MC POV
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The next day.
Right now, I was enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning while relaxing on the castle balcony. I summoned a pack of cigarettes that had already been ensured to be completely harmless, then took one stick and lit it.
"Fuuhhh~ just as I thought. Once you're used to it, it's hard to stop…" (Arthur)
Holding myself back from smoking for a few days had made me feel slightly uncomfortable. At the very least, this cigarette wouldn't harm anyone.
While sipping my coffee, I looked over the surrounding area of Delsgade.
"Still observing me, huh… well, do as you please. I'm sure you'll grow impatient soon enough and choose to meet me directly, Shallow Vernal…" (Arthur)
I muttered softly as I tilted my head upward and stared at the sky.
Ever since I first set foot in Trinia, I've constantly felt like I was being watched. Even if that gaze was nothing more than curiosity, it still felt a little strange to be in this situation.
Shiro truly is a woman who doesn't understand the concept of privacy… well, this is partly my fault for not creating a barrier to block external perception. But still… I didn't expect her to observe me nonstop like this.
It's been almost two weeks since I arrived in Trinia, you know! Does she really have to monitor me all the time like this!?
…Please, go do something else.
Sigh… I could only get used to this situation. Of course, I could go and meet her myself… but if possible, I'd like to refrain from doing that. My pride wouldn't allow me to look like a man chasing after a woman. It's complicated.
As I was still lost in my thoughts, Abernyu suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Arthur. You're awake already. I see you had a good rest." (Abernyu)
I nodded slightly without turning around.
"Morning, Abernyu." (Arthur)
I greeted her casually before taking another drag and exhaling the smoke.
"Fuuhh~ Even though beings like us don't really need something called rest. Still, there's nothing wrong with closing your eyes once in a while if you feel like it. At the very least, it makes you feel better." (Arthur)
"…Yes, you're right. After hundreds of millions of years… I believe this is the first time I've truly rested." (Abernyu)
Her voice sounded relieved, and at the same time, happy. At least here, she didn't need to reincarnate first just to fulfill her wish.
I was also glad that I chose to bring her here.
"By the way, where are Grayfia and Alfia?" (Arthur)
I glanced at her while extinguishing my cigarette in a portable ashtray I had created.
"They are having their morning training in the colosseum." (Abernyu)
"Haha… they're really fired up." (Arthur)
I couldn't help but let out a wry laugh. I hoped the two of them would relax a little. Well, I suppose it's a good thing if they grow stronger quickly.
"Arthur. When will the Underworld King and the Phantasmal King arrive here?" (Abernyu)
Hearing her question, I answered with a shrug.
"No idea. I forgot to ask about that. Are you interested in meeting them?" (Arthur)
I looked at her curiously.
"Yes. I'm interested in seeing how strong the two of them are." (Abernyu)
She smiled faintly as she said that.
"Heh~ that's good~" (Arthur)
I chuckled and nodded. I was also looking forward to Kuro and Shalltear's reaction when they saw my subordinates… especially Abernyu. They would definitely be shocked when they saw her.
…
As we were chatting lightly, I suddenly felt something attempting to teleport here. Knowing who it was, I adjusted the barrier and granted them permission to enter.
A magic circle suddenly appeared in the courtyard, directly facing the balcony where I had been relaxing.
"Good morning, Arthur-kun~" (Kuro)
"Hello, Arthur-san~ sorry to disturb you~" (Shalltear)
Kuro and Shalltear, who had appeared, greeted cheerfully.
"Yahallo~ nice to see you both~" (Arthur)
In an instant, I moved to stand in front of them and waved.
"Let me introduce you to one of my subordinates. Kuro, Shalltear, this is Abernyu." (Arthur)
Seeing Abernyu following behind me, I immediately introduced her to them.
"A pleasure to meet you, Underworld King, Phantasmal King. My name is Abernyu." (Abernyu)
Abernyu slightly lifted the hem of her skirt politely as she introduced herself.
"My name is Kuromueina~ it's nice to meet you, Abernyu." (Kuro)
"I'm called Shalltear. A pleasure to meet you, Abernyu-san." (Shalltear)
After finishing the introductions, we headed toward the colosseum on foot to meet Grayfia and Alfia.
Along the way, I briefly explained Delsgade. The two of them looked interested as they observed their surroundings. When I explained that Delsgade could also be used to further strengthen Abernyu, I noticed Kuro starting to stare at Abernyu with curious eyes. Her eyes slowly widened as if she was surprised by what she saw.
I suppose she realized that Abernyu was on the same level as herself.
"…You're strong, Abernyu." (Kuro)
Kuro spoke in a serious tone.
"Yes, thanks to Arthur. Previously, I was weaker than I am now…" (Abernyu)
Abernyu nodded slightly while looking at Kuro.
"I was also surprised to learn that in this place, there exists a being equal to my current self…" (Abernyu)
I nodded inwardly as I watched the two of them begin conversing.
"…How fitting~ When the king is an unreasonable existence, of course his subordinates wouldn't be much different…" (Shalltear)
Shalltear teased me while spreading both her arms.
"Oi! Even if I'm like this… those words still hurt a little." (Arthur)
I exclaimed while placing a hand on my chest, pretending to be offended.
"Heh~ don't take it personally, but… you're the most terrifying being I've ever met so far. Even my gentle and helpless heart was trembling the first time I met you, you know~" (Shalltear)
Shalltear pretended to cry while taking out a handkerchief and wiping her eyes.
"Sob~ sob~ I haven't been able to sleep peacefully since meeting you~ sob~ I'm afraid this will affect my transcendent beauty~ sob~ sob~" (Shalltear)
I was stunned for a moment after seeing her antics.
"What nonsense are you spouting! You couldn't sleep because you stayed up all night reading the entire stack of comics I gave you!" (Arthur)
I gave her a light karate chop on the head.
"Tee-hee~" (Shalltear)
Seeing her stick out her tongue and act cute, I could only shake my head and sigh.
I admit, she's truly adorable.
I took out another cigarette, lit it, and started smoking to calm my nerves.
"Oh~ you smoke, Arthur-san?" (Shalltear)
"Fuuhh~ Yeah. Although lately I've been trying to hold back… but as expected, once it becomes a habit, it feels strange not to do it." (Arthur)
I answered with a wry smile.
"You don't need to worry about the smoke. I made this myself, so both the cigarette and the smoke it produces are completely harmless." (Arthur)
"It's fine~ I was just a little surprised~" (Shalltear)
The four of us walked leisurely while chatting lightly. I also noticed that Kuro and Abernyu seemed to be getting along fairly well already.
After walking for a while, we arrived at the colosseum and immediately went inside. There, we saw Grayfia and Alfia in the middle of sparring.
Alfia was using a sword, while Grayfia wielded two daggers. The two of them exchanged attacks at an incredible speed.
Alfia fought with an efficient and precise style; every strike she made aimed at her opponent's weak points. As for Grayfia, she fought with technique—carefully observing every incoming attack before countering with extreme speed.
Well, from what I could see so far, the two of them had only managed to leave shallow cuts on each other… neither had landed a clean, decisive hit.
However, if this turned into a prolonged battle, Grayfia would undoubtedly have the advantage. Her stamina surpassed Alfia's.
I watched the fight with interest.
—
3rd POV
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'Whooosshh!'
Alfia dashed forward rapidly toward Grayfia. She initiated her attack by swinging her sword from the side.
Seeing the incoming strike, Grayfia leapt backward. The moment her feet landed, she slightly bent her body and lunged forward toward Alfia. She slashed the dagger in her left hand toward Alfia's side to create an opening, which Alfia blocked with her sword.
'Clang!'
Seeing that, Grayfia immediately followed up with a horizontal strike from the dagger in her right hand. However, Alfia jumped backward while spinning and launched a kick, which Grayfia blocked.
'Baaamm!'
Realizing her kick had been stopped, Alfia attempted another attack by bringing her sword down vertically. But Grayfia refused to yield and unleashed a rapid barrage with both daggers.
'Clang! Clang! Swiiish!! Clang!'
The sound of metal colliding echoed loudly. Each clash produced sparks that scattered every time their weapons met.
Grayfia suddenly threw one of her daggers toward Alfia, then swiftly dashed forward, following behind it.
Seeing that, Alfia quickly stepped forward and deflected the thrown dagger with her sword. She then followed up with a horizontal slash aimed at Grayfia.
'Thunk!'
With sharp reflexes, Grayfia blocked the strike with her dagger and immediately delivered a punch straight to Alfia's abdomen.
'Crack!'
"Kuh!" (Alfia)
Alfia tried to block the punch with her arm, but due to the sheer force behind it, she was blasted backward dozens of meters.
'Booommm!!'
She halted her momentum by slamming her foot into the ground with tremendous force. Her body slid several meters before finally stopping. She clenched and unclenched her hand repeatedly, feeling a tingling numbness from blocking Grayfia's blow.
'Such insane strength… every time I try to stop her attack, my arms go numb. Each strike feels heavier than the last… it's incredibly difficult to get used to her attacks…' (Alfia)
Sweat trickled down Alfia's cheek. Both of her hands trembled slightly from the impact. She was aware that Grayfia still held the advantage.
Even so, a blazing fire burned brightly in Alfia's eyes. She grew more excited at the thought of finally facing an opponent who could fight her on equal footing. With every battle they had, she could feel herself becoming stronger.
"Ufufu~ Hahahaha~ This is truly entertaining~" (Alfia)
She laughed in pure satisfaction. She was genuinely happy… she could finally fight with all her heart.
…
'Sigh… She's truly a monster in human form… and she can still keep up with me to this extent…' (Grayfia)
Grayfia sighed inwardly. She was deeply impressed by Alfia's talent.
She still remembered their first sparring session—the gap between them had been vast. Yet in just a few days of training, Alfia had already begun closing that distance. Realizing that, Grayfia had started training intensely as well…
In every session, Grayfia refined her fighting style to become more efficient. She used Alfia's style as a reference and polished a combat method that suited herself.
Grayfia would not allow herself to be overtaken by Alfia… her pride would never permit it.
At the same time, she felt entertained knowing there was someone who could match her.
"Ufufufu~ How fascinating~" (Grayfia)
…
The two of them began laughing freely, truly enjoying the fight.
"They possess tremendous talent." (Kuro)
"You're right. I think their talent rivals that of the Seven Kings. Truly monsters…" (Shalltear)
Arthur smiled slightly upon hearing Kuro and Shalltear's words. He would make all of his subordinates even stronger.
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