REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC92- Importance
Many times, in many places, Sarah went to spend time with Ceaser—for obvious reasons. His job didn't allow him to remain at the same place for long and he couldn't return to her often, in fear of letting it become obvious that they have a relationship.
After all, in the mafia, it was the gravest mistake to have a close relationship, considering they can be used against gang members in the future.
That's why whenever Sarah went to meet the one she loved, she chose different get-ups. And through experiences, she learned how to change her face and appearance through some of the most basic things.
However, maybe because he loved her, Alex could recognize Sarah from afar with just one glance.
Like, how he can tell exactly who this waitress was.
The way she smilingly put down the food before taking a seat on his left, there was no doubt that this woman was,
"Sarah?"
"Wait…you call her by her name?!" Celestria was startled.
This time, Alex was surprised, "Wait! You recognized her?" That made even Sarah surprised.
This was a matter of concern; if people realized Sarah's identity as the Saintess, then the whole capital would gather outside the eatery in no time.
Celestria shook her head, "First tell me, how do you know her so closely?"
Alex heaved a sigh before telling her, "She became my friend during the time when I was escorting her to the capital."
"Can't be possible…you don't make friends that easily…" Celestria muttered; whether the old Alex or the new version of him, if there was something that didn't change then it was his antisocial personality.
"I take that as a personal attack—" Stay connected through empire
"Why don't you reveal the truth to her, Alex? That we have become close through those letters?" Suddenly, the Saintess spoke, as she held his hand intimately.
Celestria's eyes widened before she heard her saying, "I and Alex have been in contact through letters for quite a while."
Celestria's expression clearly said how shocked she was, as she uttered, "This can't be possible…"
Sarah tilted her head mischievously, a smirk always dancing on her red full lips, as she added, "How do you think Alex always recovered so quickly from his battles? It was because of the 'fluid' I used to send to him…ah, he always remains greedy for that 'fluid'."
The strands on her back stood erect as the Princess' eyes widened upon hearing that.
Alex couldn't believe that this woman, who was in her twenties already, was playing games with a teenager.
Before Celestria could have misunderstood the whole situation, Alex told her, "We just exchanged letters a few times, and even that, not directly. Devon helped us communicate since you know, I don't possess the funds or rights to send letters to the Saintess. And even that, because I piqued her interest after my battle with Edric."
Celestria calmed down a little; if it was through Devon then surely she wouldn't have written anything inappropriate. Right?
"Why are you explaining things to her? Not like she is your girlfriend."
Celestria narrowed her eyes as she shifted her seat towards Alex and held his other hand close to her body before muttering,
"I will be soon. And don't forget, between a childhood friend and just a passerby, the advantage always remains in the hand of the childhood friend."
Sarah smirked, "Childhood 'friend' is it…and we all know how long that relationship lasts. And just so you know, Alex prefers mature women."
Celestria began with a 'haah!', "Mature women? What can they give that I can't?" Saying so, Celestria pushed Alex's arm into his bosom, making it nearly disappear.
Alex could feel the suppleness and the warmth of a woman's body.
Sarah was not someone to challenge. She pushed his hand between her breasts as well, allowing Alex to know that she still has the size that he loves.
"You don't have the experience. I can offer much more to him."
Hearing Sarah's words, Celestria smirked, "Can you? As the Holy Maiden, aren't you obliged to maintain your chastity until the next Saintess is selected?"
Sarah was rendered speechless this time, and Alex had to accept that Celestria got the upper hand in the argument finally.
Finding the opportunity, the blond Princess added, "Are you going to starve Alex for that long? He is already in his teenage years, and in the morning he can barely hold it in his pants." She had seen it when she was staying in the Steelhound's mansion.
Sarah finally retaliated, "I can still offer my a-"
"Okay, now stop." Alex intervenes, pulling his hands away from their warmth before picking up the knife and cutting some steak.
Bringing the perfect cube to Sarah's lips, he said, "It is an irrefutable fact that you both are a very important part of my life." Sarah bit the meat as she heard him.
Scooping some pancake in the spoon he brought it near Celestria's lips, as he continued, "And there are things I haven't told you that connect me to you both."
Celestria mindlessly ate the pancake with her eyes never leaving Alex,
"It will take time…but I want you two to understand each other since it's an undeniable fact that I cannot live without you two. So if you accept each other's presence then it's good, or *sigh*...I will have a hard time keeping you both happy."
Alex has always been clear about his intention; he didn't want to keep either of them in the dark and fool them so their relationship continues as it was.
Unlike in the past when he didn't care about whom he slept with, these two females weren't just any girls. They were a part of his life that influenced him.
So if he wanted to have a peaceful and comfortable life ahead, he had to make everything clear at the beginning.
Saraha and Celestria remained silent for a bit before they exchanged a glance which somehow they both understood.
"We need to talk," Celestria muttered, and a surprised Alex asked,
"Can I finish my meal first?"
Naturally, both of them agreed, and after spending an absolutely silent lunch, Alex left the eatery, leaving the two ladies alone.
—-----**------
"Are you sure about this?" The one who asked was sweating profusely.
Standing on top of a terrace, two men were discussing their immediate course of action, for which one of them seemed hesitant.
"Gather yourself, Lucas! We need to get this right or we are going to die worthlessly." Their death was inevitable, regardless of success or failure.
Lucas gulped before he took the arrow from the man.
"But why the Saintess? She is such a good and kind woman…" Lucas tried to reason but the answer was expected,
"Because she refused to save the poor and just served the rich. We lost countless brothers because of her…and to avenge our brothers, we must eliminate that woman."
It has been over a year since they have been planning this assassination. They even kidnapped the family members of a few servants who worked in the main palace so they could remain updated about the Saintess.
And finally, the hard work is paying off. They have the chance to eradicate the woman who refused to save those whom she deemed 'worthless'.
'We will show you your worth…' Gritting his teeth, the black-haired handed his friend the bow.
"Thank you for reminding me, Azar." Lucas looked more composed now, as he remembered the faces of his dying comrades.
He held the arrow and tucked it against the string before pulling it.
Lucas has the best aim in the gang, making him the best man to hunt the Saintess from afar and allowing them some time to run away
Releasing a faint breath, Lucas released the hold.
The arrow shot forward with lethal speed, cutting through the serene breeze. Its target? The Saintess seated calmly in an eatery a fair distance away, unaware of the danger approaching.
But before it could even leave the terrace, a streak of silver cut through.
Snatch!
Alex appeared in front of Lucas, his hand gripping the arrow mid-flight. The motion was so seamless it almost seemed unreal. The deadly projectile now rested harmlessly in his hand.
Lucas's smirk turned into stunned silence. "What…?"
Alex didn't answer. His cold, silver eyes shifted from the arrow to the man beside Lucas—Azar, who was already moving to draw his blade.
Alex vanished again.
Before Azar could react, Alex materialized beside him. In a single, fluid motion, Alex plunged a dagger into Azar's chest. The blade pierced through his armor like it was paper, sliding between his ribs with deadly precision.
Azar choked, his eyes wide in shock as blood gurgled at his lips. Alex twisted the blade, his expression emotionless. Azar crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Lucas staggered back, gripping his bow tightly, his face pale. "H-how—"
"Grant yourself a chance to run by telling me who sent you. Hurry up, I am a very impatient man."
—------**-------
A/N:- Thanks for reading.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC93- Work for me
Shendon Pod is a plant used for several purposes. There was a time when people extracted its juices to prepare perfume since the fragrance of the plant was quite attractive and made people stand out.
However, slowly, the popularity of the perfume went down once the use of Shendon Pod's pulp came into knowledge.
A lethal poison.
Soldiers began extracting the pulp of the flower and used the extraction to coat their weapons with it, which can cause slow death even by a shallow cut to their enemy.
That's why when Celestria said that she smelled Shendon Pod, Alex suspected that there was someone who was there to cause harm. He first suspected that person to be after the Princess, however, if they wanted to, they could have tried to harm her when they were in the crowd.
After that, Alex kept a close eye on his surroundings, and only after Sarah arrived at the eatery did he realize the main target of those assailants.
"N-No one..." The man seemed nervous for a vigilante who was given the task of assassinating the Saintess.
"For whom do you work." Alex pressed, his dagger casually drawing a few drops of his blood; making the man flinch.
"...we are a group of people who survived the plague ten years ago."
Alex frowned and thought back about that year. What does he know about that year...something significant...ah!
"So the skin disease which spread across the elven territory at that time....were you guys also infected?" Alex asked. He remembered Sarah mentioning something about healing the elves since they were suffering from life-threatening contagious diseases at that time.
That was the incident that made her so popular worldwide, even though she was a newly assigned nun at that time.
"We were happy...although the situation was not good even at that time...we used to help each other, and lived like a family...until a bastard from the elven territory came and infected one of the villagers."
Seeing a child cry was one thing, but when you see a grown man cry, you should know how deeply wounded he must have been.
Alex didn't put his guard down but never interrupted the man from speaking,
"We begged...those who were left....went to every church to ask for the Saintess' help since we knew only she could help us. However, when we reached the Cathedral, you know what we got to hear?"
With his eyes blood red, the Archer spoke, "That...we are worthless. We are not worth saving, that's what your dignified and benevolent Saintess said!"
"And you heard her saying that?" Alex asked, which made the man momentarily stunned.
Alex asked again, "Did the Saintess say it, or did you hear it from someone else?"
"A-A Priest said it, but isn't it the sa-"
"No, it isn't the same thing." With his eyes narrowing the silver head asked, "You know how old the Saintess was, at that time?"
Seeing the perplexion on the man's face, Alex added, "Twelve years old. And tell me, do you think at that age, the Saintess had the mind to judge people's worth?"
The man didn't respond since he also agreed to it...the Saintess was too young to make such a decision by herself.
"Now, listen to me carefully; if you don't lead me to your gang, I will kill you now and will hunt down your people." The vigilante shivered, as Alex's demeanor suddenly shifted.
Alex's eyes were devoid of any emotion that could express how he was feeling at the moment. However, someone close to him would have known that Alex was quite agitated at the moment that someone tried killing Sarah.
The only reason he left the vigilante alive is because he could help Alex in finding the group who were after the Saintess.
"If I lead you to them...what will you do?"
"I will tell them the same thing which I told you, and try to convince them so they leave the capital."
The man gulped; naturally, this option sounded more preferable.
However, what he failed to notice was the blatant lie in Alex's words. He was just trying to have his work done in a much easier way.
After a few moments of contemplation, the man nodded,
"Okay...I will lead you there."
-----------**----------
Alex was led to a secluded area in the capital, which was mostly devoted to those people who came here as war hostages or immigrants.
Alex was always prepared for a battle since he knew he was in the territory of the enemy.
Alex was led through a part of the capital that felt a world apart from its bustling heart. The streets here were narrower, paved with cobblestones worn smooth by years of footsteps.
Modest homes lined both sides, their exteriors painted in subdued tones, with neatly trimmed plants resting on windowsills. Lanterns hung from iron hooks, casting a soft, warm glow that didn't quite chase away the feeling of unease.
Small shops dotted the area, their signs hand-carved and slightly faded, offering everything from fresh bread to simple crafts. The people moved about with quiet purpose—men returning from work with weary but satisfied expressions, and women chatting by doorsteps as children darted past in spirited games.
'I wonder what would have happened to my house...' Alex once used to live in this section of the capital as well.
Soon, he was brought to the end of the section where a tall building in ruins appeared. Alex remembered this place as a storage building. All the materials for construction and the surplus of crops are stored here.
"They are on the third floor..." Lucas informed as he, along with Alex climbed the tower silently.
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Lucas has already informed him that they have kidnapped a few people from the families of the servants working in the main palace.
Each floor has no room just a wide hall, where numerous things were stored.
Upon reaching the third floor, the sound of people groaning and moaning was heard, which made Lucas frown.
His feet hastened as he reached the third floor and peeked inside—only to find his eyes widening and a chill running down his spine.
The whole place was a mess. His comrades were forcing themselves on those women they kidnapped, having their limbs tied up and r**ing them.
Those men who were brought here were all killed and left aside to rot.
The condition of the women suggested what kind of treatment they have gone through to have lost all the emotions from their eyes and just breathing mindlessly.
Those men were switching their partners, by throwing them to each other like they were nothing but lifeless dolls. No, even non-living things would have been treated better.
Alex crossed his arms and mocked, "Quite lively comrades you have." He wasn't surprised. People kidnapping women and letting them go without using them for their desires...nah, Alex was too familiar with such a sight.
Lucas gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.
Much to Alex's surprise, the man pulled his dagger before Alex could react and jumped onto the floor.
"Ah-Lucas~my friend. You are back? Tell me you killed that bitc-*SQUELCH*"
Alex raised his brows, as he saw Lucas traveling past the man who was nearest to him. However, there was a part of the man which followed Lucas for a few steps.
It was his rolling head.
Lucas became a whirlwind of death, his dagger an extension of his wrath. As the first man's head hit the ground, Lucas was moving, his blade plunging into the throat of the next. Blood spurted out in violent arcs as the man collapsed, clutching at the gaping wound, but Lucas was gone, tearing through the next target like a beast unleashed.
The men didn't even have time to draw their weapons. One tried to run, but Lucas grabbed his hair, yanked him back, and slammed his head against the wall with enough force to crack bone. He didn't wait for the body to fall, plunging his dagger into another's stomach and dragging it upward. Intestines spilled out in a grotesque cascade as Lucas spun to face the next.
A man swung a club, desperate, but Lucas ducked under it, slamming his knee into the man's groin. The man doubled over with a strangled cry, and Lucas ended it by jamming the blade into his eye socket, twisting until the squelching sound was deafening.
Two charged at him together, but Lucas didn't slow. He kicked one in the chest so hard that the ribs cracked, sending the man flying into a pile of crates. Before the other could react, Lucas grabbed his arm, snapping it with a sickening pop, and slit his throat so deep the head nearly came off.
Another man screamed in panic, fumbling for his sword. Lucas didn't give him the chance. He threw his dagger with deadly precision, the blade sinking into the man's open mouth and out the back of his neck. The man fell, twitching, but Lucas was already retrieving the dagger, ripping it free with a spray of blood.
The last man dropped to his knees, sobbing, hands raised in surrender. Lucas's face was a mask of fury as he stalked forward, grabbed the man by the jaw, and drove the dagger up through his chin, the tip of the blade emerging from the top of his skull.
Sobbing, Lucas said, "I told you...to not touch them...why....why..."
Naturally, the man didn't have any vitality left to answer.
Throwing him away, Lucas pulled his dagger and turned around, only to find Alex draping covers over the naked form of the woman.
Walking towards the silverhead, Lucas said, "Please....have mercy on me and kill me..." Kneeling before the teenager, Lucas raised the dagger.
Alex hummed a bit, before suggesting, "I have a better idea for you to redeem your sins."
Lucas looked up before he heard the younger one saying, "Work for me, Lucas."
---------**---------
A/N:- Goddamn, Lucas turned into Jin-Woo for a moment there. Drop a comment.
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REBIRTH: CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF THE HEROINEC94- Forge
With Sarah's help, the lives of the hostages were spared, and they were sent back to their families.
People were praising the Saintess for bringing them back and the situation related to security was being discussed. Those who chose to betray the king by disclosing information about the Saintess would be regarded as traitors. However, considering the King's nature, Alex knew they wouldn't get punished.
Alex had no idea what conversation Celestria and Sarah had in the eatery, nor did he try to ask them considering they seemed quite secretive about it. However, what was fortunate, was the fact that they no longer seemed to be fighting anymore.
At the dining table, the three friends, Alex, Celestria and Edric were gathered and were having a meal.
Amanda was having dinner with her family, so naturally, Edric gave her some space.
"It's so unfortunate that you can't survive a date without getting entangled in trouble..." Edric sighed, a sense of triumph in his voice.
Alex rolled his eyes and continued to eat. It was Celestria who answered him, "Our date went fine, the trouble arose near the end."
"Doesn't change the fact that Alex attracts trouble." He grinned, "I wonder if this is a side-effect of being the strongest."
Alex smiled, "I will give you a better one; this is the sight effect of being the most handsome."
The raven-haired snorted, "That spot still belongs to me. Right, Celestria?"
The Princess in question was smiling, looking at Edric with an expression that said, 'If I open my mouth, you will get hurt.'
Edric retreated while he had the time. Celestria is getting more brutal each day.
As Alex was slicing the meat on his plate, the knife reminded him of something that urged him to ask, "By the way, Cela, what happened to that spear I gave you to get it modified?"
Celestria suddenly realized that she hadn't told him about it, "The blacksmith said that he needs to meet the wielder first before making any changes to the weapon. From his perspective, it is already perfect."
Alex heaved a sigh, not like he didn't expect it. There aren't many weapon users in this world who modify their weapons according to their comfort.
"Where is his store? I will go and see him."
"Are you talking about Akron?" Edric asked, urging Celestria to nod.
The raven-haired raised his brows before asking, "Isn't he like the best weapon maker? How come he can't forge something for Alex?"
"Right? His swords always snap after every battle as well." Alex complained as he finished his dinner and told Celestria, "Bring me there; I will see if the man is really worthy of his fame."
.....
So it was decided; after dinner, Celestria and Alex were heading toward the forge, which was situated within the premises of the palace.
"Alex..." Hesitantly, Celestria called out, making him glance back at her.
She seemed nervous, clutching the side of her dress, as she asked, "In a few weeks you will be leaving for your-"
"I won't be taking you with me." Just as she said, 'in a few weeks, ' Alex knew what she was going to ask.
Celestria was rendered speechless, she didn't get the chance to convince him before receiving rejection.
Sensing the gloomy atmosphere behind him, Alex explained, "Listen, Cela, I am not going there to have a picnic. I am completely uncertain about the situation and how will I tread once I reach there. With so many uncertain variables, I cannot risk taking you with me."
"...is it because I am weak?"
Alex paused and turned to look at her. Seeing her head leaning down, he cupped her cheeks and told her,
"No, it's because I care about you."
Celestria was not able to remain grumpy anymore as his words brought a faint blush on his cheek. She looked up at him with starry eyes, feeling her heart rate escalating.
"Okay...I will do as you say."
Soon they began walking again, and not so long after, they both reached their destination.
The forge was alive with heat and noise. Flames roared in the stone furnace, casting flickering shadows on the rough walls. The air smelled of burning coal and hot metal.
A blacksmith stood by the anvil, hammering glowing iron with rhythmic strikes, each blow ringing out sharp and clear. Sparks flew with every hit, lighting the dim workshop in bursts of orange.
Tools hung on the walls—hammers, tongs, and chisels—all coated in soot from years of use. The floor was scattered with scraps of metal and ash, a testament to endless hours of hard work.
While pointing at the only guy they could see, Alex asked, "Is he the one?"
Celestria nodded before the silverhead approached the man, "Hey, mister. I sent my spear to get modified."
The hammer halted as the blacksmith turned to look at Alex with scorn in his eyes.
He was a short, bearded man with brown hair and a long beard. His body was coated in water and sweat, proof that he had been working for a long time on the piece of weapon. Your next chapter awaits on empire
"So you are the menace, who has been breaking my stuff!" Saying so, the man suddenly swung his hammer, making Alex's eyes widen as he immediately jumped back and dodged the hammer.
The blacksmith didn't waste a moment. With a growl, he lunged at Alex, hammer swinging with brutal force. The air cracked as the heavy tool whooshed past Alex, missing him by inches as Alex ducked low.
"Whoa, what's your problem?!" Alex shouted, leaping to the side as another swing came crashing down, sending sparks flying off the stone floor.
"You're the problem!" the blacksmith roared, raising his hammer again. "Breaking my weapons and blaming my skill? I'll teach you some respect!"
Alex rolled away from the next blow, his sharp reflexes keeping him out of harm's way. He grabbed the nearest sword off a rack. The weapon felt well-balanced but lightweight in his hands. Without hesitation, he countered, slashing toward the blacksmith's side.
The older man twisted, blocking the strike with the shaft of his hammer. The clang of metal meeting metal echoed in the forge. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed again and again, the intensity of the fight growing with every second.
"Stay still and let me hit you!" the blacksmith grunted, sidestepping Alex's thrust and delivering a powerful overhead swing. Alex jumped back, the hammer barely missing his toes as it crashed into the floor with a deafening boom.
"Stop this tantrum, old man." Alex retorted, pivoting and slashing low. The blacksmith parried with ease, shoving Alex back with sheer force.
Fed up with the nonsense, Alex used 'Linear Slash' and launched an attack that snapped the hammer into two and forced the man to finally stop his assault.
"See, I told you he is strong." Suddenly, a fourth person entered the forge, making Alex surprised,
"Professor Jullie?" The violet-haired lady unexpectedly walked in while wearing a smirk on her face.
"Heh, the brat's not half bad. Got some skills on him, I'll say that much."
Celestria stepped forward, "Do you know him, Professor Jullie?" The violet-haired nodded,
"Yeah, Akron is my half-brother."
Celestria was taken aback and so was Alex as he muttered, "From which angle are you two related..." On one side, a short, plump man stood. On the other hand, a tall and bewitching beauty stood.
"That's rude, Alex." Jullie reprimanded, "Then? Will you prepare the weapon for him?"
The blacksmith scratched his head as he muttered, "He is worth investing my time. However, I first need to know his requirements before I can tell if I am up for it or not."
"I have several requirements. Better if I write it down."
Akron nodded before offering him a short notepad and pen.
Alex sat down and began writing everything he needed from his blade. A weapon that he can use for every stance and that doesn't snap upon receiving a tremendous amount of heat. Something that turns heavy and light on his will and something he can be carried around comfortably.
The other three intently watched how the list continued to grow and grow until it reached the end of the page and fifteen requirements were already listed.
Alex heaved a sigh and looked at the list. Going through all of them once again, he scribbled over a few, deeming them not so necessary.
...then he went ahead and added a few more since he probably wouldn't get any good blacksmith in this world, any time soon.
Once he was done, he handed the list to Akron, and the first thing Jullie asked was, "Can you even afford so many modifications?"
"...." Alex was rendered speechless for a moment before he asked,
"Uhh...can I get EMI for this?"
----------**---------
A/N:- Nah bro, you have a walking bank with you. Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. Is this pace okay?
Drop a comment and let me know.
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