Fire Spirit King Altair.
His bold declaration left the girls stunned, their minds racing with wild speculations.
They imagined the Fire Spirit King disguising himself as a dragon spirit, enrolling at Areishia Academy, contracting with an elementalist, and pummeling opponents alongside her, even joining his own Blade Dance. As a Spirit King, he'd know their secrets, explaining why no one questioned his tales of corruption. His defeat of Levatin made sense, too, during the ancient Spirit War, the Fire Spirit King had sealed Levatin himself.
It all clicked. The pieces fell into place.
There was no ancient dragon spirit; Bahamut was the mightiest dragon. This so-called dragon spirit, Altair, was the Fire Spirit King!
But if so, were his stories about the Spirit Kings' corruption and Kamito as the Dark Elemental King lies? And what about his mischievous streak, faking an identity to contract with an elementalist and propose marriage?
Their gazes settled on Rinslet. Was she lucky or cursed? Chosen by the Fire Spirit King, escorted to a Blade Dance victory, she was practically soaring to the heavens. The last elementalist so favored was Valentine Sadika, the Fire Elemental Princess centuries ago, whose legacy birthed this world's Valentine's Day.
Yet, his deception, tricking them with a false identity, reeked of mischief. They could already picture Rinslet's future headaches with such a playful husband.
Each girl harbored her own thoughts. Rinslet's mind spun with scenarios.
Only two stood apart: Kamito and Restia.
Having competed in the previous Blade Dance, they knew the Spirit Kings' true nature. Restia, ancient and wise, was certain Altair wasn't the Fire Spirit King.
Yet his aura carried Volcanus's essence and authority, meaning only one thing.
"He really assassinated the Fire Spirit King and took his place!" Restia's voice echoed in Kamito's mind.
Kamito nodded gravely, recalling Altair's jest about replacing a Spirit King. The girls hadn't considered it, but Kamito, aligned with Restia's clear purpose, had.
Now, he was at a loss. "Restia, what do we do? Should we act?"
"Hold off." She urged. "Let's see his intentions. I sense darkness consuming him, likely from the assassination."
"We'd have to fight him?" Kamito's scalp tingled. Fight Altair? Rubia, wielding deicidal flames, was crushed instantly. His swordsmanship, while skilled, couldn't counter a meteor strike. They weren't even in the same league!
"Hopefully not, but we must prepare for the worst. Do you trust me, Kamito?"
"I trust you, Restia. With you, I can do anything."
"Whatever happens, I'll be by your side."
While the girls indulged in speculation, Kamito and Restia braced for sacrifice, their resolve firm.
Altair, perched on the throne, watched the girls' furtive glances and silence. He could guess their wild imaginings, judging by their expressions, they were concocting amusing tales.
He burst into laughter. "Ha! You all look like you're thinking something bizarre. Care to share?"
His laughter softened his demeanor. The regal, imposing Altair faded, replaced by a more approachable figure, easing the girls' tension.
Claire, emboldened by his grin, reverted to her usual boldness. "You're laughing? You deceived us all this time!"
"Oh? How so?" Altair asked, feigning curiosity.
"Don't play dumb!" Claire stood, hands on hips. "You're a Spirit King, pretending to be a dragon spirit, feeding us lies about the Spirit Kings' corruption, making us believe it all!"
Altair roared with laughter again. They'd misunderstood, assuming he was always the Fire Spirit King. The mix-up was too entertaining. He could already imagine their next round of speculations.
These girls were hilarious.
"Keep laughing! Does mocking us make you that happy?" Claire fumed, itching to slap him if she stood a chance.
"Sorry, I'm trained not to laugh, unless I can't help it." Altair said, calming himself. He turned to Rinslet, smirking. "Rinslet, you think so too?"
Rinslet's eyes brimmed with reproach. "Lord Altair, what do you think?"
You could've told me your true identity. I wouldn't have refused. Being a Fire Elemental Princess sounds nice, doesn't it?
But then she thought: a Spirit King hid his identity to court me, wanting me as his wife. Doesn't that mean my charm captivated even a Spirit King?
Her reproach turned to delight.
Yet, deceiving her and leaving her clueless in front of her friends was humiliating. Delight reverted to reproach.
Altair, baffled by her flickering emotions, wondered if she was happy or upset. "Alright, my fault."
Whether she was thrilled or annoyed, he'd smooth things over first.
He apologized breezily, leaping from the throne to stand before them. "Get up. No need to kneel. The Spirit Kings here are just for show."
"For show?" Rinslet rose first, closest to Altair and trusting him implicitly, though puzzled.
"As I told you, they're all consumed by the Otherworldly Darkness. I didn't lie." Altair said, spreading his hands in mock innocence.
"The Spirit Kings are really corrupted?" Claire stood, gaping at the thrones above.
"Wait, Claire, Lord Altair, what's this about corruption?" Fianna asked, confused.
Right, two hadn't heard the tale. So, Altair, in the Spirit Kings' presence, recounted their corruption.
"The Spirit Kings are corrupted by darkness? We had no idea." Ellis marveled.
"Few know. I told Rinslet and Claire earlier. Your academy head, Greyworth, knows too, she eavesdropped when I explained." Altair said.
"Then who are you?" All eyes fixed on him. He claimed not to be a Spirit King yet called himself one.
Altair crossed his arms. "Remember what I said on the way here? I wanted to be a Spirit King."
"You were serious?" Fianna's eyes widened. "You took advantage of their corruption to seize the Fire Spirit King's throne?"
"No. I had Est devour Volcanus. Now Est is the Fire Spirit King. Since I'm contracted with Est and can merge with her, I'm the Fire Spirit King too."
He raised his right hand. A longsword, radiating searing red light, materialized, Est, now imbued with Volcanus's power.
"A warrior wielding a flaming sword. Don't I fit the part?"
The girls were speechless, awestruck. He'd devoured a Spirit King and claimed his throne.
"So, elementalist maidens." Altair said, hoisting Est onto his shoulder, heedless of its heat. He extended his left hand, his smile captivating. "Make your wishes to the Spirit King before you. I'll grant them."
"We can really wish?" Claire exclaimed, thrilled.
"Of course. I'm the Fire Spirit King now. Your wishes are mine to fulfill."
"Perfect! Lord Altair, my wish is…" The girls, familiar with Altair, eagerly voiced their desires.
Claire wished for her parents' return and Rubia's pardon. Her family's tragedy stemmed from Volcanus's actions. As Fire Spirit King, Altair could resolve it with a word.
Ellis sought greater strength to restore knightly honor. Altair agreed, promising Divine Ritual Institute training.
Fianna, having regained her power through Kamito, had no wish. Altair granted her a Divine Ritual Institute title, giving her his backing.
Kamito and Restia, originally aiming to free the Spirit Kings, now asked Altair to oversee them to prevent further chaos. Altair shrugged, leaving it to Kamito, revealing him as the Dark Elemental King's reincarnation.
Stunned, Kamito hadn't known his heritage. Lacking awakened powers, he couldn't assume the role yet. Altair told him to figure it out, offering to watch the Spirit Kings until Kamito's awakening to avoid issues.
Altair could eliminate all Spirit Kings, but that would overwhelm him. A lone Spirit King would disrupt the Elemental Spirit World, sparking human conflicts and threatening Rinslet's family. To protect her, he needed stability.
If he could transform or split himself, he'd devour all five Spirit Kings and impersonate them, ruling alone. But he couldn't.
Thus, Kamito and Restia's wish depended on their efforts. Altair would temporarily monitor the Spirit Kings, though the Earth and Holy Spirit Kings' whereabouts were unknown.
With everyone's wishes granted, only Rinslet remained. The audience hall emptied, leaving just her and Altair.
"Lord Altair, I've told you my wish before, to save my sister." Rinslet said, stepping forward, hands clasped behind her, gazing up at him.
"I know. I'll save your sister." Altair assured, determined to fulfill his wife's desire.
"Thank you, Lord Altair." Though expected, his confirmation filled Rinslet with joy. Despite his altered aura, she beamed at him. "Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened."
"Meeting you was my luck, too." Altair replied, brushing her cheek gently.
"Lord Altair." Rinslet murmured, leaning into his warm touch, closing her eyes.
As he gazed at her gentle, adorable face, a flicker of darkness glinted in his crimson eyes, deepened by his darkening state.
He swept her into a princess carry.
"Lord Altair?" Rinslet, cradled in his arms, blinked in confusion, her hands tucked close, unsure why he'd lifted her.
Her puzzled, curled-up form was irresistibly cute.
"My darling Rinslet, I'll grant your wish soon. But first, you'll fulfill mine." Altair said.
"Your wish?" Rinslet tilted her head.
"Indeed. I've told you before, I want you, my adorable Rinslet, as my wife."
"But… I already agreed." She said, puzzled. He'd proposed, and she'd accepted publicly.
Altair's lips curved, his dark gold hair and crimson eyes lending an alluring, wicked charm. "Agreeing isn't enough. I want all of you."
"Huh?" Rinslet froze, then blushed furiously as the implication hit.
"Wait, Lord Altair, I, "
"No waiting!" With Rinslet's yelp, Altair leaped away.
Behind the audience hall lay a teleportation array, exclusive to Spirit Kings. As Fire Spirit King, Altair activated it, transporting them to Volcanus's sanctum. Carrying Rinslet, he entered the Fire Spirit King's private chamber.
Soon, the room echoed with the sound of tearing fabric and Rinslet's startled cries.
[Darkening]
[Trait: Having absorbed the Otherworldly Darkness, you can activate Darkening, tripling your abilities to 300% of their original strength. All attributes are vastly enhanced, but prolonged use risks unleashing your deepest desires.]
Altair had maintained his darkening state, initially for the thrill of its striking appearance. But as time wore on, his deepest desires surfaced.
And his truest desire was clear, a lecherous soul at heart.
***
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