When I woke up, Lion was still sleeping deeply.
That was a surprise.
I really thought I would wake up alone.
Hmmm...
I have to admit, we had a quite intense session...
ARGHHH!
THE INVESTIGATION!
I FORGOT ABOUT IT!!!
Lion looks so peaceful sleeping that I don't have the heart to wake him up.
Ooohh.. we are in deep trouble..
I better let Aagon know.
Since there was no time for me to bathe, I just tied my hair into a knot and wore a robe before going to the reception chamber.
Inside the reception chamber, is Ten who is playing solitaire.
He is alone.
Ten looked up from his game and informed me that the rest had left yesterday..
YESTERDAY?!
Also, Aagon told him to inform Lion to take his time and to join them as soon as we are done...
Ten looked at me with amusement as I felt myself turn red.
I told Ten to continue with his game as I hurriedly left the room to go to the kitchen.
....
I should surprise Lion this time.
It didn't take me long to cook his favorite dishes, which I brought to our room along with 'coffee'... sweetened to his taste, as he doesn't like bitter stuff.
It's a new invention of mine since there are no coffee beans here. I managed to make something similar with some improvements of my own.
After having a sample, I can say that I could open my own coffee shop here.
Another business opportunity!
When I entered our room, Lion was still asleep, which I can't blame him for. He discovered I was in heat and his intense passion rose to a higher level, considering it was already high to start with when I stripped in front of him.
And we set a world record for the longest 'marathon'.
Considering what Ten said about Aagon and Khamsin being so far ahead, I'd estimate we had a lovely time for an entire day.
It was incredible and enjoyable for me.
After placing Lion's meal on the bedside table beside him, I rummaged inside one of my chests where I placed some of my unfinished projects.
One of those projects was a scarf that I knitted for him. I decided to finish it while he was still asleep, knowing it wouldn't take long since it was halfway done.
True to my word, I finished it before Lion woke up.
It was just a silly scarf that I made. I made a cute pattern of his ultimate form and honestly? I'm tempted to keep it for myself and not give it to him!
It's so cute and adorable!
Hehe...
Anyway, I placed the scarf neatly beside him when I had another idea.
I'm so full of energy right now!
Now, I'm knitting him a stuffed version of his ultimate form, holding an iris flower!
It was difficult at first, but I got the hang of it.
I was so engrossed in my knitting that I didn't notice that Lion was already awake and enjoying watching me knit.
When I noticed him, I gave a cry of surprise and dropped my stuff, but he hurriedly picked everything up before giving me nuzzles and kisses, apologizing for surprising me.
He tenderly pulled me towards him, placing me on his lap as he examined my nearly finished gift to him.
He was clearly delighted with it, nuzzling me while encouraging me to finish.
He was overjoyed almost immediately, telling me he would bring it everywhere and that no one else should touch it but me.
He gave it his full attention until he noticed the scarf I made and the food I cooked for him.
At this point, the coffee was a bit lukewarm and I was about to stand up to heat it in the kitchen when Lion held me tightly, whispering into my ear to ask where I was planning to go.
I confessed that the new drink I made for him doesn't taste good lukewarm. It needs to be heated.
He looked at me with amusement before casting a spell to heat up his coffee.
Ah.. I forgot that he can heat it using magic..
I'm such a dummy!
The coffee I made became one of his favorite drinks.
He was about to feed me when I told him that it's my turn this time to pamper him.
Ohhh.. he likes it!
He kept staring at me with passion and joy while I fed him. He must have been really hungry, as he finished everything I made, which was supposed to be enough for more than four individuals.
I can't blame him for being that hungry, though, we did an intense session for an entire day....
But...
Why am I still in heat?!
Lion must have noticed it as one of his arms held me tightly while his other hand was trying to remove the robe I was wearing.
He nuzzled my neck, sniffing me all over as he murmured that he liked my smell, his scent was all over my body...
Shhhh!
He tossed my robe to the floor as he lifted me and slowly, I could feel him entering me....
Ahhh...
Between moans, I tried to tell him that Aagon and Khamsin had already gone ahead and left a message for him, saying to join them as...
It feels.. good...
He marked me all over my chest as he wrapped his arms tightly around me, whispering that pleasure comes first..
Especially when it's me.
.....
Even though I was exhausted, I insisted on pampering Lion by bathing him and...
HANDS OFF!
He chuckled, promising to behave as I concentrated on washing the rest of his body...
Uh...
Why do I feel something poking my back?!
I glanced toward him as he tried to look innocent, yet his hands remained restless as they kept touching my legs.
Oh, for goodness' sake!
Fine!
Go ahead!
With a subtle smile on his face, he held my legs a little wider until he..
Ahhh...
....
Stop moving or it won't look good!
I'm braiding his hair to make it neater and keep it out of his face, since that usually annoys him.
Finally, I was done. He looked delighted with it and gave me a gentle kiss, thanking me for the meals, the gifts...
I bit his ear softly before whispering that I wanted to spoil him more and..
Uh-oh.
Wrong choice of words.
He had a blazing look on his face as he raised the hem of my robe and placed his...
At this point, the others would be back before he could join Aagon and Khamsin.
.....
I was right!
But it was a surprise to me that they were back earlier than expected.
After another intense.. marathon... Lion got knocked out cold, but with a satisfied smile on his face.
I took a bath, which was a mistake as it energized me instead of relaxing me.
So, like an Energizer Bunny, much to Ten's wariness, as he kept asking me if I was okay, I arranged and organized everyone's bedroom with gusto, except for the elderlies' room of course.
Yes, I organized Ten's room too, much to his mixed reaction. He didn't complain, though and told me that he didn't know how to react as nobody had ever done it for him before.
It was a mess, with all sorts of tomes, scrolls and parchments all over the floor.
I didn't throw anything away, even though I was a bit tempted. Instead, I placed the excess stuff inside one of his chests.
After everything was done, Ten gave me a thumbs up and offered me his phylactery...
I chuckled and told him I was just doing it for him, without expecting anything in return.
He pondered my words for a long time before offering to help me make my own lair to store all my excess stuff.
That, I like!
Since there were three vacant rooms remaining, I immediately claimed one of them and Ten helped me decorate it, placing all of my excess stuff inside before mumbling that it still looked a bit sparse.
Oohh! I want to shop for more stuff!
The room I'm in has a balcony and some windows and I excitedly told Ten that I want to put some flowers there...
Just then, I heard Lion calling my name from the hallway.
How long was I busy?!
Ten gave me a look that said I'd been too busy for a long, long time.
Oops.
Lion entered the room and immediately embraced me, wrapping me in the blanket he was covering his body with.
Did he just woke up?
He kept nuzzling my neck while embracing me as I continued my talk with Ten, telling him that I wanted to have a flower similar to my name though I was aware that an iris flower doesn't exist in this world.
Both Lion and Ten lit up as they told me they would find a way to make an iris flower just for me.
Is it possible?
They both laughed before replying that anything is possible with magic.
I see!
I would love it!
Seeing the happy look on my face, Lion told Ten that we should go to the garden, where maybe we could find something.
He carried me in his arms, the blanket covering both of us as we went to the garden.
...
After a few moments in the garden, we can hear the voices of the rest of the group, bickering about something.
It doesn't sound good.
With a snap of his fingers, Lion brought us back to our room after telling Ten that he could take his time exploring the garden and see if he could also find something to improve in the observatory.
Observatory?
We have an observatory?!!
Lion nuzzled my ear, saying it wasn't completed yet and that he would show it to me as soon as it was done.
Then we went to the bathroom where we had another, quicker intercourse, as hearing the others' voices earlier made us realize that something unexpected might have happened.
It was still satisfying though.
....
The others kept their eyes on the floor, refusing to look at Lion and me, while Dad looked deep in thought.
What's wrong?
They're scaring me...
Did someone died?
Upon hearing it, they all immediately tried to reassure me that no one had died, that they were well and that they had no wounds.
I looked at them suspiciously while Lion's look towards Dad was serious and his embrace on me tightened.
He asked Dad if it was worse than expected, making Dad nod reluctantly while trying not to look at me.
Okay!
This is starting to freak me out!
WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED OUT THERE?!
....
They need me to dispel the negative energy that is becoming rampant.
And yes, they've already tried everything to no avail, so I'm their last resort.
Huh?
That's all?!
I thought someone died based on their mood!
Dad told me I would end up being in the same state if I knew how much negativity I had to dispel.
Oh.
The former allied territory was heavily affected, resulting in chaos and violence.
However, the conquered territory was worse. The land is becoming a wasteland due to bad energy.
No! It has a huge potential for agriculture!
Though there are no more unknown in the area we are in, they can somehow feel that there are a lot of demons and cultists hiding, waiting for a moment to strike when we least expect it.
Since holy power doesn't exist yet in this world, they have no choice but to ask for my...
Lion said no, his voice echoing through the room.
He tightened his grip around me and began to growl, the others remaining silent with their heads bowed, except for Dad.
They stared at each other for a long time as Lion's growl increased in volume.
Dad asked him if he had another way of solving the problem, as they had already tried everything. They don't want me to do it, but if I don't, things will only get worse and...
As I nuzzled into Lion's neck, I quietly told everyone I was willing to do it to keep them safe...
Lion immediately stopped growling, protesting what I said, and told me he didn't want to lose me and that...
At this point, his voice was so full of emotion that he just buried his face in my shoulder and cried silently.
I can understand his fears, as we've been through a lot in the past.
And I have already died once. There is no guarantee that I can come back, only that my soul would be taken by the Demon King immediately.
Dad told Lion the reasons why I had to do it, while I kept caressing Lion's head.
Honestly? I don't really care what the reason is.
What I care about is keeping all those who are dear to me safe.
But Lion wants me to be safe, too.
Ah.. this is hard...
It will be hard to convince him.
....
It's not only him that needs convincing, though...
Everyone doesn't want me to do it, especially Dad, as he knows the risk.
But reality is starting to sink in as they all realize that if I don't do it, we are all heading fast toward our own demise..
And I would still end up sitting on the Demon King's lap.
I'm not a positive-minded individual, but at this point, we should try all that we can, since we might have a tiny chance of avoiding doom. Otherwise, we might as well kill ourselves right now and just be done with it.
At this point, Dad told Ten to take me somewhere as they were going to discuss it.
Lion refused to let go of me until Dad looked at him calmly and asked him if he had better ideas, as time was running out and Maelsa might return anytime.
I kissed Lion gently and whispered into his ear that everything would be alright and that Ten and I would be back soon.
He gave me several anxious nips all over my shoulders until he reluctantly released me.
Then Ten and I hurriedly exited the room before Lion changes his mind.
.....
When we exited the room, a magical barrier seemed to block the entrance, as if they were preventing me from entering or eavesdropping their discussion.
Hey! I'm NOT that curious!
Whatever.
So what shall I do at this point?!
I really don't mind not hearing the rest of the discussion. I'm happy to go along whatever they decide.
But I preferred to dispel the bad energy to keep my loved ones safe.
I know that being exposed to bad energy for a long time will taint an individual's soul. Tainting a magic user's soul is more destructive than tainting an ordinary soul.
Anyway, the bad energy will create a doorway in the individual's aura, allowing dark forces to possess their body.
Ten's voice interrupted my thoughts, asking me if I would like to roam around the shops for a while.
Oohh! That's a great idea!
Uh.. did Dad allow us to..
Ten just grinned at me while signaling me to be quiet.
Ah!
Let's go then before they finish their discussion!
.....
For good measure, I brought along my Buddhist staff that I transformed into a bracelet.
I'm starting to get fond of this Transformation Stone, even though it's been corrupted.
To prevent Ten from seeing the burns on my hands.. a result of the clash between the holy aura from the Buddhist staff and the corrupted energy from the Transformation Stone, I wore a pair of fingerless gloves.
As an even extra measure, I transformed myself into my Apollo appearance.
With wings.
Ten curiously asked why I had wings when we can just teleport using his magic.
Is he insane?!
I whispered that Lion had placed a spell on the castle so he would be aware if any magic was used.
Thankfully, there's no magic yet that can detect me using the Transformation Stone and the Buddhist staff or else he would know about my secret practice session.
Ten had a look of realization on his face before whispering back that he hadn't thought about that and asking if there was any way for us to leave the castle without them detecting us.
There is!
But not what he is expecting!
Hehehe...
With a swoop, I carried Ten in my arms, much to his horror and before he could protest, I jumped down from the balcony.
Wheeeeeee!
This is so much fun!
It's a good thing that Ten is a bag of bones that I can easily carry.
He held on to me in a panic before excitement sank in and he had the thrill of his entire existence.
Too much of a thrill and he began demanding where to go before I threatened to drop him.
It was just an expression and I'm not that cruel anyway.
Annoyingly, he knows about it. He just grinned at me and continued to be demanding.
Sigh...
In the end, I catered to his demands after he touched my conscience, saying that he had been stuck inside Dad's domain for centuries without...
Alright! I get it!
.....
I did not expect Ten to like bargains.
Also, he applied what he learned about wholesale prices and discounts.
He insisted on paying for everything despite my protests, saying that he has millennia worth of savings.
Not bad!
But he is a bit of a scatterbrain. I had to keep fixing the hood over his face because he kept forgetting he is a lich.
It was becoming quite an annoyance, so I pulled him into a deserted street and transformed him into a temporary form.
Yes, I gave him the appearance of Hermes.
At first he was speechless, staring at his hands and feeling his face...
I had only managed to transform his upper body into a new form.
The rest of his lower body is still a lich.
It's fine, as his lower body is well-covered.
He was so astounded that I had to change his clothes or else he would have been easily noticed as having a weird body combination of half-bones and half-being.
After several moments, he finally looked decent and thankfully, his mind was starting to work too.
He doesn't look bad!
In fact, he looks enchanting in a mysterious kind of way.
The females seemed to think so too. Whenever he was buying something, many of them stared at him intensely, while the more aggressive ones openly flirted with him.
Too bad for them. He doesn't understand their actions.
As for me...
The Apollo appearance I took was too handsome for my own good. I was irritated by the attention. It's as if I'm catnip.
So I covered my face with a hood, including my mouth, leaving only my eyes free.
Now Ten is the only one getting attention, so he ended up wearing a hood, too.
Hahaha!
We give Asmodeus a run for his money!
....
It's not only shopping that we are doing.
We are quietly investigating the presence of any bad energy around the area, as the Buddhist staff I turned into a bracelet might help us identify areas needing to be dispelled.
A memory came to mind about when I first arrived in this world. There was a certain street that gave me bad vibes, so using my common sense, I avoided exploring it.
Ten and I went to that area and yes, it's still there, but it's only gotten worse. The bad energy has spread to the surrounding buildings and the entire street is covered with a malicious aura.
Exchanging a determined look, Ten and I entered the street and I transformed the bracelet back to its original form.