It had been three days of flying due to stops. Perhaps I should have stayed longer in Cathedral City, as I wasn't feeling completely well.
Occasional aches and pains coursed through my body, especially my wings, and I tired more quickly, forcing me to stop with a throbbing headache.
That was a terrible idea! Crossing half a continent after days in bed without moving was colossal stupidity!
Noir and Rubrum were my saviors, protecting me while I rested in the shadows I found, or bringing food and water when supplies were running low.
As always, they both worried about me, with the black book asking if I wanted to return to Cathedral City.
However, I refused; I needed to find out if everyone was alright.
With the wind blowing through my hair and the sun rising on the horizon, I spotted the familiar forest area. There it was, Lyllenas, the place that had become my new home in this world.
The village seemed larger, with more plantations, and houses built inside the trees, as well as log cabins.
There was a commotion in the center of the village; what had once been simply an open area had transformed into a square of cobblestones arranged in a circle with benches on top.
From what little I could see, these same cobblestones extended outwards, forming new paths in the old streets.
I landed at the entrance, leaving a trail of flowers and feathers in my wake, and passed through a wooden archway that hadn't existed when I left.
I assumed it was religious in nature, judging by the symbols carved into its form. It was a mixture of Angelic Alphabet and Chaos Language; most were prayers of welcome, protection for the village and its inhabitants, fertile harvests, and other such things.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward, entering Lyllenas, and when my eyes opened, I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
"Returning home eases the heart, doesn't it, Lord Alan?"
"Certainly, Noir. How about we take a walk and see what's changed?"
"I'd love to."
I readjusted my cloak and hid my hands in my pockets, walking at a casual pace while conversing with my books.
Rubrum was the most animated, flying quickly around us and taking in the new sights with curiosity.
There were flowerbeds and other well-kept gardens along the edges of the streets and new shops thanks to the expanding commerce.
Eventually, we approached the center of the village where the population gathered.
I tilted my head in doubt; initially, I thought it was some kind of festival, but the worried murmurs, shouts, and insults proved otherwise.
"Excuse me, let me pass."
I pushed my way through the crowd of elves, gently shoving them out of the way. Some turned to face me, only for their anger to turn to surprise or confusion.
Eventually, I left the gaping crowd behind and spotted the source of all the commotion: Elyon and Thessalia arguing with a tall, blond elf with fair skin, grey eyes, and an arrogant voice, as well as a smug face.
He wore a green headband and a long purple coat with a white shirt underneath, but the giant crossbow on his back was the detail that drew the most attention.
I waited before acting, wanting more context so I wouldn't mess things up. However, the longer the argument dragged on, the angrier I became.
"Come on, old man, I just need a few elves for a quick job!"
"How many times do I have to repeat myself?! No!"
"And how do you expect the village to be protected?! The Lords are dead and everyone is scrambling to get what they left behind! My band can keep the village safe, but we can't do it for free! A little money and food…"
The unknown elf glanced at the crowd, smiling with anything but good intentions. Some of the women flinched while others reached for their weapons as they were undressed by lustful eyes.
"…And some pretty girls to keep us company will serve as payment."
"Are you asking for payment to protect us from raiders or from you?"
"HAHA! And does that really matter? The village has changed since the last time I was here. It would be a shame if something happened to it, wouldn't it?"
Tension filled the air, and both individuals stared at each other, one with sadistic glee and the other with seriousness and hesitation.
It was a subtle gesture, but Elyon and Thessalia prepared to use their magic; some elves around us moved away while others prepared to fight.
Finally, the stranger who started all this commotion reached for his back, intending to draw his crossbow, but I didn't allow it.
"Who the fu…"
The elf exclaimed as I gripped his arm with an iron grip.
"ARGH! GASP!"
His words turned into a scream followed by a gasp for air as I threw him over my head and onto the ground behind me. I didn't use enough force to kill or crack the ground, but I clearly had broken something, judging by his screams.
"Listen, normally I wouldn't do this. I would try to understand your motives and the best way to resolve the situation, but I'm truly tired and out of patience. What should have been a short trip turned into long months where I took the worst beatings of my life and almost died several times, not to mention, of course, the world almost ending because of gods and entities beyond our comprehension. I also didn't like you threatening my grandparents and my home. I have great affection for this place and its people, so I will simply cut off your head and go on my way."
I extended my hand and, without needing orders, Noir opened his pages, revealing the handle of my axe.
"YOU BASTARD!"
The elf tried to get up, but my foot on his chest kept him on the ground.
In a vain attempt to save himself, he removed a smaller crossbow from his coat, which was quickly snatched from his hand and crushed thanks to Rubrum.
"Of course, of course, you wouldn't be the first person to call me that, but you don't regenerate endlessly, so I don't need to worry."
The blade of my weapon gleamed in the sunlight as I raised and then lowered it. I didn't waste time with last words or trying to guess what my enemy felt.
CLANG!
To my surprise, a whip of water deflected my blow to the side, causing the blade to sink into the ground a few inches from the elf's head, cutting a few strands of his hair.
His eyes shifted between me, my axe, and Thessalia behind me with her hand outstretched, a magical sigil in the air.
"A-Alan, is that you?" She asked in a trembling voice, stepping towards me.
I didn't answer at first, feeling worthless under her gaze, but I nodded, slightly lifting my hood.
Her eyes widened while she covered her mouth as Elyon stopped beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Please, let him go! He's learned his lesson!"
"You heard what he said, Grandpa! He'll become a problem in the future! Why don't we prevent this here and now?!"
"Because this is our grandson, Nero!"
"THIS IS YOUR GRANDSON?!"
My face contorted and my mouth dropped open in disbelief. I couldn't believe the imbecile trapped under my shoe was related to the people I loved so much.
The old elves nodded quickly, but there was a hint of shame in their gestures.
I grumbled, shifting from side to side, thinking about what I should do. Then I clicked my tongue, sighing in frustration, and put my axe aside, freeing Nero and pulling him to his feet by the collar of his shirt.
"Consider yourself lucky. I don't want to see your ugly face here again."
For a moment, we stood face to face in silence, exchanging serious and murderous glares, but he yielded, turning his head away.
With my message clear, I threw him aside, making him stumble before limping away, giving me one last withering look.
"This isn't over!"
"Choose the time and place and we'll settle this once and for all, just don't expect anyone to come and save you!"
I opened my arms in defiance, something Nero was wise to refuse, so the crowd parted, allowing him to leave.
Although everything was resolved for the moment, the tension still lingered, with the various elves watching the books and me.
"I thought he was dead…"
"He's different…"
"Where are the children from before…"
Fortunately, Elyon and Thessalia came to my rescue before I had to give explanations.
"You can go home now! There's nothing to see here!"
"We've been through enough excitement! Take the rest of the day to rest!"
Reluctantly, the crowd dispersed, and I already felt the headache that was coming. Rumors will surely spread.
With that done, I turned to my grandparents, unsure what to say. I nervously rubbed my hands together, avoiding direct eye contact as my heart raced and my stomach sank.
"Alan, you… Would you like to talk about this at our house?" My grandfather pointed to the treehouse I knew so well.
"I can prepare something to calm your nerves, and then you can tell us what happened." My grandmother spoke next, gently tugging at my cloak.
I nodded, and then we went to the elves' house, walking in an uncomfortable silence. Soon, the front door closed behind me, and I found myself sitting in the living room, with Noir and Rubrum helping in the kitchen.
I looked around, feeling a wave of nostalgia at the sight of the house's decor. Unlike the village, this place hadn't changed.
Minutes later, everyone returned, with Rubrum carrying two trays, one with steaming cups of tea and the other with sweets resembling bread.
She placed them on the coffee table while my grandparents took their seats, and then stopped beside me, as did Noir.
I took a cup and a sweet, savoring the drink before biting into the dessert, only to moan at the taste as soon as the honey touched my tongue.
"It's delicious!"
Elyon and especially Thessalia nodded proudly. Then we spent some time eating in silence, appreciating the moment of peace and quiet.
However, the time had come to explain the reason behind my disappearance and sudden return.
"Alan, tell the truth, what happened after you left with the children?" My grandmother asked worriedly.
"We heard strange stories of dying Lords, dragons and monsters in the Cathedral City, a giant hand descending from the sky, and more. However, what caught our attention was the rumor of a fallen angel bringing five goddesses into the world." My grandfather said next.
"We are not fools, we didn't believe it at first. Our grandson and five children are not divine beings, however, time passed, the death of the Lords was confirmed and new ones arose to take their place, except for those who inhabited the Cathedral City. Five women promising peace and prosperity, opening the city gates for all to enter, slowly building their forces to overthrow those who wish to continue the legacy of the oppressors."
"The stories became commonplace, so there was no more doubt. The five children were these women called Intoners, but someone was missing, you. There was no news about your situation, only silence. In the end, we thought you had died."
They both stared at me, waiting for my answer. I looked away, something I always did in this kind of situation. I tried to pretend everything was alright, but that was a lie.
Looking down, I saw my reflection in the tea and remembered the conversation I had at the moment of my death.
Suddenly, I felt something trickling down my face and falling into the cup. My hand began to tremble, spilling the liquid onto the floor; finally, I couldn't hold back.
Something broke, and I let it all out. I cried and screamed like a child. I couldn't remember the last time I'd done this.
When my parents died? When I was taken from my world? When Rose die? When I spoke to my conscience? I had never reached this point before. How long had I kept it all to myself?
I spared no details, recounting everything that happened after we left. Bass's death in the Land of Sands, our encounter with Gabriella and Bartas, our struggles, and everything that happened in Cathedral City.
I talked and talked, feeling my breath disappear, and when it was all over, I was a mess, but it felt like a weight had been lifted from me.
Two pairs of arms enveloping me wasn't what I expected. Anything but that had crossed my mind, and the comforting words that followed made my heart leap.
"Poor thing, you've been through a lot, haven't you?"
"But you're home now. Rest, everything will be alright."
A smile spread across my face as I hugged them too, murmuring only one word as joy coursed through my body.
"Thank you."
-XXXXXX-
"Alright, children, any questions before we finish class?"
All the little elves in the classroom raised their hands in unsettling synchronicity, staring at me with the subtlety of an elephant.
"Any questions that don't involve my new appearance or what happened while I was away?"
All hands immediately lowered.
"Then you're dismissed."
I sighed wearily, gathering my things as the children ran to their homes, shouting and chatting along the way.
Sometimes I murmured a goodbye to those who spoke to me before leaving, and I couldn't help but laugh as I passed a mural with various drawings of the children, the books, and myself.
My good mood waned when I stepped outside to find myself facing a persistent problem: I couldn't use my abilities.
This happened two weeks ago. After resting for a few days, I felt ready to return to my work, but I failed to transform into darkness.
I thought I had become rusty, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do what I always did.
Just like now, my legs trembled, alternating between solid, liquid, and gaseous states. I clenched my teeth, straining even harder to the point of pain, but to no avail.
The same was true for my magical blasts. I tried to gather magic at the tip of my index finger, but the projectile flickered like a faulty lightbulb before disappearing.
Fortunately, my wings and physique remained the same, but I could no longer rely on my magical abilities.
Noir could still use his magic, but instead of sharing the weight equally, he now needed to use more of his power to conjure his spells.
I imagine this is due to what One did to me; saving my life wouldn't come without a price. Instead of lamenting, I transformed my disadvantage into determination to become stronger.
After lunch at home, we went to the training grounds where the various elves practiced archery and combat.
I greeted the elves I met along the way, waving to the instructor, an older elf, who was teaching the novices, myself included.
I stopped at the end of the line of archers, observing the various straw targets positioned at different distances, then I reached out to Noir, removing a bow and quiver from his pages.
I placed the quiver on my back and reviewed what I had learned, removing an arrow and raising my bow before positioning it on the string, pulling it back while aiming at my target.
I heard the wood and string of the compound bow tension and crack, as did my joints and muscles.
My new weapon was heavy and reinforced so that I wouldn't break it easily; conversely, it required almost superhuman strength to use it, which I had in abundance.
I released my breath, as did the string of my bow. The arrow tore through the air, hitting the target at medium range.
I celebrated internally seeing how close I was to hitting the center. My instructor nodded in approval, and I spent the next few hours training until my arms ached.
-XXXXXX-
The next day, I returned to the same field, but this time to learn how to use different weapons.
I picked up a spear and joined the ranks, taking a deep breath and performing the movements required by the instructors.
Hours later, I found myself with a dagger in each hand, facing an experienced elf.
She was incredibly fast; I lost count of how many times I found myself on the ground with a blade pointed at my neck.
I got up again when she backed away, looking at my hands covered in cuts from using a weapon that demanded speed and dexterity. It would have been less humiliating if she had been the one who caused the damage.
Putting that aside, I retrieved my weapons and prepared for the next round.
-XXXXXX-
On the third day, swords were the next weapon I practiced with—in this case, wooden swords. Nobody wanted to accidentally kill themselves here.
It wasn't the kind of weapon elves would use, but the rising tensions in Midgard forced the villagers to vary their fighting style and create a more organized fighting force.
Just like with the spear, I practiced my strikes from the air and against dummies before facing an elf in combat. At least this time I could be proud of winning.
I returned home when training ended, bathing and preparing for tonight's main event.
-XXXXXX-
"Remember, you must not help me, no matter what happens."
Noir and Rubrum waved as we crossed the Land of Forests with the full moon shining high in the sky.
It took a long conversation full of promises and guarantees that I probably couldn't keep, but here we are.
The silence of the forest was slowly replaced by shouts and applause as the lights of the Colosseum shone in the distance.
I spun above the arena as soon as I reached my destination, blinking at the books before plunging towards the ground.
"We will cheer for you, Lord Alan!"
I turned towards him as I fell and raised my thumbs in approval before continuing my descent, hearing the King of the Colosseum inciting the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen and all those in between, I bring you great news! After months away, our champion has returned! Give him a round of applause, the Fallen Angel, Alaaaaan!"
CRASH!
I flapped my wings, scattering the dust and rising from my kneeling position with my axe in hand.
Puffing out my chest and opening my arms, I shouted for all to hear.
"What do you have for me today?! Trolls?! Centaurs?! Dragons?! It doesn't matter, my axe thirsts for blood, bring me a challenge and I will give you a spectacle!"
The stands went wild, their shouts becoming a single roar that reverberated off the walls.
On the other side of the arena, a barred gate opened, revealing a dark corridor, and from there, trembling footsteps shook the earth.
A pair of eyes gleamed in the shadows, followed by a pair of horns that scraped against the edges of the passage.
Walking hunched over, a minotaur entered the arena.
The creature was extremely tall, with a humanoid and muscular body, covered in red fur, the latter being a darker shade on its head and back.
Its monstrous arms held a large tree like a club, and its legs, arched backward, with hooves instead of feet, created holes where it stepped.
The monster focused on me and snorted a cloud of vapor through its nostrils before roaring in a mixture of man and animal, and charging forward with its horns close to the ground.
My heart raced, and my face ached from how wide my smile was. There were no words to describe what I felt now.
Laughing like a madman, I stepped aside at the last instant, trapping the minotaur's left horn between the blades of my axe.
Clenching my teeth in effort, I swung my weapon in an arc, forcing it to follow the movement of my arms.
The beast growled in protest, too late to stop; its unrestrained charge only served to make it move faster to where I wanted it.
With a cry of fury, I freed its horn, hurling it against the arena wall.
The Colosseum trembled, the minotaur roared in pain as stone and dust covered its body while the spectators cheered.
Removing its body from the hole, the monster paused for a moment, seeing its horn, now broken, at its feet.
Enraged, it charged again, swinging its club in a flurry of wide, heavy blows.
A horizontal swing, which I dodged by throwing myself to the ground, a subsequent vertical blow that missed as I jumped back.
Attack after attack, I retreated, placed on the defensive.
Suddenly, the minotaur raised its weapon with both hands and planted it in the ground. An earthquake shook the arena, lifting the earth and breaking my balance.
I found myself in the air, trying to reorient myself, but I couldn't do it in time to avoid a massive fist approaching.
It was as if a truck had hit me, I screamed as I flew away, stopping when I hit a wall and fell to the ground.
I used my axe for support, watching the world spin amidst the ringing of my ears, but I felt no fear, I wanted more.
I heard the sounds of my enemy approaching, shaking the ground with each step, and looking ahead, I saw its large form with the weapon raised above its head.
Against all logic, I ran towards it, throwing myself to the ground and sliding under its legs before the blow could reach me.
I wasted no time and stood up, cutting its right tendon, placing it on one knee.
The creature screamed, falling with a heavy thud. This was the perfect opportunity; I climbed onto its back, ignoring the blood running down my forehead, and stood at the base of its neck, preparing for the final blow.
However, the minotaur had other plans. It stood up, ran, and leaped like an uncontrolled animal, forcing me to grab its fur to avoid falling.
The fight quickly turned into a rodeo, with the beast doing everything to bring me down. I, on the other hand, was having the time of my life.
However, all good things must come to an end.
A particularly strong swing threw me high into the sky. My axe slipped from my grip, and I struggled to retrieve it as I fell.
Fortunately, I succeeded and pointed it downwards, aiming the spike at my opponent's head.
The minotaur did something similar, raising its club and preparing to crush me like a mosquito.
However, I didn't plan to lose. I closed my wings, accelerating my fall and passing the blow that came a few seconds late.
There was a crack followed by a wet sound and a gush of blood. Moments later, the monster fell backward, its forehead pierced.
I breathed heavily, brushing away the hair that clung to my face. Looking up at the sky, I raised my axe, shouting in victory as money and flowers rained down on the arena and my name was chanted in praise.
-XXXXXX-
I sighed wearily, sitting on a bench in the gladiators' room, wiping my sweat with a towel while drinking water from a canteen.
Other fighters came and went, exchanging words with me along the way.
There was a troll covered in skins of what I hoped were animals, an elf with various tribal tattoos, a fairy with enough armor to look like an action figure, elementals who had molded their bodies into a humanoid appearance, and what I was sure were several goblins inside a suit of armor.
A while later, I left the break room, closing the door behind me and walking through the Colosseum corridors towards the exit where Noir and Rubrum should be waiting for me.
"OUCH!"
"SORRY!"
However, I bumped into someone as I turned the corner. Looking at the person on the ground, their pointed ears immediately revealed that they were an elf.
She was quite short and thin compared to the other elves I know, with sharp features, long dark hair, gray eyes, and fair skin.
However, her revealing purple dress adorned with feathers at the edges revealed a well-trained body with muscles beginning to show.
I leaned forward and offered her my hand, which she accepted, however, I immediately looked away when she stood up, as her clothes did little to conceal her breasts.
"Sorry about that, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
She muttered, clicking her tongue as her high-heeled boots clicked on the floor and she retrieved her sword.
"Next time I'll stab you, you… You… What the hell are you?"
Despite her attitude, she had a velvety voice that made me shudder inwardly. As if that wasn't enough, she moved closer to an uncomfortable distance, almost pinning me against the wall behind me.
"I'm a Gestalt, but you've probably never heard of that."
She waved a hand to her chin, letting out a curious murmur. However, I wasn't paying attention to it; it was as if the world had gone into slow motion and another problem born from my recent transformation had surfaced. In other words, heavy lust. It's been like this ever since I left the Cathedral City.
The way her soft red lips moved, how sweat trickled down the curve of her slender neck, how I could see her entire cleavage from above, how her strong perfume assaulted my nostrils.
One of her hands caressed my wings and I jumped to my feet, holding back a moan. Quickly, I stepped away from her, trying and failing miserably to hide my nervousness.
"M-miss, you're b-pretty and all, b-but I'd like to get to know you better b-before we become i-intimate."
I mentally kicked myself because of my stutter, offering a trembling smile as sweat dripped down my face.
Her surprised face turned to amusement and the corners of her lips lifted, giving way to a laugh. Shame replaced the lust I felt; I looked away, sighed, and walked away.
Congratulations, Alan! You made a fool of yourself in front of a beautiful woman!
"Hey, wait!"
I stopped, turning my head, waiting for her to continue.
"I didn't mean to mock you, I just thought your reaction was cute. I've never seen anything like you before, so you better be happy; few men have captured my interest."
Then she left, swaying her hips hypnotically, but not before giving me one last look and winking. I blushed, waving goodbye, making her laugh again.
I waited for her to disappear before moving on, celebrating in my mind; however, I looked down halfway there, happy to have a mass of darkness hiding my groin.
-XXXXXX-
It was the weekend, and I was flying towards Cathedral City to fulfill my promises. I mentally checked to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything as I approached the walls.
Suddenly, I heard something tearing through the air. Looking towards the source of the noise, I saw a cannonball approaching.
The books and I immediately dodged, watching the explosion and resulting cloud of smoke.
"HEY, IT'S ME, ALAN! PAY ATTENTION TO WHO YOU'RE SHOOTING AT!"
I yelled to the soldiers manning the cannons on the city walls while holding Noir and Rubrum back so they wouldn't kill everyone there.
An older soldier, whom I believed to be the highest-ranking, judging by his armor, slapped the heads of his younger subordinates before bowing his head in forgiveness.
The others did the same, and I nodded in approval, continuing on my way and approaching the cathedral.
The 21st-century ruins remained the same, but the closer I got to the center, the more things changed.
The highways and sidewalks were cleared of debris and dirt, old buildings were demolished and new ones built in their place, probably due to architectural incompatibility and soil instability after the disaster that happened here.
I spotted fortifications along the way, walls, outposts, and small forts armed with their own garrisons and anti-siege defenses such as cannons and ballistas, all built at both ends of large bridges over the deep fissures that divided the city.
The sisters made use of the new terrain to their advantage; you would have to fly or traverse the various defenses to reach the Cathedral, which was now surrounded by a massive wall, blocked by a thick metal gate.
There were ordinary people here too; I mostly saw them crossing the bridges, being checked by guards before proceeding towards what I could only describe as a refugee camp.
Tents and wagons were positioned in groups with people of all ages coming and going.
A small market also formed, with merchants displaying their wares in stalls or blacksmiths and bakers working in makeshift forges and kitchens.
Finally, I had reached the Cathedral, and the purple dragon sleeping atop one of the towers was hard to miss.
"HEY, GABRIELLA!"
The dragon grumbled and stirred, raising its head and looking around with sleepy eyes.
"False dragon and the books? It was about time you came back! The brats won't stop bothering me with their worries about you!"
"I'm sorry about that! Are they at the Cathedral?"
"Hm… One and Three were in the library the last time I checked. I don't know where the others are."
"Thank you."
"Alright, now go away and let me sleep in peace."
I laughed at her bad mood and landed on one of the Cathedral's balconies, stopping in front of the double glass doors and analyzing my reflection. I looked stylish, I was sure of that.
I was wearing a long gray trench coat with black buttons, including at the ends of the sleeves, keeping them rolled up while my gloves were the same color as the coat.
Underneath that I wore a black vest with buttons of the same color, only in a darker shade, and under the vest, a gray shirt.
My trousers were also black, only a lighter shade, while my shoes were a deep dark color with gold buckles, reflecting the light due to their polish.
Finally, there was my hat, something similar to a fedora, matching my coat, but with a black band around it and two white feathers from my wings adorning its left side.
The only thing missing was my old backpack, which was reduced to nothing during the fight against Bartas; now I wore a black bag with a buckle hanging from my shoulder, across my chest.
I have to thank Grandma when I get back; she followed my requests perfectly.
I rummaged through my bag one last time, checking that the books and study materials were still there and confirming that the package I carried under my arm was still securely closed.
"You look fine, Lord Alan. Miss One will love this."
"W-what are you talking about, Noir?! Why would One like this?!"
I entered the Cathedral, feeling my face heat up as Rubrum floated backward in front of me. If she were capable, I imagine a mischievous smile would be on her nonexistent face.
The journey to the library didn't take long; I asked the servants and guards I encountered along the way for directions. I was frustrated by the level of admiration they displayed. They were practically kneeling before me and starting to pray.
I closed the door behind me, admiring the expanse of the room, rows and rows of shelves filled with books of various colors, with several floors above.
The stone and marble of the rest of the Cathedral gave way to polished wood full of ornaments and detailed designs, to the point where I could see my reflection.
The open windows let in the sunlight and the gentle breeze, slightly stirring the scarlet curtains.
There were also long tables with dividers scattered around the place, with chairs, armchairs, and sofas upholstered in red velvet serving as seating.
I whistled at the sight, making the sound reverberate off the walls, then went in search of the Intoners.
"Do you think we'll find anything about ourselves here, Noir? Or perhaps some way to return home?"
"It's difficult to say, Lord Alan, but I believe this library will be a good start."
"...Suppose we find a way back, would you and Rubrum like to stay here or would you prefer to return with me?"
"Wherever you go, we will go too, Lord Alan." The black book replied as the red one nodded quickly.
"No, I want your honest opinion. Don't treat me as your master, but as your family. Isn't there anything in Midgard that would make you stay?"
They both stared at each other in silence for a few moments before turning to me and Noir to speak.
"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't something here I didn't like. This world is more vibrant and colorful, though dangerous and terrifying, we also know many interesting and kind people, Miss Rose and her sisters, Miss Gabriella, Elyon and Thessalia… I don't want to leave everything behind, but you want to return to your old family, don't you? We also never discovered the purpose of our creation and transformation, did we? Let's put it this way, there are things in both worlds that we want to experience and discover, but we're not in a hurry for that. I suggest you live one day at a time, enjoy it while you can, and when the right moment comes, we will all make our choice. Don't worry about the distant future and things beyond your control, or you'll end up wasting time that will never return."
I remained silent, thinking about his words. Perhaps… Perhaps I should slow down a little and enjoy the moment.
"Thank you for the advice, Dad."
"W-what did you say?!"
"Hey, One, over here!"
I immediately changed the subject, waving, drawing the attention of the blonde woman with red eyes who turned a corner, carrying a stack of books.
She turned towards me and a big smile spread across her face.
"Come here."
I opened my arms, offering a hug. Something that turned into a painful experience, as I hadn't expected to be hit by a blur, nor to be trapped in a crushing bear hug.
"I missed you!" She murmured, burying her face in the crook of my neck.
"I missed you too. Sorry for the delay, but I had to organize my life before coming back."
I returned the gesture, stroking her long hair, and then we stayed there, enjoying each other's presence and warmth. However, time passed and One refused to let go of me. I didn't want to either, but there was something I needed to do.
"One, can you let me go?"
"No."
She replied in a muffled tone, tightening her grip.
"I won't be able to give you your gift if you don't let go of me."
"A gift? You brought one for me?"
"Of course, it would be bad to return empty-handed after so long."
Reluctantly, we broke our embrace, and looking around, I saw Rubrum using her magic to keep the package aloft. I caught it, thanking the book, and then handed it to One, who was waiting excitedly.
"What is this?"
She asked, carefully squeezing and shaking the package before beginning to open it.
"Well, I didn't know exactly what to give you as a gift. At first I thought of flowers, but I quickly realized that was a terrible idea, so cheese, sweets, and wine were the next option, but with your increasingly heightened senses, they must become inedible. Fancy clothes and jewelry came next, but I didn't know if you liked that sort of thing, although seeing what you're wearing, it was a valid option. In the end, I decided to bring something special."
I observed One's new look as she opened the gift.
Her long blonde hair was combed back, divided into strands held by black clips that ran from behind her ears, now adorned with gold diamond-shaped earrings, to near the top of her head, revealing the Roman numeral I on her forehead.
Her shirt was a light beige, a soft sweater with long sleeves featuring thin black lines, giving the appearance of stripes that ended in a pair of white gloves that extended to just before her elbows.
The top of her sweater's collar was black, with a large stripe extending from her neck down, and a pair of protrusions just above her breasts, forming a small cross.
Her dark pants started at her stomach, buttoned with buttons the same color as her earrings and held up by a red belt with a silver buckle.
The sides of her pants were open in an X pattern only at the beginning, revealing part of her thighs. Nothing too provocative, but I avoided staring too much.
Finally, she wore long heeled boots the same color as her gloves, fastened by yellow laces, starting at her knee.
If we were in a modern world, One could be a professional model, because in addition to the quality and stylish clothes that drew attention and exuded professionalism without revealing too much, she had a body to die for.
The way the fabric hugged her body, accentuating her curves, she was voluptuous to the point of challenging Five.
Hmm… I wonder if I should recite a poem praising her beauty on my next visit. This is a medieval society, isn't it? Do people still do that here? I'll ask my grandparents for advice; they must have some good tips.
"Are you enjoying what you see?"
I snapped out of my reverie when I heard One speaking to me. Now she was staring at me with one hand on her hip, striking a pose while smiling and holding the gift in her other arm.
"W-well, I'd be lying if I said you didn't look beautiful in those clothes."
She seemed surprised, looking away as a blush crept across her cheeks.
"Thank you, Five helped me choose these clothes. You look great in yours too."
This time it was my turn to blush, rubbing the back of my neck.
"So, what did you think of my gift?" I said quickly before I ran out of things to talk about.
"I… I loved it!"
One hugged the plush Gabriella to his chest, though it looked more like a chubby, wide-eyed, tongue-out parody of the original dragon.
I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to kill me if she found out. Dragon pride and all that.
"I'm glad about that. I've lost count of how many times I poked myself with the needle trying to sew it together."
"You did it yourself?"
"Of course, it's a special gift for a special girl. I wouldn't do it any other way and…"
My words died in my throat as One stepped toward me quickly and I felt a pair of soft lips touch my cheek.
I was stunned, reaching for the spot where she'd kissed me, but I didn't have time to process everything, as One locked her free arm with mine and pulled me away.
"Come on, Three is waiting for us."
Taking one last look back, I saw Noir using one of his Dark Hands to give me a thumbs-up while Rubrum beside used her magic to form a red heart.
I turned around again and for a moment, the world ceased to exist, except for the two of us, and the wonderful smile of the beautiful woman in my arms made all my effort worthwhile.
END OF CHAPTER