had been expecting from Yuto, but ''sweet'' wasn''t one of them. She studied his face, trying to gauge his sincerity, but his expression was annoyingly unreadable. "You..." she began, pausing to choose her words carefully, "you think so?" There was a hint of hopefulness in her voice, a need for approval that even surprised her. She''d gotten used to people finding her calling quaint or even boring, not ''sweet''. Yuto''s response had thrown her for a loop, and she found herself craving more. More praise, more understanding, more... something she couldn''t quite name. ¡°What else do you want to ask?¡± Catherine was momentarily distracted by the tone of Yuto''s voice, his calmness seeming to contrast with the questions that were rushing through her mind. She took a moment to collect herself, then decided to ask one of the questions that had tugged at the back of her mind. "Why... Why did you save me?" ¡°Because it was the right thing to do¡± Catherine''s eyebrows shot up at Yuto''s response, her skepticism evident on her face. "The... the right thing to do," she echoed. Her experience with him so far had shown her that Yuto wasn''t exactly the embodiment of moral righteousness. "You mean, you just did it spontaneously, out of the goodness of your heart?" She knew her disbelief was evident in her tone, but she couldn''t help it. This man, whose actions had been nothing short of brutal, was claiming that saving her was ''the right thing to do''? ¡°W-well there must be something else you want to ask, right?¡± "Right..." Catherine tried to shake off her skepticism, but Yuto''s casual attitude was only making her more confused. "Well..." she began, then paused. There was a question that had nagged at her from the moment Yuto had rescued her from the bandits'' grasp, but she wasn''t sure if she should ask it. Finally, curiosity won out. "Why... Why did you look at me like you did earlier?" ¡°Like what?¡± "Earlier, when you first saw me..." Catherine felt her cheeks heat up at the memory. The intensity of Yuto''s gaze, the way he had seemed almost transfixed on her... it had left her feeling more than a little flustered. "Why did you..." she struggled for words, "why did you look at me like that?" [¡°What is she trying to say?¡±] ¡°Give me more clues, I¡¯m not following¡± The feigned ignorance in Yuto''s voice only served to exacerbate Catherine''s embarrassment. "Oh, you know exactly what I mean!" she retorted, her cheeks burning now. "You were staring at me like... like..." Folks, Yuto was genuinely confused as to what Catherine was asking. A simple yet dumb moron who was focused on getting rid of the threats looked at her with confusion. ¡°LIKE A SNACK!¡± The word slipped out before she could stop it, a desperate attempt to articulate the sudden feeling of vulnerability and desire that Yuto''s intense gaze had stirred in her. Catherine immediately clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes widening in horror as she realized what she had just said out loud. Yuto upon hearing the word snack, tripped on himself but made sure that she landed safely. Catherine breathed a sigh of relief as she landed on her feet, her heart still fluttering erratically from the unexpected stop and her outburst. She looked up at Yuto, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes avoiding his gaze. She couldn''t believe she had just blurted out that word like that. How embarrassing. Yuto lifted his head from the ground, ¡°What!¡± "I didn''t..." Catherine tried to backtrack, but her voice faltered. She couldn''t just take those words back, not now. The cat was out of the bag. She looked up at Yuto again, her expression a mix of embarrassment and defiance. "I..." she began, her voice a whisper. "I said you looked at me like I was a snack, okay?" ¡°W-what?¡± "You heard me!" The frustration and embarrassment were finally reaching a boiling point for Catherine. Why did Yuto have to act so densely? Every girl that ever asked themselves that knows the pain of having to deal with this fucking moron. "You looked at me like you were a hungry wolf and I was... some defenseless little lamb!" "Woah, hold your hoarse, when did I ever do that?" "Earlier, when you saved me from the bandits!" Catherine could feel her voice rising in volume, the words coming out in a rush. "The look on your face was like you wanted to... wanted to..." She trailed off, her cheeks burning hotter by the second. ¡°...?¡± "Eat me!" The word just slipped out, and Catherine clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. She''d said it, she had really said it. And Yuto was just standing there, looking more perplexed than ever. She could feel the heat in her cheeks reaching unbearable as she stood there, silently praying for the ground to open up and swallow her. Yuto rubbed his forehead, ¡°Ugh¡± Yuto''s hesitant response only served to amplify Catherine''s embarrassment. She could practically feel her cheeks turning bright red, the heat almost burning her face. She took a deep breath and tried to continue, her voice a barely audible whisper. "The look in your eyes..." she began, her voice shaking. "It was... intense, feral even. Like you wanted..." She couldn''t finish the sentence, but she didn''t need to. They both knew what she was implying. Now, why was Catherine acting like this? Demonic Charm Yuto¡¯s new passive, after his transformation, his charisma stat had turned into Demonic Charm, his best guess is that it had something to do with the situation he found himself in. [¡°Fuck, I thought she was like Freya except she¡¯s on a whole different level¡± ¡°Um¡­ can I ask you a question?¡± Catherine swallowed hard, trying to compose herself. "Yeah?" she responded, her voice still a bit shaky. ¡°H-have you¡­ ever been on a date at least?¡± That was definitely not the question she had been expecting. Catherine''s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, but this time it was the color of embarrassment. "No..." she responded quietly, her eyes fixed on the ground. [¡°Fuck¡±] ¡°Um¡­ well¡± "It''s... It''s not that strange!" Catherine''s protest sounded a bit weak even to her ears. It was true that at the age of nineteen, she''d never even been on a date, let alone be in a relationship. She suddenly felt painfully inexperienced and vulnerable. Yuto noticed and walked over, patting her head, "D-don''t be embarrassed" The unexpected gentleness in Yuto''s gesture caught Catherine off guard. She didn''t pull away; the touch of his hand was strangely comforting, grounding her. "It''s just..." she began, her voice soft. "I''ve always been so focused on my training, on my calling... I never really had time for... for that sort of thing¡± She looked up at Yuto, her eyes still a little embarrassed but also hopeful. "I guess you''ve... you''ve dated before, right?" "Well, I am in a relationship with three other women¡± Catherine felt a pang of something akin to jealousy at Yuto''s casual admission. Three women? In a relationship together? She tried to push those feelings aside, instead focusing on the practicalities. "Three... at the same time?" she asked, a hint of incredulity in her voice. "Yes, so uh, I''m probably not the one who should be your first boyfriend" "Boyfriend..." Catherine repeated the word, testing it out on her tongue. It sounded strange, alien to her ears. She looked at Yuto again, her eyes lingering on his face. There was a part of her that wished he was the one to teach her about love, to show her what it was like to be touched and desired. "W-why not?" ¡°What?¡± "You could be..." Catherine''s voice was soft, almost shy. There was a part of her that yearned to experience all the things she had missed out on. The attention, the intimacy, the love... She gripped his face gently and pulled him closer till their noses clicked. She felt the heat of Yuto''s cheeks on her palms and his breath flutters on her face. Her heart was racing now, her thoughts and emotions in turmoil. What was she doing? She barely knew this man, and yet... "Please..." she whispered, her voice both a plea and a confession. "Teach me¡± ¡°Woah, Catherine!¡± The sound of her name on Yuto''s lips sent a shiver down her spine. "Yes..?" she whispered, her eyes still fixed on his face. "Look think about it, like actually think about it" Catherine could feel her common sense and rationality fighting against the rising tide of her desire and curiosity. She took a deep breath, her hands still on Yuto''s face. "I... I am thinking about it..." she said softly. She wanted this, she really did. But so many doubts and uncertainties held her back, leading to her pushing him down. [¡°I-am going to be eaten!¡±] Volume 4 Chapter 11 A simple kiss thanks to a misunderstanding Catherine''s push caught Yuto off guard, and he fell back onto the ground with a surprised grunt. He looked up at her, a mixture of surprise and confusion on his face as he sat on the grass. "Cat, what are you..." <-System-> [ Already giving her a nickname? ] [¡°Do something about this!¡±] <-System-> [ I''ll try ] She straddled him, her hands on his chest to keep her balance. The intensity of her actions surprised even her, but now that she was in this position, she wasn''t sure she wanted to stop. "Shhh..." she murmured, looking down at him with a mixture of shyness and determination. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Catherine didn''t trust her voice, so she simply nodded her answer. Her heart was pounding now, and she could feel the heat emanating from Yuto''s body. The desire and need that had been building up inside her for so long demanded release. ¡°O-okay¡± Catherine''s breath hitched in her throat as Yuto''s words sent a wave of anticipation through her. She leaned forward, her body pressing against his as her eyes locked onto his. "Promise you''ll... teach me..." she whispered, her voice shaky with both nervousness and excitement. All Yuto could give her was a simple nod. "Please..." she whispered, her hands clenching onto his shirt. "Please, show me. Teach me everything¡± Her plea came out more desperate than a request, but she didn¡¯t care anymore. She wanted nothing more than to explore every sensation and feeling that was so foreign to her. Yuto gently flipped them over, his body pinning Catherine down onto the ground. She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed and her breath coming in short gasps. She was nervous, certainly, but also excited and curious. He leaned down, his lips hovering close to hers, "Ready...?" Catherine could only manage a frantic nod, her body already surrendering to the overwhelming sensations coursing through her. Yuto smiled at her response, his warm breath brushing against her skin. He began by placing soft, gentle kisses along her jawline, trailing down towards her neck. A soft gasp escaped Catherine''s lips as Yuto''s lips explored the sensitive skin of her neck. She had never felt anything like this before, the combination of his touch and his hot breath sending shivers down her spine. Her fingers grasped at the grass beneath her, trying to anchor herself in this new and unfamiliar sensation. Yuto continued his trail of kisses down her neck, his hands roaming over her body, slowly exploring and claiming her as his own. Catherine couldn''t help but arch her back towards him, her body responding involuntarily to his touch. His hands found the edge of her dress, pushing it up ever so slightly to reveal a bit more of her milky, smooth skin. His touches were becoming more demanding now, more possessive, as if he was claiming her as his own. [¡°She¡¯s very beautiful, I should-¡±] Catherine couldn''t help but let out a small moan at the sensation, the sound escaping her lips before she could stop it. [¡°...¡±] Yuto lifted his head from her neck, "You''re so beautiful," he murmured, his voice thick with arousal. He leaned down again, his lips finding hers in a deep, claiming kiss. Catherine was lost in a whirlwind of sensations, her senses completely overwhelmed by Yuto''s touch. The kiss was everything she had imagined it would be and more; intense, passionate, addictive. She found herself responding to him, her lips moving against his, her tongue meeting his in a dance of desire. ¡°Ughhh¡­ M-more!¡± Yuto''s hands continued their exploratory journey over her body, moving from her hips up under her dress. His touch was now rough but not unkind, his fingers tracing her ribs and caressing her stomach. ¡°Ahhh¡± Catherine felt a sudden gasp escape her throat as his fingers brushed against the underside of her breast, the sensation both foreign and exhilarating. He broke the kiss, his head moving back to her neck again, his mouth trailing open-mouthed kisses down her collarbone. His hands continued their exploration of her body, his touch growing more eager, more intoxicating. ¡°Y-yutooo¡± She could feel her body responding, her hips arching involuntarily towards him, her fingers curling into fists against the grass. Yuto seemed to sense her growing passion, his breathing becoming more rapid and shallow. He moved lower, his lips finding the swell of her breast, his tongue tracing the underside of her bra. ¡°Mmhhhh¡± Catherine let out a soft moan, her head falling back against the grass, her eyes closed tightly as she lost herself in the overwhelming sensation. <- System -> [ Demonic Charm is now off ] Yuto stepped back. He saw Catherine¡¯s eyes, pleading for more, but this was enough¡ªat least for now. This was enough to satisfy her¡­ at least he hoped. "W-we can stop, look think again, we can get to know each other a bit more" Catherine blinked, her fog-filled mind trying to process Yuto''s words. She had completely lost herself in the moment, her entire being focused on the sensations he was evoking in her. His sudden offer of a pause brought reality crashing back in a rush. She swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. Her voice came out in a quiet, shaky whisper. "You''re... you''re right. We should... slow down, get to know each other better¡± Yuto gave her a soft smile as he ruffled her hair, "Need help with the zipper?" Catherine''s cheeks flushed yet again, her eyes darting away from Yuto''s. "Y-yes, actually¡± She sat up, turning her back to him. She could feel his fingers on her back, a fire trail against her skin as he slowly zipped her dress back up. With a deep breath, she turned back to face him, tucking her hair behind her ears shyly. "Thanks¡± Yuto helped her up and they continued walking, the atmosphere was awkward before Yuto spoke up, "I''m sorry" Catherine looked at Yuto, surprised by his apology. "You''re sorry?" she repeated, tilting her head quizzically. She hadn''t expected an apology. She''d figured he would just shrug it off and move on. The fact that he seemed genuinely sorry took her aback a little. "Look, I know it''s exciting and all but uh I''m not the best guy to give such a precious thing to" Catherine blinked. Yuto''s words hung in the air between them, heavy and unexpected. She hadn''t been expecting him to say something like that. "Why not?" she asked, looking at him curiously. He scratched his head, ¡°What do you see when you look at me?¡± Catherine''s brow furrowed as she considered his question. The image that came to her mind was a mix of contradictions. Yuto was undeniably strong, yet he could be unexpectedly tender. He was confident, even cocky, but there was a vulnerability there if you looked hard enough. "Strength and... kindness," Catherine answered, her tone soft. "You''re strong, but not just physically. You''ve got a gentle side to you, too. And, well, you''re... handsome¡± A soft chuckle escaped his lips, ¡°Never thought anyone besides Mizuki would say that¡± Catherine couldn''t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips at that. "You don''t believe it?" she teased lightly, her eyes twinkling slightly. "You don''t think you''re handsome?" "No, I know I am, just... being called gentle is funny" Catherine raised a brow at Yuto''s response. "You find it funny to be called gentle?" she repeated, her tone light and teasing. She was trying to keep the conversation light, but beneath her banter, there was a note of genuine curiosity. ¡°Well you saw how I dealt with the bandits¡± Catherine sighed, rolling her eyes at the reminder. "Yes, I did see what you did with the bandits," she confirmed. "But being strong doesn''t preclude you from also being gentle, Yuto. The two can coexist¡± ¡°Nah¡± Catherine couldn''t help but let out a snort of laughter. "Your refusal to even consider the possibility is almost adorable, Yuto," she said, her voice amused. "You think it''s a weakness? Is that it?" ¡°...¡± Catherine''s laughter died down as she saw the frown on Yuto''s face. "Hey..." she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm gently. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°I''m only teasing, you know¡± He flicked her forehead, "Don''t get ahead of yourself" Catherine let out a cry of mock pain, dramatically clutching at her forehead, "Ow! I can''t believe you just flicked my forehead, Yuto," she protested, pouting exaggeratedly. Yuto placed his right hand on his chest, ¡°Ahhh, haven''t done that in years¡± Catherine looked at him in disbelief, "You haven''t flicked someone''s forehead in two years?" she repeated, her tone half-joking, half-shocked. "I guess I should feel honored then," she added, still rubbing at her forehead dramatically though she was trying to hide a smile. ¡°...¡± ¡°Hey Cat¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°W-we can still kiss and stuff¡± A mischievous grin curved over her lips as she leaned a little closer, "Just kissing and stuff? Really?" she teased, her voice playful. "Is this really how a priestess should act?" Catherine let out a dramatic gasp, placing her hand on her chest in mock horror. "Are you trying to guilt trip me, Yuto? You''re going to pull the ''priestess'' card now?" She tried to sound indignant, but the amusement in her eyes betrayed her. Yuto smirked in response, clearly enjoying their playful banter. "It''s not guilt tripping if it''s true, Cat," he teased, his voice light. "You should be setting an example, not shamelessly flirting with me like this¡± Catherine couldn''t help but laugh at that. "Oh, come on, Yuto. As if you''re not enjoying every second of my shameless flirting," she shot back, grinning. "Don''t pretend you''re a saint either, you know you love the attention¡± "Hey if the heavens blessed me with good looks, it''s my right to brag" Catherine gave him a playful swat on the arm, "You''re incorrigible, Yuto. I bet you look in the mirror every morning and give yourself a compliment, don''t you?" she teased, laughter in her eyes. ¡°...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Yuto¡± ¡°I refuse to say anything¡± She raised her hands in defense, ¡°Alright¡± They continued walking when Catherine spoke up again, ¡°I never did ask but what are the names of your 3 partners?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°You said you had 3 other lovers and I would like to know their names¡± ¡°Oh¡­ well I¡¯ll start with my first lover Mizuki, she¡¯s an ego sword¡± ¡°An ego sword?¡± ¡°It''s a sword with a soul of its own, they grow alongside their partners¡± ¡°Woah, never heard of anything like that¡± ¡°Yeah, then there''s Freya, she¡¯s an elven princess and Kana who¡¯s a dragon princess as well¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Catherine?¡± ¡°Dragons and elves are real?¡± ¡°Yup¡± ¡°Not a myth?¡± ¡°Nope¡± ¡°And they both agreed to be a part of this?¡± ¡°Yes¡± ¡°That¡¯s so cool, I can¡¯t wait to meet them!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ they are an amazing bunch¡­¡± ¡°Yuto¡­¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°I''m getting a bit sleepy¡­¡± ¡°It''s fine, I''ll continue running so sleep¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± "This is unexpectedly comfy," she mumbled softly, her voice slightly muffled against his back. In seconds she fell asleep, "She must have been exhausted" ¡°...¡± ¡°Cat¡­ you asleep?¡± ¡°Z¡­Z¡­Z¡± ¡°Haha¡­System, how is my humanity right now?" <- System -> [ 95% ] Error <- System -> [ 75% ] "W-what?" "Why did it drop by 20?" A good question. Why did Yuto''s humanity drop? Was it his tone? His actions? Or just plain stupidity? <- System -> [ It dropped by 15 for cruelly killing the bandits ] "I did it to save someone''s life. Does that not count?" <- System -> [ Not when you had other options ] ["Fuck, can I not kill bad people anymore?"] "Fine, what about the last 5 percent?" <- System -> [ For almost sleeping with the priestess ] "..." "You gotta be shitting me" <- System -> [ As the Goddess Elise''s chosen warrior, it was unholy for one with demonic energy to approach such a being ] "What demonic energy?" <- System -> [ Demonic Power: 20,000 ] "It''s higher than my holy power?" "Why the fuck did you not tell me?" <- System -> [ It''s common sense ] "..." ["If we ever meet, I''m gonna bash your fucking skull in"] Yuto let out a deep sigh, trying to keep his voice low so that Catherine wouldn''t wake up. "What are the consequences?" <- System -> [ Please be more specific ] "What are the consequences for my humanity dropping lower?" <- System -> [ If below 70, you will lose the feelings of Guilt and Understanding ] [ If below 60 you will lose the feelings of anger and grief ] [ If below 50 you will lose the feelings of love and happiness ] [ By the time you hit 40, you would have already lost the will to live ] [ If below 30 and are still alive, the demonic transformation will start, and you will become more violent ] [ By 20, you will become a killing machine, without thought or reason ] [ If dropped any lower, I''m afraid you will now shift to a different being, now in control of your body, but a different personality ] "..." "Haha" "Hahaha" ¡°...¡± System [ Master? ] ¡°System¡± ¡°...¡± "Why didn''t you tell me sooner?" <- System -> [ I''m sorry ] "Don''t give me that shit, because I feel like ripping you apart" "Answer me this, or so help me" <- System -> [ Yes? ] "Are you someone in the heavenly realm?" <- System -> [ ... ] "I''ll take that silence as a yes, don''t ever appear in my line of sight unless I call for you¡± "Do you understand?" <- System -> [ Yes, Master ] "Be gone now, ... Yuto sighed as the system shut off and left him with the sound of Catherine''s soft breathing. "Fuck" Many questions swirled in his head, many that made him feel like dropping to his knees. Does he deserve to be by their side? Is it selfish to want love and understanding? Why was he being punished? Elise, did she lie to him? He shook his head, "No, keep your head up, Yuto, find the truth, find the reasons, keep walking" He set up camp just a few miles away from the city. It would take about 3 hours when the sun rose for them to get to the city of Driffield, and not many monsters were around, so it was fine to sleep. As he set up a barrier and laid Catherine down, just as he was kneeling, he heard her voice. "Yuto?" "Oh, did I wake you, Catherine?" Catherine''s quiet question broke the silence of the night. She sat up, rubbing her eyes as she looked up at Yuto. "You didn''t wake me," she replied, her voice still a little groggy from sleep. "I just... woke up on my own" "I see... we¡¯re almost there so you should go back to sleep" Catherine nodded, a soft yawn escaping her. "Yeah, I suppose I should," she murmured, lying back down. But she didn''t close her eyes just yet, instead looking up at Yuto. "Yuto... can I ask you something?" Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. ¡°What?¡± "It''s just...," she began, her voice just above a whisper, "You seem a bit... troubled. Like there''s something heavy on your mind" ¡°...¡± Catherine studied Yuto''s expression, reading his silence. "You don''t have to tell me if you don''t want to," she said gently. "I just... I just wanted you to know that I''m here if you ever need someone to listen" She reached out, placing a tentative hand on his arm, her eyes meeting his in the half-light of the night. ¡°Cat¡± ¡°Yes?¡± "You''ve been to the Church of Elise before right?" Catherine tilted her head to the side, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Yes, I have," she replied, her hand still on his arm. "Why do you ask?" ¡°All your questions will be answered when we get there¡­ okay?¡± Catherine''s curiosity was piqued further, but the tiredness in her eyes told her it would be best to rest first. "Alright," she murmured, her tone quiet but reassuring. "We''ll talk about it in the morning then. Until then, try to get some rest, Yuto" ¡°Night Cat¡± ¡°Night Yuto¡± The morning sun slowly crept over the horizon, signaling the start of a new day. As Catherine stirred and opened her eyes, she saw Yuto already up and packing their belongings. "Morning," she mumbled, her voice still laced with sleep. "Morning," Yuto replied, offering a small smile. "We''ll be entering the city in a few minutes" The city of Driffield slowly came into view, appearing as a picturesque town with its cobblestone streets and wooden houses. Once inside, they made their way to the heart of the city - the huge cathedral dedicated to Elise. As Catherine opens the giant doors of the church Yuto notices an older woman in the middle praying to the statue of the Goddess Elise, decorated with flowers and gifts. ¡°Hey, Catherine, who is she?¡± Yuto asked with a dreamy-like tone Catherine notices this and smacks his back. ¡°It better not be what I think you thinking Yuto, you know it''s against the laws of the kingdom to touch our Cardinal¡± ¡°Is someone there?¡± The Cardinal looked at Yuto, she was a very beautiful woman with long pink hair and eyes that were covered with a veil eye mask. ¡°Names Yuto Akimitsu and I am here to-¡± The Cardinal began to tear up as she approached Yuto. ¡°H-how can your heart be so pure yet your mind so scarred?¡± Yuto looked confused asking Catherine what the deal was here as she too began to well up with tears as she looked at him. ¡°To make the cardinal cry, how are you still able to stand with so much burden on your heart?¡± ¡°...I don''t know honestly but what I do now is that my journey will not end with misery but hope for the future¡± The Cardinal smiled as she came down the stairs and pulled him into a hug. [¡°Wow, she''s so soft¡­¡±] She grabbed his shoulders and for the first time in years opened her eyes revealing the beautiful blue color ¡°My name is Luna le Moon and in the name of the Goddess Elise I ask you this¡± ¡°How many times did you go back to save everyone?¡± Upon hearing this Yuto¡¯s face darkened, ¡°How do you know about that?¡± Yuto tried to reach for his sword but Luna stopped him, holding onto his hand that was on his blade. ¡°I see to a certain extent you know about the regressions¡± ¡°I do¡­ Has the goddess Elise said anything about it then?¡± He let go of his blade as he crossed his arms, giving her the go-ahead to continue. Luna nodded and began to speak of the prayer she heard. ¡°A warrior of old shall come back and when he does he shall shake the world once again, to stop evil one must sacrifice a part of them¡± ¡°...¡± "Cat... step outside please, I wish to talk to Luna in private" Catherine, who had been quietly watching the exchange unfold, looked at Yuto with a small amount of surprise. "Alright," she said, nodding. "I''ll be right outside" She gave Yuto one last glance before stepping outside, closing the church door behind her. As Catherine left and closed the door, Yuto gently pushed Luna aside, "You" Luna looked at Yuto with a mixture of surprise and curiosity as he gently pushed her aside. "Yes?" she said, her voice soft and melodic. ¡°Is what you said true?¡± Luna looked at Yuto, taking in the seriousness and intensity in his gaze. For a moment, she paused, gathering her thoughts before she spoke. "It is," she finally said, her voice steady. "I was bestowed the ability to hear the wishes and prayers of those who come to this cathedral. The prayer spoke of a warrior of old returning to shake the world once again" "That''s not what I''m asking, are you confirming the fact that I''m a regressor?" As Yuto''s question hung in the air, a knowing look passed across Luna''s face. "Yes," she said slowly, her voice carrying a sense of gravity, "I am confirming that you are a regressor" ¡°Did Elise tell you that?¡± Luna nodded, "Yes," she responded, her hands clasped together in front of her, "The goddess Elise confirmed it herself¡± "And please treat her name with more respect" ¡°...¡± Luna studied Yuto''s face, sensing the conflicting emotions that simmered beneath his gaze. "You are troubled," she observed, her voice gentle. ¡°Wouldn''t you be as well? I could be a crazy person who could kill you right now¡± "And yet you haven''t," she replied simply, her eyes boring into his. "Because you have a problem that requires my help, am I correct?" Yuto let out a soft chuckle as he sat down, "Can''t fool you" Once Yuto settled on the bench, Luna took a seat beside him. She observed him for a moment, noting the weariness on his face. "Speak then," she said gently, her voice soft. "What is it that troubles you so?" ¡°... My humanity is slipping and I¡¯m afraid of hurting those dear to me¡± Luna''s expression softened as Yuto spoke, listening intently to his words. She could sense the pain and fear in his voice, the weight of his burden weighing heavily on his shoulders. "I see," she murmured. "It sounds like you are struggling to control something within you, something dark and powerful" ¡°Any possible solutions to that then?¡± Luna thought for a moment, her eyes lowering in thought. "There might just be a way," she said, her words slow and measured. "There is an ancient text within this cathedral that speaks of how to suppress demonic energy. But it comes at a price¡± ¡°Which is?¡± Luna looked at Yuto, her expression serious. "The purification ritual requires a significant amount of holy energy. So much so that it could drain the caster almost to their last drop" "It would require me to recite an ancient chant while channeling my holy energy through that chant. It will suppress your demonic energy... but only for a while. To fully suppress the energy you require, the ritual would have to be repeated several times" "Wow, I was worried for nothing" Luna raised an eyebrow, taken slightly back by Yuto''s reaction. "You''re rather calm about this," she observed, her voice laced with slight confusion. "Well, I also have a lot of holy magic" Luna''s eyes widened slightly in surprise at Yuto''s revelation. But she quickly composed herself and nodded. "I see," she said, her voice still holding a sense of gravitas. "But the ritual would still take a significant toll on your strength. It''s not a simple process, you understand" "My strength stat is also rather high" Luna chuckled softly, her lips curling up in a slight smile. "You are certainly confident," she remarked, her voice lightly laced with amusement. "But there''s no harm in trying, I suppose. Do you wish for me to start the ritual now?" "Tomorrow, for now, I want to enjoy being in this city after four years of being out of it" Luna nodded, understanding Yuto''s wish. "Of course," she replied. "I will prepare the necessary chants and materials for the ritual by tomorrow" "But in the meantime, if you don''t mind me asking, how many times have you regressed?" "... I don''t know, my ego sword is also on the same page as me, we''re aware of the regressions but not how far they go" Her eyes widened at Yuto''s words, her curiosity piqued. "Your ego sword is also aware? That''s quite intriguing..." She paused momentarily, her mind processing the newfound information. "But not knowing how many times you have regressed... That must be tough to deal with" ¡°Yeah¡­ it sure is¡± [ Demonic Charm is now active ] ¡°S-shit Luna!¡± Caught off guard by the sudden change in Yuto''s demeanor, Luna tensed slightly. Her eyes widened as she sensed the change in his aura. "Yuto...?" she asked cautiously, her voice trembling slightly. ''W-what are these feelings?'' Yuto did his best not to touch her but kept her from falling, "You okay?" Despite his best efforts, the effects of his demonic charm were working on Luna. Her cheeks flushed, and she found herself leaning into his touch without realizing it. "Y-yes... I''m fine..." she replied, her voice soft and a little breathless. The sensations from Yuto''s presence overpowered Luna''s thoughts, her mind foggy with desire. She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto him with an intensity that betrayed her usual calm demeanor. "Y-Yuto," she murmured, her voice betraying her inner thoughts, "There''s something I have to ask you..." "W-what is it?" Luna moved even closer to Yuto, her body just a few inches away from his. Her heart was pounding in her chest, the feeling of his closeness sending shivers down her spine. "Can I ask you for a favor...?" She whispered, her voice barely above a moan. [¡°SYSTEM TURN OFF THE FUCKING PASSIVE, HURRY!¡±] ¡°Yuto¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Luna''s eyes were half-lidded and sultry. The feeling of Yuto''s closeness was overpowering her. She stepped even closer, her body now pressed against his. "Please...," she whispered, her voice soft and pleading. "Just this once... let me feel your embrace..." [ Demonic Charm is now off ] As the effects of Yuto''s demonic charm wore off, Luna suddenly found herself back at her full senses. She blushed furiously as she realized the position she had put herself in, her body still dangerously close to Yuto''s. "I-I..." she stammered, her words stuck in her throat. "I don''t know what came over me..." "It''s not your fault... it''s my stupid demonic charm... I''m sorry" Luna took a step back, creating a small distance between herself and Yuto. She ran a trembling hand through her hair, trying to recompose herself. "I-it''s okay," she replied, her voice still shaky. "You... you can''t control it, can you...?" ¡°Not really¡± Luna took a deep breath, trying to steady her erratic heartbeat. She studied Yuto for a moment, her eyes filled with a mix of understanding and concern. "Do people often react this way to your charm?" She asked softly, her voice still tinged with a hint of weakness. ¡°Only on women¡± Luna let out a soft sigh, her expression still a bit bewildered. "I see... It''s quite a powerful ability, isn''t it...?" A beat of silence passed before she spoke again, in a low voice. "I wouldn''t mind" ¡°Huh?¡± Luna blushed deeply at her own words, realizing that she had said them out loud. She fidgeted with her hands, avoiding Yuto''s gaze. "N-never mind... forget I said anything," she mumbled, her voice flustered. She tried to run but tripped on her feet landing on his lap. Luna''s eyes widened as she fell onto Yuto''s lap, her body landing in a rather embarrassing position. "Ah-!" She exclaimed, her voice cracking from the surprise. She quickly tried to get up, but her clumsiness only served to make the situation more awkward. Her arms and legs moved in awkward ways, causing her to fall back onto Yuto''s lap again. "I-I''m sorry," she stuttered, her face turning a vibrant shade of red. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Yuto could not help himself anymore as he turned her face towards his and pressed a kiss, a soft, tender kiss. Luna was taken aback by the unexpected kiss, her mind momentarily freezing. But as their lips met, an inexplicable rush of emotions washed over her. Her eyes widened in surprise, then slowly fluttered shut as she leaned into the kiss. Her heart rate quickened, her hands trembled slightly, but she didn¡¯t pull away. This feeling... it was too good, too intense. She returned the kiss, her lips moving softly against Yuto¡¯s, her body leaning against him. Volume 4 Chapter 12, Begone Demonic Nature! As the kiss grew more intense Yuto pulled back, and he lifted the veil that covered her eyes. ¡°You have¡­ such beautiful eyes¡± "M-my eyes...?¡± She whispered, her voice a mixture of uncertainty and vulnerability. No one had ever paid such close attention to her eyes before. "You...you think they''re beautiful?" "P-please don''t tease an old woman like me" Yuto chuckled softly at Luna''s words. "Who said I am kidding?" He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch gentle as he held her gaze. "Your eyes... they''re like pools of a clear blue lake, deep and alluring, yet holding a hint of mystery" Luna''s heart fluttered at Yuto''s words, her cheeks turning a soft pink. "How can you speak like that about an old woman like me...?" She murmured, her voice soft and bashful. She looked down, avoiding his gaze as she tried to hide the effect his words had on her. But her blushing cheeks gave her away, betraying her inner feelings. Yuto gently tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him again. "Old woman?" He repeated, his voice filled with a hint of amusement. "You hardly look a day over 24" He chuckled again as he continued to study her face, noticing every little detail. [¡°If she considers herself an old lady¡­ then what do I call Kana?¡±] ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Luna¡¯s face flushed as she finally accepted that he considered her a beauty. Such a warm and good feeling filled her chest. <-System-> [ How smooth Master ] ["Thank you"] Before Yuto could continue, he felt a smack to the back of his head. ¡°Ow!¡± He turned around to see Catherine with a pissed-off look. "So... you told me to leave... to do this?" Luna jolted in surprise as Catherine suddenly appeared, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. She quickly got off Yuto¡¯s lap, still slightly flustered from the situation. "Catherine..." Yuto started, rubbing the back of his head where Catherine had just hit him. Catherine crossed her arms, her gaze still filled with anger. "I thought you needed time alone to prepare for tomorrow, but it seems you''re already... preoccupied with some things" Her eyes flicked over to Luna who was still standing awkwardly beside Yuto. "I can explain-" Catherine raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Explain what? You sent me away so you can flirt with the local holy woman?" She retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm. ¡°Well I did say I¡¯m not a priest but that''s not the point¡± Catherine rolled her eyes, clearly in no mood for jokes. "Alright, wise guy, then what is the point? Did you send me away just so you could... woo the local holy lady to help you out?" ¡°...¡± "Luna, can you give us some time alone?" Luna, who had been silently observing the conversation, nodded. "Of cou-of course," she said quietly, her voice strained. She shot a glance at Yuto before quickly leaving the area, giving them some space. ¡°...¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°So-¡± Catherine cut off Yuto before he could speak, her arms still crossed and her expression still stern. "Save the explanations,¡± she said, her voice sharp. ¡°I want to hear the truth. Did you just send me away so you could hook up with that holy chick?" ¡°You¡¯re a priestess Cat¡± She clenched her jaw, her eyebrows furrowing at Yuto''s response. "Being a priestess doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m ignorant or na?ve, Yuto," she replied sharply. "I can still understand what¡¯s going on here¡± ¡°I don''t mean to sound harsh but I did tell you what kind of a person I am¡± She let out a frustrated sigh, her expression a mix of disappointment and hurt. "I know what you told me," she said, her voice softer now. "But that doesn''t mean I''m not allowed to feel betrayed. You pushed me away only to gravitate towards another woman?" ¡°Sit down¡± Catherine''s eyes narrowed as she felt annoyed at Yuto''s commanding tone. But she held her tongue, taking a seat as he instructed. ¡°Come here¡± Catherine grumbled under her breath but obeyed, moving closer to Yuto. Her arms were still crossed, her expression guarded. He gently kissed her head before looking her in the eyes, "It''s my passive" She stared at Yuto, her annoyance momentarily forgotten as he kissed her head. Her irritation was replaced with confusion. "You''re passive?" she repeated, her eyes searching for an explanation. "Like a skill that adventures use?" "Kinda except a skill is an ability I can turn on and off when I want while a passive is always active, it takes a lot of will to turn off my passive" A look of realization washed over Catherine''s face as Yuto explained. "So what was the passive that had you both kissing?" ¡°Demonic Charm¡­¡± Catherine''s eyes widened in surprise. "Demonic Charm..." she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. "So it was your passive that caused you to... kiss Luna in that way?" "Yeah... it took a while to turn off" Catherine let out a deep sigh, her expression a mixture of frustration and resignation. "Great... just great," she muttered, running a hand through her hair. "So the whole thing was just because of your passive, and not because you had feelings for her?" ¡°Well I do find her rather attractive¡± Her eyes narrowed again as Yuto confirmed his attraction to Luna. "So you do find her attractive," she repeated flatly, her voice laced with irritation. "What about me? Do I even matter?" He placed a quick peck on her neck, "Of course you do" Despite herself, Catherine couldn''t help but soften at Yuto''s gentle affection. She tried to remain stoic, but the kiss on her neck made her heart flutter. "Then why did you push me away earlier?" She asked quietly, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. ¡°In the forest?¡± Catherine nodded, her mind recalling the moment in the forest. "Yes, in the forest," she confirmed, her voice laced with a tinge of hurt. "You told me that I wasn''t ready and that we should learn more about each other" Yuto shifted himself, his hands intertwining as he listened to her concerns. Catherine continued, her voice growing softer with each word. "And then you send me away, only to gravitate towards another woman," she mumbled, a trace of sadness in her voice. "It...it makes me feel unwanted like I''m not enough for you¡± ¡°Heh¡± Yuto''s unexpected reaction took Catherine aback. "What do you mean by ''heh''?" "Sorry, I''m not laughing at you but you kinda remind me of Freya and our first meeting" Catherine''s expression softened at the mention of Freya, her curiosity piqued. "Freya... how so?"The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°She asked me the same thing you did¡± Catherine listened closely. ¡°She asked me if I would love her equally if we got together, of course, I said yes because I always keep my promises¡± ¡°I know that right now I may seem like kind of a douche but trust me when I say that I love all my partners equally¡± As Yuto finished, Catherine''s expression softened. She could see the sincerity in his words. "So you''re saying... that if something were to happen between us, you would love me the same as your other partners?" He carried her out of the church, holding onto her tightly before putting her down gently, holding out his hand. "Of course" Catherine took his hand, her heart lighter after hearing his reassurances. "And what about your passive?" She asked, her question half-serious, half-teasing. "Will your demonic charm affect our relationship too?" "Haha, the girls asked me that too but don''t worry, my will is stronger" Catherine chuckled softly, a mixture of relief and amusement on her face. "Good to know you have discipline, then," she teased, bumping his shoulder playfully. "I don''t want you to go around charming every woman you find attractive" Yuto gave her a soft chuckle, ¡°Now my lady, shall we go on a date?¡± She smiled at Yuto''s invitation, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "A date, huh?" she echoed, a playful teasing in her voice. "And where exactly are you taking me, good sir?" ¡°Why around this whole city of course,¡± he spread his left hand dramatically, showing off the city in all its beauty. "The whole city, you say?" Catherine arched an eyebrow, a slight skepticism in her tone. "And what exactly do you intend to do in the whole city? Are we going to explore all those shops full of girly things like dresses?" ¡°Whatever you desire¡± Catherine pretended to think for a moment, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Anything I want, you say? Well, then..." She took a deep, dramatic breath, drawing out the suspense. "Take me to the most extravagant dress shop in the city" Yuto chuckled as he knew she was playing around, they spent their day going to food stands and enjoying every bit of food they could find. A fulfilling day that left them satisfied. As the sun began to set, the last rays of sunlight casting a warm glow over the city, Yuto, and Catherine set up a stay at an inn. Their bellies were full, and their spirits were high after a day of food and pleasant company. Catherine leaned into Yuto, a contented smile on her face. "I can''t remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much," she confessed, her voice soft. Yuto lay back on the bed, "Yeah... it sure was" She followed Yuto''s lead, flopping down onto the bed beside him. "I''m glad we did this," she said, her voice a little breathless from all the walking they did. "It was a nice change of pace from all the... adventure stuff we''ve been doing lately" "Well once I deal with my little problem I''ll take you on a real adventure" Catherine rolled onto her side to face Yuto, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "A real adventure, huh? And what does that entail, exactly?" "Monster slaying or finding treasures and stuff" "Oh, monster-slaying and treasure hunting, eh?" She propped herself up on her elbow, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Sounds dangerous. Count me in" Yuto sighed as he wrapped the blanket around himself. "Goodnight Cat" Catherine chuckled softly, finding Yuto''s simple reply endearing. "Goodnight, Yuto," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of affection. She snuggled into the blankets beside him, her body warm and comfortable. ¡°¡­¡± Elise chuckled as she saw Yuto sleeping, her smile slowly turning to a deranged smirk. ¡°But everyone knows that all good things must come to an end¡­ wouldn''t you agree, Yuto?¡± SNAP -???- - The Present - "Yes... those times I spent with them were nothing short of happiness" "Cough!" He spat out some blood, and he looked down and noticed his vision was getting a bit blurry. "What was I doing again?" Yuto looked up and heard the war cry of the last remaining demon general. The masses of countless demons approached him, riding on their hellhounds, spears in hand. They were prepared to end him. "Right... I was remembering the past mid-war... it''s not like me" "To doze off mid-battle..." His knees gave out as he collapsed, he did his best to remove the spears that had impaled his back. "Is this the end for me, my body is at its limit,¡± he said with tears following out from his eyes. ¡°Can¡¯t keep my eyes open¡­ I¡¯m sorry everyone¡­¡± Yuto collapsed to the ground, finally closing his eyes. ¡°...¡± ¡°Wake up now¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Wake up Yuto¡­ Wake up¡± ¡°Who?¡± He opened his eyes only to find himself in the heavenly realm, where hours were mere seconds in reality. Elise hovered from her throne and appeared in front of him. A sharp pain came over Yuto before he could say anything, he gripped his chest, this pain was far worse than anything he¡¯d ever experienced. ¡°Even though you are going to continue feeling this pain by using your original magic to save them¡± Yuto slammed his fist on the ground and hit his legs to get up. He grits his teeth as he replies, his tone cold, no warmth like when they first met. ¡°Even if it costs me my life¡± ¡°They are my everything¡± ¡°To fight against the demon lord''s army, I have to use this skill, even if I die, but as long as I can win¡­¡± Elise turned her head away clearly in pain just by his words alone. ¡°So be it, I shall allow you to cast it once more¡± ¡°But be warned, I do not know if your body can survive the aftereffects, you may win but you will also die in the process¡± ¡°Just do it already¡± She looked away as she raised her hand, a dark glow coming out from her hand and wrapping around Yuto¡¯s body. Forbidden Magic: Self Hypnosis [ The ability to trick the host into believing a false narrative ] Forbidden Magic: Nullify Pain [ The ability not to feel pain, but will not alert the host of any life-threatening situations ] ¡°You know that if one can not undo the magic they will be consumed by said magic¡± Yuto gave her a simple nod. ¡°I see¡­ so this is the path you¡¯ve chosen¡­ then let your heart be consumed by your darkness with the light being concealed once more¡± Elise enveloped him in magic and sent him back to reality. ¡°...¡± ¡°You bloody fool¡­¡± She turned around and walked back to her throne. As Yuto was sent back his thoughts went back to his uncle''s teachings, his harsh but sincere words. What would he say if he saw him like this? The painful memory of piercing him in the heart, the whirlwind of emotions he felt that day. Anger Sorrow And Regret As Yuto opened his eyes he noticed that the demons were yet to approach him, he got up, pulling out the last spear from his back. He picked up his great sword as he stopped the bleeding from his nose. His uncle¡¯s words were replaying in his head. Fight damn it. Fight until your flesh rips and your muscles are sore. Until your final breath is filled with blood, fight damn it! For the sake of the future, you¡¯ve envisioned and the people you care about so . . . "GET UP AND FIGHT ONCE MORE!" Yuto¡¯s eyes start to glow bright red, with his fighting spirit being lit once more. With the effect of his skills, he practically strangled the last bit of emotion he had left. "BRING IT HERE YOU FUCKERS!" He gripped his blade so tight that his hands bled, he thought of how his uncle and father swung their swords. Heavy yet swift, it was simply a beautiful technique of the sword. He struck down a hoard as he continued swinging. 10 Kills. To not lose oneself entirely to their darkness. He swung upwards removing countless that stood in his way. 150 Kills To understand the proper way of how to swing a sword. He swung vertically, taking the rest of the army down leaving only the General of Wrath left. Because to swing a sword one must be composed and level-headed. Final Kill The Demon Lord¡¯s army is defeated. The 15th Fragment has been collected. <-System-> [ The Emperor walks once more ] ¡°Oh yeah¡­ what led up to this again?¡± - 4 Years Before - It was morning and the light was hitting Yuto¡¯s eyes, he sat up and tried to get off the bed when he noticed Catherine''s arm wrapped around his stomach. An amused smile tugged at his lips as he untangled himself from her grasp. He got up and got changed, leaving a note saying he would be at the church. With one final look he closed the door and proceeded to head towards the church, he took his time, grabbing a warm bread to start his day. Helping a kid and his mother carry heavy items to their carts. Stopping a robbery in less than two seconds. And finally, he got there on time, only to see Luna waiting for him by the entrance. "Good morning, Yuto," Luna greeted, her voice soft and calm. She looked at him for a moment, her eyes studying his face, before speaking again. "You slept well, I presume?" ¡°I did¡­ you?¡± Luna nodded, her hands clasped in front of her. "Yes, I slept well," she confirmed. Then, her eyes flicked away for a moment, as if contemplating something. "Can I ask you something, Yuto?" ¡°Yes?¡± Luna fidgeted with her dress, her expression slightly nervous as she spoke. "Before... everything happens today," she began, her voice soft and hesitant. "I wanted to ask you something. About... what happened yesterday" ¡°Ah¡­¡± He knew this was coming, of course it was, but he was kinda hoping that she wouldn''t bring it up until after the ceremony was over. Luna''s cheeks tinted pink as she recalled the events from the previous day. She kept her gaze lowered to the ground, unable to maintain eye contact with Yuto. "I... I wanted to ask you..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper. "...about the kiss" "What... what did it mean?" She continued, her voice betraying a mix of emotions. Her hands trembled slightly as she spoke, her heart racing in her chest. ["Should I lie?"] He looked Luna in the eyes and knew he couldn''t bullshit her. "I won¡¯t lie, I did enjoy it..." Luna''s face flushed even deeper, her eyes widening slightly at Yuto''s honest answer. She had expected him to brush it off, but his genuine response caught her off guard. "You... you enjoyed it..." she repeated softly, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and vulnerability. ¡°Look um Luna¡­ I¡¯m gonna tell you what I told the others¡­ I currently have four lovers and if you want you can be my fifth¡­ only if you want, I will not force you to do anything¡± Luna''s eyes widen further at Yuto''s proposal, her cheeks flaming red with surprise and embarrassment. "F-fifth?" she stuttered, her heart beating rapidly against her chest. "You...you have four already?" Her surprise quickly turned to astonishment, her mind whirling with the revelation. With a deep breath, she tried to regain her composure, her expression becoming more serious. "Four others," she repeated softly, her voice filled with a mix of shock and disbelief. "... and you... you want me to be the fifth?" Yuto nodded in confirmation, his gaze steady and sincere. "Yes," he said simply, holding her gaze. "If you want" Luna bit her lip, her mind racing as she processed this unexpected proposal. "I... I don''t know what to say," she admitted truthfully, her heart pounding against her chest. Yuto smiled as he walked up patting her head, ¡°Well you can think about it after this ritual¡± Luna looked up at him, a soft smile gracing her beautiful features. "Yes, the ritual..." She mumbled, recalling the main reason for their meeting. "Are you sure you''re ready for this, Yuto?" She asked, her voice laced with concern. ¡°Yes¡± She placed a hand on his arm, her touch gentle and reassuring. "Then let''s do this," she said quietly, her voice filled with conviction. - Below the Church, Hidden Prison - As they descended to the prison below the church, Yuto''s eyes scanned the surroundings. The air was cold and stale, the faint scent of mold and decay lingering in the air. The cold stone walls created a desolate and unforgiving atmosphere. ¡°What the hell is all this?¡± "It''s an old prison," Luna chimed in, her voice echoing in the empty space. "Used to keep dangerous criminals and magical beings captive" ¡°... Are you going to hide my body here if I die?¡± Luna chuckled softly at Yuto''s dark humor, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. "I certainly hope it doesn''t come to that, Yuto," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of worry. "But yes, if the worst were to happen, this place is suitable to keep your body safe until the ritual is complete¡± [¡°Okay¡­ what the actual fuck¡±] Yuto''s mind reeled at the thought of his lifeless body being hidden. [¡°Kana no Mizuki would probably destroy the church if it did come down to that¡­¡±] The cold, dank prison, a chilling thought that sent a shiver down his spine. "Alright then, let''s get this over with," he muttered, his voice filled with grim determination. They entered an old room with a big table in the middle, with a strange marking on its middle, as instructed he took off his shirt and laid on the table. As Yuto lay down on the cold, stone table, Luna couldn''t help but feel a pang of worry deep in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as she prepared for the ritual to begin. "Are you ready, Yuto?" She asked, her voice a mere whisper, her eyes locked on his. ¡°Yes¡­¡± Luna took a deep breath and began the ritual. She started by drawing intricate and complex symbols and sigils around the table, infusing them with holy energy. The air in the room crackled with the scent of divine power. Next, she placed her hands on Yuto''s chest, and a soft, warm light emitted from her palms. As the light touched his skin, it sent a burning sensation throughout his body. The pain was intense, almost unbearable, as if his very essence was being torn apart. Tears began to well in the corners of Yuto''s eyes, but he gritted his teeth and endured as Luna''s energy coursed through him. The pain was intense, like fiery knives stabbing into his very soul. [¡°FUCK THIS FUCKING HURTS!!!¡±] "Just hold on, Yuto. You can do this," Luna whispered, her voice a beacon of encouragement amid his suffering. His horns and wings sported from his body as the holy magic did its best to suppress them. But Luna would not yield as the room became a tableau of divine power and excruciating pain. Yuto''s body trembled under Luna''s energy, his muscles tensing and flexing as his demonic traits began to recede. "Almost there, Yuto," Luna encouraged, her voice filled with determination. "Just a little more¡± Yuto bit his lip, the pain was causing his mind to go blank, and he could feel himself losing to his demonic nature. ¡°L-luna¡­ b-back away¡­¡± Luna''s eyes widened with surprise and concern as Yuto''s voice, filled with pain and strain, pleaded for her to back away. She hesitated for a moment, wanting to continue with the ritual to ensure its success. "We can''t not till we finished" Yuto''s body shook violently as his wings and horns retracted. The intensity of the ritual became almost unbearable. Yuto''s body convulsed on the table, his claws retracting, his skin transforming, as the power of the ritual fought against his demonic essence. Through gritted teeth, he managed to speak again. "Please, Luna... Back away... NOW!" Luna caught between her determination to complete the ritual and her worry for Yuto''s wellbeing, fought against the urge to back away. She gritted her teeth and channeled more holy magic through her palms, infusing it into Yuto''s body. As the intensity increased, Yuto let out a gut-wrenching scream, his body arching off the table as the ritual continued. His screams echoed off the cold stone walls of the prison, the sound filled with torment and anguish. Every fiber of his being protested the intrusion of the holy energy, but Luna persisted, determined to complete the ritual at any cost. As Luna pushed the ritual to its climax, pouring all her remaining holy energy into Yuto, a burst of blinding light erupted from the table. The force of the energy sent Luna flying back, crashing against the cold stone wall. For a moment, the room was silent, except for the labored breathing and the soft groan that escaped Luna''s lips. Yuto lay motionless on the table, his body battered and bruised from the intensity of the ritual. "We finished Yuto... the ritual is done" "Yuto?" Silence fell over the room, broken only by the sound of Luna''s labored breaths. Luna pushed herself up from the ground, her body tender and bruised from the impact of the wall. She approached Yuto slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yuto?" she repeated, her voice wavering with a mix of hope and fear. "Yuto, can you hear me? Are you alright?" Yuto''s eyes flickered open sluggishly, his gaze unfocused and disoriented. He tried to speak, but his voice cracked, his throat dry and raw from the screams of pain that he had let out. ¡°F-f-food¡± Luna, seeing Yuto''s struggle to speak, realized immediately that he was hungry. She quickly went to a supply cabinet, rummaging through it for something to sate his hunger. "Hang on, Yuto," she said softly, her voice filled with concern. "I''ll get you something to eat¡± She found a small packet of dried fruit and nuts, and hurried back to Yuto, ripping open the package and holding it out to him. Yuto looked up, and chuckled, as he laid back, ¡°F-fuck am I, an animal?¡± Luna blushed a little at Yuto''s comment, her eyes widening a little at his unexpected levity. She chuckled softly in response, her heart lightning at the sound of his voice. "No, you''re not an animal. But your body has just been through a tremendous ordeal," she explained, her voice filled with genuine concern. "You need to eat something to replenish your strength" "I eat meat... meat, chicken, beer... you have any?" Luna smiled, realizing that Yuto''s request for food was more specific than she initially thought. She chuckled softly and nodded, heading back to the cabinet. "I think I have something," she said, searching through the cabinets. After a moment, she found a small packet of dried meat and a canteen of water. "Here," she said, offering the packet and canteen to Yuto. "This should do the trick" Yuto''s eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and relief as Luna handed him the food. He quickly sat up, his body still aching but fueled by a newfound energy. He tore into the packet of dried meat, the taste and texture satisfying his primal hunger. As he finished wolfing down the food, he took a few gulps from the canteen of water, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. ¡°Haah¡­ thank you¡± Luna smiled, her relief evident as she watched Yuto satiate his hunger. She sat down on the edge of the stone table, her eyes studying his face, searching for any signs of discomfort or pain. "You''re welcome," she replied gently. "How are you feeling? Any pain or discomfort?" "My whole body feels like shit but I can manage..." "Good good" "..." "..." Luna looked down and let out a soft sigh. "So about what you said outside" Yuto, sensing the seriousness in her tone, looked up at her. He saw the worry and uncertainty in her face, and he knew what she would ask before she spoke. [¡°Come on Yuto¡­ face this like a man¡­¡±] Volume 5 Chapter 1, A royal problem In a serious conversation of the past Mizuki told him that at least one person would be concerned. About his relationships with other women. They have every right to be, after all, he is sharing his love with 4 others. So¡­ he will listen to her concerns as any good partner would. They sat on the table, making themselves as comfortable as can be. ¡°Yuto?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± "You said you currently have four lovers," Luna began, her voice soft but steady. She looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability in her eyes. "And you, um, offered for me to be the fifth" She took a deep breath and continued, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her white dress as she looked at Yuto. "I just... I need to know if this is something you''re simply offering because of some... physical attraction, or if there''s more to it," she explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Well I won''t deny that I am physically attracted to you" Luna smiled a little at Yuto''s honesty but her expression remained serious. "You''re an honest man," she said softly. "But physical attraction alone is not enough¡± ¡°When you talk about having multiple lovers, it''s not just about physical pleasure¡± ¡°It''s about trust, emotional connection, and mutual respect¡± ¡°Do you believe that''s something you can offer me?" ¡°...¡± "I do not" ¡°Oh¡­¡± She looked down, dejected and a bit upset. Of course, she felt as if she had no right to feel upset when she felt his hand ruffle her hair. "You see the others love me despite my flaws, despite my true nature¡± ¡°But I know they also love me because I have proven myself worthy of their love" Luna listened intently, her eyes focused on Yuto, her heart racing a little faster at his words. "Worthy?" She repeated, her voice a mere whisper. "You believe you have to be worthy of someone''s love?" ¡°I do, you¡¯ve seen firsthand what happens when my demonic nature wins¡± She nodded slowly, her mind flashing back to when his wings and horns appeared, a demon or a human? She was confused as to which was the real him, she swallowed hard, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. "Yes, I have," she said softly, her voice betraying a hint of fear and awe. "But I can also see that you''re more than that. Behind that demonic nature, there''s a man with a heart, isn''t there?" "Hmph, Mizuki said the same..." ¡°Because it¡¯s the truth¡± Luna''s voice was soft yet firm, her conviction unwavering. She moved closer to Yuto in the cold, dank prison cell, her gaze still fixed on his face. "You may have a demonic side, but that doesn''t define you. There''s so much more to you than that," she whispered. [¡°She smells like roses¡­¡±] "Don''t underestimate your worth, Yuto. You deserve love, and I... I want to try to give you mine¡± He tilted his head and with a soft chuckle replied, "Does that mean?" Luna''s heart pounded in her chest as she looked at Yuto, her mind and heart filled with conflicting emotions. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I''m saying yes. I... I want to be a part of this, part of what you have with the others. I want to love you, Yuto, with everything I have" ¡°Luna¡­¡± Her heart skipped a beat as Yuto said her name, his voice warm and gentle. She looked into his eyes, her own filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation. "Yes?" she responded, her voice a little shaky. He leaned in about to kiss her before they heard Catherine''s voice. "Hey, lovebirds," Catherine''s voice rang out, filled with a hint of mock annoyance. They pulled back surprised to see that she managed to find her way down here. ¡°Hey Cat¡± Catherine walked into the room, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. "I see you two are having a moment," she teased, her eyes flickering between Yuto and Luna. Luna blushed a little, her eyes darting from Yuto to Catherine and back. She was still trying to process her own emotions from their previous conversation, and Catherine''s sudden appearance rattled her a bit. Yuto chuckled as he patted the other side of the table, "Looks like we need to talk" Catherine raised an eyebrow, sensing the serious tone in Yuto''s voice. She walked over to the table and sat down beside Yuto, her expression becoming more serious. "Sounds like it," she said, crossing her arms. "What''s going on?" ¡°Well as you know, the both of you have agreed to become my lovers¡± Catherine''s eyes widened a little at Yuto''s direct statement, but her expression remained composed. She looked from Yuto to Luna, who was still blushing slightly from what had happened just moments before. "I have, yes," Catherine replied, her voice firm yet soft. "And I assume Luna has too, judging by the look on her face" Luna blushed even more, her cheeks burning hot. She glanced at Catherine, her heart pounding in her chest. "I... Yes," she managed to stutter out, her voice quivering. "I have" Catherine''s smirk broadened a spark of triumph in her eyes. "Well, well," she said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Looks like we''re all on the same page then" Yuto lightly slapped his hands to get the attention back on him, "But as you know Catherine is a Priestess, and Luna is the Cardinal" Both Luna and Catherine nodded in agreement, their eyes locked on Yuto. Their positions held great responsibility and power within the church of Elise. And leaving can lead to a bit of problems down the road. "I''m not asking you guys to leave the church so abruptly but to give them a notice that you will now follow the hero on his journey to defeat the demon king" The two women fell silent as Yuto''s statement hung in the air. They exchanged glances, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty in their eyes. Catherine was the first to speak up, her voice cautious. "You''re the hero?" Luna looked at Yuto, "Like the summoned hero from another world?" ¡°Nah, I know the guy who¡¯s the actual ¡®hero¡¯ and he¡¯s a bit of a spoiled brat¡± Catherine smirked at Yuto''s comment, clearly amused by his bluntness. "And I''m assuming you''re better than this summoned hero?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Well yeah¡± ¡°Oh? And what''s the best feat you have that tops his achievements?¡± ¡°You know the news about a giant demon being killed in the elven forest?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°I killed it with my ego sword (and with Freya¡¯s help) while the hero was nowhere to be seen (because I undid its seal)¡± Both Catherine and Luna''s eyes widened, their jaws dropping open a little at Yuto''s revelation. "Wait, you''re telling me that you defeated that giant demon?" Luna asked, her voice filled with disbelief. ¡°Yup¡± ¡°How?!?¡± ¡°With a sword and some magic¡± ¡°But a high-level demon?¡± ¡°What about its level?¡± ¡°... true¡­¡± Catherine was trying to wrap her head around the concept while Luna was trying to picture how the battle went. ¡°So¡­ follow me on this journey of mine, believe in me and I shall show you a new world!¡± Catherine and Luna looked at Yuto for a long moment as they processed his words. The hero he claimed to be was real. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Catherine was the first to speak, her voice steady. "I believe you," she said firmly. "But can you assure us that this ''new world'' you speak of is safe and worth following you into?" Luna chimed in, "You make it seem like we''re gonna change the world or something close to that" Yuto chuckled softly, a mix of confidence and determination in his voice. "It''s going to be a change, that I can assure you¡± ¡°And as for safety, I can''t promise you won''t get hurt or experience hardship," he paused, his eyes locking onto both of them. "But I can promise you, it''s going to be one hell of a ride" Catherine and Luna exchanged glances once more, their expressions mirroring each other''s. There was a hint of excitement mixed with a touch of doubt. Catherine spoke first, her voice steady yet tinged with anticipation. "Well, I guess that sounds¡­ exciting. Plus, it''s not every day a hero shows up telling you to ditch your old life and join him on a quest" Luna chuckled softly, her blush fading as her excitement grew. "Exciting is the word I''d use," she said, her voice more confident now. "And hey, what''s life without a little adventure, right?" Yuto smiled as he got off the table and walked towards the door, "Let''s go register to be adventures then" Catherine and Luna exchanged another glance, their eyes filled with excitement and determination. They stood up from the table, Catherine slinging her bag over her shoulder and Luna straightening out her dress. "Alright then," Catherine said, a hint of a smirk on her lips. "Let''s go register as adventurers" Luna nodded in agreement, a small smile on her lips. "Sounds like a plan," she said, her heart beginning to race once more at the thought of the adventure they were about to embark on. "Lead the way, Yuto" Yuto chuckled, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he pushed open the door. "With pleasure," he said, gesturing for the women to follow him. "Let''s go shape our destiny¡± Catherine and Luna followed Yuto out of the cold stone prison cell. They had no idea what the future held, but they trusted in Yuto''s leadership and his promise of a new world. As they walked down the cobblestone streets, the sounds of the city echoed in their ears. And with each step, they were one step closer to their new life as adventurers. The trio made their way through the city''s bustling streets, their strides long and purposeful. The people they passed regarded them with curiosity and respect, perhaps sensing the air of authority and power that surrounded the group. "Jeez Yuto, it seems that we''re already making a name for ourselves" "Nah, they probably just jelly that I have two beautiful women walking alongside me" They both blushed upon hearing this and turned their heads away. They continued joking when a young lady stopped Yuto. She was wearing a very expensive dress and was being escorted by multiple guards. "It''s the second princess!" Someone whispered. "The older or younger one?" Another whisper. "The younger one" And another. "Don''t say anything stupid, you might disappear like the queen" The last sentence got that man dragged away, he was kicking and screaming as he was pulled behind the alley. Catherine tugged on Yuto''s coat, "What do we do?" Luna put Catherine behind her as she stood beside Yuto, "Your Highness... what may we do for you?" Claudia gave Luna a slight curtsy. "Good to see the Cardinal and Priestess in good health, alas I do not have some tea on me so please excuse my current manners" Both Catherine and Luna bowed deeply in respect. The younger princess was known for her kind heart and gentle manners. "No need to worry, Your Highness," Luna assured her. "We are honored that you''ve stopped us" Catherine, never one to stay silent, spoke up, her voice filled with curiosity. "Might we ask why you''ve sought us out?" Claudia looked back at Yuto, "I wish to speak with this gentleman about some private manners" Catherine and Luna glanced at each other, surprise written all over their faces. They looked at Yuto, waiting for his response. Yuto, trying to contain his bewilderment at being singled out by the princess. "Yuto say something," Luna whispered. "He''ll see you right now, Your Highness," Catherine said while pushing Yuto forward. "What, you both are just gonna leave me with her?" Catherine and Luna shared another glance, a mix of surprise and amusement in their eyes. "Well, you seem like a big boy," Catherine teased, a smirk on her lips. "Can''t handle a little chat with royalty?" [¡°No because I almost killed Kaz in our last fight¡±] ¡°I almost killed the last royal I met so no¡± Both Catherine and Luna''s eyes widened at Yuto''s blunt statement. They knew he was powerful, but killing a royal? That was something they weren''t expecting. Catherine chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Careful, Yuto. Let''s not add ''princess killer'' to your list" Some royal guards raised their spears if he refused to meet Claudia. Now, a fun fact about Yuto, he hates being threatened, to the point he would smack someone so hard they don''t remember who he is. Which is the lie he uses to put people at ease, in reality, he rips their arm off if they continue to threaten him. Blood Lust Tier 1 "Lower those weapons" The royal guards, who had raised their spears in a cautionary manner, were taken aback by Yuto''s sharp tone. The coldness in his voice sent a shiver down their spines, and they quickly lowered their spears, eyes filled with a mixture of fear and respect. Meanwhile, Claudia looked at Yuto, her expression remaining calm and composed. She hadn''t missed the flicker of danger in his eyes, but she was not one to easily back down. "I can see that my guards are getting impatient," Claudia stated, her eyes fixed on Yuto. "Would you come with me, so we can discuss this in a more private environment?" Yuto looked around, the whispers grew and so did the crowd, he sighed as he looked back at her. "Nothing happens to the two behind me, deal?" Claudia nodded a small yet subtle smirk on her lips. "You have my word. I assure you, no harm will come to them." ¡°Lead the way then your Highness¡± Claudia nodded and gestured for Yuto to follow her. The royal guards, still wary of Yuto''s earlier display, stayed behind with Luna and Catherine. As they walked through the city streets, the whispers and murmurs grew louder amongst the crowd. Rumors about Yuto killing the previous king had spread quickly, and many now viewed him with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Claudia noticed the glances from the passersby and the whisperings, but she kept her composure and continued walking, leading Yuto to a nearby tea house. Yuto mumbled, "How the fuck would I have killed the previous king? I wasn''t even born!" Claudia chuckled softly at Yuto''s mutterings, clearly amused by his bluntness. "Ah, no need to worry," she reassured him. "I don''t believe any of those rumors. But it seems you have many things to tell me about¡± ¡°Seems like it¡­ where are we going?¡± Claudia smiled slightly as she continued leading Yuto through the city''s grand streets. "To the palace, of course," she explained. "We can have a private conversation in one of the gardens. It''s a peaceful place, and no ears will linger" Yuto stopped in his tracks and tried to run, "Nope no no no" Claudia spun around, her eyes widening in surprise as Yuto attempted to bolt. She quickly stepped forward, placing a hand on his chest to stop him. "What''s wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion. "Look I agreed to talk not go to the royal palace" Claudia sighed, her hand still resting on Yuto''s chest, a mix of disappointment and understanding in her eyes. "I understand your hesitation," she said, her voice calm. "But I assure you, I merely wish to converse. The palace is the only place where we can discuss private matters without the risk of eavesdroppers" ¡°...¡± "Haah, where is your room located?" Claudia raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and intrigue in her expression. "Interesting request," she said, her tone laced with a touch of playfulness. "My room is on the upper floor, west wing. But may I ask why you''d prefer to talk there rather than somewhere more public?" Spacial Magic: Teleport The surroundings blurred into a white haze. In a split second, they appeared in Claudia''s room, the transition smooth and seamless. Claudia''s eyes widened as she took in her new surroundings, a flicker of surprise mixing with curiosity and awe. Yuto wasted no second and jumped on her bed, not even taking the time to take off his shoes, he pulled a chair with magic for her to sit on. Claudia chuckled softly, a mixture of amusement and annoyance on her face as Yuto made himself comfortable on her bed. The sight of him in her private space, still wearing dirty shoes, was both amusing and irritating. Without a word, she sat on the chair Yuto had conjured with magic, her eyes studying him with a mixture of fascination and irritation. "You''re quite the character, Yuto," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and mild annoyance. "Making yourself at home in a princess''s bed and tracking dirt all over my floor. Not very gentlemanly, if I may say so" ¡°Never said I was a gentleman¡± Claudia chuckled at his response, her irritation slowly fading as she couldn''t help but find his bluntness somewhat endearing. "Fair enough," she admitted. "But I hope your intentions aren''t as filthy as the dirt you just brought into my room" He chuckled as he turned his body to face her, ¡°I have no interest in you¡± Claudia smirked at Yuto''s straightforward admission. His bluntness was refreshing compared to the usual courtly etiquette she was accustomed to. "Good to know," she replied, her voice laced with subtle humor. "But then tell me, why did you agree to come here in the first place?" ¡°And with no fighting, I was certain you were going to do something¡± ¡°...¡± "It''s troublesome to kill people who are merely doing their jobs" [¡°And my humanity could be at risk, sure I stopped it from falling further but I ain¡¯t risking it¡±] Claudia''s eyes widened momentarily at Yuto''s casual reference to killing. It seemed he had a habit of dropping such statements as easily as breathing. "Ah, so you''re a man of morals," she said, her voice remaining neutral despite her concern. "You value life, even when met with opposition" ¡°Nah it''s just troublesome¡± Claudia raised an eyebrow at Yuto''s casual response, a subtle hint of disbelief in her gaze. "Troublesome, you say?" she repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. "So, it''s not out of any sense of morals or principles, but rather because it causes you inconvenience" ¡°Now you get it¡± Claudia chuckled softly again, shaking her head slightly. "I see," she said, a small smile on her lips. "You''re quite the honest one, Yuto. No sugar coating or pretense, just straight to the point. Refreshing and a bit intriguing" "Enough of the chit-chat, why did you want to meet me?" Claudia leaned back in her chair, her eyes meeting Yuto''s gaze with a mix of curiosity and a hint of seriousness. "Indeed, let''s get to the point," she said, her voice becoming more businesslike. "About two years ago my eldest sister seemed to have behaved like a different person" "Back then we weren''t on good terms and yet overnight she seemed to have gotten a new personality" "She made up with me, made new bounds with her maid Ruby, dumped the hero, became friends with the royal blacksmith, and exposed my mother''s abuse, which led to her being stripped of her queen title and being sent to live with her parents" "So what does that have to do with me?" Claudia leaned forward, her eyes never leaving Yuto''s, her expression growing more intense. "Because," she said, her voice growing more urgent, "As soon as she exposed my mother she passed out" "When she woke up her old personality came back and do you know what her first words were?" "What?" "Where''s Yuto?" ¡°...¡± Claudia studied Yuto''s expression, searching for any signs of comprehension or recognition. Her own eyes were filled with a mixture of excitement and curiosity. "Does that surprise you?" she asked, her voice soft yet intently focused on his reaction. "Of course, why would Rosalind say my name?" Claudia''s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "You know my sister''s name," she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "You know Rosalind so much that you say her name with warmth?" [¡°Shit¡±] ¡°How do you know my sister?¡± ¡°What is the relationship between the two of you?¡± ¡°I need not answer that¡± Claudia''s frustration was evident. Yuto''s evasiveness only fueled her need to know more. "Why won''t you answer?" she pressed, her tone turning slightly impatient. "What is it that you''re trying to hide?" ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± Claudia''s eyes narrowed as she leaned forward, her voice growing firmer. "Because I want answers," she demanded, her frustration and anxiety clear in her voice. "My sister randomly wakes up saying your name and you refuse to give any explanation. Do you not see how bizarre and suspicious that is?" ¡°Nope¡­¡± Her frustration was palpable now, her patience wearing thin. Yuto''s nonchalant attitude was only adding to her irritation. "Why are you being so difficult?" she asked, her voice rising slightly. "Do you understand that I''m worried about my sister? That I''m trying to figure out what happened to her¡± ¡°Yet you''re here, acting as if none of this concerns you" Yuto chuckled as he got up and patted her head, "You''ve changed for the better haven''t you Claudia?" The unexpected gesture from Yuto caught Claudia off guard, her surprise evident as he patted her on the head. She froze for a moment, her irritation momentarily replaced by a mix of confusion and... a strange sense of comfort? ''He''s acting exactly like how sis did two years ago...'' ¡®This oddly calm manner of acting¡­ it''s warm¡¯ Claudia shook her head, trying to clear the thought. She needed answers, not distractions. "What do you mean I''ve changed?" She asked, her voice steady yet tinted with a hint of vulnerability. Yuto got up and proceeded to act as Rosalind did two years ago. From the tone of speech, and the conversations he had with the maids, king, guards, blacksmith, and the hero. Claudia watched, her eyes widening slightly as Yuto began imitating her sister''s behavior and mannerisms. It was unnerving yet captivating to see him accurately mimic Rosalind''s personality from two years ago. "How... How do you know all this?" she asked, her voice betraying a mixture of shock and intrigue. Barrier Tier 8 "What I''m about to do you keep quiet about, okay?" Claudia, still reeling from Yuto''s ability to mimic her sister, was taken aback by his sudden request. However, her curiosity and desire for answers overpowered her surprise. "I promise," she replied, her voice serious yet tinged with nervous anticipation. "Well not sure how to tell you but you know that week your sister acted weird?" Claudia nodded her expression with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. "Yes, the week she suddenly acted nothing like herself," she replied, her voice low and steady. "Like she was an entirely different person" "Yeah that''s because I was possessing her body" Claudia''s eyes widened in shock, her mind racing to process Yuto''s shocking confession. "What... What do you mean you were possessing her body?" She asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and panic. "Don''t worry, my goal was to find something else but in the process, I helped her in her mind world, and that''s how your sister became better" "The act of exposing your mother''s abuse was my last gift before I was sent back to my body" Claudia''s mind was a whirlwind of emotions as she processed Yuto''s explanation. Shock, confusion, disbelief, and a glimmer of relief all mingled together within her. "You... You were possessing her," she repeated, her voice laced with a mix of incredulity and curiosity. "And in doing so, you helped her sort out her issues with mother?" "Well yes and no, I did help her but that was only after trying to find clues for my journey" Claudia''s head was spinning. The revelation of Yuto''s possession of her sister''s body was a bomb dropped into her understanding of the last two years. "So you were possessing her, searching for clues for your own goals, and in the process helped her deal with her issues?" She questioned her voice with a mix of incredulity and growing acceptance. ¡°Yes¡± Claudia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she processed this new information. Her mind was reeling, but a sense of cautious relief began to set in. "Why?" she asked, her voice soft yet resolute. "Why take over my sister''s body to search for clues?" "Not like I wanted to, look, the point is I helped out your family, no?" Claudia sighed, her conflicted emotions evident on her face. She couldn''t deny the fact that Yuto''s possession of her sister''s body, inadvertently or not, had led to significant positive changes in her family. "Yes, you did help us," she admitted, her voice soft yet tinged with a hint of resignation. "So what''s Rose up to nowadays?" Claudia''s expression softened at the question about her sister''s current state. "Rosalind..." she began, her voice a mix of pride and concern. "She seems happier and more assertive¡± ¡°After Mother''s abusive nature, was exposed and she was exiled, Rose was permitted by our father to move out¡± ¡°She now has a small shop downtown where she sells various items and trinkets¡± "I see... that''s good" Claudia nodded a small, almost melancholic smile on her face. "It is good," she said, her voice laced with a mixture of relief and nostalgia. "Seeing her now, living on her own, working to support herself, and making her own decisions... it''s a far cry from the timid, obedient sister she was two years ago" "Looks like the brat I spoke to has changed" Claudia raised an eyebrow at Yuto''s description of her sister. "Brat is... certainly a colorful way to describe her," she quipped, her voice a mixture of humor and affection. "But yes, she has changed¡± ¡°She''s grown more confident, more outspoken, and more independent. It''s like she''s finally become her true self" "What? I was talking about you" Claudia blinked, a bit taken aback by Yuto''s unexpected response. "Me?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and mild indignation. "You''re calling me a brat?" Yuto mimicked Claudia''s voice and the conversation from two years ago. "You have no idea what it''s like being behind your shadow" "Don''t act like you know me" "Big sis, you''ve changed" Her face flushed red as she tried covering her face. "You... You remember that?" she asked, her voice quiet, filled with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. "Funniest shit I''ve ever heard reminded me of my younger sister" ¡°Not funny¡± ¡°Look, the things you said that day were very hurtful, be thankful that I was the one who received those words and not Rosalind¡± ¡°The relationship between the two of you would have been destroyed¡± Claudia sighed, her eyes downward as she absorbed Yuto''s words. "You''re right," she admitted, her voice soft yet tinged with shame. "I was venting my frustration out on her, but I was also venting my true feelings to you¡± ¡°If she heard me, our relationship would have been in ruins. I should be thankful for that" ¡°Yup¡± She chuckled at how blunt he was, appreciation for his straightforwardness. ¡°You have a habit of making me sheepish, you know that?¡± Her tone was filled with slight teasing. "Oi oi oi, don''t go falling in love with me, say the same to your sister" She chuckled as she laid back, ¡°Me, fall in love with you?¡±