While the three girls were packing, Alex remained seated in Erina's living room, scrolling through his phone. He was thinking about which world to choose next for their family vacation — it had to suit all three girls and their preferences. If the food festival at Totsuki Academy had been a hit, then this time he needed something more active — a world where they could not only relax but also experience a bit of adventure.
Alex recalled how, the previous evening, the girls had jokingly complained they'd probably gained a few extra pounds after two days of heavy eating. They'd ended the second night by tasting Erina's own dishes. All Alex wanted was to make his family happy — and yet, somehow, he'd ended up accused of "fattening them up." His face had stayed unreadable at the time, though he could barely hold back laughter.
After a moment's thought, he decided — why pick one world, when they could visit two? One with scenic landscapes for rest, and another where they could move around and maybe even get into a few fights. He put his phone away and continued waiting.
Hisako came down first, dragging her suitcase. While she packed, it had finally sunk in — this wasn't just a trip, it was a real journey to another world. It was a little frightening, but also stirred her imagination.
"I see you're ready," said Alex with a slight smile. "Did you call your parents?"
"Mhm. Told my mom I'm going on a trip with Lady Erina. Promised to call sometimes."
Alex nodded, noticing the flicker of nervousness in her eyes — totally natural for someone who had just decided to leave their world behind. After all, it's not every day that the Demon King himself hires you as a chef.
A moment later, loud thuds echoed from the stairs as Erina descended, dragging not one, but two suitcases behind her. One of them was clearly stuffed with cooking gear — a skillet handle poked out the top, and the suitcase clattered louder with every step. Alex raised an eyebrow and nearly laughed, imagining how, given the chance, Erina would probably bring the entire kitchen.
Catching his expression, Erina blushed but huffed proudly, as if everything was perfectly under control.
"Did you call your family?" Alex asked, watching her place the luggage by the couch.
"Yes. I told my grandfather that I've been hired as a chef and that I accepted the offer."
"I imagine if you told Senzaemon who exactly hired you, he'd think you'd lost your mind," Alex chuckled.
"Hmph. Be realistic. Who in their right mind would believe that the Demon King from another world hired me? Say that out loud to anyone — and you're getting thrown into a psych ward."
Alex shrugged. Now they just had to wait for Alice. He was pretty sure she'd already blabbed to everyone where she was going, but knowing Alice's personality, he also figured no one would take her seriously anyway.
He began to wonder how this world's story would unfold without Azami. After all, Azami had been the catalyst for change, pushing the characters to grow and aim for new heights. But now that the threat was gone, Alex hoped this world would progress in a more peaceful direction. Soma would still chase his dream, so everything would probably turn out fine.
Stroking his chin, Alex remembered that another antagonist was supposed to appear later in the story — Asahi, Azami's son. Erina and Hisako noticed his thoughtful expression and exchanged glances.
"What are you thinking about with that face?" Erina asked, pulling his attention back.
"Hmm… I'm thinking about your brother. About Asahi," Alex replied, looking at her.
"MY WHAT?!" Erina exclaimed, staring at him in shock.
Hisako and Erina stared at Alex in shock. Neither of them had ever imagined that Erina could have a brother. They exchanged glances, as if trying to confirm they'd heard the same thing.
"You… you're telling me I have a brother I didn't even know about?!" Erina finally exhaled, managing to regain her composure. "How do you even know that?"
"It's my job to know everything," Alex replied calmly. "And about your brother... you could've asked your father. Though actually, not anymore. Because Azami is now... unavailable."
"Unavailable?" Erina's voice trembled, and a chill ran down her spine.
"The one who made Nyaruko cry yesterday — that was him. Your father. I believe Freya already explained to you what could've happened."
"And what happened to him?" Erina whispered, swallowing hard as her mouth went dry.
"I don't know," Alex said, spreading his hands. "Really. I can only guess."
"What do you mean, you don't know?" she asked, sharper now.
"In the most literal sense. You see... Nyaruko's mother isn't just some being. She's something ancient — older than the very concept of good and evil. She existed long before those ideas were even born. For her, good and evil don't exist, because they weren't concepts back then.
"Her mere presence can bring about such massive destruction that no mortal being could possibly comprehend its full scale. Even her name carries madness."
Alex paused for a moment, then looked Erina straight in the eyes.
"Now think — what could've happened if she hadn't held back? Instead of simply dealing with Azami, she could have erased this entire universe from existence — along with all alternate timelines. Leaving behind only absolute void. No time. No matter. No consciousness. No life, no death. Nothing."
Erina turned pale. She listened in stunned silence.
"But before you start feeling sorry for him… I'll show you what I saw — your father's soul."
He held out his hand. Erina hesitated. She took a deep breath, summoned her courage, and placed her palm in his.
In an instant, Azami's soul appeared before her inner vision. It was so revolting, so warped, that nausea struck her immediately. She nearly vomited. Yanking her hand back, she stumbled and clutched her mouth, trying not to retch. Hisako rushed to her side, supporting her by the elbow and fanning her gently.
"That... that was..." Erina couldn't form the words. Her face had turned white as a sheet.
"That's his soul," Alex said quietly. "Even I — someone who's seen creatures that turn people inside out — felt disgust. I honestly have no idea what your mother ever saw in that man."
He sat beside Erina and placed a hand gently on her back, rubbing it in a comforting motion as she recovered.
"What happened to him now? What did... that woman, Nyaruko's mother, do to him?" Erina finally whispered, the nausea fading.
"Who knows. But he's not dead. And he never will be. He'll exist forever. Even if this entire reality collapses — he'll still be there. Alive. Endlessly."
"But... how did you even meet a being like that? And more importantly — how do you two have a daughter?!" Erina asked, staring at him wearily, still trying to process everything.
Alex chuckled.
"Oh, that's a long story. Although... since Alice hasn't arrived yet, I guess I can give you the short version. About my job — and a few... adventures."
Erina and Hisako exchanged glances, then leaned in attentively. Curiosity outweighed exhaustion.Alex began his story — from the moment he first met Nyan-Nyan, to how their strange meeting eventually turned into something far greater.
At that very moment, Alice burst into the living room — as always, making a dramatic entrance with a loud thud of her suitcase. The moment she heard that the conversation had touched on Alex's personal life, she instantly flopped into a chair, eyes wide open.
Alex didn't go into too much detail — he kept it brief and to the point. But even that was enough to throw the girls into mental chaos. None of them truly understood anything — including Alex himself — but everything he said sounded so incredible, so impossible, that it was hard to believe any of it was real.
He still didn't know why Nyan-Nyan felt such a strong pull toward him. Why she chose to have his child. And he certainly didn't understand the reason for her conflict with Lady Death. Neither woman was willing to share the truth, and if Alex ever wanted answers, he'd have to travel either to the realm of death — or into Chaos itself. Neither was a trip he looked forward to... unless the reward was truly worth it.
"Well then," Alex clapped his hands and stood up, "since Alice is here now, and I've shared a bit of my story... it's time to go. I think my family's been waiting long enough."
With a wave of his hand, Erina's, Hisako's, and Alice's suitcases vanished, absorbed into his inventory.
"Whoa!" Alice gasped, eyes lighting up. "How did you do that?! I want one of those! Just wave your hand — poof, everything disappears! And then back again! That's genius!"
Alex smiled.
"Well... maybe I'll teach you. One day."
Even Erina and Hisako stared at him with interest, clearly intrigued. What he had just done looked incredibly convenient — no more lugging bags around. Erina, in particular, seemed taken with the idea; she was already imagining how easily she could transport massive quantities of ingredients.
"It's called a spatial inventory," Alex explained calmly. "I'll give you something similar later. But enough questions for now — it's time to move."
He placed a hand gently on Alice's head, quieting her flood of excited questions.
The three girls nodded in agreement, already looking forward to the day they'd have their own "magic storage." Alex, anticipating the emotional storm his long absence might stir among the others, snapped his fingers. A dimensional rift opened before them. Erina, Hisako, and Alice stared in awe at the portal — it looked like the very fabric of reality had cracked like glass, revealing a path to another dimension.
Without wasting time, Alex scooped all three girls into his arms and stepped into the rift. The suddenness of it caught them completely off guard, and they blushed in surprise.
Arriving at their temporary home in this world, Alex was the first to emerge, still carrying the three girls in his arms. The others were already waiting. When they saw Alex like that, their reactions were instant — blank, judgmental stares.
"Typical. Went out for one, came back with three," Alcina remarked with a smirk, shooting him a disdainful glance.
"Thank you, darling. I can feel the love," Alex replied, grinning as he gently set the girls down. "But please — don't look at me like that. Your gaze wounds my heart."
"What took you so long?" Renka demanded, running up to him. "Was it really that hard to just grab your stuff and come back? Even in this world I can feel myself gaining weight! I need to move! I need action! I want a fight!"
"I wouldn't mind a bit of exercise either," Cammy added with a slight smile. "The food's great, sure, but our bodies need balance."
Several of the girls nodded in agreement.
"By the way," Alex said, "let me introduce another new companion. This is Nakiri Alice — Erina's cousin. You could say she got lucky and joined our little strange journey."
"Hi, everyone!" Alice beamed and waved.
"That's the girl whose food we wanted to try!" Alvitr recalled. "But her booth was closed..."
"That's right. And she's a fantastic cook, too. I think you'll like what she makes. Anyway, to keep things moving — we're headed to a place with breathtaking scenery. And yes, for those of you itching for action, there'll be plenty to keep you entertained."
"And what kind of world is this?" Saya asked, adjusting her glasses. "Where can you find such beauty and... opportunities to throw some punches?"
"You'll see soon enough," Alex said as he drew Yamato.
Erina, Hisako, and Alice watched Alex's actions with curiosity, not understanding why he suddenly needed a sword. The answer came quickly. As if on cue, all the girls stood up. Nyaruko, Jinx, and Anya immediately jumped onto Alex's shoulders. He unsheathed his katana and made two smooth slashes through the air — a portal opened before them.
Alex stepped in first. Seeing the hesitation of the new companions, the others gently nudged them forward.
When Alex emerged on the other side of the portal, he found himself in a half-ruined city that looked like something out of a dark fantasy. Abandoned buildings, cobbled streets, dust, and silence. One by one, the others began to step through. The girls looked around with suspicion, their expressions guarded and full of doubt.
"This… is your idea of a 'beautiful view'?" Ada was the first to crack, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "A half-destroyed city. Wow. So much aesthetic."
"There's not even anything worth stealing," Revy muttered, kicking a stray stone. "Just dust and gray."
"Stop complaining," Alex said calmly. "Just follow me. You'll understand soon."
The girls exchanged uncertain glances. Only Saya felt something oddly familiar about this place, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why. Alex, meanwhile, walked ahead with a slight smile, leading them toward a spot with the view he had brought them here to see.
They climbed up a section of the crumbling city wall, and from there, the panorama unfolded. The girls were still skeptical about these so-called "beautiful views"… until they looked ahead.
Towering in the distance stood a majestic mountain, rising high into the sky and disappearing into the clouds. Its snow-capped peak sparkled in the sunlight, painting a scene of almost surreal beauty.
"Where… are we?" Hestia asked quietly, taking Alex's hand and not taking her eyes off the mountain.
"I think I know…" Saya said slowly, the realization dawning on her. "I recognize this place… and that mountain."
"Go on then, enlighten us, pink-haired know-it-all," Becca snapped with a smirk. "Since you're so clever, share with the class."
"This is Erebor," Saya said, almost reverently. "The kingdom of the dwarves. I've read about it in books. I never thought I'd actually see it in person… and that it would look so grand."
"Wait a sec..." Loki frowned. "Isn't this the mountain you mentioned, Alex? The one with all the unimaginable treasure and whatnot?"
The key words — mountain, dwarves, treasure — immediately locked the girls' attention. They all turned their gazes on Alex in unison, their eyes practically boring holes into his soul. He simply nodded, confirming every word.
Alex himself couldn't tear his eyes away from Erebor. He had never imagined he would one day find himself here — not alone, but with his family. It gave the moment a deeper, more personal meaning.
Meanwhile, Anya, Nyaruko, and Jinx had already leapt off his shoulders and were gleefully posing in front of the mountain. GIR, MIMI, and Stitch were snapping pictures of everything, true to form. And indeed — just as Alex had promised, the place was genuinely breathtaking.
The surroundings of Erebor, at the foot of the Lonely Mountain, were mesmerizing. On one side, steep slopes climbed to the snowy summit, dotted with evergreen pines that had survived even Smaug's fire. Rocky outcrops and narrow ravines hid rare and resilient plants.
On the other side stretched a picturesque valley — crossed by rivers and streams, blanketed with meadows full of vibrant wildflowers and dense forests. Mighty oaks and slender firs rustled gently in the wind, and water murmured as it flowed down from the mountains, bringing life to the valley below. Herds of sheep grazed peacefully, and in the woods, the silhouettes of wild animals could be glimpsed — from deer to foxes.
The air was fresh, cool, and clean — scented with pine and blooming herbs. Other snowy peaks were visible on the horizon, creating a harsh yet breathtaking panorama. Alex took a deep breath, savoring the moment.
"Alright, enough admiring," Nobuna broke the silence, hopping onto a ledge. "Let's go rob the dwarves' kingdom already!"
"Now that's what I call thinking," Ada smirked, pulling out her grappling hook. "Treasures just sitting there gathering dust. And we're the first ones here. The law is on our side."
"Hey, there's actually a dragon living there," Saya reminded them, frowning. "That 'invader' has claimed the treasure as his own."
"Just a dragon," Tiona waved it off, already preparing to descend. "We've dealt with worse. This will be fun."
The girls barely paid any mind to the fact that a dragon lived in Erebor. That detail got lost amid their thirst for adventure and the greedy sparkle in their eyes. They hadn't even reached the mountain yet but were already arguing over how to divide the gold and what to do with it. Even Hephaestus, usually reserved, listened with interest — curious about what artifacts and relics might be hidden in the ancient dwarven kingdom.
Saya stood next to Alex, rubbing the bridge of her nose. It was hard for her to comprehend how this motley crew had decided to rob the legendary dwarven kingdom without even thinking about the consequences. She cast a pleading look at Alex — stop this madness before it's too late… before they burst into Erebor with noise, magic, and destruction.
Erina, Hisako, and Alice stood frozen, still processing everything. Just moments ago, they were at the Academy, cooking — and now they stood on the edge of a fantastic world, facing the Lonely Mountain. Erina even pinched herself — but alas, it was no dream.
Meanwhile, GIR, MIMI, Stitch, Alice, Valeri, Nobukatsu, Anya, Jinx, and Nyaruko were already eager for battle. They enthusiastically discussed how to sneak into Erebor, defeat the dragon, and claim the vast treasures.
Only Aria stood apart, feeling a strange sensation. Not long ago, she had been the dragon's prisoner for a whole millennium, serving as a source of power for it until Alex saved her. For her, all this was too… strange, considering that the dragon in this world had taken over an entire kingdom. Aria even felt sympathy for the dwarves who had lost their home.
"Alright, girls, a bit of quiet please!" Alex clapped his hands, cutting through the growing racket. "We are not going to rob anyone. Even if Smaug has taken Erebor, that doesn't give us the right to raid the dwarves' kingdom!"
"Why not?" Ada whined playfully, hanging onto him like a spoiled child. "There's no one there. No telling when the dwarves will come back for their stuff. Alex, don't ruin our fun! Please, can we at least have a little treasure?"
"I'm with Ada on this one," Coco added seriously, nodding. "The dwarves aren't here yet, and the treasure is. Makes sense to grab it while we can."
Almost all the girls, including the goddesses and even the valkyries, nodded in agreement. Only Alex and Saya stood silently, watching this theater of greed unfold. Saya glanced sideways at her mother Yuriko — who was also among the supporters of the "gold confiscation campaign."
Freya and Hephaestus were more restrained. They weren't so much interested in gold as they were curious about how skilled the local dwarves were in jewelry-making and blacksmithing.
Alex sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead — his head was already starting to throb from the many voices demanding permission for the heist of the century. The most insistent were Hestia, Loki, Ada, Coco, and about a dozen other determined girls.
"Believe me, I'd gladly give you the green light… but…" Alex began, looking tiredly at the crowd.
"But what?" Beatrix squinted, a playful smirk in her voice.
"The thing is, Thorin and his group should be back soon. Instead of stealing, we could… help them. And in return — get a share of the treasures: jewelry, metals, maybe even weapons. Fairly," Alex explained.
"Wait," Saya frowned, thoughtfully tapping her chin. "If Thorin Oakenshield is coming back soon, then the orc army can't be far behind. In the original story, the orcs arrive a day or two after Smaug's expulsion."
"So…" Moira said with a forced smile, "instead of just quietly taking a mountain of gold that literally no one is guarding right now, you suggest helping the dwarves drive out the dragon, then fight an unknown number of orcs… and get a few trinkets for it?"
"Exactly," Alex nodded, completely serious. "Because stealing is bad."
The girls all stared at Alex with blank looks that clearly said: "You're the last one who should talk about stealing being bad."
They might have believed his words… if they hadn't known how much he'd managed to steal across different worlds. And now, with a serious face, he suddenly spoke about morality and justice. Some even started suspecting that Alex might have hit his head — otherwise how to explain such a change?
Catching the expressions on his companions' faces, Alex just rolled his eyes in obvious displeasure. In response, the girls snorted disdainfully and gathered for an impromptu women's council, starting a heated discussion: whether to listen to Alex or storm Erebor.
Meanwhile, Alex watched this restless army that could storm the dwarves' kingdom at any moment without warning. To avoid disaster, he prudently put GIR, MIMI, and Stitch on leashes so they wouldn't run off, and picked up Anya, Nyaruko, and Jinx — well aware that these three "little princesses" could cause more trouble than a dragon. Finally, he shot a warning glance toward Alice, Göll, Valeri, and Nobukatsu — as if to say, "I see you, don't even think about it."
Playing it safe, Alex turned to the three girls still in slight shock — Nakiri Alice, Erina, and Hisako.
"Well, what do you think? How do you like this… new world?" he asked.
"It's amazing!" Alice answered enthusiastically, continuing to snap photos on her phone. "I never thought I'd end up in a place like this."
"I agree," Erina nodded. "But I'm much more interested in the dragon in the dwarves' kingdom," she said, looking at Alex with her expressive purple eyes.
"Hmm. Want to cook it?" Alex smirked, raising an eyebrow.
Erina silently nodded and pulled out a notebook. She wanted to hand it to Alex, but his hands were full with Anya and Nyaruko. Fortunately, Nyaruko, being a true helper, took the notebook and passed it to her father. Alex flipped through a few pages and was genuinely impressed: Erina had already started writing recipes for dishes made from fantastic creatures. A true chef, even in another world.
While the girls debated whether to listen to Alex and help the dwarves, he suggested they all move closer to Erebor. They quickly agreed: watching from afar was fine, but up close was always more interesting.
Leaving the ruins of Dale, they crossed a stone bridge and descended into the valley leading to the Lonely Mountain. Anya, Nyaruko, Jinx, GIR, MIMI, and Stitch ran around playing tag — full of energy like ordinary children. The adults enjoyed the fresh air, the silence, and the picturesque views.
Suddenly, Alex stopped on a small hill.
"Why here? We're almost at the gates," Claire asked, raising an eyebrow.
"This is a great spot. It offers a good view. Like I said — Thorin and his companions should arrive soon. They'll be visible from the hill. And while we wait for the dwarves and one hobbit… we can have a picnic," he replied with a good-natured smile.
"Wait, you said a hobbit is traveling with the dwarves?" Riveria asked. "How different are they from ours? Lili, for example, is also a hobbit. And Fin is from our family."
"Hmm… Not much, really. The local hobbits just have hairy feet," Alex answered thoughtfully. "Actually, Lili, you know the very hobbit who's traveling with the dwarves quite well."
"What? How would I know him if this is my first time in this world?" Lili rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on, my little Bilbo. Soon you'll meet the real Bilbo," Alex said cheerfully, ruffling her hair.
"I told you not to call me Bilbo!" Lili snorted, starting to punch him in the stomach. "I'm a sweet little hobbit girl, not a boy with hairy feet!"
These words sparked hearty laughter from the girls from Orario. Those who already knew the story behind the nickname smiled, while the newcomers immediately began asking questions, eager to understand why Lili was so upset.
Meanwhile, Alex got busy preparing for the picnic. He stomped his foot on the ground — a stone table with benches rose up beneath it. Then came benches woven from roots and a gazebo to provide shade. What started as a simple stop transformed into a cozy resting spot.
Some of the girls went to gather firewood — after all, a picnic outdoors isn't the same as dining in a restaurant. Food cooked in the open air always tastes better.
Erina, Hisako, and Alice took over the kitchen. Fortunately, Alex had everything in his inventory: meat, vegetables, spices, and even a complete set of kitchen utensils.
While they waited for the arrival of the dwarves and one curious hobbit who just wanted an adventure, everyone decided to simply enjoy the moment: the gentle breeze, the scent of herbs, and the majestic view of Erebor on the horizon.
To be continued…
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