Hi guys, author here! Please share your thoughts in the comments and reviews. And if you like it, don't forget to drop some stones — they're a great motivator!
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After somehow getting out of trouble even after Mereoleona dropped that big of a bomb, Sekke started going back to his normal life once again.
"Is this how I should hold it?" asked Secre, gripping it tightly.
"You've seen me do it countless times. No need to be that nervous — I'll guide you if I feel like you're not doing well," responded Sekke with a smile.
Secre nodded and gulped. She had seen Sekke do it countless times, but now that it was her turn, she couldn't help feeling nervous.Was she gripping it right? What if she lost control?
Feeling her hesitation, Sekke sighed and placed his hand over hers.
Secre looked at the hand that overlapped hers and, with a smirk, twisted the handle with full force.
VROOM!
Sekke's bike roared loudly and launched forward at high speed.
Unlike what you might have thought, Sekke and Secre were out in the open — and right now, the Dark Lord was teaching Secre how to ride his motorbike, something they'd promised to do once he got back from the Shadow Palace.
"Haha, good job, Secre! Just keep the handles steady," said Sekke as he sat behind her, smiling calmly.
Yesterday, though chaotic, had been a success. He was officially dating four people at the same time — something he never imagined he'd ever do.
'My King! Having more offspring blessed by your divine essence is a miracle for the world itself!!!' exclaimed Exodia.
'…Sigh, whatever. I can manage it somehow. It's not like I'll get involved with more people,' thought Sekke.
'Oh… what's that? Is that a flag I see raising?' asked Vritra sarcastically.
"Don't jinx it," replied Sekke.
"What?" asked Secre, turning around.
Sekke immediately held her head forward."Nothing. Vritra was talking nonsense. Eyes on the road, miss."
"I have a question."
"What?"
"Do those two share your senses as well? Like… they can see and hear what you see and hear?"
"Yes."
"..."
"What is it?"
"Then does that mean when we are… doing it, they can… you know…"
"Lady Secre, I vow on my honor as my king's retainer — I have never engaged in such indecent and treacherous acts!" declared Exodia, appearing in his chibi form to prove his innocence."I cut off my connection whenever I feel my liege and you wish to be alone! I even make sure of it when you two are in your resting quarters!"
"Rest assured, my other half's mate," said Vritra. "I too follow the protocols of what we call the 'Bro Code.' We reside within my other half's soul, yes — but that doesn't mean we stay connected with him all the time."
"They're trustworthy, Secre. And on the off chance they do peek, I'll personally gouge their eyes out," said Sekke reassuringly.
"My liege! If I ever dare commit such treason, I will gladly receive my punishment!" exclaimed Exodia.
"I don't have a physical body. I'd like to see you try," mocked Vritra.
"Want me to test it out with Extase-chan?" asked Sekke with a smirk.
"..."
Vritra fell silent — that artifact of his host didn't follow the laws of the world, and with enough mana, it could cut through anything.
"I'll refrain from that. Rest assured, Secre — we don't peek at your intimate moments. We just want our partner to be happy. He's suffered a lot, carrying burdens someone his age shouldn't have to. Just… take care of him and make him happy," said Vritra sincerely.
"Hehe, don't worry. I will. You're a good friend to him, Vritra-san," replied Secre softly.
"See that, light bulb? She said I'm a good friend to my other half. No such remarks for you," taunted Vritra.
"Lady Secre! I too just wish for my liege's happiness! Make him the happiest man in the world — because that's a role I cannot fulfill!" exclaimed Exodia dramatically.
"Haha, you're a good friend to him too, Exodia-san."
"See that, fiend! I got Lady Secre's approval too!"
"She just said that to not break your heart," replied Vritra smugly.
"Why you vile creature! You dare question my king's partner's intentions?! I will end you!!!" shouted Exodia and dove back into Sekke.
"Try it, light show!" yelled Vritra as he disappeared too, making their sacred gears dematerialize.
"You just had to rile them up, huh? They're causing a ruckus in there," groaned Sekke.
"Take that as punishment for doing a fivesome," teased Secre.
Sekke fell silent — Secre glanced back at him with a smug look.He smirked, leaned forward, placed his hand over hers again, and cranked the speed to max.
"Wha—?! What are you doing, you idiot?!?!" screamed Secre.
"Hahaha! Feel the wind, Secre!!!" laughed Sekke.
The two continued riding around for a while before heading back to the Black Bulls HQ.
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"We're back!" shouted Sekke as he and Secre entered the HQ.
"What happened to your hair?" asked Noelle, eyeing Secre.
Secre immediately glared at Sekke, who just ruffled her hair even more.
"Don't listen to her. You look cute," said Sekke.
"Don't mess it up more!" replied Secre, swatting his hand away. "I'll go take a bath!"She dashed off before he could say anything else.
Just then, Sekke's communicator started ringing."Who's calling this early?" he muttered and answered — "Good morning, Sekke-san..." came Mimosa's voice.
That made Noelle raise an eyebrow. Why was Mimosa calling Sekke this early?
"Good morning, Mimosa. Everything okay?" asked Sekke, curious.
"Yes... I just called... to hear your voice. I hope I didn't disturb you."
Noelle's mind froze.
"Not at all, I'm very pleased to talk to you too. How are things at your place? It got a little chaotic at the end."
Her place.Chaotic.What was going on here?
"Hehe, Father was upset for a while, but I tried to cheer him up. He's still a bit angry, but we don't have to worry about the engagement anymore," said Mimosa casually.
"WHAT?!?!?!" screamed Noelle, shaking the entire HQ with her voice.
"Damn, she can yell. Are you training under Asta?" asked Sekke, wincing.
"Noelle-san? Why is she yelling like that?" asked Mimosa innocently.
"I don't know, she's weird like that."
"You have it tough dealing with her, Sekke-san."
"Tell me about it. To have such an unruly disciple — if I weren't the Dark Lord, I would've given up on her long ago."
"What the hell are you two talking about?!" yelled Noelle, snatching the communicator from Sekke.
"Mimosa! What did you guys do yesterday?!"
"Oh? You heard us? Noelle-san, it's bad manners to eavesdrop," said Mimosa calmly.
"Leave that! What was that about engagement?!"
"Oh… well, it's fine to tell you, I suppose. I got engaged to Sekke-san," said Mimosa, dropping a massive bomb.
Noelle's brain short-circuited.
"Wha—wha—wha?! How?! When?! What about Secre?!"
"Calm down," said Sekke.
"Calm down," echoed Mimosa.
"HOW CAN I?!" yelled Noelle.
"Well, it happened yesterday after I talked with her parents. As for Secre, don't worry — she knows. She's also engaged to me," explained Sekke.
"Huh?"
"Yes, Secre-san, Mereoleona-onee-sama, Anna-san, and I are all dating Sekke-san together," added Mimosa sweetly.
"Huh?"
"Well, there you go. Don't go spreading the news everywhere," said Sekke.
"HUH?!?!?!"
"WHAT'S GOING ON?! ARE WE UNDER ATTACK?!" yelled Asta, charging in with his swords.
"Who dares mess with us?!" shouted Magna.
"Uwaaa, trouble so early?" yawned Vanessa.
"Sekke is four-timing and everyone's okay with that!!!" yelled Noelle in disbelief.
"..."
"You just couldn't keep it to yourself, huh?" sighed Sekke.
"You can't keep a secret, Noelle-san," added Mimosa.
Noelle glared at both of them, her brain barely processing.
"What? Sekke?" blinked Asta.
"Oh my, such an indecent Dark Lord~" teased Vanessa.
"Well, since the cat's out of the bag, I'm engaged to Secre, Mimosa, Anna, and Mereoleona. Don't spread it around," said Sekke helplessly.
"EHHHH?!?! Congrats, bro!!!" yelled Asta.
"Four-timing and engaged? That's new~ Congrats, Sekke~" said Vanessa.
"Huh? How are you two not shocked?!" demanded Noelle.
"Eh? I mean, if everyone agreed, then it's fine, right?" said Asta earnestly.
"In the Witch's Forest, my mother had relationships with hundreds of men. This is nothing," said Vanessa.
"..."
Now Noelle was the one wondering if she was the weird one here.
"Thanks, both of you," smiled Sekke.
"Sekke! Help me get together with Sister Lily!!!" yelled Asta, rushing forward.
"You stay back!!!" yelled Noelle, blasting Asta with her magic.
"EH?! WHY?!" screamed Asta.
Sekke placed a hand on Noelle's shoulder."Be honest, or you'll lose," he said calmly.
"Best of luck, Noelle-san!" chimed Mimosa.
Noelle's brows twitched — somehow, she wanted both of them to explode.
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And just like that, the news spread through the Black Bulls HQ, which soon turned into a full-on party.
"To your future of eternal suffering with Sisgoleon!" said Yami, raising his drink.
"I'll tell her you said that," replied Sekke.
"Oi! You tryna kill me?!" yelled Yami.
"You will be missed, Yami-san."
"Don't go killing me already, bastard!"
"Yami-san! Sisgoleon will actually kill you! Don't die!!" shouted Asta.
"Don't you start too, dumbass!" yelled Yami, crushing Asta's head.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!!!" screamed Asta.
"Sekke-kun! Eat your nummies! Get back in shape!" said Charmy, dropping a mountain of food in front of him.
"Ah! I want to be engaged to my Marie!" yelled Gauche.
"She's your sister!!!" shouted Finral.
"My best friend," said Gordon softly, "congratulations on being engaged to people you love. I hope you live happily and face no trouble. If you ever need help… I'm here. Also, if you need a best man, you know where to find me."
"Thanks, Gordon. I'll let you know when the time comes," replied Sekke warmly.
Gordon smiled his signature creepy smile, but Sekke was used to it by now.
"Things sure got lively," murmured Secre.
"Well, it just shows how good our friends are," said Sekke.
"By the way, we'll be going back to the Heart Kingdom soon — to prepare for the fight against the Spade Kingdom devils," said Secre.
"Huh? You're going back? Who's all going?" asked Sekke.
"Me!" shouted Asta, still trapped in Yami's grip.
"Me too. Leopold and Mimosa will be there as well," said Noelle.
"Hehe, I'll go too!" grinned Luck.
"La~! I'll go too! The Heart Kingdom's food is delicious!" added Charmy.
"I'll be there. Anna too," said Secre.
"Hmm... maybe I should go as well. A vacation sounds nice," said Sekke.
"You can't just waltz into another kingdom like that. You need to have permissions and all. It will take time." said Noelle.
"Heh, you underestimate the might of the Dark Lord!" replied Sekke and released his limits.
His glowing eyes came back surprising the squad members a bit since they didn't look at his glowing eyes in detail earlier.
"Undine" called Sekke.
A few moments later, a large amount of water gathered in the room near Sekke — and from it, Undine materialized.
"I greet you, O Mana King. How may I aid you today?" asked Undine in a respectful tone.
This made all those who knew Undine look at the scene in shock, since Undine even talked casually to her contractor, Lolopechka, who was ruler of the Heart Kingdom.
"You asked me to visit the Heart Kingdom on vacation, right? Can I take that offer now?" asked Sekke.
Undine's eyes lit up as she looked at Sekke with a smile.
"Of course. I will inform my contractor right away. When would you be visiting us?" asked Undine.
Undine's gaze now fell on the people around her, and she immediately recognized the familiar faces.
"My friends were going tomorrow, so I was thinking of joining them."
"Understood, Mana King. I will have the Heart Kingdom prepare for your arrival," said Undine, ignoring Noelle and the others' shocked expressions.
"Thank you. I'll meet you there then. You can take your leave if you wish — or you can join us for the meal if you want," offered Sekke.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Mana King. However, I will be returning. My contractor will worry about me, and I need to ask them to start the preparations. Have a great evening," said Undine as she bowed to Sekke and vanished.
Sekke looked back at his friends.
"So, I'll be joining you guys as well. Charmy-san! Let's go on an eating spree there since you're saying the food's great!!!"
"La! Of course, Sekke-kun! Follow me — I'll be your guide to all the delicious nummies from the Heart Kingdom!!" declared Charmy.
"Wait, wait, wait?! What the hell just happened?! Why was Undine talking so respectfully to you?!" asked Noelle.
"That, my dear disciple, is the charm of the Dark Lord. Undine understood it. You should too — and be grateful that I took you under as my disciple," said Sekke proudly.
"Sekke! Take me as your disciple and teach me how to court Sister Lily!!!!" yelled Asta — only to be blasted away by water.