Underneath the debris lay something:
It was a purple-haired girl with empty, lifeless eyes.
By the time Rei Ao arrived in front of them, he was already drawn to the purple-haired girl at first glance.
"She is"
"Seems like a survivor of some war," Frieren said. "I tried asking her things, but she hasn't spoken a word since we found her."
Frieren shrugged in exasperation. This girl, taller than Frieren and far more endowed, had no glimmer of desire to live, nor any trace of vitality in her eyes, likely traumatized by the war she had experienced.
""
Rei Ao, however, stared at her in thought. Even though the girl wore tattered clothes, he instantly recognized who she was:
Fern.
She should have originally traveled with Frieren. Typically, Fern was orphaned by war at a young age, then adopted, eventually meeting Frieren as a child and journeying with her as she grew up.
But now, the Fern in front of him was clearly not a child but a survivor grown up, presumably shaped by the war.
Probably, because demons had disappeared decades earlier, the world had developed in some new way. Thus Fern had grown up continuously, yet she still encountered war. Meeting Frierenwho had traveled forward in timecould be considered fate. More likely, though, it was the power of the Goddess fulfilling a loop.
Yesthe Goddess truly existed. Rei Ao realized that as soon as he arrived in this world. It wasn't that she was alive or dead, but that she had left this world behind. He only sensed remnants of her magic, with no personal traces of her presence.
"Rei Ao, do you think this might be an illusion?"
Frieren spoke. Even she couldn't fully confirm it wasn't some kind of elaborate illusion by the Goddess Monument.
"No, it's not an illusion," he replied. "This really is a point in time decades after your owna genuine future."
Aura frowned. "Then how do we go back?"
"Hmm? Why go back?" Frieren suddenly tilted her head.
"What difference does it make if we exist in the past or the present? I'd actually like to see what the future holdsespecially how magic has evolved."
The more she spoke, the more excited she became.
""
Aura stayed quiet. On reflection, she realized it might not matter. She had nowhere else she wanted to return to besides her Master, so the time period didn't matter to her.
"Mm, but my Master is what matters most!" Aura quickly drew nearer to Rei Ao's side, eyeing him nervously. "Master, do you need my services?"
Rei Ao glanced at her. Although he didn't plan to stay here for very longhe still had that party to attend back homethere was enough time for him, Frieren, and Aura to "discuss" the question of how humans interbreed with elves and demons.
"Let's find a place to rest. We should also give this girl a bath."
He looked sympathetically at the dirt— and soot-covered Fern.
They found a luxurious hot-spring inn in a nearby human city. Frieren and Aura went to help Fern get washed. During that time, Rei Ao chose to claim the world's essence. He was already here, so he might as well not leave empty-handed.
Closing his eyes, he activated his power as the Unique God, seeking out the location of the world's essence. The barrier around this world was evidently thicker than in Saeko's or Miko's worlds. But it was still no match for him.
Effortlessly, he broke through that barrier, expecting to seize the world's essence just as easily as before.
However, something unexpected happened.
Tiny glittering motes of light appeared before his eyes. Rei Ao grew vigilant. Those lights slowly converged into a vaguely humanoid shape with no facial features.
"Are you the one who changed this world?"
A gentle voice, soft as a breeze, came from the glowing figure.
"You must be the so-called Goddess in this world's legends," Rei Ao deduced.
"Mm, that is what people call me." The Goddess acknowledged, "Strictly speaking, this is but a portion of my magic left behind here."
Even so, Rei Ao remained on guard, blinking calmly. "So, do you plan on stopping me from claiming the world's essencestopping me from ruling it?"
That was his initial guess. But the result took him by surprise.
"No." Though she lacked facial features, the Goddess figure clearly shook her head. "I won't hinder you."
"I left this world long ago. I merely sensed some changes and used my magical link to see. I discovered that changes have indeed been caused by you."
The glowing silhouette came closer to him. "You don't seem to be a God of this world?"
"You're correct. I come from another world," Rei Ao admitted, curious about her intentions.
She nodded, as if in thought. After a while, she spoke again:
"How should I address you?"
"Rei Ao."
"Rei Ao-san, I'm entrusting this world to you. I hope you'll keep it safe."
"Huh?"
To Rei Ao's surprise, the Goddess's glowing form slowly faded away. Shetruly did nothing to stop him, simply leaving her world in the hands of a stranger from another realm.
~~~
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Chapter 552: Fern...
"She really trusts me?"
Rei Ao rubbed his chin. After a moment, he chose not to dwell on the Goddess's thoughts. Since she'd entrusted the world to him, there was no reason to refuse.
He proceeded with extending his power toward the world's essence
"Rei Ao, what are you doing?"
Fresh from her bath, Frieren emerged wrapped in a towel and saw Rei Ao quietly standing there with eyes closed. She called out once but got no response.
A sly idea occurred to Frieren, and the corners of her mouth curled in a mischievous smile.
[Ding! Frieren is now live streaming!]
In the live stream, one could see Frieren tiptoeing toward Rei Ao.
Stella: "Frieren, what're you doing?"
Akame: "She looks sneaky."
Kasuga Hijiri: "Is Rei Ao-kun done with his business, or not?"
Frieren responded:
"He just stands there, so I figured I'd play a little prank."
Shiba Miyuki: "A prank!"
While speaking, Frieren took out a glass bottle filled with a purple liquid.
"Hehe~"
Frieren gave an difficult-to-describe grin.
Mai Sakurajima: "What is that stuff? Some weird potion?"
Mai was instantly on alert.
Tohru: "Weird potion? You mean an aphrodisiac or something?"
Megumi Kato: "Frieren probably wouldn't do that, right?"
Busujima Saeko: "Important to note, she doesn't need that. Given their relationship and trade conditions, if they want to do it, they just do itno drug required."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "That'strue, but maybe you don't have to be quite so blunt."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Yukino, you sound a bit jealous?"
Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "@Frieren, so what exactly is in that vial?"
Frieren: "It's a formula that dissolves clothing~"
Erica: "? You plan to pour that on our King's body? That'sthat's quite exciting!!!"
Aihara Enju: "Huh?"
Sui: "UmErica, maybe that's not quite the point"
Erica: "What's wrong with it? Being able to admire the King's perfect figure is the ultimate honor for his loyal knights!!!"
"..."
Erica abruptly sounded unhinged. Athena, lying on the sofa munching snacks, threw her a glance, then silently scooted a bit farther away.
Tohru: "Pffhahaha, hurry and pour it on him!"
Yomogawa Ayame: "Ugh I do want to see it, but please don't be so so pervy."
Misaka Mikoto: "Pervy? That's not just pervythat's a bunch of perverts!"
Stella: "Cough, cough. I strongly condemn such behavior, but since it's happening in another world, I guess I can't stop youso, well, do your thing, Frieren."
Fubuki: "Why do I feel you have no intention of stopping her?"
"Heheh~ I'm coming for you, Rei Ao"
Frieren proceeded to pour the purple liquid along Rei Ao's shoulder. As soon as she finished pouring
"Having fun, Frieren?"
"Ack!"
Frieren froze. She stiffly lifted her head to see Rei Ao's azure eyes gazing at her with an amused look. He'd been aware of her every move from the start but hadn't stopped hersince this substance couldn't harm him, and he'd have to take his clothes off soon anyway. This just saved him a step.
"You're awake already, huh" Frieren said lightly.
Yet her eyes drifted downward from Rei Ao's neck to somewhere else, noticing how the material of his clothing was swiftly dissolving all the way down.
Until
Misaka Mikoto: "Aaah!! W-what am I even seeing?!"
Erica: "Hmph, don't act so shocked. This is our King's body, more perfect than anyone's. You should be grateful, not screaming."
Misaka Mikoto: ""
Mikoto's face reddened violently. After all, this was a crystal-clear frontal view! She couldn't possibly not react. She ended up screaming not just in the chat, but in real life too.
"Onee-sama, are you all right?"
Kuroko Shirai looked at her with concern.
"Senpai?"
Two other girls with themUiharu Kazari (short black hair) and Saten Ruiko (long black hair)also turned worried expressions on Mikoto. The four of them, though from different grades, were close friends. Today, as usual, they'd gathered for sweet treats. Mikoto's sudden outburst had startled them.
"Uh"
Realizing how out-of-character she must look, Mikoto swiftly lowered her head.
"I-it's nothing. My ice cream was just really cold."
With that excuse, she shoved more ice cream in her mouth, but her eyesstill waterykept flicking to the group chat's live broadcast, torn and embarrassed.
""
Kuroko and the others exchanged questioning looks. Something clearly seemed amiss, but Mikoto was brushing it off, so they didn't pry further. Kuroko, however, silently fretted: Lately, Onee-sama's been acting so strange
She recalled how Mikoto had snuck out late one night and returned in the morning, exhausted and carrying a murky aura. All these oddities suggested Mikoto was caught up in somethingbut concealing it from them.
Onee-sama, whatever secret you have, I'll help you!
Back in the Livestream:
"Staring so hardplanning on having a taste?" Rei Ao teased Frieren, who was staring intently.
Frieren, unembarrassed, nodded resolutely. "Mm. I've never tried it myselfjust saw Aura do it. She wouldn't tell me what it tasted like, though."
Her big eyes brimmed with curiosity. "Can I try right now?"
""
Rei Ao was speechless. The group chat also went silent, stunned by Frieren's directness. After a moment, Rei Ao chuckled.
"I really underestimated you."
"Where did the other two go?"
"They're soaking in the hot spring," Frieren said, nestling closer to him. "That war survivor girl's with Aura."
A cute Fern was not to be missedthis was fate, after all.
And with that, he rose, casually whisked away Frieren's towel, seized her soft waist, and led her toward the hot spring.
"But that girl's in there, too," Frieren reminded him, leaning against him.
"No problem. I intend on having her join me," Rei Ao declared. "It's all fate."
~~~
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Chapter 553: Learning from the Livestream...
""
Fern had never known there were so many ways for men and women to do that sort ofstanding-and-rubbing.
And of all places, it was happening in a hot spring.
Even though it was just a hot spring, in her eyes it felt like a treacherous ocean with wild, crashing waves.
However, from start to finish, Fern didn't show any intense response; she merely soaked quietly in the hot water, watching in silence.
Stella: "the live stream iswell, it's still going, I guess."
Misaka Mikoto: "Hey! You weren't like this before! Where's the old leader of our Anti-R18 Alliance?"
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Wake up; the Anti-R18 Alliance has only you left."
Misaka Mikoto: ""
Misaka Mikoto: "So they're just streaming all of this, and none of you will stop them?"
Erica: "Shush, don't interrupt my admiration of the King's physique!"
Aihara Enju: "Eek E-even though it's embarrassing, Tina and the others all like watching, and we're friends, soI can't stop them!"
"Hmm?"
"Enju?"
Right after Enju said that, a crowd of equally red-faced girls all turned to glare at her. In truth, Enju was also eager to watch, yet she blamed it on them
"U-uh"
Remembering that they, too, were following the group chat, Enju broke into a cold sweat. She was doomed.
"Impressive," muttered a few girls amid the playful chaos.
Not far away, Muroto Sumire let out a sigh of awe.
It was her first time seeing Rei Ao so unrestrained and primal in his desires. Usually, she viewed him as a "god" with hands on his hips, lofty and untouchable. Only now did she feel he displayed the natural impulses of humankind.
"Coughum, we really need to get back to building the city"
Seitenshi rubbed her hands nervously in a tiny voice.
As a pure-hearted saint, even catching a glimpse of the live stream had her blushing madly. She referred to the city-building for cursed children.
Since they belonged to Rei Ao, they couldn't live in the empire; she, Muroto Sumire and others were involved in the children's day-to-day affairs.
The main priority was constructing the city for thema city belonging to Rei Ao's harem, as well.
Right now, Najenda and others were assisting, so progress was smooth.
"Eeek. We can take our time with city-building, but this type of live broadcast is rare," remarked Tendo Kisara, patting Seitenshi on the shoulder with a mischievous grin.
"What's more, you'd better use this as a learning opportunity, so next time Rei Ao visits, we can step up."
She saw things clearly. Neither Enju's circle nor Seitenshi's group would escape eventually.
Pop! A folding fan snapped open, concealing the face of Miori Shiba.
"Kisara's right; learning is necessary."
"Huh? But"
Seitenshi bowed her head, too embarrassed to speak. She saw how calmly the others were reacting while she alone was burning up.
Then again, Miori Shiba's fan was also covering her own red cheeks, and her kimono's long hem hid her trembling legs.
Watching the live feed, one thought repeated in her mind:
"Hehe could really fit it there?"
Three hours later
"Glubglub"
In the hot spring, Frieren was contentedly soaking, blowing bubbles. She seemed to be thinking about the results of her research.
Having cleaned himself up, Rei Ao went over to where Fern was quietly seated.
