Chapter 81: Four Boats at Once
Natia was a bit clueless, a consequence of her upbringing.
She was a commoner, her exceptional talent discovered by Zimmerman, who had purchased her freedom and brought her to Sage Mountain, raising her as his student.
Her life had changed drastically.
Her days were spent surrounded by the twelve Sages, her time devoted to meditation and magical studies. She had no friends, no peers, her only companions dusty tomes filled with arcane knowledge.
What did those old men know about love, about marriage?
She had never considered such things.
As an adult, she was allowed to leave the mountain, but the outside world, with its unfamiliar customs and chaotic energy, filled her with anxiety. Her friendship with Louisa, a boisterous noblewoman who disregarded social conventions, had gradually eased her apprehension.
But as she grew older, as Zimmerman and the other Sages aged, they realized that this isolation wasn’t sustainable. What would happen to her when they were gone? Would she remain alone on Sage Mountain? The thought troubled them.
So they began to encourage her, just as they had once pushed her to excel in her magical studies, to venture out, to attend social gatherings, to meet eligible young men from noble families. Perhaps she would find someone… suitable… someone she could marry…
That was the first time she had heard the word “marriage.”
Their constant nagging had annoyed her, then sparked a strange notion in her mind: a woman’s life wasn’t complete without marriage…
Louisa’s colorful descriptions of romantic relationships had solidified this belief.
Fall in love, get married, engage in those… activities… and her life would be fulfilled.
It was a perfect solution. Zimmerman and the others would finally stop bothering her, and she could focus on her research.
She didn’t even realize how shocking her proposal was.
Several noblewomen, their forks clattering to the floor, stared at her in disbelief.
Qin Chu, though initially reluctant, felt obligated to respond. He was a gentleman, after all.
But before he could utter a word, he felt two piercing gazes, sharp as daggers, boring into his back.
Two figures stood at the entrance: Ekaterina, clad in her crimson armor, and Loseweisse.
Ekaterina’s eyes blazed with a possessive fury, her killing intent undeniable. But it wasn’t directed at him. It was aimed at Natia.
This temptress was trying to steal her beloved! How dare she?
She had to die!
Stunning Love, its influence amplified by Qin Chu’s rejection, had twisted her emotions. Anyone who approached him, anyone who threatened her claim on him, was now a target of her wrath.
She was becoming dangerously possessive.
Loseweisse, however, frowned.
Ekaterina had been right. They hadn’t even left the capital, and already, a shameless hussy was trying to seduce the Hero.
She hadn’t considered Natia a threat. The woman seemed simple… her mind likely addled from excessive magical studies.
But she hadn’t anticipated this brazen display, a public proposal, a blatant offer of those things. This was seduction, pure and simple. If they had left him alone, this woman would have… consummated their relationship… right here, right now.
The seemingly harmless woman was the most dangerous of them all.
And Qin Chu, that bastard had claimed to love her, and yet, he was about to accept this woman’s proposal?
Men… they were all the same, except for Jie Luo.
Qin Chu, his expression a mixture of amusement and bewilderment, wasn’t afraid… but this was… awkward… Was this a love triangle?
He touched his nose, surprised that he was experiencing this… It wasn’t unpleasant.
He maintained a neutral expression, his gaze sweeping over Loseweisse and Ekaterina, lingering on the Valkyrie for a moment. She nodded imperceptibly.
His plan was unfolding. Benson, attacked by Lomond, had sent a distress signal to Loseweisse.
The three women remained silent, their thoughts churning, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills. The air crackled with tension.
Shaye, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, even dragged Anthea out to witness this rare event. Unfortunately, Anthea couldn’t comprehend the situation. She didn’t understand why these women were so hostile towards each other.
Did they all love the same man? If so, why not just marry him all of them? It didn’t make sense!
The tension reached a breaking point, the three women’s bodies buzzing with barely restrained power, their magical energies clashing. A chaotic battle seemed imminent…
And then a cheerful voice shattered the tense atmosphere.
“Master, there you are…”
It was Angelica.
She wore a pristine white maid uniform, even her stockings a matching shade of white, her appearance innocent and alluring.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining with happiness and affection. She had become his… last night…
She was a maid. She wasn’t one for public displays of affection, but today… well, she could indulge herself a little.
She beamed, throwing herself into his arms.
“Ahem, Angelica, why aren’t you resting?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.
“Master…” she pouted playfully, her happiness evident.
“You were so rough last night… You even ripped my stockings…”
She stood on her tiptoes, her lips brushing against his ear, her voice a soft whisper. “But if that’s what you like, Master… Angelica will… endure…”
His body shivered at her words, her tone, the implication…
Her voice was soft, but the three women, their senses enhanced, heard every word. They felt a pang of… defeat…
The other patrons stared at them, their expressions a mixture of envy and disapproval. This guy… he was playing the field!
Four women! He had four women!
Qin Chu’s affectionate treatment of Angelica sparked envy in Natia and Ekaterina’s eyes. Loseweisse, however, frowned, her fists clenching. That little bitch… flaunting herself…
Was she showing off?
Angelica’s arrival had disrupted the tense atmosphere, transforming it into a chaotic mess. She seemed to finally notice the other women, her head peeking out from Qin Chu’s embrace, her gaze sweeping over Natia, Ekaterina, and finally settling on Loseweisse. A smug smile curved her lips.
Hah…
She stepped away from him, blushing, her tongue darting out playfully, as if embarrassed by her impulsive display of affection.
Loseweisse trembled with rage.
She was provoking her!
She wanted to scream, to lash out, to unleash her fury upon this… this… little…
Her jealousy, her anger, even overshadowed her concern for Benson.
As for Ekaterina, Benson was less important than a… cockroach…
…
On the outskirts of the Auville Empire, at the foot of Mount Cavanyas, a man, his breathing labored, stood his ground. He was stocky, his body built for strength, his grip firm on a massive shield, its surface scarred with claw marks. His other hand clutched a short-handled battle axe.
The axe’s blade, dulled from countless battles, was chipped and dented.
His golden armor, stained crimson with blood, was battered and torn. Around him lay a sea of Demon corpses, their limbs severed, their bodies mangled. Blood pooled on the ground, transforming the earth into a muddy quagmire.
Sweat, glistening on his dark skin, streamed down his face.
This was Benson, the Immovable Shield, a member of the Hero Squad.
He was their strongest defender, his vitality unmatched, his resilience legendary.
Even the Demons’ claws and fangs struggled to pierce his thick hide. He could charge into an army of tens of thousands, emerging unscathed.
But now, his face, framed by a thick beard, was creased with worry. His opponent was no ordinary Demon. It was a behemoth, a true monster.
Over fifty meters tall, its body a tapestry of muscle, its arms ending in razor-sharp claws capable of rending steel.
The gash in his armor, the deep dent in his shield… these were its handiwork.
Its curved, goat-like horns marked it as a high-ranking Demon. Its skin, a disturbing shade of crimson, resembled congealed blood. Its fangs, long and sharp, gleamed with a predatory hunger. Its eyes, large and menacing, were filled with greed and madness.
Lomond, the seventh son of the Eternal Monarch, Nagath.
He was a powerful, relentless foe. In a one-on-one battle, Benson was confident he could hold his own, perhaps even emerge victorious. But Lomond wasn’t alone…
He had brought an army of elite Demons.
The situation was dire, but he had sent a message to Loseweisse, informing her of the attack. She and Ekaterina would come.
Loseweisse was kind. She wouldn’t abandon him.
And Ekaterina, with her fiery temper and fierce loyalty, would surely rush to his aid. Together, they might even be able to defeat Lomond.
Loseweisse, Ekaterina.
My dearest comrades.
I’m waiting for you!
…
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