"Sanctuary of Brilliance!" Aurelia shouted as she activated her domain skill.
Bright golden light erupted from her figure, flooding the entire boss room with the goddess's radiance. It healed her party while simultaneously boosting their defenses. At the same time, the light burned their attackers, weakening their defenses and slowing their movements.
"Now!" Seraphina shouted, hurling a bottle containing volatile liquid explosives, her own creation after months of effort.
The resulting explosion obliterated the writhing werewolves and staggered the demon worshipers at the back, who controlled the dungeon monsters through the Demon Lord's power.
Cyrus and Tobin unleashed flames and swirling winds in unison, their combined magic striking the heart of the enemy ranks.
Meanwhile, Emberlyn kept their attackers at a safe distance with her spear, punishing any who passed her with a lethal stab to the spine, rendering them helpless.
The battlefield swirled with fire, holy light, and caustic residue as the last of their attackers fell. Soon, the boss room was empty, with only their party remaining.
"We did it!" Aurelia cheered, her voice full of relief as they survived another assassination attempt by the demon worshipers.
Since learning about Aurelia's existence, the cult had spared no effort in trying to take her down. Acolytes, schemes, and traps had all been thrown at them, yet she had continued her studies and spent time with her best friend, Seraphina.
"I can't believe we did it," Tobin said, his disbelief palpable.
He had been the most skeptical of Seraphina's friendship, but after surviving the first dungeon attack, he had seen enough to trust her. Her high kill count had proven her loyalty to the party.
"Of course. My sister is the best," Cyrus proclaimed with pride.
Though he didn't know much beyond his sister's brilliance, he was certain she was always right. That's why he was content to follow her lead. After all, she was a genius, and so trusted her with everything.
Emberlyn, however, began checking over their spoils before stowing them away. While she had participated in the battle, she knew her role was that of Cyrus's personal guard. She was a servant, doing her duty. As long as Cyrus had sex with her every once in a while she had no complaints. He was just too cute, after all.
Seraphina, on the other hand, took a moment to reflect. Everything was falling into place. Her party was perfect with each member fitting their role in her grand design. They had powerful equipment, and she had already reached level 20. Soon, they would be ready for the end-of-year event, and nothing could stand in their way.
She cast a brief glance at Aurelia and confirmed what she already suspected. Aurelia was clearly the main character of the story. The player in control was just a commoner girl who knew nothing about the world. Aurelia was a sweetheart, and left to her own devices, she would have thrived regardless of anyone else's help.
She likely would have gone on to defeat the Demon Lord, choosing one of the capture targets along the way and surviving the various assassination attempts. And yet, something must have gone wrong, something serious enough for the goddess to summon not only her but Bastion as well.
What that reason was, she didn't know. But it didn't matter. She was here now, and she had a plan.
"Let's leave and report this to the teachers outside. I'm sure they'll be interested in hearing about this attack," Seraphina said firmly.
The group made their way to the stairway, used the teleportation circle, and returned to the surface. There, they met with the instructors and presented proof of the demon worshipers' ambush in the form of their corpses.
The teachers were shocked by the infiltration. Their security and defenses were already considered top tier, yet they paled in comparison to the cult's ability to infiltrate the academy.
The group disbanded for the day, exhausted from their little adventure.
Seraphina, however, made her way to the library, continuing her search for an old history book that triggered a quest leading to the final component needed to ensure victory against the Demon Lord.
The component wasn't meant to be used as she had intended. In the game, it was purely decorative, an item placed solely for lore. The game designers wouldn't allow something that overpowered. But Seraphina disagreed. There were no invisible walls here. Nothing to stop her from picking it up.
So she searched. Tirelessly. Even if it cost her every waking moment before the Demon Lord's seal broke.
It was part of the reason she had become an alchemist in the first place. Nothing else mattered now, only that damned book. If she could just find it.
"Fancy meeting you here," said a knightly voice from behind, making her knees weaken.
He caught her mid-fall, his voice dark and smooth as velvet. "It's nice seeing you too."
"Bastion. I wasn't expecting you," Seraphina murmured without looking up at his face.
She couldn't afford to have an orgasm in the library. But neither did she pull away from his strong arms. Instead, she leaned into him, savoring his scent.
"The library is a public place, little Seraphina. You should be more prepared."
"My heart couldn't take the betrayal if you weren't here."
"Then I'll have to study here more often."
"Ahem," a cuter, feminine voice interrupted from behind.
They weren't alone.
Seraphina shuffled to stand upright before facing the voice, or more accurately, looking down at it.
"Bastion, I know you're hunting for wives, but do you have to do it in the library?" Lilia asked with a huff.
"You must be Lilia. I'm Seraphina Phoenixhart. A pleasure to meet you," Seraphina replied, her tone laced with mild amusement.
She liked Lilia, a cute supporter and healer. The missing piece to Bastion's team.
"Ph-Phoenixhart? I'm so sorry for my misconduct. Please don't execute me!" Lilia stammered, bowing repeatedly.
How dare she insult a duke's daughter, especially one who was glaring at her.
"Kyaa, she's so cute! Bastion, can I keep her?" Seraphina squealed as she hugged Lilia tightly like a teddy bear, swaying side to side.
Seraphina was quite tall, and she regularly wore heels, making Lilia at 5'6" (1.68 m) feel like a child in comparison.
"Not until she marries me first," Bastion said, dead serious.
"You haven't even sealed the deal yet? What have you been doing? I'll steal her if you don't try harder."
"There is such a thing as free will, little Seraphina. Besides, I'm working on it. She's gotten very comfortable around me lately."
"That's how women take advantage of men," Seraphina lectured. "You think you're making her comfortable, but really, you're enabling her. She'll take forever to decide as long as she's content. You need to make her blush every time she sees you. Have you shown her your body yet?"
"No. I'm a good tank, remember? I might never suffer a wardrobe malfunction."
"Am I invisible?" Lilia grumbled as the two continued plotting her marriage.
"Then invite her to your room and get out of the shower at the right time. It worked on me," Seraphina continued.
"Ah, I see. Yes, that could work," Bastion agreed.
"Are you his first wife?" Lilia asked, suddenly cutting through the moment.
"I—" Bastion began, only to be interrupted by Seraphina.
"Yes," she said with certainty.
"I guess she is," Bastion confirmed.
They'd never actually discussed it, but now that Seraphina had declared it, he accepted it easily. Elyra liked her, and Seraphina knew him best, second only to Elyra, so she deserved the title, so long as she wanted it.
"Then why are you so willing to share? Why are you eager to add more?" Lilia asked seriously. This was the biggest reason she didn't want to marry Bastion. She would have to share him eventually. She preferred a more love driven marriage.
"Because Bastion is worth it. So I might as well have a say in who joins. Besides, it's less about sharing and more about dividing responsibilities. Bastion is incredibly wealthy, resourceful, mature, and attractive. We will never lack for anything, whether material, emotional, or sexual," Seraphina started explaining.
"I'm an Alchemist. That means powerful potions at a fraction of the cost. You're a wizard, which brings enchantments and magic knowledge. Elyra is an assassin, so anyone we are not allowed to kill will never be a problem. And if we add a few more, no matter what happens, no matter where we are, our little family will thrive."
"We plan to live very long lives, Lilia. A test of time that not even love can conquer so we need more than love to push us together. We need resources, companionship, and capability. You get the idea."
"I like you, Lilia, and I want you to join us," Seraphina finished.
"You don't even know me," Lilia accused.
"I know enough. And you pass with flying colors. I hope you consider it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a book to find," Seraphina said, walking off with a sway of her hips.
"I don't understand," Lilia said in frustration.
Seraphina spoke about marriage as if it were a party invite. She didn't like it.
"You grew up with loving parents who gave up adventuring," Bastion said gently, stroking her hair. "They'll probably pass away while you're still chasing power. Eventually, you'll be left alone by the ones who chose safety over the journey, resting on the wealth they earned. There's no shame in it. But it is inevitable that those weaker than you will pass long before you."
"Seraphina and I grew up with talent from our blood. It guarantees that we will reach Rank 3 at a young age. Those who come with us can enjoy the fruits of our labor and reach it as well. We will live unimaginably long lives. And if we stick together, we will always have someone to walk through time with."
"You don't have to worry about it right now. But, given your talent, you will eventually understand. Now, come on. There's a book about enchanting I think you'll want to see," Bastion said before walking off with Lilia in tow.
Lilia understood what they were talking about. She just couldn't completely wrap her mind around the concept. She had grown up with parents who loved each other and never had any problems. In her view, their love would stand the test of time.
On the other hand, Bastion was indeed worth it. She could see herself sharing with Elyra and Seraphina. She simply mourned the loss of a love like her parents'.
It would have been nice to have Bastion all to herself. To live together in the countryside, raise children, grow old, and die. But that would not be Bastion. That would be her delusion, because the Bastion she knew would never settle until it became truly inescapable.
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