As for the Moon Goddess's other blessing—That one was a little more subtle.
"According to the Fantasy Tree's analysis, this blessing mostly affects luck. It doesn't directly boost combat ability. Still… better than nothing."
Ryouma wasn't picky about abilities.
Even if luck was intangible, there might come a day when it would make all the difference.
Before gaining Machine God technology, his strength had been only slightly above that of an ordinary True Ancestor. And a standard True Ancestor's power was on par with Phantasmal Species like ancient dragons or the Hydra.
The gulf between him and Crimson Moon was like heaven and earth.
She was the true ruler worthy of the title One of the Originals.
Ryouma only benefitted by bloodline association.
And this was while under Gaia's blessing. Thinking back to his state on the Moon, he realized how pathetically weak he had been—barely stronger than an upper-tier Dead Apostle.
Just bringing him into this Lostbelt had exhausted the Fantasy Tree seed. To grant him this lineage at all was already fortunate.
He had no complaints.
With Machine God arms, he was confident he could crush dragons and even fight divine beasts.
"Mm~ ahm ahm…"
While Ryouma was lost in thought about ways to grow stronger—
A sudden warmth invaded his earlobe, along with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance.
He had just been licked.
"What are you brooding over? That heavy expression again—are you worrying about something useless?"
Crimson Moon had snuck up on him without warning.
Before he could react, she had even licked his cheek.
Scarlet eyes sparkled with mischief.
She wore the expression of a tyrant helping herself to what was hers.
"I told you, isn't having me enough? All that scrap metal—I can crush it with a squeeze. Just thinking about you bowing your head to that goddess makes me angry. To keep away any other women, I'll just mark you first."
"Correction—I didn't bow my head. What I had with Artemis was a fair exchange."
Ryouma tried to argue.
But Crimson Moon wasn't interested in debate. Instead, she kissed his forehead and his cheek—like a beast marking its property.
Her possessiveness was absolute.
For twenty years, the two of them had been inseparable.
Yet their relationship had remained much the same as on the Moon—until only recently had it begun to change in essence.
The reasons were simple.
Their travels weren't just sightseeing.
Ryouma was searching for strength.
Crimson Moon was plotting a world-shaking enterprise.
That left little time for romance.
But the truer reason was this—Crimson Moon had no concept of reproduction.
Like Adam and Eve before the fruit, she didn't understand the shame or rituals of man and woman.
For example, she loved sleeping in Ryouma's arms.
Yet it held not a trace of lust—only the pure affection of "family."
Like a lion grooming its kin, her behavior was natural instinct.
But for Ryouma, it was torment.
She didn't realize how overwhelming her gestures were to a man, yet carried them out with glee every day.
He refused to let things collapse into carnal instinct while she remained ignorant of love.
That would make their bond base, and cheapen it.
Crimson Moon looked every bit the imperious queen—
But in love, she was as innocent as a child, a blank page.
If he rushed it, Ryouma knew he'd regret it forever.
She was the one he cherished most in the world.
Before this one ethereal flower, he would act with nothing but care.
And his patience paid off.
In their years among human society, Crimson Moon had gradually learned modesty and decorum.
It was almost comical.
When she first realized the difference between men and women, she had been so flustered before Ryouma she could hardly walk straight.
He had been touched—and delighted.
Even the proud queen could blush because of love.
Remembering it always made him laugh.
Even now.
"…Ryouma, what wicked thoughts are you smiling about?" Crimson Moon caught his expression.
"Oh, nothing. Just remembering how you holed yourself up for days in Greece, too embarrassed to show your face."
"Gu—! Didn't I forbid you from mentioning that!?"
"Consider it payback for your sneak attack. And there's no reason to avoid it. Crimson Moon-onee-san, you were very cute then."
"C…cute!? Idiot! Fool! Shut up! That was just my immaturity! Ughhh—and now you call me onee-san at a time like this!?
You devil! Absolutely humiliating, letting my little brother see me in such a state…"
Ryouma smirked wickedly.
For once, he had scored a victory over her.
But it didn't last.
Unable to bear her shame, Crimson Moon suddenly grabbed him from behind, locking him in place.
"Hmph. Since you're so full of yourself, now I'm interested. And feeling you… still not strong enough. Not sturdy enough to hug comfortably.
So I've decided. For your health, I'll personally train you.
I'll show you what it truly means to grow strong, Ryouma-kun~ fufufu."
Her hands slid across his chest, voice dripping with honey.
But Ryouma felt danger in her sweetness—his foolish elder sister had lost her reason in her flustered rage.
A maiden's heart could not withstand the lightest teasing.
Especially not one as proud as Crimson Moon.
What followed was nothing more than their usual scuffles—playful, teasing, never malicious.
But unlike before, this time there was an air of intimacy.
Even as Crimson Moon learned the difference between men and women, her affection only deepened into greater doting.
Her words of "punishment" were only an excuse. In truth, she could never bring herself to truly hurt him.
And Ryouma, in turn, sensed it.
Their bond had grown closer than ever. Only a single step remained to cross that final line.
He felt it in his heart—
That step would be taken at the end of this journey, here on the European continent.
And so, together, they set foot upon Europe.
The first thing they saw was a village.
[End of Chapter]
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