After becoming the God-King of Nature, the first thing Frieren wanted to do was use her powers as a nature deity to research a spell for resurrecting the dead. She succeeded with little difficulty. And so she revived her teacherone of the few people she truly cared about, who had left certain regrets behind.
The naked body was clothed. Serie personally examined Flamme's condition and, after confirming she was perfectly fine, let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief. Then, giving Frieren a hearty pat on the shoulder, she asked,
"How exactly did you create a resurrection spell? Teach me!"
She showed no air of self-importance. To her, learning magic was far more interesting than putting on airs.
Flamme, now adapting to her body, also turned to Frieren.
"Frieren, why did you resurrect me?"
She could feel an indescribable vitality coursing through her bodysomething beyond any human scope.
Facing Flamme's puzzlement, Frieren calmly replied:
"Because you are my teacher, so I wished to do it. And since the demons' fate has reached its end, I'd like you, Master, to see what flowers bloom a thousand years later."
"I see."
Flamme took a moment to still her emotions, then said gently,
"Thank you, Frieren."
"Wait. You're not going to explain the demon by your side to Flamme?" Serie asked, pointing at Aura.
Flamme simply shook her head.
"No need, Master. I'm sure Frieren has good reasons."
"Fine."
Seeing this, Serie didn't push. But straight away she changed the subject:
"Frierenteach me your magic!"
Seeing her teacher so hungry for knowledge made Flamme smile in fresh surprise: she'd never seen Serie in quite such a state. She herself was also curious how Frieren had mastered something as miraculous as resurrecting the dead. Meanwhile, a bit worried:
"Frieren, is there any cost in using such a spell?"
This power felt like a taboo. She feared a hidden price.
"No."
Frieren shook her head.
"Because I am now a god."
"A god?"
Serie and Flamme exchanged astonished looks. Yet they saw no deceit in Frieren's words. Next, they heard her further explanation:
"Not long ago, Rei Ao came here, helped me solve the time-travel problem, and granted me divinity."
"What, him?!"
Serie's eyes lit up again at that name, showing excitement.
"Where is he?!"
She was itching to meet him.
"Rei Aowho's that?" asked Flamme, feeling left behind. What sort of being could give someone the power to become a deity?
Serie said, "Flamme, Rei Ao is a manand apparently your student's man."
"Huh?"
Flamme was startled. She couldn't picture how emotionally aloof Frieren could end up finding a partner.
"Heh, I was shocked too. But isn't it interesting?" Serie gave a mischievous grin. "Flamme, no doubt you're eager to know."
"Yes."
She didn't deny it.
"Oh, he's gone back. He had some things to attend to," Frieren said matter-of-factly, shrugging. She'd told Rei Ao that her mentor wanted to meet him, but he said he'd come another time if his schedule permitted. She had no desire to cause him trouble now. "I'm not sure how his gathering is going, or if he's got further commitments afterward."
"Ugh" Serie grimaced.
"Well, if he's got stuff to do, so be it."
Flamme approached Frieren and spoke with feeling:
"Frieren, you've truly grown."
"Mind telling me about all the things that happened in those thousand years?"
"Sure."
Rays of a fiery sunset glinted against the windowpane. Pressed there, Yukinoshita Haruno's body trembled, her alluring figure made even more radiant by that romantic glow.
"Did I die?"
She murmured through parched lips, once again glimpsing a sort of paradise. Haruno realized she had no control over her body anymore. Having experienced paradise time and again, she was unsure if she had truly ascended to heaven.
"Hmph, you're still very much alive. No matter what you say, I'm not going to 'paint' you to death," came Rei Ao's soft whisper at her ear, guiding her mind back from the illusion of heaven and into reality.
"Heh-heh"
She forced an awkward little smile, half-laughing, half-crying. Her rolling eyes spoke volumes. She looked as if she might die of bliss. Her lips trembled, just about to speak
But Rei Ao preempted her:
"If you want to say more, be my guest, but I will continue."
A mere shift
"!!!"
Haruno instantly felt him growing ready again. A flicker of alarm lit her gaze:
"I surrender! I surrender, all right?!"
This time, Haruno was truly frightened. She wasn't about to let herself get so embarrassed as to die of dehydration.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 200 Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 561: Yukinoshita-mama's Shyness...
Haruno raised the flag of surrender, hands up.
Rei Ao didn't press her any further. Even so, they both needed a thorough rinse. Under the shower, Haruno maintained a wary expression.
"Fine, so we're showering together, but don't you get any ideas. I already surrendered!"
That warning was aimed at Rei Ao, who was behind her helping wash her back.
"Heh. Why were you so cocky before?"
Rei Ao recalled how she had worn that look of disdain and said "That's all?"
Haruno rolled her eyes.
"Who knew you're actually not human at all."
Her soft, smooth abdomen still ached. Fortunately, Rei Ao truly didn't attack this 'prisoner of war' who had surrendered.
After he personally scrubbed Haruno clean from head to toe, the shower switched off. Suddenly Haruno spun around to face him directlyeyes fixed on his.
"So what's our relationship now? A fling because we got carried away, or a one-night stand?"
Rei Ao's expression was calm. He didn't think Haruno had genuine feelings for him. That much, he knew.
He asked in turn:
"You think just shrugging off everything as though it never happened is best?"
""
After a moment of silence, Haruno nodded. Rationally speaking, for her and for Yukino, maybe acting like none of it happened was for the best.
Yet for Harunowho'd just spent her first night with a man, and a most unforgettable man at thatthere was a hint of bitterness in her heart.
Especially seeing Rei Ao's reaction once she said yes to that idea: he loosened his grip around her waist, and his gaze darkened.
Just as Haruno was about to resign herself and pretend nothing had happened, Rei Ao moved in again.
"Sorrybut I'm too possessive."
He leaned in, breathing in the warm moisture of her freshly washed hair and skin. Haruno's face changed.
"So, I've decided to make you mine"
"!!!"
Even though it felt like an ambush, oddly enough, the bitterness in Haruno's heart melted away, replaced by a heady sweetness. She bit Rei Ao's shoulder, letting out a muffled response:
"Then you'd better figure out how you'll handle Yukino."
Rei Ao grinned.
"Me? I'm real good at persuasion."
By late afternoon, Yukinoshita-mama had purposely prepared a spread of dishes. Judging by the time the commotion had stopped, she guessed:
"They're finally coming out, right?"
She herself was on her second round of experiencing something like this. The first time was with Yukino, and now the second with Haruno, her two "daughters."
All night she hadn't slept. Taking advantage of a lull, she'd bathed and brewed tea, but then it started againstronger than ever. She truly couldn't figure out her own feelings right now.
Before long, the noise halted at last. Then footsteps came down the staircase.
Rei Ao emerged.
He glanced at the dining area, spotting Yukinoshita-mama, who was standing there, eyes on him.
Straightening his collar, he smiled politely.
"Good evening, Mrs. Yukinoshita."
"Good evening."
She forced a faint, natural-enough smile, then gathered her nerve to ask:
"Haruno?"
"She's quite exhausted and needs rest," Rei Ao answered while descending the stairs, straightforward as ever.
He'd never intended to hide anythingotherwise he wouldn't have gone at it so fiercely. As long as he didn't feel awkward, the awkwardness fell on everyone elseYukinoshita-mama included.
"Are these dishes for Haruno?" he asked, noticing steam rising from the food arranged on the table.
"They're for both of you" she replied, then firmed her tone and pressed:
"Rei Ao, about you and my elder daughter, do you intend to just treatwhat happenedas a moment of impulse?"
"Oh?"
Rei Ao gave her a curious glance, not expecting her to bring it up so plainly:
"Well, yes. Last night, as soon as you step out, you can see how we ended up having that out-of-the-blue clash from trading provocations."
Yukinoshita-mama's face betrayed no change; she merely nodded and gave a slight bow:
"Apologies. Haruno was too reckless. But what's done is doneI can't pretend it never happened. If you both want to treat it as a meaningless slip, for Yukino's sake, I can keep silent"
Though her expression seemed calm, inwardly she felt anything but. Beneath her sleeves, her hands were clenched tight. She wanted neither Haruno nor Yukino to be hurt.
"Mrs. Yukinoshita, you don't want Haruno to be hurt either, right?"
Rei Ao precisely touched upon her true concern, making her heart jolt. She pressed her lips and admitted:
"Yes."
Next moment, Rei Ao's bright gaze roamed over her, with a hint of a smile. He shifted slightly.
"Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?"
"No, your face is flawless, fine as hell," he quipped breezily, causing her earlobes to redden faintly.
"I just think, compared to when we first met, you now truly look more like a mother."
It was a single sentence that struck her heart. Yukinoshita-mama, who always maintained a measured composure in front of others, stood quietly, her feelings stirred.
"I know how much you care for Yukino and Haruno, and I don't want either of them hurt either," Rei Ao said, placing his hands over hers in a gentle but earnest gesture. "So trust me with them. I promise not to let either one be harmed."
""
She listened, astonished at first. But as he spoke, her heart softened. Though it was far from a normal situation, if they could all get along peacefully, that was indeed the ideal outcome.
"I trust you, Rei Ao."
For the first time, she showed him a genuine, gentle smileone that even momentarily took him aback. It was beautifula mature grace distinct from Yukino and Haruno's.
"Umthe food is getting cold." she reminded him softly.
"Right."
Rei Ao naturally let go of her hand, picked up a set of utensils.
"Come and eat with me, Mrs. Yukinoshita."
"All right."
So the two of them, alone, began their quiet dinner across from each other at that large table.
Finishing the meal:
"Thank you. I'll head off now. Please take care of Harunoshe's not in great shape to move around."
He left after reminding her so.
Yukinoshita-mama gazed after him. That look in his eyes, those wordslike a husband telling his wife to watch over their daughter while he's away. And for reasons unknown, her heart felt an odd flutter.
A breeze drifted by.
She stood there, that slight flush on her cheeks and collarbone growing deeper.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 200 Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 562: Looks the Type Rei Ao might Enjoy...
The Next Day, Monday.
At the Service Club, Yukino, Yui, Iroha, and Yumiko had gathered together.
Iroha's gaze swept back and forth across the three of them, making Yumiko uncomfortable.
Slamming a hand on the table, Yumiko stood up.
"Hey, you've been peeping at us this whole time. What's with your sneaky behavior? Just what the heck are you up to?"
She chose to confront Iroha's actions outright.
But Iroha pouted and murmured in a small voice:
"It's so unfair, you senpais totally led me on and made a complete fool of me."
"Huh? Who played you for a fool?"
Yumiko raised a brow and marched right up to her.
"Say it clearly!"
"Yumiko, calm down!"
Yui quickly clung to Yumiko's arm, worried that her temper might flare. Though she herself had no clue what was going on.
"Sigh"
Iroha took a deep breath.
"I already heard everything from Yukino-senpai about the whole truth."
Her eyes brimmed with tears as she spoke in grievance:
"The truth?"
"Yukino?"
Yumiko and Yui both looked at Yukino, who was quietly reading by the window.
"Yukino, what on earth did you tell her? You didn't go talking smack about us, did you?"
Otherwise, she just couldn't figure out why Iroha would suddenly have so many complaints toward them.
Closing her book with a snap, Yukino let out a small sigh, then spoke as though out of options:
"Regarding our relationship with Rei Ao, and a portion of the 'unseen side' normal people can't touch, I explained according to Rei Ao's instruction. That's all."
"Ah?!"
Both of them were startled.
"Shealready knows everything about Rei Ao?!"
Yui shrank in on herself.
Given this, from Iroha's perspective, seeing that they were Rei Ao's girlfriends, trying to help her chase after him definitely wouldn't make sense. She would logically feel they'd deceived her.
""
Yumiko turned, looking at Iroha with a somewhat complicated expression.
"So in other words, now you're one of our 'sisters', right? That night, you had a date, dinner, then off to a hotelyeah?"
Which means Rei Ao had been with Iroha first, and then came to find us!
Thinking about how on that day she and Yui had used "second-hand goods," Yumiko got irked.
"Uh 'sisters'? No, no, I'm not!"
Iroha turned red, flailing her hands in denial.
From the side, Yukino also helped clarify:
"Iroha only encountered that visitor from another world. Because of that, Rei Ao revealed a few details. That's all."
"Oh, that's good then."
Hearing that she had gotten a 'first-hand version' herself, Yumiko felt much better.
Then she lifted her chin and said:
"So we never actually tricked you. If it wasn't for Yui here saying she wanted to help you out, I would've considered it a big hassle to do all that."
"Eh?"
Iroha stared, dumbfounded, then slowly turned toward Yui:
"Yui-senpai Were you really serious about helping me chase after Rei Ao?"
"U-Um"
A flush crept across Yui's face. Self-consciously, she nodded:
"Yes, I truly wanted to help you."
