Inside the chat group dimension, a series of loud crashing sounds echoed, breaking the silence.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
A body shot out from the dense forest trees due to being thrown. It was Yuuto. While he was still propelled backward in the air, Yamato had suddenly dashed after him with incredible speed, swinging her giant mace directly at the young man.
Without panicking, Yuuto immediately crossed both his arms in front of his chest to block. Right before the mace hit him, both of Yuuto's arms suddenly hardened and turned pitch-black.
BOOOM!
Yamato's mace struck Yuuto's arm defense hard, creating a shockwave in the air. However, the destructive attack did not hurt the young man at all. His Haki-coated arms successfully withstood the impact.
The two of them clashed their strengths for a moment in the air, before finally pushing each other back and landing smoothly on the ground.
Yuuto lowered his defense, staring at his arms which slowly faded back to their original skin color.
"You have mastered Busoshoku Haki very well, Anata," Yamato praised. The woman smiled very satisfied seeing her husband's rapid progress.
"Well, even though this is actually still at the intermediate level," Yuuto replied humbly while clenching and unclenching his fists to relax his muscles.
"It can't be helped, that fact cannot be denied. You just learned it in a matter of months, after all. Reaching this stage in such a short time is already considered very fast. But..." Yamato's sentence trailed off. The woman suddenly glanced sharply toward another corner of the forest.
Sring! Swoosh!
A barrage of high-temperature fireballs suddenly shot out from behind the trees with the speed of bullets. Without needing to look, Yamato dodged the attack with very easy movements, as did Yuuto who casually swayed to avoid the blazing fire.
"It seems your mastery of Kenbunshoku Haki is one level higher than your Busoshoku, huh?" Yamato commented casually amidst the rain of fire.
"This might be thanks to the combat experience memories from King Arthur. Brother has a high instinct and a very sharp intuition for danger, so I guess my body adapts more easily to that type of Haki," Yuuto explained, still continuously dodging the deadly fireballs with minimal movements.
Not long after, from behind the shadows of the lush forest, the figure of a beautiful red-haired woman—Irene—stepped out with her magic staff.
"So, how is it, Irene? Can you use it?" Yamato asked curiously.
"Of course. This is very easy," Irene answered casually. The Red Dragon slowly closed her eyes to concentrate, then...
WHOOOSH!
Right when Irene opened her eyes again, the entire island immediately vibrated violently. An incredibly massive wave of intimidating aura exploded from her body, creating a strong gust of wind that hit Yuuto's and Yamato's faces.
"Ho... is this your Haoshoku Haki?" Yamato muttered in amazement, withstanding the gust of wind.
Irene closed her eyes again, withdrawing her aura, and instantly the atmosphere of the entire island returned to being as calm as before.
"Yes. I really didn't expect there to be such an efficient mental power. This ability will be very useful for wiping out small-fry enemies without having to bother wasting magic power," she said, satisfied.
"Hahaha! Your Conqueror's Haki was quite strong just now!" Yamato praised. The horned woman then turned to her husband.
"Anata, then what about you? Have you managed to awaken it too?"
Yuuto could only smile wryly while slowly shaking his head.
"I can't, Yamato. I still haven't been able to awaken it," he answered resignedly.
"That's impossible!"
A protesting voice suddenly sounded. Kuroneko stepped out from behind the lush forest with Miku trailing casually beside her.
The girl's appearance looked very miserable; her whole body was soaking wet from head to toe.
"You should already have it, Yuuto! You inherited the vessel and combat experience memories of a king! And that isn't just any king, but the Knight King Arthur! Logically speaking, it's absolutely impossible for you not to have that king's talent!" Kuroneko blabbered at length, ignoring her shivering body.
Irene raised one of her eyebrows, glancing at the girl's messy appearance.
"Before discussing that, what exactly happened to you, Little Girl? Why is your whole body soaking wet and full of seaweed like that?" she asked in wonder.
"Ah, that..." Miku giggled softly.
"Kuroneko seemed to be trying to practice walking on water, but she lost her focus and ended up plunging in until she was soaking wet."
"I failed purely because my concentration was broken by the explosion of Irene's Haki just now, you know! The pressure of her aura almost made me faint!" Kuroneko grumbled defensively while wringing the hem of her skirt.
She then looked back at Yuuto with a serious expression.
"So, Yuuto... are you really still unable to have it?"
Yuuto shook his head again.
"Yes, Ruri. I do have King Arthur's vessel, experience, and instincts. But it seems all of that is still not enough. This doesn't mean my willpower is weak... rather, I feel as if there is something inside me that is intentionally holding back the awakening of that power. Something that is waiting for me to make a decision."
"Decision? What kind of decision?" Kuroneko pursued in confusion.
Yuuto stared at his own palms.
"Waiting for me to choose... what kind of king's path I actually want to choose and walk on my own," Yuuto said.
Instantly, a long silence enveloped the place.
"Have you chosen what kind of path you want to take?" Yamato said.
Yuuto slowly shook his head.
"I still don't know yet. This process seems to still require a lot of time or some kind of strong emotional push. I could actually just copy Brother Arthur's path to awaken it, but he would definitely be very disappointed in me. He wants me to take and solidify my own path that is different from his," Yuuto explained, recalling Arthur Pendragon's words.
Irene crossed her arms in front of her chest, staring at Yuuto with her chin raised.
"If so, you better awaken that ability quickly. Remember, you are my husband. Therefore, you are also obligated to have it. I am completely unwilling to accept a husband who is weaker than me," she sneered sharply.
Even though her words sounded harsh and condescending, Yuuto could only smile in amusement. With his Fae Eyes, he could pierce through the woman's mask of arrogance and clearly see the genuine care behind his wife's tsundere attitude.
Just as Yuuto was about to open his mouth to reply, a spoiled and teasing voice suddenly cut him off.
"Hehe~ weaker, huh? Then, who here was screaming the loudest on their wedding night?" teased Lady Avalon, who suddenly stepped out from behind the forest trees, with Belfast walking gracefully beside her.
"She said her body had been numb for a long time, but when doing it with Honey, you were screaming overwhelmed, asking him to stop. Even though technically you already had experience from your previous marriage, at that time you acted exactly like a virgin girl."
Hearing her bedroom disgrace exposed just like that, Irene's body jolted stiffly.
"S-shut up! T-that doesn't count!" Irene shouted flustered, her arrogant face instantly blushing red down to her ears.
"At that time, the two of you deliberately worked together to corner me! Besides, taking advantage of my dragon instincts at that time was clearly cheating!"
Yuuto looked at Lady Avalon; he just sighed.
"Sensei, don't say such obscene things so bluntly," he said.
Then he continued, "So, how are the results?" Yuuto asked.
"Everything went very smoothly, my sweet Student," Lady Avalon answered while smiling in satisfaction.
"Your artificial islands have begun to develop well. Some of the animals I transported using Belfast's ship earlier have also landed safely in their new habitat."
"Thank you, Sensei. I'm sorry you had to go through the trouble of stepping in to deliver those animals directly. Even though we could have just transported them using magic," Yuuto said, feeling a bit bad.
"Hehehe~ it's okay, Honey. I wanted to do it myself because I was also curious to see the development of those islands directly," Lady Avalon chuckled casually.
Yuuto nodded in understanding, then turned to his loyal maid.
"Then what about you, Belfast? How is the condition of the underwater ecosystem? Is everything also fine?"
"Everything is in highly optimal condition, Darling," Belfast reported in a professional tone.
"Some of the species of marine animals and monsters we brought from Lady Yamato's world have even started adapting and breeding in our waters."
"Good job. The ecosystem chain has naturally started to form," Yuuto concluded in relief.
"Now we can leave their survival to natural selection. We don't need to interfere too much in it anymore."
Feeling his heavy task was done, Yuuto looked up at the sky, then clapped his hands.
"Alright! Since all matters are settled, let's refuel our energy. I will cook a special dinner for my beloved wives," his smile widened.
Hearing that offer, the girls' eyes immediately sparkled.
"Oh? You're stepping into the kitchen yourself? In that case, my order remains the same as usual," Irene responded with a faint smile, no longer hiding her enthusiasm.
"Yaaay! Yuuto's cooking! I want to eat sweet cake then!" Miku cheered joyfully.
"I want meat, Anata! Please grill a very large portion of meat!" Yamato exclaimed, not wanting to lose out.
"For me, please make a portion of cake too. Oh, and don't forget to brew some fragrant tea to go with it," Lady Avalon added elegantly.
"As for me, whatever the menu is, it's up to you. As long as it's cooking made by you, it will definitely taste delicious," Kuroneko said.
"Of course, I will gladly help you in the kitchen, Darling," Belfast concluded while bowing respectfully.
"Hahaha, alright, alright. Orders received. Now, let's go home," Yuuto invited.
Led by the young man, the happy family group walked together through the dense forest, heading back to their warm residence.
(Transition)
Click!
A finger snap echoed inside the spacious warehouse filled with lush vines. Shortly after, the cheerful laughter of girls filled the room.
"Hahaha! Again, Yuuto, higher!" Joyful laughter slipped from Honoka's lips, who was currently floating high in the air.
"Waaaa, the gust of wind is so strong!" Kotori exclaimed, flying side-by-side with Honoka.
"T-this is too high!" Umi screamed in a panic. The dark blue-haired girl was busy frantically pressing the hem of her short skirt down so it wouldn't be blown up by the wind. Right now, the three of them were made to float using Yuuto's wind magic.
Down below, Yuuto sat casually on a large tree root with Belfast loyally accompanying him by his side. The young man carved a satisfied smile, looking at the happy faces of the three girls.
"Take it easy, Umi! My magic wind won't lift your skirts up. So just let go of your hands and enjoy the feeling of flying," Yuuto called out from below.
"B-but it still feels embarrassing!" Umi complained with a blushing face.
"Trust me," Yuuto coaxed with a reassuring smile.
Umi looked at the young man for a moment, then shifted her gaze to Honoka and Kotori who seemed to be very freely enjoying the sensation of floating.
"V-very well then," Umi squeaked softly.
Hesitantly, she slowly lifted her hands from the hem of her skirt. Sure enough, the gust of wind did not blow her skirt up at all. Feeling relieved, Umi finally started to be able to enjoy the sensation. She spread her arms, then tightly held Kotori's and Honoka's hands.
Yuuto chuckled softly seeing the sweet sight. He propped his chin on one hand resting casually on his thigh, enjoying the results of his work.
Seeing her husband's behavior, Belfast suddenly narrowed her eyes.
"Darling... don't tell me you are secretly peeking at their underwear from down there?" Belfast accused.
Yuuto gasped instantly upon hearing the baseless accusation.
"Hey! How could I do such a perverted thing! I am purely just enjoying their happy expressions, you know!" he denied in a fluster.
"I thought you were really going to do it," Belfast teased with a faint smile.
"Darling really likes teasing women, after all, so I thought you would take advantage of that opportunity just now."
"Your guess is off, Belfast." Yuuto turned his head, looking at his loyal maid.
"I am indeed a lover of women, that is a fact. But, I would never do something low that would make them feel uncomfortable. I still know boundaries."
"Oh? Does that principle stem from your pride as a man?" Belfast asked, seemingly intrigued.
"Hmm, who knows," Yuuto mumbled while shrugging his shoulders lightly.
The young man then let his muscles relax and slowly leaned his body backward. As if responding to the absolute will of their master, the tree roots around him instantly moved alive.
Hundreds of wooden vines crept up and quickly wove themselves together, forming a natural backrest that gently supported Yuuto's back before he touched the ground.
Lying comfortably on his natural throne, Yuuto looked up at the expanse of the evening sky which was starting to turn orange. A sincere and highly charismatic smile was etched on the young man's face.
"Being able to see the happy smiles and laughter of those girls... to me, that alone is more than enough," Yuuto said softly, his voice flowing calmly, blending with the breeze.
.
.
.
.
The late afternoon sky slowly faded into dusk. Yuuto, Belfast, Honoka, Kotori, and Umi were now standing in front of the warehouse gate, getting ready to part ways and go home.
"So... Melusine is going to another world again?" Umi asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes. Tomorrow I have to leave," Yuuto answered, nodding slowly.
"Roughly how long will the trip be this time?" Kotori chimed in with a slightly anxious expression.
"Hmm... maybe around two weeks. But don't worry, the task this time is considered light, so it will definitely be finished quickly," Yuuto explained.
"Two weeks is a long time! Can we really not come along?" Honoka protested, refusing to accept it.
"I'm sorry, but it seems I still can't bring you guys along. Besides, the world I'll be visiting this time might feel very boring to you," Yuuto gently declined.
"That's not true at all. If we go together with Melusine, nowhere could possibly feel boring," Kotori argued.
"Hahaha, is that so?" Yuuto chuckled. The young man's hand reached out and gently patted the top of Kotori's head.
The grayish-haired girl gladly accepted the pat. She lowered her head slightly while laughing shyly, "Hehe~"
Seeing that special treatment, Umi and Honoka instantly puffed out their cheeks in jealousy.
"I am glad you say so. But sorry, for right now it really can't be done. Maybe on the trip after this?" Yuuto coaxed while pulling his hand back.
Honoka's eyes immediately sparkled.
"Alright! That's your promise, okay! Watch out if you end up breaking it!" Honoka exclaimed excitedly.
"Hey, hey, I didn't say it was a promise. I don't know for sure yet if I can bring you guys on the next mission. I only said 'maybe'," Yuuto hastily corrected.
"I don't care, it's already a promise!" Honoka decided stubbornly. The girl then tightly grabbed Umi's and Kotori's hands.
"Goodbye, Melusine! See you in two weeks!" she exclaimed while immediately dashing away, pulling and dragging her two friends away from the gate.
Yuuto could only stand frozen in silence, watching the girl's absurd behavior.
"What a truly troublesome girl..." Yuuto muttered softly while massaging his temples.