Runova, who had no experience and only knew how to punch people, spoke with full confidence, using the agricultural knowledge she had gained from a chance encounter with Goddess Demeter.
"It's the same principle as planting, just like Goddess Demeter said. Only by fully irrigating every inch of soil with nutrients can crops grow well."
However, Laila covered her stomach, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she had recalled an unpleasant experience. With a bitter expression, she shattered everyone's illusions.
"Give up, it's useless…"
"…"
The girls didn't ask Laila why she said that; it would have been impolite to press further.
Just then, Nize couldn't help but suddenly let out an "Awoo," startling everyone.
"Wow… I can't take it anymore, don't you think tonight's moon is too bright, and it's getting brighter and brighter?!"
Rose, beside her, also shook her crimson tail, nodding repeatedly.
"Yes, I… I think… we should hurry back to sleep!"
The two Werewolves appeared somewhat agitated under the increasingly bright moonlight.
The other girls, while finding the moon a bit bright, didn't feel any other abnormalities.
So, the two Werewolves had no choice but to drag their overly excited bodies back first.
Nize expressed considerable regret, twitching her ears in annoyance; she didn't want to miss any gossip.
But Rose was clearly relieved, her eyes full of gratitude.
She had never imagined that a group of pure girls gathered together would become so…
In any case, she decided to take a bath and change her underwear when she got back.
Ultimately, it was Ke Luoyi who jumped in and brought an end to the topic.
"Since that's the case, next time everyone challenges the Demon Lord, let's not go along with his wishes and show him, meow!"
The girls all indignantly agreed, but what they thought privately was unknown.
After all, who among them could truly refuse Rod?
Afterward, the girls "500" discussed methods like magic and skills.
But even Maliu had never heard of any techniques that could make someone pregnant.
Alchemy might be able to achieve it, but unfortunately, none of the girls present were proficient in it.
Ke Luoyi and the not-yet-upgraded Naza both possessed rare blending development abilities.
However, Ke Luoyi was only more skilled at concocting poisons.
She excitedly suggested that she could concoct a potion to make Rod even more energetic.
But a pale-faced Laila quickly shouted to stop her, and even the usually calm Kaguya showed a panicked expression.
This left Ke Luoyi with no choice but to regretfully abandon the idea.
"Since we can't find a solution in terms of quality for now, how about we try to increase the frequency, meow?" The slender Catgirl Tabitha proposed a new idea.
Anakitty, beside her, shyly flicked her tail.
She wasn't used to discussing such topics, but seeing that everyone seemed to be completely open, she bravely spoke up.
"In other words… try to win his favor?"
Anyway, it was just talk!
Even if it really was her turn, it would be far in the future!
"Like our usual quests, the more we do, the more we get?"
"That's one way. After all, if you work hard, you might reap rewards."
It can only be said that the newer the person, the less they understood Rod's terror, and the more courage they had to challenge the Great Demon Lord.
Regarding this topic, the seniors who had already graduated wisely chose not to participate.
They naturally knew that Rod was not a fickle person, and with so many people, jealousy was meaningless.
But even if they were the renowned Star Maidens in the outside world, the thought of losing favor with their man was unavoidable.
However… just thinking about the outcome of truly being favored by Rod for a while made the seniors' legs go weak and their entire bodies ache.
After some thought, they decided to give the newcomers more opportunities.
It wasn't because they were scared! Absolutely not!
So, the newcomers had no choice but to turn their gaze towards the Amazonians, who theoretically possessed the most relevant knowledge.
Aisha also didn't hold back, generously taking out a highly revealing piece of clothing from a bag beside her.
"W-what is this?"
"Could it be, torn fabric?"
"No, this is what some of our compatriots wear outside~"
The newcomers imagined themselves wearing such clothes, and couldn't help but blush.
Aisha added with a smile.
"Of course, it can only be worn privately for Rod to see, after all, that guy is a possessive man."
"This thing also seems to be called a bikini in the other world, and I heard it's very popular with men! Isn't that right, Ms. Che?"
Che Huiyi, who had been trying to minimize her presence, was suddenly called out.
Facing the girls' shy yet excited and curious gazes, she had to bite the bullet and speak.
"Y-yes, most men would really like it if girls wore this kind of clothing for them to see."
Despite saying that, Che Huiyi felt that if this trick was used too often, it would probably have little effect on Rod.
She didn't have any thoughts of vying for favor recently, but who knew when she might need it in the future.
Che Huiyi couldn't help but think of her home country in her original world.
In terms of publicly available entertainment, the entertainment industry of Country H was almost the most knowledgeable about men's hearts.
There was even a team of idols kept in the guild at home, exclusively for Rod…
When she went back, should she go and learn from them?
Che Huiyi couldn't help but look at her long and healthy legs.
Before awakening as a Hunter, she was a track and field athlete.
And when Rod was intimate with her, this was what he loved the most.
If she used them to learn KPOP dances for him, would it… also be good?
Aisha was still confidently promoting the advantages of Amazonian-style clothing to everyone.
"As long as we properly utilize the techniques of our compatriots and bring out our ultimate weapon, we will definitely attract Rod's attention!"
However, Suzuki Jun, who was silently acting as a historian on the side, recording the girls' conversation, couldn't help but reveal a piece of news that left the girls dumbfounded.
Aisha also widened her eyes in disbelief.
"What do you mean they only wear a single piece of cloth in private?!"
And so, the four Amazonian maidens, who had been full of confidence, were also defeated.
Afterward, the newcomers proposed various other plans, but they were all rejected one by one.
After all, at the end of the day, they were all pure and innocent girls, with very little theoretical experience.
After much discussion, the result was that they only put pressure on themselves, without making any progress.
Even Alise, who was always full of energy, rarely showed a dejected expression.
After all, this was not a problem that could be solved by 'Justice'.
After an unknown amount of time, Ryu, with an excited smile on her face, finally returned.
"Tonight's moon is too bright, I didn't realize I had been training with Ais until so late. But the feeling of getting stronger is truly wonderful…"
She saw the group of new girls in the courtyard, all looking downcast, and couldn't help but tilt her head in confusion.
"Did something happen? Did you encounter a setback on a mission?"
"If that's the case, I can share some of my experience as a senior!"
Kaguya looked at Ryu's serious expression, wanting to speak but hesitating.
She habitually wanted to mock her, but then suddenly felt Ryu was inexplicably pitiful, so she uncharacteristically kept silent.
Everyone clearly didn't ostracize this idiot, but when they held a girls' tea party, guess who didn't receive an invitation?
It really felt a bit like bullying…
"Hey, Kaguya! Why are you looking at me with pity?!"
"Hehe…"
"What does that annoying laugh mean?! Please explain!"
And so, tonight's girls' gathering ended with the idiotic clean-freak Elf angrily questioning the silent Far Eastern Princess.
And while the girls were chatting about their girl talk under the overly dazzling moon, Rod was not idle either.
Orario's scale was not large compared to cities in his previous life, but due to the existence of three-dimensional structures like artificial dungeons.
Even with the Shadow Soldiers searching non-stop, it was difficult to find the hidden Dark Faction in a short time.
Especially after Rod had heavily wounded them several times, those guys, if they weren't stupid, knew to keep their heads down and hide themselves tightly.
However, fortunately, Rod still found his two primary targets.
In the seventh district, an abandoned church.
The sound of crushed rubble echoed.
As if isolated from the outside world's clamor, the woman, enveloped in silence, spoke faintly.
"Leave here."
The moonlight shone through the cracked stained glass, dispelling the accumulated darkness.
In the pale light, the outline of a woman in a long robe emerged.
Her flowing gray hair, combined with the ethereal atmosphere of the night, brought to mind the word 'witch'.
Rod, with his hands in his pockets, casually greeted her.
"Long time no see. I want to thank you for stopping those Dark Faction members for me last time."
"…You're that guy?"
Perhaps thinking of the Jacaranda from back then, Alfia uncharacteristically showed a bit more patience.
"It was just a coincidence; they were merely disturbing me."
"If you continue to make noise here now, you will face the same end as them."
Hearing her emotionless words, Rod suddenly felt a bit of anticipation for what her expression would be if she knew Metria hadn't died.
"I don't believe it."
"En?"
"I said I don't believe you have the ability to kill me, Alfia."
Grey hair swayed.
Alfia uttered a single word faintly.
"Gospel."
A gentle breeze blew past.
Nothing happened.
She finally opened her eyes, her silver-grey and emerald gaze fixed on the smiling young man before her.
"What did you do?"
Rhode didn't answer, merely walked to a dusty window, where the faint traces of the past burning were still visible.
"Familiar, isn't it? But my ability is much more convenient than your [Garden of Silence]."
Alfia furrowed her thin, grey brows.
"Who exactly are you?"
Information about her magic was top secret, even among the Familia of that era, and almost everyone who had witnessed it firsthand was already dead.
Yet, this young man, who couldn't possibly have been born in that era, spoke the magic's name without hesitation.
Moreover...
After only a few days, the guy who seemed like a newborn in her eyes was now exuding an aura that constantly put her instincts on high alert!
"Me? You can call me brother-in-law~"
Boom—!!!
A pure shockwave instantly shattered the old stone slabs and benches in the church, tearing them to pieces! Raising a sky full of dust!
Facing Alfia's merciless, even all-out sword swing, Rhode didn't waver in the slightest.
He merely extended two fingers casually and easily caught the blade, which had reached its peak in both speed and power!
The formidable enemy who once forced him to use petty tricks to escape, and whom he didn't want to face, could no longer pose the slightest threat to him.
Alfia was momentarily stunned, but her eyes remained cold as frost, and she gritted her teeth.
"No matter who you are, I will never allow you to defile that person!"
Rhode chuckled softly.
"Would you like to sign a contract with me before we start fighting?"
Alfia looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Do you think I would with...."
"If you win, I will let you see Metria again and take her away."
Rhode interrupted Alfia, uttering shocking words that deeply unsettled her.
"If you lose, I will also let you see her, but at the same time, from body and mind to soul, you will completely belong to me."
Seeing the unconcealable shock in her heterochromatic eyes, Rhode flashed a brilliant smile.
"If you feel this violates your agreement with Erebus and would tarnish the name of a hero, you don't need to worry."
"Because with me here, everything that guy does is a futile struggle, at most an interesting play."
"And I don't think you necessarily want to die as criminals, do you?"
Her grey hair drifted silently, carrying a terrifying stillness that froze hearts.
Why would he mention the deceased Metria?
Why would he know about Erebus and their agreement?
Why would an unknown powerhouse suddenly appear in this era?
Many questions swirled in her mind. Alfia stared intently at Rhode, trying to find signs of lies in his eyes, but she only saw absolute confidence and composure.
Could it be....
A flicker of hope, uncontrolled, ignited in her cold heart.
Although reason told her it was impossible, emotion made her speak without restraint.
"Alright... But if you lie to me, I swear, even if it costs me my life, I will make you feel the most extreme pain in the world!"
Rhode's lips curled into a slight smile.
"Then let's change locations, you wouldn't want to destroy this place, would you?"
The wilderness outside Orario.
Alfia placed one hand on her chest and unfastened her simple robe, which had lost its purpose.
The robe fell to the ground, revealing a lavish, pitch-black gown, completely unsuited for a battlefield, as if prepared for a banquet.
3.8 However, Rhode raised an eyebrow slightly.
He could tell at a glance that this gown was a magic garment with excessive magic resistance.
And it was definitely not equipment meant to defend against external attacks.
Instead, it was a garment designed to protect herself from her own overwhelmingly powerful magic, the aftershocks and recoil of which could easily shred any armor.
Rhode beckoned to the strongest genius in this world.
"Once the sound rings out, all sounds fall silent... Let me witness the power of the strongest genius in this world."
Alfia extended her right arm towards Rhode.
"So noisy."
Space creaked.
Magic beyond human comprehension swirled, and the atmosphere shrieked.
Like a giant striking a heavenly bell, the entire world trembled, followed by—a flash of light and a roar.
The entire area was leveled in an instant!
Yet Rhode still stood calmly in place, completely unharmed, even gently clapping his hands.
"Not bad, you're finally serious. No one in Orario could take that move now."
"But trying to defeat me with just that is impossible, you know~"
The original work really held back.
If she had gone all out from the start, even if the battle didn't last long, even Ottar would probably have died.
Alfia kept her eyes on Rhode's every move this time, but still found no sign of incantation.
"Is it an Additional Magic like mine...?"
What a monster.
She felt a little irritated, finally experiencing the frustration her enemies felt when facing her back then.
If she couldn't find a flaw in this magic, then her strongest technique would be rendered useless.
Moreover, the previous probes indicated that this guy's level was definitely not below hers.
In her normal state, her combat power was at most LV5.
In that case, she would use that move and then engage in close combat!
"Don't get cocky, it won't take too long!"