After the whole ordeal of yesterday, we were gathered before the throne, Kazuma and Darkness kneeled. I felt compelled to forgive Kazuma, for She forgave me, but the damage is already done... I felt it was better to let this one go; we might still pretend to tolerate one another but that's as far as it would go.
Darkness was explaining that she heard of the necklace that Iris had worn, and that it is very dangerous.
"We weren't aware of the necklace's dangerous power." Rain said, her voice wary.
"Thank you for informing us, lady Dustiness." Claire said.
Darkness nodded once. "Yes."
Claire turned her gaze to Kazuma, her expression neutral, but her tone firm. "But you on the other hand. You were absolutely useless yet again, on the night in question."
Kazuma held his head down, the look on his face annoyed... maybe?
In that moment Iris cut in. "Could it be... that the thieves did this in order to protect me?"
Rain rung in. "Well, if that's so. Then that would mean that the rumors we've been hearing have all been truthful - they really are noble."
"I doubt it." Claire said, before inclining her head. "However, if there is some validity to this, then I have to admit - they are quite impressive."
"Do you mean the man wearing the mask?" Megumin said with adoration. "Oh, he was so incredible. That mask and that black costume, they all speak directly to my values. Next time I see him I have to ask him for an autograph." She moved around in excitement.
"Huh?" Aqua spot something, leaning over Kazuma's shoulder, at which moment I saw it as well - Kazuma was grinning. "What's the matter with you, Kazuma? How come you are grinning like that? It's creepy."
Claire followed up on that. "Yes, she's right... What are you suddenly so happy about?"
The grin was wiped off Kazuma's face, as fast as it appeared.
"I agree, in regard to that noble thief, I must say - I was impressed." Iris said, taking all the attention. "I'm sure that in the end, the two of them did what they did because they both were genuinely concerned for me. But as I said, when it comes to that particular noble thief, I think i may be a fan of his myself."
In that moment Kazuma stood up suddenly. Darkness instantly lunged and grabbed him, her tone was more desperate to draw attention away from whatever they were hiding... Or she was simply aware that Kazuma was the masked noble thief.
"I wonder... Where are they, and what are they doing right now? Mainly, that attractive silver haired thief."
And so the time came for us to take out leave - we moved outside the castle's gates. The sun was already setting, the wind drifting slowly.
"I'm sad to see you go. But... elder brother. I have one request."
"Please, allow me to speak, princess." Darkness interfered, "He strives to defeat the Devil King. And with the tempo at which the generals are falling, he might be able to defeat the Devil King very soon. So as he faces down such a dismaying task, could you offer him some words of encouragement?" She explained in such a way that I wasn't sure if she was trying to distract Iris or not.
"He wants to beat the Devil King?" Iris asked Lalatina, turning to Kazuma. "Is that true? Please tell me, elder brother, is that really something you have in your plans?"
She looked at him with admiration.
After a moment, Kazuma cleared his throat, putting on the usual "cool" act. "Well, you know, if I get the chance I'd definitely consider slaying him... I... guess." He didn't sound very convincing, but Iris bought it anyway.
"I just know you can do it elder brother. I wish you good luck in defeating him." Iris said.
Megumin suddenly snapped. "That's it! I can't take this anymore. Could you please calling him 'elder brother'? After all - you do have an actual brother, right? You wanna fawn over someone? Try that with him. Besides, I'm gonna be the one who takes down the Devil King. So Kazuma won't having anything to do!"
Iris shot back, with the same squeaky voice. "No! Maybe you are the who doesn't understand. Elder brother is my elder brother. So why is it wrong for me to refer to him that way. Besides, if you are the one who brought down the Devil King then there'd be no point to it at all. This is something I want him to do and not you, am I making myself clear?"
How amusing it is to watch them fight for stupid reasons... It is me who will bring them down, my conviction stands, and my reason is pure.
This argument was quickly becoming quite incomprehensible, so much so Darkness had to hold Megumin back and Claire - Iris. Because they were both ready to throw fists.
"So... What was it you were gonna ask me?" Kazuma cut the argument off.
Iris stopped and blushed pink. "Oh yes, of course. I wanted to ask you..." She took a pretty long pause, a small smile forming on her face. "Since we didn't have a chance to settle our game, I wondered if... you'd come and play with me again."
And so after that they teleported my friends.
"It was nice while it lasted... Sadly with the sunset coming, my work will not continue until tomorrow... But I don't mind that."
"And... I wanted to ask you... would you occasionally come back to teach me more... It was some of the most lovely lessons I have ever." She asked me directly, now that I was the only one to be focused on.
"I don't see why not. Glad you enjoyed it."
"Yes." She nodded.
And so Rain teleported me. "Bye guys!" I said, raising my hand. Claire didn't like that.
But besides all that, the familiarity wrapped around me, as my eyes opened to this old landscape, I called upon one of my creations, Acat, and soon, the sound of rhythmic puffs met my ears.
It stopped in front of me, allowing me to get in before driving off to where I desired - my home, the herb house. This ride felt special, peace struck, the landscape that I passed by reminding me of home...
I arrived in front of my home getting out of my car, locking it and going inside. There, I passed by the door frame which separated the house from the glass dome like room, in which my extensions worked tirelessly.
I walked up the stairs and to the bedroom, after which in to the bathroom. I took n moment to rest, relaxing in the warm water, before finally going out to make dinner.
But upon opening the door, a pleasant smell hit my nostrils - of cooking.
I didn't even bother dressing, at least not yet. I put on a bathrobe and moved down to the kitchen; I was surprised my dear had come and had begun without me.
She was skillfully handling the meat, which she was fliping with ease.
"Dear... What's this?" I asked, slowly moving towards her.
"Figured I'd make something for you while you were bathing." She said sweetly, before pointing out to the sun through the window, which was already setting.
This made me realize just how long I have taken.
"Though it's very limiting that we don't have salt or spices. I'm improvising." She puffed her cheeks in mock frustration.
I chuckled warmly, before crossing the room to her and settint my hands on her waist, kissing her gently from behind, tasting the faint heat of the kitchen on her. "Fine." I murmured. "I'll make a farm for those two items... Though maybe another day, since tomorrow I'm planning on adding final touches and ordering furniture for our new home."
Eris laughed softly, setting down the spatula and turning. Then she rose on her toes and pressed an affectionate kiss on my cheek. "That's my inventor," she teased.
I smiled down at her, raising my hand to touch her face. "You are gorgeous," I whispered. Her violet eyes flickered up to mine and for a moment she blushed but said nothing, her smile was enough of an answer.
I let her go and headed upstairs to change. The wardrobe door creaked open and I grabbed a copy of my clothing for home. Beside them hung something delicate - a nightgown, pale and tender in color. I closed the doors and pulled on the confortable clothing, before heading back down.
By the time I returned, the plates were already set. The meal steamed gently, the rays of the sunset slanting through the window and gilding the table. I sat opposite her, and out of habit, sung my praises, why I am thankful for today, before picking up my fork.
The first bite made me close my eyes in delight. "The food is lovely," I said while chewing. "Thank you, my dear."
"Don't mention it," she replied sweetly. "I'm glad you're enjoying it." He smile was enchanting.
We ate in silence for a while, the clink of cutleru and the occasional pleased sigh filling the space. She was enjoying it too, though I could see her watchint me more than her own plate.
After dinner, we worked side by side at the sink, the soft splash or and the smell of the detergent grounded me. My mind drifted back - to when I was just getting started, to the moment when I met Aqua for the first time and refused to show obedience to her title.
"Hey, Eris," I said finally.
"Yes, my love?" She asked without looking, her hanrs submerged in the water.
"Does God exist here?"
Her hands stilled. She turned to me, her brows furrowed just a little as she tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... The Father. The maker of all things."
Her expression softened. "There are gods here - I am one of them. Aqua-sama too. And others, less known. But what you're speaking of..." She dried her hanrs and leaned against the counter. "That's something different. Not a god who governs a realm or a river or a race. You're talking about the one who made everything."
I nodded. "Yes. Him."
For a moment she was silent, watching me. Then she said quietly, "If He exists here, He is beyond even my sight. Beyond Aqua'e. Beyond the heavens. But sometimes..." She touched her fingers lightly to my chest. "Sometimes, when I see someonevact with real mercy, real love, real creation - I think I can feel Him. Now as a rival. Not as a master. As... a presence. A source. A... Guiding light."
"So even you don't know?"
"No," she admitted softly. "But that doesn't mean He isn't here. Sometimes the things you can't see are the ones shaping everything." She smiled faintly. "You'd understand that better than most, wouldn't you?"
I gave a small laugh. "Yeah. Maybe I do."
After this I went outside, to take a breath, the wind rustling and crashing against my creations. I filled my lings with the air and let the empty again.
Would there be signs, I wondered, if He was here? Would he leave fingerprints in the future for me to find? Back home, I'd suffered - realizing it was always by my own hand. An yet, later, I'd see the patterns, the reasons. That sufferint had carved me into the man I'm today.
Now I had everything I'd once dreamed or: freedom, might, and my soulmate. Ahh... The soulmate part. Just thinking of her made me feel lighter, dreamy even.
"Love... I'm waiting."
Her voice broke my thoughts. I turned and saw her poking her head around the front door, her cheeks faintly pink.
I chuckled, walking back inside and locking the door behine me. But not before I caught a full glimpse of her in the nightgown - soft fabric, pale in the lamplight.
"It fits you," I complimented softly.
She hesitated, tugging lightly at the hem. "You really think so?"
"Yeah." I nodded, my gaze driftint lower without meaning to. My eyes narrowed slightly; her chest seemed a bit smaller than usual. A stray thought surfaced - of when Aqua threatened to spread rumors about her padding her chest if she doesn't open the gates for him.
Eris flushed bright red, immediately crossing her amrs over her chest.
"Don't worry about it," I said gently, reaching out to take her hand as I passed her and leading her upstairs. "You're very fine-looking. You shouldn't feel insecure about your chest, or any part of you for that matter, with me.
Her steps faltered for a heartbeat. "Do you really think they are beautiful?"
"Yes," I said withour hesitation. Then, with a crooked grin, "Do you want some proof?"
She went crimson, eyes wide. "N-no need. I understand what you're implying." She paused, then quickly added as if to not offend or turn me down. "And don't think I mean that because I wouldn't want that-" She stopped realizing how bold she'd just been. "We kist shouldn't do stuff like that... and you know it."
I smiled softly, easing the tension. "Indeed I do," I murmured, settling onto the bed and pulling her close until she fit neatly against my chest. My hand rose, patting her hair, feeling her warmth seep into me.
"Goodnight, my beloved."
"G-goodnight..." she whispered, her voice a sky flutter against my shirt.
The room dimmed, the world quieted. Her breathing slowed, and mine matched it, our warmth a quiet little hearth.
And so the next day came, I went to a trusted seller after asking around. Then I got in Acat and drove on until I reached the middle of the deserts, where the plain, yet ancient big stone brick wall stood erected, keeping the soil that I have been placing for week or so from falling out.
I drove Acat up the artificial hill road until I reached the big wooden gates, closed on the ancient looking stone wall, the binding agent holding everything together.
Since I have yet to make the rivers flow, the gates were unable to open on their own. I opened them with a not so light push, once I was back on foot.
My gaze fell upon the elevated plot of land, the base already laid, begging to be fulfilled.
I got to work, planting the first tree, my extensions taking care of the rest. Then another... and another, and another, until there was shade. The ground was more stable now that the trees were grown. Some even pushed throug the other brick wall, which stood on the artificial river.
Now the fruits - there were far too many: grapes, apples, pears, kiwis, dragon fruit, and many others. But one I held back - the cherry.
Then I moved to setting up the river, which was easy enough, simple code... Damn does that bring memories. The river flows through, splitting early into two, and feeding the gardens of well shaped trees and bushes.
After enough labour, I was sweating and exhausted. So now I just need to wait for my furniture and the oasis fortress would be finished.
But before I go, I gathered all the little workers, who were done with their task, and turned them into one bit soul, before inserting it into this construction.