[Thank you Cube, Austin Levy, Derrick, Lolz, Keerthivas Venkatesan, and Sable for Joining the Patreon!
Joining the Patreon, even at the lowest $3 membership, gives you access to over 70+ Advanced Chapters! Join now and read Continuously!]
~~~
"Marcille, are you okay?"
Laios and Chilchuck's questions left Marcille's throat bone-dry.
She angled her body to block their view inside the room.
"I… I actually…"
"Morning, Brother—Chilchuck."
Falin's voice emerged from behind her, calm and clear.
Marcille felt dizzy, nearly collapsing. Laios and Chilchuck's expressions froze. In that moment, time seemed to stand still.
"Fa…Falin?"
Laios's voice quivered, disbelief filling his gaze. Before he could enter, Falin took Marcille's hand and stepped outside, not wanting Laios and Chilchuck to see how messy the room was—still bearing traces of the previous day.
Standing in front of them, Falin made Laios feel as though he were in a dream. His hands trembled, reaching out yet afraid to make contact, worried this scene might vanish like a bubble.
Chilchuck was equally shocked, but soon his sharp eyes darted between Falin and Marcille.
"What on earth is going on?"
His tone was low, guarded.
"We all saw that Fire Dragon devour you, Falin."
He extended a hand to block Laios, who was about to approach. The situation was too bizarre.
Marcille's thoughts raced, struggling to produce a believable explanation—only for Falin to surprise her again.
"Marcille found a powerful sorcerer, Rei Ao, who saved me,"
Falin said, flashing Marcille a quick, playful wink.
Marcille noticed via the world's chat interface that Falin and Rei Ao were communicating:
Falin: "@Rei Ao, Rei Ao-san, do you mind if we tell my brother about what happened?"
Rei Ao: "Do not mention the chat group, but as for another world, my name, or what I did… up to you."
Falin: "Understood! Thank you!"
Rei Ao: "No big deal. Is your brother over there with Marcille now?"
Falin: "Yes—Marcille's worried how to explain my resurrection."
Rei Ao: "You can concoct any excuse you like. Whether they believe it or not doesn't matter. The important thing is you're alive and well."
Rei Ao: "By the way, since it's your first time, would you consider becoming one of my women?"
Falin: "Eh?"
Rei Ao: "I assume you're traditional, so I thought I'd ask, but take your time to decide."
"???" Marcille was dumbfounded. Those two are so strange! Meanwhile, Laios was overwrought with joy:
"That's wonderful… so wonderful…"
He repeated, voice choking, caring little about the alleged 'powerful mage.' All that mattered was his sister was back.
"…"
Chilchuck, though, continued to stare at Marcille with suspicion.
"What sort of magic lets someone reemerge from a dragon's stomach? I've never heard of that."
A cold sweat trickled down Marcille's back. Avoiding his gaze, she stammered:
"It—it was an ancient, l-lost black magic…"
No sooner did those words leave her mouth than she regretted them—black magic had quite the ominous reputation.
Picking up on it, Falin quickly added:
"Rei Ao-san is extremely skilled. He may use black magic, but he's a good person."
Marcille was amazed at Falin's off-the-cuff storytelling, yet let out a sigh of relief. It was a flimsy excuse but far better than revealing the cross-world Chat Group.
Chilchuck narrowed his eyes.
"Where is this great mage now? I'd like to meet someone who can perform such miracles."
"He already left,"
Falin replied with a soft exhale.
"Our benefactor had to go far away."
Some unreadable emotion flickered in her eyes—maybe longing, maybe regret. Laios, though, readily accepted the explanation; he was just too happy about his sister's return.
"Thank goodness—thank goodness…"
He murmured. Then:
"But Falin, are you sure you're all right? Nothing feeling off? Your memory's intact?"
"I'm fine, Brother."
Falin smiled.
"It's just…some things feel different."
Marcille noticed that as she spoke, Falin's fingers absentmindedly brushed over an unfamiliar pendant around her neck. A delicate ruby-like pendant inscribed with strange markings—Marcille was certain Falin had never worn it before. Must have appeared since last night.
Chilchuck wanted to probe further, but Laios was lost in relief. He began explaining how they'd been prepping for the rescue expedition. Marcille seized the opportunity to nudge Falin aside.
"Falin, you sure seem focused on that person…"
She meant Rei Ao.
"Because Rei Ao-san is my savior,"
Falin said with a serene smile. Marcille frowned.
"It's not just gratitude, is it?"
At this, she noticed a tiny blush tinge Falin's cheeks, and she gaped.
"Falin…don't tell me…"
But Falin only answered with a faint, enigmatic grin, her fingertips tracing the red pendant.
"He said it would protect me."
Marcille felt a jolt of unease. True, he did help them immensely—but the arrangement was supposed to be Marcille's side paying the 'price.' She worried because Falin's tone, shy and daydreamy, was definitely not mere gratitude.
"Falin, listen to me."
Marcille dropped her voice, sounding serious.
"Whatever you feel about Rei Ao, be careful. We're from entirely different worlds!"
"I know,"
Falin interrupted, her eyes shining with resolve.
"But Marcille, after all that…would you seek any other partner?"
"...?"
Marcille's expression shifted. Because…she wouldn't. She had already yielded her purity to that man.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!