Morning in the Holy Capital
The morning sun broke through the last shadows hanging over the Holy Capital.
Emilia gripped her evolved Holy Sword—One Wing—and felt the newly fused shard inside it begin to pulse. The flow of power was so vivid, so gentle… it felt like she was holding the heartbeat of the world itself.
The shard, a fragment of a Life Tree gem, didn't just make the sword stronger.
It gave her something else—something far more incredible:
A strange, almost spiritual connection to the very essence of Ente Isla.
"Rei Ao, what is this thing? The energy in it is amazing…"
It was a gift from him.
Rei Ao smiled casually.
"Just a little present."
It wasn't the right time to explain everything.
The gem had merged with her sword, but he'd left room for it to grow. To hatch.
And maybe… a miracle wasn't far off.
They just had to wait.
"Ente Isla's almost stable now," Rei Ao said. "The final cleanup? That's on you guys."
He stepped up to her, gently brushing aside a strand of her sweat-dampened silver hair. The way he did it felt effortless… almost instinctive.
"I've already stabilized the return gate. Your sword should be able to sense it."
"If you want to come back—just do it. Anytime."
He tapped the back of her hand with his fingertip.
A string of spatial coordinates etched itself deep into her mind.
Emilia's violet eyes sparkled with gratitude… and a bit of reluctance. She nodded firmly.
"Thank you, Rei Ao. Once everything here settles down, I'll be back."
She knew—he respected her decisions. Gave her the space and support no one else did.
He just smiled again, saying nothing more.
Behind him, the air rippled like water. A portal opened silently.
"See you around."
He gave the others a lazy wave… and then disappeared, as if he'd melted into the air.
Emelrada and Suzuno exchanged glances.
They didn't need to say a word—they could both feel it:
Rei Ao's power was on another level entirely.
…
Earth – Downtown Bookstore, Afternoon
Sunlight poured through the massive windows of a modern bookstore in the heart of the city.
The air was thick with the scent of fresh ink and just-brewed coffee.
It was packed.
Reporters were lined up with cameras. Fans filled every corner, buzzing with excitement.
They were all here for one person—
The breakout star of the light novel world: Kasumi-sensei, aka Utako Kasumi.
Her brand-new book was launching today.
…
Backstage
Kasumigaoka Utaha stood in front of the mirror, touching up her makeup.
She wore a sleek black dress tailored perfectly to her figure.
Her signature sheer black tights hugged her long legs.
Burgundy eyes framed in precise eyeliner gave her a sharp, irresistible look.
But… the frown on her face said it all:
She wasn't thrilled about being here.
These kinds of events? Not her thing.
And the mask she'd have to wear later? Just annoying.
"If only someone could show up in my place…"
Muttering under her breath, she grabbed her phone.
The screen lit up.
Her finger hovered for a moment—then she tapped a name in her contacts.
Rei Ao (on the line): "Huh? You're calling me out of nowhere?"
Utaha: "You home?"
Rei Ao: "Just got back. Good timing, huh?"
Utaha (grinning): "Wow, must be my lucky day—Rei Ao actually picked up."
Rei Ao: "Okay, okay, cut the sarcasm. What's going on?"
She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, half-smiling.
"It's my book launch today."
Rei Ao: "So you're nervous and calling your amazing husband for emotional support?"
Utaha: "Pfft—who gets nervous over something like this?"
She scoffed—but the soft smile tugging at her lips told a different story.
Her fingers absentmindedly twisted her hair as she continued.
"I just hate crowded places, that's all. If you were here, it wouldn't be as boring.
Or hey, you could just be some handsome background decoration."
She said it playfully as always—but the last line had a subtle tenderness to it.
Rei Ao (chuckling): "So Kasumi-sensei wants me as both bodyguard and eye-candy?"
"Alright, but what's the reward?"
"Dinner after the event? Or maybe… an extra special thank-you in the morning?"
Utaha (blushing): "Keep dreaming."
This guy was impossible.
A special reward in the morning? Seriously?
Just thinking about it had her face heating up.
"Dinner… maybe. The rest? That depends on how well you behave."
"Now. Show up at the venue. Immediately.
Or else—there's a certain annoying male lead in my next novel who's gonna meet a very ugly end~"
Rei Ao: "Tsk, then I guess I'll make the heroine's stand-in suffer too."
He laughed.
"Ten minutes. Save me a front-row seat—gotta have the best view of Kasumi-sensei's moment of glory."
Click.
The call ended.
Utaha looked at her slightly flushed reflection in the mirror and muttered,
"Smooth-talking bastard…"
But in her burgundy eyes, there was warmth. A quiet joy.
With him around… even this chaotic press event didn't feel so bad anymore.
Ten Minutes Later
Rei Ao showed up—right on time.
Still in his usual casual outfit.
Yet in a crowd full of stylish, well-dressed people, he still somehow stood out.
His gaze swept the venue.
A staffer near the backstage door gave him a slight nod—obviously prearranged by Utaha.
He made his way over, calm and composed.
Sat in the front row—prime view.
People around him couldn't help but glance his way.
But he didn't care.
His eyes were already fixed on the stage—waiting for her.
~~~
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