How interesting.
—[Gale].
That super rookie of the Astrea Familia, who once flashed briefly in Orario before rapidly vanishing without a trace.
To think she would actually appear here.
And appearing in such a nervous posture, no less?
Tsubaki bit into a large chunk of bone-in meat, her gaze sweeping back and forth between that Elf, who looked like she wished she could bury her head into her chest, and Haimer, who was sitting in the seat of honor drinking tea.
Especially Ryu's appearance of having been caught red-handed doing something guilty; it caused the corners of Tsubaki's mouth to curl into a playful smile, as the fire known as gossip blazed fiercely in her heart.
There's definitely something fishy here.
There is absolutely something fishy going on here.
However.
As a veteran who had navigated through the mixed bag and massive melting pot that was Orario for so many years.
Tsubaki was well aware of what it meant to see through something without pointing it out.
Since the other party didn't want to talk about it, and this was clearly a private matter between these two, if she, an outsider, rashly exposed it, it would not only make the situation extremely awkward.
Therefore.
Tsubaki thought for a moment, swallowed the meat in her mouth, and spoke very naturally:
"I was so busy looking at these little monsters when I came in that I didn't even notice a great beauty was hiding in the corner."
"Speaking of which, isn't this that very capable Miss Elf clerk from the Hostess of Fertility?"
"I've seen you a few times before when I went there to drink."
"To think you're here too, what a coincidence."
Hearing this.
Ryu, who had her head kept firmly lowered, suddenly felt her shoulders jolt.
She raised her head somewhat stiffly.
And met Tsubaki's eyes perfectly.
That sensation of having all her background seen through, yet being casually let off the hook by the other party.
Allowed Ryu's heart, which had been hanging in her throat, to finally settle back into her chest.
Phew...
Ryu let out a long sigh of relief in her heart.
Thank goodness.
Thank goodness this Captain wasn't completely dense.
Otherwise, if her past identity really was called out here...
She really would have had to flee Orario overnight tonight.
But even so.
The heat on Ryu's face didn't recede in the slightest; instead, it grew even hotter because of Tsubaki's teasing remark of 'great beauty'.
"Captain... Captain Tsubaki, good evening."
She could only purse her lips awkwardly and give Tsubaki a slight nod, trying her best to maintain a surface-level composure as a response.
"Eh? Does Tsubaki-senpai know this Miss Elf?"
Kikakujou Mary, off to the side, caught the eye contact between the two and asked with some curiosity.
Onigawara Rin and the others also cast curious glances over.
After all.
Through their interactions during breakfast over the past two days, they could sense it too.
This Miss Elf was clearly not as simple as an ordinary clerk.
A powerhouse who could fight back and forth with Amou Kirukiru even while suppressing her strength.
In the past, she was definitely an extremely formidable adventurer, perhaps even a named upper-tier adventurer.
They were just curious.
Why would such a formidable person willingly work as a clerk in a tavern?
"Well, you could say we're acquainted."
Tsubaki picked up the fruit wine at hand, took a casual sip, waved her hand, and naturally smoothed things over for Ryu, changing the subject.
"That tavern is far from simple."
"It's one of the places in all of Orario that you absolutely cannot provoke. Even many main Gods have to give them face. After all, the manager of that tavern—Mama Mia—used to be the Captain of the Freya Familia, a Lv.6 Little Giant, and the clerks inside the shop are all deeply hidden experts too."
"Not only that, the food there is genuinely delicious, with large portions that fill you up, right?"
After speaking simply, Tsubaki took the opportunity to steer the topic toward the table full of sumptuous food before them, pouting her lips toward a large platter of roasted meat.
"Speaking of which, Lord Haimer's Familia is truly interesting."
"Unlike other Familias where the hierarchy is strict, it doesn't have all those messy rules either."
"Even a Kami-sama can sit at the same table and eat with everyone, and even invite outsiders to join."
"This kind of family-like atmosphere is truly quite rare in the current Orario."
"Since you've stumbled upon it, you shouldn't just keep shrinking back; enjoy it properly."
"Such times are quite precious."
After Tsubaki finished saying this, she cast a meaningful glance at Ryu.
Very clearly.
This last sentence.
Was spoken by Tsubaki specifically for Ryu to hear.
After hearing it, Ryu was also slightly taken aback.
She looked at this group of noisy yet vibrant girls, and at Haimer, who was bickering with Hestia without any divine airs whatsoever.
Her originally tense shoulders gradually relaxed.
Yes.
Such an atmosphere.
Was indeed something she hadn't experienced in a long time.
"Mmph... Tsubaki, wha 're 'ou sayin'?"
At this moment.
Hestia finally raised her head from the pile of food.
Her cheeks were stuffed to the brim, looking like a hamster as she arduously swallowed the meat in her mouth, finally completing that muffled sentence.
"Mhm... speaking of which."
"Since you're here, Tsubaki, why didn't that gal Hephaestus come?"
"I haven't seen her in days!"
"Last time I went to find her to borrow some money... ah no, to chat with her, I couldn't even get in the door; I was stopped by a wooden sign!"
"It said something about being in seclusion and refusing all visitors!"
"Now I've moved from her place to live with Haimer for a few days and haven't gone back; could it be she still hasn't come out and realized I don't live there anymore?"
"In the past, if I didn't go back for two days, she would've sent you guys searching the streets for me!"
Hestia wore a look of dissatisfaction.
After all.
As Hephaestus's divine friend of many years.
She knew that although Hephaestus was famously obsessed with forging, she was still very loyal to her friends and worried about them a lot.
Therefore, no matter how busy Hephaestus usually was, as long as she threw a tantrum and rolled around.
Hephaestus would always come out to meet her and scold her a bit in the process.
This time, she couldn't even catch a glimpse of her, and it seemed as though she had absolutely no reaction to her moving out.
This made Hestia feel a tiny bit disappointed in her heart.
"About that..."
Hearing Hestia's question.
Tsubaki's expression became somewhat strange.
"As for Hephaestus-sama..."
"It's a long story. Her current state... how should I put it..."
"It's like she's been possessed."
"Ever since Hephaestus-sama had a private chat with Lord Haimer in the workshop that day, and instructed me to handle Lord Haimer's matters properly..."
"Hephaestus-sama turned around and locked herself right into that exclusive forging room she never lets us enter."
"Aside from occasionally having people deliver some top-grade materials inside, she refuses to see anyone; she even has her meals left at the door."
"When I went back last night, I could hear the sound of hammering coming from inside through the walls."
"It's truly day and night!"
"I don't even know what Hephaestus-sama is forging in there to be so obsessed!"
"Looking at this posture..."
"I suspect she hasn't even eaten much of the food delivered over the past few days!"
"I don't even know if she'll make it to the Denatus in a few days."
However.
Although there was this minor episode.
The Denatus, well.
It was just the Gods' gathering held once every three months; not attending wasn't an issue.
At least, that was what Tsubaki thought. She picked up her glass, took a large gulp of fruit wine, let out a comfortable sigh, and didn't dwell on it for too long.
Instead, she scanned the table full of lavish meat and fish, as well as the crates of fruit wine that were clearly quite expensive.
And looked at the room full of girls who, although looking somewhat exhausted, were extremely hyper in spirit.
She asked with some curiosity.
"Speaking of which."
"This setup tonight."
"Are you eating this well tonight to celebrate something?"
"Although I know you guys have made quite a commotion in the Dungeon these past few days, it shouldn't warrant this much extravagance, right?"
"Just the cost of this meal alone could probably feed an ordinary adventurer for a long time."
"Hehe."
Hearing this question.
Hanasaka Warabi, who was currently wrestling with a large chunk of bone-in meat, was the first to lose her restraint. She raised her head triumphantly, sauce smeared on her face, and puffed out her chest.
That expression of 'ask me quickly, praise me quickly' simply couldn't be hidden.
"Of course, we're celebrating our level up!"
"Level up?"
Tsubaki's hand paused, failing to process this for a moment.
"What level up?"
"Lv.2, duh!"
Hanasaka Warabi grinned, revealing her white little canine tooth, and smugly pointed at herself, then pointed at Onigawara Rin and the others beside her.
"Just now, Lord Haimer updated the Status for all of us!"
"Me! Rin! Mary! Satori! Tsukuyo!"
"We are all already Lv.2 now!"
"Even Kyoubou, that guy's Status went up by a huge chunk!"
"..."
The air suddenly quieted down.
The living room, which had been somewhat noisy, felt as if the mute button had been pressed at this instant.
The smile on Tsubaki's face froze.
That single eye slowly widened, its pupil constricting violently, as if she had just heard some fantastical Arabian tale.
Even Ryu, who had been quietly eating in the corner and trying her best to minimize her presence, abruptly jerked her head up at this moment.
Those sky-blue eyes were filled with unbelievable shock, and the fork in her hand dropped onto her plate with a clatter.
"What... did you say?"
"2?"
"All of you?"
"That's right!"
"The real deal!"
"Is there a problem?"
Hanasaka Warabi was extremely satisfied with Tsubaki's shocked reaction and nodded heavily.
However.
"Is there a problem?!"
"The problem is massive, alright?!"
"How many days has it been since you became adventurers?!"
Tsubaki felt like her brain wasn't enough to process this.
"Let me think..."
"You just arrived in Orario... at most, it's only been two or three days, right?"
"Your first time down in the Dungeon... was the time I guided you."
"At that time, you had just received Grace; you were absolutely Lv.1 rookies."
"And then."
Tsubaki snapped her head to look at Haimer, her eyes filled with horror.
"Three days?"
"Or two days?"
"How is this possible?!"
Even the knowledgeable and experienced Tsubaki, a Lv.5 first-tier adventurer, felt her worldview being subjected to a heavy impact at this moment.
In the history of Orario.
This was an unprecedented record!
Ais Wallenstein, known as the [Sword Princess], the genius girl of the Loki Familia, seemed to have taken a year to level up from Lv.1 to Lv.2, right?
One year!
That was already hailed by everyone as a history-breaking genius!
Praised by countless people and relished by the Gods.
But now.
Right before her eyes.
This group of seemingly delicate girls.
Two days?
Three days?
Actually reached Lv.2 across the board?!
What kind of concept was this?
This was simply taking the words 'common sense', repeatedly rubbing them on the ground, and then stomping on them with ten thousand feet!
Moreover, although she did have a premonition that this group of little monsters would level up quickly when she guided them in the Dungeon before.
After all, based on the combat power, combat literacy, and that fearless ferocity of newborn calves shown by these little monsters, they didn't look like a group of rookies at all.
But she never in a million years expected.
She had just gone back and locked herself in the workshop to repair weapons day and night for a single day.
And upon coming out again.
This group of little monsters had leveled up?!
Meanwhile, Ryu on the side.
Was also completely stunned at this moment.
The shock she received was naturally no less than Tsubaki's.
Perhaps even greater.
After all, as a former member of the Astrea Familia, Ryu had an even deeper understanding of the difficulty of leveling up.
Back in the day, she was also a super rookie on par with Ais.
In order to level up and accumulate Grand Feats.
How much sweat had she shed? How much blood?
It was countless days and nights; it was wandering on the edge of life and death time and time again.
And now.
Three days.
All Lv.2.
Are you kidding me!
In three days, many people wouldn't even have fully learned the routes in the Dungeon!
What exactly did they do?
How many monsters did they kill?
What kind of Grand Feat did they achieve?
Looking at that group of girls still laughing and fighting over meat, Ryu suddenly felt as if her many years of hard work had turned into a joke.
These people...
Are they monsters?!
"Correction."
"To be precise, Kirukiru took one day less than them."
"She was already Lv.2 by last night."
"Pfft——!!!"
At this moment, Haimer continued to add salt to the wound.
The kind that ruthlessly stabbed a knife into one's heart and twisted it twice.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Tsubaki choked directly on her own saliva, coughing violently, her entire face flushing bright red.
"One... one day less?"
"Leveled up to Lv.2 in two days?!"
Tsubaki violently turned her head to look at Amou Kirukiru over there, who was silently gnawing on a bone and radiating an aura that screamed 'keep away'.
If that was the case...
Then didn't that mean.
This person was even over a hundred times faster than the [Sword Princess]?!
Let alone Orario.
Even flipping through the thousands of years of history across the entire Lower World, dating back to the Age of Gods, there had never been such an appalling growth speed!
Ryu also looked at Amou Kirukiru in horror.
That black-haired girl who had been suppressed by her just yesterday morning due to the difference in Status.
In two days' time?
Not only had her Status caught up, but her level had even broken through?
Ryu suddenly recalled their spar yesterday morning.
The crazed fighting intent in this girl's eyes; that madness to achieve victory at any cost.
Could it be that this monster-like growth speed was forged through such desperate struggle?
Just what kind of obsession was this...
Seemingly sensing Ryu's gaze.
Amou Kirukiru slowly raised her head, locking onto Ryu across the dining table.
The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a cold sneer.
"Miss Elf."
"Tomorrow morning."
"I will challenge you again."
In order to verify.
Whether the current her could shred yesterday's humiliation to pieces.
Amou Kirukiru issued a challenge to Ryu once again.
Being stared at with such eyes.
The long-dormant hot blood within Ryu's body seemed to be slightly ignited as well.
She took a deep breath, met Amou Kirukiru's gaze, and nodded earnestly.
Their gazes clashed in mid-air, as if sparks were flying in all directions.
However.
Tsubaki, off to the side, looked completely bewildered.
"Hah?"
"Tomorrow morning?"
"Challenge again?"
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Tsubaki hastily waved her hands, interrupting the staring contest between these two.
"What kind of play are you two putting on now?"
"Isn't she a clerk at the Hostess of Fertility?"
"Doesn't she have to work tomorrow morning?"
"The tavern is very busy, right? How would she have time to run over here early in the morning to spar with you?"
"Moreover..."
Tsubaki looked suspiciously at Ryu.
"Aren't you the most averse to trouble? Why would you agree to this kind of private duel?"
In Tsubaki's impression, although this person possessed extraordinary skills, ever since going into hiding, she had been excessively low-profile in her daily life, absolutely refusing to take action unless it was unavoidable.
"Oh, Miss Tsubaki doesn't know about this yet."
Seeing Tsubaki's bewildered expression.
Haimer felt that it would be more interesting if he pierced this paper-thin window himself.
And so, he put down his chopsticks and gestured toward Ryu.
"Accurately speaking."
"Due to special circumstances, Miss Elf—"
"Has already made an agreement with me."
"To become the Elf Maid specifically responsible for maintaining this house."
"Although she still works part-time at the tavern, from now on, Miss Elf will come over to clean every morning."
"Nani!!!"
At this point.
Tsubaki's exclamation rang out throughout the entire high-class residential district.
However.
All banquets must come to an end.
That table of mountainous, lavish food was soon reduced to just a pile of empty boxes.
Even those few bottles of Manager Mia's treasured fruit wine were drank dry.
With everyone well-fed and satiated.
Looking at the completely pitch-black night sky outside the window.
Tsubaki also stood up and rolled her somewhat stiff neck.
"Alright, the meal is eaten, the wine is drunk, and the show is watched."
"It's time for me to go too."
"If I don't go back, the fire in the workshop's furnace will go out."
Haimer also stood up, offering a polite word to urge her to stay.
"In such a rush?"
"Aren't you going to stay and sit a while longer, Miss Tsubaki?"
"Next time, Lord Haimer."
Checking the time, Tsubaki also sighed helplessly.
"I really want to stay, but I truly don't have the time these days."
"Hephaestus-sama is still in seclusion, so all the major and minor affairs within the Familia are now resting solely on my shoulders."
Speaking up to here, Tsubaki rubbed her temples with a headache.
"Since that's the case, I won't force you to stay, Miss Tsubaki."
Haimer nodded, expressing his understanding.
After all.
As the Captain of such a massive organization like the Hephaestus Familia, the burden on Tsubaki's shoulders was indeed not light. To be able to spare the time to make this trip specifically to deliver equipment was already giving him plenty of face.
"Then, see you next time, Lord Haimer~"
With that said.
Tsubaki waved her hand very chicly, turned around, and walked out the door, leaving behind only a hearty silhouette that melted into the night.
After seeing Tsubaki off.
Ryu exceptionally honestly stood up and began clearing the table.
Although she really wanted to just slip away directly.
However, looking at the mess on the table, Ryu's sense of responsibility still prevailed.
"Um... I will clean this up."
Ryu kept her head lowered, her voice muffled, but her hands and feet began cleaning up with exceptional agility.
"We'll help too!"
Upon seeing this, Onigawara Rin, Hanasaka Warabi, and the others also rose one after another.
"No need, no need! You're the guests—ah, that's not right..."
Ryu was just about to refuse, but halfway through her sentence, she suddenly froze, realizing it was wrong.
After all, this wasn't the Hostess of Fertility.
By comparison.
It was actually these girls who were the masters here.
This momentary cognitive misalignment made Ryu even more awkward for a moment.
"Oh my, don't be so formal, Miss Elf! It's faster if everyone pitches in!"
"Exactly, exactly. We ate so much, moving around a bit to digest is perfect!"
Fortunately.
The girls didn't have so many complex thoughts. With everyone lending a hand.
Very quickly.
The originally messy living room returned to its neat and tidy state, and even the table was wiped shining clean.
Ryu finally found the opportunity to take her leave.
"U-Um..."
"Tonight... thank you for your hospitality."
Ryu stood at the door, wringing her hands together, and bowed deeply to Haimer.
"And also..."
"Kami-sama... I am truly sorry."
"From now on... I will continue to fulfill my duties as a maid properly!"
This final apology.
Contained far too many of Ryu's emotions.
After finishing this final sentence.
Ryu acted as if she had exhausted all her courage; she immediately turned around and hurriedly ducked into the night.
That speed.
Was simply several times faster than when she was clearing the plates just now.
Looking at Ryu's back as she fled in a panic.
Haimer also shook his head helplessly.
"What an awkward child."
Creak—
Ultimately.
As the heavy oak door slowly closed.
Sealing off the night outside.
Tranquility was restored inside the mansion.
"Ah— she finally left!"
The instant the oak door closed.
Hestia, who had originally been trying hard to maintain the last tiny bit of her Goddess image.
Suddenly seemed as if her bones had been removed.
Her entire person directly collapsed onto that large, soft sofa, even taking the opportunity to roll around on it twice.
"Mhm... so full..."
Burp—
Hestia patted her bulging little tummy without any scruples, letting out a loud burp completely devoid of any Goddess baggage.
"So comfortable..."
"This is the life a God should have!"
"Sleeping right after getting full, without having to worry about where tomorrow's breakfast will come from..."
Looking at Hestia's totally image-ruining, useless appearance, with even her signature twin-tails sprawled messily across the sofa.
The girls also broke into a sweat.
Haimer, on the other hand, was already accustomed to this fellow's behavior. He glanced at the wall clock.
It was already late.
So he gently clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention over.
"Alright."
"Everyone has worked hard just now."
"Go rest early."
"Especially those of you who just leveled up, your bodies haven't fully adapted to your new strength yet."
"Go take a bath, relax completely, and then get a good sleep."
"Tomorrow has tomorrow's training."
"Yes, Kami-sama!"
At this.
The girls responded in unison.
Having gone through the emotional ups and downs of their crossing just now.
They were indeed somewhat tired.
Especially the mental fatigue that set in after that surge of excitement had passed.
And so.
Under Haimer's suggestion.
The girls gathered their clothes for changing and headed toward the luxurious grand bathhouse deep within the mansion.
"I'm going to soak for an hour!"
"Tsukuyo, I'll support you. Careful, the floor is slippery..."
..
And so.
Deep within the mansion.
The grand bathhouse.
Hot steam billowed, and mist curled about.
This bathhouse was one of the reasons Haimer specifically chose this house.
Its area was astoundingly large, taking up almost half of the first floor.
The floors and walls were paved with high-quality stone tiles, slip-resistant and warm to the touch.
The giant bath maintained constant temperature hot water year-round, heated through an underground Magic Stone circulation system.
There were even dedicated massage jets and a wave zone.
In a place where land was as precious as gold like Orario, this was simply top-tier luxury enjoyment.
Splash—
Water splashed in all directions.
The girls had long since discarded any shyness, peeling off their clothes to reveal their beautiful bodies that, although youthful and budding, were brimming with vibrant energy.
Furthermore, perhaps it was because they had already become Lv.2 adventurers and their bodies had undergone the sublimation of God's Grace.
They all felt as though subtle changes had occurred to each other's bodies.
Their bodies had become more toned, and their skin had grown even more delicate.
"Phew— I'm revived!"
Hanasaka Warabi was the first to jump into the water like a cannonball, splashing up a huge spout of water and letting out an extremely refreshing groan.
She submerged her entire body into the water, leaving only her head and that bright yellow hair floating on the surface, looking like a contented otter.
Onigawara Rin followed closely, dropping into the water. The moment she was enveloped by the hot water, her tense nerves instantly relaxed. She leaned against the pool wall, closed her eyes, and let out a long breath, her face full of enjoyment.
"This water temperature is so comfortable~!"
"It feels like all the fatigue has flown away."
"Yeah..."
The girls chimed in with sounds of agreement, enjoying this rare, tranquil time.
"But speaking of which..."
"Where is Amou?"
"Why didn't she come?"
Kikakujou Mary looked left and right, not seeing Amou Kirukiru's figure.
As soon as these words came out.
The originally noisy bath instantly quieted down for a moment.
The girls also realized.
Yeah.
It seemed they hadn't seen Amou Kirukiru.
Even during the meal just now, that girl had merely eaten silently and then vanished.
"Don't tell me that girl still wants to pester Kami-sama to train with her?"
Hanasaka Warabi guessed as she splashed water on herself.
"She's clearly already Lv.2, and has to retrain all her stats from zero; why is she working so desperately?"
"Who knows..."
Onigawara Rin shook her head.
"Maybe she went back to her room to rest first?"
"After all, that girl is always acting strangely."
"But whatever, let's just ignore her!"
"Her way of thinking is quite different from ours anyway!"
"Come, come, come! Let's play a splashing game!"
"Take this!"
With that said.
Hanasaka Warabi cupped her hands and directly splashed a large handful of water toward Onigawara Rin.
"Wah! Hanasaka Warabi, you sneak attacked!"
"Take this!"
Inside the bath.
The girls began to playfully frolic.
Only Inaba Tsukuyo, her eyes closed, faintly noticed something and raised her head to look at the ceiling.
.
Because at this moment.
First floor of the mansion.
The study.
Unlike the cheerful laughter and voices from the grand bathhouse downstairs.
It was excessively quiet here.
Haimer was sitting in an armchair in the study, holding a thick copy of The Tale of Argonaut, quietly flipping through it by the soft light of a Magic Stone lamp.
However.
It seemed Haimer wouldn't be able to just keep reading tonight.
Creak—
The study door was pushed open a crack from the outside.
A figure walked in.
And after entering, reached back and gently clicked the lock shut.
Click.
Haimer raised his head.
To look at the newcomer.
It was precisely Amou Kirukiru.
Although he had anticipated it, the sight before him still caused Haimer to raise an eyebrow slightly.
Because on Amou Kirukiru's body, she only wore an extremely oversized white dress shirt.
The baggy men's shirt hung loosely on her tall frame, the hem barely covering the top of her thighs.
As she walked, her two long, straight legs peeked out, her skin gleaming with a pale luster under the light.
The collar was slightly unbuttoned.
Revealing her delicate collarbones and a dizzying expanse of snow-white cleavage.
She stepped barefoot onto the study's carpet.
One step.
Two steps.
"What is it?"
"Is the bath downstairs too crowded?"
"Or perhaps..."
Haimer tilted his head slightly, his gaze moving slowly upward from Amou Kirukiru's bare feet treading on the carpet.
Gliding over her firm calves and slender thighs, finally stopping at the collar of her shirt, which looked exceptionally open due to its large size.
There.
With her breathing.
That patch of snow-white was gently rising and falling.
"Does it suit me?"
Amou Kirukiru stopped right in front of Haimer.
She halted her steps.
Looking down from above at this man, whose imposing aura wasn't suppressed in the slightest even while seated.
Then.
She suddenly bent down.
Placing both hands on the armrests by Haimer's sides, caging his entire body into the chair.
That stunning face, bearing a trace of a sickly flush, instantly drew near.
"These are your clothes."
Amou Kirukiru's voice was somewhat low.
"On them..."
"Is completely your scent."
Right in front of Haimer, Amou Kirukiru took a deep breath.
"This feeling..."
Amou Kirukiru narrowed her eyes slightly. Within those phoenix eyes that always carried arrogance, a trace of dazed intoxication was currently revealed.
"It's like being completely enveloped by you."
"Making me..."
"Unable to resist wanting to... devour you whole."
At this point.
Kirukiru suddenly stuck out the tip of her tongue, gently licking her somewhat dry lips.
Her lips instantly became rosy and alluring, glistening with moisture.
"Heh."
Facing such a blunt declaration.
Haimer found it quite interesting. He reached out, his fingertips gently lifting a wet lock of hair that had fallen onto Amou Kirukiru's chest, twirling it around his fingers.
"Since I didn't see you downstairs earlier, I thought you were tired and went to rest early."
"Tired?"
Amou Kirukiru looked as if she had just heard a joke.
She suddenly let go of one hand resting on the armrest, instead grabbing Haimer's hand that was toying with her hair.
Then.
Guiding that hand.
Slowly moving it downwards.
Slipping it past the oversized collar of the shirt.
Pressing it directly against her own heart.
Thump— Thump-thump.
Beneath his palm.
That heart was beating.
Every pulsation was strong and powerful.
Accompanied by the astonishing heat radiating through her thin skin.
It was extraordinarily scalding.
"Do you feel it, God?"
Amou Kirukiru stared dead into Haimer's eyes, the long-repressed madness within her gaze finally breaching its dam.
"It won't stop."
"Since last night... from the moment that power flooded into my body..."
"It's been beating like this the entire time."
"Every single beat is clamoring that it isn't enough."
"Even if I trained my body to the point of breaking, even if I've already become stronger now..."
"But that sense of emptiness..."
Amou Kirukiru abruptly tightened her grip on Haimer's hand, her fingernails even digging deeply into the back of his hand.
As if wanting to knead this hand, and even this entire person, into her own body.
"That feeling of emptiness where, even though I've clearly gotten stronger, I still feel so far away from you..."
"Has instead become even stronger."
"Oh God."
Amou Kirukiru's voice carried a trace of a tremble; it was unknown whether it was due to excitement or an indescribable sense of grievance.
"Do you know?"
"You ruined me."
"In the past, all I had to do was use my strength to dominate everything."
"Whether it was enemies, or those so-called strong individuals."
"As long as I defeated them, as long as I trampled them under my feet, I could be satisfied, I could feel my own existence."
"But now..."
Amou Kirukiru leaned her body slightly forward.
Her entire person essentially straddled Haimer's lap.
Those long, slender thighs pressed against Haimer's thighs without any barrier.
"In front of you..."
"The power I once took pride in is not even worth mentioning."
"Because I know..."
"No matter how strong I become, no matter how hard I try..."
"I will never be able to defeat you."
At this moment.
This incomparably arrogant Empress, who had once reigned over the summit of Aichi Symbiosis Academy.
Looked just like a child who had fallen into paranoia because they couldn't get their favorite toy.
"Therefore..."
"Since I cannot dominate you with strength."
"Since I've become your Familia, your property..."
"Then at least..."
Amou Kirukiru closed in once more.
The tips of their noses practically touching.
Their breaths intermingled.
Blowing straight into Haimer's nasal cavity.
"Let me become..."
"The first person to possess you."
"Even if it's just your body."
"Even if it's only for a fleeting moment."
"I will make it so your body..."
"Is tainted with my scent."
"Even if you are a God..."
"Tonight, you can only belong to me alone."
With that said.
Kirukiru didn't give Haimer any opportunity to refuse or speak at all.
Her free hand directly grabbed onto Haimer's collar.
Then.
Without any hesitation.
She leaned in and kissed him.
"Mmph."
Amou possessed absolutely no technique to speak of.
It was entirely a beast-like gnawing.
As if she wanted, through this method.
To pull the high-and-mighty God before her down from the clouds into the mortal realm.
To drag him into the quagmire of her body.
Haimer did not push her away.
Of course.
He didn't just passively endure it like a piece of wood either.
As a God.
He possessed enough tolerance to accept everything from his believer—even if this method of acceptance was somewhat beyond the norm.
Besides, wasn't this one of the very reasons he had chosen Amou Kirukiru in the first place?
And so.
Haimer's hand, which had originally been pressed against her heart by Amou Kirukiru, moved slightly.
He easily reversed his grip and broke free from her restraint.
Then.
Following that delicate, scalding skin, his hand slowly slid downwards.
Gliding past a waist that could be easily spanned.
Finally.
He gently gripped Amou's firm, elastic lower back, hidden beneath the hem of her shirt.
With a slight exertion of force.
He pulled her entire person an inch closer into his embrace.
"Mmph!"
This sudden movement caused Amou Kirukiru's body, which was in the midst of a frantic assault, to shudder violently.
An irrepressible, muffled groan spilled from between her lips and teeth.
It was also in this instant that her gaze gradually became even more infatuated and entranced.
A long while later.
When Amou Kirukiru gradually felt as if all the air in her lungs had been squeezed out, her vision blacking out in waves with only a stubborn refusal to admit defeat keeping her going.
Haimer finally leaned back slightly, bringing it all to an end.
Their lips parted.
A silver thread.
Glistened with a decadent luster beneath the light.
"Hah..."
Amou panted heavily.
Within those dazed eyes, it was already a misty haze.
A layer of alluring pink now covered her originally pale skin.
She leaned weakly against Haimer's shoulder.
Her entire person was like a puddle of melted water, impossibly soft.
Where was even a trace of her usual, unyielding Empress demeanor?
Haimer exceptionally considerately wiped away that drop of crystal-clear moisture at the corner of her mouth.
"Possess me?"
"Words like that..."
"Throughout the long eons in the Heavens."
"There have been quite a few Gods who've said them to me."
Haimer wrapped his arm around Amou Kirukiru's waist, looking thoughtful.
"But it's a pity."
"To this day."
"No God has ever truly succeeded."
"Don't compare me to others, God!"
"I am not a substitute for anyone!"
"And God..."
"Right now."
"The one in your arms."
"Is me!"
A spark of provoked anger instantly flashed across Amou Kirukiru's moist eyes.
Even at a time like this.
Her possessiveness remained terrifyingly strong.
"Heh."
At this, Haimer merely shook his head helplessly.
His fingers deliberately traced slowly down her back.
The shudder it provoked made Amou arch her body involuntarily, letting out a comfortable sigh.
"Indeed, none of that matters anymore."
With that said.
Haimer's hand stopped at the dimples on Amou's lower back, giving them a gentle press.
"Mmph—!"
Amou let out another short gasp, her body instantly turning soft as she collapsed back into Haimer's embrace.
"What's important is your current body..."
Haimer leaned close to Amou's ear and spoke softly.
"Although you've leveled up to Lv.2 and are indeed much stronger than before."
"However..."
"To bear the Grace of a God..."
"Even if I suppress it as much as I can."
"Are you sure..."
"You are truly prepared to be broken apart?"
Haimer wasn't just fear-mongering.
After all.
His original thought was to wait until their levels were sublimated to Lv.3 before considering such things.
However.
Hearing these words.
The daze in Amou's eyes instantly dissipated.
Replaced by.
"Then... break me apart."
Amou Kirukiru reached out and hugged Haimer's neck tightly.
She whispered in his ear, her voice carrying a reckless madness.
"As long as it's God..."
"Even if I die in God's embrace..."
"I am completely willing."
"Besides."
"If it is God..."
"It must certainly..."
"Feel very good, right?" "..."
Haimer fell silent for a moment.
As a God, maintaining his reserve at this moment seemed to be no longer necessary.
"Since you insist this much..."
"Then let's..."
"Try it."
Haimer finished speaking.
His fingers tightened slightly.
He directly stood up from the chair, carrying Amou in his arms.
"!"
With this movement.
Amou Kirukiru's oversized shirt slipped down directly past her shoulders.
Revealing vast expanses of snow-white skin.
Haimer carried her toward the mahogany desk in the study.
And with a casual wave of his hand, swept the surface clear.
____
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