Itogami Island lies in a tropical region, constantly influenced by warm currents. Even in the middle of winter, the temperature on Itogami Island never drops below twenty degrees Celsius.
Moreover, Itogami Island is an artificial island made of resin, metal, and organic materials. Despite the use of magical technology, it clearly doesn't include technology to lower the temperature. This makes the island's heat even more intense.
It's no exaggeration to say every day feels like summer. Naturally, in actual summer, the temperature on Itogami Island becomes even more oppressive.
In such heat, even Aslan and Aurora, who are transcendent and unaffected by hot or cold, weren't keen on going out. The heat didn't affect them, but that didn't mean they wanted to go out and be roasted by the sun.
At noon, it wasn't just the scorching heat but also the blinding sunlight that was unbearable.
"Aslan, I want that ice cream!"
Aurora tugged at the hem of Aslan's clothes, pointing at a food show on TV. On the screen was a large parfait she eagerly anticipated.
Aslan affectionately patted Aurora's head, looking around for Natsuki. But today seemed to be a workday, and Natsuki had gone to Saikai Academy to teach.
Aslan sighed, looking at Aurora, who was slightly drooling at the corner of her mouth, her throat moving as if swallowing.
What else could he do?
Aurora was his pet, after all. Of course, Aslan had to pamper her. Besides, it was just a quick trip.
"Aslan~~~"
Seeing him unmoving for so long, Aurora couldn't help but run behind him, hugging him from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her face against his, and saying pitifully, "I'm a bit hungry. Please, Aslan."
Her stomach even let out a small cooing sound like a little pigeon.
"Isn't there still the omelet rice Natsuki made last night in the fridge?" Aslan grinned mischievously, pointing to the fridge always stocked with various teas and snacks.
That fridge had only started serving its purpose of keeping things fresh last night. However, the food inside wasn't exactly fit for human consumption, almost an insult to a fridge of that caliber.
"I don't want to eat her rice! It tastes awful!"
Aurora's flame-colored eyes showed a hint of disgust. She had eagerly anticipated Natsuki's cooking last night, but the food tasted like that. She nearly vomited after one bite.
In the end, it was Aslan who saved the omelet rice from being destroyed by Natsuki's hands.
But that omelet rice turned into fried rice with egg. The rest, following the principle of not wasting food, Aslan stored in the fridge as a bad memory for Natsuki.
He'd see when Natsuki would eat it. Actually, Natsuki made two portions, and one had already been lunch today.
"Alright, I'll find where they sell it." Aslan skillfully used Natsuki's phone.
Honestly, the technology in this world was far more advanced than in his previous one. Even a small phone came with fingerprint, facial, voice, pupil, and even magical locks. Its camera could project images onto walls, play movies, and TV series. It was far more advanced than phones in his previous life.
Of course, it also had various navigation and entertainment apps.
"Thank you, Aslan." Aurora excitedly rubbed her face against Aslan's, even kissing his cheek.
Unfortunately, Aurora was still too young. No, not exactly too young. In terms of age, she was at least seven or eight thousand years old. But her mentality was still childlike.
Aslan felt more like he was raising a daughter. Closeness was closeness, but there was no way for a deeper relationship.
After confirming the location, Aslan released his spiritual power to locate the dessert shop on Itogami Island. He planned to teleport there, buy the dessert, and return.
Though this weather didn't affect him, just looking out the glass window felt scorching. Even the tree leaves looked wilted from the heat. The ground felt like it could cook an egg in no time.
Being unaffected didn't mean he couldn't feel the heat.
It was like why xianxia experts blew on hot tea before drinking. Aslan currently adjusted his body's perception of the outside world to be more like an ordinary person's.
"Hmm? Interesting?"
While scanning Itogami Island for the dessert shop's location, Aslan seemed to notice something intriguing. The corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile.
His initial plan to teleport, buy, and return was abandoned. He decided to go join the excitement and find some entertainment.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At Itogami Island's airport, a black-haired girl, Himeragi Yukina, picked up her pink suitcase containing her belongings and a guitar case hiding the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven, Schneewalzer.
(So it's her?) Aslan touched his chin, slightly surprised.
(Is the Lion King Agency really out of people? Or is Himeragi Yukina the one they chose?)
However, Aslan's intuition told him it was likely the former. After all, the Lion King Agency didn't have many people with qualifications comparable to Yukina's.
Of course, what intrigued Aslan wasn't just Yukina getting off the plane. In fact, Yukina was still on the flight from Japan to Itogami Island, or rather, she had just boarded the plane.
The message Yukari sent to Natsuki, asking her to pick up Yukina, a transfer student at Saikai Academy, along with her flight number, had been sent. This was very interesting.
Things were getting intriguing. Aslan was very curious about who was pretending to be Yukina. Few people could deceive the Lion King Agency and take the equipment prepared for Yukina.
"Aurora, how about we eat out?" Aslan touched his chin, thought for a moment, and decided to "coincidentally" meet this "Himeragi Yukina." After all, wasn't that person coming for him with that intent?
"My enemies are too strong. I don't want to go out. Just offer a sacrifice for me."
Hearing the word "out" especially under the scorching sun, Aurora's body trembled briefly, and she frantically shook her head. But despite her fear, she didn't give up.
"You're not a Little Garden vampire. You won't turn to dust in the sun. What are you afraid of?"
Aslan couldn't help rolling his eyes, then grabbed Natsuki's umbrella and handed it to Aurora.
"Just use an umbrella, right? What's there to worry about?"
Aurora smiled shyly, then tugged Aslan's hand, as if eager to go out. Aslan picked her up, sat her on his shoulder, and walked with the umbrella toward a high-end restaurant.
Of course, it was far fancier than the buffet they ate at before, and the prices were much higher.
Herring and grilled eel from the Baltic Sea had a unique flavor. Sea bass and rainbow trout were delicious and juicy. Soup made from salmon and cod from converging ocean currents was delectable. Fresh cod marinated with spices and a touch of onion was truly exceptional.
Aurora was ultimately drawn to the delicious seafood, completely forgetting she initially wanted ice cream.
While Aslan and Aurora enjoyed their meal happily, an aggressive gaze swept over Aslan. But in an instant, it vanished.
Aslan casually followed the direction of the gaze. Sure enough, it was a petite, slender black-haired girl. She was seriously studying the menu, but her eyes occasionally glanced at Aslan, as if secretly observing him.
As for that aggressive gaze earlier, it clearly couldn't have come from a serious and diligent girl like Yukina.
(She really came?)
Aslan wasn't surprised at all. He and Aurora had come openly. It'd be strange if they weren't noticed.
The black-haired girl across from him seemed to notice Aslan's gaze. She stopped looking at him, focusing on the menu, pondering what to order.
"Miss, have you decided what you'd like to order?" The waiter beside her asked Yukina politely, holding the menu, waiting for her order.
Since the prices at this restaurant weren't cheap, the waiter was very courteous. Even though Yukina had sat there so long without ordering even a glass of water, he didn't shoo her away. He smiled and waited beside her. But asking Yukina to order was the politest way to urge her to leave.
The black-haired girl's budget seemed insufficient, or perhaps the budget approved by the Lion King Agency was still on the plane. Yukina's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
She couldn't help glancing at Aslan with a pleading look. She didn't want her mission to fail and be unable to monitor the Fourth Primogenitor.
Aslan couldn't help smiling. He seemed to have guessed who she was. So he waved his hand, gesturing for Yukina to come sit at his table.
Yukina wasn't shy at all. She immediately pulled out a chair and sat down, as if she owned the place. The restaurant waiter quickly approached, standing beside Yukina, and said, "Miss, would you like to eat something? Here's the menu, please take a look."
Yukina took the menu, flipped through it, and finally chose a light fruit and vegetable salad.
After the waiter left, Yukina casually thanked him. "Thank you, Aslan-sama. But what can I do to repay this meal's kindness?"
Aslan pinched his chin, saying with an amused smile, "How about offering yourself in return?"
Yukina puffed out her chest, raised her graceful neck, and said in a seductive tone, "Offer myself in return? That's not impossible."
"If you can make me interested in you."
As soon as those words left her mouth, Yukina's appearance changed drastically. One moment she was Yukina with long black hair, the next her hair turned into flowing green.
"So it's you, Third Primogenitor, Giada Kukulcan." Aslan said, not surprised at all.