"This..."
The moment he opened his eyes, Charlie immediately recognized the ceiling of his room — so familiar it needed no second glance. Sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, and in the distance came the faint, characteristic bustle of Orario beginning its day.
"Right, Gaia only gave us three hours to prepare all of this. I need to gather the items the other Saviors requested as soon as possible."
Charlie was about to rise from the bed, but a weight resting on his chest prevented him from moving.
"Aishia?"
When he looked down, his eyes immediately caught the figure of a beautiful girl with peach-colored hair, fast asleep on his chest. Not a single thread of clothing covered her body. At once, memories of the previous night came flooding back like a dam giving way.
"Last night, Aishia came to my room in secret... and the two of us spent a night full of passion..."
Recalling the scenes from the night before, Charlie couldn't suppress the stirring that suddenly rose within him.
"Does Charlie want to do it again?"
At some point Aishia had woken up, and she was now gazing at Charlie with her characteristic blank expression. Her clear eyes stared without blinking, as though waiting for an answer with infinite patience.
"I do. But..." Charlie smiled wryly, gently stroking her hair. "It's already morning. If we start another round, I'm worried Goddess Astraea will find out. Even though she isn't as firmly opposed to relationships between men and women as Goddess Artemis is, the situation could still become awkward. I don't want to create an uncomfortable atmosphere at the dining table later."
Carefully, he nudged Aishia to the side and sat up on the edge of the bed.
"Besides, there's something I need to take care of. An important matter that can't be put off. Let's continue tonight."
"Mm."
Aishia didn't even ask what the matter was. She rose with a graceful movement, picked up the dress that lay on the floor, and slipped it on without hesitation. It was plainly apparent she wore no undergarments — something that was either deliberate or simply her habit.
With steps that were slightly unsteady — unmistakable evidence of the previous night's activities — Aishia walked out of the room. Before the door closed, she glanced back and said, "Tonight, Charlie. Don't forget."
Charlie could only shake his head with a smile.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
After breakfast with all the residents of Empyrean Citadel, Charlie hurried toward Twilight Manor.
That day, Kei descended into the Dungeon accompanied by Aishia, who had taken on the role of watching over and protecting her in Charlie's place. Meanwhile, Astraea brought Est along as a mascot to gather with the other goddesses she was close to.
Upon arriving at the gates of Twilight Manor, Charlie no longer encountered the guarded demeanor of the two gatekeepers. His previous visits had made it clear enough that he had a working relationship with the executives of Loki Familia. On top of that, his status as a Level 6 adventurer was enough to make anyone think twice before acting carelessly around him.
After Charlie stated his intention to meet Riveria, one of the guards hurried inside to report without asking too many questions.
It didn't take long before a green-haired elf with a distinctly aristocratic air emerged from within.
"Only one reason comes to mind as to why you'd visit me this early in the morning. You want to purchase another Grimoire, don't you?"
Riveria made her guess with a look caught between bewilderment and amusement. She had, after all, come to know Charlie fairly well through their previous transactions.
"Precisely. This time it's not just one — I need four Grimoires."
"Hearing that, I find myself wondering. Do you truly think of this library as your own personal bookshop?"
"I apologize for the inconvenience." Charlie smiled faintly. "But this really is urgent."
"Very well, follow me."
Without asking further questions, Riveria turned and walked back into Twilight Manor, with Charlie following behind her.
Along the way to the library, the adventurers of Loki Familia who crossed their path paused briefly to observe Charlie. Whispers began to ripple here and there.
"Isn't that Solo Leveling? What business does he have coming to our headquarters?"
"No idea. But this is already his third time here. There must be some kind of cooperative arrangement with the executives."
"He's so handsome... I never expected that seeing him up close, his face would be far more striking than described."
"Anakitty, don't tell me you've fallen for that man?"
"Alicia, it's perfectly natural for a woman to be drawn to a handsome man. Don't you feel even a little of his charm?"
"Mm. I have to admit, even by Elf standards, Solo Leveling does have a remarkably fine face."
"See, you're admitting it too!"
Riveria, who had heard the whispers behind her, let out a long sigh. She glanced toward Charlie.
"I apologize. You've just witnessed an embarrassing side of Loki Familia."
"There's no need to apologize, Riveria." Charlie shook his head with a smile. "They're simply living out their youth in a perfectly natural way. Don't be too hard on them."
Among the crowd of adventurers watching from a distance, a woman with long golden hair stood frozen in place. Her amber eyes were fixed sharply on Charlie, unblinking.
"Charlie..."
Ais murmured the name in a voice barely above a breath — a whisper that only she herself could catch.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
"Ugh! What are you doing here!"
The moment he stepped through the library door, Charlie was greeted by a reception that was anything but welcoming.
A female elf with golden-blonde hair and a distinctive fringe stood before him, both hands clenched into fists and her eyes wide with open suspicion.
Riveria, who heard the greeting, immediately furrowed her brow. "Lefiya. That is rude. He is my guest."
"Hmm..."
Scolded by Riveria, Lefiya shot Charlie one last glare before reluctantly dropping her gaze. Yet the suspicious look didn't fully vanish — it lingered in the corners of her eyes.
Charlie studied the elf girl with curiosity. As far as he could recall, he had never done anything that could have offended her. So why was she so openly hostile toward him?
*(Riveria-sama! Don't be fooled by that kind face he puts on! He's a hypocrite! A womanizer who cheats behind everyone's backs! A scoundrel who tainted Ais-sama with his very presence!)*
Lefiya could only echo those sentiments within the confines of her own mind. She desperately wanted to tell Riveria about the improper relationship between Charlie and Ais. But if she did that, Ais's reputation would be tarnished. And that was too great a price to pay. So she chose silence — even though the silence itself tormented her.
Not understanding the complexity of thoughts swirling inside her would-be successor's mind, Riveria approached the bookshelf and began searching for Grimoires among the stacked volumes.
"What exactly do you need this many Grimoires for? You're surely aware that each one can only be used once in a lifetime, aren't you?"
Riveria asked without turning her head, her nimble fingers tracing the spines of books along the shelf.
"I'm not the one who will be using them." Charlie answered calmly. "Some acquaintances of mine requested them. They come from... different backgrounds and have particular needs when it comes to magic."
"I see."
Riveria didn't press further. As a highborn elf and a distinguished Mage, she understood perfectly well that there were times when a person couldn't explain everything. Whatever Charlie intended to do with those Grimoires was his own business.
While waiting, Charlie glanced toward Lefiya, who was still standing in the corner of the room with her guarded stare. He decided to try making conversation.
"Lefiya."
"Hiyaaa!!!"
Lefiya immediately leapt backward several steps, her hand reflexively flying to the magic staff at her hip. Her eyes were wide and alert.
"W-What do you want from me?! Don't come any closer!"
Charlie raised both hands, showing that he had no intention of attacking. "Calm down, I only wanted to ask something. Have I ever done anything to offend you? As far as I remember, we've barely even met. So why do you treat me like an enemy?"
Lefiya stared at him with a look caught between anger and embarrassment.
"D-Don't just say my name so casually! What if I end up pregnant because of it?!"
"Hah?"
Charlie blinked several times, processing the words he had just heard. Then his expression shifted into one of comprehension, accompanied by a faint smile.
"Ah... So you're the type of woman who doesn't quite have a full grasp of the reproductive process. You think that merely making contact with a man or sharing a room with him is enough to make a woman pregnant."
Lefiya's face flushed a deep, vivid red. Equal parts mortified at the misunderstanding, and furious at being looked down on.
"D-Don't look down on me! I know perfectly well where babies come from! That was just a figure of speech, a metaphor! I simply don't want to interact with a shameless man like you! Don't treat me like I'm stupid!"
"Oh."
Charlie's short, flat response was precisely what made Lefiya even more infuriated. One word, devoid of tone, devoid of expression. As though he genuinely considered her too foolish to be worth engaging with.
"Here we are."
Riveria returned from the bookshelf carrying four Grimoires in her arms. The thick volumes with their leather covers and ancient ornamentation looked heavy, yet she carried them with ease.
"These are what you asked for."
Riveria handed the stack of Grimoires to Charlie.
"Now then, how will you be paying? Money, or bartering with a Space-Time Cache as before?"
"I'll go with the latter option." Charlie retrieved four pink-colored bracelets from the pocket of his robe. "I've been a little short on funds lately. Haven't had the chance to run any Dungeon expeditions."
He placed the four bracelets into Riveria's hands.
"Hah? Why are they pink?"
Riveria stared at the bracelets with a mildly startled expression. The Space-Time Caches Charlie had given her previously were an elegant silver, suitable for wearing on anyone's wrist. But these ones... bright pink, with a shimmer that was almost distinctly feminine.
"No particular reason." Charlie shrugged. "Just thought I'd change things up a bit. Or perhaps... a passing whim."
"Changing things up with pink?" Riveria gave a slow shake of her head. "Sometimes I truly cannot follow your way of thinking, Charlie."
"Isn't that what makes life more interesting?" Charlie smiled, then turned toward the door. Before stepping out, he glanced toward Lefiya, who was still standing in the corner with her watchful gaze. "Well then, I'll take my leave, Riveria. It seems there's someone here who doesn't exactly welcome my presence."
And without waiting for a response, Charlie walked out of the library, leaving the two elf women behind.
"Now then, Lefiya."
The moment the library door closed, Riveria turned to face her beloved student. Her gaze was sharp, yet not unkind — the look of a teacher in search of the truth.
"Can you explain, honestly, the real reason why you dislike Charlie so much? Don't make excuses. I know you. There's something you're not saying."
"Well... it's just that..."
Lefiya bowed her head deeply, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her skirt. She opened her mouth several times, but no words came out.
How could she ever explain that her animosity was rooted in jealousy?
That she had watched Ais — Ais Wallenstein, who had for so long been her inspiration, her role model, and also... the object of her adoration — fall into the arms of another man?
"I... I just..."
"Hmm?"
Riveria waited patiently. But Lefiya still couldn't find the words. And deep within her heart, she screamed at herself in frustration.
(Forgive me, Riveria-sama... I can't say it. I just can't!)*
The library fell silent, occupied only by two elves and their respective secrets.
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