The royal infirmary gradually fell quiet, the frantic energy of their sudden return dissolving into the muted, sterile stillness of the ward. One by one, the elf maidens retired to their private quarters, their bodies demanding rest.
Lily could barely keep her eyes open, her shoulders slumping heavily. After expending every last drop of her magical reserves to bring them back to Valeria, she was completely drained. She took a single step down the corridor and stumbled, her balance giving way entirely.
River caught her instantly, wrapping a supportive arm around her waist before Lily could hit the polished marble floor. "You need to rest, Lily."
Lily offered a weak, lopsided smile, too exhausted to even properly lift her head. "I know…" She let out a soft, long yawn, leaning into River's side. "I don't think I'll be casting another teleportation spell for at least a month. My mana is practically none existent."
Orchid chuckled quietly from a few paces behind them, though her own eyes carried heavy dark circles. "I don't think a single soul expects you to, little one."
Lily nodded thankfully, offering a small wave of her hand before allowing one of the waiting palace attendants to gently escort her down the long hall toward the residential wing.
River watched her leave, but as silence reclaimed the corridor, her gaze drifted back toward the heavy oak doors of the infirmary. The vivid, blinding image of Kaito engulfed in that transcendent white light refused to leave her thoughts. It played on a loop behind her eyelids.
Everyone in that square had witnessed it. If that unearthly, terrifying power hadn't awakened within him at the absolute precipice of disaster, none of them would have survived the encounter. She knew that truth down to her bones. They all did. Yet, by some unspoken agreement born of protective instinct, nobody had mentioned a single word of it to the Queen.
River's gaze shifted slightly, looking through the doorway where Sage lay resting peacefully in her bed. Sage's reaction after witnessing Kaito's magic hadn't been relief or awe. It had been something far more unsettling.
Recognition. Fear. Total confusion.
The blue haired elf quietly furrowed her brows, a cold knot tightening in her stomach. What did you remember, Sage? What did you see in him?
Queen Fiore remained just outside the infirmary as the others slowly departed, her posture impeccable despite her distress. Soon, the bustling attendants faded into the lower levels, leaving only her and Kaito remaining in the quiet corridor.
The candles flickered gently, casting long dancing shadows across the high arches. Queen Fiore turned her emerald eyes toward Kaito, her expression softening into one of raw, unshielded concern. "I am deeply relieved you returned to us safely, Kaito."
Her graceful smile never faltered, maintaining the perfect decorum expected of Valeria's ruler. But inside, her heart had been absolutely terrified. When the pearlescent light of Lily's teleportation had suddenly erupted in the center of her throne room—revealing a battered, ash-covered vanguard, her trusted advisor unconscious, Cherry hovering at the brink of death, and their future king covered in blood—her breath had completely trapped itself in her throat.
Kaito smiled warmly, the sheer relief of being back within safe walls washing over him. He leaned his shoulder lightly against the wall, still visibly exhausted. "I'm glad to see you're safe too, Your Majesty. I have to admit…" He let out a quiet, breathless laugh, shaking his head. "I never truly expected this world to be so insanely dangerous."
His eyes wandered away, gazing at the sun, as rays of sunshine poured through the massive arched windows of the palace. "Most of Valeria looks so peaceful. So beautiful. It almost makes you forget that monsters like the one last night even exist beneath the surface."
The Queen slowly nodded, her gaze following his toward the palace gardens. "It truly is a beautiful realm. Our ancestors blessed these lands." She folded her hands neatly before her gown, her fingers tightening slightly. "For thousands of years, Valeria was exactly as you have seen it. A sanctuary."
Her expression slowly darkened, the light in her eyes dimming as history caught up to the present. "Then… a dark sorcerer unleashed a terrible, deeply rooted curse upon the soil. A plague born of malice."
Kaito listened silently, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he focused on her words.
"The curse spread like venom through our ancient forests, our mountains, and our rivers, eventually bleeding into every neighboring realm connected to our borders," Fiore explained quietly. "It twisted peaceful animals into aggressive beasts. It corrupted the natural spirits of the land. It gave birth to vile creatures driven entirely by the instinct for destruction."
She lowered her eyes, a heavy sorrow tinting her words. "The centuries of subsequent wars between the realms only served to strengthen that darkness. Every bitter battle, every tragic death, every desperate act of hatred—the curse fed upon it all, growing stronger and more aggressive with our despair."
Kaito's expression became serious. "So that's why things have become noticeably worse recently."
The Queen nodded grimly. "Unfortunately, yes. Our guardians and knights have fought valiantly for centuries, but the corruption now grows at a pace faster than our blades can stop it." Her voice softened to a delicate whisper as she stepped a fraction closer to him. "That is why we prayed, Kaito. This is why every village elder, temple priestess, and common citizens placed their final, desperate hopes into the Summoning Ritual."
She looked up, her emerald eyes locking onto his with a vulnerability that caught him completely off guard. "We prayed someone would answer our call. Someone… like you."
Fiore bit her lower lip, a faint, sudden blush slowly painting itself across her porcelain cheeks. She almost continued speaking. She almost mentioned the dark truth they kept hidden from outsiders—how their population had been steadily, drastically declining over the last few centuries. How fewer and fewer elf children were being born with each passing generation. How the very future of their entire race had become terrifyingly uncertain.
But she couldn't bring herself to say it. Not now. Not standing alone with him, especially not when the ancient laws dictated that he would one day become her husband.
As the implication of her own thoughts hit her, her cheeks grew noticeably warmer, the pink hue deepening.
Kaito noticed the sudden shift immediately, tilting his head. "…Your Majesty?"
Fiore blinked, realizing that he had unconsciously stepped a little closer to her, his head tilted in genuine concern. "Are you alright? Your face is a bit red."
Their eyes met in the flickering candlelight. The Queen quickly forced a bright, slightly frantic smile, adjusting her posture. "Y-Yes! I am perfectly fine, just a bit overwrought from this morning's excitement."
Kaito kept his head tilted, his analytical eyes scanning her features. "If you're absolutely sure…"
For a brief, suspended moment, he simply looked at her. Really looked at her. He took in the elegant cascade of her silver hair, the striking depth of her gentle emerald eyes, and the innate, regal poise she carried so effortlessly even in the middle of a crisis. She looked utterly breathtaking.
She's… she's really beautiful, Kaito thought, the realization hitting him like a physical blow.
Before he could stop it, his own face began to flush, a sudden warmth crawling up his neck.
The Queen noticed the sudden crimson tint on his cheeks, her breath catching as she quickly looked away towards the far wall. Kaito immediately snapped his gaze down toward his boots.
An incredibly heavy, profoundly awkward silence settled over the corridor. The only sound was the crackle of a dying candle wick.
Kaito cleared his throat roughly, his hand flying to the back of his neck as he rubbed it sheepishly. "Ahem… Sorry…I'm a little feverish after everything that happened last night. Adrenaline crash, you know?" He let out a nervous chuckle. "I should probably lie down in my room before I fall over."
The Queen smiled sweetly, the tension breaking as she offered a gentle, understanding nod. "Yes. Of course. You must rest immediately, my King. You have been pushed through more than enough trials for one day." Her expression softened with genuine, protective concern. "I would hate for you to fall ill."
She paused, stepping back to afford him her full, majestic view, a proud smile gracing her lips. "And… allow me to offer my formal congratulations."
Kaito blinked, looking up. "For what?"
"Word of your deeds has already reached the inner sanctum of the palace," Fiore said, her eyes shining. "Our royal messenger informed me of your immense success. You have now successfully completed four of your Kingship Trials. You are officially almost halfway toward claiming the crown of Valeria."
Kaito scratched the back of his head shyly. "Wow. When you put it like that… it honestly feels a little unreal. Like I'm still dreaming." He paused, then offered a respectful bow. "…But thank you, Your Majesty. I'll keep doing my absolute best for everyone here."
The Queen returned the gesture, bowing with a graceful, fluid elegance that belonged only to high royalty. "I know you will, Kaito."
Kaito offered one last, tired smile before turning on his heel and heading toward the guest chambers. As he rounded the final corner of the residential wing, a young palace maid came hurrying toward him from the opposite direction, carrying a neatly folded bundle of garments.
"Y-Your Majesty!" she gasped softly, catching her breath before quickly dropping into a low, respectful curtsy. She held the bundle out with both hands, her head bowed. "A fresh set of silk night clothes has been prepared specifically for you by the textile servants."
Kaito accepted the bundle carefully, his fingers brushing against the fabric. The material felt unbelievably soft, cool, and luxurious beneath his calloused, blistered fingers. "…Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."
The maid looked up, smiling brightly at his humility. "It is our pleasure, Sire."
As she hurried away down the hall, Kaito looked down at the luxurious silk pajamas in his arms. Even now, after spending some time in this palace, he still wasn't remotely used to having servants wait on his every whim.
Back on Earth, he was always alone. He had cooked his own meals, washed his own clothes, and solved his own problems without a single person looking his way, Kaito only ever had his auntie who helped out when she could.
Here, in this strange, magical realm… people were constantly caring for him. Helping him up when he fell. Protecting his back in battle. And above all else, truly believing in the man he could become.
Kaito smiled warmly to himself, his chest feeling remarkably full as he pushed open the door to his bedchamber and stepped inside. "…I really am living in a completely different world."
***
Kaito closed the heavy oak door to his guest chamber behind him with a soft click. The room was luxurious beyond anything he had ever known—silk drapes, a massive four-poster bed piled high with feather mattresses, and crystal lanterns casting a gentle glow. He changed quickly into the fresh silk nightclothes, the fabric cool and smooth against his bruised skin. Exhaustion slammed into him like a physical force. He and the others had been awake for well over twenty-four hours. His body gave out the moment his head hit the pillow.
***
Three hours later, Kaito jolted awake with a strangled gasp. His heart hammered against his ribs as he sat bolt upright, clutching his chest. Cold sweat soaked through his nightshirt. The nightmare clung to him—his auntie standing alone, calling his name into a void.
"Auntie…" he whispered hoarsely.
He pressed his palms into his eyes, breathing hard. Guilt twisted in his gut. It had only been a couple of weeks here—maybe 20 days or so—but it already felt like months. Time in Valeria flowed strangely, and he still wasn't used to it. Kaito had chosen this world, but the thought of the only family he had left worrying alone, tore at him.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to abandon you…"
The guilt lingered, heavy and sharp, but exhaustion eventually pulled him back under.
***
Moonlight streamed through the tall windows when he woke again. Kaito stretched his arms overhead with a deep yawn, feeling more refreshed despite the lingering aches. He reached for his glasses on the bedside table, slipped them on, and blinked up at the moonbeams flooding into the room.
Then he looked down and noticed it.
His cock was rock-hard, straining painfully against the thin silk of his nightclothes, the fabric tented obscenely. Kaito groaned, flopping back against the pillows. "Seriously…?"
He threw the covers off, staring down at the prominent bulge. Being constantly surrounded by those beautiful elf girls was driving him insane. His virgin body ached with raw, urgent need. He wanted them all. Wanted to bury himself deep inside each of them, to feel their tight, wet elven pussies clenching around his cock, to hear their melodic moans as he claimed them.
But he knew he couldn't. It would be wrong—selfish, impulsive, unbecoming of the king he was trying to become.
Still, his cock throbbed insistently, a thick bead of precum already soaking through the silk.
"Fuck… you're really not helping," he muttered, addressing his erection with a mix of frustration and dark amusement. "We've been through hell together and now you're like this? Surrounded by the hottest women imaginable and we can't do anything about it, huh… Tough, I know…"
Kaito exhaled shakily, then gave in. He pushed the silk pants down just enough to free his aching cock. It sprang up, heavy and veined, the swollen head glistening with precum. He wrapped his hand around the thick shaft, groaning at the first firm stroke. "Shit… that feels good…"
He started slow, squeezing the base and sliding his fist upward, twisting slightly over the sensitive head. His hips bucked involuntarily. Pleasure sparked up his spine. Memories flooded his mind: Orchid pressing against him in the forest, Cherry's bold kiss, River's soft body against his in the tent, Queen Fiore's gorgeous hourglass figure.
His strokes grew faster, wet sounds filling the quiet room as more precum leaked over his fingers, slicking his shaft. He pumped harder, thumb rubbing over the slit on every upstroke, grunting low in his throat.
"Nngh… fuck… I want them so bad," he whispered breathlessly. "I wanna feel them dripping around me… hear them screaming my name over and over again…"
His balls tightened, heavy and full. He stroked faster, almost desperately, hips thrusting up into his fist. The silk nightshirt rode up as he spread his legs wider, lost in the fantasy—imagining sinking into the Queen, then all of the elf maidens taking turns riding him.
"Ah—shit—!" His back arched sharply. Thick ropes of cum erupted from his cock, splattering across his stomach in powerful spurts. He kept stroking through it, milking every last drop, grunting and gasping until the intense orgasm finally ebbed, leaving him trembling and spent.
Kaito collapsed back against the pillows, chest heaving, a lazy, satisfied smile on his face. "Holy crap… that was needed."
He lay there for a long moment, catching his breath, before chuckling softly. "At least you got some relief, buddy. I just hope this virgin cock gets to experience at least one real elven pussy before some monster eats me."
He laughed at himself, shaking his head. "God, listen to me. Get your head out of the gutter, Takahashi. You're supposed to be a king, not some horny teenage boy who just discovered what masturbation is."
Kaito cleaned himself up with a cloth from the washbasin, changed into fresh clothes, and adjusted his glasses. The guilt from the nightmare lingered at the edges of his mind, but the release and rest had helped steady him.
There were trials to face, a kingdom to protect, and bonds to deepen.
He stepped towards the door, ready to face the new day ahead.